When Emperor Chongzhen's scolding was still echoing in the main hall, the cabinet chief assistant had to ask: "Your Majesty, what happened to make you so out of shape......

Emperor Chongzhen, who had a solemn face, did not speak, and directly threw out the secret report that was slapped on the dragon case.

I don't know if I don't see it, and I'm shocked when I see it......

After reading the secret report that Chongzhen threw to him, the cabinet chief assistant was still full of doubts and puzzled facial expressions just now. In the blink of an eye, it was covered with solemnity......

After taking a deep breath, he said in a heavy tone to the courtiers behind him: "Ladies and gentlemen, this is a secret report that Jinyiwei just sent from Beijing City...... The heavy losses of the Tiger and Leopard Army in the two provinces of Gansu and Ningbo have made the Beiwangfu re-acquainted with the new army of our imperial court......"

"In order to have an absolute superiority in strength on the battlefield, the Northern King Wei Zheng decided that within a year, the Haw Par Army will be expanded from the current 110,000 to 300,000...... The 300,000 elite ...... of the Tiger and Par Army"

"What?" As soon as the words of the cabinet chief assistant fell, an exclamation began to sound in the main hall.

Dozens of ministers, each with a heartfelt look of shock on their faces.

Because, all of them were frightened by the number of 300,000......

In their eyes, the elite of the 100,000 tiger and leopard army can defeat the imperial court.

Even if the imperial court has now formed a new army of 100,000, Emperor Chongzhen does not dare to guarantee whether this 100,000 new army can fight against the 100,000 elites of the Tiger and Leopard Army. Because, in the just-concluded battle for Qingchuan County, the 4,000 new imperial army that he had spent a lot of financial resources to form did not even repel the 20,000 attacking troops of the Tiger and Leopard Army under the protection of the city wall. And he was wiped out.

And now. This Wei Zheng directly turned 100,000 elites into 300,000......

Everyone can't imagine it. Once the 300,000 elite of the Tiger and Leopard Army is expanded, with only the 100,000 new troops formed by the imperial court, can they block the possible attack of the Tiger and Leopard Army on Jiangnan in the future......

Just when a minister's face became more and more solemn as time went by.

Emperor Chongzhen, who was sitting on the dragon chair, had disappeared from the solemn expression on his face, replaced by a firm and confident expression from the heart.

Because. This secret letter directly proved to all the courtiers how wise it was to expand the new army and merge the 20,000 Ganning new army into the new army of the imperial court.

Not only that, but this secret report also further strengthened Chongzhen's determination to continue to expand the new army.

Therefore, when all the courtiers were immersed in this solemn atmosphere, the voice of Emperor Chongzhen had reached their ears again......

"What's wrong. Are you all stupid by Wei Zheng's decision...... If that's the case, I'll build yì you. Immediately write an excerpt to tell the old man to return to his hometown, and leave the court......"

"If you don't even have the courage to fight against the Tiger and Leopard Army, do you think Aiqing thinks that my Ming Dynasty still has a chance to prosper...... Do I still have a chance to see the new army of the imperial court, re-enter the northern provinces, and restore the former glory of the Ming Dynasty? ”

Chongzhen's series of clever rhetorical questions directly caused the courtiers to blush and be speechless......

At this time, the head of the cabinet, who was under great pressure, had to stand up and speak......

"Please sue Your Majesty, the crime of the ministers deserves death...... It's just that I don't know what your thoughts are...... The old minister affirmed that the Haw Par Army must be because of the new army that had just been formed by the imperial court. If the Haw Par Army is allowed to complete the army, then our new army will definitely be destroyed by the Haw Par Army...... So, we have to find a way to prepare in advance......"

Under the simultaneous gaze of dozens of pairs of eyes, Emperor Chongzhen, who already had an idea in his heart, replied without thinking: "Of course I have a way...... The Haw Par Army can expand its army, and the imperial court can also ......"

He enlisted the financial resources of the northern provinces and expanded the number of tigers and leopards to 300,000. I occupy the richest provinces in the south of the Yangtze River in the Ming Dynasty, and I don't believe that the imperial court will not be able to expand the strength of the new army from 100,000 to 300,000......"

"Therefore, I have decided that while the Haw Par Army is encompassing the army, my 100,000 new troops will also follow the encompassing army......

"I also want to include the army......" After Chongzhen finished speaking, the Hubu Shangshu, who was in charge of the finances of the entire imperial court, was already heartbroken because of the new army of Ganning, and at this moment, it directly became more heartbroken......

Because, after the merger of 20,000 Ganning New Army into the New Army, the extra millions of taels of military spending every year have consumed the last bit of the imperial court's annual financial balance. If the imperial court still plans to further carry out the army, the imperial court really has no money......

However, the analysis and explanation of the Hubu Shangshu, in the eyes of Emperor Chongzhen, was not only not a premonition and a good word, but a satire on the court and himself.

As soon as Tobe Shangshu's words were finished, a trace of murderous aura emanated from Chongzhen's body.

Then, looking at the Tobe Shangshu, he asked ruthlessly: "I don't want to hear these reasons without silver...... I only know that he has only a few northern provinces, and he has the financial resources of 300,000 troops...... However, I occupy the richest Jiangnan ...... in the Ming Dynasty And I have more than twice as many people as he is......" "So, I don't care about that...... As far as I am concerned, I only need silver, and no matter what method you use, you must raise enough money for me to expand my army in a short time...... Otherwise, what do I want you people to do......" "If you think you can't do it, I'll replace you right away...... I believe that there are many Aiqing in the court who can be qualified to be the head of the household, and you are not inferior to ......."

In the face of Chongzhen's murderous rebuttal, all the ministers showed a heartfelt panic expression on their faces.

Because, no one knows whether the angry Emperor Chongzhen will take advantage of this to kill people and establish his authority. You must know that since the imperial court moved its capital to Nanjing, it has killed people directly in this situation more than once......

At this moment, the cabinet chief, who acted as a moderator between the courtiers and Chongzhen, spoke again.

"Please calm your anger, the old minister believes that there must be a way to increase taxes for Lord Shangshu of the household department......"

At the suggestion of the head of the cabinet, the head of the cabinet, who was suffering from gains and losses, and was afraid that Chongzhen would really bring his anger to himself, hurriedly replied...... "Your Majesty, the prosperity of the people in the south of the Yangtze River is definitely far greater than that of the northern provinces...... Therefore, the minister built yì and raised taxes on all the people in Jiangnan...... Lao Chen just roughly calculated, within the tolerance of the people in Jiangnan, the imperial court can get at least five million taels of silver a year...... "After the salt and iron tax increases, the imperial court can also increase the tax of five million taels of silver......" "If His Majesty can agree to reduce the new army's food and salary by 20%, then the extra taxes and saved food and salary of the imperial court will be enough for His Majesty to expand the strength of the new army to 300,000 people......"

In Chongzhen's eyes, nothing can compare to the army in his hand now.

Therefore, Chongzhen, who was driven to madness by the Tiger and Leopard Army, affirmed without thinking about it: "I agree...... No matter what you do, I only need money to expand the new army ......" (to be continued......