After learning that Zhang Weixian wanted to stay in the northwest, Ceng Shengwu's expression relaxed. Looking at Zhang Weixian, Ceng Shengwu muttered to himself for a moment before saying, "This old man is preparing to report the number of soldiers to the imperial court."
"Then how many does Lord Ceng think is suitable?" Zhang Weixian looked at Ceng Shengwu and asked.
Ceng Shengwu thought for a moment before replying, "Fifty thousand is about right!"
Zhang Weixian was somewhat noncommittal about the fifty thousand that Ceng Shengwu mentioned. Zhang Weixian knew more than Ceng Shengwu.
This was because before he left the capital, the capital barracks had already been restructured. Putting aside the recruitment of soldiers, the capital barracks' main focus this time was on the military system.
According to the Emperor, it was to fight in the army and not rely on numbers like before.
The person in charge of this restructuring was the Marquis of North Placating, Qi Jiguang. According to his report, the number of soldiers in a corps was 36,000, which was equivalent to a wagon battalion.
There were many subdivisions of soldiers in the middle, and more emphasis was placed on coordination.
Other things aside, just the number of cannons alone was enough to make Zhang Weixian speechless.
Under these circumstances, the possibility of the Emperor agreeing to Ceng Shengwu's request for fifty thousand soldiers wasn't very high.
It had to be known that the imperial court had nine regions. If the annual expenditure on the Datong Army reached two million taels, then how much would the entire nine regions cost?
How much would the capital barracks need?
How much would the southwest barracks need?
Even if the officials and gentry were to pay for the rations, the imperial court still wouldn't be able to support so many soldiers!
However, Zhang Weixian wasn't prepared to argue with Ceng Shengwu on this issue. It was good to report more so that His Majesty would have some leeway.
"Lord Ceng has considered everything thoroughly!"
Zhang Weixian smiled and said, "It's just that if we reduce the number of soldiers to fifty thousand, the defenses of the Datong Residence will have to be rearranged. I'm afraid that Lord Ceng will have to work a little harder!"
"Sharing the country's worries isn't hard at all!" Ceng Shengwu said with a serious expression.
These days, news of Datong Town had spread very quickly. There was the recruitment of soldiers and the purchase of land by the woolen mill.
According to an insider, the woolen mill had bought the land from the governor's office for eighty taels of silver per mu.
The governor's office had sold 3,000 mu of land and 5,000 mu of barren hills for a total of 440,000 taels of silver.
Another piece of news was the recruitment of male workers. The woolen mill had started to recruit male workers. Apart from providing meals every day, they were also given a salary of 30 copper coins.
For a time, countless people flocked like ducks. Most of them were soldiers who had been freed.
The entire riverside of the South Canal had become a construction site. Countless construction materials were being transported here. It was bustling with activity.
On the grasslands, the Wala tribes were also busy. They were busy shearing sheep.
It had to be, and it was that, Snow had Snow, and had started, and had to had.
But this year was different. Everyone had saved their wool and were preparing to go to Datong to exchange for other goods.
Gu Zi. and
Third Lady sat on a chair and leaned against the fire in the charcoal brazier. She glanced at her younger brother, Mo Rigen, and said, "The Datong Guard has sent word. They want us to prepare the wool as soon as possible."
"It's almost ready. The first batch will be shipped in a few days." Mo Rigen nodded.
Although Mo Rigen was also ambitious, whether it was him, the Third Lady, or the other people of Wala, they all understood one thing. That was, Wala was powerless to challenge the Great Ming Dynasty. They could not win.
Sanniangzi nodded. "Personally go with the first batch. Don't let them cause trouble there."
Mo Rigen nodded. "I'll make the arrangements. There won't be any problems."
"Is there any news of Hwang Tae-gil?"
Sanniangzi was very concerned about this. If Hwang Tae-gil didn't die, she wouldn't have any confidence.
"Yes!"
Mo Rigen nodded. "There's news from the east. Hwang Tae-gil has settled down in Chahar. Buyan Chechen has taken Hwang Tae-gil in and given him a small tribe. He's now with Buyan Chechen."
After a moment's thought, Sanniangzi said helplessly, "Buyan Chechen's desire to unify the grasslands hasn't died!"
Mo Rigen was silent. He knew that Buyan Chechen's desire to unify the grasslands hadn't died, and his desire to take Hwang Tae-gil in was obvious.
Sooner or later, Buyan Chechen would attack, and things would become troublesome.
"Chahar and Nekalga are not peaceful. Buyan Chechen won't attack."
Mo Rigen didn't know if he was trying to comfort himself or his sister.
Sanniangzi didn't care too much. She waved her hand and said, "Horqin is a fox of the grasslands. They're very treacherous. It's impossible for Buyan Chechen to command them. As for Nekalga, we've long found Buyan Chechen displeasing to the eye."
"But strengthening ourselves is the most important thing. We can't wait for others to grow weak."
In reality, Sanniangzi was more worried about Daming. Daming, this emperor, made her feel very uneasy.
Although the young Son of Heaven wasn't very old, his gaze was extremely invasive. When she was stared at by him, she felt very uncomfortable, wanting to submit.
Rather than worrying about Buyan Chechen attacking, it was better to worry about Daming attacking.
"I heard that the Datong Prefecture is changing its military system."
Mo Rigen thought for a moment, then said, "They're abolishing their original military households and giving all the land to the military households. In the future, the Datong Prefecture will adopt a recruitment system."
Recruitment system?
Of course, Sanniangzi knew what the recruitment system was about. When Daming and Wala were on good terms, she had followed An Dahan to Datong and knew the difference.
She hadn't guessed wrong. The young Son of Heaven was very ambitious!
"I'll personally bring the wool to Datong!" Sanniangzi thought for a moment and made this decision.
Sanniangzi wanted to personally take a look. Without waiting for Mo Rigen to speak, Sanniangzi said first, "Recruitment system. Do you know what I'm thinking of?
It's the Qi Family Army, the most famous recruitment system for Daming.
"Datong's commander-in-chief is called Ma Lu. He's an amazing person. If they recruit soldiers, perhaps in the near future, Datong will have a Ma Family Army.
I want to personally take a look. Otherwise, I won't be at ease. "
Mo Rigen said indifferently, "Fortunately, Ma Fang is dead. Otherwise, it would be the Ma Family Army."
"The Daming does have people who can fight, but it's only Qi Jiguang. The others can't be considered."
Sanniangzi knew that her brother's thoughts couldn't be changed in a short period of time, so she didn't say anything more.
As a woman who had been on good terms with Xu Wenchang and Wu Dui, Sanniangzi understood the Daming better than anyone else.
The recruitment system and the military system were both the Ming Army, but they were definitely two different kinds of Ming Army.
Compared to the military system, the recruitment system was really good at fighting. Sanniangzi was very clear about the famous reward of the Qi Family Army. One head was forty taels. Not to mention others, even Sanniangzi wanted to chop off the head when she heard about it.
This time, when they fought against Hwang Tae-gil, the Daming Emperor fulfilled his promise. It was said that the reward for the head alone was two million taels.
If she didn't go to the capital to meet with him, the Ming Army of Datong Prefecture would have already rushed out.
In the past, it was her people who harvested the grass and grains. In the future, it would be the Ming Army who harvested the heads. Chopping off two heads in one trip was a new shortcut to becoming rich.
No one dared to look down on the power of money, especially for the poor at the bottom.
"After Datong, it will be Xuanfu. After Xuanfu, it will be Yulin. If I change them one by one, it won't be long before the Ming Army leaves the fortress." Sanniangzi reminded herself in her heart. At the same time, she was determined to go and take a look.
Spending so much money to nurture the soldiers, it definitely wouldn't be for decoration!
Datong, the yamen of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
These few days, Li Zhonghang could be said to be extremely busy. He could be described as being beaten on the back of his head.
Although it was winter and building houses couldn't be done, leveling the land, quarrying stones, and preparing the wood could all be done.
How could he not be busy? He had to make the looms and organize the ships to transport the goods.
The first batch of wool from Wala was about to arrive. The construction of the warehouse was being rushed. Although the textile factory couldn't be built, everyone wanted to start work before the New Year so that they could have the first batch of woolen coats.
It was certain that woolen coats didn't sell well in the summer, but they would definitely sell well in the winter.
Whoever could make them earlier would be able to sell them earlier. Don't underestimate the fact that they could sell them earlier. That was an incredible thing.
For this purpose, regardless of whether it was the Jin merchants or the Honours, they were all extremely busy.
"Your Excellency, there's news from Wala!" A figure ran in from outside and said loudly.
Li Zhonghang raised his head and asked, "What news?"
"The first batch of wool has been shipped. It will be here soon. Also, Sanniangzi is coming personally this time." The subordinate quickly said.
Sanniangzi is coming personally?
Li Zhonghang smiled bitterly. However, he knew that he couldn't stop this. He couldn't stop Sanniangzi from coming.
He didn't have the authority nor the guts to do so. After thinking for a while, Li Zhonghang asked, "Does the governor's office know?"
"Yes!" The subordinate nodded and said, "The news came from the governor's office."
Li Zhonghang heaved a sigh of relief. "That's good. Then there's nothing for us to do."
Capital City, Wenhua Palace.
Zhu Yijun walked out of Wenhua Palace and stood on the porch. He looked at the fluttering snowflakes outside. He was wearing a woolen coat with an indifferent expression on his face.
Since the beginning of winter, although the weather was very cold, it didn't snow much.
Today, the heavens seemed to be on his way. It finally snowed, and it didn't stop once it started.
Compared to snow, Zhu Yijun preferred it to rain. However, snow was also good. At least it wasn't a drought.
Today was the third day of the twelfth lunar month. It was going to be the New Year soon. Zhu Yijun couldn't help but sigh at how time flew. In the blink of an eye, another year had passed.
It was going to be the sixteenth year since he came to this era. Many things were going to change.
He participated in some things, and he didn't participate in some things. Some things were beyond his control, and some things were deliberately ignored.
For example, in Liaodong now, there was probably a person who was scheming to strengthen himself.
He should be planning how to defeat his opponents. Maybe he had already defeated a few. Soon, he would unify the female cultivators in Jianzhou.
At that time, a great force would rise in Liaodong. It was an interesting thing.
Zhu Yijun's gaze drifted to the distance with the snowflakes, but his heart was calm.