Qi Jiguang left without asking anything. Although he had doubts, he did not hesitate. No matter what Zhu Yijun wanted, Qi Jiguang was willing to fight for it, even at the cost of his life.
After sending off Qi Jiguang, Zhu Yijun also turned around and returned to Wan He Palace. This meeting seemed inconspicuous, but it was a meeting of faith between the ruler and minister of the Great Ming Dynasty.
Although Qi Jiguang had doubts, he was determined to fight for Zhu Yijun, and Zhu Yijun received unprecedented support from Qi Jiguang, which strengthened his belief to continue.
After deciding on the general direction, Da Ming, this huge machine, immediately started moving.
After years of training by Zhu Yijun, the Daming machine worked very fast. Once it ran at full speed, the energy it produced was very, very amazing.
The people from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Works soon finished the consultation.
The construction of Siping and Andong was immediately put on the agenda. Surveyors began to enter the two places, the brick kilns began to expand, and so did the cement kilns. The Daming power began to operate in these two places.
Under such circumstances, Zhu Yijun summoned a person, a person who had been frightened ever since Zhu Yijun came to Liaodong. This person was the Liaodong Army Commander Li Chengliang, a person Zhu Yijun had to see.
When Li Chengliang entered Wanhe Palace, his heart was very perturbed.
Judging from the emperor's behavior in Liaodong, Li Chengliang did not feel that the emperor was close to him.
Li Chengliang also felt that he had done something wrong about the matter of Nurhachi.
Now it seemed more like a stroke of genius for the emperor to make Nurhachi's daughter a concubine.
When Li Chengliang saw Zhu Yijun, he knelt down and kowtowed at once, feeling uneasy. "I'm Li Chengliang, the General Commander of Liaodong Army. Long live the emperor!"
Zhu Yijun was drinking tea at this time. He took a sip and put down the teacup in his hand.
Glancing at Li Chengliang, Zhu Yijun slowly said, "Get up!"
When Li Chengliang stood up, Zhu Yijun opened his mouth and said, "My beloved subject's name has long resounded in my ears."
"When Mr. Zhang was still around, he praised you a lot."
Li Chengliang did not know whether Zhu Yijun's words were sarcasm or something else, but when Zhu Yijun mentioned Zhang Juzheng, Li Chengliang was relieved.
Because the whole Daming knew that the emperor respected his teacher, Zhang Juzheng, from the bottom of his heart.
No official could replace Zhang Juzheng's position in the emperor's heart.
"Daming, the atmosphere in the past was not good. The officials were greedy for money and the generals drank the blood of soldiers, I know it all," Zhu Yijun said calmly, "I also heard about you in Liaodong."
"You took a lot of money and lied about your contributions. I know it all."
When Li Chengliang heard this, he was so scared that he knelt on the ground and quickly said, "I'm guilty!"
Zhu Yijun glanced at Li Chengliang and waited for him to speak. Seeing that he only confessed but did not defend himself, Zhu Yijun said with a smile, "I thought you would defend yourself. Get up!"
When Li Chengliang stood up again, Zhu Yijun said with a smile, "Then I will defend you."
"Liaodong is bitter cold. The imperial court stationed troops in Liaodong, and the silver allocated every year is pitifully small. The soldiers don't have enough to eat and wear, and their armor is not neat. How can they fight?
For years, the barbarians have been punished by the imperial court if they can't win. "
"As a general, we have to think of ways to get some money. Otherwise, we can't live a good life."
"It's not a big deal to exaggerate the credit and get more money. With the layers of exploitation, it's good to have 60% of the military's pay left. I know it all."
"I also know that Qi Jiguang was also paid for nothing in the past."
"In addition, being an official is only for money, not to mention a general who has his head on his belt. Who doesn't want to fight for a noble family who will give his wife and children?" Zhu Yijun said with a smile, "I know it all."
Li Chengliang stood below, trembling with fear, but he could only listen quietly.
"Of course, you have also contributed. Liaodong has been stable for so many years, and I also know it's thanks to you," Zhu Yijun looked at Li Chengliang and said, "I asked you to come today to talk about my rules."
Li Chengliang quickly said, "I will obey your orders, Your Majesty!"
"Let bygones be bygones. I also know that I can't blame you for a lot of things, but from now on, the rules of the army are the rules of the army. Eating for nothing, lying about military achievements, and killing innocent people are absolutely not allowed."
"If you do something against the law again, then don't blame me for not considering the old friendship."
"I dare not!" Li Chengliang suddenly breathed a sigh of relief. This was letting go of the past!
Zhu Yijun nodded, picked up the teacup, took a sip, and said, "As a Daming official, you should act like a Daming official. If your family wants to live a prosperous life, then find a way to make money."
"Liaodong is so big, and there are so many places to make money. Can't you make money by doing things according to the rules?"
"Look at the dukes and marquises in the imperial court. Which one of them doesn't make a lot of money? My Ministry of Internal Affairs also makes a lot of money, but it's all money that comes from a legitimate source. I've made it clear that I don't treat you as an outsider. My dear minister, don't disappoint me."
Li Chengliang quickly knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, rest assured, I will do my best!"
"That's good!"
Zhu Yijun nodded with satisfaction. "Don't worry about the Jurchen's affairs. Do what you should do. If they become bigger, Liaodong will still be in chaos."
"You are a Daming official. If you act like one, I will treat you as one."
In fact, Li Chengliang had long seen that the current emperor's strategy of dividing the Jurchen was much better than his.
After knowing this, Li Chengliang's apprehension in his heart lessened a lot.
"The newly built Andong will be incorporated into Liaodong. After the cities of Siping and Duoyan are built, Liaodong will no longer be a place of war. Many fortresses can be removed, and the soldiers need to be divided."
"I will follow the example of Jiliao and set up the Liaodong Admiral Yamen in Liaodong. This Admiral will be given to you."
Now there were only two Admiral Yamens in Daming, one was the Admiral of Jing Camp, and the other was the Admiral of Jizhou.
The Admiral was different from the Commander-In-Chief. The Admiral was under the direct jurisdiction of the Commander-In-Chief of the Five Armies and was under the control of the Grand Council.
The Commander-In-Chief was under the control of the Governor and the Inspector-General, so their power was different.
The Admiral really had the meaning of a military commander. Because it was a recruitment system, and the salary was issued by the central government, Zhu Yijun dared to do this.
In addition, the local civil and military affairs were divided, and the Admiral was strictly prohibited from interfering with local taxation and administration, which prevented them from becoming big in the local area.
"When you go back, come up with a plan. I believe that you have no problem with your talent."
Zhu Yijun looked at Li Chengliang and said with a smile, "I have high hopes for you. Do a good job, and don't let me down again."