How can one be Emperor Chongzhen without money?

Chapter 92 Chongzhen Returns to Beijing, the City Loyal to Him (Twelfth Update)
February 8th, Beijing, Andingmen.

Emperor Chongzhen, Zhu Youjian, was slowly driving his imperial carriage through this city gate, a symbol of "stability." This was his triumphant return after a "personal expedition," having set out from the Forbidden City in Beijing and "traveled" to Tsinghua University. Although the expedition was short, it was a hard-fought battle concerning the very foundation of his power. Now, he had returned victorious.

Unlike the last time when he returned with "salty heads" (referring to the severed heads of Doyan warriors and civilians), when the capital still harbored some doubts about the young emperor's victory in the foreign war, this time, no one had any doubts.

Because Chongzhen not only defeated Hudun Tuhan again in foreign wars, but also won a big victory in the internal power struggles of the court!
Not long after the last campaign against the Doyan tribe, the "eunuch faction" had completely become Chongzhen's lackeys. And this time, those hereditary dukes and marquises were also dogs! Moreover, they were "confiscated dogs" who, after being slashed bloody by Chongzhen with a knife, still shouted at the top of their lungs, "Emperor, loyal! Honest!"
Most importantly, the Beijing Garrison, which had been controlled by these "dog nobles" for over two hundred years, was completely wiped out by Chongzhen this time!

This is a tremendous victory!
This means that the entire city of Beijing, inside and out, with its nine inner gates and seventy-six outer gates, is now under the control of the Imperial Guards! Emperor Chongzhen could sleep a little more soundly.

It also means that Chongzhen suddenly had over a million taels of readily available cash, plus six or seven hundred thousand shi of ready-made military rations! With this money and rations, the Imperial Guard could be transformed into the Xinjing Camp, and the number of his elite troops could increase several times over. Once he had tens of thousands of elite soldiers, he could not only hold off Huang Taiji who was attacking the border, but also stand much more confidently when asking the wealthy people in Jiangnan for money and rations.

"We've won big!" These were the three words on Emperor Chongzhen's mind as he sat in his spacious carriage.

The carriage rumbled through the grand archway of Andingmen. The soldiers guarding the city gate were no longer the scrawny, unfit men of the old Beijing garrison. They were all imperial guards, dressed in thick blue cotton armor, carrying gleaming spears, with swords at their waists. Each one stood tall and proud, with sharp eyes, looking strong and fierce.

From Andingmen to the Forbidden City, along the long imperial road, there were guards every five steps and sentries every ten steps. The guards were all elite soldiers of the Imperial Guard! Their fierce and valiant aura was overwhelming.

As for the Beijing Garrison? Apart from a few thousand who were selected to remain as strong and capable men, most of the others received their severance pay of five taels of silver yesterday, settling their scores with the Ming Dynasty. Those who haven't received their pay yet should be "bought out" and left in the next few days.

"The Emperor has arrived! Officials and commoners alike kneel to welcome him!!"

A loud shout from an imperial guard pierced the chilly air and echoed down the long street.

"Your Majesty is divinely mighty, and your divine power is awe-inspiring!"

On both sides of the road, a sea of ​​kneeling citizens from the capital erupted in deafening cheers. The combined sounds were far louder than when Chongzhen returned with the "salted heads"!

Emperor Chongzhen turned slightly to the side and looked out through the gap in the carriage window.

Among the kneeling crowd by the roadside, a large group of scholars stood out. Dressed in blue robes and wearing square headscarves, they were the candidates who had gathered in the capital from all over the country to participate in the imperial examinations. At this moment, they joined the crowd, excitedly waving their arms and shouting at the top of their lungs, "Your Majesty is divinely mighty!" Their faces were filled with the words "Loyalty! Sincerity!"
Emperor Chongzhen thought to himself: Good, this imperial examination is your chance to "show your loyalty"!
The carriage moved steadily forward and finally arrived at the main gate of the Forbidden City—the Meridian Gate.

Before the Meridian Gate Square, a vast crowd had already knelt down. The civil and military officials, nobles, and relatives who remained in the capital stood in orderly rows according to their rank, respectfully welcoming the emperor.

Emperor Chongzhen's gaze swept sharply across the crowd.

Wei Zhongxian's nephew, Wei Liangqing, was kneeling with Xue Zhen, Li Congxin, and other key members of the "former eunuch faction." Because Wei Zhongxian had made great contributions in the Battle of Xuanfu, these former eunuch faction members had been walking with a swagger these days, always with smiles on their faces, as if they had regained their swagger.

At this moment, Wei Liangqing was also chanting "The Emperor's might is awe-inspiring!" with the crowd, a smile plastered on his face. But that smile looked somewhat stiff, and deep in his eyes lay an undisguised panic. The truth could not be hidden forever!

Duke Zhu Chunchen of Cheng has been arrested! He will soon be escorted to the capital! And those shady plots between Wei Liangqing and Zhu Chunchen... Also, the "Fan Family Old Shop" in Beijing was raided by the Embroidered Uniform Guard last month! The manager and the employees were all arrested without exception, and there has been no news of them since!

His connection with Shanxi merchant Fan Yongdou, and the truth behind the Doyan tribe's invasion of Xuanfu... Wei Liangqing felt a chill run down his spine. He forced a smile, but his heart was pounding with anxiety.

On the other side, the procession of the nobles was even more "spectacular".

"Zhang Xianzhong" refers to Zhang Zhiji, the heir of the Duke of Yingguo; "Xu Xianzhong" refers to Xu Xigao, the Duke of Dingguo; "Zhu Xianzhong" refers to Zhu Guobi, the Marquis of Funing... This group of nobles who used to be arrogant and domineering were undoubtedly the biggest losers in the "Battle of Hudun and Tu's Invasion"!

They lost everything! All they could do was shout at the top of their lungs, "Your Majesty is mighty and awe-inspiring!" to show their loyalty!

"Loyalty! Sincerity!" These two words were almost roared from their throats.

Disloyalty is no longer an option! They've lost everything; most of their wealth has been seized, and their power in the Beijing garrison has been completely eradicated. Besides their "loyalty," which still holds some value and can garner some favor with the emperor, they have nothing left. If they don't quickly cling to the emperor's coattails, their fate will likely be that of a second or third Zhu Chunchen. These nobles know perfectly well what "serious crime" Zhu Chunchen committed.
Emperor Chongzhen, sitting in his carriage, naturally noticed the nobles' unusually enthusiastic cheers and expressions of loyalty. The smile on his lips deepened.

Loyalty? Of course, loyalty is required. But your "loyalty" must be proven with actions, not just by shouting! The Prince of Dai's mansion is left for them to confiscate. Besides confiscating it, they also need to "exile" more members of the imperial clan from Datong to Jiangnan to cause trouble for the wealthy people there! At the same time, they are preparing to harvest the gentry of Jiangnan in the future—harvesting the leeks of Jiangnan cannot rely solely on the eunuch faction; those leeks are tough leeks, and the eunuch faction, nobles, imperial clan members, and border troops must all join in, with everyone offering their loyalty.

Emperor Chongzhen's gaze slowly shifted to the other side. There stood a group of upright civil officials. Leading them were Lai Zongdao, Minister of Rites, and Qian Qianyi, Vice Minister of Rites…

Among the group of civil officials in green and scarlet robes, Chongzhen immediately spotted a very familiar fat man—Yang Sichang, the Fat Old Man!
Hey, still so fat! His chubby figure stood out conspicuously among a group of slender civil officials.

Emperor Chongzhen thought to himself: "You fat old man, I've made progress this time, dealing with all the nobles and eunuchs. Now, you'd better show me some progress too! Show me your true abilities!"

Then, Chongzhen's gaze fell on another person kneeling beside Yang Sichang. The man was tall and upright with a resolute face; it was Sun Chuanting.

Emperor Chongzhen's eyes narrowed slightly, and he silently uttered a phrase only he could hear: "With Chuan Ting's death, the Ming Dynasty is doomed..."

He took a deep breath. This time, I will absolutely not let you die on the battlefield again! But the mess in Shaanxi still needs you to clean up. The Xinjing Garrison has 30,000 to 40,000 soldiers available, just right! I'll send you to Shaanxi to conscript men for me… especially that Li Zicheng! Let him be "Li Xianzhong"! And that utterly disloyal Zhang Xianzhong, bring them in too. Let them take your orders and fight others! That way, won't you, Sun Chuanting, be safe?
Emperor Chongzhen withdrew his gaze and leaned back in the comfortable carriage. The majestic outline of the Meridian Gate loomed large before his eyes.

He's back, back to Beijing, the city that's loyal to him!
The carriage slowly drove into the gate of the Meridian Gate.

The Forbidden City, I am back.

(End of this chapter)