Water Margin: The opening scene involves assassinating Emperor Huizong of Song and forcibly taking L

Then they just stayed in the city and wouldn't leave.

They were simply waiting for news from the front lines.

Chapter 3004 The Opportunist Koreans

Looking at the people celebrating in the streets, Zheng Zhichang said happily:

"How could the Jurchen barbarians possibly defeat China?"

"We'll return to Goryeo after the snow melts,"

"He submitted a memorial requesting a northern expedition,"

"To wipe away the shame of our defeat back then!"

"We can take this opportunity to seize all the land south of the Yalu River!"

The monk Miaoqing began to have a sweet dream.

At this time, the territory of Goryeo

Only the westernmost point reaches the Yalu River.

Even Hamhung belonged to the Jin Dynasty.

The Changjin Lake area,

It was the border between the Jin Dynasty and Goryeo.

.....

Today's imperial council,

The atmosphere was quite relaxed.

I've been very nervous.

The armies of the two countries clashed in Hebei and Shanxi.

No one can predict the outcome of a war.

After all, the Jin army had once routed the Liao army.

But it was these Liao soldiers who were stunned by the attack that...

Yet, they defeated the Northern Expeditionary Song army with fewer troops.

That combat power is terrifying.

It has already traumatized the Han Chinese officials of the Song Dynasty.

Even Zhao Yuan,

I also know that the Jin army was very powerful in history.

I'm afraid that I might accidentally capsize.

During today's meeting, Zhao Yuan even joked with senior cabinet ministers.

Li Bangyan took the opportunity to tell jokes about the Jurchens.

Even the usually serious Zhang Gen was made to burst into laughter.

Talking nonsense

Cabinet ministers then spoke in turn.

Until Qian Chen, the Minister of Revenue, spoke,

The cheerful atmosphere suddenly turned somber:

"Last year, we first had a major war with the Western Xia,"

"It consumed a great deal of grain and fodder."

"Then they recovered Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Guangdong, Guangxi, Fujian, and Jiangxi,"

"Although a considerable amount of money and grain were confiscated,"

"But reorganizing the old army and disbanding soldiers also incurred great losses,"

"These provinces have also reduced taxes and levies to help them resume production,"

"Not much revenue was handed over this year."

"This year, the first battle was against Zhong Xiang,"

"Hunan, Guangxi, and Jiangxi have all been severely affected."

"Especially in Hunan, the population has plummeted and people's livelihoods have deteriorated,"

"Not only can they not collect taxes,"

"We also need to transfer money and grain from Sichuan to provide aid."

"Then came fighting in Hebei and Shanxi,"

"A total of 170,000 soldiers and laborers were mobilized."

"People need food and horses need provisions; money and grain are needed everywhere."

"The imperial court established arsenals in each province,"

"Tens of thousands of suits of armor were made,"

"The number of swords, spears, and halberds is countless."

"And warships, muskets, and cannons,"

"These things cost money like water."

"Victory in this great battle,"

"We must also reward the soldiers and provide compensation for the wounded and the injured."

"If it weren't for the increased issuance of tea and salt certificates,"

"Another shipment of customs duties from the Southeast Maritime Trade Office,"

"The Ministry of Revenue has long been out of money to supply the army."

"If we have to fight another war next year, we must levy more taxes."

"Or perhaps we should follow the example set when the uprising began in Sichuan,"

"Issuance of war bonds to wealthy households."

"It is necessary to know that bonds issued in Sichuan,"

"More than half of the debts have not yet been repaid."

'The Ministry of Revenue has always been in debt,'

"They've been living beyond their means."

"Tea certificates and salt certificates have been issued for two years now,"

"If another issuance occurs next year,"

"I'm afraid tea merchants and salt merchants will complain bitterly."

"Due to the war, all water conservancy projects on the north bank of the Jingjiang River have been suspended!"

The cabinet ministers exchanged bewildered glances.

They knew the central government was facing financial difficulties.

After all, they're constantly at war and haven't raised taxes.

But I never expected that I would be in such a predicament.

Meng Zhao asked, "How much money does the Ministry of Revenue have?"

Chapter 3005 Financial Difficulties

Qian Chen said, "There are still more than 60,000 silver dollars."

"Nine hundred and thirty thousand strings of copper coins,"

"In addition, there are some grains, cloth, timber and other items."

"These funds were used to pay officials' salaries,"

"After distributing the rewards during the New Year,"

"It's not even enough to reward and compensate the soldiers."

Qian Chen did not disclose the amount of the war bonds owed.

That thing was released twice.

Mostly grain bonds,

The total amount, including principal and interest, is estimated to be over one million strings of cash.

That is,

At this time, the Ming Dynasty's finances were in the red.

This is normal for a newly established regime.

Zhu Yuanzhang, the founder of the Ming Dynasty,

During the Northern Expedition, they were no longer able to pay their official salaries.

So they went on a spree of granting land to officials.

Let them grow their own land and harvest grain to offset their wages.

Zhu Di was even more awesome.

Several campaigns against the Mongols left the treasury in dire straits.

Give pepper directly to the officials

Let the officials make money by selling pepper themselves.

These peppers were brought back by Zheng He during his voyages to the Western Ocean.

It was initially very valuable.

Later it became rampant.

This resulted in the officials receiving pepper.

Even if they are all sold,

It's not even enough for my own salary.

This is also one of the reasons why the entire court opposed continuing the voyages to the Western Ocean!

Moreover, the Ming Dynasty under Zhao Yuan's rule...

They did not increase taxes to wage war.

Furthermore, taxes and corvée labor were reduced in the newly recovered provinces.

After careful consideration, Zhao Yuan said:

"Will the war continue next year?"

"We'll discuss it further and make a decision later."

Zhang Gen nodded and said, "The Jin Kingdom suffered a defeat this year."

"Next year will be even tougher than for us,"

"We should seize the opportunity and recover our lost territory in Shanxi in one fell swoop."

"As for the Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun, they were almost entirely destroyed during the Liao-Jin wars,"

"Even if the Jin dynasty relocated its population last year,"

"It is also impossible to restore people's livelihoods in the short term."