The strongest nine thousand years old

"Why are you back so soon?"

In the bedroom, Yan Yunzheng looked at the dusty Chen Dong and couldn't help showing surprise.

Chen Dong said solemnly, "There is an important matter that needs your attention. If you fail to handle it properly, something bad may happen to the Yan army."

Yan Yunzheng's expression suddenly became serious, "Tell me in detail."

Chen Dong told the whole story of corruption in his army from beginning to end.

After hearing this, Yan Yunzheng flew into a rage, "Go call the Minister of War!"

The Minister of War came to the palace very quickly. At this time, he was unaware of the impending disaster and showed a flattering smile to Yan Yunzheng and Chen Dong.

"Your Majesty, Commander Chen, why did you suddenly summon me?"

Chen Dong said coldly: "Minister Wu, you are really evil to have turned 300,000 taels into 200,000 taels! Tell me everything about your embezzlement of military funds!"

The Minister of War's face turned pale, and he hurriedly explained: "Your Majesty, I was just a small minister at the beginning, and those corrupt things were all done by Minister Wang!"

"I didn't get any money at all!"

Chen Dong said expressionlessly: "Minister Wu, I'll lend you something and let this matter go."

The Minister of War's face lit up, "Thank you, Commander Chen, for your understanding. Please take whatever you want."

"I'll lend you my head."

"puff"

As soon as Chen Dong finished speaking, the dagger had already been used. The sharp knife slashed across the neck of the Minister of War, and a head immediately fell to the ground with a "gurgle".

Yan Yunzheng suppressed his nausea and kicked Chen Dong fiercely, "Clean it up quickly!"

Chen Dong came to the outside of the palace carrying the head of the Minister of War.

The people who followed all the way from Yongzhou all looked at Chen Dong eagerly.

Chen Dong held up the head and shouted, "It has been found that the Minister of War Wu Dahai embezzled military funds. After the matter was exposed, Wu Dahai tried to hold Your Majesty hostage, but I killed him on the spot!"

"From now on, the Imperial Guards will search the Wu residence and investigate the Ministry of War. Anyone who embezzles military funds or withholds food and wages will be severely punished!"

"Commander Chen is truly upright and courageous!"

"Thank you, Commander Chen, for taking care of my son and the soldiers of Dayan!"

"Long live Commander Chen! Long live His Majesty!"

Cheers rang out. Chen Dong's decision to execute the Minister of War and conduct a strict investigation of the Ministry of War appeased the people of Yongzhou.

What happened in Yongzhou spread to other provinces at lightning speed.

More than ten officials from the Ministry of War involved in the case had their homes confiscated and their heads beheaded, and their clans were exiled.

After this incident, Chen Dong took the opportunity to let Yan Yunzheng introduce the military merit system to mobilize the enthusiasm of the people to join the army.

as predicted.

Those who made military achievements were awarded land and titles.

This huge temptation drove all the people crazy.

Moreover, the Ministry of War was strictly investigated, and the salary doubled. There was no need to worry about the food and salary being embezzled. Even if you were a soldier, you could still let your family live a good life. Even if you died in battle, you could be buried in the martyrs' cemetery and enjoy the incense of Dayan, and your children and family members could also receive a series of preferential treatment.

Such good treatment is hard to find even with a lantern.

In just one month, 200,000 new troops were recruited!

And the people sent to the army to train the new troops were the preachers of military strategy.

After Chen Dong killed Wu Dahai, Qiuyue introduced a person to Chen Dong that night.

That person turned out to be Chen Ting's mother, the old woman who was causing trouble.

However, the identity of Chen Ting's mother is just a disguise. Her real identity is the preacher of military strategists, Grandma Sun.

Granny Sun and Old Man Xie are both seniors in the Preacher Alliance. One of them is guarding the home in Yongzhou, while the other comes to Yanjing City to stir up trouble.

Unfortunately, it didn't cause any waves.

After seeing Chen Dong's methods, Granny Sun decided to work for him, on the condition that Chen Dong continued to spread the teachings of the various philosophers.

Teaching, educating and resolving doubts was Chen Dong's original intention, not only for his own identity, but also to enlighten the people and strengthen the country.

Immediately, Chen Dong and Granny Sun reached an alliance, which led to the military strategist's training of the new army.

During the training of the new army, the good news about industrialization that Chen Dong had been waiting for finally came.

Tiemu Feng created an automatic forging device, in which the red-hot steam engine drove the iron arm, realizing the automated production of musket barrels and stocks.

The craftsman only needs to install the barrel and the buttstock together to complete a musket, which greatly improves the manufacturing efficiency.

Before the end of the year, 10,000 muskets and matching bullets had been produced, and Chen Dong immediately equipped them to the Shenji Camp.

"clap clap"

"clap clap"

In the cold winter, the sound of firecrackers, like thunder, could be heard from all over Yanjing City.

The people of Yanjing City were shocked at first, thinking that the gods were angry. Later, they gradually got used to it - it was the musketeers of the Shenji Camp practicing shooting.

"Have you heard? Each bullet fired by those musketeers costs ten coppers."

"Oh my God! This isn't a war, this is spending money!"

"Who says it's not? But the power is really strong. A tree as thick as a fist can be blown to pieces with just one shot."

"The barbarians from the northern border are so lucky now. They can experience the feeling of being hit by money!"

The people in the city would talk about the Shenjiying and the upcoming Northern Expedition after meals.

It was also thanks to the perfume and burning knives that Chen Dong made, which sold for a lot of money, that the Shenjiying was able to support its daily expenditure of over a thousand taels of silver.

Moreover, the Jinyiwei recruited merchants like Li Jie and obtained a lot of silver.

This is where Chen Dong’s confidence comes from.

As winter slowly passed and the Northern Expedition approached, the atmosphere of war began to spread throughout the city of Yanjing and the entire Dayan.

As soon as the price of grain started to rise, it was suppressed by the Jinyiwei Chamber of Commerce, and all grain and meat were supplied to the army first.

The common people didn't care, but the wealthy businessmen and officials were anxious.

One could not make money, and the other could not enjoy a life of luxury, so they complained about the Jinyiwei. But after the Jinyiwei confiscated the most troublesome wealthy merchant, everyone quieted down.

It won’t work if you don’t stay quiet!

Firstly, the Jinyiwei really dared to kill people, and secondly, 200,000 new troops arrived.

Two hundred thousand new troops gathered in Yanjing City from various states, and the cost of food for them and their horses was astronomical.

Fortunately, Chen Dong had been prepared and suppressed the grain merchants from raising prices, and purchased grain from other states, otherwise, the grain reserves in Yanjing City would not be enough.

"Thank you for your hard work during this period." Yan Yunzheng looked at Chen Dong's thin face, a trace of heartache flashed in his eyes.

Chen Dong said unconcernedly, "Working hard now is for the big victory to come."

"Your Majesty, we have an agreement. When I return victorious, you will..."

Facing Chen Dong's winking eyes, Yan Yunzheng did not retort, but turned his head and said "hmm" softly, with a hint of shame on his face.

Chen Dong's eyes were burning and he clenched his fists tightly.

On the second day of February, the army set out!