bookbashuk Chapter 436
Chapter 436
Xiaoying's condition has recovered well, but the wound on her back still needs to be slowly cared for, and it needs to be changed and bandaged many times before it can really heal.
It's more than 200 miles to Xiangzhou, and it's definitely not suitable for a bumpy journey.
But it can't be delayed. Although Zhou Yuan doesn't know what he is going to do there, he just wants to go and see what those Portuguese are going to do.
"Xiaoying, you stay in Guangzhou to recover. The internal guards will take good care of you, and Guanlu will also send people to protect this courtyard."
"When you are healed, brother will come to pick you up."
Zhou Yuan said carefully, fearing that this girl would be sensitive and think too much.
Xiaoying was very well-behaved, just nodded gently, and hugged Zhou Yuan reluctantly.
Zhou Yuan couldn't help but feel a little emotional. He touched her little face and smiled, "Don't worry, I'm not going to fight this time, I'm just going to check the situation. I'll leave early tomorrow morning."
Xiaoying whispered, "Master Zhuang said that I still need to recover for half a month. It's a long time."
Zhou Yuan said, "I'll pick you up soon. Your brother and I will stay in Yuehai for half a year."
"So long."
Xiaoying blinked and tilted her head and said, "What about my sister?"
She was talking about Zhao Jianjia.
Zhou Yuan smiled and said, "I will go back to Zhongnan Mountain to see her. Everything is still uncertain. It's just a temporary plan. You know, your brother is not the one who makes the decision. Her Majesty the Queen is."
Zhou Yuan guessed that it was actually difficult for the eldest sister to make the decision on this matter. The key was to see the mentality of the royal family, the clan and the civil service group.
See how long these forces can hold on.
The big slap in the face of the Battle of Yuehai had already been dealt, and the next step was a mixed fight between the Eastern Tartars, the Northern Mongols, and the Tusi.
Even if Prince Fu could bear it, the civil service group and the royal family could not bear it.
And just as Zhou Yuan expected, the news of the complete defeat in the Battle of Yuehai was spreading to the capital at a speed of 800 miles a day.
On the morning of September 18, Prince Fu was enjoying the supreme power and squandering the pleasure of issuing orders, and the bad news had already arrived.
"Report! Urgently send a report from the Guangdong Sea, 800 miles away!"
"The Governor of Fujian and Guangdong, Qi Changshi, sent a letter saying that the Guangdong Sea War was a complete defeat, with more than 30,000 casualties in the Fujian Navy, only three of the eight large ships left, and only six of the 26 auxiliary ships left."
"The Portuguese warships were only slightly damaged, with less than 200 casualties."
"When the letter was sent, our Great Jin had already lost control of the entire coastal area."
The series of words made Prince Fu dizzy, and he hurriedly said, "Show it to me quickly!"
The civil and military officials were also in an uproar, and they all started to discuss it.
After reading it, Prince Fu threw the memorial heavily and said angrily, "Navy Admiral Jiang Hao is really guilty of a thousand deaths!"
Many officials looked at each other, and finally set their sights on Xu Shigong.
Qi Changshi was a member of the Chu Party, so Xu Shigong should be the one to ask.
Xu Shigong also gritted his teeth and saluted, saying, "Your Highness, the Regent, did Jiang Hao make a mistake in command, leading to the disastrous defeat in the war?"
Prince Fu said loudly, "Jiang Hao was in charge of the main ship. After the ship was hit by the cannon, he was so scared that he turned around and fled, causing the other warships to panic and be unable to attack or defend. They were all stuck together and were attacked by the three Portuguese ironclad ships with concentrated artillery fire, suffering heavy losses."
"This Jiang Hao, who is incapable of doing anything but causing trouble, what kind of a coastal defense general is he!"
"The cabinet drafted an edict to blame Jiang Hao for directing "He was guilty of making mistakes and cowardice leading to defeat. His head should be chopped off as a warning to others."
After these words came out, Xu Shigong's face changed drastically, and he hurriedly said: "Regent, calm down. The Fujian and Guangdong Navy has been seriously injured and the morale of the army has been damaged. If Jiang Hao is killed again, it will inevitably cause a mutiny."
"Jiang Hao has been the admiral of the navy for more than ten years. He has a very high prestige in the army and cannot be killed easily!"
King Fu was furious and said: "Then what do you say? Should I still commend him!"
"I dare not."
Xu Shigong lowered his head and dared not say more.
Yang Guozhong frowned, sighed slightly, and stood up: "Reporting to the Regent, I suggest that Jiang Hao be temporarily removed from the post of General of the Coastal Defense and the Admiral of the Fujian and Guangdong Navy, and demoted to the flank general or flank deputy general as a punishment."
"At the same time, order the admiral of the Leiden Navy Ding Yuan to go south to the Guangdong Sea to take over the post of admiral and boost the morale of the Fujian and Guangdong Navy."
The King of Fu panted, calmed down for a moment, and then said: "Just do as Yang Ge Lao said."
Yang Guozhong said: "Your Majesty, the Fujian and Guangdong Navy has suffered heavy losses and its vitality has been greatly damaged, but the country cannot do without coastal defense. Please allocate 4 million silver to supervise the construction of warships, recruit new soldiers, and train the navy in Fujian and Guangdong provinces, and wait for a decisive battle with foreign pirates in the future."
Hearing this, the King of Fu almost breathed out.
How long has it been since you took office? You asked me for silver? Don't you know how much silver is left in the treasury?He was sweating profusely, looking at the Minister of Revenue, forcing a smile: "Lord Liu, how much silver is left in the treasury?"
Liu Jing said solemnly: "Respectfully, as of the end of July this year, the treasury has a surplus of about 30 million taels, which came from King Jing and his subordinates, as well as the quarrels between several wealthy families in Kaifeng."
"In the middle of last month, the Ministry of Revenue spent more than 18 million taels, of which 10 million taels were used to restore the livelihood of the people in the Central Plains and Huguang and to resettle refugees, and 8 million taels were used to support the military expenses of the three borders and border towns such as Xuanfu, Jizhou, Tianjin, Xining, and Gansu."
"There are about 12 million taels left at present, but this is to be used to settle the annual salaries of officials and various expenses of the court at the end of the year."
Prince Fu frowned and said: "Autumn tax is not Is it coming soon? That money can be used for expenses in the future. "
Liu Jing said solemnly: "Your Highness, the Regent, this year's tax revenue is not as good as in previous years, mainly due to the refugee crisis and the Liangjiang Rebellion. "
"For example, the Central Plains is controlled by Zhang Bailong. At present, Lord Deng is still doing his best to restore order, constantly gather forces, and eliminate the remaining bandits. The autumn tax will not be raised for the time being."
"In the Liangjiang area, due to the chaos in the middle of the year, Han Tuo and Cheng Ping rebelled, which also delayed farming. Although the autumn tax has been counted, the effect is not good."
"According to the estimate of the Ministry of Households, this year's autumn tax is probably only about 40 million taels, which is far from enough for expenses."
But after hearing this, Prince Fu has already started to have a headache.
If I can't even pay the annual salary at the end of the year, how can officials from all over the country support me? This money cannot be touched!
So he said in a deep voice: "The military expenses for rebuilding the Fujian-Guangdong Navy should be paid by the people of Fujian and Guangdong. The Navy protects them, so they should naturally show some appreciation."
"The population of Fujian and Guangdong is about 5.6 million. If each person pays one tael of silver, that is 5.6 million taels, which is enough."
Many ministers looked at each other, and huge waves rose in their hearts.
One tael of silver per person? Prince Fu is forcing people into a dead end!
Zeng Cheng couldn't help but said loudly: "Your Highness the Regent, one tael of silver per person is equivalent to double the taxes in Fujian and Guangdong this year. How can the people afford it!"
Prince Fu frowned and said: "Rebuilding the Fujian-Guangdong Navy is to better protect the people of Fujian and Guangdong. They should understand the good intentions of the court."
"Only after defeating the Portuguese can they have a chance to recuperate. That's it."
After the court was dismissed, Yang Guozhong and others walked out of the Golden Palace slowly, and their expressions continued to be solemn.
Xu Shigong was the first to lose his temper. He walked directly to Yang Guozhong and whispered, "Does Yang Ge Lao really want to draft an imperial decree? One tael of silver per person, this is forcing people to sell their wives and daughters!"
Yang Guozhong said indifferently, "Lord Xu knows everything, why don't you persuade the regent?"
Xu Shigong said, "Persuade? Everyone knows that in order to pay the annual salary and military pay, and to get the support of officials and the army, the regent can do anything. What's the point of making the people suffer?"
Yang Guozhong said, "Since you understand, there is no need to say more. I can't persuade him."
Xu Shigong sighed deeply and said helplessly, "Prince Fu... Alas... He really doesn't want to trouble us, but if he keeps making trouble like this, what should Dajin do?"
Yang Guozhong said with a change of color, "Lord Xu, watch your words. These words are not for you and me to comment on. Please go back to the mansion and rest."
Xu Shigong closed his mouth, worried in his heart, but subconsciously looked towards the southwest.