Ming Dynasty: I risked my life to teach the prince, the emperor begged me not to die

Chapter 428: War Encounters Obstacles
On the third day of November in the fourteenth year of the Hongzhi reign, the Ming Dynasty controlled all ports on the coastal islands of the Japanese.

All seaports were blocked by the Ming Navy. Although there was resistance from the Japanese during this period, the strength of the two sides' naval warships was too different, and the Japanese were no match for the Ming Navy at all.

The Daimyo Army of nearly 80,000 people officially landed on Wa Island and started the land warfare on Wa Island. The main types of troops were still light cavalry and infantry.

Although the Ming Dynasty had a map of the entire Japanese island, it still encountered many obstacles during the attack. The cities on the Japanese island also built strong walls. Every time a city was captured, the Ming Dynasty had to pay a heavy price, and the loss of soldiers became more and more serious.

Although in the eyes of the four barbarians, the Japanese were terrified by the Ming Dynasty's brazen attack, but the current situation on the front line was perhaps only known to the Ming Dynasty court itself.

The advancement was not as smooth as expected. The battlefield on the Japanese island was losing a large number of soldiers every day. If this continued, the Ming Dynasty would have to pay an unknown number of soldiers' lives.

News of the battle from Japan continued to be transmitted back to Peking.

Emperor Hongzhi was even busier during this period. He worked with the six ministries of the cabinet all night long. Many siege equipment was continuously transported to the battlefield on the Japanese island, but the progress was still slow.

The battlefield had been open for two months, and by the end of the fourteenth year of the Hongzhi reign, the Ming Dynasty's finances had begun to weaken.

Two months of military operations over the ocean cost tens of thousands of rations and money every day, and war expenses were burned every day.

The Minister of Revenue Qin Hong was worried every day. Even though it was the end of the year, he did not feel any joy about the New Year.

If this war cannot be ended in a short period of time, the Ming Dynasty's finances will fall into serious financial recession. Now, due to the impact of the war, the domestic economy has begun to decline. The enthusiasm of the people before the war has been exhausted, and complaints have begun to emerge from the mouths of the people little by little.

As food crisis gradually emerged, the Ming Dynasty had to purchase food from Luzon, Ryukyu, and even Korea, Malacca, Sumatra and other places to transport it to the front line on the Japanese island.

December 24th.

The imperial court held the last important meeting of the six cabinet departments in the 14th year of Hongzhi.

The cabinet headed by Liu Jian and the Ministry of Revenue and other ministers suggested that the Ming Dynasty should fight the war quickly and decisively, find a way out as soon as possible and strive to end the war as soon as possible.

But the Ministry of War held a different opinion. The war had reached this point. Even if the Ming Dynasty wanted to stop the war, the Japanese would probably not be willing to do so. Moreover, if the Ming Dynasty stopped attacking the Japanese now, the Ming Dynasty would lose all its face in front of outsiders and its prestige would be greatly damaged.

Emperor Hongzhi and the Ministry of War held the same opinion.

Liu Jian frowned and questioned the Ministry of War, "Your Ministry of War is only responsible for sending troops there. As long as you destroy Japan, your Ministry of War will be famous. But has your Ministry of War considered the actual situation?"

"Give me a definite answer now. When can the entire Japanese island surrender completely?"

How could Ma Wensheng guarantee that? He said, "Since ancient times, the battlefield has been ever-changing. No one can guarantee when they will win completely."

Liu Jian said, "That's it. Whenever your Ministry of War asks for money and food, the Ministry of Revenue will send it. Do you know that the Ministry of Revenue is already in serious deficit?"

"The Ministry of Revenue has already collected next year's summer grain in advance, and the people have long been resentful."

The first time the summer tax was levied in advance, it could be said that it was for the war against Japan, and the people naturally supported it. But if it was levied in advance again, would the people still be willing?
The increase in business taxes has caused the business that has been developed with great difficulty to be on the verge of collapse.

If this continues, even if we conquer Japan, if the domestic economy collapses, what is the point of conquering Japan?
Emperor Hongzhi stopped the quarrel by pausing his hands and asked, "Trace the source of the problem to where it came from?"

Li Dongyang spoke at this time, and he said to Emperor Hongzhi: "The war on the Japanese island is progressing too slowly."

Ma Wensheng said unhappily: "The soldiers fought desperately on the front line, and so many died in the battle. Don't they want to attack faster? Don't you, Lord Li, know how difficult it is to attack the city every time?"

Emperor Hongzhi said impatiently: "Don't argue. I am only asking where the root of the problem lies. I have no intention of holding any government office responsible."

"Mr. Li is telling the truth. Since we know that the attack speed on the Japanese island is too slow, why don't you think about it carefully at the end of the year and see if there is any solution." "As for the financial problems of the Ministry of Revenue, you should also think about it carefully and see if there are other ways to solve it."

"Okay, that's it. Let's have a good New Year and we'll discuss it next year."

"According to the order!"

……

"Cough cough cough."

In Huaihua Hutong, Chen Ce's coughing continued, and Liu Wentai had no choice but to prescribe some cough suppressants for Chen Ce.

All methods have been tried. These days, Liu Wentai has also studied ancient medical books with the Imperial Hospital, trying to find out whether there is any precedent of curing tuberculosis in ancient times.

But after searching for so long, there is still no clue.

Chen Ce's condition is getting worse and worse. In another year or two, he will probably have to stay in bed and wait for death quietly. Who knows how painful it will be by then.

Thinking of this, Liu Wentai couldn't help but sigh.

When Liu Wentai returned to the palace, he informed Emperor Hongzhi and Zhu Houzhao of Chen Ce's physical condition. The father and son came to Huaihua Hutong to visit Chen Ce that day.

Chen Ce sat in the middle hall and poured tea for Emperor Hongzhi and Zhu Houzhao. Zhu Houzhao said with a smile: "My dear brother, why don't you come to the palace to celebrate the New Year this year?"

Chen Ce: “…”

He knew Zhu Houzhao's good intentions, but refused.

"Your Majesty, what is the situation on the Japanese island?"

Emperor Hongzhi comforted Chen Ce and said, "Don't worry about these things. The six ministries will take care of them."

It’s already like this, why are you still worrying about the war on the front line?
Emperor Hongzhi couldn't bear it.

Chen Ce coughed twice and asked Emperor Hongzhi intermittently: "But the progress on the Japanese island is not going smoothly?"

Seeing that Chen Ce insisted on asking, Emperor Hongzhi could only nod helplessly and said, "Well, cities have been built in various places on the Japanese island. I think they are also imitating the defense structure of the Ming Dynasty."

"The Ming soldiers are advancing very slowly, and every siege requires huge casualties."

Chen Ce nodded.

The problems arising from this will only increase. The finances and food supplies of the Ming Dynasty are probably in serious decline. When the people complain, it will be extremely difficult to send troops to attack the Japanese islands.

When fighting in a foreign country, the most feared thing is to be trapped in a positional war of attrition, and then what is being competed is national strength.

Of course, we don’t care about the Japanese invaders. They are already riddled with holes anyway. As long as we can hold them off, we will win. There will always be a time when the Ming Dynasty’s rear supply can no longer hold up.

Moreover, in the later stages of the war, there may be a risk of war spillover. Once the Japanese invaders break through the maritime blockade and reach the inland of the Ming Dynasty, the people in the country will become even more distrustful of the imperial court.

Chen Ce was silent for a moment, then said to Emperor Hongzhi: "Your Majesty, ahem, I... ahem, I will give you a siege weapon."

(End of this chapter)