You can't only love the Qing Dynasty when you're eating the fruits of others' labor.

Chapter 245 The Money Offensive
How many recruit battalions were reorganized?

"65."

"What about the Banner Camp?"

"22."

Jiang Qingyun did some mental calculations. There were already 87 battalions, each with 500 men, which would amount to more than 40,000 men. The advantage wasn't obvious enough.

"Continue to expand our forces to ensure we have a large and capable army, so that we can maintain our advantage."

"As ordered."

……

"Reporting to the Grand Secretary, we have temporarily requisitioned all the silver reserves of the Ministry of Revenue, totaling more than 230 million taels."

"That's all?"

"Grand Secretary, isn't 230 million taels enough?"

Jiang Qingyun became anxious upon hearing this.

"When the cannons roar, gold flows like water. Our soldiers need to be paid, and the enemy soldiers need to be bribed. What's a little silver enough? Send troops to arrest all the bank managers in the capital."

That evening, more than a dozen managers knelt at Jiang Qingyun's feet.

"I ask you, do you love the Qing Dynasty?"

"Your Excellency, we Shanxi merchants have been blessed by the Emperor for generations, and the Qing Dynasty is like our parents."

To love or not to love?

"like!"

"Alright, we're short of funds now that the rebellion is underway. Do you know what to do?"

One of them asked, "How much does the Grand Secretary need to borrow?"

Jiang Qingyun: "How many do you have?"

Everyone's hearts sank to the bottom.

"You Shanxi merchants shouldn't only love the Qing Dynasty when you're making money off it. I advise you to lend all your cash to the court. Listen carefully, it's a loan, not robbery. You'll be repaid with interest. I've dealt with you all many times; have you ever defaulted on any debts?"

Everyone shook their heads like rattles.

Jiang Qingyun borrows from one lender every six months while repaying the previous one. Although the amount of his loans increases year by year, his credit is indeed impeccable.

“If you borrow, you must return. It will not be difficult to borrow again.”

"Loving the Qing Dynasty cannot just be lip service; you must take concrete actions. Otherwise, I will investigate whether you sympathize with the rebels."

The shopkeepers dared not disobey and went to the adjacent tent to sign the loan agreement.

As a result, Jiang Qingyun's military budget increased by more than 300 million taels of silver, which gave him a significant advantage.

……

To the west of the central government buildings lies the front line where the two armies are facing off.

The royalists mobilized a large number of archers, with strips of paper tied to their arrows.

The note read:

Grand Secretary Jiang Qingyun solemnly warned all members of the Bordered Blue Banner and Bordered Red Banner that the Beijing Incident had a cause, and that anyone who voluntarily defected would receive an additional grade of salary.

Anyone who surrenders with troops will receive a raise and a promotion.

If this oath is broken, the Qing Dynasty will not survive, and Chiang Kai-shek's family will not continue.

Notorious, at a time like this, a heavy-handed oath is definitely necessary!

The Prince Keqin's Mansion.

Jirhalang and Rokodo were horrified. The morale of the army was already low, and this incident would make things even worse.

"Order the front lines to collect the notes. Tell everyone that there is no good end for traitors, and Shunzhi will not forgive us."

"Whoo."

After the subordinate left, the two looked at each other in bewilderment.

"Prince Zheng, what should we do?"

"There is only one law today."

"What method?"

"Concentrate all our forces, seize the Forbidden City in one fell swoop, rescue the Empress Dowager, and then have her issue an edict to depose Emperor Shunzhi and establish a new emperor."

"With morale low and everyone in a state of panic, how can we fight?"

Jirhalang remained silent.

After a long pause, Roccodo spoke again.

"Why don't we run away? Fuchengmen is in our hands anyway."

"Where are you going?"

“Anywhere is better than being trapped in the capital. We can occupy several cities and raise a Green Standard Army in Zhili to counterattack the capital.”

Jirhalang remained silent.

"We can't hesitate any longer. If we keep going like this, we won't have enough food."

Suddenly, a servant came to report, "Your Highness, they have sent a messenger."

The two looked at each other.

"Bring it in."

……

Jiang Qingyun's handwritten letter was sincere and earnest.

~Your Excellencies, this letter is as if we are meeting in person. The events in the capital have their reasons. My past disagreements with you two were public grievances, not personal ones.

Imperial power and banner power should coexist, with banner leaders discussing matters together, and military democracy prevailing. This would be a blessing for the Qing Dynasty and a boon for the Eight Banners.

In past struggles, I had selfish motives and sought to seize power, which was understandable. If we can join hands, we can depose the emperor and establish a new one.

~Heroes cherish heroes. I would like to share a drink with you two, discuss national affairs, and share wealth and prosperity.

If they surrender within 7 days, the banner lord will not be spared, but the princely title will be preserved. After being demoted one rank, the title will still be inherited by the crown prince, who will enjoy wealth and honor, and live and die with the country.

I have prepared 50 taels of silver for each of the two princes as compensation.

Brother, Jiang Qingyun sincerely writes.

The letter ended with four prominent official seals: the seal of the Grand Secretary, the seal of the Commander of the Nine Gates, the seal of the Left Censor-in-Chief, and a personal seal.

The two looked at each other in bewilderment.

Jirhalang: "Did Jiang Qingyun say anything else?"

"The Grand Secretary asked me to pass on a message to the two princes: a political system without human compassion cannot go far."

puff~
Rocco couldn't help but laugh. How could someone be so shameless? Humanity? Was he even human?
"Please have the two princes write a reply so that I can take it back and report."

"Wait a moment. Come on, take him downstairs for some food."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

……

Only two people remained inside.

"Can Prince Zheng be trusted?"

"I don't believe it. After surrendering, we'll be at their mercy, like fish on a chopping board. No matter what happens, we must never relinquish our military power."

"What about us?"

"One hand holds a knife, the other a negotiating position! We can surrender the title of king, but we cannot lose our banner lord. If he agrees, we will continue to be loyal subjects; if he does not agree, we would rather fight our way out of Fuchengmen."

“It’s a deal.”

Zirhalang and Rokodo reached an agreement.

……

When the two armies are fighting, the envoy will not be killed.

The persuader was served wine, meat, and rice, and was watched by two royal guards.

"What official rank do you two brothers hold?"

No one paid any attention to them.

"The war is about to end, and the princes are negotiating with Chief Minister Chiang."

Still, no one paid any attention.

"The conditions are excellent; everyone will be promoted one level and awarded a house."

"Bullshit."

One of the Ghoshha couldn't help but curse.

"Hey~ You don't believe me?"

"I don't believe that."

"The Grand Secretary said that your rebellion proves you have strength and ability, therefore you deserve more benefits. Brother, what official position do you hold?"

“I am a ninth-rank Blue Feathered Chief.”

"If you go alone, you'll receive the salary of an eighth-rank official. If you bring two people with you, you'll have an eighth-rank position plus the salary of an eighth-rank official. If you have family members, you'll also be allocated a house."

"Nonsense, where in the capital are there so many official positions and mansions?"

The persuader gulped down the wine jug and wiped his mouth.

"So many people have died in the capital recently, there are plenty of empty houses, take your pick."

"What about the silver?"

"The Grand Secretary said that even if the Ministry of Revenue is emptied, the reward money must be paid out in full."

"I don't believe it. Jiang is a ruthless killer who murders people in various ways every day. How could he have such a kind heart?"

"Hey brother, times have changed. All that fussing before was for promotion. Our master is now the Grand Secretary, at the pinnacle of power, so he won't be up to any more tricks. By the way, do you still have stir-fried pork?"

"Yes, yes."

While one of them went to the kitchen next door to get meat, the persuader lowered his voice.

"Brother, I see you're a good person, so let me give you a word of advice: if you join the prince, you'll only get a raise. If you join on your own, you'll get a raise and a promotion."

(End of this chapter)