How can one be Emperor Chongzhen without money?

Chapter 229 Bandits Take Root, Prince Relocates (Fifth update today! Please add to your favorites and subscribe!)

In the autumn of the third year of the Chongzhen reign, the wind carried a chill that penetrated to the bone. Yet, at the foot of Swan Slope in the Hetao region, a rare golden scene unfolded.

This place was originally the site of an old Ming Dynasty military fortress. The earthen walls have long been eroded by wind and sand, leaving gaps and cracks, but the basic structure remains. Outside the fortress, vast wheat fields stretch all the way to the Yellow River. The soil is incredibly fertile, and although the planting is somewhat haphazard, with some areas higher than others, the soil is still very fertile. Several old irrigation canals, dug in an unknown era, slowly draw muddy Yellow River water into the fields. Thanks to this water, even though the north is so dry that the ground is cracked, the spring wheat here still grows beautifully, its heavy ears bowing low, gleaming golden in the setting sun.

The fields were bustling with activity. Thousands upon thousands of men, including Gao Yingxiang's old soldiers and many more refugees who had just fled famine from northern Shaanxi, all rolled up their trousers, wielding sickles as they rushed to harvest the wheat. Sweat streamed down their dark red backs, but everyone's face radiated vitality. Shouts and the swishing sound of sickles cutting through the wheat stalks blended together.

Gao Yingxiang, no longer wearing his coarse cloth robe, walked side by side with Namuzhong, the First Princess Consort of Nangnang, along the ridge of the field. Namuzhong's Han Chinese clothes were already a bit tight, and she carefully protected her slightly protruding belly with her hand—where she was carrying Gao Yingxiang's child. Her features were softer than usual, but the air of a noble lady from the grasslands had not faded.

In the distance, along the riverbank, one could still see the Mongolian herders she had brought, riding horses and herding herds of cattle and sheep. On one side were Han Chinese refugees rushing to harvest wheat, and on the other side were Mongolian herders living by water and pasture. These two groups of "homeless dogs," driven to the brink by the world's hardships, awkwardly but stubbornly took root on this riverside in the border region, relying on each other for warmth.

“Look at this wheat,” Gao Yingxiang bent down, plucked an ear of wheat, rubbed it in his hand, blew off the husk, revealing plump grains, “This winter, the brothers will be able to eat a few meals of white flour buns.”

Looking at the boundless golden expanse before her, Namuzhong nodded: "Only with roots can one grow strong. It's better than drifting on the grassland."

As they were talking, a cloud of dust suddenly rose from the dirt road in the distance. A group of about a dozen riders, escorting a large, dark mass of staggering figures behind them, were heading towards the fortress. The first dozen or so riders suddenly spurred their horses and charged forward like a whirlwind.

The leader dismounted, a burly man with a bushy beard—it was none other than Zhang Xianzhong, the Eighth King. He rushed to Gao Yingxiang and Namuzhong, clasped his hands in greeting, and spoke in a loud voice with a heavy Shaanxi accent:
"King Chuang! Sister-in-law! I'm back!"

He pointed to the group of ragged, emaciated refugees behind him, "They've brought thousands more mouths to feed! They've all crawled out of that living hell in northern Shaanxi! That damned heavens, not a drop of rain in eight months, the seedlings in the fields have long since withered! The tree bark has been gnawed off, and I heard... I heard they've even started cannibalism!"

Zhang Xianzhong took a deep breath, his face a mixture of resentment and excitement: "That little emperor Chongzhen only knows how to fight the Tartars, he doesn't care about the lives of the people! The tax collectors are more vicious than the King of Hell! If this continues, not only Shaanxi, but also Shanxi and western Henan will be in chaos!"

He leaned closer, lowered his voice, but it sounded even more ruthless: "King Chuang, look at this, it's a golden opportunity! We'll manage things well here in the Hetao region, build up our strength. When the time is right, we'll break out from here, take Shaanxi first, then seize Guanzhong! At that time..."

Gao Yingxiang had been listening quietly, but then waved his hand, interrupting him, and casually dropped a message: "Eighth Prince, you've come at the right time. The Governor of Shaanxi, Hong Chengchou, has sent someone to deliver another message."

Zhang Xianzhong's eyes widened: "What are you saying? Are you suggesting we offer amnesty again? To hell with it! I don't trust you!"

Gao Yingxiang smiled and said, "If we are willing to stay here in the Hetao region, we will be granted the title of a garrison. If we can recruit more refugees, the commander-in-chief is not unwilling to discuss it."

"Bullshit!" Zhang Xianzhong spat. "Like a weasel paying respects to a chicken, he's up to no good! King Chuang, don't fall for it! I saw it clearly in northern Shaanxi, the very foundation of the Ming Dynasty is rotten to the core! If we work hard, in less than three years, we'll surely be able to raise an army of 100,000, no, 200,000, 300,000 in the Hetao region!"

Gao Yingxiang didn't respond to his words about the world; instead, he turned his head and looked again at the golden waves of wheat undulating in the evening breeze, and at the end of the wheat fields, the turbid yet life-giving Yellow River. He slowly said:

"The more people there are, the more opinions there will be. Let's finish harvesting the wheat in front of us first, and let the people who are with us get through this winter first."

The setting sun cast long shadows of several people onto the bountiful wheat field. Inside and outside the fortress, shouts of people and neighing of horses filled the air, and wisps of smoke rose from chimneys. On the edge of this chaotic world, a small patch of struggling human life had managed to emerge.

……

The Flowing Cup Pavilion in Xiyuan, Beijing.

The autumn wind swept across the surface of Taiye Pond, rustling the withered lotus leaves.

Inside the pavilion, a table laden with simple food and wine was set out. Emperor Chongzhen, dressed in casual clothes, sat in the main seat. To his left was Prince Qin, Zhu Cunshu, and to his right was Duke Yansheng, Kong Yinzhi. Wei Zhongxian and Wang Chengen stood respectfully behind Chongzhen, their hands at their sides.

The most eye-catching thing on the table was a large plate of freshly roasted sweet potatoes, still steaming, with cracked skins revealing the golden-yellow flesh inside.

Chongzhen picked one up first, slowly peeling off the hardened outer skin, releasing a sweet aroma mixed with the scent of caramel. He took a small bite and chewed it carefully. "Try some, everyone. Don't stand on ceremony. Today, we're not distinguishing between ruler and subject; let's just think of each other as business partners chatting together."

Prince Zhu Cunshu of Qin quickly picked one up as well, peeled it open like him, took a big bite, and slurped because it was so hot, but he kept praising it: "Oh my! I have lived half my life and I never knew there was such a delicious thing in the world! It is as sweet as honey and so filling. It is really a good thing, a good thing!"

Duke Yansheng, Kong Yinzhi, ate more refinedly, taking small bites before nodding and saying, "Your Majesty, this food has a simple and rustic flavor, and is very filling. If it is truly as Your Majesty says, drought-resistant and highly productive, it is indeed an auspicious sign that saves countless lives. After returning to Qufu, I will immediately set aside one hundred acres of good land in the sacrificial fields to carefully try planting it!"

Emperor Chongzhen smiled, put down the remaining half of the sweet potato, and wiped his hands with a warm towel. "As long as it tastes good. This stuff isn't picky about the soil; it can grow as long as there's a little water." He sighed softly. "These past few years, the north has suffered from drought. I heard Consort Liu and Consort Yang mention this sweet potato and thought it might be a good thing, so I had Liu Xiang and Yang Qi send some to Beijing. I also had Consort Yang lead people to try planting it in the Western Garden, and it seems to be doing quite well. Duke Yansheng, you must have your people put more effort into it. If it really suits the soil and water of Shandong, then gradually expand the planting area. Don't be picky about good fields; good fields are good for anything. Try planting some poor, dry land."

"Your subject obeys the decree." Duke Yansheng accepted the decree without further ado.

Chongzhen nodded slightly, then changed the subject to the matter of "buying at the bottom": "The other day, we partnered up to 'buy at the bottom' of real estate in Beijing. What do you two think of our plan?"

As he spoke, he gave Wei Zhongxian a wink. Wei Zhongxian immediately stepped forward, pulled a small notebook from his sleeve, and said in a shrill voice, "Your Majesty, this old servant has done a rough calculation. The silver we invested back then, just considering the current market value of the real estate and shops, has already increased by this much!" He held up three fingers, "And this doesn't even include the revenue generated from the interbank transfer business of the Imperial Estate Bank, Lu Shengfeng, and Qin Jinyuan."

The King of Qin and the Duke of Yansheng's eyes lit up immediately, their faces beaming.

They bought at the bottom of the market!

They had recently seen Emperor Chongzhen full of confidence, using real gold and silver—no, imperial silver notes—to buy up properties and land at half price, so they followed suit.

Now, he's earned at least several hundred thousand taels!
So this is what it means to follow the Emperor! They never would have imagined it before!
Emperor Chongzhen gently waved his hand, stopping Wei Zhongxian from speaking. He picked up his wine cup, took a sip, and gazed at the withered lotus leaves outside the pavilion, his tone becoming somewhat distant. "This small gain is just an appetizer. Real estate in Beijing and the surrounding areas is still going to see a significant surge!"

Will prices rise further?
real or fake?

Prince Zhu Cunshu of Qin and Duke Kong Yinzhi of Yansheng were both excited when they heard this!

Seeing that they were both interested, Chongzhen suddenly changed the subject and said, "These days I have been thinking that the princes and dukes in various places are all my flesh and blood relatives, but they are enfeoffed in the countryside all year round, confined in the city, like birds in a cage."

Prince Qin, Zhu Cunshu, paused for a moment, then seemed to understand something, and leaned forward: "What does Your Majesty mean?"

Chongzhen turned his head and glanced at the Prince of Qin and the Duke of Yansheng: "If they could all be summoned to the capital by imperial decree and stay by my side, just like the Prince of Qin, wouldn't that be wonderful?"

Kong Yinzhi stroked his beard and pondered, "His Majesty's benevolence is truly moving. However... the princes have been in their fiefdoms for a long time, and I'm afraid they will find it hard to leave their homeland."

Emperor Chongzhen didn't take the bait from Confucius at all, and simply smiled faintly and said:

"Think about it, my two ministers. The princes in various regions have been passed down for so many generations. Which of them doesn't have some wealth in their treasury? The Prince of Zhou's mansion is in Kaifeng, the Prince of Chu's mansion is in Wuchang... These are all foundations built up over one or two hundred years, with solid foundations. If they were to move to the capital by imperial decree, would they come empty-handed? They would surely bring cartloads of gold, silver and valuables accumulated over the years to the capital."

He picked up his glass, but didn't drink it; instead, he slowly twirled the rim of the glass with his finger.

"When they arrive, what's the most important thing? It's finding a place to live, a home! There are only so many decent mansions and well-located gardens in and around Beijing. With dozens or even hundreds of princes flooding in all at once, all wanting to buy property, how can land prices and housing prices be controlled? How many good plots of land and houses are there in and around Beijing?"

Prince Qin, Zhu Cunshu, suddenly brightened up, his breathing becoming heavy. Having just tasted the sweetness of "buying at the bottom," he now seemed to see mountains of gold and silver right before his eyes. He couldn't help but slap his thigh: "Your Majesty is wise! So wise! In this way, won't the houses and fields we own... multiply in value?!"

Duke Yansheng, Kong Yinzhi, smiled broadly, already considering whether he should buy two more plots of land.
Seeing that the time was right, Chongzhen stopped beating around the bush and got straight to the point: "Since you two also think it's a good thing, then I'll leave the matter of relocating the prince to you."

He looked at Prince Qin, Zhu Cunshu: "Prince Qin, you are now the Minister of the Imperial Clan, and you are one of the old vassal kings of the Ming Dynasty, along with Prince Zhou and Prince Zhao. We are also close to each other. So please make the trip to Kaifeng and Zhangde to explain to Prince Zhou and Prince Zhao my intention to protect our family and share wealth."

At this moment, the King of Qin was preoccupied with the scene of land prices doubling. He felt that this task was a great gift delivered to his door by the emperor, and there was no reason not to accept it. He quickly bowed and said, "Your Majesty, rest assured! Leave this matter to me. I myself am a prince confined to a small space, and I know best the woes of vassal kings. I will definitely persuade them to come to the capital willingly as soon as possible!"

Chongzhen nodded, then turned to Duke Yansheng, Kong Yinzhi, and spoke in a more polite tone: "Your Excellency is the esteemed scholar of the world, and your virtue shines throughout the land. The Prince of De and the Prince of Lu in Shandong have always respected the sage's family. Therefore, we would like to trouble Your Excellency to make a trip to Jinan and Yanzhou to explain the advantages and disadvantages. With Your Excellency as a guarantor, I believe the two princes will feel more at ease."

After a moment's thought, the Duke Yansheng accepted the decree: "Your subject obeys. It is my duty to share Your Majesty's burdens and harmonize the imperial clan."

The matter should have ended there. But Kong Yinzhi thought a step further. He stroked his beard and asked with some concern, "Your Majesty's considerations are thorough, and we are deeply impressed. However... if dozens of princes, along with their relatives, officials, servants, and tens of thousands of others, were to gather in the capital, the cost of food and supplies for the people and horses would likely cause prices to soar, thus disrupting the livelihood of the people in the capital region. Furthermore... what if the officials in the court were to object on the grounds that it would be a waste of money and resources and could easily lead to trouble?"

Chongzhen seemed to have anticipated this question. He picked up a warm sweet potato and weighed it in his hand.

“How could I not know what the Holy Duke is worried about?” he said slowly. “When the princes come, they are spending the money their families have accumulated over generations. I haven’t touched a single penny of the Ministry of Revenue. How can there be any talk of ‘wasting money and grain’? As for prices…”

He paused, his gaze sweeping across the bleak autumn scenery outside the pavilion, his tone becoming meaningful: "How many disaster victims are there in Beizhili, Shanxi, and Henan now? When the princes come, they want to build mansions and gardens. How many craftsmen and laborers will that require? The money they bring will be spent on bricks, tiles, wood, stone, food, clothing, and other necessities. This flowing money will give those starving disaster victims work and food to buy! This is not disturbing the people; it is clearly bringing them life!"

"As for the court officials..." Chongzhen snorted softly, "If they truly have a better way to appease the refugees without requiring the court to pay them, I will listen attentively. If not, it's better for them to refrain from empty talk."

The King of Qin and the Duke of Yansheng exchanged a glance, understanding immediately that the Emperor was determined to push this matter through and had already devised a countermeasure. They said no more, replying in unison, "We understand, and will certainly do our utmost to make this happen!"

Emperor Chongzhen nodded in satisfaction, broke open the sweet potato in his hand, and gave it to the two men: "Try it, it has its own flavor even when it's cold. Once this mission is accomplished, your family businesses in the capital will truly be as stable as Mount Tai."

(End of this chapter)