How can one be Emperor Chongzhen without money?

Chapter 249 Faith and the Torrent

In the fourth year of the Chongzhen reign, in early February, the spring chill was still in the air.

The festive atmosphere of the Lunar New Year had not yet dissipated in Beijing, but several elegant teahouses near Gongyuan Street had already become bustling with activity.

In recent days, Qian Qianyi, who was about to become the chief examiner of the metropolitan examination, hosted several literary gatherings at the Tingxuexuan Pavilion, not far from the examination hall. The guests were all talented scholars from Jiangnan who were expected to pass the imperial examination this year, led by the rising star Wu Weiye from Taicang, and several other officials like Ma Shiying who were waiting in the capital for selection. The ostensible purpose was "to make friends through literature and discuss the current difficulties," but the real reason was clear to everyone—this wasn't the first time the essay questions had been leaked before the grand examination.

Of course, this isn't cheating, because almost all the candidates know the answers before the competition begins. As for whether they can solve the problems, some questions can't be solved just because you know the answers beforehand.

In any case, the chief examiners Huang Lijie and Qian Qianyi themselves would definitely not do it.

At this moment, Qian Qianyi sat in the main seat, holding a hand warmer, his expression gentle. Some time ago, during the "Great Debate on Truth," he had been thoroughly criticized by Zhu Siwen, losing face considerably. But Qian Muzhai was flexible and adaptable; without impeachment and without the Emperor's dismissal, he resolutely refused to pack his bags and leave. Now that the Emperor had set the tone for "developing Beijing and Tianjin" and "relieving famine and pacifying the barbarians," as the Vice Minister of Rites and one of the chief examiners for this year's imperial examination, it was only right for him to follow the trend.

"The north is suffering from a severe drought, and the number of refugees is increasing daily. Meanwhile, the Eastern barbarians are pressing closer and closer to Korea. The nation is in dire straits," Qian Qianyi began, his voice neither hurried nor slow. "We who study the classics should think of serving the court and sharing the burdens of our sovereign. The reason I have invited you all here today is to hear your insightful opinions on these two major challenges: 'famine relief' and 'pacification of the barbarians.'"

None of those present were pedantic scholars, and they naturally understood the meaning behind Qian Zongbo's words. This was clearly outlining the direction for the upcoming imperial examination's policy essay. However, Qian Qianyi, a seasoned official, would never allow himself to be accused of "leaking the exam questions," and instead focused the discussion on grand national policies.

Several young scholars immediately launched into passionate speeches. Some advocated for severe punishment of corruption, others for military preparedness, and still others for tax reduction to ensure the well-being of the people and the stability of the nation. Their words were all well-spoken, yet they all seemed superficial and ineffective.

Huang Zongxi sat at the lower end of the table, his brows slightly furrowed. He was impatient and couldn't stand such empty talk. He couldn't help but say, "What you all say is certainly reasonable, but right now the people of Shaanxi and Henan are already resorting to cannibalism, and the barbarians in Liaodong are sharpening their knives. Distant water cannot quench immediate thirst! We need a method that can produce immediate results!"

“Brother Taichong is absolutely right,” a voice rang out. It was Ma Shiying who spoke. His term as a prefect had just ended, and he was currently in the capital awaiting appointment. Naturally, he wanted to make a good impression, hoping to curry favor with one or two powerful figures and perhaps secure a lucrative post. He put down his teacup and looked at everyone: “In my humble opinion, famine relief and pacification of the barbarians, though seemingly two separate matters, are actually one and the same. The root cause lies in the word ‘poverty’ and the word ‘weakness’.”

He paused, and seeing that everyone was looking at him, he continued, "Why is the Northwest in chaos? The land can't support its people! Why is it so difficult to quell the rebellion? The imperial court has no money or food, and the soldiers on the nine borders are starving and freezing! Therefore, the only way to survive right now is to transfer the surplus manpower from Shanxi and Shaanxi to places with money, food, and a way to survive. That place is Beizhili, which is Beijing and Tianjin!"

He stood up, walked to the window, pointed south with his finger, then gestured northeast: "Why Beijing and Tianjin? Look, everyone, the wealth of the southeast relies on the Grand Canal to be transported north, and the final destination is Beijing, Tianjin, and Tongzhou! The army's provisions, supplies, and equipment on the Liaodong front also need to be transferred through Tianjin. This place is a hub between the north and south, a vital passage for both land and water transport!"

Ma Shiying turned around, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, his tone resolute: "What the court must do now is to devote all its efforts to transforming Beijing and Tianjin into the largest port in the north! Dredging the canals, expanding Tianjin Port, attracting merchants, and establishing various industries, especially military workshops, which need to be greatly expanded. In this way, displaced people will have work and food, which is called 'work relief,' saving countless lives! Supplies from the southeast can be conveniently gathered here, which will then support the Liaodong army, giving us the confidence to quell the barbarians! This is a win-win situation, no, a multi-win strategy!"

His words elevated the necessity of "developing Beijing and Tianjin" to the position of the only way to save the country.

A moment of silence fell over the room, followed by hushed discussions. Wu Weiye's eyes lit up; he was clearly moved by this grand vision.

Qian Qianyi nodded slightly, his face showing appreciation: "Yaocao (Ma Shiying's courtesy name)'s argument is grand in scope and hits the nail on the head. However, with such a large-scale war, where will the money and provisions come from? How will the manpower be gathered? I'm afraid it will not be an easy task."

Ma Shiying seemed to have been waiting for these words, and immediately replied, "Your concerns are very valid. However, success depends on human effort! Human resources? The refugees from Shanxi and Shaanxi are readily available! Money and grain? The princely mansions of Shandong and Henan alone have accumulated vast wealth! If the court can make up its mind to follow the Hongwu Emperor's policy of emigration to strengthen the borders, guide them, and offer them benefits, why worry that the princes and nobles will not invest enthusiastically? This large-scale development of Beijing and Tianjin has no shortage of manpower, no shortage of industrial foundation, and no shortage of potential money and grain! What it lacks is the court's determination and the confidence of the people!"

He raised his voice slightly: "Therefore, the most crucial point right now is not to meticulously calculate how much silver will be spent or how many miles of road need to be repaired. Rather, it is to make the people of the world, His Majesty, and all the officials of the court clearly see and understand that this large-scale development of Beijing and Tianjin is the only way to save the famine and pacify the barbarians. It is an inevitable trend and will surely succeed! Only when everyone believes that this matter will succeed will people, money, and resources from all sides move in response and flock here! Only then can this seemingly hopeless situation be turned around!"

Qian Qianyi's hand, stroking his beard, stopped, and a glint of light flashed in his eyes. He understood completely. What the emperor wanted was not just the specific solutions in the policy essay, but also to use the voices of all the candidates in the imperial examinations to create a public opinion atmosphere of "inevitable trend" and "inevitable success"! This was to "build momentum" for this unprecedented mega-project!
"Excellent! Yao Cao's words are truly insightful!" Qian Qianyi exclaimed in admiration. "This is exactly how one should share the burdens of the emperor! Instead of getting bogged down in trivial details, we should clarify the overall situation and strengthen the confidence of the court and the people!"

Once he set the tone, the talented men present all echoed his sentiments. Wu Weiye, in particular, was overflowing with inspiration and immediately began discussing with several friends how to break down the topic and establish the argument for the article, in order to fully convey the sense of "inevitable success."

When the literary gathering ended, everyone's faces were filled with excitement. A consensus had already formed: no matter what the topic of this year's policy essay was, the core of it had to revolve around the idea that "the development of Beijing and Tianjin is the only way to save the people from famine and pacify the barbarians, and it will surely succeed." They had to promote this idea first, regardless of whether it could actually be achieved!
Under almost the same sky, thousands of miles away in Haeju, North Korea, the scene was quite different.

The spring chill here was even more biting than in Beijing. At the city gate, a group of spirited Korean Green Standard Army soldiers stood, dressed in shabby uniforms, each with an unsightly thin braid trailing behind their heads. The leader, Zhao Si, rode a fine horse from Liaodong, wearing brand-new official robes.

Behind him were over a hundred large carts, piled high with sacks of newly collected rice. There were also a dozen or so prison carts, containing several ragged, ashen-faced Korean yangban (official yamen officers) and local officials. "Hurry up! If you dawdle, and we don't reach Pyongyang before dark, the Prince will blame you, and I'll skin you alive!" Zhao Si cursed, his whip cracking in the air.

Haizhou City and its surroundings were deathly silent. The doors of the houses lining the roads were tightly shut. Occasionally, a bolder person would peek out through a crack in the door, their eyes filled with schadenfreude.

The newly appointed prefect of Haizhou, Li Hang, stood in the city gate, watching the procession depart. He wore the official robe of a sixth-rank official, bestowed by the Later Jin dynasty, with a money-tailed rat pendant trailing behind his hat, swaying slightly in the cold wind. His complexion was rosier than it had been a few days ago.

A few days ago, a death order came from Pyongyang. It said that the Great Khan had decreed that all efforts be made to procure military provisions and complete the task within a specified time. The arrears accumulated over the past hundred years in the accounts must be recovered, and it was announced that from now on, regardless of whether one is a yangban or a commoner, anyone who owns land must pay grain taxes, and all tax exemption privileges will be abolished.

The order was conveyed by a Han Chinese advisor to Mangultai Beile. The words were polite, but the meaning was ruthless: if the quota wasn't met, both the prefect and the garrison commander would be punished.

Upon receiving the order, Zhao Si immediately pounced out like a mad dog. His shaved-headed Korean soldiers were now even fiercer than the real Tartars. And they were incredibly hardworking—the Great Jin not only had ruthless military law, but they were also generous with their pay! Their monthly ration was one shi of rice, and their salary was two bolts of Changping cloth. This was one or two times more than when they served under King Li! Moreover, it was paid on time, without delay or deduction.

To them, the Great Khan was better than King Li!
The spirited North Korean Green Standard Army soldiers showed no mercy as they stormed into the once-proud residences of the Yangban (aristocratic class), ransacking homes, imprisoning people, and torturing them. Within days, the heads of seven or eight wealthy households who refused to cooperate or could not pay their "debts" were hung on the walls of Haizhou.

Li Hang then signed a series of documents demanding grain supplies and arresting people. With each signature, he became a little more loyal to the Great Jin. He had studied the classics and knew that this was an act of loyalty!
The Joseon Kingdom was ruined by these corrupt officials in the Yangban class!
Zhao Si drove off with the grain carts, raising a cloud of dust in the process.

Li Hang turned and walked back, his steps steady. The doors of the houses on both sides of the street were tightly shut, so quiet that he could hear the sound of his official boots on the frozen ground. In his view, this silence was clear proof that the people of Haizhou knew their place—that they understood the strict laws of the new dynasty and dared not make a fuss.

He looked up and saw several North Korean men who had just shaved their heads hurrying past, their newly braided braids swaying gently with each step. Upon seeing his official robes, the men immediately stepped aside and bowed to let him pass.

Li Hang nodded slightly. That's what it means to be pragmatic.

The grain that had just been collected was the foundation upon which the Great Jin army pacified the four directions. Li Hang silently calculated in his heart that if Haizhou alone could hand over this much, and if all eight provinces of Korea were to serve in the same way, how could the Great Jin's hegemony not be achieved?
He recalled Mr. Fan Wencheng's teachings from the day before: "The general trend of the world is that those who follow it prosper. The Joseon Dynasty had accumulated problems for a century, the Yangban were corrupt, and the people were suffering. The Great Khan was punishing the guilty and relieving the people, precisely to eliminate the old problems and create a new dynasty."

Yes, Li Hang nodded secretly. Before, under the yaban (aristocratic class), taxes were chaotic and corruption was rampant. Now, the Great Jin has established rules that require taxes to be paid according to land ownership, regardless of social status, which is much more transparent. Although the methods are harsher, in chaotic times, harsh measures are a necessary measure.

Several Korean patrolmen in new uniforms marched past in formation, bowing respectfully to him. Li Hang noticed their rosy complexions, clearly indicating they had been well-fed these past few days. This was a far cry from the dire situation during the Joseon Dynasty, when even military pay couldn't be issued.

He walked steadily forward, his body ramrod straight beneath his official robes. His resolve on this path grew stronger with each step.

February 9th, late morning, at the Forbidden City.

The sky was still dark, and the spring chill lingered.

Inside the rear hall of the Wenhua Hall, candlelight blazed. Emperor Chongzhen, already fully dressed, sat behind his desk with a faint smile on his face.

Grand Secretary Huang Lijie and Vice Minister of Rites Qian Qianyi, dressed in court robes, stood at the lower end with their hands at their sides, looking somewhat uneasy—they were about to enter the examination hall to preside over the imperial examination, but the emperor had suddenly summoned them, and they didn't know why.
Meanwhile, far away in North Korea.

The grain convoy escorted by Zhao Si was traveling along the muddy road, still a day's journey from Pyongyang.

Truckloads of grain were transported from various provinces and prefectures in North Korea, converging on Pyongyang and Hanyang, and becoming part of the Later Jin war machine.

(End of this chapter)