How can one be Emperor Chongzhen without money?

Chapter 279 The Great Flood is Coming!
In the summer of the fifth year of the Chongzhen reign, the drought demon seemed to have left, but the rain master arrived.

The rain fell day and night. The walls of the Forbidden City were seeping moisture out, feeling damp to the touch.

Before dawn, Consort Ying, Gao Guiying, awoke in the rear hall of Jingren Palace.

There was nothing around me.

She sat up and saw the emperor standing by the window, wearing only a white silk nightgown, with his back to her.

A crack was opened in the window, and a damp breeze blew in, causing the candlelight to flicker.

He stood there, motionless, gazing out the window at the gray, endless rain. His back was taut, exuding an indescribable heaviness.

Gao Guiying didn't say anything, quietly got out of bed, took a black cotton-padded robe, and went over to put it on him.

"Your Majesty," she said, her voice still sleepy, her hand resting on his cold arm, "this year's rain... is a bit too heavy."

She grew up in northern Shaanxi and had seen both floods and droughts, but this kind of weather, where it rained non-stop after the start of summer, made her uneasy.

Chongzhen didn't turn around; his gaze seemed to pierce through the rain curtain.

“In the fifth year of Chongzhen's reign… in the autumn…” he murmured to himself, “The Yellow River opened up, the canal transport was cut off, the Central Plains became a vast lake, and people who starved to death floated everywhere… In the history books, there are only a few words about it.”

He paused, inhaled a breath of damp, musty air, and suddenly spoke:

“But I…I have seen that scene. Floating in the water…it wasn’t just wood.”

These words seemed out of nowhere, but Gao Guiying's heart sank. She felt that the emperor's hands were very cold.

“The Yellow River…” Chongzhen finally turned around, his face expressionless, but deep in his eyes was an uncontrollable anxiety. “This time, I’m afraid we’re really going to have a big one.”

He grabbed Gao Guiying's hand and held it tightly.

"I knew something terrible was going to happen, I knew how many people would die... but I have no power to stop this rain. The Ming Dynasty's river works cannot stop this leak in the sky."

Gao Guiying gripped his hand tightly in return: "What does Your Majesty intend to do?"

"We can't just wait around." Chongzhen gritted his teeth, trying to remain calm. "We must act before the emperor does anything, and create a way for the people to survive!"

He could only earn a little. Because he knew that to stop the great flood of the fifth year of the Chongzhen reign, they would have to get the infrastructure-building maniac of later generations to take charge!
However, he can do so much more now than he did in that previous life!

Whether the Ming Dynasty can turn the tide and achieve its goal depends on whether it can overcome this hurdle this year.
……

As dawn broke, the rain hadn't stopped, drizzling softly.

Inside the side hall of Yonghe Palace, the doors and windows were tightly closed, and only a few lamps were lit, casting a dim yellow light. This was where Liu Yueying and Yang Yujiao lived, half of which had been converted into the imperial treasury's accounting office. The air was filled with the smell of ink and a faint scent of cosmetics.

Emperor Chongzhen, dressed in a dark blue casual robe, sat in the main seat. Gao Guiying, in a neat and tidy outfit, stood behind and to his side, her hand on her waist sword, her eyes scanning the doors and windows with a wary gaze. Besides the imperial sword bestowed upon her, she also carried a flintlock pistol at her waist, her last line of defense for the emperor.

Wei Zhongxian, Cao Huachun, Xu Yingyuan and several other eunuchs stood with their hands at their sides, while Fang Huazheng quietly guarded the door.

"Everyone is here." Chongzhen spoke, his voice not loud, but it made everyone's spines tighten. "I will only say this once. The matter must be handled properly."

His gaze first fell on Cao Huachun.

Cao Huachun quickly bowed: "Your Majesty, the Imperial Treasury can mobilize around 3.8 million taels of silver. Any more than that, and the silver reserves in the Imperial Estates and Official Banks will probably be insufficient."

"Use half of it first," Chongzhen tapped his finger lightly on the back of his chair, "and tell the outside world that it's for storing grain and fodder for military affairs in Liaodong!"

"This servant understands," Cao Huachun replied with a bow, without asking any further questions.

Emperor Chongzhen turned his gaze to Xu Yingyuan.

Xu Yingyuan immediately stepped forward.

"Activate all the Eastern Depot's spies in Jiangnan," Chongzhen said, staring at him. "Not to arrest people, but to use them as eyes and ears. Keep a close eye on grain prices, monitor the Grand Canal, see if anyone is hoarding or speculating, or gather intelligence from all sides. If anything seems amiss, report it immediately!"

"This servant obeys! I will not delay the military affairs in Liaodong!" Xu Yingyuan felt a chill run down his spine.

“Wei Zhongxian, the Grand Companion.” Chongzhen looked at Wei Zhongxian.

Wei Zhongxian bowed even lower.

"It's time to put those old connections you have in Jiangnan to use," Chongzhen said calmly. "Find those big grain merchants who have deep roots and keep their mouths shut, and make connections. The court wants to buy a large amount of grain. The price is negotiable, but it has to be fast and kept secret."

Wei Zhongxian thought to himself: It seems that next year will be the time to pacify Liaodong in one fell swoop. This news must not be leaked; we must catch the Jurchens off guard!
He quickly bowed and said, "This old servant... knows a few reliable people, I'll take care of it myself, and I guarantee there won't be any problems."

"Hmm." Chongzhen responded with a snort. "If it's done well, the Ming Dynasty will be completely cured."

At this moment, the palace door opened slightly, and Liu Yueying entered. Upon seeing the scene, she paused for a moment, then bowed to Emperor Chongzhen.

“Yueying,” Chongzhen pointed to the desk piled with account books next to him, “Let’s talk here. We’ll use the quotas we have at Kong’s ‘Lu Shengfeng’ and Qin’s ‘Qin Jinyuan’ to buy grain in Jiangnan through several large grain merchants in Beijing and Tianjin. All the rice we buy will be transported by sea to Tianjin’s ‘Beiyang Granary’.”

Liu Yueying took a breath, realizing this was no small matter: "Your Majesty, with such a big commotion, what pretext should we use?"

Emperor Chongzhen looked at her and said clearly, "The Northern Expedition to Liaodong! This is the prepared military rations!"

Finally, Emperor Chongzhen said to Fang Huazheng: "Pen and ink."

He spread out a sheet of paper, quickly wrote several secret edicts, used his personal seal, and handed them to Fang Huazheng: "Use the most reliable people to deliver these edicts via the 600-li express courier service to Zheng Zhilong, Liu Xiang, and Yang Liu. Instruct them to mobilize all available seagoing vessels to transport grain and fodder to Tianjin. Tell them that this matter concerns the fate of the nation, and anyone who dares to divulge even a single word will be treated as a traitor and executed on the spot!" Fang Huazheng accepted the secret edicts with both hands, hid them close to his body, and quietly withdrew.

Only Emperor Chongzhen, Gao Guiying, and a few key eunuchs remained in the hall.

Emperor Chongzhen glanced at the silent group of people, his gaze finally settling on the rain outside the window: "Go and carry out your duties. Remember, what I say today will not be heard by you..."

Before he could finish speaking, the air inside the hall froze instantly.

Gao Guiying's hand silently rested on the hilt of the sword.

Cao Huachun, Wei Zhongxian, and Xu Yingyuan bowed deeply and said almost simultaneously, "This servant understands!"

The group filed out, leaving only Emperor Chongzhen, Gao Guiying protecting him, and the incessant, heart-wrenching sound of rain outside the window in the side hall of Yonghe Palace.

……

At Chenshi (7-9 AM), the bells and drums of the Huangji Hall sounded, and the regular court session began.

Civil and military officials filed in. Grand Secretary Huang Lijie, Second Grand Secretary Shi Fenglai, Assistant Grand Secretaries Sun Chengzong and Wang Zaijin (Benbing), along with other important officials such as Minister of Revenue Bi Ziyan, Minister of Rites Qian Qianyi, Vice Minister of Rites Xu Guangqi, and Vice Minister of War Li Banghua, stood in the front row.

Sure enough, an official from the Censorate stepped forward to report that there was too much rain in various places, and there was a fear of flooding.

But the atmosphere in the hall wasn't too tense. The years of drought had finally eased, and most officials actually looked somewhat relaxed. Bi Ziyan even suggested that if there wasn't too much rain, a good autumn harvest was still possible. More water was better than a severe drought.

Emperor Chongzhen sat on his dragon throne, observing the expressions of the crowd, his face displaying just the right amount of gentleness. After they finished speaking, he didn't directly mention the floods; instead, he changed the subject, his voice clear and reassuring:

"I am aware of the floods you have mentioned. However, after years of drought, this rain is ultimately more beneficial than harmful. It is a sign of Heaven's mercy, allowing the disaster in the north to be alleviated."

His gaze swept over the assembled officials, and his tone gradually rose: "What is even more gratifying is that, in recent years, thanks to the blessings of our ancestors and the valiant efforts of our soldiers, the nation's strength has begun to improve! The southern deserts and the Ordos region have submitted, the north is stabilized, and the rebellion of She'an in the southwest has been almost quelled. Now, looking across the entire country, only the Jurchens in Liaodong remain, still causing trouble there, and they are our greatest concern!"

Upon hearing this, the officials in the hall were all invigorated. His Majesty had set the tone; it was a good thing, and the direction was clear.

Emperor Chongzhen pressed his advantage, his voice rising sharply with an unwavering resolve: "Therefore, my mind is made up! We must take advantage of this opportune time and place to build up national strength and prepare thoroughly! Once this year's autumn harvest is in store, next spring we will go all out, launch a major offensive beyond the Great Wall, and fight the Eastern barbarians to the death! A decisive victory will eliminate any future threat!"

"Fight to the death!"

These four words echoed like thunder throughout the Hall of Supreme Harmony. The eyes of more radical ministers like Sun Chengzong and Li Banghua immediately lit up; they had waited far too long for this day! Even the usually prudent Huang Lijie, Shi Fenglai, and Wang Zaijin were stunned by this sudden declaration of war. His Majesty was about to take drastic measures!

Emperor Chongzhen observed the reactions of the crowd, inwardly smiling wryly, but outwardly maintaining composure. He smoothly steered the conversation back on track: "Therefore, for the current rainfall, all regions should simply take precautions. There's no need to panic excessively, lest it disrupt our preparations for the great battle. Instruct the Ministry of Revenue to allocate some funds and provisions as needed to assist local areas with relief and preparedness. Everything must give way to the decisive battle next year!"

These words were perfectly worded. The potential floods were glossed over, while the focus was placed entirely on preparing for the "decisive battle." At this point, even officials who harbored concerns about flooding could no longer voice their opinions in the face of the banner of the "Northern Expedition." What could be more important than completely resolving the Liaodong crisis?

Although veteran officials like Sun Chengzong and Wang Zaijin felt that His Majesty's decision today was a bit too hasty, Chongzhen's performance in military affairs since his ascension to the throne was very reassuring! Moreover, the Ming Dynasty now has the resources to send at least tens of thousands of elite troops to Liaodong to fight the Jurchens in the field!

……

After the court session ended, Emperor Chongzhen met with Duke Yansheng Kong Yinzhi and Prince Qin privately in the side hall.

These two men, one holding the reins of "Lu Shengfeng" and the other "Qin Jinyuan," also followed Emperor Chongzhen in profiting from the Jisi Incident, and are currently the wealthiest people in Beizhili. They've also made a fortune from the major development projects in western Beijing and Tianjin over the past two years.

After bestowing the seat upon him, Chongzhen made no attempt to beat around the bush.

"My two beloved ministers are both pillars of the nation. I have summoned you here today because of a highly confidential matter," Chongzhen said in a low voice. "There will be a major operation in Liaodong next spring. This is top secret."

Kong Yinzhi and the King of Qin immediately sat up straight.

"The imperial court needs to secretly store enough grain and fodder in Tianjin to supply the army for two years, in preparation for a protracted war of attrition to wear down the Jurchens. This matter must not go through the Ministry of Revenue, lest it leak out and be discovered by the Eastern barbarians."

The King of Qin tentatively asked, "Your Majesty's intention is to allow us..."

"Provide the money and the means." Chongzhen looked at the two of them. "Use the silver notes from your banks to secretly buy grain in Jiangnan, consider it a loan to me. The grain you buy should be transported by sea to the 'Beiyang Granary' in Tianjin for storage. Once this is done, I will repay the money you provided with the black soil along the Liao River—a sure-fire profit!"

This is tying up national affairs with their own private interests.

Kong Yinzhi and the King of Qin exchanged a glance, then immediately rose and knelt down: "Your Majesty, we will obey your command! We will do our utmost!"

It wasn't that they loved the Ming Dynasty that much, but rather that they trusted Emperor Chongzhen!
This Emperor Chongzhen is like a god of wealth descended to earth; following him is the right thing to do!

……

That night, the rain intensified, pounding against the roof.

Emperor Chongzhen was in the West Warm Pavilion of the Qianqing Palace, with a huge map of the Ming Dynasty spread out on the table, and only Gao Guiying by his side.

His fingers traced a path from Suzhou and Hangzhou in the Jiangnan region, across the long coastline, down to the small city of Tianjin, and further up, to the winding Yellow River, drawn with a vermilion brush.

Under the lamplight, his face was half in light and half in shadow.

The rain outside the window grew heavier, like the beating of drums, the war drums of a flood army.

He knew that the war to snatch the fate of the Ming Dynasty from Heaven was about to begin.

As for whether they will win or lose, it's still too early to say.

(End of this chapter)