The Ming Dynasty: The Iron-Blooded Martial Emperor, Who Slaughtered the World

Chapter 142 My goal is to conquer Japan!

Zhou Jing was prepared when he was summoned by Zhu Houzhao.

At Zhu Houzhao's command, Zhou Jing took out a memorial from his bosom and began to present it aloud.

"Your Majesty, as of now, the total autumn tax revenue for the first year of Zhengde's reign is in kind, amounting to 72 million shi of grain."

"The total commercial tax revenue was 18.6 million taels of silver."

After Zhu Houzhao suppressed Buddhism, a large number of temple lands that previously did not receive taxes began to voluntarily pay taxes to the Ming Dynasty.

At the same time, the vast territories that had been seized by the Ming princes were now able to collect taxes after Zhu Houzhao took some action to regulate them.

This immediately led to a significant increase in the autumn tax of the Ming Dynasty.

In addition, in many parts of the north, grain is harvested only once a year and matures in the autumn. Therefore, the in-kind tax revenue from this autumn tax directly exceeded 70 million shi (a unit of dry measure).

This figure is five times the tax revenue of this summer!

As for commercial tax, the commercial tax revenue this autumn increased by nearly half compared to the commercial tax revenue in the summer.

But Zhou Jing then added, "However, the Ming Dynasty Bank provided a total of 12.6 million taels of grain as subsidies."

"After deducting the grain left for local use, the amount of grain that will be deposited into the Tongzhou granary this autumn is about 31.5 million shi."

After hearing Zhou Jing's report, Zhu Houzhao smiled with satisfaction.

Judging from the tax data, his tax reform was very successful.

Without lowering the quality of life for the lower classes, the Ming Dynasty's tax revenue increased nearly tenfold.

These funds and provisions were naturally seized from local princes, wealthy merchants, and powerful gentry.

As for the money and grain that the Ming Dynasty's money and grain banks subsidize the people, it must not be stopped, and no one is allowed to fraudulently claim these subsidies for the poor.

This year's autumn tax yielded over 30 million dan of grain, enough for Zhu Houzhao to launch an unprecedented war against Korea!

Zhu Houzhao finally looked at Wang Shouren, the Minister of War: "Wang Shouren, have you completed the training of the twelve battalions of troops in the capital?"

Wang Shouren was startled and quickly replied, "Your Majesty, the training is complete."

"Now, the 180,000 soldiers in the capital have all mastered the combat methods of flintlock muskets and breech-loading cannons."

"very good."

Zhu Houzhao thought about it for a while and finally decided to tell these three people his thoughts first.

"My three beloved ministers, I intend to send troops to conquer Korea and bring the entire country under the control of the Ming Dynasty."

"Who do you think would be most suitable to be the Commander-in-Chief of the Central Army?"

Zhu Houzhao's words immediately startled the three ministers present.

"What?!"

"Your Majesty, why the sudden decision to wage war against Korea?"

"Could it be because Korea suddenly changed its king without prior consultation?"

"But is it really worth going to such lengths to send troops to attack Korea?"

Zhu Houzhao's words surprised the three ministers, who were all somewhat baffled.

After all, from their perspective, attacking Korea would be entirely detrimental.

Not only is it a waste of manpower and resources, but it also yields almost no benefits.

Little did they know the profound vision that Zhu Houzhao possessed.

The recapture of Korea will have a significant impact on the world order for centuries to come.

At present, it plays a decisive role in the expedition against Japan.

That's right!

Zhu Houzhao's goal in recovering Korea was not only to bring Korea completely under the Ming Dynasty's control, but also to use Korea as a springboard to conquer Japan and bring Japan completely under the Ming Dynasty's control as well!

To travel from the Ming Dynasty to Japan, if you depart from the nearest prefecture, Luzhou, it would take 174 nautical miles.

If you are traveling from North Korea, you only need to pass through the Tsushima Strait, which is only 22 nautical miles wide at its narrowest point.

Taking over Korea would open a path to invade Japan, and then taking over Japan would be twice as effective with half the effort!

Zhu Houzhao smiled slightly and said, "Taking Korea is only the first step in my taking Japan."

"Haven't the pirate raids along the southeastern coast always been a serious problem?"

"After I conquer Japan, the Ming Dynasty will no longer suffer from the Wokou (Japanese pirates)."

"What?!"

"We're going to send troops to invade Japan?!"

The three ministers screamed in disbelief. If the expedition to Korea had only surprised them, the expedition to Japan was absolutely astonishing.

After all, the financial and material resources required to conquer Japan were dozens of times greater than those required to conquer Korea.

Is it really worthwhile to spend so much money and resources, and mobilize so many troops, to take over these two tiny territories?

"Your Majesty, please forgive my bluntness, but sending troops to Korea and Japan would be meaningless for the Ming Dynasty."

Zhou Jing frowned and said anxiously to Zhu Houzhao, "Korea and Japan are both small countries with very poor resources. Even if we take them, it won't benefit the Ming Dynasty much."

"Not to mention that such a massive campaign requires an endless pit of resources, and it also necessitates training a large number of soldiers—"

"This is just not a good deal no matter how you look at it!"

As the Minister of Revenue, Zhou Jing's primary concern was the economic aspect.

However, Zhu Houzhao was the emperor of the Ming Dynasty, and he could not simply measure the full significance of this action based on economic data alone.

Reclaiming Korea and Japan would be a monumental plan that benefits future generations.

Zhu Houzhao's smile vanished, and he said solemnly, "I have already made up my mind to attack Korea. There is no room for discussion on this matter."

"You only need to prepare the money and provisions for my expedition. As for Wang Shouren, who do you think would be the most suitable commander-in-chief for this expedition?"

Zhu Houzhao spoke in a normal tone, but Zhou Jing's pupils shrank instantly upon hearing this. He quickly lowered his head and nodded in agreement.

"Your Majesty, I was too talkative. I will now prepare the provisions and military pay for the expedition."

After pondering for a moment, Wang Shouren said, "Your Majesty, I believe there is one person who is capable of serving as the commander-in-chief."

"I just don't know if Your Majesty dares to use this person."

Zhu Houzhao smiled and said, "You wouldn't have thought the same thing as me, would you?"

"Tell me, who is this person?"

Wang Shouren cupped his hands in greeting: "General Jingfa, Ling Luoshi."

"Hahaha."

Zhu Houzhao burst into laughter: "It really was him! And the reason?"

Wang Shouren replied, "Since General Jingbu was stationed in Datong, he has not suffered a single defeat in more than ten years, which proves that he has extraordinary military abilities."

"I have witnessed Ling Luoshi's combat capabilities firsthand. When he led 100,000 troops to Datong and annihilated the remnants of the Uriyangkhai, his imposing and fierce momentum still terrifies me to this day."

"Secondly, Ling Luoshi's Datong garrison is already familiar with flintlock muskets and breech-loading cannons, and Ling Luoshi is also the general who best understands the power of flintlock muskets and breech-loading cannons."

"In my opinion, among the generals of the Ming Dynasty, he is the one who can best utilize the advantages of flintlock muskets and breech-loading cannons in actual combat."

After hearing this, Zhu Houzhao couldn't help but applaud Wang Shouren: "That's right, you're absolutely right, but you've forgotten about another person."

"Who?"

"Qi Jingtong".

Zhu Houzhao said, "I intend to send Ling Luoshi with 50,000 troops from Datong and 100,000 troops from the capital to attack Korea by land."

"Let Qi Jingtong lead the Ming navy to launch an attack on Korea by sea. With the two forces attacking from both sides, we will surely be able to take Korea in a flash."

What do you think?

Wang Shouren cupped his hands in a gesture of respect and said flatteringly, "Your Majesty is wise."

After making up his mind, Zhu Houzhao began to assign tasks: "Wang Shouren, after you go back, carefully formulate a battle plan to take over Korea and submit it to me for review."

Wang Shouren solemnly accepted the decree: "Yes, Your Majesty."

"Zhou Jing, when you get back, estimate the amount of money and supplies I will need to take over Korea."

Zhou Jing bowed and accepted the order: "Yes, Your Majesty."

"plum."

Li was taken aback, thinking to himself, "What do I have to do with fighting?"

"you----"

Zhu Houzhao thought for a moment and said, "Your Ministry of Works should continue producing firearms without stopping for a moment."

"If you don't have enough silver, just ask me. I will need these firearms in many more places in the future."

Li quickly replied, "Yes, Your Majesty!"

Zhu Houzhao waved his hand: "You may leave."

"Yes, Your Majesty. This humble subject takes his leave."

The three bowed and took their leave, departing together from the Cining Palace.

Not long after, Li Shouyi, having bathed and changed his clothes, returned to Cining Palace.

"Your Majesty, your concubine will assist you in undressing and going to bed."

After resting, Li Shouyi's complexion was rosier, perhaps because he had soaked in hot water, and the stinging pain in his knees was less noticeable.

She looked at Zhu Houzhao with a sense of awe, and when she came to stand in front of him, she seemed a little at a loss.

Zhu Houzhao did not get up, but turned his head to look at Li Shouyi.

Dressed in white, Li Shouyi stared longingly at Zhu Houzhao, looking utterly pitiful.

But Zhu Houzhao had no intention of letting her off the hook; he wanted to completely shatter the pride that Li Shouyi held up in front of him.

"Can you dance?"

Li Shouyi shook her head: "Your Majesty, I do not know."

"Very well, now dance for me."

Li Shouyi was slightly taken aback and said, "Your Majesty, this concubine cannot dance—"

"If I tell you to jump, will you jump? Or are you saying you don't want to jump?"

"No, no, I am willing, I am willing—"

With tears welling up in her eyes, Li Shouyi took a few steps back, recalling the dances she had once seen, and began to move gently.

However, Li Shouyi had never studied dance, and his dancing was neither fish nor fowl, lacking in beauty and instead appearing somewhat comical.

"hehe."

Zhu Houzhao chuckled softly, while Li Shouyi shed tears of grievance.

But she suppressed her grievances, tears streaming down her face, as she tried to wiggle her not-so-flexible body to please Zhu Houzhao.

Zhu Houzhao simply enjoyed watching her expression when she was bullied to the point of tears but dared not retaliate; this greatly intrigued him.

"Alright, stop jumping. Help me to bed."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Li Shouyi breathed a sigh of relief, walked to Zhu Houzhao's side, carefully helped Zhu Houzhao up by the arm, and led him to the dragon bed.