Chapter 345 Departure
As soon as Yu Cheng left, the heavy burden of court affairs fell on Yu Zheng.
But no matter how powerful he was, he couldn't conjure up silver and food and winter clothes.
With his slender fingers gently stroking Yu Zheng's frowning brows, Jiang Shu said softly: "Jiang's family has food, and also cloth and cotton for winter clothes."
Yu Zheng sighed: "Do you know how much food 200,000 generals need to eat in a month? And how many winter clothes do they need?"
Yu Zheng and Zhou Boxu thought of all the ways they could think of. They even thought about taking out their own private property, but they couldn't raise food and winter clothes for 200,000 people for several months. What's
more worrying is that even if they have money, they can't buy so much food and winter clothes in a short time.
Jiang Shu's eyes flickered, and he said, "Jiang Ji has stockpiled a lot, enough for the people in Shangjing to eat until the new grain comes out next year."
There are more than 200,000 people in Shangjing.
Yu Zheng sat up immediately after hearing this, staring at Jiang Shu with burning eyes to confirm, "Are you serious?"
Jiang Shu nodded.
Yu Zheng's dark eyes lit up instantly.
Jiang Shu rarely asked about court affairs, and Yu Zheng almost never asked about her business, so he didn't know that Jiang Shu had stockpiled grain.
Knowing this at this time, he was so ecstatic and excited that he couldn't express it in words.
"Shu'er, you are the savior of Dazhao." Yu Zheng held Jiang Shu's face and kissed her forehead hard.
Jiang Shu didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
Yu Zheng wiped away the melancholy in his heart, happily picked up Jiang Shu and put him to bed to rest.
Madam is so good, he must work hard to repay her.
The next day, the rain stopped.
The emperor led all the officials and personally sent Yu Cheng to the battle. In front of
the palace gate, the emperor stood in front in a dragon robe, Yu Zheng and Zhou Boxu stood on his left and right, and behind him were civil and military officials.
Yu Cheng stood in front of the emperor, and the emperor looked at him and solemnly reminded him: "The journey is long and it is very tiring to travel day and night. Take care of yourself."
"Thank you for your concern, father. I will." Yu Cheng responded in a serious tone.
The emperor nodded, looked at the imperial physician beside him, and said sternly: "The prince has just recovered from a serious injury. He may feel uncomfortable when he goes to the border. Be careful."
The journey was bumpy and tiring, and the climate at the border was very different from that in Shangjing. It was difficult for ordinary people to adapt, let alone Yu Cheng.
The heart is not like other places. Once a disease is left, it is very easy to be fatal. It needs to be carefully taken care of.
The emperor was worried, so he sent a skilled imperial physician to accompany him.
"Yes." The imperial physician replied.
Glancing at the waiting team, the emperor waved his hand and said, "Let's go."
Yu Cheng bowed and saluted, then turned and walked towards the carriage not far away.
"Farewell, Prince." All the officials bid farewell in unison.
Yu Cheng got on the carriage, and the driver waved his whip, the wheels started to roll, and five hundred guards jumped on their horses and escorted the carriage.
On the towering palace wall, Xie Wanruo's eyes followed the carriage, which gradually became farther and farther away. Until it could no longer be seen, Xie Wanruo kept looking in that direction.
Yingyue whispered, "Your Majesty, it's windy here, let's go back."
Yu Cheng's carriage had already gone far away, and the emperor and all the officials had left. It was meaningless to continue standing here. Moreover, the wind in early winter after the rain is bone-chilling, and it is very easy to catch a cold.
Xie Wanruo gathered her cloak, turned around and went down the palace wall.
When the people of Shangjing learned that Yu Cheng was going to the frontier in person, they respectfully saw him off on both sides of the street.
Yu Cheng, who was in the car, heard the people's respectful blessings and felt ashamed, and became more determined to go to the border in person.
He had already let down many people, and he could not let down the people again.
The team left the city and not far away, they saw Shen Changze and his 30,000 light cavalry who had been waiting for a long time.
"Your Highness." Shen Changze and two generals met Yu Cheng and reported on the military reorganization.
"There are 30,000 light cavalry, 1,000 guards, and 100 baggage vehicles..."
After reporting the business, Shen Changze paused and said, "My wife is familiar with the border battlefield, so she will also accompany us."
Yu Cheng was slightly stunned after hearing this, and then praised, "Mrs. Shen is as capable as a man, which is admirable."
"Your Highness is flattering." Shen Changze replied with shame.
"Time is running out, let's set off." Yu Cheng closed the door and ordered to set off.
Against the gray sky, Shen Changze, who was familiar with the route, took the lead and walked in front.
The team of more than 30,000 horses and carriages filled the wide official road and marched towards the border.
At the same time, in Yu's study.
The emperor, Yu Zheng and more than a dozen important ministers were discussing matters with solemn faces.
The newly appointed Minister of War reported the preparation of food and military supplies with a difficult expression.
"According to the maximum limit, the first batch of food can only support one month at most, and winter clothes are only enough for 50,000 people." Judging
from the situation of the invasion of Mobei this time, this fierce battle will definitely last for several months or even longer. How can we fight with one month's food and winter clothes for 50,000 people?
The emperor frowned when he heard this, and the ministers also frowned, not knowing what to do.
There was silence in Yu's study, and you could hear a pin drop.
The eunuchs who were waiting stood in panic, not daring to speak.
Yu Zheng pursed his lips and said, "Jiang Ji has food and winter clothes."
As soon as these words came out, they were like water dripping from an oil pan.
The emperor and the ministers looked at Yu Zheng, surprised and happy, but their expressions dimmed again.
Just like what Yu Zheng had heard the first time last night, they also felt that Jiang Ji's food and winter clothes were not enough to supply 200,000 soldiers.
But it was better than nothing.
The emperor sighed and said, "Use money from the treasury to buy as much as you can."
"Yes." The Minister of War and the Minister of Revenue responded in unison.
Yu Zheng raised his eyebrows and cleared his throat, saying, "Jiang Ji's food and winter clothes are enough to feed and clothe 200,000 soldiers for half a year."
How long? Half a year?
Did they hear it right?
The emperor and others looked at Yu Zheng, with a look of suspicion and excitement.
Yu Zheng faced everyone's gaze and said calmly, "We only supply the border guards. The rest is only enough to support the people in Shangjing for three months."
Jiangji actually had so much food!
The emperor was too excited and stood up to ask for confirmation, "Does Jiangji really have so much food?"
Yu Zheng nodded.
After getting the confirmation, the emperor and his ministers felt relieved and showed joy on their faces.
"Right now, we should solve the needs of the border guards first, and then we can think of a way for the people in Shangjing."
"That's right. Three months is enough to slowly transfer food from other places. Besides, there are other granaries in Shangjing."
Everyone discussed the subsequent countermeasures.
Xie Qi'an listened silently and said quietly: "Can the money in the treasury buy so much food and winter clothes?"
The excited discussion stopped abruptly and looked at the Minister of Revenue.
The Minister of Revenue's eyelids twitched, and after a rough estimate in his mind, he said with a stiff face: "The autumn tax has not yet been paid into the treasury. According to the cash in the treasury, it is only enough to buy food at most."
It is already winter at the border, and food and winter clothes are indispensable.
The emperor frowned and said in a deep voice: "First, buy winter clothes, and then use the remaining money to buy food. After it is prepared, send it to the border first, and make plans for the rest after the autumn tax is collected."
This method is the only feasible method at the moment, which can solve the urgent problem.
All the ministers agreed unanimously without any objection.
The emperor sat back in his chair and said to the Minister of Revenue: "Push up the autumn taxes in all places."
He needed money urgently.
The Minister of Revenue wiped the sweat from his forehead and responded politely.
Time was running out. After leaving the study, the Minister of War and the Minister of Revenue left the palace in a hurry and went to their respective posts.