Chapter 483: What Our Ancestors Left Behind
In the inner study of Jiangdu Governor's Mansion, where Chang Suining usually handles official business alone, Yuan Xiang was very surprised after hearing the instructions from his superior Chang Suining.
So... Madam Chang actually asked him to give money to the Grand Commander? Listening to what Madam Chang meant, this must be a lot of money... But where does Madam Chang get such a large amount of spare money now? Even though the Grand Commander had previously donated millions of guan, Madam Chang built Wueryuan and opened a large workshop - so many obvious expenses are already very shocking, and there must be nothing left.
Chang Suining, who was sitting behind the desk, continued to explain in detail: "These seven million strings of money, in addition to the 80,000 Xuan Ce troops guarding the border, can also recruit another 100,000 soldiers. If there are no accidents, it should be able to support the military expenditure for at least two years-"
Yuan Xiang was stunned for a moment, and because he was too shocked, his voice was a little stuttering: "Seven...seven million strings of cash?"
After being shocked, Yuan Xiang immediately felt uneasy. Was this probably going to require the full might of Jiangdu to be deployed?
He was about to speak again when Chang Suining said, "Don't worry, this is from my private vault."
The calm tone made Yuanxiang even more shocked.
——Private vault?!
Madam Chang, who was so generous with her money and devoted to supporting Jiangdu, actually had a private treasury? He remembered that the last time Madam Chang received a reward, she clearly distributed it all to the soldiers in the army. This 7 million guan couldn't be...
Yuan Xiang subconsciously thought of the word "corruption", but even in his heart, he did not speculate it out loud - not to mention that Madam Chang, who always cares about Jiangdu, would not be such a person, just to say that Jiangdu has just completed its reconstruction, where can there be such lucrative opportunities to be corrupted?
This is seven million strings of cash... more than double the wealth his family had accumulated over more than ten years! Yuan Xiang did not dare to ask about the source of this huge sum of money, but his eyes, which seemed to be experiencing an earthquake, were filled with a desire for knowledge.
Seeing his expression, Chang Suining smiled and said in a normal tone: "Don't worry, it's not some ill-gotten gains, it's just what our ancestors left behind."
This was the explanation Chang Suining had already thought of. This question was bound to be unavoidable in the future and he had to have an explanation.
This statement also has its profound meaning and usefulness.
Yuan Xiang looked puzzled: "I don't know what ancestors you are talking about..."
Chang Suining said calmly: "Someone who has passed away in the family."
There was a hint of stopping here, so Yuan Xiang did not continue to ask, but waves of rage were rising in his heart.
It was obvious that what Madam Chang was referring to was not the ancestors of the Chang family, so it could only be...
Yuan Xiang inexplicably became excited: "I know that you are such a genius... your ancestors must have been extraordinary people too!"
Obviously, Madam Chang must have found out her background! And this background must be extraordinary. After all, which ordinary family can easily leave behind a fortune of 7 million guan? It may not even be just 7 million guan!
These words fell on his heart, and Yuanxiang felt that he was really arrogant. Before this, he would never have imagined that one day he would use the word "only" before the number "seven million strings of cash".
While Yuan Xiang was still excited, Chang Suining continued to instruct, "Along the way, you can take out a portion of the seven million strings of cash and buy as much food and medicine as possible, as well as other things needed by the army—"
The North is located on the edge, and it takes too much time to purchase and transport back and forth. Moreover, it is unknown when the war will break out. It is better to prepare as much as possible along the way in case of any unexpected events.
However, such a large amount of grain purchases will inevitably attract the attention of various parties and the court. This is unavoidable and there is no need to deliberately avoid it: "If you encounter supervision, just cooperate and tell the truth to all places that this is the Huainan Dao Chang Suining's move to subsidize the northern border defense army. If there are still people who deliberately obstruct and intercept, there is no need to show mercy. Just kill all those who block the way on the spot in the name of hindering the northern border defense plan - make sure to send the money and grain safely to the hands of the Grand Commander Cui."
The world is in great chaos, and there are many people with evil intentions.
Yuan Xiang straightened his expression, clasped his fists and replied solemnly, "Yes."
"The current situation is different from the past. Purchasing military rations also involves the interests of various parties. It is not an easy task." Chang Suining said, "To ensure the smooth journey, I will let someone go with you."
Not long after, Yuan Xiang saw the person coming and was surprised again: "...Mr. Meng?"
After Yuanxiang, he knew that this gray-haired "Mr. Meng" was the owner of Dengtai Tower in the capital, Mr. Meng, and not a lost uncle or nephew who looked similar...
But after learning about this, Yuanxiang couldn't help wondering why Meng Dongjia from the capital came to Jiangdu to help Chang Niangzi manage affairs privately. It was not until this time that Yuanxiang felt a sense of enlightenment.
He knew...Mr. Meng must have a very deep connection with the "ancestors" mentioned by Madam Chang.
It is even possible that Mr. Meng is one of the helpers that the "ancestor" secretly left for Madam Chang... Such long-term thinking is in line with his stereotype of big men!
When Yuanxiang "knew", Menglie also "knew"——
He finally knew who the person was that made his Highness "willing to owe him".
It turned out that he was the General Cui who was beaten up by Chang Kuo in the past, and then took charge of the Xuan Ce Army. He was expelled from the Cui family last year and now leads his troops to guard Yumen Pass.
In addition to the military pay, Chang Suining also asked Yuanxiang to bring a box to Cui Jing. In it was her knowledge of the internal affairs of Beidi and their methods of warfare. Although most of it was known in the past, it was not just what she knew in the past. Since she was resurrected, Chang Suining had never been optimistic about this evil wolf outside the northern border, so she never dared to stop "knowing herself and the enemy" about it.
Although she may not understand the Northern Di as well as Cui Jing does, she has fought off the Northern Di after all, and the advice of a former victor is always worth listening to - when it comes to "fighting", Chang Suining has always had an unusually high level of confidence.
In addition, Chang Suining had something else he wanted Yuanxiang to convey to Cui Jing.
Cui Jing proposed to rebuild the northern border defense in advance. He wrote to the court for several years before he finally got the court's approval and was able to lead troops to the northern border to defend the border. However, to rebuild the border defense, not only huge financial and human resources are needed, but also enough time - and the speed of the decline of the situation is beyond everyone's expectations. Now the national strength is difficult to support, and there is little time left to plan and respond. Financial supply has also become a fatal problem.
Indeed, seven million strings of cash was by no means a small sum, even for Chang Suining, who considered herself wealthy. But at this critical moment, how could she rely on the imperial court? Chang Suining knew that Cui Jing was generous to the Great Sheng Jiangshan and her. Previously, Cui Jing thought she was in trouble, so he sent everything he had to Jiangdu without reservation. Now that she knew that the North was in a difficult situation with him, she would naturally do the same.
"Tell Commander Cui that I am not here to repay him for his timely help." Chang Suining said, "These seven million strings of cash are not for Cui Jing, but for the soldiers in the northern border."
After Yuan Xiang reacted for a moment, he realized the difference and suddenly felt an indescribable emotion in his heart.
Madam Chang's help this time is not for repayment or offset.
Madam Chang and Governor Cui support each other and also support each other for the prosperity of the country.
There is a greater meaning in this, and it is not limited to the world between the two of them.
And the words "It's for the soldiers in the northern border" made Yuanxiang feel a bit like Madam Chang "entrusting the overall situation" to the commander-in-chief.
Therefore, although it was "not for Cui Jing", there was absolute trust in Cui Jing.
Because of trust, there is entrustment.
Yuan Xiang was so moved that he could not express it in words. He knelt on one knee and thanked the emperor: "On behalf of our fellow soldiers in the North, I would like to thank you for your help!"
Seven million strings of cash is enough to recruit soldiers and build momentum in today's world, but the person in front of him chose to send it to the northern border thousands of miles away from Huainan Road to guard the border.
At this moment, Yuanxiang stood from the perspective that belonged only to Cui Yuanxiang, and truly distinguished Chang Suining from other ambitious people.
He knelt down not because of his relationship with the Grand Commander or because of the difference between superiors and subordinates, but simply from the bottom of his heart.
After leaving this seldom visited inner study, Yuan Xiang wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes and gradually regained some of his "true self".
Two voices began to linger in his mind. One was that Madam Chang trusted her Grand Commander so much, so, in a sense, could the Grand Commander also be considered "the concubine has already made her own identity clear"?
Second, what kind of amazing life experience does Madam Chang have?
Yuan Xiang quietly looked at Meng Lie who was walking beside him.
Although Mr. Meng, with his official look on his face, does not look as approachable as he did when he was in Dengtai Tower in Beijing, it still cannot extinguish Yuan Xiang's burning curiosity.
Yuan Xiang tried to strike a casual tone, smiled and asked in a roundabout way: "Where is Mr. Meng's ancestral home? Where is he originally from?"
Meng Lie answered without looking away, "I am from Dasheng."
Yuan Xiang's smile faded, and he laughed, "...What a coincidence, I am the same."
Meng Lie glanced at him and said nothing.
Not only did it fail to ease the embarrassment, but it made Yuanxiang even more embarrassed. He could only put away his smile awkwardly.
"No need to ask more." Meng Lie said in a calm tone, "When it's time to know, you will know it naturally."
Yuan Xiang nodded awkwardly after his inner thoughts were exposed, but his heart was unwilling to obey him and he couldn't help but become more curious.
The next day, Yuan Xiang and Meng Lie left Jiangdu City with a thousand elite soldiers arranged by Chang Suining.
The messengers who set off earlier than these one thousand people were the ones who rushed to the northern border yesterday. One thousand people were not safe enough. After receiving the letter, Cui Jing would send Xuan Ce's army to meet them halfway to prevent any accidents from happening.
Chang Sui would rather not let the 7 million strings of cash he gave away become capital for others to start a rebellion.
Soon after, the provincial governors of various states also left Jiangdu one after another and returned to their jurisdictions.
What they took away was not only Chang Suining's threat, but also the big picture that Chang Suining had painted.
When Yun Hui said goodbye to Chang Suining, he was full of energy and tried his best to assure Chang Suining that Hezhou would be the state among the twelve states where the new policy would be implemented most smoothly and the financial revenue would be the most considerable.
Chang Suining, who had just spent a large sum of money, felt comforted when he heard this and nodded with satisfaction.
The day after Yun Hui left, Chang Suining went to the Maritime Customs and met Han Zheng, as well as the scene in the Maritime Customs that had gradually become orderly.
In the afternoon, Chang Suining, who was seen off by Han Zheng, took his men to the seaside where they were preparing to test the boat.
The "Changning" has already embarked on an ocean voyage, and the five or six ships that are now preparing to test the waters look much smaller. These ships were rebuilt from old merchant ships.
Those old merchant ships had been idle for many years, but it was a pity to abandon them, so Shen Sanmao thought of repairing and modifying them. Instead of using them for ocean voyages, they would be sufficient for traveling between Dongluo and Xingzhou Island.
When it comes to living, you have to be thrifty.
But Shen Sanmao's careful calculations went far beyond "patching up for another three years" -
Chang Suining put his hands above his eyebrows and squinted at the fluttering flags on one of the ships. He saw a big Chinese character "Chang" on the highest flag.
Shen Sanmao explained with a smile: "With your reputation, we can travel more freely on the sea..."
Naturally, we must make good use of the reputation that we have earned. Just look at the flag with the word "Chang" fluttering in the wind. It makes people feel confident.
"Which one?" Chang Suining looked at the flag with colorful stripes a little lower, stared at it for a moment, and read: "...Jiang's...Business?"
Shen Sanmao smiled and said, "Your Excellency, Jiang Hai donated 200,000 taels of silver to rebuild the Maritime Customs Office and open up the sea route... I think such a kind act should be widely publicized."
Chang Suining hissed softly in his heart, and was amazed at Shen Sanmao's move. He nodded in admiration: "Reopening the Maritime Customs Office will benefit the country and the people. The merchants in Jiangdu have great righteousness in their hearts. It is really a great kindness to be so united."
As she spoke, she looked at the remaining boats and noticed a row of large characters written on them - Vacant space for rent, please hurry if you are interested.
These ships were bound for foreign countries. Foreign trade was a golden way to make money, and advertising one's own business in this way was undoubtedly an excellent way to increase sales.
Sure enough, within three days, the "flag flying rights" on the remaining ships were quickly snatched up by major trading companies in the name of donations.
After these ships successfully passed the water test, they loaded themselves with cargo and sailed towards Don Luo and Wo Island in the calm sea breeze.
Unlike the cool sea breeze, the houses in Jiangdu City are already feeling a bit hot and stuffy in the summer.
At the Jiangdu Governor's Mansion, a female soldier in charge of interrogation came back from outside and reported the battle situation in Yuezhou to Chang Suining: "...More than ten days ago, General Xiao Min had people successfully intercept the military rations transported to Yuezhou by the Bian Army. Due to the lack of food, the Bian Army in Yuezhou City also caused several civil strife and desertion, but they were all suppressed by Bian Chunliang."
Chang Suining asked, "Hasn't General Xiao sent troops to retake Yuezhou yet?"
There was news that military rations had been intercepted more than ten days ago. It was appropriate to take advantage of the unrest among the Bian army and send troops as soon as possible when the next supply of military rations was still uncertain. This was also the arrangement Xiao Min had made when they met on the banks of the Han River.
The female soldier shook her head: "We haven't found out yet. We are still investigating."
Chang Suining nodded. Jiangdu was located at the easternmost part of Huainan Road, thousands of miles away, so news was always delayed. Perhaps Xiao Min had already arrived at the city of Yuezhou by now.
But she still asked people to pay more attention to the news from Yuezhou, and report to her immediately if there was any new news.
Thousands of miles away, Xiao Min was caught in an argument with Li Xian.
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