The weather is not cool yet, but it is already autumn.
Compared with the disaster in Shaanxi, the Ming Dynasty, which had already pacified the Liao rebellion, dispelled the clouds of war and allowed the people to see the arrival of a peaceful year.
"Qianqiu Festival..." The emperor pondered for a long moment before looking up and saying to the Minister of Rites, Dong Qichang, "Let's make it more grand than last year. We'll draw funds from the inner treasury, but we can't be extravagant, and we can't impose on the people. It's all voluntary."
After a pause, the emperor added: "The Qianqiu Festival should not increase the burden on the people. Instead, we should let the people get some benefits, so that we can show that I am happy with the people."
Dong Qichang bowed and said, "I obey your order."
Although there was a major disaster in Shaanxi this year, reports on the autumn harvest in other provinces were submitted one after another. Although there were also local disasters, the total output increased instead of decreased, which made the emperor breathe a sigh of relief.
This was mainly due to the replacement of crop varieties and government-enforced planting. The yield of potatoes in the north and sweet potatoes in the south was two to three times higher than that of grain, which immediately made up for the poor harvest in Shaanxi Province.
Yes, even though there were large-scale disasters in Shaanxi, there was no complete harvest. Even though it didn't rain, there was still water from nearby rivers and streams to irrigate the land. The water conservancy facilities built by Zuo Guangdou when he was the governor of Shaanxi also played a significant role.
Of course, if the drought continues, it will not be a poor harvest, but a total loss of harvest.
Because the autumn harvest in neighboring provinces such as Henan, Shanxi, and Sichuan was good, the grain could be transported to Shaanxi, which alleviated the consumption of grain transportation for disaster relief.
Even so, the purchase of grain from overseas did not stop. According to the emperor's requirements, the northern provinces should store enough crops for at least one year's consumption.
If the government granaries were insufficient, the supplies would be distributed among the people and to their homes.
Cellar storage has long been popularized. Corn is dried in the sun, wheat is ground into flour and dried into noodles, and various methods of increasing storage time are also widely used in various places.
After nearly a year of immigration, work-for-relief, grain transportation, and famine storage, local governments have become increasingly proficient in the court's policies and procedures, laying the foundation for responding to ongoing major disasters.
The grand celebration of the Qianqiu Festival was not just for the sake of celebrating birthdays. The emperor also realized that such an event would be of great benefit to enhancing his authority.
Moreover, this year the royal family had a new member. The empress had given birth to a prince, and although he had not yet been canonized, it was just a formality, and the emperor's succession was certain.
Concubine Wang Liang also gave birth to a boy, Concubine Duan Chun gave birth to a princess, and the newly appointed Concubine Fan Hui was also pregnant. It was a blessing to have many children, and the emperor's children were all connected.
The emperor was naturally in a good mood and usually smiled during court meetings, which made his ministers feel relaxed.
With nearly two months until the Qianqiu Festival, the Ministry of Rites submitted a memorial. As soon as the emperor gave his approval, intense preparations would begin. Foreign and smaller nations would be notified and sent representatives to join in the fun, demonstrating the grandeur of the international pilgrimage.
"Buhe, I heard that you have a grandson. Congratulations!" The emperor turned to Borjigit Buhe, who had been standing properly below Dong Qichang, and said with a smile.
Bu He quickly bowed and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kind words. I am deeply grateful."
The emperor pursed his lips, unconcerned with Buhe's Chinese phrasing, and said, "This is a reward for your grandson. I hope he grows up healthily and becomes the new generation of grassland eagles of our Ming Empire."
Bu He knelt down to accept the reward and kowtowed to express his gratitude.
The emperor felt that the number of Mongolian officials in the court was a bit too small, and only promoted Buhe, which was not enough for outsiders. As for Manchu officials, the emperor had already decided to transfer two to the capital.
Some policies and measures involving the Mongolian or Manchu ethnic groups will be more effective if they are communicated, publicized and implemented by officials of the same ethnic group.
The plan to expand northward based on Liaodong remains unchanged and our determination remains unwavering.
Since the cold did not kill the polar bears or stop their expansion, the Ming Empire could do the same, or even do better.
Whether they were Mongolians, Manchus, or even Koreans who had escaped across the Yalu River, as long as they were naturalized, they were all citizens of the Ming Dynasty and became valuable manpower for the development of the Northeast.
The same is true in the south. The ethnic minorities in Guangxi and Yunnan Province have long been subjects of the Ming Dynasty, so there is no question of naturalization.
By implementing orderly immigration and resolving the social instability caused by land shortages, the stability of the Ming Dynasty would have a more solid foundation.
"If you want to visit your grandson, I will also give you leave." The emperor's face was gentle and he smiled. "Seeing the changes in my hometown will put my mind at ease, right?"
Bu He was stunned for a moment, then quickly bowed his head and said earnestly, "Your Majesty, I thank you for your great grace, but I dare not let personal interests distract me from public affairs. As for my hometown, my son has already sent me a letter, saying that great changes have taken place and that the people of my tribe are living better than before. This is all due to Your Majesty's wisdom, and I have nothing to worry about."
Regardless of whether the emperor is testing you or not, humble words are necessary.
Buhe knew his identity as a noble of the Khorchin tribe. The emperor's release and appointment of him from among the prisoners of war was already a great favor from the emperor. He did not dare to show any dissatisfaction, nor did he dare to show any feelings of missing his hometown.
The emperor chuckled and said, "Well, it's not right for elders to look at their juniors. When I go on my northern tour, you will accompany me. The Korchin grasslands are very beautiful, and I have long admired them."
Buhe thanked him again, his thoughts racing.
The emperor had intended to tour the north, but stating this explicitly today was the first time, and it was of great significance. Furthermore, stating this to Bu He in person also demonstrated a kind of trust.
After finishing the report, Dong Qichang and Bu He, the Minister of Rites, took their leave.
The emperor drank his tea, calmed down, and took the memorial to read it.
The autumn harvest figures made the emperor feel relieved, and the next major event was to attack Burma.
After the new combat objectives were determined, Wang Sanshan quickly sent a secret report outlining the specific changes.
Although conquering Ava City was a step forward from the original plan, Wang Sanshan, after consulting with his generals, felt that there was no need to increase the number of troops for this purpose.
This wasn't arrogance; the plan had been set by the emperor, who worried about indigestion after swallowing up all the resources. From the perspective of the frontline generals, reaching the Ava River and conquering the city were just a matter of a river.
Although the Ming army lacked heavy artillery for siege, they had rockets, and the defensive facilities of Ava City were not as strong as those of the big cities in the country.
Therefore, Wang Sanshan explained this in his secret report and revised the original battle plan.
It turned out that they were making a rapid assault, relying on their firepower advantage to quickly defeat the enemy in front of them, all the way to the Ava River, frightening the Burmese king, who signed a treaty and stopped fighting.
Wang Sanshan and his generals now believed that a slow advance would be more effective in capturing Ava. This would give the Burmese time to gather and resist, and then they could inflict heavy casualties on them in a decisive battle.
The heavy loss of manpower made it easier to capture the city and plunder the city. The defenses of Ava were also weak, making it easier for the Ming army to break through.
The emperor quickly responded, agreeing with the decision made by Wang Sanshan and the generals. He never liked to give remote commands in battle, and always gave the frontline generals full autonomy and freedom.
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