Chapter 1727: Isn't it good to be rich?

Zhou Shuren continued to stare at the map with a deep look in his eyes. Aren't all the garrison generals white? They really think that the emperor is far away and they just listen to what the emperor says. The emperor knows everything.

The emperor turned the beads and said, "There are many caravans passing through this trade route every year. I heard that the caravans passing by would send tributes and even forced escorts."

The ministers in the study were all very thoughtful. Several generals swallowed their saliva. This was the purpose of expanding the army. The expansion of the army was not for the purpose of serving the court, but for personal gain.

Zhou Shuren wondered if the emperor had anything else to say, and sure enough, the emperor continued, "What's interesting is that if a caravan doesn't have an escort, it will be robbed three out of five times."

Lord Gong kept his mouth shut. He became the Minister of War, and generals from all over the country sent him gifts. He was deeply impressed by the gift from General Sun. Fortunately, he was cautious and only gave it to everyone as a token of reassurance, and returned the rest!

Several generals remained silent, and no one in the study spoke either.

Zhou Shuren chuckled in his heart. If it weren't for the money confiscated from the houses, the army would not be able to replace its armor and weapons. The annual consumption of food and wages made his eyes hurt every time he looked at it. If it weren't for the bad years that could not lead to military cuts, he hoped to cut some of the older soldiers.

The army's food and wages are a huge burden for the court!

The emperor waited for Lord Gong and the others to leave, leaving Zhou Shuren alone. "Sit down."

Zhou Shuren sat down. "General Sun, do you have any other questions?"

The emperor nodded, "The money he spent on corruption doesn't count. Last year, there was a heavy snowstorm in the area where Sun's family was stationed, and there was a shortage of medicines. Many soldiers died, but he didn't report it to the court."

Zhou Shuren frowned. The dead and wounded soldiers had to be given compensation money. He knew best how much money the Ministry of Revenue had issued. Last year, many soldiers stationed on the grassland died. To put it bluntly, the conditions in ancient times were not good enough. Even if he tried his best to change it, he would still be powerless sometimes.

Zhou Shuren asked, "What does the emperor mean?"

This year's rations had already been distributed, and he had no idea how much had been embezzled.

The emperor snorted, "That bastard Sun Yuan has already got the garrison in his hands. He is so bold because everyone is protecting him. What a comrade-in-arms relationship, huh!"

Zhou Shuren didn't understand the comradeship. He had never been on the battlefield, never fought together, and he didn't feel much when he put himself in someone else's shoes. He preferred to believe, "Sun Yuan is not stupid. I think the interests are more reliable."

Being on the same ship, no one can think of being innocent. It may start out as a comradeship, but eventually it becomes tainted with interests, and they form a network of interests.

The emperor motioned the prince to bring the map over, put it on the table and pointed at the location of the garrison. "There are 30,000 soldiers stationed here. The location was chosen to be easy to defend but difficult to attack. There are still remnants of the grassland that have not been captured. Sun Yuan deserves death."

Zhou Shuren glanced at the emperor's gloomy face. With the Zheng family in front of him as a comparison, Sun Yuan's proposal to expand the army touched the emperor's thorns. Military power was what the emperor cared about most. "Recruit Sun Yuan to Beijing?"

The emperor calmed down and said, "No hurry, I want to carefully check the troops stationed in various places."

Zhou Shuren guessed that the emperor knew so much about the matter not only because he had people planted in various armies, but also because he had caravans gathering information everywhere. The grassland was vast and there were many caravans, so the emperor trusted his own people more.

The emperor continued, "There are indeed not enough soldiers and generals on the grassland."

Zhou Shuren raised his head, "What does the emperor mean?"

The army cannot be expanded. If the emperor dares to talk about expanding the army, he will not do it.

The emperor pointed at the map again and said, "I plan to rotate the defense every few years. No one should think of guarding one place."

There are many garrison positions on the grassland. In some places, you can make money, while in some places, life is very hard.

Zhou Shuren frowned, then relaxed his brows. The emperor was more thoughtful than he was. When the time came and confidentiality became inappropriate, the emperor would think it through carefully. It would be better for him to keep his mouth shut about military power.

The emperor added: "I want to add more military funds."

This is the purpose of keeping Zhou Shuren.

Zhou Shuren had a blank expression on his face, looking like he was just listening but not saying anything.

emperor,"!!"

He has laid so much foundation, but this is the expression on the old fox's face when he mentions money!

The prince turned his head to look at the vase. Well, the vases sent to the palace by the official kiln this year are quite good.

Zhou Shuren left the palace and rode in a carriage for a short distance before the carriage stopped. "Did Lord Gong not return to the Ministry of War?"

Lord Gong said, "I have been waiting for you, Lord Hou."

Zhou Shuren asked Master Gong to get on the carriage and waited for it to start moving again. "The money for replacing the equipment was collected from the Ministry of Revenue this morning."

So why bother him?

Lord Gong, "I can become the Minister of War, this pie is a bit too big."

Zhou Shuren just looked at Lord Gong quietly. The Emperor must have hinted who he favored long ago, so who was he trying to fool by looking so flattered and surprised?

Lord Gong's voice gradually became quieter. "I just took over the Ministry of War and was very busy. I haven't had the chance to invite you for tea. I want to invite you for a cup of tea."

Zhou Shuren, "This is what I see Lord Gong as."

He raised his thumb and said, "When Li Zhao was here, he had suggested changing equipment many times but it never worked out. How amazing is this guy!"

Lord Gong had a toothache and could only smile and say, "It's still a long way to go."

Zhou Shuren said "oh" without any emotion, and the conversation ended there for the day.

The next morning, Zhou Shuren and Zheng Hong did not communicate. Zheng Hong stood in the team of military generals, and now he had figured out the relationship between their two families.

Except for the entrustment from the Zheng family, everything that needs to be investigated has been clarified.

The Emperor must be aware of the way out that has been entrusted to him.

Zheng Honglai did not mention the house in his hometown and obviously did not want to take it back, so Zhou Shuren did not try to give it back either.

Zheng Hong is now a new noble in the capital. The women of the Zheng family have not come to the capital, and the family situation has been clearly inquired about. Zheng Hong's youngest daughter is fifteen years old, and his legitimate youngest son is not engaged. Some people have become more enthusiastic about Zheng Hong.

Zhou Shuren was very confused by what he saw, and asked Wang Ju after leaving the court, "Do you want to have a relative like Earl Zheng?"

Wang Ju, "I'm not crazy."

The Wang family does not need an in-law with military power. That is not a marriage, that is playing with one's life!

The Wang family is well-behaved, but their family is so large that wouldn't it be good for them to live a peaceful and wealthy life?

Zhou Shuren patted Wang Ju on the shoulder and said, "Your reaction is normal. Why are you so upset?"

Wang Ju curled her lips, "Because we don't have higher aspirations?"

Zhou Shuren nodded in agreement, "You are right."

Wang Ju lowered her voice, "You don't have a close relationship with the Zheng family."

Zhou Shuren, "I thought you didn't ask!"

"I believe you."

Zhou Shuren chuckled, "There won't be any more complications."

Wang Ju smiled and said, "I knew you were sober."

At noon at Zhou Hou Mansion, Zhulan handed the letter to Li and said, "You can also take a look."

After looking at them, Li was surprised. "They are all shops in good locations. Why does Mrs. Luo want to sell them?"

Zhulan didn't know, and she didn't want to ask, "She wants to sell it to me, what do you think?"

Li was somewhat tempted. The shop was really nice. "Do you want to buy it?"

Zhulan shook her head. She had accumulated enough business. "I don't need it. Do you want to buy some?"

(End of this chapter)