Chapter Nineteen: It Has Been a Long Time Since the Great Ming Last Fought a Wealthy War!
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Zhu Cilang roughly understood what Sun Chuanting was hesitating about and immediately offered reassurance:
“This is not the court; speak freely, and I will not blame you.”
Only then did Sun Chuanting continue:
“The most critical needs for training troops are military funds and provisions. If I am to train thirty thousand elite soldiers, I will need at least two million taels of silver.”
“Besides that, Shaanxi has been plagued by famine in recent years and cannot sustain its own grain; I will also require ample provisions.”
After saying this, Sun Chuanting looked anxiously at Zhu Cilang.
Although he had been imprisoned in the imperial jail for two years and was unfamiliar with the current situation outside, he was well aware that the imperial treasury was in dire straits and simply could not provide such a large sum.
But without sufficient funds, he could not recruit new soldiers.
Without new recruits, he could not eliminate Li Zicheng and Zhang Xianzhong.
It seemed like a vicious cycle...
Just as Sun Chuanting was at a loss for words, Zhu Cilang asked:
“If I were to require you to train fifty thousand elite soldiers, how much silver and provisions would you need?”
What?
Sun Chuanting was stunned.
He even wondered if he had misheard.
The court did not even have enough funds to train thirty thousand soldiers, yet now he was being asked to train fifty thousand?
Where would the silver and provisions come from?
They couldn’t just steal it, could they?
Seeing Sun Chuanting’s bewildered expression, Zhu Cilang said:
“Funds and provisions are not for you to worry about. Just tell me how much you need to train fifty thousand elite soldiers.”
Sun Chuanting gathered himself and replied:
“If Your Highness truly wants fifty thousand elite soldiers, then I will need at least three and a half million taels of silver, plus sufficient provisions.”
Three and a half million taels of silver?
Zhu Cilang stroked his chin, then suddenly smiled and said:
“Is three and a half million enough? I’ll round it up for you—how about four million taels?”
What?
Hearing this, Sun Chuanting was completely unable to remain calm, his face full of disbelief.
In the past, whenever he requested military funds and provisions, Emperor Chongzhen would always drive a hard bargain.
If he asked for a hundred thousand taels, Chongzhen would only give twenty thousand.
If he asked for a million, Chongzhen would only give a bit over a hundred thousand.
So why was it different with the Crown Prince?
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To ask for three and a half million taels and not only not haggle but actually offer four million—did the Ming Dynasty really have that much money now?
Zhu Cilang found Sun Chuanting’s reaction amusing.
It was no wonder he was so shocked; after all, the Ming had long since ceased to fight well-funded wars.
Zhu Cilang continued:
“I want you to recruit fifty thousand new soldiers in Shaanxi—no less.”
“You ask for three and a half million taels; I’ll give you four million.”
“Three and a half million will be used to recruit and train soldiers; the remaining five hundred thousand you may spend as you see fit.”
“All I ask is that within one year, you deliver fifty thousand elite soldiers.”
“After we defeat Li Zicheng and Zhang Xianzhong, thirty thousand of those soldiers will be transferred to the capital to serve as the imperial garrison.”
“Moreover, I guarantee you will receive the provisions you require.”
“In short, you need not worry about funds or provisions. If the silver runs short, I can provide even more.”
“Additionally, I will dispatch five thousand troops from the imperial garrison to accompany you to Shaanxi to suppress the bandits.”
The reason Zhu Cilang wanted to train these fifty thousand soldiers was not solely to crush Zhang Xianzhong and Li Zicheng.
Partly, he wanted to replenish the imperial garrison with troops from Shaanxi.
By this point, the imperial garrison was practically ruined.
It once boasted two hundred thousand elite soldiers but now barely numbered twenty thousand—an order of magnitude less.
He was desperate to rebuild it, and the Shaanxi troops were a good choice, known for their fearless fighting spirit.
In addition, the Guanning Iron Cavalry and the White Pole Infantry were included in Zhu Cilang’s plans.
Of course, all this would have to be done step by step.
Meanwhile, Sun Chuanting’s breathing became quicker, his whole demeanor radiant.
He had never fought such a well-funded war in his life!
Not only were the soldiers and funds sufficient, even provisions would be guaranteed. It felt like a dream!
But this was clearly no dream!
If only Chongzhen had supported him like this back then, Li Zicheng and Zhang Xianzhong might have been wiped out long ago!
Overcome with emotion, Sun Chuanting knelt again before Zhu Cilang.
“Your Highness, if truly given such funds and provisions, I guarantee to train fifty thousand elite soldiers within a year!”
“Within two years, I will eliminate Li Zicheng and Zhang Xianzhong.”
“If I fail, I am willing to die and accept punishment!”
...
Hearing Sun Chuanting’s vow, Zhu Cilang’s heart skipped a beat.
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For some reason, he suddenly thought of Yuan Chonghuan.
Yuan had made a similar promise to Emperor Chongzhen back then.
And what was the result?
Emperor Huangtaiji reached the gates of the capital!
Then Chongzhen ruthlessly executed Yuan Chonghuan.
The blame for Yuan’s death did not rest entirely with Chongzhen; after all, Chongzhen had unconditionally trusted Yuan’s “five-year pacification plan” for Liaodong.
He had mobilized the entire nation’s resources to support Yuan and his army.
Basically, whatever Yuan wanted, Chongzhen gave.
And what did Yuan do?
He first killed Mao Wenlong, who had been holding the Jianzhou Jurchens in check on Pidao Island, indirectly causing thousands of loyal Ming soldiers under Kong Youde and Shang Kexi to surrender to the Jurchens.
This greatly strengthened the Jurchen army.
Remember, they had been sworn enemies of the Jurchens!
Likewise, the cannons and firearms stationed on Pidao were seized by the Jurchens, granting them the knowledge to manufacture artillery.
The cannons used by the Jurchens to attack Jinzhou were thus acquired because Yuan had killed Mao Wenlong!
Without Mao Wenlong’s restraint, the Jurchen army advanced unimpeded toward the Jinzhou-Ning line.
Furthermore, right under Yuan’s watch, Huangtaiji bypassed his defensive lines and launched an attack on the capital itself!
Although Yuan ultimately repelled Huangtaiji’s forces, the capital was besieged for a time.
Coupled with a series of complicated reasons, this led to Chongzhen executing Yuan Chonghuan.
But judging from these events, Yuan’s death was not entirely unjust.
If it were Zhu Cilang’s place, he would have found it equally hard to refrain from executing Yuan.
Of course, this was long ago and best left unspoken.
Snapping back to the present, Zhu Cilang smiled wryly:
“Let’s not speak of this again. I’m just listening; let’s not have others overhear.”
“I do not demand you eliminate Li Zicheng and Zhang Xianzhong within two years. I can give you more time.”
At this moment, Sun Chuanting seemed to realize something and corrected himself:
“I misspoke. Please rest assured, Your Highness, I will do my utmost!”
Zhu Cilang nodded, then suddenly recalled someone—a figure both troublesome and crucial to him!