Zhang Biwu knew that as long as the Ming army was united, he could defeat the Qing army. If he shrank and did not fight, it would only make people look down on him even more...

Zhang Biwu went to various places where 100,000 refugees were settled in Kaifeng and saw that most of them had solved the problem of food and clothing, and even lived in a quick way.

One hundred thousand refugees originally thought they would die, but now they have a place to settle down. Of course, they are extremely grateful to Zhang Biwu. With a place to take a breath, there is no need to worry about any accidents they may have.

When Zhang Biwu saw that 100,000 people had settled and nothing would happen, he couldn't help but be happy, and finally let go of his hanging heart.

Gu Yanwu had something to report at this time: "Lord, we have not accumulated much money and food! We can only support the first half of the year! The lord once promised the people not to collect money and food, so that they could live and work in peace. In the second half of the year, it was time to collect money and food! In the last year, we used the excuse of Li Zicheng occupying Henan, causing the road to be interrupted, and only paid a quarter of the tax to the court. This year..."

Before Gu Yanwu finished speaking, Zhang Biwu said, "Zhongqing, I don't have to pay taxes to the court this year! We had to pay taxes constantly because I had no soldiers. Now I have at least tens of thousands of troops in my hand. Of course, if I urgently recruit, there will be more than 10,000 people! Who else can we need more money and food than anything else! How can we hand over it to the court?"

"In addition to the possession of Li Zicheng in Henan, it is not easy for us to transport it to Yanjing! It is very likely that Li Zicheng intercepted it! Instead of giving it to Li Zicheng, it is better not to send it to him! Keep it for yourself! I have to wait for the court to pay the food and salary, but I don't know when it will be!"

When Gu Yanwu heard this, he frowned. Is it worth offending the court? What should I do if the court blames it?

And if you have to last another half a year, what should you do? Now the people are already rich in life, and only Zhang Biwu's land in Henan is the land of a prosperous paradise in troubled times. It would be no problem if you start expropriation. Offending the court is not worth the loss, right? Gu Yanwu still thinks it is better to pay tribute.

Zhang Biwu saw through Gu Yanwu's heart, and he didn't say it clearly. He just changed the subject and said, "Zhongqing, do you still remember a story you told me?"

Gu Yanwu didn’t know what Zhang Biwu was saying, although he had told Zhang Biwu several stories.

Zhang Biwu said, "You told me before that there was an emperor whose capital was attacked and urgently needed to defend the city and defend the enemy. So the emperor ordered the people of the whole city to go to the city to defend the city, each person would give ten taels of silver! So the people rushed to the city to defend the city first. When the enemy retreated, the emperor was unwilling to pay the money to the people, saying that the taxes owed by the people in previous years had not been paid yet! Let's deduct them from the taxes they owed!"

When Gu Yanwu heard this, he understood that he and Zhang Biwu had told this story before. Zhang Biwu wanted to use this story to explain the reason why he did this.

Zhang Biwu continued: "It seems reasonable to use the taxes owed to offset the money paid! People who have not paid the taxes owed are equivalent to clearing the accounts from the money they owe. There should be no problem. But in fact, the problem is big! Because there are too many taxes, the people are unable to bear it, and they are struggling hard on the line of life and death! They originally hoped to have money to live and survive for a while, but now they are not paid. How can the people not complain? What they see is the real benefits they have obtained! Even if it is just a flash in the pan!"

Gu Yanwu nodded: "Yes! That's the reason! When the enemy attacks again, the emperor will order the city guards to give a heavy reward. But no one is willing to defend the city for the emperor, because they did not receive the silver reward last time! So in the end, the country perished!"

Zhang Biwu smiled and said, "Yes! So I must implement my integrity! Duke Wen of Jin had just succeeded to the throne. What was the first thing he did? Win trust from the people! He attacked Yuancheng, and he was about to break the Yuancheng, but Duke Wen of Jin believed that a city was not as good as the country's credibility in the hearts of the people, so he withdrew his troops! Including Shang Yang's reform, he established a tree to win the trust. Later, Qin's law was successful, and Qin had become a powerful country and finally annexed the six countries!"

Gu Yanwu's heart was opened and he said happily: "Yes! Lord, I understand! No matter how difficult it is, we have to support the re-examination in the second half of the year!"

Zhang Biwu then said: "The collection of money and grain will begin in the second half of the year. What are your plans? How to collect money?"

Gu Yanwu replied: "We cannot be levied according to the land, because levied according to the land, which has caused many families to be destroyed, and all officials, gentry and wealthy families have a way to deal with it. We will use wealth and living standards as the basis. Anyone who is rich will be levied more. If the poor are not levied!"

"Okay!" Zhang Biwu smiled and said, "This is a way to eliminate the gap between the rich and the poor! It can be used!" Gu Yanwu looked embarrassed and said, "Lord, if this is the case, it will be strongly opposed by the gentry! It will be levied in large quantities for them..."

Zhang Biwu looked at Gu Yanwu and said, "Zhongqing, I remember you told me a story. The emperor wanted to fight corruption. The owner of the silk shop couldn't help but be excited when he heard it. He praised the wise king and praised 'We ordinary people's life for a good day!' However, the emperor's anti-corruption made the silk boss's old customers and officials afraid to turn to their heads and dare not buy high-end silk in his silk shop. His business was much less. So the silk boss scolded the emperor for being a fool in his heart!"

"When the country is in great power and the people are rich, many people go to his silk shop to buy silk. His business is booming. Although there are no major customers like officials, the number of customers has increased a lot and his income has increased. He keeps praising the emperor as a wise king and a saint king! How wise!"

Gu Yanwu heard this and said, "Lord, I understand. What you mean is that there is such an anti-corruption period. Although the interests of the wealthy and gentry are damaged, it is better than that of our jurisdiction being affected by the war. Their family and life are not guaranteed! In the end, they will praise first and then scold them like the owner of a silk shop, and finally praise them!"

Zhang Biwu smiled and said, "Yes! I'll leave the future to you! Maybe I don't know how long it will take to come back!"

"Ah?" Gu Yanwu was stunned and asked, "Lord, what do you mean?"

Zhang Biwu replied seriously: "I want to fight the Qing army! The Qing army has plundered so much wealth, can't we rob it back?"

"Ah?" Gu Yanwu looked at Zhang Biwu. Zhang Biwu smiled and said, "Our soldiers heard that they could make their families live a good life without tax collection. Of course, if they went to fight the Qing army and then rob the gold, silver and treasures, they would be very happy! These soldiers followed me into the Qing army. Everyone in the Ming army was afraid of the whole army, but my soldiers were not afraid! On the contrary, they saw that the Qing army thought it was a fat sheep!"

Gu Yanwu understood that Zhang Biwu knew that the money and food in the jurisdiction were tight now, so he could not collect too much. If he wanted to replenish it, he could only rob it from the hands of the Qing army! After all, the nearby bandits had already been suppressed, and there was no need to suppress it, so he could only suppress the biggest robber - the Qing Dynasty! And he could also gain a good reputation, which was indeed a killing of two birds.

Zhang Biwu knew that as long as he fought, the court could give food and money. Although the court would definitely give enough food and money, it would be better than letting the land with a small amount of money and money come out, and how much you get in the court.

His five thousand men no longer have to stay in his jurisdiction. He was short of money and food and could not collect money and food. What can I do? Fighting! I was afraid that the army that was fighting would be disbanded, and it would be better to go home to farm! The army is used for war and was honed through repeated battles.

Zhang Biwu was confident. He believed that the Qing army bypassed Yanjing and went south in two directions, attacked Shandong and Hebei, causing harm to one side. The Ming Dynasty was once again shamed and had to crack down on their arrogance!

Moreover, he also heard that Chongzhen was mobilizing troops, claiming to be a 390,000 army. Even if it was false, there would be at least 100,000 people. Since there were so many people, he would not be afraid of the 100,000 army of the Qing army!

However, Zhang Biwu knew that he would be suspicious of Chongzhen. Even so, he could no longer watch the people being kidnapped by the Qing army, and he must make the Ming army clear! Moreover, if the Qing army is not led by the most powerful generals in person, defeating the Qing army by 100,000, he can avenge the one-point revenge of the Songjin Battle.

So Zhang Biwu took the initiative to ask for the battle. He wanted to lead troops to fight. He even proposed to let Hou Xun continue to be the chief general. He was the deputy general and led more than 10,000 Hou Xun's men, plus his headquarters of 5,000 people to compete with the Qing army.

Chongzhen received a memorial from Zhang Biwu, and he could see that his words were intense and generous.

He remained silent. He suspected Zhang Biwu. Now Zhang Biwu was constantly expanding his military strength. Although Hou Xun was the main one, Hou Xun had been impeached by the censor and wanted to be convicted and imprisoned again. Now Zhang Biwu mentioned that he was the main general again, which was to save Hou Xun.

Hou Xun had enough in prison, and Zhang Biwu would definitely be very grateful to him, so Zhang Biwu could seize the title, and he, as a deputy general, could seize the real power of the title, and Hou Xun would be useless.

What's more, Hou Xun's aura has long been worn out, and he is afraid of being punished again. As long as Zhang Biwu does, he can be happy to shirk responsibility. Then more than 10,000 soldiers may also become Zhang Biwu's private soldiers!

When Chongzhen thought of this, he was shocked and sweated. Although he didn't know if Zhang Biwu wanted to seize military power as he thought, no matter whether he was, he had to be wary of it!

He was extremely distrustful of Zhang Biwu. He was unwilling to try to make Zhang Biwu command more soldiers, but the Qing soldiers are so arrogant now! He had to attack the Qing soldiers! Zhang Biwu is also a useful person!
Chapter completed!