When Li Chengliang first warned Li Rusong not to get too close to Xiao Ruxun, Li Rusong felt that it was reasonable. But now, with such a huge temptation placed in front of Li Rusong, Li Rusong could not persuade himself not to be tempted.
His Li family had been guarding Liaodong for two generations, relying on the semi-independent political and economic situation in Liaodong. The Li family's main reliance in guarding Liaodong and suppressing the Mongolian Jurchens was the maintenance of this extremely powerful force. In order to maintain this extremely powerful force, the Li family naturally needed to invest a lot of money.
The Li family did business with the Mongolians in Liaodong, the Jurchens, and also with the merchants in Shanxi. All the money they earned was used to raise the army and to meet the needs of the court. This was the successful model that Li Chengliang had explored.
These years, Li Rusong had also followed this method. But even so, the core army of less than ten thousand people was very strenuous for Li Rusong.
But Xiao Ruxun could actually earn hundreds of thousands of taels of silver in a year in Myanmar, a godforsaken place where birds don't shit and chickens don't lay eggs. Otherwise, it would be impossible to raise thirty thousand soldiers.
Looking at the equipment and treatment of the Zhennan Army, as well as the physique and level of training of the soldiers, it was obvious that they were the elite of the elite. How could each of them be supported without an investment of dozens of taels of silver every year?
Looking at the equipment and treatment of the Zhennan Army, as well as the soldiers' physique and level of training, it was obvious that they were the elite of the elite. How could each of them be supported without an investment of dozens of taels of silver every year?
Weapons, uniforms, food, accommodation, and the usual rewards and benefits were all money. Li Rusong spent money so much that his liver hurt, but Xiao Ruxun's number of retainers was three times that of his. There was also the navy. Although there was no cavalry, the navy also needed to burn money, and firearms even more so. How much money would it cost?
If it wasn't for the fact that the Emperor's brain was damaged and he paid for Xiao Ruxun's army out of his own pocket, then Xiao Ruxun's words would definitely be true. He had a way to earn money, and the entire Great Ming Dynasty thought that Myanmar was a barren land. They were only doing some small businesses and couldn't earn much money. But who would have thought that Xiao Ruxun was already so fat and strong here, even stronger than the Li Clan?
This Myanmar Town was the number one town in the world!
Li Rusong could not help but have this thought.
More importantly, Xiao Ruxun's words revealed his close relationship with the emperor. He thought about how the emperor had summoned Xiao Ruxun from thousands of miles away and refused to let him leave, insisting that he lead the army to wait for Xiao Ruxun in the capital for more than three days. This seemed to explain the problem!
Xiao Ruxun's development was supported by the emperor. Xiao Ruxun might have been in contact with the emperor all this time. The emperor had been dissatisfied with the officials for a long time and was about to take action. The Shanxi faction suddenly jumped out and asked for a beating, so it was understandable that the emperor wanted to beat the Shanxi faction. However, the emperor had been dispirited in front of the officials for a long time. Now that he suddenly rose up, did the officials of the Jin faction not want to fight back?
When the Jin faction was in charge of the court, how glorious was it? When Zhang Juzheng was at his peak, he had to give in to the Jin faction. Zhang Cong did not dare to do anything to the Jin faction. It was enough to show the power of the Jin faction. Although the Jin faction was careless, their foundation …
Thinking of this, Li Rusong suddenly understood.
"Could it be that the officials are planning to kill the Jin faction?"
Li Rusong blurted out.
Xiao Ruxun smiled faintly and nodded.
"The Under Heaven Commerce Gang has suffered for a long time. Now that there are business gangs everywhere, it is no longer the time when the Jin faction was the sole power. Commander Li, this time, they are seeking death. They have crippled Datong and half of Shanxi. At this time, there might be a meeting to discuss how to solve the problem. However, at this time, the meeting to divide the benefits in Shanxi has probably already been held."
Li Rusong sucked in a breath of cold air.
Li Chengliang's deduction was right. This time, there was going to be waves in the court. However, this wave was not led by Xiao Ruxun, but by a large group of people who thirsted for benefits. The Under Heaven Commerce Gang had been eyeing the benefits of the Shanxi merchants for a long time. If they could get it, they would be willing to swallow it up.
If it was just the Emperor, Li Rusong would hesitate. After Li Chengliang's guidance, he knew that the Emperor of the Daming Dynasty was not reliable. There was always the danger of him becoming Chao Cuo. However, the civil officials of the Daming Dynasty were very reliable. They were especially vicious when it came to fighting for power. Usually, an inconspicuous small official could become the official Huo Qubing when it came to the game of politics. They would attack the other party's nest at the slightest provocation.
The Emperor had long been excluded from the circle of fighting for the highest power. The current Emperor was no different from a mascot. If he wanted to obtain any actual power, he would immediately be criticized by others for being unjustifiable.
The Emperor wanted power for an unjustifiable reason!
How could the generals dare to get close to this kind of Emperor?
But Xiao Ruxun just had to lean towards him.
What did he want to do?
Could it be that he wanted to help the Emperor seize back his power? Return to the Hongwu and Yongle era? Return to the era when the generals and nobles held great power? Although that era was beautiful, it was too …
Wait!
With this thought, Li Rusong suddenly understood. He understood many things that he couldn't understand in the past! Including why he had lost the qualifications to be North Korea's main general and became the deputy general. Why he couldn't compete with that fellow even though he had the advantage …
Could it be that from the beginning …
Seeing that Li Rusong was looking at him in disbelief, Xiao Ruxun felt that Li Rusong should have guessed some things. Li Rusong was just a little impatient and muscular, but he wasn't stupid. He was very smart.
"Head General Li, there are some things that I don't need to say. Head General Li should be able to guess it. What I want is to obtain some things that are justifiable. I also want to change some things that seem justifiable now, but were incomparably absurd when Emperor Taizu became an ancestor. The Daming Dynasty is too sick. Getting rid of the Jinshang is just the first step."
Li Rusong took a deep breath.
"Are these all what His Majesty is thinking about?"
Xiao Ruxun opened his mouth and said, "I also have some advice, but most of them are His Majesty's own ideas. His Majesty has been suffering from losing power for a long time. He has been suffering from the abuse of power by civil officials for a long time. Head General Li, since ancient times, powerful officials have never had a good ending. You should also understand this."
"Of course I understand this. I just didn't expect Governor-General Xiao to have such thoughts."
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