Chapter 30: The Northeast Army's Emotional Agitation (Part 1)

  Returning to the palace, Empress Zhou saw that Emperor Yang was in a bad mood and asked: "Your Majesty, why are you unhappy?"

  Yang's reform is a bitter thing to say! He said: "The affairs of the court, taxes are too little, expenses are too much, and it's getting unbearable day by day! By the way, how about the old man's matter? I'll go see the old man now."

  Yang Reform hopes that the old father-in-law can make a loud noise, triggering a craze for planting sugarcane in the south. This way, it can alleviate the social unrest caused by the land annexation at the end of the Ming Dynasty and reduce population pressure.

  "Your Majesty, I have already instructed my father to be diligent and also asked my brother to help. They will definitely share your worries." Empress Zhou comforted Yang Reform.

  "This is good, I hope the old man can make a big impact and reduce the pressure on our land. Otherwise, our great Ming dynasty will end in ruin! You must keep an eye on this matter, Your Majesty, and write to urge him frequently." Yang Reform had high hopes for this matter. He really didn't want it to fall through, but unfortunately, the Empress's father, Zhou Kui, had a terrible reputation in history, almost synonymous with stupidity. The task entrusted to him was hardly reassuring, it was like trying to revive a dead horse.

  "Your Majesty, I understand. I will definitely write to urge him frequently and not let you down." Empress Zhou also became serious after hearing Yang Guifei's "serious" tone.

  Feeling unwell, during intimacy with the little loli queen, Yang Reform was fierce and impulsive, leaving her moaning in pleasure and pain. After a moment of release, Yang Reform's mind cleared up, embracing the little loli queen. Lying quietly, his thoughts became clear once again: making money, making more money, and even more money.

  Rice, rice and more rice.

  Train troops, train troops, and then train troops again.

  One should shift their thoughts to this instead of chatting nonsense with those corrupt "elites" all day.

  Making money requires people to take care of themselves. Dealing with food also requires people, and training soldiers even more so needs a large number of people. With no "advisors" by his side, nor anyone to share his worries with, and no "his own people", it seems he still has to find opportunities to gather some "talents".

  The next day, February 20th.

  When I woke up, it was already broad daylight.

  Yesterday, I made a deal with Yang to handle the matter of Mao Wenlong. Yang specially returned to Baidu to investigate Mao Wenlong's past and found that he was indeed a "talent" who rose to power through defeat. He became the General of Ping Liao and Left Commander-in-Chief, and was even called "General Mao" by the Emperor. In the battle against Yehe Nian at the end of the Ming dynasty, he could be said to have excelled alone, and his military achievements were quite impressive, far surpassing that of some other general who had a few hundred heads as a big victory.

  Unfortunately, he was killed by the Ming dynasty's elite after being at odds with them. This is the consequence of being at odds with the Ming dynasty's elite. As the saying goes: "I'm not afraid of a god-like opponent, but I'm afraid of a pig-like teammate." Mao Wenzhong must have had a very deep feeling about this sentence. He was the best example, not killed by the enemy, but died at the hands of his own people.

  I'm not afraid of an opponent who is as strong as a god, but I'm afraid of teammates who are like pigs: Why am I on the field again? Shouldn't the appearance fee you gave me be increased a bit? It's National Day now, shouldn't we get triple pay at least? Money? What, we only need votes! Those with votes should vote more, haha.

  Yang Reform thought that the outcome of Chongzhen was not much better than Mao Wenyong. It can also be said that he was indirectly killed by his teammates who were like pigs, and then came the "group pounce" of the Ming dynasty's elite, after which they dispersed, and the Ming dynasty's "copy" could no longer be played. Yang Reform drew another conclusion: messing with the elite has serious consequences.

  In addition, Mao Wenlong also has a business mind and awareness, and is also a good hand. Yang Gaifei thinks that he seems to have found a kindred spirit, and himself is also a "salary slave". Then Mao Wenlong wants to support tens of thousands of troops, but there is no allocation, I'm afraid it's the same as himself, worrying about military salaries all day, also a "salary slave"! Ah! This is indeed "meeting an old friend in a foreign land", should celebrate.

  Since Mao Wenlong can make a living by doing business and supporting an army of tens of thousands, why not come up with a "Mao Shan Hun Rou, see who has a share"? Divide Mao Wenlong's business into a cup of soup, wouldn't it be possible to support several thousand or ten thousand troops? Then work together to become stronger and bigger, forming a community of shared interests. This is much more powerful than loyalty to the king or reporting to the country.

  One can get a sum of money.

  Secondly, it can monitor Mao Wenlong's business with Houjin and prevent some "prohibited" goods from flowing into Houjin. Prevent Mao Wenlong from taking everything to trade with Houjin for the sake of money. Yang is preparing to do "limited" business with Houjin.

  Three can bring Mao Wenlong closer and bind him to his own war chariot, allowing the gradually distant Mao Wenlong to return to the control of the Ming Dynasty, and not let the three sons of the Ming Dynasty grow up. It's really a good idea that achieves multiple goals at once.

  Thinking of this, Yang Reform felt pleased with himself, but unfortunately didn't know how to proceed. Commander Mao and Chongzhen didn't have any close relationship. Writing an imperial edict wasn't convenient either, these things all needed to be done secretly. Writing a letter also couldn't use the nine-year compulsory education tone. Yang Reform decided to send someone personally. Who should he send? In his heart, Yang Reform didn't have a reliable candidate.

  Yang was reforming while thinking deeply, suddenly thought of that, Ma Wenlong's army were mostly from Liaodong, isn't Liaodong the Northeast in the 21st century? Isn't this saying, Ma Wenlong's army is also the Ming Dynasty's "Northeast Army".

  "Northeast Army, haha? Interesting." Yang Reform had an idea. Having read many anti-Japanese theme time-travel stories, Yang Reform was not unfamiliar with the "Northeast Army" at all!

  At the time of the outbreak of the Anti-Japanese War, the Northeast Army, which did not fire a single shot, abandoned the Northeast and went to Guannei, where they were ridiculed by their own people. In Shaanxi, they clashed with the Red Army, and were moved to tears by the song "On the Banks of the Songhua River". They were so eager to fight back to the Northeast that in the end, they turned against Chiang Kai-shek, capturing him and indirectly changing the course of Chinese history, a testament to the depth of their resentment.

  It's almost a replica now, nothing new under the sun. Mao Wenlong is the Ming Dynasty version of the "Northeast Army". If he sings that song "Songhua River", Mao Wenlong's army will be in tears and shouting to fight back to Northeast China, morale boosted, attack power doubled. This is exactly the same as the Northeast Army in later generations! It seems that the "Northeast Army" has always been an existence that can change history, whether it was during the Republic of China era or now!

  Thinking of this, Yang reform felt that he was really a clever decision. Thought of it and went to do it.

  But then, who should be the one to sing? That lead eunuch singer? It seems that singing this kind of song doesn't suit a eunuch. I'll have to find someone else to sing it. And what about the female voice? Someone will have to lead that too. Where can I go to find them?

  Land of fireworks? This!! It seems like Yang wants to go and experience it, but now the top priority is making money, getting equipment, and leveling up.

  Right! Peking Opera! How could I have forgotten about Peking Opera? This is a national treasure! If you can sing Peking Opera, why can't you sing this song? Alas, that's not right! Peking Opera flourished in the Qing Dynasty, what about the Ming Dynasty then? Kunqu Opera?

  It seems that I need to find a few singing troupes, and then combine them into a "groundbreaking" chorus, singing "Songhua River" and "My Motherland". If these two songs are sung, can the Ming dynasty's Northeastern Army still escape from my hands?

  Thinking of this, Yang's reform jumped up excitedly.

  Talk is cheap.

  "Big companion, big companion......" Yang reform is impatient.

  "What's so urgent, Your Majesty?" Wang Chengen quickly came to Yang Gaizhi's side, thinking that something big had happened.

  "Hehe, Da Ban, it's not an urgent matter, but even more urgent, sigh... It's like this. I'm planning to go outside and listen to some opera performances, don't know which troupes are famous now."

  "...watching the opera..." Wang Chengen was stunned! What's going on? Why is he in such a hurry to watch the opera? Has he fallen for that little girl from the opera troupe again?

  "Your Majesty, listening to the play, there is a Teaching Department in the palace, but is it necessary to pass on the play?" Wang Cheng'en asked softly.

  ……

  "Teaching Department... This, it seems that the famous legend of Qinhuai's Eight Beauties is actually from the Teaching Department. Could it be..." Yang Gaofeng thought to himself with a tinge of curiosity.

  Qinhuai Eight Beauties! What a big name, it seems like they're from the same dynasty as me! But thinking again, it doesn't seem right. The fame of Qinhuai Eight Beauties rose during the Southern Ming, which means that by the time I'm gone, they'll just be starting out. It's like when Chen Yuanyuan entered the palace when I was about to kick the bucket. Which means that today's Qinhuai Eight Beauties are all just little kids, and if I want to get "close" to them, I'll probably have to wait another decade or two.

  The raging fire that had flared up in his chest and abdomen was quickly extinguished again.

  Wang Chengen looked at Yang Reform and saw that he was sometimes frowning and sometimes smiling, and then asked in a low voice: "Your Majesty, are you going to pass on the play?"

  When Yang heard Wang Chengen's words, he came back to his senses. After thinking for a moment, he said: "Hmmm, today we won't rehearse the play. Da Ban, you go to the Teaching Department and find me several dozen men and women who can sing songs, preferably those who are good at it. Also, find several dozen people who are skilled in playing musical instruments, I have a use for them."