Chapter 97 Military Supervisor Lands on the Island
now.

On Pi Island.

Mao Wenlong, who had already received the message from Yuan Chonghuan, was now waiting at the port with thousands of guerrillas, deputy generals and other military officers.

Yes, the small Pi Island has thousands of high-ranking military officers such as guerrillas and deputy generals.

However, these titles were conferred by Mao Wenlong on his own without any written authorization from the imperial court. Chongzhen didn't even know that he had gained thousands of high-ranking military officers.

If he knew this, he would probably be so moved that he would burst into tears, so moved that he would forget Wang An's instructions and chop off this thing that usurped the emperor's authority.

However, the imperial court did not know that Jiang Yueguang, who had been to Pi Island, knew this situation.

However, last time he was just on a tour of inspection, but this time he received a letter from the court to officially take up the post of military supervisor of Dongjiang Town, so some things had to be taken seriously.

Mao Wenlong, a general officer of the first rank, strode down the ship's side. He had no awareness of being in a high position at all. He smiled and went up to greet Jiang Yueguang, the third rank military supervisor holding the title of Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of War.

However, the Ming Dynasty valued civil officials over military officials, and even a seventh-rank county magistrate could point at a third-rank guerrilla and curse him.

Therefore, it is not difficult to understand why Mao Wenlong deliberately kept a low profile.

"After so many years of separation, Master Jiang has lost a lot of weight!"

Jiang Yueguang smiled and bowed, saying, "Haha, Brother Wenlong has gained a lot of weight!"

There was obviously sarcasm in Jiang Yueguang's words, and Mao Wenlong was stunned when he heard it.

In the sixth year of Tianqi, the two of them were still chatting happily. How come their attitudes changed so much after not seeing each other for more than a year?

However, the doubt in his heart only flashed through his mind, and Mao Wenlong immediately said humorously: "Pi Island is difficult, maybe he has gained weight from drinking too much!"

Jiang Yueguang glanced at the bustling dock, where merchants and laborers transporting goods came and went in an endless stream. He smiled meaningfully and said, "Although it's hard, Brother Wenlong has a good way of making money. Isn't his business very prosperous?"

Mao Wenlong could now be sure that Jiang Yueguang had ill intentions towards the visitor.

In fact, Mao Wenlong had vaguely felt something was wrong as early as when Yuan Chonghuan sent someone to inform him that the court would appoint Jiang Yueguang as the military supervisor of Dongjiang Town and asked him to prepare to welcome him.

Since Mao Wenlong was stationed in Dongjiang in the second year of the Tianqi reign, he has been isolated overseas. When did the court ever intend to send a military supervisor?
Suddenly sending a military supervisor here, I'm afraid he is dissatisfied with me.

However, Mao Wenlong was not afraid. No one knew better than Mao Wenlong himself the impact of his Dongjiang Town on the situation in Liaodong.

He just didn't believe that the imperial court would dare to take action against him.

Anyway, I have connections with both Korea and Later Jin, so if I can do it, I'll do it, if not, I'll just change jobs!

In history, Mao Wenlong possessed all the characteristics of a warlord, and he was involved in smuggling transactions with the Later Jin Dynasty. It is true that he played an important role, but we cannot expect such a person to be loyal to the emperor and patriotic.

Mao Wenlong was confused, but he smiled calmly and said, "There are too many people on the island, and the imperial court has been in arrears with food every year. We have no choice but to dig some wild mountains and go to Korea to exchange for some food. It has worked for Lord Jiang."

Jiang Yueguang stroked his beard and smiled, saying, "In that case, I have brought good news to Wenlong."

Mao Wenlong asked suspiciously, "Could it be that the petition I submitted to the court a while ago asking for military pay has received a response?"

After saying that, he suddenly realized that it was really rude to let Jiang Yueguang stand on the dock to talk, so he suppressed his suspicion and pretended to invite Jiang Yueguang to the island. Soon, a group of people left the dock in a mighty manner.

After returning to the general's residence, Mao Wenlong dismissed the thousands of military officers who came there, and only Mao Wenlong and Jiang Yueguang were left in the huge general's hall.

At this time, a round table had been set up in the center of the lobby, and the best wine and food had already been prepared.

Mao Wenlong first poured wine for Jiang Yueguang and talked about some family matters and their past friendship.

Jiang Yueguang was the first to become impatient. He put down his wine glass and said, "To be honest with you, Wenlong, the imperial court sent me to serve as the military supervisor of Dongjiang because of the order issued by His Majesty himself. I'm sure you, Brother Wenlong, will understand why."

Seeing that Jiang Yueguang was talking about serious matters, Mao Wenlong also put away his smile and asked tentatively: "What about the military pay?"

Speaking of this, Mao Wenlong also put down his wine glass and complained, "Master Jiang, you know the situation on my island. More than 200,000 people eat with us, and there are still people escaping from the Jiannu territory every day."

"They are all the people of our Ming Dynasty. If I don't accept them, I will either be captured and beaten to death by the Jiannu or starve to death in the ice and snow. I really can't bear it!"

Once Mao Wenlong started talking, he could talk nonstop.

Jiang Yueguang was too lazy to listen, and raised his hand to stop him, saying: "How could I not know Wenlong's difficulties? But..."

Jiang Yueguang said meaningfully: "Wenlong should also know the difficulties the court is facing now. A while ago, you submitted a petition for a salary of one million taels, plus one million dan of grain. How can the court afford it?"

"Why bring up such unrealistic words when you know it's impossible?"

Seeing that Mao Wenlong had something else to say, Jiang Yueguang immediately said, "Of course, the court is not unaware of your difficulties, so I am here to convey your majesty's instructions."

When Mao Wenlong heard this, he was surprised to find out that there was actually an emperor's handwritten order.

Although he thought that the words were probably a reprimand, he had to pretend to be excited and kneel down to say, "Your Majesty, Mao Wenlong accepts the order!"

Jiang Yueguang stretched out his hand and pulled Mao Wenlong up, saying, "It's thoughtful, but it's just a handwritten note, there's no need to perform such a grand ceremony."

Mao Wenlong then sat down sullenly, looking as if he was listening attentively.

Jiang Yueguang looked at Mao Wenlong, smiled slightly and said directly: "I will not beat around the bush and directly convey your majesty's intention..."

"First, your majesty asked Wenlong to cooperate with me to verify the number of soldiers on the island. There is no rush. When I landed on the island in the sixth year of Tianqi, there were only 20 to 30,000 soldiers on the island. Wenlong does not need to rush to refute. I know the truth, and your majesty knows it too..."

Chongzhen believed that it was only natural that the number of people should receive the same amount of salary. It was absolutely unreasonable for two or three thousand people to receive the salary of two hundred thousand people. Wouldn't it be a mess if the military and civilians were mixed together?
However, considering that Mao Wenlong was isolated overseas and that his army helped the Ming Dynasty to gather the abducted civilians, it was also a great achievement, so it was decided to increase the military pay level of Dongjiang Town.

This improvement is not an increase in overall numbers, but an increase in individual numbers.

In the past, the military pay of Dongjiang soldiers was set at seven coins of silver, and eight dou of monthly rations.

Nowadays, it has been raised to one tael and five cents of silver per person, and the monthly grain allowance is one dan.

When looking at the numbers, the improvement is quite significant.

Not to mention that the monthly ration was increased by two dou, the silver portion was more than doubled.

(End of this chapter)