When Zhu Di proclaimed the Jingnan Campaign for the first time, the generals whose rights were disturbed immediately supported for Zhu Di. This made Zhu Di be able to quickly gain power on a large scale, not only in Beiping, but it also covered the entire northern region. Even the veteran commanders who had been sent by Zhu Yunwen to besiege Yan Wang's residence were easily eliminated by Zhu Di.
"Gu Wang has to evacuate to Yingtian?!" Zhu Yunwen screamed in disbelief as he heard the report from Gu Wang's soldier, who answered reverently, "Yes, Sire. His Highness' residence is very close to Yan Wang, Lord Gu Wang is feared that Yan Wang will arrest him and force him to join forces with Yan Wang. For that reason, His Highness is now asking for protection from the capital."
Zhu Yunwen's tightly clenched hands began to perspire cold sweat. "Oh good Heaven, I'm so stupid... Instead of getting rid of Fourth Uncle first, it is Fifth Uncle that I got rid of... Besides, people also say Youxun is lying so I don't give him a chance to be Zhou Wang... Aarrggh! Why don't I get rid of Fourth Uncle from the beginning?! How stupid of me, I'm so stupid!"
Seeing Zhu Yunwen screamed like a lunatic, the ministers hurried to ease him.
"Please calm down, Your Majesty... Please calm down. This is just the beginning. Remember, Yan Wang only controls the northern region's military while you handle the entire Ming's. Yan Wang will not be able to win, he will lose soon," Qi Tai said. "I have an advice. May you send Geng Bingwen. He is a senior general who has lots of war experiences and highly loyal to you. To face Yan Wang, he is the best general for sure."
"Y... yes... I just panicked for a moment..." Zhu Yunwen took a very long and tired breath. "I just feel tired, because not only facing the Fourth Uncle's attack, I also still must take care of the government..."
Of course Zhu Yunwen was very tired. The infectious disease Liu Ku had spread began to show the results. Yingtian people were starting to feel unwell. Their symptoms were mainly stomach aches, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea - this was a kind of disease that interfered with the digestive system. However, as Zhu Su requested, this infectious disease only weakened the human body and drained their energies, they would be unable to work as usual and had to rest at home. It was not a kind of disease that would cause death, unlike the diseases Liu Ku got used to do when he still became Xie Wang's subservient. But it had been enough to dismay the stability of the capital. The residents who should stay at home were far more than those who were able to work, the streets which used to be busy and crowded now began to be inactive. The capital's economy was slowly becoming paralyzed.
"I am really sorry, Your Majesty. The taxes the people can donate are only this little amount. Because they are unfit to work now, let alone make money," The State Treasurer said, feeling ashamed.
Zhu Yunwen's face turned gloomy. "Actually, if we are under the normal situation I won't make a fuss even if they don't pay taxes... but now we still have to overcome Yan Wang's rebellion. We need funds. How can we finance the weapons and allowances for our soldiers if we don't have funds?..."
Responding to Zhu Yunwen's anxiety, Fang Xiaoru smiled. "No need to worry, Sire. We still get income from other cities. Besides, I am sure that good soldiers will be willing to fight for the country even if they don't get paid properly. Not getting food, being suffered, but as long as the soldiers are still loyal to the country, we will be able to win the war."
Theories in Sun Tzu's book Art of War are indeed stating so, but the applications, in reality, are almost always different. It has become the law of nature that humans prefer real enjoyment of life and dislike the merely lure of sweet promises. Zhu Di, who had many years of experience in fighting with the Northern Yuan * , fully understood that real factuality. He immediately gave the real reward to the generals and soldiers who had sworn to be loyal to him.
"The Emperor only gives you a promise? Then I give the real!" In front of all his soldiers, Zhu Di scattered pieces of gold coins onto the ground. "This is all for you! And if you all succeed in helping me to take Yingtian, then the reward I'll give will be far greater!"
"And more, the Emperor doesn't treat the military well enough since he prefers the intellectuals, you've seen with your own eyes that the benefits for generals are reduced to the utmost. How can you believe in that untrustworthy leader? But we, are different!" Zhu Gaochi, Zhu Di's eldest son as well as Shi Zi of Yan Fan Wang Guo, also shouted.
Both of them were responded by the soldiers with immense cheers of enthusiasm. With eyes sparkling gladly, they soon took those gold coins.
And carried out their duties, even better than Zhu Di originally hoped.
"Geng Bingwen lost?!?" Zhu Yunwen was so shocked he soon got up from his chair as he heard the report from a soldier.
"Yes, Your Majesty. Two battles, and he lost both of them. General Geng surrenders!" answered the soldier.
Zhu Yunwen's body trembled violently, his mind was now full of fiery and panic at the same time. His hands were clenched very tightly. Cold sweat began to drip down his reddened cheeks. He even started to not be able to get his own breath.
"Li Jinglong..."
Zhu Yunwen's voice was barely audible, the soldier had to ask again, "Pardon... Your Majesty?..."
"I said, call Li Jinglong!" Zhu Yunwen shouted very loudly. "And in the previous, you only took thirty thousand troops, it's still few. Now bring fifty thousand! Whatever happens, I must eradicate that my evil uncle's rebellion!"
...
* Northern Yuan = when Yuan Dynasty collapsed in 1368, they fleed to the north. Actually, they were still the same Yuan Dynasty, yet because their area had been smaller than before, and all China had been ruled by Ming Dynasty, so then the Chinese called them "Northern Yuan".