Daming: Dad, you are really not good at governing the country

Yingtian, a prosperous place and an important capital of the Ming Dynasty, is separated from Datong Prefecture on the northern border by a long and distant journey.

According to the precise measurements of later generations, the distance between the two places can be as much as 2784 miles.

This is not a simple number, it means a long journey and endless hardships.

Zhu Gang, Zheng Yuchun and Song Yanzhang were shouldering the mission and leading a huge army on this journey.

According to the established plan, the army could travel about 100 miles a day.

However, behind this seemingly orderly marching speed, there are actually many complex factors hidden.

The march of an army is not simply the movement of personnel.

The huge team included soldiers in heavy armor, carriages and horses carrying food and supplies, and various personnel responsible for logistical support.

Every step forward requires careful organization and coordination.

The condition of the road also has a huge impact on the marching speed. If there are rugged mountain roads or muddy trails, the marching pace will inevitably slow down.

When you encounter a river, finding a suitable way to cross the river will take a lot of time.

Even so, based on an estimated speed of 100 miles per day, the army led by Zhu Gang would need almost a month to finally reach their destination, Datong Prefecture.

During this nearly one month period, they not only had to deal with various difficulties and obstacles on the road, but also had to be vigilant against possible enemy situations.

In order to ensure the safety of the army and the supply of materials, every step is full of challenges and unknowns.

Zhu Di stood there, his mind full of thoughts.

He was well aware that the fact that Zhu Gang and others led their troops to Datong Prefecture was complicated by the fact that his confidant Wang Biao openly disobeyed his elder brother Zhu Biao.

During this long period of nearly a month, no one could predict what changes would occur.

Thinking of this, Zhu Di became more and more worried.

A sense of urgency called "the longer the night, the more dreams you have" overwhelmed him like a tide.

Zhu Di knew that he had to take action and could not allow things to develop in an uncontrollable direction.

So Zhu Di raised his head slightly, and a hint of determination flashed in his eyes.

He straightened his body without hesitation and walked quickly towards where Zhu Yuanzhang was.

When he came before Zhu Yuanzhang, Zhu Di bowed respectfully and said in a loud and firm voice: "Father, I heard that Generals Zhu Gang, Zheng Yuchun and Song Yanzhang led a large army to Datong Prefecture.

The journey is long and there are many variables.

I, your son, would like to volunteer to serve as the military supervisor of this march.

On the one hand, it can relieve the worries of the emperor, and on the other hand, it can ensure the smooth arrival of the army.

Everything goes well, I beg the emperor to grant my approval."

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhu Di looked at Zhu Yuanzhang sincerely, his eyes revealing his firm determination to supervise the army this time and his loyalty to the Ming Dynasty.

Zhu Yuanzhang, who was sitting behind the imperial desk, nodded solemnly and said, "In October of the eighth year of Hongwu, Dad asked you, Biao'er, the second, the fifth, and the sixth, the older princes, to participate in the first martial arts performance in Fengyang.

Then in October of the ninth year of Hongwu, you went to Fengyang again to conduct military training in accordance with my order.

We know that during the military training in Fengyang, you and those brothers received military training, including mobilizing and commanding troops.

Therefore, Dad will personally teach you how to train soldiers, and allocate the "Yulin Army" and part of the Weisuo Army to each prince to increase the number of guards.

The purpose of doing this is to make you understand that martial arts competitions are an important part of military training activities, and are also intended to test the military talents and leadership capabilities of each prince.

As the saying goes, raise your soldiers for a thousand days and use them in one moment.

Now the second and sixth sons have made certain achievements in the military field, and as a father, I am very pleased. Now that you are willing to take the initiative to assume your own responsibilities, Dad is particularly happy.

Wu Cheng, you must immediately take our decree to Yuanma Temple and select a group of good horses that can travel a hundred miles a day for the fourth brother.

Go quickly and come back quickly, don't delay your work."

Upon hearing this, the eunuch chief Wu Cheng hurriedly leaned forward slightly, his movements skillful and respectful.

With a look of perfect humility on his face, he responded clearly and loudly, "As you command!"

Although Wu Cheng's voice was not loud, it was particularly clear in this quiet imperial study.

After saying this, he slowly straightened up, took two steps back, and then turned around.

Wu Cheng was seen walking towards the imperial study with steady yet hurried steps.

After leaving the imperial study, Wu Cheng did not dare to delay for a moment.

He quickened his pace and hurried along the corridors of the palace.

The palace lanterns on both sides of the corridor swayed gently in the breeze, as if they were also worried about Wu Cheng.

Then he trotted along, passing by one palace after another and passing through one palace gate after another, attracting the attention of the palace maids and eunuchs along the way.

However, at this moment Wu Cheng was only thinking about completing the mission assigned by Zhu Yuanzhang as soon as possible. He completely ignored the eyes around him, and soon he came to the road leading to Yuanma Temple.

As an important institution in charge of horse breeding and other matters, Yuanma Temple was crucial to this military expedition.

Wu Cheng was fully aware of the heavy responsibility he shouldered, and his steps became more and more rapid.

He was silently thinking about the various matters that needed to be conveyed after arriving at Yuanma Temple, trying to ensure that everything could be arranged accurately.

At the same moment when the chief eunuch Wu Cheng hurried to the Yuanma Temple, in the quaint meeting hall of the Yuanma Temple, the Yuanma Temple Minister Lin Zhengyuan and the horse breeder Old Man Li were immersed in a discussion of extraordinary significance.

The layout of the meeting room is simple yet solemn.

There is a row of bookshelves against the wall, on which various books and classics related to animal husbandry are neatly arranged.

There were several carved chairs placed around the quaint eight-immortal table in the center of the conference room, with Lin Zhengyuan and Old Man Li sitting on either side.

Lin Zhengyuan was wearing a blue official robe and a black gauze hat. He had a thin face and his eyes showed wisdom and calmness.

He stroked his beard and said seriously, "Mr. Li, the demand for horses in our Ming army is increasing, but there is a shortage of horse breeders.

If we want to ensure the long-term supply of high-quality horses, it is urgent to set up a school to train horse breeding talents."

Although the burly old man Li is over fifty years old, he is still in good spirits.

He was dressed in a coarse linen shirt and a pair of cloth shoes, exuding a simple aura.

Hearing Lin Zhengyuan's words, Old Man Li nodded slightly and responded with a sharp gaze, "Master Lin is absolutely right.

I have been raising horses all my life and I know the intricacies involved.

Without professional instruction, it is difficult to train a true horse breeder.

However, the location, teachers, and curriculum of this school all need to be carefully considered."

Lin Zhengyuan frowned slightly, and after a brief moment of contemplation, he said, "As for the location, we need to choose a place with abundant water and grass, so that students can learn to raise horses on the spot.

In terms of teaching staff, in addition to experienced experts like you, we also need to hire some scholars who are proficient in animal husbandry theory.

As for the curriculum, it is necessary to teach horse breeding and reproduction knowledge, as well as disease prevention and treatment. " (End of this chapter)