Southern Ming: A boy soldier at the beginning, supporting the world

Chapter 133 Where Virtue is, the world will belong to it
In troubled times, it is difficult to start a business. Even a small piece of land is not easy to come by. Danchu experienced it firsthand and realized how difficult it was to capture a city. He decided to run Wutunso for a long time.

Yan Wei was appointed as the commander of Wutunso, in charge of the military and political power of Wutunso. A team of soldiers from the first infantry battalion was left behind, and Yan Wei recruited more than 300 people to form a battalion of garrisons to guard Wutunso.

The Wutunso Military Equipment Bureau continued to produce military equipment as usual, but changed its focus to producing saltpeter and gunpowder. More than 20 craftsmen, along with their families, followed Danchu back to Yong'an, preparing to join the artisan camp.

On September 20, Danchu finished handling the affairs of Wutunso and led his army back to Yongan. On the way, he led the battalion to Jinxiu to inspect the Ironware Bureau.

At the beginning of the year, Danchu led his army to defeat the chieftain of Jinxiu, set up a mine supervision in Jinxiu, and established an ironware bureau, which was presided over by the Italian Francisca, who was responsible for smelting steel and making guns and cannons.

That morning, the standard camp was still more than ten miles away from the Jinxiu Iron Mine, and the chieftains Tian Qi and Tian Yuan, father and son, had already led their troops to meet them.

After seeing Danchu, Tian Qi dismounted and bowed, saying, "I heard that the commander-in-chief was visiting Jinxiu, and I was overjoyed and came to greet him."

"Please stand up," Danchu asked his personal soldiers to help Tian Qi and his son up, and said, "I'm here to check the Ironware Bureau, so I won't go to the Tusi Village."

Tian Qi was slightly disappointed and said, "It's rare for the Marshal to come to Jinxiu, why don't you stay for a few days? I will also show my hospitality to forgive the offense I offended you last year."

In just half a year, Cen Danchu has spread his wings like a roc, making rapid progress again, and was appointed General of the Barbarian Expedition and Deputy Governor. Not long ago, he put down the rebellion of Nguyen Phu Cuong and seized five garrisons. The chieftains of Dongrong and Binh Phuoc went to pay tribute and congratulate him, which was truly awe-inspiring.

"I appreciate your hospitality. It's not that I don't want to stay in your place, but I'm busy with work. As for the offense you said a few years ago, it's nonsense. We don't know each other without fighting. You are sincere in your submission, and I also respect the hereditary rights of the Tian family in Jinxiu. We should get along well with each other and not let each other down."

The more polite Danchu was, the more uneasy Tianqi felt. He had something to ask Danchu today, but he was worried about how to start the conversation.

The two men rode side by side. Tian Qi found an opportunity and said, "General, I heard that Yong'an and Zhaoping have both established township heads, bandits have been eradicated, and the people are living in peace. I would also like to establish a township head in Jinxiu, and I beg you to help me."

Danchu was very observant. When he saw Tian Qi's eyes were a little evasive, he knew that he wanted to ask for something from him. I wonder what this old guy is up to again. Danchu pretended to be puzzled and said, "Master Qianhu, when I wanted to set up a patrol inspection office in Jinxiu, you were not very happy about it and even led your troops to resist the battle!"

Tian Qi was so frightened that he hurriedly dismounted and saluted, saying, "I admit my guilt, and I beg you to forgive me, Marshal."

Danchu smiled and said, "Hurry up and get up. If you have anything to say, just get on the horse and tell me."

Feng Lin also joked, "The Marshal is broad-minded and doesn't hold grudges. If you have anything to ask, just ask."

Tian Qi had no choice but to mount his horse. Seeing that Dan Chu really had no intention of blaming him, he said, "I heard that the young man of the Yong'an Mo family, Mo Erzhen, has now been promoted to battalion commander in the Zhaoyong Army. I, Tian Yuan, am only nineteen years old. I have practiced martial arts since I was young and have the ambition to serve my country. I am willing to join the army under the command of the Marshal. I hope the Marshal will take me in."

It turned out to be because of this. The chieftains of Guangxi had inherited the throne for hundreds or even thousands of years, and were the local emperors of a place, extremely rich and powerful. But what they desired most was something that could not be seen or touched: fame.

Officials serving in a region need to have achievements that will be passed down to future generations. What the chieftains seek is a reputation that can be passed down to future generations. Qin Liangyu, the envoy of Shizhu, Sichuan, made countless military achievements during her lifetime, and Emperor Chongzhen wrote four poems to praise her. This is the dream of all chieftains.

Danchu was happy in his heart, but he said, "I don't understand one thing. Brother, you have always been content with the status quo. Why are you suddenly interested in the current situation?"

Tian Qi said without hesitation: "General, Jiangxi and Guangdong have successively rebelled, which shows that the Ming Dynasty is still strong and the military and civilians are eager to restore it. The Jin Xiutian family has been blessed by the country for generations, so we should be loyal to the king. "Besides, the general has been appointed as the general who conquers the barbarians, and all of us chieftains are under his control. Mr. Bi Fangji is Confucius from the West, and he serves the general devoutly. The barbarians in the mine also respect the general as a prophet of God. We should follow the general and strive for the merit of Yuan Cong."

Yes, the current situation is very good, and many people are blindly optimistic, believing that the Ming Dynasty is about to be revived.

Danchu was very pleased and said happily, "Very good. I know what you mean. Moerzhen led a group of servants to join the army and was appointed as the captain of the infantry. Later, he made many achievements in the front line and has accumulated merits to become the commander of the infantry battalion. Your son is willing to join the army, which is a good thing. I welcome it. Why not let him follow Moerzhen's example and lead more than a hundred people to join the army, provide his own armor and weapons, and be appointed as the captain."

Tian Qi was overjoyed and called his son Tian Yuan over, saying, "My son, the Marshal has decided to take you in, why don't you thank him quickly!"

Tian Yuan rode over, dismounted, bowed, performed great etiquette, and said, "Thank you, Marshal, for your kindness in selecting me."

When Dan first saw his superb riding skills and strong body, he could not help but feel happy and said, "My dear nephew, please stand up. I have recruited another young general today! Go back and gather warriors, prepare armor, weapons, saddles and horses, and then follow me back to Yong'an."

"Yes." Tian Yuan answered in a serious manner, as if he was Dan Chu's subordinate.

"Are you sincere about appointing a township head, or are you just saying it casually?" Danchu turned to ask Xiang Tianqi, and added: "It doesn't matter, just answer truthfully."

Tian Qi was in a dilemma and said, "Of course I am sincere."

"It is indeed beneficial to set up a township head. However, Jinxiu is too large, with a radius of two or three hundred miles, so setting up a township head is a bit unfair. Therefore, the Jinxiu Inspection Office is set up and is under the jurisdiction of Yong'an Prefecture.

"This patrol inspection office is different from other patrol inspection offices. It has six offices just like the prefectural and township offices. You will be the patrol inspector, and the Yong'an prefectural office will select another person to serve as the deputy patrol inspector to assist you in handling various affairs. How do you think?"

The chieftains in the Ming Dynasty were divided into two types: civil officials and military officials. Civil officials included local governors, local governors, etc. Danchu's move meant changing military officials into civil officials, which was a promotion for the chieftains.

Tian Qi was very clever and asked boldly, "General, I would like to ask, this inspector is a 'local inspector', is it possible that the position is hereditary?"

Jinxiu has an iron mine, which is of great significance to Danchu. In order to protect the iron mine, he must control the Tian family. He understood what Tian Qi meant and said, "Of course it is a local inspector, and of course it can be hereditary."

Tian Qi was overjoyed and said, "The commander is wise!"

Jin Xiutian surrendered sincerely, and Danchu was very happy. The surrender of the chieftains Pingfu and Dongrong was obviously because they were intimidated by Danchu's military power and had to pay tribute and pay homage. Although Jin Xiu's surrender was speculative, it was proactive and not coerced.

The Six Strategies says: "Where virtue is, the world will come to it."

Xunzi said: "Nowadays, if a ruler can make his virtue clear, the whole world will come to him like a cicada coming to a bright fire."

With Danchu's current military achievements and reputation, it is obviously not enough to "bring the whole world under him". But the surrender of Jinxiu Tusi is a good start. Given time, with the accumulation of small things, and the embracing of a vast ocean, who says that the whole world cannot be brought under his control?
In the future, we should uphold justice, continue to accumulate reputation, gather more people with lofty ideals, unite more talented teams, and fight together for the anti-Qing cause.

(End of this chapter)