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

Chapter 72 Marriage
On the 29th day of the twelfth lunar month, one day before New Year's Eve, Yong'an Mo married her daughter off.

Although she was a concubine, her husband was different after all. Mrs. Mo attached great importance to her and prepared a luxurious dowry, as well as an additional gift of 10,000 taels of silver and 5,000 shi of grain.

Danchu also reciprocated the favor and, with Mrs. Qu's consent, gave Miss Mo the treatment of a lady and married her with slightly lower etiquette than that for a wife: except for not going through the main gate or the ceremonial gate, he followed the other rites for marrying a wife.

New Year's Eve is approaching, and the atmosphere of jubilation is doubled. The General's Mansion is as busy as ever, but there are more laughter and joy. The state government has been requisitioned as the General's Mansion, and with the expansion of the army, the mansion has become a little crowded.

Danchu condescended to go to the Mo Family Castle to welcome his concubine, and the Mo Family returned the favor with great gifts. The clan leader Mo Xunshi, the head of the family Mo Guangshu and others respectfully escorted the newlyweds to the city.

At noon, the banquet was ready. A table was set in the hall. Danchu and Mrs. Qu sat at the main seats, Mo Xunshi, Mo Guangshu, and Mo Yufen sat at the guest seats, and Yu Houji and Fang Yizhi accompanied them. From the hall to the ceremonial gate, another six tables were set up to entertain the trusted subordinates and relatives of the Mo family.

Miss Mo was only sixteen years old, but she was not afraid of people. She looked around while sitting at the table. She had met Danchu and Mrs. Qu, and knew Yu Houji. She was very curious about the furnishings in the hall and the generals.

Mo Xunshi glared at her and said, "Girl, the General's Mansion is not like Mo's Village. As a new bride, you must observe etiquette and serve the governor and his wife well. Don't act like a spoiled child again. The governor is a great hero, and Madam Qu is also a lady from a noble family. They are not comparable to us country folk."

Mrs. Qu was unhappy that Danchu had taken two concubines in succession. Thinking that Mrs. Mo would help her husband's career, Mrs. Qu could only smile and said, "Miss Mo is generous and heroic, and she is a hero among our generation."

Mo Yufen was very generous and said, "Grandpa is right. I will serve the governor and his wife well in the future."

Most women in Guangxi do not bind their feet. In the Tusi families in the southwest, many women are martial artists. The most famous one is Qin Liangyu, a Tusi in Sichuan. She made great military achievements during the reigns of Wanli, Tianqi and Chongzhen, and was posthumously named Marquis of Loyalty by Emperor Longwu.

What Mo Yufen longed for was a heroine like Qin Liangyu. As a woman, it was inherently inconvenient for her to achieve success. But her husband was a young hero with great ambitions, and he could help her realize her ambitions.

When Dan first saw her, although she was young, she was full of vigor and spirit, and she was very graceful and generous. He was also very happy and said, "Miss Mo is beautiful and intelligent. My wife and I like her very much."

Many Southern Ming troops, whether on the march or in battle, often brought their families with them. In the future, when the army moves, it is inevitable that the old camp will be brought along. Mo Yufen is a heroine, and she can help Danchu guard the old camp.

After eating and drinking, Danchu, Yu Houji, Fang Yizhi, Mo Xunshi and Mo Guangshu went to the second hall to discuss matters.

Everyone sat down as host and guest, and the personal soldiers brought tea. Danchu said to Mo Xunshi, "My old man married my granddaughter with a generous dowry, and I am very grateful. If I succeed in the future, I will never forget what happened today."

Although Mo Xunshi was old, he still had a clear mind. He said, "The governor is young and promising, with a bright future. It is an honor for my granddaughter to marry the governor as his concubine. The dowry is not generous, but I hope it can be of some help to the governor."

Yu Houji was originally a retainer of Mo Xunshi. He said, "The governor is planning to expand his army. The money and food sent by the old man is just like timely help."

It was Fang Yizhi's first time meeting Mo Xunshi, and he also continued to praise him, saying, "I have heard for a long time that the Mo family is a great family in Yong'an, and they are eager to serve the public and do good. I have seen it today, and it is indeed true to their reputation."

Mrs. Mo couldn't help but praise Fang Yizhi, and then sighed, "If I were 20 years younger, I would definitely follow the governor and make great achievements. My son Guangshu and my grandson Erzhen both have some ambitions. If the governor doesn't mind, please take them in and serve you."

Mo Guangshu on the side echoed: "The situation is chaotic now. I don't want to die in the countryside. I am willing to follow the governor and serve him." Mo Yufen is Mo Guangshu's daughter. Mo Guangshu becomes Danchu's elder, but he has to ask Danchu for an official position.

This is not uncommon. Not long ago, Yu Yuanye, the Minister of War and Governor-General of Guangdong and Guangxi, promised his daughter to Wang Yongzuo's son in order to please Wang Yongzuo, a general of the Imperial Yunnan Camp. This is a clear example of how warriors gain power in troubled times.

However, the ministers of the Southern Ming Dynasty never interfered. Yu Yuanye soon discovered that Zhao Yinxuan had the final say in the Imperial Yunnan Camp, so he married his daughter to Zhao Yinxuan's son. Wang Yongzuo was furious and wanted to attack Zhao Yinxuan, but was dissuaded by Hu Yiqing, which caused a huge disturbance in the Imperial Yunnan Camp.

Danchu asked Mo Guangxian, "Do you want to lead the army or govern the country?"

This title is neither fish nor fowl, but it is appropriate to use it here. In ancient times, concubines had no status, and Mo Guangxian had no official position, so calling him "little uncle" was considered respectful.

Mo Guangxian was already past middle age, and it was inconvenient for him to fight on the battlefield, so he said, "My son is already serving in the army. I am willing to help the governor to manage the money, food, armor, and punishments."

Mo Guangxian's son Mo Erzhen, originally the leader of the militia in Mojiabao, has become an infantry captain in the Danchu army.

Danchu said straightforwardly, "I am about to set up a camp office and a grain station. Would you like to go to the camp office, the grain station, or stay in the general's mansion to help manage Yong'an's internal affairs?"

Mo Guangxian said without hesitation: "I am the head of the Mo family. The affairs of the family cannot be handed over for the time being. It is better for me to stay in the general's mansion and help with internal affairs."

Danchu nodded and said, "Okay, the criminal bookkeepers in the criminal department of Yuanzhou Yamen are familiar with the laws, but they lack authority. How about asking Xiaobo to take charge of the punishment on my behalf?"

In the affairs of the prefectures and counties, criminal law and money are the most important. Mo Guangxian was overjoyed and said, "Thank you, Governor."

Mo Xunshi then asked for an official position for his grandson, saying, "Gentleman, my grandson Erzhen has already joined the army, please take good care of him. If there is a vacancy for a battalion commander, you may consider my grandson."

After the expansion, the entire army only had five battalion officers, all of whom were officers with military power. Especially the standard battalion, Danchu was the battalion commander. He would not easily agree to Mo Xunshi, and said:
"The battalion officers of the standard battalion, three infantry battalions, and one guard battalion have all been selected. Morgen is proposed to be the captain of the third team of the second infantry battalion, in charge of 120 combat soldiers. Although it may seem like a low-ranking position, it is actually very important.

"The corps is the basic organization of the Heavenly Army. The corps officer is like the state officer. The state officer is a close official to the people, while the corps officer is an officer who directly leads the troops. If a battalion officer has not served as a corps officer, it is difficult for him to be competent for his job.

"The battalion officers in our army are all veterans of battles, respected by the soldiers and experienced. Morgen has never been on the battlefield, so it is not appropriate for him to be a battalion officer. Loving someone is enough to harm him, so you should not force him to grow too fast.

"However, if Morzhen performs well, I will give him priority when a battalion officer vacancy occurs."

Mo Xunshi was slightly disappointed, but he could only praise Danchu for his wisdom.

Through marriage, Danchu had obtained the support of the Mo family. Once the army expansion was completed, he could announce the implementation of the land tax system. By then, even if the Mo family was not happy, they would have to take the lead in supporting it.

(End of this chapter)