Huangming

Chapter 146 Dragon Banners Cover the Fields, Leopard Strategies Approach the Battlefield

Under a centralized system, the emperor's absolute control over the army was the cornerstone for maintaining rule, preventing internal strife, and resisting foreign enemies.

Once the army gets out of control, at best it could lead to powerful ministers usurping the throne and regional warlords establishing their own regimes; at worst it could result in the collapse of the dynasty and the sinking of the entire country.

At the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, Emperor Xian of Han had no directly subordinate army and became a puppet of Cao Cao, who "held the emperor hostage to command the princes." He was eventually usurped by Cao Pi.

At the end of the Tang Dynasty, the imperial guards of Emperor Zhaozong were controlled by eunuchs and regional military governors. The emperor was imprisoned and murdered, and the Tang Dynasty existed in name only.

Emperor Jingtai's failure to control the capital garrison led to Emperor Yingzong's restoration and the execution of the loyal minister Yu Qian.

The tragedies of "puppet emperors" such as Emperor Xian of Han and Emperor Zhaozong of Tang were all due to their lack of military power, leaving them at the mercy of others.

A strong military makes a strong nation; a disorganized military leads to national ruin.

The emperor possessed an absolutely loyal army, which was the lifeline for preventing internal strife, resisting foreign enemies, and maintaining imperial power.

An emperor who loses control of the army will, at best, lose all power, and at worst, die and his country perish.

There are far too many lessons to be learned from the previous dynasty regarding this matter.

Therefore, Zhu Youxiao attached great importance to both the Beijing Garrison and the New Army.

January 11th, the first year of the Tianqi reign.

The emperor suddenly ordered an inspection of the Beijing garrison stationed in Fengtai.

Upon receiving the emperor's edict, Grand Secretary Fang Congzhe, Minister of Rites Sun Shenxing, and Vice Minister of War Zhang Jingshi quickly arrived at the Qianqing Palace to pay their respects to the emperor.

Inside the East Warm Pavilion, Zhu Youxiao was already preparing to depart.

Upon receiving a report from the eunuch, Fang Congzhe and others requested an audience.

"Let them in."

Zhu Youxiao knew perfectly well why these people had come to see him.

Isn't it just advising him not to leave the palace?

Soon, the three of them entered the East Warm Pavilion with heavy hearts and bowed deeply to the Emperor.

"Your Majesty, we respectfully wish you eternal peace and good health!"

Zhu Youxiao asked slowly, "Have you all come here on important business?"

Grand Secretary Fang Congzhe's beard trembled slightly, Minister of Rites Sun Shenxing touched his forehead to the ground, and Vice Minister of War Zhang Jingshi's official robe was soaked with sweat.

"His Majesty!"

Fang Congzhe said in a hoarse voice, "The Beijing Garrison has been newly reorganized, and many of its soldiers are displaced people. I fear that some violent individuals may have infiltrated among them. It is an ancestral system for the Imperial Censor to inspect the capital on behalf of the Emperor. Why should the Emperor himself go to dangerous places?"

Sun Shenxing straightened up and said loudly, "According to the 'Collected Statutes of the Great Ming,' when the emperor inspects the camp, he must first clear the road and set up curtains. Now, there are many displaced people in the capital region, and banditry has not been eradicated. If someone were to attempt an assassination with firearms, I fear..."

Before he could finish speaking, he caught a glimpse of the emperor's mocking smile and hurriedly prostrated himself on the ground.

Zhu Youxiao slammed the memorial shut, and the jade thumb ring tapped crisply on the rosewood table.

His gaze swept over Fang Congzhe and the others kneeling below the steps, and he suddenly chuckled softly:
"Do you all know that the Book of Han records that when Emperor Wen of Han entered Weiyang Palace from his residence in Dai, Zhou Bo advised, 'Your Majesty should not go out lightly'? Emperor Wen replied, 'I have heard that ancient emperors knew the world without looking out of their windows. Now I am not clear about the affairs of the world, so I should personally tour the four directions.'"

"When Emperor Shenzong was alive, I accompanied him on a hunt at Nanhaizi. We saw hunters die of frostbite by the roadside, having prepared deer hides as tribute. Would the censors have written about this in their memorials?"

Emperor Wen of Han was wise because he understood the hardships of the people.

I wish to emulate a wise ruler; why do you all try to stop me?
Zhang Jingshi hurriedly kowtowed: "Your Majesty! During the Han Dynasty, the Xiongnu were in the northern desert, but now the Jurchens are only four hundred li from the capital! The capital garrison is at 70% capacity. If we encounter an assassin..."

"How could there be assassins in such a strategically important place as the capital?" Zhu Youxiao didn't let Zhang Jingshi finish speaking.

His sudden order to inspect the Beijing garrison was precisely to guard against assassins.

If you are notified in advance, you will have time to prepare.

"I am the Emperor of the Great Ming Dynasty. If I cannot even leave the Forbidden City, what kind of emperor am I?"

Confined to the Forbidden City for too long, if his channels of communication are blocked, he will become a second Yuan Shikai.

He absolutely cannot let this happen!

Seeing that Fang Congzhe and the other two dared not say any more, Zhu Youxiao slowly said, "I am not on an inspection tour, I am still in the suburbs of the capital, so you all need not say more."

Zhu Youxiao's inspection of the Beijing garrison and his wanderings around the capital were not, in essence, an official tour.

Zhu Youxiao's unspoken meaning was clear: if he were to actually go on an inspection tour that day, such as to the south of the Yangtze River, I would not say much if you advised or opposed it. But if you even tried to stop him from inspecting the capital garrison, I would have to question your motives!
"Your subject understands."

Fang Congzhe immediately expressed his opinion.

Zhu Youxiao was fully aware of what these people were thinking.

The ministers opposed the emperor leaving the palace, ostensibly citing security, finances, and etiquette, but in reality, it was a power struggle between the civil service and imperial authority.
Civil officials were required to confine the emperor within the Forbidden City in order to maintain the administrative system dominated by the "Grand Secretariat and Six Ministries".

After all, there's a whole administrative team in Nanjing!
The emperor, by going on tours (or attempting to go on tours), broke the shackles of civil officials and directly controlled the army, finances, and even personnel (as in the reigns of Zhengde and Jiajing).

But Zhu Youxiao didn't need to use this tactic.

Or rather, it's not needed for the time being.

"Your Majesty, the ceremonial guards are all ready," Wei Chao said from the side.

Zhu Youxiao nodded slowly, rose from his throne, stepped out of the East Warm Pavilion, boarded the imperial carriage, and headed towards the Fengtai camp.

After the emperor left, Fang Congzhe slowly got up and sighed helplessly.

"His Majesty's thoughts are truly unfathomable."

Sun Shenxing gave a wry smile and said, "No matter what, we must do our duty as subjects. I hope that today's inspection tour is the first and the last."

"Fine, fine, I'll accompany His Majesty on an inspection of the capital garrison!" Fang Congzhe couldn't object to the emperor, so he could only passively accept it.

Fang Congzhe has been rejected by the emperor so many times that he is now used to it.

He would not be able to stand it if the emperor were to be completely obedient to him.

Sun Shenxing, however, was filled with worry.

When the emperor inspects the capital's garrison, the censors and officials will certainly submit many memorials of remonstrance.

Phrases like "The emperor's body is of immense value, he should not lightly leave the Forbidden City" and "A wise man does not stand under a dangerous wall" are common.

In particular, the emperor was tasked with controlling military power.

This was even more taboo for civil officials.

After all, in the eyes of civil officials, the emperor and military men getting too close was not a good thing for the country.

However, Zhu Youxiao did not tolerate these civil officials.

The Emperor should go on an inspection tour!

now.

In the imperial city.

Three hundred Jinyiwei generals, clad in golden armor and wielding golden maces and axes, rode horses to clear the road.

Flag bearers carried dragon flags (such as sun and moon flags, Big Dipper flags, etc.), drums, banners, and gongs to clear the way.

The official in charge of the purification whip cracked it, warning soldiers and civilians to give way.

The emperor followed closely behind in his dragon carriage, surrounded by bodyguards from the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet, Ministers of War, and officials of the Five Military Commissions followed on horseback or in sedan chairs.

The 2,000-strong contingent marched out of the Forbidden City and headed towards the Fengtai camp.

As the imperial carriage arrived outside Zhengyang Gate, Wei Chao, the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, knelt down and presented a gilded lacquer box, saying, "Your Majesty has shown compassion for the common people and has bestowed this favor upon us."

Zhu Youxiao nodded slightly, and the eunuchs, who were prepared, immediately brought out twenty copper-wrapped wooden boxes.

With three cracks of the whip, the Imperial Guards threw baskets of Tianqi Tongbao coins to the side of the road.

These are newly minted coins, specially made according to the old system of "the emperor bestowing money during his imperial tours" in the "Collected Statutes of the Ming Dynasty". Each coin bears the inscription "Tianqi Tongbao" in relief.

Since ancient times, money has attracted people's hearts.

When the emperor went on tour, he scattered coins along the way.

This prompted even more people to kneel in worship.

A deafening roar, like a tsunami, came from the direction of Xizhimen. It turned out that the students of Shuntian Prefectural School were leading the people to kowtow, and the sound of thousands of people shouting "Long live the Emperor!" shook the roof tiles.

It turned out that, upon hearing the news of the emperor's tour, these students couldn't wait to come and see the legendary emperor who loved his people like his own children.

Zhu Youxiao's growing prestige among these students was mainly due to the Huangming Daily.

This newspaper portrayed Zhu Youxiao as a wise and benevolent ruler who cared deeply for his country and its people and devoted himself wholeheartedly to his duties.

These students in Beijing read the Huangming Daily every day, and over time, they were brainwashed.

In addition, Zhu Youxiao recently issued an edict to set the date of the imperial examination and to arrange accommodations for the candidates. After these events were widely publicized by the Huangming Daily, Zhu Youxiao quickly established an image of a wise ruler in the minds of these candidates.

It can only be said that public opinion can be manipulated.

Whether something is just or not, wise or not, is determined by the power of discourse!

Meanwhile, Fang Congzhe's expression changed drastically inside the sedan chair.

According to custom, only when the suburban sacrifice ceremony is completed on the winter solstice can officials lead the people in shouting "Long live the Emperor!"

These students have overstepped their bounds!

Just as he was about to remonstrate, he saw the beaded curtain of the imperial carriage move slightly, and the emperor himself leaned out halfway out, smiling broadly at a young boy by the roadside who was receiving money.

This scene was instantly broadcast throughout the entire capital region by countless eyes.

Wan Fangcongzhe sighed and ultimately said no more.

The imperial carriage slowly drove across the bluestone slabs.

From Xuanwumen to Fengtai, the procession of people kneeling to welcome the new people was so long that the beginning and end of the procession were completely separated.

The people's shouts of "Long live the Emperor!" never stopped.

The officials were shocked, and many of them had a thoughtful look in their eyes.

It has been a long time since an emperor in my Great Ming Dynasty has possessed such power and prestige.

Your Majesty, how exactly did he do that?
How did you do it?
Zhu Youxiao was well aware of why these people supported him.

Many of these people are 'online trolls' he hired to boost his image.

Secondly, there is public opinion propaganda.

Zhu Youxiao also wanted to create a powerful atmosphere during this inspection tour:
I am a wise ruler, a wise ruler supported by all the people of the world!

After today's visit, those officials in the court should probably take a good look at themselves.

Inside the imperial carriage, Emperor Zhu Youxiao of the Ming Dynasty was in a good mood.

He looked at Hong Chengchou, who was accompanying him, and asked, "Minister Hong, what do you think the court officials will do when I leave the palace this time?"

Hong Chengchou was still immersed in the shouts of "Long live the Emperor!" When the Emperor asked a question, Hong Chengchou came to his senses and immediately said, "The ministers in the court naturally do not like Your Majesty's sudden tour."

Zhu Youxiao asked, "Is it because you dislike my sudden tour, or because you dislike my tour?"

Hong Chengchou honestly replied, "I'm afraid I don't like any of them."

Zhu Youxiao nodded slightly and said, "They don't like changes and want to follow the rules. They wish that nothing would change for ten thousand years. However, some rules are no longer suitable for this era. I will not allow these rules that should be changed to exist. Even if they bring up ancestral rules, I will not tolerate it."

When the dynasty is established, will civil officials wield great power? Will the Jurchens become a major threat?
Now that the situation has changed, if the Ming Dynasty does not make corresponding changes, the situation will likely only become more critical.

The Ming Dynasty is truly doomed!
Upon hearing this, Hong Chengchou immediately nodded in praise, saying, "Your Majesty is wise. Without Your Majesty's decisive leadership, the chronic problems of the Beijing Garrison could not be eradicated. If those who are not in charge and do not perform their duties are allowed to hold important positions in the Beijing Garrison, I'm afraid the fighting capacity of the Beijing Garrison will never be improved."

This is all thanks to His Majesty's flexibility!

Zhu Youxiao showed an approving expression.

During these days, Hong Chengchou got to know him better and was more willing to speak his true feelings to him.

Zhu Youxiao needed someone who could speak the truth.

The loyalty of capable people like Hong Chengchou is especially needed!
"Your Majesty, we have arrived at the Fengtai camp."

Just as the two were talking, they arrived at Fengtai Daying.

Wei Chao bowed respectfully outside the imperial carriage and said, "Your Majesty, the generals stationed at Fengtai have come out of the camp to welcome Your Majesty."

"understood."

Zhu Youxiao responded, and through the beaded curtain, he could see the Fengtai camp in the distance, which resembled a lurking beast, and the crowd waiting to greet him in front of the camp:

Yuan Keli, dressed in military uniform and with a sword at his waist, stood before the generals.

His expression was solemn, his eyes were piercing, and behind him, generals such as Qi Jin and Qin Bangping were also in bright armor, standing in solemn ranks.

As the emperor's procession approached, Yuan Keli immediately led his generals to kneel on one knee, clasp their hands in greeting, and shout:
"Your subject Yuan Keli respectfully welcomes Your Majesty! May Your Majesty live ten thousand years! Ten thousand years! Ten thousand years!"

Generals such as Qi Jin and Qin Bangping echoed their sentiments, their voices resounding throughout the fields.

The imperial carriage slowly came to a stop. Zhu Youxiao lifted the beaded curtain, glanced at the kneeling generals, nodded slightly, and said, "Minister Yuan, generals, rise."

Yuan Keli stood up, stepped forward, and said respectfully, "It is an honor for the soldiers that Your Majesty has personally come to the capital camp! I have already ordered people to tidy up the camp affairs and request Your Majesty's inspection."

Zhu Youxiao smiled faintly and said, "I came here precisely to see what the Beijing Garrison looks like now. Minister Yuan, lead the way."

This surprise inspection was to see the true capabilities of the Beijing Garrison!

Yuan Keli bowed and agreed, then stepped aside to lead the way.

Qi Jin, Qin Bangping, and others will follow closely behind to escort the emperor into the camp.

Inside the camp, soldiers stood in formation, their swords and spears like a forest. Although it was a newly formed army, it already displayed a formidable and imposing atmosphere.

Zhu Youxiao's gaze swept over the soldiers, and seeing their spirited appearance and gleaming armor, he felt somewhat satisfied.

He turned to Yuan Keli and said, "Minister Yuan's military leadership is excellent, which greatly pleases me."

Yuan Keli humbly replied, "This is all thanks to Your Majesty's wisdom and the soldiers' bravery; I dare not take credit for it."

Zhu Youxiao nodded slightly, then looked at Qi Jin and Qin Bangping and asked, "General Qi, General Qin, how is the training of the new recruits in the Beijing Garrison?"

Qi Jin clasped his hands and replied, "Your Majesty, although most of the new recruits are refugees, they have already begun to demonstrate combat capabilities after rigorous training. We have been supervising them day and night and have not dared to slacken our efforts."

Qin Bangping also said, "Your Majesty, the capital garrison is now fully equipped with troops and weapons. It only needs further training in battle to become an elite force!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Youxiao laughed loudly and said, "Good! This is exactly the kind of army I want! The Beijing Garrison is the foundation of the nation and must never again be allowed to squander its resources like before. All generals must train them rigorously, for I will rely on you in the future!"

The generals responded in unison, "Your Majesty, we will certainly not fail in your trust!"

Zhu Youxiao nodded in satisfaction, and then, accompanied by Yuan Keli and others, continued to inspect various parts of the camp.

Meanwhile, Yuan Keli and the others were explaining things about the military.

Zhu Youxiao listened from the side, nodding from time to time. He then realized that military campaigns were different from the military games he played in later generations.

It's not as simple as just sending troops whenever you want; there are far too many factors to consider.

How should the army set out, how should it be divided and deployed, how should it set up camp, and where should it be located? Should it be in a place with mountains and water, or near forests?

How should scouts be deployed, and how should logistics be provided?

A qualified general must meet the standards in all aspects.

It's easy to find an army, but hard to find a general. Even in the Ming Dynasty, a general who could command thousands of troops was a rare find.

In the distance, civil officials such as Fang Congzhe and Sun Shenxing watched from afar. Seeing the emperor and military generals talking happily, they became increasingly worried.

However, they were powerless to stop it at this moment and could only sigh inwardly.

Zhu Youxiao, however, had made up his mind: the Beijing Garrison must be firmly in his own hands!

Having observed the troops sufficiently, Zhu Youxiao addressed Yuan Keli and the others, saying, "Let's review the troops! I want to see just how much fighting power my Beijing Garrison truly possesses!"

"Your Majesty, we obey! Please, Your Majesty!"

Guided by Yuan Keli, Zhu Youxiao ascended the command platform at the drill ground. The imperial throne had already been set up on the platform according to the "Collected Statutes of the Great Ming Dynasty". Officers from the Five Military Commissions knelt and presented tiger tallies. The chief eunuch Wei Chao loudly proclaimed: "By order of His Majesty, the military drills of the Beijing Garrison shall begin!"

The martial arts exercise begins, and the war drums thunder!
Qi Jin waved the command flag, and three cannon shots rang out, shaking the sky.

At the camp gate, a gun volley was launched first, and three thousand new soldiers, clad in waist-high armor and carrying three-barreled muskets, marched in formation, the bayonets gleaming coldly in the morning sun.

The Director of the Military Affairs Department of the Ministry of War knelt and reported: "This is the firearms battalion trained according to Qi Shaobao's 'New Book of Military Efficiency,' where each soldier consumes three qian of gunpowder per day, with a hit rate of 70%."

Zhu Youxiao observed closely through his telescope and saw that the soldiers' loading, aiming, and firing actions were all in perfect unison, so he nodded slightly.

dong dong dong~
Suddenly, drums and horns sounded in unison, and Qin Bangping led two thousand cavalrymen into the training ground in three formations: Heaven, Earth, and Man.

The cavalry first performed riding skills such as hiding in the stirrups, and then charged in a three-tiered formation.

Amidst the rising dust, the cavalry instantly transformed into a wedge formation as the command flag pointed.

Yuan Keli reported: "This is modeled after the Xuanfu Border Garrison's tactics. Each cavalryman is equipped with light cotton armor and can travel a hundred li a day."

Yuan Keli's reorganization of the Beijing garrison was definitely not for show, but for practicality.

However, Zhu Youxiao frowned slightly after seeing the cavalry.

He noticed that half of the warhorses were less than four feet tall at the shoulder. If these warhorses were to go to war, who could they possibly defeat?
Zhu Youxiao frowned and asked, "Half of the warhorses are less than four feet tall. Has the horse administration deteriorated to this extent?"

"I am guilty."

Yuan Keli felt ashamed and apologized.

Zhu Youxiao waved his hand and said, "What crime have you committed? The warhorses were provided by the Court of Imperial Stud; what does it have to do with you?"

The Imperial Stud was in charge of the national horse administration.

Responsible for the breeding, procurement, and distribution of military horses nationwide.

Official horse ranches were established in Miyun, Jizhou, Yongping and other places.

The Hetao region was once a breeding ground for high-quality warhorses (during the early Ming Dynasty when it was under Ming control).

The horse breeds were mainly Mongolian horses, with some fine horses from the Western Regions (such as Ferghana horses).

Like the accumulated problems of the Ming Dynasty, the Imperial Stud is now in ruins.

After the Hongzhi era, government-run horse farms were seized by powerful local families, and the number of horses decreased sharply.

During the Zhengde period, the Imperial Stud had fewer than 2 horses, but in the early Ming Dynasty, the number exceeded 10.

By the Jiajing era, the situation had worsened.

With the Mongol occupation of the Hetao region, the source of horses in the northwest was cut off, and the quality of warhorses in the Beijing garrison declined.

If cavalry is ineffective, then the idea of ​​eliminating the nomadic tribes in the north is just wishful thinking.

Zhu Youxiao had already secretly noted down the need to reorganize the Imperial Stud.

Composing himself, Zhu Youxiao continued watching the military parade.

The former Beijing garrison troops from the Fifth Army Battalion, the Firearms Battalion, and the Three Thousand Battalion took turns conducting drills.

In Zhu Youxiao's view, they already possessed considerable fighting power.

The newly recruited battalion hadn't been trained for long and looked like a ragtag bunch, which didn't satisfy him.

After a brief military parade, the next step was the competition among officers.

This is a great opportunity for the generals to show their faces before the emperor!

A ten-zhang (approximately 33 meters) target was erected in the center of the training ground. Qi Jin personally drew the Kaiyuan Bow to demonstrate, and all three arrows hit the bullseye in succession.

The generals in the arena cheered.

The others stepped forward to test their martial arts skills.

There are wins and losses.

Zhu Youxiao suddenly untied the jade belt from his waist and shouted to the people below the training ground: "I have heard that during the Yongle reign there was an old story of betting on archery with a belt. Today, whoever can shoot this belt down from a hundred paces away will be granted a Qilin robe by me!"

The generals were eager to participate, and in the end, Qin Bangping used his crossbow skills to overwhelm the competition.

The emperor laughed heartily: "General Qin is indeed a divine warrior!"

As time passed, the shadow of the sundial needle faded past noon.

The military parade in Beijing is almost over.

The Wei dynasty proclaimed an edict to reward the army: "Fifty thousand taels of silver from the imperial treasury will be allocated, and each soldier will be given one catty of meat and one liter of wine. Those who are wounded and forced to retreat will be rewarded with cloth and silk."

After the imperial edict was proclaimed.

A thunderous cheer erupted on the training ground.

The veteran soldier from the artillery battalion in the front row, holding a three-barreled musket, slammed the musket handle on the ground with excitement, the armor plates clanging loudly: "His Majesty has shown mercy to us soldiers! We will repay the Emperor's grace with our lives!"

Several Sichuan soldiers with scarred faces shouted in their local accents, "You sons of bitches! We've heard the Emperor is benevolent; today, meat and wine are plentiful!"

Among the newly recruited refugee soldiers, a tall, thin young man suddenly knelt down and kowtowed, his forehead covered in yellow dust: "Mother! Look from heaven, your son has only been eating the emperor's grain for half a month and is already receiving imperial meat!"

His companions quickly pulled him up: "Wang Erlengzi, have you gone mad? Disrespecting the emperor will get you a beating!"

The young man, with tears in his eyes, said, "My father said before he starved to death that we must remember the kindness of being able to eat meat!"

Zhu Youxiao looked at the scene below and felt very gratified.

Given time, these soldiers will surely become the sharpest swords in his hands!
(End of this chapter)