Huangming

Chapter 148 Purple Reins Broken, Golden Ridge Cleared of Dust

That old fox.

Seeing Zhang Jingshi's attempt to shirk responsibility, Zhu Youxiao pointed at him and said, "The Left Vice Minister of War, how could you not know anything about military affairs?"

Xue Zhen, the Minister of the Court of Imperial Stud, immediately chimed in, “Your Majesty, the Left Vice Minister is quite knowledgeable about horse administration. Whenever I have questions about horse administration, I often consult the Left Vice Minister.”

You, Xue Zhen!
Zhang Jingshi's eyes blazed with fury. "You want to challenge me to a duel, huh?"
Zhang Jingshi continued to shift the blame, but the emperor finally spoke his mind.

"I need to understand the matter of horse administration clearly. You don't need to pass the buck. If you can't explain it clearly, then none of you should go back!"

What does "Don't go back" mean?
Gollum~
The two swallowed hard.

Zhang Jingshi and Xue Zhen exchanged a glance, both seeing the fear in each other's eyes.

Does he expect to be imprisoned if he doesn't give a proper explanation?
Zhang Jingshi dared not refuse any longer and hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, the horse administration system of our Great Ming Dynasty is the most refined and complete in history."

As the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, Zhang Jingshi was quite knowledgeable about the affairs of the Court of Imperial Stud.

Through his words, Zhu Youxiao gained a simple understanding of the origins and problems of the Ming Dynasty's horse administration:

When Zhu Yuanzhang, the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty, established the country, he knew that warhorses were a vital national asset. Therefore, he set up the Taipusi (Imperial Stud) to manage the military horses of the whole country, and the Yuanmasi (Imperial Horse Stud) to manage the pastures in the border areas. He also established the horse household system, which required households in the north to raise horses to pay taxes, while in the south, silver was used to replace horses, thus enriching the national treasury.

During the Hongwu era, the government had more than 400,000 horses in its stables, and the iron cavalry of the nine border regions galloped across the battlefields, invincible wherever they went.

During the Yongle reign, Emperor Zhu Di led five expeditions to the northern deserts, which greatly increased the demand for warhorses. The official horse ranches were expanded to the Hetao region and Ningxia. The tea-horse trade flourished, and 20,000 fine horses were traded annually. Furthermore, Zheng He's fleet brought back Arabian horses from the Western Ocean, which improved the bloodlines of the warhorses. The Ming cavalry became a formidable force in the northern deserts.

During the reign of Emperor Renxuan, the government was able to maintain its horse administration, but land annexation became increasingly rampant, and powerful families encroached on pastures, leading to a gradual decrease in the number of horses kept in the Imperial Stud.

By the Hongzhi era, only 100,000 official horses remained. Although they could still support the border defense, they were no longer as numerous as before.

During the Jiajing era, the Mongols occupied the Hetao region, and the horse farms in the northwest were lost. Horse breeders, unable to bear the exploitation, fled one after another, and the supply of horses in the countryside dried up.

The tea-horse trade declined due to rampant smuggling of tea, with fewer than a thousand horses being exchanged annually, and the foundation of the horse administration was already shaken.

By the first year of the Tianqi reign, the Imperial Stud existed in name only. The Beijing Garrison's 3,000-strong battalion was supposed to have 30,000 horses, but in reality, it had less than 5,000, and most of them were weak and short, unfit for battle.

The Shenji Battalion had no horses to pull its artillery, so it had to requisition mules from civilians, rendering it completely ineffective in field battles.

The shortage of post stations and horses led to delays in government orders and military intelligence transmission, bringing the empire's lifeline to the brink of stagnation.

The decline of the horse administration is in fact a decline of the nation's destiny.

After listening to Zhang Jingshi's overview of the origins of horse administration, Zhu Youxiao tapped his finger lightly on the imperial desk and asked in a deep voice, "Now that you know the rise and fall of dynasties, what is the actual situation in the first year of the Tianqi reign? I want to hear the truth."

Zhang Jingshi and Xue Zhen exchanged a glance, and the latter braced himself and stepped forward half a step: "Your Majesty, the Imperial Stud currently has 12,356 warhorses in its stock, of which less than 6,000 are fit for battle."

"Six thousand?"

Zhu Youxiao slammed his hand on the table. Even though he was mentally prepared, he was still taken aback by the amount.

Of the 400,000 warhorses at the beginning of the Ming Dynasty, only 10,000 remain today.

Are there only six thousand capable fighters?
Zhu Youxiao's words were filled with murderous intent as he rebuked:

"The roster of the three thousand battalions of the Beijing Garrison requires 30,000 horses, and the total number of horses requested by the nine border garrisons exceeds 80,000. Are you trying to fool me with these donkeys and mules?"

Zhang Jingshi hurriedly explained: "Your Majesty, please forgive me. The problems with the horse administration did not arise overnight. Since the fall of the Hetao region in the 29th year of the Jiajing reign, all 36 military camps and forts under the jurisdiction of the Shaanxi Yuanma Temple have been lost. Now, only two pastures remain in Gansu and Liaodong."

He counted on his fingers, somewhat fearfully, "The Gansu pastures have been ravaged by Turpan, and the number of horses produced annually has plummeted from tens of thousands during the Yongle era to a mere thousand; the Liaodong pastures have been even worse off, as the Jurchens plundered them, and last year only three hundred sick horses were delivered."

"enough!"

Zhu Youxiao grabbed the "Treatise on Horse Administration" from his desk and threw it on the steps. The pages scattered, revealing a pasture map drawn during the Hongzhi era.

"I'm asking for a solution! The Imperial Stud takes out 800,000 taels of silver every year for horse transport; is all that silver being wasted?"

Xue Zhen knelt down with a thud: "The price of horses is truly difficult to pay. It was said that there were 800,000 taels, but at most only 60,000 to 70,000 taels have been allocated. Thirty percent still needs to be used to make up for the deficits of previous years, forty percent is used for the rotation of horses at the post stations, and the remainder..."

His voice grew softer and softer, filled with fear and grievance.

"What use are the remaining tens of thousands of taels from loans to various government offices, purchases from the palace, and rewards from the imperial family?"

After a moment of deathly silence in the warm pavilion, the emperor suddenly sneered: "What a muddled account of robbing Peter to pay Paul! So, the reason why the horse administration of my Great Ming Dynasty has been so neglected is because of insufficient funds?"

The two knelt on the ground, not daring to utter a word.

Zhu Youxiao suddenly stood up, his face full of anger, and said, "If the horse administration continues to deteriorate, the border troops will have no warhorses to replace. Are we to have the soldiers face the Jurchen cavalry on foot?"

"Your Majesty clearly shows you!"

Zhang Jingshi, his forehead pressed to the ground, his official robe soaked with sweat, said, "Last year, a report came from Liaodong that the Guangning Guard cavalry, due to the weakness of their horses, had some horses collapse and die of exhaustion while pursuing the Jurchens, leaving the soldiers with no choice but to..."

The words stopped abruptly.

"Only what?" Zhu Youxiao frowned and pressed for an answer.

"We can only seize civilian horses to continue the battle."

Xue Zhen replied tremblingly, "The General of Jizhou reported in secret last month that, in order to make up for the shortage of horses at night, he had no choice but to requisition thirty mules and horses from a merchant caravan. The merchants have already jointly filed a complaint with the Shuntian Prefecture."

The heated floor in the warm room was burning very brightly, yet a cold wind seemed to be blowing by.

Zhu Youxiao stared at the two men and sneered, "What a desperate measure! Today you seize thirty horses from the people, tomorrow you can levy three hundred. When the people smash up the post station and government office, do you expect me to use the imperial treasury to redeem them?"

The Ming Dynasty, no matter which corner you lift, is rotten to the core.

This was true not only in local officialdom but also in the horse administration of the Ming Dynasty.

"How did the rebellion of Liu Liu and Liu Qi start during the Zhengde reign? It was because the requisition of post horses forced the horse owners to rebel!"

Zhu Youxiao glared at the two men fiercely and said coldly, "The nine border regions are currently short of nearly 100,000 horses. If you continue to take them as you see fit, are you trying to make me repeat the same mistakes? You won't stop until you've driven all the people of the land into rebellion, will you?"

"I don't dare!"

The two men kowtowed and begged for forgiveness.

Zhu Youxiao's gaze was sharp as he coldly swept over Zhang Jingshi and Xue Zhen, and said in a deep voice, "I don't want to hear your complaints. I only ask one question—how can the current state of the horse administration be salvaged?"

Zhang Jingshi took a deep breath and stepped forward with a forced smile, saying, "Your Majesty, I believe there are three urgent tasks: First, thoroughly investigate the whereabouts of the horse price funds, recover the misappropriated funds, and ensure that the Imperial Stud receives the full amount; second, reorganize the pastures. Although Gansu and Liaodong are devastated, we can still send more soldiers to garrison them, drive out the incursions of Turpan and the Jurchens, and restore animal husbandry; third, revitalize the tea-horse trade, strictly prohibit the rampant private tea trade, and reopen trade with the Western Barbarians and Mongolian tribes to exchange tea for horses."

Seeing that the emperor's expression had eased slightly, Xue Zhen quickly added, "Your Majesty, I believe that we can restore the system of horse breeding among the common people, reduce the taxes and corvée of horse breeders, and encourage wealthy households to raise official horses. If they raise horses with special markings, they can be exempted from taxes. In addition, following the old system of the Yongle Emperor, we can allow coastal merchant ships to purchase fine horses from Southeast Asia and the West to improve the horse breeds."

Zhu Youxiao pondered for a moment, then sneered, "Do you think I don't know what you're talking about? But where will the money come from? There are constant wars in Gansu and Liaodong. How can we ensure the stability of the pastures? The tea-horse trade has been controlled by powerful families for many years. How can we cleanse it up?"

Zhang Jingshi gritted his teeth and said, "If Your Majesty is determined, I am willing to lead the Ministry of War to investigate the accounts of previous years. Anyone who has embezzled horse prices will be severely punished! As for the pastures, elite border troops can be stationed there, and a new Imperial Censor for Horse Administration will be appointed to oversee them. As for the tea-horse trade..."

He hesitated for a moment, but finally said, "The Eastern Depot and the Embroidered Uniform Guard can be involved. Anyone who smuggles tea should have their property confiscated!"

The emperor seemed determined to resolve the matter, and Xue Zhen, the Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, knew that if he didn't make a move, he might not be able to leave the Forbidden City.

He kowtowed and pleaded, "If Your Majesty grants your permission, I can personally go to Gansu to oversee the horse administration. Within three years, the number of warhorses will surely double!"

Zhu Youxiao stared at the two men and slowly said, "Alright, I'll give you a chance. Zhang Jingshi, you're in charge of investigating the horse price silver. Anyone involved in corruption, no matter who they are, will not be tolerated! Xue Zhen, you go to Gansu. If there's still no improvement in the warhorse industry after three years, bring me your head!"

The two men shuddered and kowtowed in unison: "Your subject obeys the decree!"

Zhu Youxiao gazed intently out of the hall and murmured, "If the horse administration is not revitalized, how will the Ming cavalry defend against the enemy?"

After the two left.

Zhu Youxiao looked at Wei Chao beside him and said, "Have the Embroidered Uniform Guard investigate the horse administration in various places, especially the corruption. I need solid evidence!"

The problems mentioned by Zhang Jingshi and Xue Zhen are indeed the reason why the horse administration of the Ming Dynasty has deteriorated to this extent.

However, this was only what the two men said verbally, and Zhu Youxiao did not completely believe it.

He needs more sources, more firsthand information!
The Ming Dynasty's horse administration had other problems as well.

For example, these officials lined their own pockets!

Horses were requisitioned for private use!
The solution to the horse administration problem proposed by Zhang Jingshi and his colleagues sounds simple, but it is difficult to implement.

Restoring government-run horse ranches would inevitably infringe upon the interests of many people.

This cannot be accomplished by talking; it requires killing to solve the problem.

Only by severely punishing the powerful and wealthy who seized the horse ranches can the pastures in Beizhili and Shaanxi be restored.

Resuming horse trade with Mongolia and the snowy regions, and seeking to purchase warhorses from Korea and the Western Regions, seems feasible, but the actual difficulty in carrying it out is extraordinary.

One is a matter of time, and the other is a matter of trust.

As for letting ordinary people raise horses?
That's just empty talk.

The people are barely surviving, they can't even get enough to eat, how can they afford to raise horses for you?

And increase the budget for horse administration?
Without thoroughly cleaning up the horse administration system of the Ming Dynasty, any increase in the budget will be swallowed up by those below.

This is an unsolvable problem.

"There is still a long way to go to eradicate the deep-seated problems of the Ming Dynasty."

Upon hearing this, Wei Chao immediately accepted the order.

"This servant obeys." After handling so many matters, Zhu Youxiao was in some pain. He stretched and said, "I need to rest now. Go and prepare."

Upon hearing this, Wei Chao hurriedly asked, "Your Majesty, would you like to choose a concubine?"

The image of Zhao Qingyue, completely naked, immediately came to Zhu Youxiao's mind.

But after thinking for a moment, he shook his head and said, "No need."

He can't drive a large truck too often; his small frame really can't handle it.

Moreover, new concubines will be added to the family soon.

When the time comes, the Empress and her many concubines will drain his small frame dry.

Now is the time to conserve our energy and prepare for future battles!
I will endure!

January 15th, the first year of the Tianqi reign.

Look forward to the lunar month.

During the court assembly, Zhu Youxiao discussed matters related to the imperial recommendation.

The reason for the imperial recommendation was twofold: firstly, the shortage of officials in various departments remained a serious problem; secondly, some people were actively aligning themselves with the emperor, and Zhu Youxiao naturally wanted to appoint these obedient members of the imperial faction.

Control over the court was gradually established through these repeated imperial decrees and court appointments.

After the court session, Zhu Youxiao went to the training ground in the West Garden.

now.

Dust billowed in the inner training ground as dozens of sons of noble families, dressed in short-sleeved outfits, practiced hard and sweated under the instructors' shouts.

Zhu Chengzong, the eldest son of the Duke of Cheng, drew his bow and nocked an arrow. His arms were bulging with muscles. As the bowstring twanged, the arrow pierced the air and hit the bullseye of the grass target fifty paces away, drawing cheers from all around.

He wiped the sweat from his brow and stole a glance at the high platform—Emperor Zhu Youxiao stood with his hands behind his back, his eyes fixed intently on the field. Startled, he quickly straightened his back and dared not relax.

In a corner, a nobleman's son slumped on the ground, his brocade robes stained with mud, and he yelled at the instructor with a mournful face, "This is no job for a human being! I have three hundred servants in my household, why would I need to swing this stone lock myself?"

Before he could finish speaking, Luo Sigong, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, led a troop of imperial guards past the edge of the training ground. Zhu Chunchen turned ashen-faced and scrambled to grab the stone lock, trembling as he held it above his head.

In the center of the field, the heir of the Marquis of Dingyuan was leading two teams of men in a drill for charging.

These playboys, who usually indulged in cockfighting and dog racing, seemed like completely different people at this moment. Although they rode small Yunnan horses, they were surprisingly skilled at thrusting with long spears.

Zhu Youxiao took in everyone's reactions.

In a few days, it will be time to see the results of these noble sons' training.

Faced with the possibility of losing their titles, these spoiled brats were training like crazy.

Only in this way can one develop their abilities.

of course
It wasn't that they didn't give up.

Some noble sons, weighing two or three hundred pounds, simply couldn't endure the hardship and had no choice but to give up, even at the risk of losing their titles.

Zhu Youxiao did not tolerate these incompetent people.

If you cannot serve the Ming Dynasty, are you still worthy of being a noble of the Ming Dynasty?

Zhu Youxiao directly selected another noble son from the line of succession to his title to join the Noble Camp.

Faced with the fact that the heir to the title who was calling them brothers just the day before has become their younger brother in the next second, these noble sons can then train hard.

Preserving my title is of utmost urgency!

Below the reviewing stand.

"Your subject, Luo Sigong, Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, pays his respects to Your Majesty."

Luo Sigong knelt on one knee below the high steps.

Zhu Youxiao waved his hand and asked, "Is everything at the Imperial Estates settled?"

Luo Sigong's expression was stern, and he immediately said, "It's all done."

Wei Zhongxian said he would resolve the matter of the imperial estate in one month, but in reality it took nearly two months.

Zhu Youxiao verbally reprimanded Wei Zhongxian, but still granted him a postponement.

but
Since it's been postponed, the expected results must satisfy him!
Otherwise, verbal reprimands will become reality.

"How is the investigation of the imperial estates progressing?"

Luo Sigong presented the book in his arms with both hands and said, "Your Majesty, the contents of the investigation of the imperial estates are all in here."

Wei Chao took the account book, knelt down, and handed it to the emperor.

Zhu Youxiao took the account book, ran his fingertips along the cover for a moment, and slowly opened it.

His gaze swept over the lines of still-wet numbers, and the tense lines between his brows gradually relaxed.

"Ah."

He gave a soft hum, closed the booklet, looked up at Luo Sigong, nodded with some satisfaction, and said, "Wei Zhongxian has not disappointed me this time."

Luo Sigong bowed his head and said, “Your Majesty is wise. In this investigation and confiscation of the imperial estates, a total of 6,773,000 mu of concealed land was recovered, 1.28 million shi of grain tax owed over the years was recovered, and 2.46 million taels of silver were confiscated. A total of 127 estate managers and officials involved have been dealt with according to the law.”

Zhu Youxiao raised the corners of his mouth slightly, revealing a cold smile: "It seems that once my blade is wielded, these parasites know to be afraid."

He paused, then asked, "Where is Wei Zhongxian?"

Luo Sigong said, "Eunuch Wei is currently waiting outside the palace for His Majesty's decree to grant him an audience."

It turned out that Wei Zhongxian was afraid that the emperor would be furious and punish him after he missed the deadline, so he sent Luo Sigong to sound him out.

"Would I really kill Wei Zhongxian?"

Zhu Youxiao hesitated for a moment, then waved his hand: "Let him in."

Before long, Wei Zhongxian hurried in, knelt on the ground, his forehead pressed against the gold brick: "This servant kowtows to Your Majesty! This servant has failed in his duties and delayed the time. Please punish me, Your Majesty!"

Zhu Youxiao stared at him for a long while before saying calmly, "Get up. You handled this task fairly well, so I will not hold you accountable for your delay."

Wei Zhongxian felt as if he had been granted a pardon and quickly kowtowed, saying, "Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty! This servant will certainly be more diligent in the future and will never dare to be negligent in the slightest again!"

Zhu Youxiao snorted coldly: "Remember what you said. If you dare to be perfunctory again next time, I will not let you off easily."

Wei Zhongxian repeatedly agreed, his forehead beaded with cold sweat.

Zhu Youxiao turned to look at Luo Sigong and said, "The Embroidered Uniform Guard cooperated very well this time, which pleases me greatly. However, although the matter of the imperial estates has come to a temporary end, various malpractices such as horse administration, salt tax, and canal transport still need to be rectified. Minister Luo, are you prepared?"

Luo Sigong clasped his hands in a solemn gesture and said, "I have ordered the Northern Garrison to organize the case files from previous years. All those involved in corruption and dereliction of duty are to be investigated. We await Your Majesty's decree and will launch a swift and decisive attack."

Zhu Youxiao nodded in satisfaction: "Good. This is the ruthlessness I want."

He stood up, walked to the edge of the platform with his hands behind his back, and gazed at the dust rising from the training grounds in the West Garden. He slowly said, "I will dig out each and every one of the deep-seated problems of the Ming Dynasty, clearing them away inch by inch. Who dares to stand in my way?"

Zhu Youxiao turned around abruptly, a cold glint flashing in his eyes: "I'll show him what the wrath of the Son of Heaven is!"

Wei Zhongxian and Luo Sigong knelt down at the same time and said in unison, "Your Majesty, we swear to serve you to the death!"

Zhu Youxiao waved his hand: "You may all leave."

The two bowed and left the inner training area.

A biting wind swept across Xiyuan Lake. Wei Zhongxian wiped the cold sweat from his brow and said in a low voice, "Commander Luo, we owe you a great debt of gratitude this time."

Luo Sigong was very polite to Wei Zhongxian, and said with a smile, "Not at all, it is my honor to be able to help the eunuch."

Wei Zhongxian smiled and said, "What is due is due, and I will repay you in the future."

Luo Sigong shook his head slightly and said, "Repaying is fine, but His Majesty's patience is limited. Next time, he may not be so lucky."

Wei Zhongxian's smile froze, realizing the implication in Luo Sigong's words, and he chuckled dryly twice: "Yes, yes, I understand."

This investigation of the imperial estates has encountered many difficulties.

A month is far too short.

Even though it took two months, the time still felt tight.

Wei Zhongxian has learned a lesson today.

I will never dare to boast again.

Each with their own thoughts, they left, stepping onto the palace bricks.

On the high platform in the inner training ground, Zhu Youxiao reopened the account book, tapped the number "460,000 taels" lightly with his fingertip, and a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.

"Now that the imperial estates have been investigated, we can arrange for their cultivation. Also, why is my imperial uncle still on his way?"

(End of this chapter)