Huangming

Chapter 155 Green Grass Stands Out, Jade Steps Rise to Prominence

Upon hearing this, Zhu Youxiao's eyes brightened slightly.

As a time traveler, one naturally wants to win over some of the famous ministers and generals of the late Ming Dynasty as early as possible.

Zhu Youxiao did not delay and immediately set off for the Qianqing Palace.

now.

The duty room inside Jingyun Gate of Qianqing Palace.

This place is the office of the Nine Ministers, also known as the court office, which is exclusively for high-ranking officials to await imperial orders.

Zhao Shuaijiao, Zu Dashou, and Huang Degong sat upright in the corner of the duty room, like lackeys.

People around them occasionally cast disdainful or questioning glances at them.

They were used to the contempt shown by the civil officials.

All three of them had the same question at that moment: Why had the emperor summoned them?
Zhao Shuaijiao's doubts were even greater at this moment.

He was originally a military scholar who passed the imperial examination in the 19th year of the Wanli reign of the Ming Dynasty. He was initially appointed as the commander of Ganzhou. Later, due to his numerous military achievements, he served as the guerrilla commander of Nianbo Camp, the military commander of Jinglu Guard, and the military commander of Yansui.

However, not long ago, he was impeached and dismissed from his post as the military commander of Yansui.

Now he is a commoner, and even the lowest military rank no longer exists.

Under such circumstances, how could he not be suspicious when he suddenly received an imperial decree to be summoned?
Zu Dashou was also filled with doubts at this moment.

Although he was appreciated by Xiong Tingbi, the Liaodong military commissioner, and was appointed as a guerrilla commander in the Jingyi Camp, in June of last year, when the Later Jin army invaded Baiguanren Village, although he led his troops to fight bravely, he was not only severely punished with forty strokes of the military rod by Xiong Tingbi for the so-called "lax supervision", but was also impeached by Chen Wangting, the Liaodong inspector, and ended up being dismissed from his post but retained in his post, and stationed on the south bank of the Hun River with a criminal record.

This experience made him deeply disgusted with the darkness and corruption of the Liaodong officialdom. Just when he was full of indignation, he unexpectedly received an imperial edict summoning him personally. This sudden turn of events surprised and bewildered him, as if he were in a dream.

As for Huang Degong, he was also feeling uneasy at this moment.

He came from a poor family and lived with his widowed mother from a young age. Due to poverty, he was unable to go to school and learn to read.

In his prime, he left the pass to join the army. With his courage, he fought his way up in the ranks of the Guandong army. It was only through his numerous military achievements in killing the Jurchens that he was able to rise to the position of guerrilla general.

Standing in the office of the Nine Ministers, looking at the high-ranking officials of the court who were all dressed in blue and purple official robes, this bearded man who had made the Jurchens tremble with fear on the battlefield felt a deep sense of inferiority for the first time in his life.

His rough hands unconsciously rubbed the hem of his clothes, his dark face was slightly flushed from the unease, and even his posture seemed particularly stiff.

In this grand and solemn imperial court, filled with noble figures, he felt like a brute who had stumbled into a grand banquet, completely out of place amidst the opulent atmosphere.

The three men's ordeal didn't last long; soon, the eunuch came to summon them.

The eunuch shouted in a hoarse voice, "Former Yansui Military Commander Zhao Shuaijiao, Jingyi Battalion Guerrilla Commander Zu Dashou, and Guerrilla General Huang Degong, proceed immediately to the East Warm Pavilion to meet the Emperor!"

The three of them breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly left the Nine Ministers' office.

After watching the three men leave with the eunuch, the civil officials in the Nine Ministers' office exchanged meaningful glances with each other.

A court official in a scarlet robe stroked his beard and sneered: "A mere dismissed military officer and convicted brute dares to enter the East Warm Pavilion to meet the Emperor?"

The censor beside him immediately chimed in, "Indeed! Zhao Shuaijiao couldn't even keep his position as a deputy commander, and Zu Dashou is a defeated general who's been flogged. As for Huang Degong..."

He glanced at the muddy footprints on the threshold, and with a disgusted flick of his sleeve, said, "You uncouth brute, you don't even know basic manners!"

A long sigh echoed from the corner of the duty room. The elderly official from the Ministry of Rites pounded the table: "Since His Majesty ascended the throne, this is the third time he has summoned such soldiers! If it comes to governing the country and ensuring its stability, shouldn't he discuss important matters with us civil officials?"

Several officials in green robes huddled together, one of them lowering his voice: "I've heard that these three can't even read the Seven Military Classics completely, and Huang Degong is completely illiterate."

Before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted by a sneer: "What strategies can a warrior have? He's nothing but a brute!"

The duty room was immediately filled with contemptuous whispers, and someone even deliberately recited loudly, "Better to be a centurion than a scholar," which drew laughter from the whole room.

"Cough cough!"

Suddenly, the Commissioner of the Court of Judicial Review, Cao Yubian, coughed loudly, and all the officials fell silent instantly.

"How dare you presume to guess His Majesty's intentions? If these words were to reach His Majesty's ears, wouldn't you be furious?"

Cao Yubian was somewhat dissatisfied with these colleagues.

Although these three men are not cultured people, they are still serving the country on the frontier. How can they insult a warrior like this?

"Just do your own thing and don't get yourself into trouble!"

After Cao Yubian said this, no one dared to discuss it anymore.

of course
Cao Yubian was unaware that even in the important border towns, the contempt of civil officials for military generals was already deeply ingrained.

In Liaodong and other places, the civil officials didn't even bother to gossip behind people's backs; instead, they openly pointed at the border generals and berated them.

These soldiers, who fought valiantly, not only faced the swords and arrows of the Jurchens, but also endured the humiliation from their fellow civil officials.

Even so, they still chose to die for their country.

Such unwavering loyalty only highlights the excessive honesty and integrity of the Ming soldiers.

On the other side, Zhao Shuaijiao, Zu Dashou, and Huang Degong, who were looked down upon by the civil officials, entered the Qianqing Palace with trepidation and slowly stepped into the East Warm Pavilion.

The sights they had seen along the way had truly broadened their horizons. Now, upon arriving at the East Warm Pavilion, the three knelt down and bowed deeply to the emperor on the throne, following the etiquette taught by the officials of the Ministry of Rites.

"Your humble servant, Zu Dashou (Zhao Shuaijiao, Huang Degong), respectfully wishes Your Majesty a long and peaceful reign!"

"I am well, all of you may rise!"

Emperor Zhu Youxiao smiled and spoke in a gentle and kind tone, which dispelled the unease that had accumulated in the hearts of the three people, just like the warm spring sun.

His approachable manner gradually relaxed Zhao Shuaijiao's tense shoulders and back, Zu Dashou's clenched fists quietly unfurled, and even the uneasy Huang Degong dared to raise his head slightly and steal a glance at this unexpectedly benevolent monarch.

The suffocating pressure from the emperor melted away quietly in these gentle words, and the three of them felt a long-lost sense of ease.

With a warm smile, Wei Chao bowed and gestured, saying, "Your Majesty knows that the three generals are loyal and devoted, and are all good generals willing to die for the Ming Dynasty. Therefore, Your Majesty has specially granted them seats for conversation. Please!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Shuaijiao, Zu Dashou, and Huang Degong felt even more flustered than when they were facing the enemy in battle.

Zhao Shuaijiao's fingertips trembled slightly, Zu Dashou's forehead was covered in a fine sweat, and even the usually impetuous Huang Degong held his breath.

They carefully sat down on the edge of the stools, their backs straight, their rough hands resting neatly on their knees, as if these three ordinary stools were more terrifying than the perilous battlefield of the Nine Borders.

At this moment, Zhu Youxiao's eyes shone brightly as he carefully examined the three generals before him:
Zhao Shuaijiao was tall and upright with a resolute face. Although he was over fifty years old, he still exuded a calm and composed air. He was dressed in plain clothes, obviously because he had no official robes to wear after being dismissed from office, but his every move still carried the competence of a soldier.

Zu Dashou was a burly man with a broad back and a thick waist. He had a square face with distinct features and bright, piercing eyes beneath his thick eyebrows.

Although he was slightly tired from the punishment of being beaten with military rods, there was still a fierce determination in his eyes, clearly showing that he was still resentful of the infighting in the Liaodong officialdom.

Facing the emperor at this moment, he was both nervous and excited, his hands slightly clenched as if he had a thousand words to say.

Huang Degong was the most rugged, with a full beard and dark, rough skin, clearly the result of years of fighting and exposure to the elements.

Seeing this, Zhu Youxiao's lips curled into a slight smile, and he thought to himself, 'These three are all capable of great use!'

The emperor looked at the three men and said with a smile, "I know your background. Zu Youji, last year you were punished with forty strokes of the military rod for 'lax supervision,' but I know you are innocent. It was just an impeachment by a civil official. I am as clear-headed as a mirror and will not wrong a loyal minister."

Zu Dashou didn't want the emperor to know about these things, so he stood up for him and cleared his name.

A warm current flowed through my heart, and my eyes welled up with tears that streamed down my face without my noticing.

He said emotionally, "Your Majesty is so aware of my humble affairs; I am deeply honored!"

Zhu Youxiao chuckled and said, "I remember all the brave generals on the frontier who have served the country loyally, and I will never let you suffer any injustice."

"General Zhao, I know you are resentful about being impeached by the censors."

"Commander Huang, I know you love wine and are brave in battle."

Zhu Youxiao casually mentioned the matter concerning the three of them, which immediately made them feel flattered and surprised.

After giving the three people some pointers.

Zhu Youxiao gazed intently at them, his tone sincere and firm: "I know you must have doubts in your hearts: why have I summoned you?"

Zhu You leaned forward slightly, tapped his fingers lightly on the imperial desk, and said, "It is because I see in you all the spirit that the generals of my Great Ming should possess! Minister Zhao is as steady as a pine tree, Minister Zu is as resolute as iron, and Minister Huang is as fierce as a tiger. All of you are the pillars that my Great Ming urgently needs."

The emperor rose and paced back and forth, his robes fluttering as he revealed a sharp edge: "The Jurchens are rampant, and the border is in dire need of news. What I have been thinking about day and night is to promote generals with real talent and ability. The reason I have summoned you today is to entrust you with important responsibilities!"

"I don't want those empty-headed embroiderers who can only recite poems; I want true generals like you, forged in the crucible of blood!"

Upon hearing this, the three felt their blood boil.

His Majesty has them in his heart, so how could they not be willing to die for His Majesty?
Seeing that the atmosphere was sufficiently set...

Zhu Youxiao waved his hand at Wei Chao, who immediately picked up the imperial edict and said to the three men, "Gentlemen, receive the edict!"

The three men quickly rose, knelt on the ground, and said, "Your Majesty, we, your subjects Zu Dashou (Zhao Shuaijiao and Huang Degong), respectfully receive Your Majesty's decree. Long live the Emperor!"

Seeing that the ceremony was in place, the Wei dynasty immediately proclaimed the imperial edict:

"The Emperor, by the Will of Heaven, decrees:

Zhao Shuaijiao, the former military commander of Yansui, is commendable for his loyalty and bravery. He is hereby promoted to military commander of Shenji Battalion, commanding 3,000 troops. Zu Dashou, the guerrilla commander of Jingyi Battalion, is brave and skilled in battle. He is hereby promoted to military commander of Shenshu Battalion, commanding 3,000 troops. Huang Degong, the guerrilla general, is unparalleled in bravery. He is hereby promoted to military commander of Shenwu Battalion, commanding 3,000 troops.

"I urge you all to diligently train the troops, reorganize military affairs, and serve the court as soon as possible, so as not to disappoint my expectations! So be it."

The three of them were stunned upon hearing this.

He was actually promoted directly to the rank of Assistant Commander of the Beijing Garrison?

What an honor this is!

"Receive the decree!"

It was only after Wei Chao reminded them that the three of them realized what was happening.

"Your humble servants accept the imperial decree and express our gratitude!"

These military men are much simpler and more endearing than the civil officials in the court.

Zhu Youxiao gazed intently at the three men and solemnly said, "I hereby grant you the authority to submit secret memorials directly to the Emperor at any time. You must remember that this extraordinary promotion will inevitably draw criticism from court officials. I hope you will repay me with tangible achievements and not disappoint my high expectations!"

Upon hearing this, the three of them were immediately moved to tears.

Zhao Shuaijiao's hands trembled slightly, Zu Dashou's tiger-like eyes were filled with tears, and Huang Degong was so excited that his face turned red.

They kowtowed heavily, their foreheads hitting the ground with a resounding thud: "Your Majesty's grace is boundless, and even if we were to give our lives, we could not repay even a fraction of it! In this training exercise, we will exert all our strength and vow to annihilate the Jurchens without leaving a single one alive!"

"Very well! I will wait for that day!"

Zhu Youxiao stared intently at the three people before him, his mind churning with thoughts:

'These three are all pillars of the Ming Dynasty's future. If I do not utilize them soon, wouldn't that be a waste of their talents?'

Zhu Youxiao promoted the three men because they were capable.

Although Zhao Shuaijiao was dismissed from his post, he was renowned in the Yansui and Gansu areas. Historically, he defended Liaodong, fought a bloody battle in Zunhua, and ultimately died in battle, making him a true hero.

He is now in his prime. If he is used wisely, he will surely deter the border regions and prevent the Jurchens from daring to invade!
Although Zu Dashou was humiliated by military beatings, he would later become a pillar of Liaodong!
Historically, he defended Dalinghe and fought a bloody battle in Jinzhou. Even his later surrender to the Qing Dynasty was out of necessity.

If we can apply both kindness and severity early on, and make them wholeheartedly loyal, they will surely become the sharpest blade of the Ming Dynasty!

Although Huang Degong came from a humble background and was illiterate, he later became one of the "Four Garrisons" of the Southern Ming Dynasty, and was known for his bravery!

Historically, he fought fiercely against the Qing army, refusing to surrender even at the cost of his life, and ultimately died on the battlefield.

It would be a pity if such a valiant general were buried because of his humble origins.

'Now that I know history, I cannot allow a pearl to be tarnished!'

Zhu Youxiao had already made his decision: 'These three men—one can guard the border, one can defend Liaodong, and one can charge into battle—if they are properly trained, they will surely become my right-hand men!'

He narrowed his eyes slightly, a plan forming in his mind: 'Those civil officials in the court are nothing but empty talk, ruining the country. I intend to heavily rely on these capable and battle-hardened generals, to let them know that this world will ultimately be won through swords and spears!'

He gathered all the capable people in the world under his command and entrusted them with important responsibilities.

Zhu Youxiao didn't believe it. Was the Jurchen really invincible?

Is the Ming Dynasty truly beyond saving?

(End of this chapter)