Huangming

Chapter 231 Reorganization of the New Army, the Elite Force Takes Shape

Inside the Qianqing Palace, agarwood burns slowly in a gilded incense burner, its wisps of smoke curling and swirling among the palace pillars.

After Zhu Youxiao sat upright at his desk, he listened to Deng Shaoyu's report on the newly recruited 7,000 soldiers from Shandong. He nodded slightly, then his gaze sharpened, and he asked in a deep voice, "How many families did the 7,000 soldiers bring?"

Deng Shaoyu cupped his hands and replied, "Your Majesty, there are a total of over 45,000 people."

Zhu Youxiao raised an eyebrow, his tone slightly surprised: "Forty-five thousand? That's an average of six or seven men per soldier?"

He tapped his fingers lightly on the table and pondered, "This is not in accordance with the rules."

The hall fell silent for a moment, with only the soft rustling of incense ash falling.

Deng Shaoyu had a light sheen of sweat on his forehead, but he still kept his back straight and explained, “Your Majesty, Shandong has suffered from severe drought for years, and the people have been displaced. I couldn’t bear to refuse them when I saw them with their families. Moreover, there is a lot of wasteland in Beizhili. Bringing more family members can not only help them cultivate the wasteland, but also allow the soldiers to serve with peace of mind.”

Zhu Youxiao's gaze was deep as he slowly said, "When Qi Jiguang was in Jizhou, he stipulated that each soldier could only bring one family member; when Zhang Juzheng recruited local militia, he strictly ordered that no more than three people be allowed. Do you know why?"

Deng Shaoyu bowed his head and replied, "Your subject understands. Soldiers' salaries are limited, and we cannot support too many people. There are also not enough barracks to accommodate them."

It turns out you still know!
Zhu Youxiao nodded slightly, his tone softening: "It's good that you have a kind heart. But as a general, if you are too soft-hearted, the enemy will only need to exploit your weaknesses to make you lose your footing."

Upon hearing this, Deng Shaoyu immediately knelt down and kowtowed: "Your Majesty's teachings will be remembered by your subject!"

Seeing his sincere attitude, Zhu Youxiao stopped being harsh and said instead, "Alright, Hong Chengchou and Zhu Chengzong have surveyed a lot of wasteland in Shuntian Prefecture, which is just right to settle these families."

He paused, then said with a hint of sarcasm, "However, if other generals also bring so many men like you, there might not be enough land to go around in Beizhili."

At present, Hong Chengchou and Zhu Chengzong have just finished surveying the land in Shuntian Prefecture. Although they have discovered more than a million acres of hidden farmland, the land in Shuntian Prefecture is far from enough to settle the families of these tens of thousands of new soldiers.

The Beizhili region is so large that the land survey work in other prefectures and counties is still underway.

Only after the entire land in Beizhili has been surveyed will the imperial court have enough land to distribute to the new recruits who bring their families, and to settle the continuous influx of refugees from all over the country.

Thinking of this, Zhu Youxiao couldn't help but feel a little helpless.

Shandong is suffering from a severe drought, and there are refugees everywhere. If they are not given land and resettled as soon as possible, trouble will inevitably break out sooner or later.

Land surveying is no small matter. It requires dealing with powerful landlords and preventing officials from falsifying data. It can't be rushed.

He could only secretly hope that Hong Chengchou and Zhu Chengzong could act even faster.

Deng Shaoyu certainly hadn't considered these circumstances.

He only considered the land available for cultivation in Beizhili.

Seeing that the emperor did not punish him, he immediately said gratefully, "On behalf of the soldiers' families, I thank Your Majesty for your kindness!"

Zhu Youxiao waved his hand: "No need to thank me, just let them serve the country well."

Deng Shaoyu solemnly replied, "Your Majesty, I will certainly not fail in your trust!"

A general should only think about leading troops into battle.

As for the rest, he, as the emperor, would naturally take care of it for them.

This is also the role he played as the emperor of the Ming Dynasty:
They have to be both a father and a mother.

The following day, at the Xishan camp.

Before the morning mist had dissipated, the drill ground was already filled with newly recruited Shandong soldiers.

They were burly men, and although their clothes were tattered, they could not hide their fierce and valiant spirit.

Yuan Keli, the Vice Minister of War, dressed in light crimson armor, walked slowly through the ranks surrounded by elite troops from the Fengtai Camp, his gaze sweeping over every face like that of a hawk.

After Qi Jin led the main force of the Beijing garrison on an expedition, the defense of the capital was left vulnerable, and these Shandong men were the perfect candidates to fill the gap.

The more Yuan Keli looked at these new recruits, the more satisfied he became.

"Good seedling!"

These new recruits have broad shoulders, thick backs, and strong arms. With a little training, they will surely become a formidable force.

He whispered to his adjutant beside him, "He has a large frame and great stamina. If he can also develop courage, he can be deployed to the battlefield in three months."

On the east side of the drill ground, several teams of veterans were demonstrating sword and shield coordination, which the new recruits from Shandong watched with rapt attention.

Yuan Keli stroked his beard and smiled. These farm boys might not be literate, but their strength in farming and their tenacity in enduring hardship were exactly the foundation that elite troops needed most.

With a little reorganization, it can be put to great use.

However, how to reorganize and train them depends on the methods of the commanding officer.

An army composed entirely of inexperienced soldiers, no matter how diligently it is trained, will ultimately be nothing more than a showy facade.

Without the guidance of veteran soldiers, new recruits are like headless flies, unable to distinguish the drums and flags on the battlefield, let alone form ranks and fight the enemy.

Yuan Keli was well aware of this, so he specially transferred elite veterans from the Fengtai camp and mixed them into an army with a ratio of one veteran to five new recruits.

Each squad leader is a seasoned veteran; and the captains, platoon leaders, and other junior officers are also temporarily led by veterans.

But this is not static.

Yuan Keli had already given the order: during the training period, if any new recruits showed outstanding performance, became familiar with the flags and drums, and were proficient in combat skills, they could be promoted to officers as appropriate.

In this way, new recruits can be encouraged to strive for excellence, while ensuring that the army is always replenished with fresh blood.

Veteran soldiers mentor new recruits, and new recruits become veterans—this cycle is how the Xishan Sharp and Strong Battalion can truly transform itself into a formidable force capable of fighting and winning battles.

Dust billowed across the drill ground as Marquis Dingyuan, Deng Shaoyu, strode past the newly recruited soldiers in formation and approached Yuan Keli.

He clasped his hands in a salute, his armor clanging as he said, “Minister Yuan, although these new recruits from Shandong are physically strong, they are all from peasant families. I wonder how you plan to reorganize them?”

Yuan Keli stroked his beard and smiled, lightly tapping the command flag at his waist: "My lord, please take a look!"

He pointed to the clerks who were registering and making records, and said, "The first thing to do is to verify the Yellow Register. Although these new recruits have undergone preliminary screening, it is hard to guarantee that there are no weak and sick people mixed in, and we must also be wary of people falsifying their age."

He took a bamboo slip from his personal guard and ran his finger over the densely packed list: "Once the screening is complete, we will be divided into three battalions. The left battalion will train with spears, the central battalion with swords and shields, and the right battalion will specialize in firearms."

Yuan Keli paused, then asked:
"I heard that when the Marquis was recruiting soldiers in Shandong, he also took in quite a few hunters?"

Deng Shaoyu's eyes lit up, and he nodded, saying, "Exactly! There are about three hundred men, all skilled with muskets." "Excellent!"

Yuan Keli clapped his hands and said, "These hunters are organized into a separate Shenji team, and they will be trained by the veteran artillerymen of Fengtai Battalion."

He laid out the training schedule, the ink still fresh on the silk cloth, clearly organized:
"For the first thirty days, they were taught to recognize flags and drums during the day—red flag for advance, blue flag for defense, yellow flag for retreat; at night, they were taught to recite military orders, and for each mistake, they were punished by running three laps around the drill ground. Anyone who failed the ten-day quiz was demoted to a supply sergeant."

"For the next sixty days, the left and central battalions will practice the Mandarin Duck Formation at Chenshi (7-9 AM) and the Three Talents Formation at Wushi (11 AM-1 PM); the right battalion must practice until they can hit two out of three musket shots before they are allowed to wear armor."

He suddenly added meaningfully.

"We must be especially wary of these Shandong men who are reckless and impulsive; we need to teach them to obey orders and fire their guns."

Seeing Yuan Keli recounting the details with such familiarity, Deng Shaoyu couldn't help but exclaim, "Your Excellency's method of 'sifting gold and refining iron' is truly comprehensive!"

He suddenly remembered something, pointed to several exceptionally burly new recruits in the distance, and said, "Those few who are strong enough to lift a cauldron, could they be given more important roles?"

Yuan Keli smiled knowingly and nodded, saying, "Naturally, they should be separately assigned to the Trapped Camp and equipped with heavy armor and halberds. However, we must first have the physician verify that they have no hidden ailments. Such strongmen are all treasures."

Deng Shaoyu is now completely convinced of Yuan Keli's abilities.

"With Vice Minister Yuan's strategic planning, we will surely be able to train a formidable army for His Majesty within three months!"

Yuan Keli did not take credit, but simply said, "I did my best and did not fail the Emperor's grace. It's almost time, time for the assembly and instructions!"

The military order was issued.

The drill ground immediately erupted into a commotion.

Thousands of new recruits from Shandong stood awkwardly in the queue.

These farmers, who had escaped the drought, were now wearing brand-new uniforms, their rough hands unconsciously rubbing the hem of their clothes.

The majestic city walls of the capital filled them with awe, but what made them even more apprehensive was the high-ranking official from the Ministry of War standing before them, clad in crimson light armor.

"Stand up straight!"

At the veteran's command, the new recruits immediately straightened their backs.

They knew all too well how valuable this job was.

Back in my hometown in Shandong, many people ate tree bark and grass roots, but here, not only are they fed every meal, but they are also promised land to their families.

Wang Dazhu, who was standing in the back row, quietly swallowed.

He remembered his fellow villager Li Ergou telling him mysteriously last night: "Have you heard? If you become a soldier in the Ruijian Battalion, you'll get a hundred mu of land! And two taels of silver a month!"

He thought it was a joke at the time, but when he saw the kitchen carrying out several large buckets of white rice this morning, he believed it.

"Boom-thump-thump-"

Three thunderous drumbeats suddenly erupted, startling several new recruits who trembled all over.

The training ground fell silent instantly; even the sound of the wind seemed to freeze.

All eyes were fixed on the reviewing stand.

Yuan Keli stood with his hand on his sword, his crimson battle robe fluttering in the morning light, the insignia on his chest looking imposing.

The new recruits held their breath in unison.

They knew that a single word from this official could determine whether or not they would receive a government stipend.

Standing in the front row, Zhao Tieniu could even see the cloud patterns on the jade belt at Yuan Shilang's waist.

The exquisite carving was a treasure he, a farmer, had never seen before in his life.

On the east side of the drill ground, several clever new recruits had already secretly counted the equipment of the veteran soldiers of Fengtai Battalion: the fine iron scale armor gleamed coldly in the sunlight, and the hilts of the goose feather swords at their waists were wrapped with red silk.

They secretly vowed to train hard and wear the uniform as soon as possible.

After all, in these famine years, where else could one find a good job with meals, land, and pay besides the Xishan Ruijian Camp?
Morale is useful!
On the platform, Yuan Keli's piercing gaze swept over the thousands of new Shandong soldiers below, and his voice boomed:

"My fellow Shandong lads! Today you join my Xishan Ruijian Camp, and you will become the arm of the court and the blade of His Majesty!"
You left your homes and families to strive for a better future and support your loved ones. But the imperial court offers you a hundred acres of fertile land to settle down, two taels of silver a month to fill your stomachs, and a bright path to achieve great things!

"But you must also know that the rules of the camp are as ironclad as a mountain!"
First, orders must be obeyed without question: the drums and flags are military commands; advance when the drum is sounded, retreat when the gong is sounded, and those who disobey will be punished with thirty strokes of the cane.

Secondly, comrades are brothers: those who engage in private fights will be expelled from the military camp, and those who cause injury or death will be beheaded according to the law;

Thirdly, diligent training and hard work: those who are negligent and make mistakes in their training will have their pay deducted and be punished with forced labor. Those who do not repent after three such incidents will be demoted to hard labor in the military farms.
Fourthly, loyalty to the emperor and defense of the country: those who defect or collude with the enemy—will have their entire family executed!

He paused, then suddenly raised his voice: "But if you adhere to military discipline and advance bravely, the day the army is formed in March will be the day you are awarded armor and receive rewards!"
A ten-tael reward will be given for each first-class decapitation on the battlefield; those who achieve merit will be promoted and ennobled, and their descendants may inherit their military positions! This Vice Minister hereby swears: Every soldier in the elite troops will be honored, and not a single drop of their blood will be shed in vain!

Upon hearing this, the new recruits below the platform heaved with excitement, and someone raised their arm and shouted, "We are willing to die for Your Majesty!"

In an instant, a roar like a mountain collapsing and a tsunami sweeping across the training ground:
"To die! To die! To die!"

Yuan Keli stood with his hands behind his back on the reviewing stand, a barely perceptible smile playing on his lips.

Bathed in the morning light, his sharp, hawk-like eyes gleamed with a look of satisfaction.

The shouts of thousands of new recruits from Shandong below the stage shook the heavens. Their heartfelt cries of "I'll die for you!" made him truly feel that the boiling blood in the bones of these peasant men had been completely ignited.

His crimson battle robe fluttered in the morning breeze, and the Vice Minister of War was also filled with boundless pride.

He gazed into the distance, as if he could already see the mighty army he had personally trained galloping across the battlefield.

Once his elite troops are trained, he will personally go to Liaodong to challenge the Jianzhou Jurchens who have repeatedly invaded the border.

"Let me see just what kind of ability they have that has caused my mighty Ming army to suffer defeat after defeat!"

This thought burned ever brighter in his heart, like the fighting spirit burning in the eyes of those Shandong men on the training ground, growing ever stronger.

Build a slave!

Waiting for you, Grandpa Yuan!

(End of this chapter)