Huangming

Chapter 268 The Emperor's Personal Guard, Boundless Grace (Bonus Chapter for 600 Monthly Tickets!)
When Zhu Youxiao finished the morning court session and returned to the East Warm Pavilion of the Qianqing Palace in his imperial carriage, the sun was already gradually rising.

Judging from the sun's trajectory, it will be noon in another hour.

After disembarking from the imperial carriage, Zhu Youxiao immediately entered the East Warm Pavilion.

After all, there are still many memorials to review!

There's just so much work to do every day.

In such a vast empire, things will happen to you every day.

As soon as Zhu Youxiao settled on the throne covered with bright yellow cushions, Wei Chao stepped forward and bowed, reporting, "Your Majesty, the Marquis of Yongkang and the Marquis of Fengcheng are waiting outside the palace. They say they have brought back the recruited soldiers as ordered."

Zhu Youxiao received the news from the Embroidered Uniform Guard in the morning.

It now appears that he has successfully recruited the full force of 30,000 men he had enlisted.

Zhu Youxiao's eyes flickered, and he immediately said:

"Inform them to come in."

Before long, steady footsteps came from outside the hall, and two figures dressed in the robes of dukes and marquises bowed as they entered.

The leader, Marquis Yongkang Xu Yingyuan, had a dark complexion and a weathered look between his brows; the Marquis Fengcheng Li Chengzu beside him was slightly thin, but his eyes revealed a capable air.

These were the two nobles whom Zhu Youxiao had sent to various places to recruit soldiers half a year ago.

"Your subject Xu Yingyuan (Li Chengzuo) pays his respects to Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!"

The two knelt down neatly on the ground, their voices slightly hoarse from the long journey, yet still full of energy.

Zhu Youxiao raised his hand to gesture for them to rise, his gaze sweeping over the two of them: "Get up. Judging from your appearance, you've had quite a bit of training."

Six months ago, he specifically selected these two noblemen from impeccable families with no history of misconduct and assigned them the same task:

Xu Yingyuan went to Henan to select able-bodied young men from among the displaced disaster victims.

Li Chengzhu went to Yiwu, Zhejiang, specifically to recruit brave and fierce men from among the miners.

Each of them was to lead 10,000 soldiers to form a personal guard directly under the emperor.

Now, half a year has passed, and the two have finally lived up to their expectations, bringing the recruited soldiers back to the capital.

When Xu Yingyuan stood up, he stood up straight and spoke in a loud voice: "Thanks to Your Majesty's great fortune, I have recruited more than 10,300 able-bodied men in Henan. They are all strong and healthy men without family burdens. They have been organized and trained into units according to military regulations and are currently stationed at the Xishan Ruijian Camp awaiting orders!"

Li Chengzuo followed up with a reply, his tone tinged with pride: "I recruited over 11,000 miners and local militia in Yiwu. These men have worked in the mines year-round, are strong and fierce, and are familiar with the equipment. With a little training, they will become excellent soldiers. They are now in the Fengtai camp, ready to be deployed!"

The soldiers were recruited and the required number was reached, but in Zhu Youxiao's view, the abilities of Xu Yingyuan and Li Chengzuo, these two noblemen, were far inferior to those of Deng Shaoyu, the Marquis of Dingyuan.

Sending Deng Shaoyu to Shandong to recruit soldiers six months ago was a truly efficient and effective move.

In just three or four months, five thousand strong men were selected from the refugees and surplus soldiers of the garrison. Each of them was sturdy and had bright eyes.

Later, when Yuan Keli took over the training, he praised the soldiers in his reports more than once for being "solid-founded and fearless," which shows how sharp Deng Shaoyu's eye for talent was.

What's even more remarkable is that when he led his troops back to the capital from Shandong, the military discipline was impeccable. There were no deserters or riots, and not even a single tree or blade of grass in the villages along the way was disturbed. The entire army marched in perfect order, and there was not a single fault in their discipline. Such a skill in leading troops truly demonstrates a certain level of discipline.

In contrast, the two in front of me seem much rougher.

Although the soldiers recruited by Marquis Yongkang Xu Yingyuan in Henan did not include the old, weak, sick, or disabled, most of them were emaciated disaster victims. Among the able-bodied men selected, three out of ten could not carry a fifty-pound bag of rice and could at best be considered "breathing," far from being "strong and capable."

What made Zhu Youxiao even more worried was that a riot broke out outside the Kaifeng government office during the recruitment of soldiers.

A group of refugees fought over a few spots in the army, and two women and children were trampled to death. The fight was eventually quelled by local government troops. The incident was reported to the emperor, who was very displeased.

Marquis Li Chengzu of Fengcheng was somewhat better. He recruited miners and local militia in Yiwu. They had been wielding hammers and digging for mines for many years, so their arms were thicker than the average person's. They were also wild and had a good temperament, making them good candidates for soldiers.

But he couldn't control his subordinates.

While traveling north from Zhejiang, they passed through Huai'an Prefecture. At night, several dozen soldiers sneaked out and robbed the courtyard of a wealthy local family. Although the perpetrators were eventually arrested and the stolen goods were recovered, the incident still damaged the reputation of the Imperial Guards when it reached the capital.

Fortunately, these two men still had some principles and didn't dare to tamper with military pay or supplies, thus avoiding the serious mistake of embezzlement.

Ultimately, it comes down to a lack of ability.

One was poor at judging people and incapable of managing subordinates, while the other was unable to maintain order and had lax military discipline. Compared to Deng Shaoyu's ability to "both pick out fierce tigers and tame them," they were simply lacking.

However, even though the matter wasn't handled perfectly, the deserved reward should still be given.

If one is overly critical of minor flaws, it will make him appear as a narrow-minded emperor, and he will be seen as a harsh ruler, which is not a good thing.

However, it seems that these two will no longer be able to be entrusted with the task of leading troops.

Zhu Youxiao had already made up his mind, and immediately said to Wei Chao, "Bring me the drafted edict."

Wei Chao hurriedly took the bright yellow imperial edict from the eunuch. When he unfolded it, the dragon pattern on the scroll shone brightly in the candlelight.

He stepped forward, cleared his throat, and read in his signature high-pitched voice:

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Marquis of Yongkang, Xu Yingyuan, and Marquis of Fengcheng, Li Chengzuo, were ordered to recruit soldiers. They worked tirelessly and successfully completed the task. They are hereby specially rewarded!"

"He is bestowed with a python robe, which he may wear on the first and fifteenth days of the lunar month; he is also bestowed with a gilded plaque inscribed with 'Commendable Loyalty and Diligence' and 'Dedicated Service to the King,' which shall be hung in the main hall of the mansion to commemorate his merits."

"The annual salary will be increased by fifty shi (a unit of dry measure), and one hundred taels of silver and ten bolts of palace silk will be bestowed upon them. In addition, a special permit will be granted to Tianjin Garrison ships, which will exempt them from customs duties and allow them to travel freely between the north and south via the Grand Canal."

"The two sons are to be appointed as centurions of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, with the salary of a sixth-rank official; and the Ministry of War will also be granted a banquet, with the Minister himself in attendance, to bestow upon them the greatest honors."

One by one, the rewards were read out by Wei Chao, rolling down like beads: from the python robe and plaque symbolizing status, to the real money, grain and cloth, to the boat license and official position that could be passed down through generations, and even the specifications of the banquet were listed one by one.

Your Majesty is truly magnanimous!
The two were overjoyed!
However, this ecstasy did not last long, and the smiles on Xu Yingyuan and Li Chengzhuo's faces gradually froze.

Not right.

Wei Chao read out a long list of rewards, from python robes and plaques to silver, money, and silk, from privileges for boat licenses to official titles and ranks for his sons—each and every one exuding honor and favor. But after listening to it over and over, the most crucial thing was missing:
New job appointment!

When they recruited soldiers in Henan and Zhejiang, they did not have clear official titles, but they were temporarily in charge of military power.

Now that the troops have been brought back, according to custom, they should be rewarded with real positions for their merits, even if it's just a title like Admiral or General in the Imperial Guard, it would be better than returning empty-handed. But this imperial edict didn't mention the Imperial Guard at all, let alone say that they should continue to lead troops.

Without military power, how can he maintain his position in the imperial court?

How can I earn more military merits?

Xu Yingyuan glanced up and saw Li Chengzhuo's tightly pursed lips; a hint of panic flashed in both of their eyes.

They recalled Marquis Dingyuan, Deng Shaoyu. After Deng Shaoyu brought back troops from Shandong, His Majesty immediately appointed him as the commander of the Xishan Ruijian Camp, giving him real control of three thousand elite soldiers. That was true trust and recognition.

But looking at myself, although I have received many rewards, they are all empty and meaningless.

No matter how magnificent the python robe is, can it compare to the military tally?

No matter how valuable a ship's probation is, can it be worth more than military power?
The position of a hundred-household commander in the Embroidered Uniform Guard held by the eldest son was, in the end, just a sinecure.

A wave of disappointment washed over them, but they were seasoned officials and knew they must not show the slightest dissatisfaction at this moment.

The emperor's favor is right before our eyes. If we dare to question his will, not only will we lose our military power, but we might even lose this small reward.

"Your subject Xu Yingyuan (Li Chengzuo) thanks Your Majesty for your great favor! Long live the Emperor!"

The two kowtowed again, their voices louder than before, but their foreheads pressed against the cold gold bricks, and their fingertips clenched tightly.

The barely concealed disappointment and resentment on their faces did not escape Zhu Youxiao's notice.

"What? Are you unhappy because I didn't give you military power?"

These words struck Xu Yingyuan and Li Chengzuo like a thunderbolt, leaving them terrified.

The two men kowtowed so hard their heads clattered like gold bricks: "Your Majesty dares not! Your Majesty would never have such an intention!"

"Don't you dare?"

"Judging from your expressions, you don't look like you 'dare not.' If you have something on your mind, just admit it openly. Hiding it is just petty."

These words acted as a fuse, completely igniting the anger that had been building up inside Xu Yingyuan.

He suddenly raised his head, veins bulging on his forehead, and gritted his teeth, saying, "Your Majesty! I dare not complain, but I really don't understand why Marquis Deng Shaoyu of Dingyuan can lead troops, but we can't? We were all ordered to recruit soldiers, and although we are not as thorough as Marquis Deng, we have completed our tasks on time. Why are we not given military positions?"

Although Li Chengzhuo did not speak, he raised his head slightly, and the confusion and resentment in his eyes were exactly the same as Xu Yingyuan's.

"Why?"

Zhu Youxiao stood up, slowly walked down from the throne, and looked down at the two of them.

"With your ability to lead even 10,000 newly recruited soldiers in such a chaotic manner, how dare I entrust you with the command of the front lines and send you to fight against the Jurchen cavalry?"

He leaned down, his gaze sharp as a knife, and said, word by word, "Minister Xu, when you recruited soldiers in Henan, you were just picking some disaster victims, yet you managed to cause a riot and people died. You couldn't even control your own camp. When you get to the battlefield, do you expect your soldiers to fight with friendly forces?"

"And you, Li Qing."

Zhu Youxiao turned to look at the Marquis of Fengcheng, his tone even colder.

"The Yiwu miners are indeed brave, but on the way back you brought them back, you even allowed your men to plunder the people! With such military discipline, will they be protecting the country or causing chaos in the region when they reach the border?"

Every single one of their mistakes was laid bare by Zhu Youxiao without any mercy.

Xu Yingyuan and Li Chengzuo trembled as they listened, cold sweat instantly soaking through their python robes, trickling down their backs and even wetting a small patch of the floor tiles.

They were then shocked to realize that His Majesty was fully aware of the sordid things they had done during their recruitment of soldiers!
Those oversights they thought they could cover up had already been reported to the emperor in their entirety.

"Your Majesty... Your Majesty deserves to die!"

The two dared not utter a single complaint, only bone-chilling fear remained. Their heads were pressed tightly against the ground, and even their breathing trembled.

Seeing their terrified expressions, Zhu Youxiao slowly straightened up: "Considering that you didn't embezzle military pay and did contribute some effort, I've given you these rewards. If you're still not satisfied, do you really think I wouldn't dare punish you?"

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness!"

Now, the two of them completely behaved themselves.

Not only did they not ask for official positions, they were even worried about whether they could keep their lives.

Seeing that the two were so sensible, Zhu Youxiao breathed a sigh of relief, and his tense expression gradually relaxed.

"It's not that I won't give you a chance. If you really want to lead troops, you have to show me your true abilities. Here's what we'll do: if you two are interested in commanding troops, go to the capital garrison for training and start from the very basics. When I can see your progress, then I'll give you the task of leading troops."

He knew in his heart that by the end of the dynasty, truly useful nobles were already extremely rare.

Although Xu Yingyuan and Li Chengzuo are of average ability, they at least know how to be respectful and are willing to work hard. If they can be honed in the Beijing garrison, they may not be useless.

These words were like a shot of adrenaline, instantly penetrating their hearts.

The shame and fear from being reprimanded vanished, replaced by a burning fighting spirit.

They looked up abruptly, their eyes gleaming: If Marquis Dingyuan Deng Shaoyu could do it, why couldn't they?
"We thank Your Majesty for your guidance! We are willing to go to the capital garrison to study and will certainly live up to Your Majesty's expectations!" the two replied in unison.

"it is good."

Upon seeing this, Zhu Youxiao smiled faintly.

"I will temporarily appoint you as supervisors of the Beijing Garrison. Although you will not have the direct authority to command troops, you will be able to observe drills and study military law. Study hard."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

After the two men left, full of ambition, Zhu Youxiao stood alone in the warm pavilion, gazing out the window.

The sun had risen high in the sky, its golden light bathing the courtyard and casting a deep, unfathomable glow in his eyes.

The newly recruited 30,000 soldiers have all arrived. This is his personal guard, which he personally built and is the trump card to balance the various forces in the future. If he cannot keep it firmly in his own hands, wouldn't all his efforts be in vain?
It seems it's time to make a trip to the Fengtai camp, to see for myself the quality of these new recruits, and to let them recognize their master.

ps:
Update with 12,000 words!

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