Jingtai: Making the Ming Dynasty Great Again

In April of the first year of the Jingtai reign, in Datong.

General Guo Deng stood on the city wall with a furrowed brow.

He has been in Datong for almost a year.

Last July, Guo Deng, in his capacity as Vice Commander-in-Chief, escorted Zhu Qizhen to Datong.

After arriving in Datong, he was promoted to the rank of Assistant General and assisted Commander-in-Chief Liu An in guarding Datong.

Soon after, they caught up with the Oirat invasion of the south.

Liu An was subsequently detained in Beijing, and Zhu Qiyu promoted him to the position of Commander-in-Chief of Datong.

Then, after the Battle of Beijing, they took the initiative to launch an attack.

Together with Yang Hong and Shi Heng, they pursued Esen at Zijing Pass, killing countless enemies and greatly boosting the morale of their army.

But at this moment, his concern was not about fighting, but about reorganization.

The imperial decree was issued half a month ago.

Datong Town is going to reorganize its garrison.

Investigate and clean up military farms, count the number of soldiers, and rectify military discipline.

All illegally occupied farmland must be recovered.

All officers who are accused of receiving positions without actually working must be severely punished.

All deserted military households are required to return to their posts within a specified period.

Guo Deng was not fully aware of these circumstances either.

Therefore, after receiving the imperial decree, he did not take immediate action, but instead sent people to find out the details first.

The result surprised him greatly.

The Datong garrison had a nominal strength of over 48,000 soldiers, but the actual number of registered soldiers was less than 28,000.

There were 20,000 vacancies, and tens of thousands of taels of silver were wasted on salaries each year.

According to the regulations for the nine border towns, there should be enough cultivated land to support this army of 48,000 people.

During the Hongwu and Yongle reigns, Datong reclaimed no less than two million mu of land for military farming.

However, less than one-third of the land is actually registered today.

Those hundreds of thousands of acres were mostly occupied by military officers at various levels.

The remaining land was either seized by powerful local magnates or abandoned by fleeing military households.

The key issue is that these officers who embezzled farmland and stole positions were almost everywhere in the Fourteen Guards of Datong.

From the commanders down to the centurions, seven or eight out of ten are dishonest.

If we really want to investigate, half of the officers in Datong would have to be arrested.

Guo Deng wasn't afraid of offending people.

He spent half his life on the battlefield; what kind of situation hadn't he seen?

His concern was that if action were taken, morale within the army would waver.

If the Oirat Mongols were to take advantage of the situation and launch an attack, the consequences would be unimaginable.

But since the imperial decree was issued by the emperor, he had no choice but to comply.

Just then, footsteps sounded behind me.

Deputy Commander Sun An walked up to the city wall, cupped his hands, and said, "General Guo, Governor Nian has arrived and is waiting for you at the General's Mansion."

Guo Deng nodded: "I understand, I'll go right away."

Nian Fu, courtesy name Dayou, was a native of Huaiyuan, Fengyang.

His original surname was Yan, but when he registered his household registration, he was registered as "Nian" because of his accent.

This man was upright and incorruptible, and was known for his courage and decisiveness when he served as an official in the local government.

Last November, Zhu Qiyu promoted him to Left Vice Censor-in-Chief and appointed him Governor of Datong.

Guo Deng had worked with him for several months and knew his temperament well: he valued reason over people and law over sentiment.

When Guo Deng returned to the General's Mansion, Nian Fu was already waiting in the hall.

Upon seeing Guo Deng enter, Nian Fu stood up and bowed: "General Guo, have you considered the matter of the imperial decree?"

Guo Deng said with a wry smile, "Lord Nian, can't you give me a break?"

Nian Fu said solemnly, "General Guo, this matter is of great importance and cannot be delayed."

His Majesty and Junior Protector Yu are watching closely; if we mess this up, we won't be able to explain ourselves."

Guo Deng nodded: "I know. Lord Nian, you've been in Datong for quite some time now. Tell me, where do we begin?"

Nian Fu said, "Start with the toughest bone."

Guo Deng raised an eyebrow: "The toughest nut to crack? Who?"

Nian Fu said: "Wang Lin, commander of the Datong Vanguard."

Wang Lin, a hereditary commander, had been operating in the Datong Vanguard for over twenty years.

According to Guo Deng, Wang Lin alone seized more than 800 mu of farmland.

This is only what has been verified; it is said that the amount of land actually controlled by his family is far more than this.

In addition, he also embezzled more than fifty people's allowances.

They opened three shops in the city, specializing in selling military supplies that had been taken from the garrison.

This person has a powerful background and has connections with many nobles in the capital.

All the governors and generals who had served under him had no way to deal with him.

Guo Deng paused for a moment and then said, "Lord Nian, do you know who Wang Lin is?"

Nian Fu said, "I know. He was a descendant of Yuanxun of the Jingnan Campaign. His father fought alongside Emperor Taizong and made meritorious contributions."

He had been deeply entrenched in Datong for over twenty years, with relatives and cronies spread throughout the Fourteen Guards.

"Touching him is like stirring up a hornet's nest."

Guo Deng looked at him: "So you still want to harm him?"

Nian Fu said frankly, "It's precisely because he's the toughest nut to crack that we have to tackle him first."

After Wang Lin was investigated and punished, others knew that the imperial court was serious and dared not harbor any more illusions.

If we pick on the weak first, those tough nuts will only think the court won't dare touch them, and they'll become even more reckless.

Guo Deng suddenly laughed: "Lord Nian, I like your temper."

Okay, let's start with Wang Lin.

However, this matter is of great importance and requires solid evidence.

Nian Fu took a booklet from his sleeve and placed it on the table: "Here is the evidence."

Guo Deng took the booklet and opened it.

The document contained a densely packed list of Wang Lin's family's land holdings, shops, and trusted associates.

There were also testimonies and signatures from more than a dozen tenant farmers and soldiers.

He looked up at Nian Fu: "Lord Nian, when did you start this investigation?"

Nian Fu said, "The investigation began a month ago. How could I dare to speak recklessly without evidence?"

Guo Deng closed the booklet: "Alright, let's get started. Someone, summon Wang Lin to the General's Mansion for a meeting!"

Half an hour later, Wang Lin swaggered into the general's mansion.

This man was burly, with a fierce face, and walked with a powerful stride.

Upon entering the residence, he found Guo Deng and Nian Fu both present. He cupped his hands and said, "General Guo, Governor Nian, what business do you have with me?"

Guo Deng cut to the chase: "Commander Wang, you must have received the imperial decree, right? Investigate the military farms and take stock of the troop numbers."

Wang Lin nodded: "Received, I am preparing, and will send the account books over in a few days."

Nian Fu said calmly, "No need to prepare. I have a booklet here; Commander Wang, please take a look first."

He pushed the booklet in front of Wang Lin.

Wang Lin took the booklet and opened it, his expression gradually changing.

He abruptly looked up and glared at Nian Fu: "Governor Nian, what do you mean by this? This is slander! This is a frame-up!"

Unmoved by the old man's words: "Commander Wang, there are witnesses for every entry in this booklet."

Do you own those 800 mu of fertile land outside the east city of Datong Qianwei?

How many of the fifty-odd soldiers listed on the signboard are actually in the camp?

Should I go to your shops right now and check where those military supplies came from?

Wang Lin's face turned pale and then red, and he suddenly stood up: "Nian Fu! Stop spouting nonsense!"

"I've lived in Datong for over twenty years, I've earned merit and shed blood. Who do you think you are, daring to investigate me?"

Guo Deng slammed his hand on the table and said sternly, "Wang Lin! How dare you! Governor Nian is an official appointed by the imperial court."

"I am here on imperial orders to investigate. Who do you think you are, daring to insult an imperial envoy?"

Wang Lin's arrogance subsided slightly after Guo Deng's shout, but his eyes were still full of resentment: "General Guo, are you trying to mess with me?"

Don't forget, I have connections in Beijing too!

Don't think you can control everything!