Jingtai: Making the Ming Dynasty Great Again

Chapter 127 Opening Ceremony

Zhu Qiyu continued, "The instructors' compensation should be increased."

The resident instructors, in addition to their salary, received an extra twenty shi of rice and two bolts of silk each year.

The rotating instructors receive a daily stipend during their lectures, calculated on a daily basis, so they feel that coming to Beijing to give lectures is worthwhile.

Yu Qian said, "Your Majesty treats the instructors well, and the instructors will certainly do their utmost."

Zhu Qiyu said, "The placement of students after graduation needs to be clarified further."

After thinking about it, I realized that I couldn't just promote him by one level.

There needs to be a performance evaluation standard.

Yu Qian nodded: "Your Majesty is absolutely right."

"Also, outstanding students do not all have to return to their original garrison upon graduation."

They can be assigned to different places based on their grades and special skills.

The types of generals needed vary from place to place.

For example, some soldiers came from the north, but they were skilled in naval warfare; keeping them in the north would be a waste.

"Yes, Your Majesty, I will discuss this further with the other ministers."

Zhu Qiyu nodded: "These are the main points. After you've made the changes, send them to the various border towns and garrisons as soon as possible."

Let them know that the imperial court is going to establish a military academy.

Yu Qian hesitated for a moment before asking, "Your Majesty, what about the Gongde Temple—"

Zhu Qiyu said, "I have already instructed Xing'an to handle it."

All the monks of Gongde Temple were moved to Longen Temple in the west of the city, where the place was larger and the incense was more popular.

After the Gongde Temple was vacated, the Ministry of Works sent people to repair it, demolishing what needed to be demolished and building what needed to be built.

We aim to complete the project within three months.

Yu Qian replied, "I have noted it down."

Zhu Qiyu then asked, "How many students do you plan to recruit for the first batch?"

Yu Qian said, "My initial estimate is that we can recruit five hundred people."

Three hundred people were selected from the Beijing Garrison, and one hundred people were selected from various border towns.

The remaining one hundred spots will be reserved for candidates recommended by the sons of Xun Gui and the generals of various garrisons.

There wasn't enough time for this year's martial arts examination, so recruitment will begin next year.

Zhu Qiyu nodded: "Five hundred people, that's about right. Where are the instructors?"

Yu Qian said, "I propose to invite ten permanent instructors."

Five of them were experienced generals selected from the Beijing Garrison, including General Shi.

The five civil officials were personally selected by me.

I have already sent letters to Yang Hong, Guo Deng, and others regarding the rotating instructors.

"Regarding the specially appointed instructors, I have already discussed it with the Ministry of Works, the Ministry of Revenue, and the Imperial Observatory; they will all send representatives."

Zhu Qiyu smiled with satisfaction: "Good, good. I trust Junior Protector Yu with his work."

"By the way, I plan to personally teach the first lesson to the first batch of students."

Yu Qian was taken aback, then said, "Your Majesty's personal presence will surely benefit me for life."

Zhu Qiyu waved his hand: "Whether they benefit or not is another matter. I just want them to know that the emperor values ​​this matter."

The two discussed for another half an hour before Yu Qian took his leave.

In the days that followed, Zhu Qiyu remained busy.

In Gansu, Fan Guang's reorganization of the rear guard post after taking over as general is underway.

Wu Ning's memorials came one after another, reporting on the progress of the investigation into the military farms.

According to his statistics, in the five garrisons of Gansu alone, more than 30,000 mu of farmland that had been seized were recovered, and more than 20,000 taels of embezzled military pay were recovered.

Zhu Qiyu was delighted upon seeing this and issued an imperial edict to commend Fan Guang, Wu Ning, Cheng Jing, Shen Yi, and others.

He ordered them to use the recovered money and grain to recruit soldiers.

In Datong, Nian Fu and Guo Deng investigated and punished seven commanders and more than a dozen chiliarchs in one go.

Wang Lin was sentenced to immediate execution, his property was confiscated, and his family members were exiled.

Other officers who voluntarily confessed were given lenient treatment.

After they paid back the embezzled funds, most of them were only demoted.

Even so, morale in Datong Town was once low.

However, Nian Fu was incorruptible and impartial, and Guo Deng effectively suppressed the situation, which quickly stabilized.

In Xuanfu, after Yang Yue took the lead in admitting his mistake, the other officers followed suit.

Yang Hong personally oversaw the investigation and dealt with the matter rigorously. Within half a month, more than 20,000 mu of farmland were recovered, and more than 10,000 taels of unpaid military pay were recovered.

Yang Hong submitted a memorial to the emperor to apologize, saying that he had failed to properly educate his nephew.

Zhu Qiyu replied: "You have rendered meritorious service in guarding the border, and your nephew's mistake is not your fault."

I hope you will continue to work diligently to rectify the situation and not disappoint my expectations.

Three months later, Zhu Qizhen's mausoleum was completed, and his coffin was officially sent to Tianshou Mountain.

A few days later, the renovation project of Gongde Temple was completed.

On the tenth day of the seventh lunar month, the list of the first batch of students was officially announced.

Five hundred names were written on a huge yellow silk banner and posted outside Chengtian Gate.

The crowd of onlookers was packed in layers.

There were onlookers, soldiers searching for their names, and officers from various garrisons gathering information.

A young soldier in his early twenties squeezed to the front of the crowd, his eyes wide as he searched the list.

His name was Zhang Yong, and he was a junior officer in the Jinwu Left Guard.

During the defense of Beijing last year, he followed Wang Qi to defend Xizhimen and personally killed two Oirat soldiers. He was promoted to a junior flag for his meritorious service after the battle.

When the military academy was recruiting students, the Left Guard of the Imperial Guard recommended him to participate in the selection.

After searching for a long time, Zhang Yong finally found his name on the very bottom line.

"I won! I won!"

He jumped up excitedly and hugged his companion tightly.

His companion, who had come with him, was also a soldier of the Left Guard of the Imperial Guard, named Liu Neng.

Liu Neng wasn't so lucky; he searched for a long time but couldn't find his own name.

He was feeling down when Zhang Yong hugged him and he almost fell over.

Liu Neng pushed him away and said irritably, "You won, but I haven't won yet!"

Zhang Yong then realized what was happening and awkwardly let go of his hand, saying, "I'm so sorry, I was just too happy."

Liu Neng sighed: "Forget it, you're lucky. Go on, study hard, and don't forget your brother when you make it big in the future."

Zhang Yong nodded repeatedly: "Definitely, definitely."

Seven days later, the military academy officially opened.

Before dawn that day, five hundred students gathered at the training ground.

A high platform was erected in the center of the training ground.

Zhu Qiyu, Yu Qian, and others were standing in the audience.

This was at Zhu Qiyu's insistence: the opening ceremony!

At precisely the hour of Chen (7-9 AM), Xing'an loudly proclaimed, "The opening ceremony of the Military Academy begins!"

Five hundred students knelt down in unison, shouting "Long live the Emperor!"

Zhu Qiyu walked up to the high platform and looked at the young faces below, feeling a mix of emotions.

He cleared his throat and said, "I'm here today to give you your first lesson."

The audience was silent.

Zhu Qiyu continued, "Do you know why I established this Military Academy?"

No one answered.

Zhu Qiyu answered himself: "Because our Ming Dynasty lost the Battle of Tumu last year."

Two hundred thousand troops were defeated by the Oirat people.

When I heard this news in the capital, I had only one thought in my mind.

How did our Ming army end up like this?

It was only after the Ministry of War reported this that the rear guard found out.

Most of those 200,000 people were temporarily assembled.

Many people don't even know how to use a rifle.

Even worse, some generals didn't even know where their soldiers were.

The soldiers didn't even know who their commander was.

Why is this happening?

Because our generals are ignorant and incompetent!

They inherited their official positions, lived in luxury from childhood, had never fought a war, and had never read military books.

How do they lead troops?

All they do is shout "Charge! Kill!"

After shouting, he ran off first!

Someone in the audience couldn't help but laugh out loud, but quickly realized it was inappropriate and held it in.

Zhu Qiyu was not angry. Instead, he nodded and said, "You are laughing because you think I am exaggerating."

But I tell you, this is not an exaggeration at all.

I have personally seen such a general, right here in Beijing.

Therefore, the reason I established this military academy is to tell you this.

From now on, if you want to become a general, you'll have to rely on your own abilities!

You are standing here today because you are capable, because you have passed the test.

I hope it will be a year later, or two years later.

When you leave here, you will be even more capable, truly able to lead troops into battle!

A thunderous roar erupted from the audience: "Long live the Emperor! Long live the Ming Dynasty!"

After the commotion subsided, Zhu Qiyu continued, "I have come today to set some rules for you."

First, respect teachers and value their teachings.

The instructors will teach you things; you must learn them diligently.

Anyone who dares to talk back to or bully the instructors will not be spared by me!

Especially those civil servant instructors, they deserve even more respect!

Second, unity and friendship.

You come from all over the country, some from the Beijing Garrison, some from border towns.

There were ordinary people as well as sons of noble families.

But once you're in the military academy, you'll be classmates, you'll be brothers.

Anyone who dares to form cliques or bully the weak will not be spared by me!

Third, study hard.

I have hired the best instructors for you and arranged the best courses for you.

If you slack off, cheat, or just coast along, I will be even less forgiving!

After saying that, Zhu Qiyu looked at Yu Qian and said, "Young Master Yu, the rest is up to you."

Yu Qian stepped onto the high platform: "Gentlemen, from today onwards, you are the first batch of students of the Military Academy."

Your courses are divided into six basic courses: military strategy, geography, firearms, camp formations, horsemanship, and swordsmanship.

An assessment is conducted every ten days, and those who fail the assessment must retake it.

Those who fail the make-up exam will be expelled.

"Three months later, subject-specific exams will be held."

Those with outstanding grades can continue their studies in specialized classes such as cavalry, infantry, and firearms.

Those with average grades will continue studying basic courses.

"Six months later, I will begin my internship."

You will be assigned to various garrisons of the Beijing Garrison, serving as deputies to junior officers and participating in actual drills.

At the end of your internship, the commanding officer of your unit will write your evaluation.

"Graduation exams will be held a year later."

Those who pass the exam will be awarded a graduation certificate and will be assigned to a military post by the imperial court.

Those who fail the exam will not graduate and will be returned to their original garrison to continue their military service.

"Did you all understand?"

Five hundred people responded in unison, "Understood!"

Yu Qian nodded in satisfaction and turned to look at Zhu Qiyu.

Zhu Qiyu laughed and said, "Your Excellency Yu explained it more clearly than I did."

Alright, I won't say any more.

I wish you all success in your studies and that you will become pillars of our Great Ming Dynasty in the future!

Zhu Qiyu did not leave immediately after the opening ceremony.

Instead, accompanied by Yu Qian, they visited the classrooms and dormitories of the Military Academy.

Zhu Qiyu suddenly asked, "Young Master Yu, you should pay close attention and nurture any promising talents."

Yu Qian bowed and said, "Your subject obeys the decree."

The two walked and talked, and before they knew it, they had returned to the edge of the training ground.

Five hundred students are practicing in formation on the field.

Zhu Qiyu watched for a while and then suddenly said, "Young Master Yu, what if we could train five hundred students like this every year?"

What will the army of my Great Ming Dynasty look like ten years from now?

Yu Qian thought for a moment and said, "Ten years from now, there will be a group of generals in our Ming army who truly understand military strategy and know how to lead troops."

Even if we suffer another defeat, it won't be a complete rout.

Zhu Qiyu nodded, then shook his head: "It's not that we won't suffer a complete defeat."

What I want is for the army of my Great Ming to be invincible throughout the world.

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