Jingtai: Making the Ming Dynasty Great Again

The reform plan proposed in this memorial was actually the initial version of the regimental system:

The existing three battalions were abolished and reorganized into ten battalions, each with 10,000 men, and each battalion was headed by a governor and two commanders.

The camp was divided into ten outposts, each with a battalion commander, and each outpost was further divided into ten squads, each with a captain.

Officers at all levels are required to reside in the camps regularly, training and living alongside the soldiers, so that officers and soldiers can become acquainted.

Yu Qian also emphasized the elevated status of the Shenji Battalion.

The memorial clearly outlined the procedure for coordinating firearms with infantry and cavalry in combat: "When facing the enemy, the Shenji Battalion should fire their muskets and cannons first to thwart the enemy's vanguard."

Once the enemy formation is in disarray, the infantry will charge and break through, while the cavalry will flank them from both sides, cutting off their retreat.

In addition, there were strict provisions for rectifying military discipline: investigating vacancies in each battalion and recovering embezzled military funds.

Military officers who receive salaries without working will be severely punished, regardless of whether they are sons of high-ranking officials or not; they will all be dealt with according to the law.

Implement a monthly performance evaluation system; those who fail to perform well in training will be demoted, while those who excel will be promoted.

……

Zhu Qiyu put down the memorial and sincerely praised, "Minister Yu is indeed insightful and far-sighted. However, I have a few questions I would like to discuss with you."

"Your Highness, please speak."

"Who commands these ten battalions of local militia? Is it the Ministry of War, or the Five Military Commissions?"

Yu Qian had clearly thought about this beforehand: "According to the ancestral system, the Ministry of War has the power to mobilize troops, and the Military Governor's Office has the power to command troops."

However, the Ming army had just suffered a defeat, and almost all of the senior generals of the Military Governor's Office had been lost, making it difficult to recover in the short term.

Your subject believes that the Ministry of War should temporarily take direct control of the training and garrisoning of regiments and battalions.

The ownership will be discussed after the war is over.

Zhu Qiyu shook his head: "This is inappropriate."

The Ministry of War was a civil office responsible for the selection, appointment, and training of military officers throughout the country; this was its inherent duty.

However, if they directly command troops, over time it may lead to a situation where civil officials control the military.

The Song Dynasty serves as a cautionary tale.

Our dynasty's ancestral system separated civil and military affairs, precisely for the purpose of mutual checks and balances.

If the Ministry of War holds both the power to mobilize troops and the actual authority to command them, who will be able to control it in the future?

Yu Qian frowned in thought: "Your Highness's concerns are very valid, but currently the Governor's Office has no one capable..."

Zhu Qiyu said, "The lack of available personnel is only temporary; we can train them."

The meaning of "孤" is that the regiment still has military positions such as commander-in-chief and commander.

The selection and appointment of these officers were assessed and recommended by the Ministry of War, but the final approval authority rested with the Emperor.

Daily training and garrison duties were the responsibility of the battalion commanders, with the Ministry of War still sending personnel to supervise and coordinate, but not to directly command.

In addition, I also want to establish the position of Commander-in-Chief of the Beijing Garrison, who will be in charge of the training of ten battalions.

This position is not permanent; during wartime, it is filled by a specially appointed senior official selected by the emperor, and it is abolished after the war.

This approach allows for centralized control to address crises without creating a situation where the problem becomes too powerful to handle.

Yu Qian: "The selection of the Commander-in-Chief of the Beijing Garrison..."

Zhu Qiyu smiled slightly: "Naturally, none other than the Minister is more suitable."

However, this matter is not urgent; I will issue a formal decree after I ascend the throne.

The most urgent task at hand is to reorganize the troops mobilized from various regions into an army and form combat capability.

"Your subject understands."

Zhu Qiyu continued, "There is also training. The newly formed regiments and battalions need to undergo centralized training, with a unified drill manual."

Furthermore, when new recruits enter the camp, they should not be rushed into being taught combat formations; they should start with the basics.

Every morning, they first practice marching in formation to familiarize themselves with the commands.

Further physical training included running, lifting weights, and obstacle courses.

In the afternoon, they practiced weapons, including swords, spears, bows, crossbows, and muskets; each battalion was required to specialize in one.

Infantrymen trained in formations, swords, spears, and crossbows; cavalrymen trained in mounted archery and charging; and firearms soldiers specialized in artillery and gunnery.

A small competition is held every ten days, and a major review is conducted monthly. Winners are rewarded, and those who slack off are punished.

Yu Qian looked at Zhu Qiyu in surprise: "Your Highness is so proficient in the methods of training troops?"

Zhu Qiyu did not answer, but chuckled inwardly, for these were merely the basic contents of military training in later generations.

"I intend to implement the instructor system in the regiment."

Each battalion has several training officers who do not hold military power but are responsible for preaching loyalty and righteousness, boosting morale, and supervising military discipline.

The instructors were selected from young officials by the Hanlin Academy and reported directly to the Ministry of War.

Upon hearing this, Yu Qian's expression became complicated: "Your Highness, the establishment of instructors may raise suspicions of military supervision."

Although the dynasty had military supervisors, they were mostly eunuchs, which was often criticized.

If civil officials are employed, military generals may become resentful.

Zhu Qiyu shook his head and said, "This instructor is not the same as the military supervisor."

They do not interfere with combat command; their only responsibility is to make the soldiers understand who they are fighting for and why they are fighting.

"For Minister Yu, an army that doesn't know why it's fighting, even if well-equipped, is nothing more than a rabble."

The so-called instructors were actually political commissars in later generations.

With so many ready-made examples, Zhu Qiyu has no reason not to use them.

However, we cannot use them all at once; we must proceed step by step.

After pondering for a long time, Yu Qian slowly nodded: "Your Highness is insightful and far-sighted. However, this matter needs to be implemented cautiously. We should first select one or two battalions to try it out and observe its effects."

"Alright." Zhu Qiyu agreed. "You will handle this matter. The training officer is currently attached to the Ministry of War."

We'll see if it differentiates after we see results.

Yu Qian rose and bowed solemnly: "Your Majesty, I accept your decree. However, the training of the troops will take time, and the Oirat army will arrive soon."

Your servant suggests that the existing army be reorganized into three battalions, each with 20,000 men, to meet the urgent needs.

The ten-camp system will be reinstated after the war.

Zhu Qiyu nodded: "Of course, do you have suitable candidates for the command of these three battalions?"

Yu Qian: "Although Shi Heng has made mistakes, he is brave and good at fighting, and can lead a battalion."

Sun Tang, the Vice Commander-in-Chief, is calm and capable, and can lead a battalion.

As for the other camp, I recommend Fan Guang.

This man was originally a commander in Liaodong, but was demoted for offending his superior and is now living in seclusion in the capital.

"Upon reviewing his resume, I found that he had repeatedly defeated the Uriyangkhai tribe, truly a capable general."

Zhu Qiyu remembered the name Fan Guang.

He performed exceptionally well in the historical defense of Beijing.

He later became an important supporter of Yu Qian, and was eventually killed along with Yu Qian after the Tumu Crisis.

As for Shi Heng, he is capable, but he is dishonest.

However, the problem for the Ming Dynasty now is a lack of talent.

The entire court, from top to bottom, was full of old fogies.

Zhu Qiyu remembered that several second-rank officials had resigned several times, but they were still serving in the court.

Zhu Qiyu then made the decision: "Alright, these three will be appointed as commanders of the camp. You shall immediately begin the reorganization. I hope to see your oath-taking ceremony after the enthronement ceremony."

"I will do my utmost."

Zhu Qiyu got up to leave, but then remembered something: "Minister Yu, the troops in the Tuanying camp should have a new look."

Gu Yi designed new banners and uniforms for them to distinguish them from the old army.

You can discuss this matter with the Ministry of Works.

A look of surprise flashed in Yu Qian's eyes, then he bowed and said, "As you command."

Zhu Qiyu nodded and stepped out of the Ministry of War.

Sitting in the carriage on his way back to his residence, Zhu Qiyu closed his eyes and fell into deep thought.

The regimental and battalion system must be implemented; it is the only way to quickly rebuild the combat strength of the Beijing army.

However, how to prevent military power from falling entirely into the hands of the civil service is a problem he must face.

The proposed "Captain of the Beijing Garrison" system is merely a stopgap measure.

In the future, a special agency under the emperor's control will need to be established to control military power.