Jingtai: Making the Ming Dynasty Great Again

October 9th, thirty li north of the border of Datong.

Esen reined in his horse and looked back at the Great Wall winding among the mountains to the south.

He had less than 40,000 soldiers left with him.

At Zijing Pass, Shi Heng's pursuit and Yang Hong and Guo Deng's ambush nearly wiped out his rear guard.

Of the 20,000 soldiers, less than 3,000 escaped.

Adding to the losses suffered at the hands of those who had previously besieged Beijing.

More than half of the 90,000-strong army that launched this southern expedition has been lost!

Bayan Temur died in battle.

Arachi-in broke his promise.

Tuotuo Buhua stood idly by; no, that fool had even made some shameful deal with the Ming Dynasty.

Batel's voice rang out: "Grand Tutor, Wild Fox Ridge is just ahead. Beyond the ridge lies our grassland."

Esen did not turn around; his gaze remained fixed on the south.

That place was the greatest shame of his life.

There also lay his most feared enemy.

The name Zhu Qiyu is now etched in his heart.

"Bater, what kind of person is this Zhu Qiyu?"

Batel paused for a moment, then whispered, "Grand Tutor, this man is unfathomable."

We, including that person from the Ming Dynasty, were all deceived by him.

His cowardice and incompetence in the first twenty years were probably all a facade.

Esen and others' understanding of Zhu Qiyu came almost entirely from the eunuchs captured during the Battle of Tumu.

In their eyes, Zhu Qiyu was just a person who only knew how to have fun.

He could barely attend court assemblies more than a few times a year.

Ye Xian smiled wryly: "If it's really an act, then this person is terrifying."

He recalled the figure in black armor atop Beijing's city walls.

Zhu Qiyu personally beat the drum and shot arrows at the boundary marker, displaying his resoluteness and bravery.

Is the Ming Dynasty about to produce another Yongle Emperor?

Batel asked cautiously, "Grand Tutor, what about... His Majesty?"

He was referring to Zhu Qizhen.

Esen then remembered the "Ming Emperor" whom he had been holding hostage all the way.

After the defeat in Beijing, Zhu Qizhen was placed in a simple carriage and guarded by fifty personal guards.

As they fled, Esen almost forgot about his existence.

Esen said, "Bring him here."

Before long, Zhu Qizhen was brought before Esen's horse.

More than a month of imprisonment had made the former emperor much thinner.

The apricot-yellow dragon robe was already tattered and worn, and her hair was disheveled and draped over her shoulders.

After being captured, Zhu Qizhen was kept under the care of Bayan Temur.

During that period, he lived a fairly good life, at least he had food and drink every day.

But he hadn't eaten meat for several days since Bayan Temur died in battle.

However, his eyes are much clearer now than before.

Perhaps it was because they had witnessed the bravery of the Ming army these past few days.

At this time, Zhu Qizhen also regained much of his arrogance.

Esen's tone was flat, revealing neither joy nor anger: "How has Your Majesty's journey been?"

Zhu Qizhen looked at Esen and asked, "Grand Tutor, are you going to kill me?"

Yesen shook his head: "No, you are still useful. I will send someone to take good care of you after we return to the grasslands."

You are the emperor of the Ming Dynasty; perhaps you can return in the future.

That's a very meaningful statement.

A glimmer of hope flashed in Zhu Qizhen's eyes, but it quickly faded: "Qiyu... won't let me go back."

He had already figured it out; his younger brother was far more complex than he appeared.

Putting himself in his shoes, he wouldn't allow "Zhu Qizhen" to return to court either.

He laughed first: "That's not up to him."

You are the rightful emperor, he is a usurper.

It remains to be seen who is righteous and who is wicked in the hearts of the Ming people.

Then he waved his hand and said, "Let's go, speed up, back to the grassland."

The army continued its northward march.

Zhu Qizhen was escorted back to the carriage.

He took one last look at the southern sky.

That was his capital, his palace, and his throne.

October 12, Beijing.

Before dawn, the area in front of the Imperial Ancestral Temple was already brightly lit.

Zhu Qiyu, dressed in a twelve-symbol imperial robe and wearing a twelve-tassel crown, walked slowly towards the main hall of the Imperial Ancestral Temple under the guidance of the ceremonial officials.

This was the first time he had formally come to the Imperial Ancestral Temple to offer sacrifices to his ancestors since ascending the throne.

Behind him, civil and military officials lined up on both sides, all dressed in court robes, their expressions solemn.

Incense and candles burned brightly inside the Imperial Ancestral Temple.

It enshrines the spirit tablets of the previous emperors, from Emperor Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang to Emperor Xuanzong Zhu Zhanji.

Zhu Qiyu knelt down before the ancestral tablet of the founding emperor and performed the grand ceremony of three kneelings and nine kowtows.

On the steps outside the palace, Hu Ying, the Minister of Rites, loudly recited the sacrificial text:

"October 12th, the fourteenth year of the Zhengtong reign."

Emperor Zhu Qiyu, the grandson of the emperor, dares to proclaim to Emperor Taizu Gao, Emperor Taizong Wen, Emperor Renzong Zhao, and Emperor Xuanzong Zhang:

Now the Oirat Mongols have rebelled and are besieging the capital.

Thanks to the protection of our ancestors and the bravery of our soldiers and the unity of the people, our ancestral temples were preserved and our people lived in peace.

Sun Yimiao succeeded to the throne, and in this time of crisis, he was constantly worried and vigilant.

Fortunately, Heaven smiled upon them, and the soldiers fought to the death, defeating the enemy beneath the city walls and driving the captives beyond the pass.

Today we have prepared sacrificial offerings to our ancestors to comfort their spirits in heaven.

May you accept this offering!

After the eulogy was read, Zhu Qiyu bowed and kowtowed once more.

The ritual lasted for an hour.

When Zhu Qiyu walked out of the Imperial Ancestral Temple, it was already broad daylight.

Cheng Jing stepped forward and whispered, "Your Majesty, the Fengtian Hall is ready, and all officials are awaiting the court."

Zhu Qiyu nodded: "Let's go."

Inside the Fengtian Hall, civil and military officials were lined up according to their ranks.

Zhu Qiyu ascended the throne and glanced down at the people below.

He saw many familiar faces: Yu Qian, Wang Zhi, Hu Ying, Chen Xun, Jiang Yuan...

We also saw many new faces: Shi Heng, Fan Guang, Sun Xiang, Han Qing...

Many mid- to low-ranking generals who had distinguished themselves in battle were also granted special permission to enter the court today and stand at the rear of the palace.

All the officials knelt down in unison, shouting, "Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

Zhu Qiyu raised his hand: "All of you, rise."

After the officials rose, Zhu Qiyu slowly began to speak: "Since the Oirat invasion, the Tumu Crisis has been nearly two months in the past."

All of you personally experienced and witnessed the hardships and dangers that followed.

Thanks to the protection of our ancestors and the bravery of our soldiers, we were able to preserve our country and drive away the powerful invaders.

Today, the emperor will hold a court assembly to reward those who have rendered meritorious service and to honor those who are loyal and brave.

The officials bowed and said, "Your Majesty is wise!"

Zhu Qiyu looked at Xing'an beside him: "Proclaim the imperial decree."

At the same time, all the officials knelt down again.

Xing'an bowed and accepted the order, then unfolded the first imperial edict: "By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:"

The most important matters of state are sacrifice and war.

Now the Oirat Mongols have rebelled and besieged the capital. Thanks to the soldiers' valiant efforts and the strategists' brilliant planning, we have finally defeated the powerful enemy and protected our ancestral temples.

If merits are not rewarded, how can we encourage good deeds?

The following is a special list of rewards for meritorious service.

For a moment, you could hear a pin drop in the main hall.

All attention was focused on the imperial edict being read aloud by Xing'an.

"Yu Qian, Minister of War, was in charge of the defense of the capital. He made great contributions by strategizing and deploying troops effectively."

Yu Qian was specially granted the title of Junior Guardian, while retaining his position in the Ministry of War. He was also bestowed with a python robe and jade belt, and his annual salary was doubled.

As the words "Junior Protector" were uttered from Xing'an's mouth.

Although the officials in the hall remained prostrate, many of them felt a slight tremor in their shoulders and backs.

Junior Guardian, one of the Three Orphans, a first-rank official.

This is no ordinary promotion.

In the third year of the Hongwu reign, Emperor Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang bestowed titles upon meritorious officials, establishing the three ranks of nobility: "Duke," "Marquis," and "Earl."

The three highest officials were also appointed as "Grand Tutor, Grand Preceptor, and Grand Protector".

The three junior masters, junior tutors, and junior guardians are the three most powerful officials.

The Three Dukes and Three Sovereigns were the highest honors for civil officials.

Since the founding of the Ming Dynasty, very few officials have been granted the title of "Three Dukes" during their lifetime.

Moreover, Zhu Yuanzhang once said: "No noble title shall be conferred without merit for the sake of the state and military achievements."

Therefore, for most civil officials, reaching the rank of Minister or Grand Secretary was already the pinnacle.

Those who were appointed to the Three Dukes and Three Sovereigns were all special figures like Yao Guangxiao of the Yongle era, who had the ability to devise strategies and make decisions.

Yu Qian, holding the position of Minister of War, was reduced to the rank of Junior Protector in a single battle, breaking the precedent set for decades.

Yu Qian stepped forward, knelt down, and expressed his gratitude: "Your subject is terrified. Defending the land and protecting the enemy is my duty, and I dare not claim credit for it."

Zhu Qiyu said gently, "Your Excellency Yu, there is no need to be so modest. You made the greatest contribution in the Battle of Beijing, which is evident to all."