Emperor Ming: Your Majesty, you have caused me so much suffering.

The next day, as dawn broke and the morning light pierced through the fog, it bathed the training ground in its glow.

The vast training ground stretched as far as the eye could see, its flat, hard loess ground extending to the sides due to the large number of soldiers, reaching all the way to the east and west walls of the capital.

Banners stood tall on all sides, fluttering in the wind. The dragon flag stood high, with a five-clawed golden dragon woven with gold thread stretching and coiling in the morning breeze. Sunlight fell on the flag, making it shine brightly and exuding majesty. The sound of the wind was like the low murmur of dragons and tigers, resounding throughout the land.

On both sides of the imperial road, civil and military officials stood in order of rank. All the ministers of the Six Ministries and the Nine Ministers, the censors and officials of the Censorate, and the dukes, marquises and earls in the capital were present. Except for those who were too sick to move, no one dared to be absent.

The crowd looked solemn, their eyes fixed intently on the center of the drill ground, awaiting Zhu Qiyu's inspection and the oath-taking ceremony for the three armies.

Unlike the last time when Zhu Qiyu met with the loyalist army to boost their morale, this time Zhu Qiyu was going to personally send these soldiers into battle. Of these more than 200,000 soldiers, how many would survive?

No one dared to think about it, nor did they want to, but the moment they stepped onto the battlefield, they had probably already forgotten about life and death.

In the training ground, the "elite" battalions of the Twelve Regiments were arranged in neat square formations, stretching for ten miles without end.

Suddenly, the drums and music began!

The powerful and resonant military music resounded, with drums and gongs beating and bugles blaring.

The deep drumbeats, like thunderclaps, resounded in layers, instantly filling the soldiers with solemnity and reverence.

At the end of the imperial road, the Imperial Guards cleared the way, and Zhu Qiyu, clad in armor and riding a white horse, slowly approached.

Upon reaching the center of the training ground, Zhu Qiyu refused Lu Zhong's offer to act as a dismounting mat and, without needing a stool, dismounted directly, displaying remarkable agility, and stepped onto the high platform.

As the drums and music gradually subsided, Zhu Qiyu's eyes, sharp as torches, swept across the ten-mile-long camp. Wherever his gaze fell, the three armies were utterly silent.

At Zhu Qiyu's signal, Xing'an stood solemnly before the platform and loudly proclaimed the imperial decree: "His Majesty has personally inspected the twelve battalions! All generals, listen to my command—report your formations in turn and present your military bearing!"

As soon as the words were spoken, the messenger rushed off, relaying the order down through the ranks, so that the commanders of each battalion could take command on the battlefield.

Before long, the drums thundered again on the drill ground, and the horns sounded in unison!

The twelve battalions took turns practicing their formations, advancing and retreating with perfect discipline. The ten-mile-long continuous camp moved in unison, showing no trace of the panicked state of the loyalist army that entered the capital that day. Their imposing presence stirred the hearts and minds of the officials, making their blood boil. This was the reorganized Ming army, an iron shield protecting the capital and safeguarding the people!

Zhu Qiyu, standing on the high platform, was slightly surprised to see this. Yu Qian and Shi Heng were truly skilled at training troops. Such military bearing surprised Zhu Qiyu but also put him at ease. What dynasty is without talent? It's just that some talents are left unused!

The Ming Dynasty was not lacking in talent; the times can create heroes.

The Ming Dynasty is poised to rebuild an elite army in the near future!

After the drill was completed, the entire army returned to their positions as ordered, standing at attention once more, as still as water.

Just as everyone was filled with excitement, Zhu Qiyu waved his hand, and the musicians changed the tune.

The Imperial Guards stepped forward, lined up in a row at the front of the formation, and with their voices booming and veins bulging, they sang in layers, their deep voices sweeping across the capital.

This is a collection of elegant rhymes composed by Shang Lu and Peng Shixin at the behest of Zhu Qiyu.

"A jade plate, a jade plate, suspended in the sky."

The clear moonlight shines over ten thousand miles, illuminating my homeland.

A lone wild goose flies across the autumn landscape, heading towards Longshang.

The long wind blows fiercely, protecting the eight directions.

Jingguan (a mound of stones), a symbol of power and awe.

Banners fluttered in the wind, to pacify the barbarians and Qiang.

The road to Loulan is long and the sea of ​​smoke is vast.

Unwavering in our resolve to conquer, we will defend our borders to the death!

Upon hearing the song, the soldiers were deeply moved by its chilling and menacing tone. As the song ended, someone, seemingly leading the charge, began to shout at the top of their lungs.

"A mound of skulls, a mound of skulls, to awe all!"

The fighting spirit in the hearts of the soldiers was instantly ignited. The shouts of dozens, tens of thousands, and even hundreds of thousands of people resounded through the heavens and the earth. Some timid people in the city were so frightened by the "jingguan" that they hurriedly closed their doors and hid behind them, panting heavily. This momentum was probably going to shake the heavens and the earth.

Jingguan (a mound of corpses) has reappeared; it's either you die or I die!

The lingering sound echoed between heaven and earth for a long time, lasting for a full quarter of an hour, before the messenger received the order to calm down this agitated emotion.

Zhu Qiyu stood facing the wind, gazing at the most beloved people of the Ming Dynasty, and said, "In the Tumu Crisis, the Beijing Garrison was destroyed, hundreds of officials died for their country, the Emperor Emeritus was trapped in the Northern Court, the barbarian cavalry marched south, approaching the capital, the ancestral temples were shaken, and the people were filled with fear. This is an unprecedented crisis since the founding of the Ming Dynasty!"

"The Oirat Mongols, carrying the Emperor, have invaded our territory and coveted our Central Plains. Today, I, the Emperor, and my army swear an oath: Not an inch of Ming territory will be lost, and the people of China will not be bullied! We will fight when the enemy comes, and punish when the invaders arrive! We will protect our land and defend our nation! The last four lines are to be relayed to all camps!"

The words landed with a resounding clang, and the messenger understood. After a moment of silence on the drill ground, the entire army responded with a thunderous roar. The soldiers shouted in unison, and the sound waves rose and fell, reaching the sky. Even Zhu Qiyu's high platform could feel a slight tremor.

"When the enemy comes, we fight! When the invaders arrive, we punish them! We protect our land! We defend our homeland!"

At this moment, Wang Zhi and other civil officials were also moved by the emotions and couldn't help but join in the shouting. They even rolled up their sleeves and clenched their fists to increase their momentum. Although their appearance was a bit comical, their hearts were full of sincerity and burning passion to protect their country!

As the shouts of the three armies gradually subsided, Zhu Qiyu looked sternly at the commanders of the twelve battalions standing solemnly below the stage.

Zhu Qiyu looked solemn and raised his hand to signal. His father-in-law, Wang Ying, and Lu Zhong drove out in a chariot, with twelve swords prominently displayed around it.

The sword's scabbard is jet black with gold trim and decorated with cloud and dragon patterns, gleaming brightly in the sunlight.

Upon seeing this, the officials exchanged bewildered glances, and even Yu Qian looked completely puzzled, wondering what Zhu Qiyu intended to do.

Zhu Qiyu personally took out one of the swords and said in a deep voice, "With the nation in peril and a powerful enemy pressing in, these twelve swords are all engraved with the military insignia of their respective battalions. I now bestow these swords upon the commanders of the twelve battalions. Once these swords are drawn, it will be as if I am personally present in battle!"

"Any soldier who is cowardly, avoids battle, or retreats in the face of the enemy shall be executed!"

"Anyone who embezzles military pay or engages in favoritism or fraud shall be executed!"

"Anyone who neglects defenses or allows the enemy to escape shall be executed!"

"Anyone who disrupts the morale of our army or undermines our military prestige shall be executed!"

"..."

"I hope you will all be devoted to your duties, sacrifice yourselves for the country, and live up to the emperor's favor and the people's expectations!"

Zhu Qiyu spoke each word with resounding force.

Upon hearing this, the commander of the 12th Battalion was overjoyed, a hint of fanaticism flashing in his eyes.

They were the first governors, and this sword held great significance for them. If they could defeat the Oirat Mongols, they would be men who had shed blood for the Ming Dynasty, and this sword could very well bring them titles.

The twelve men hastily saluted, their faces solemn, and shouted at the top of their lungs, "We are determined to defend the capital with our lives, and will not fail Your Majesty's trust!"

Yu Qian and Shi Heng couldn't help but feel a hint of envy, while also expressing their deep respect for Zhu Qiyu. Such a unique way of rallying the army was truly unexpected, as this man always managed to play an exceptional role at crucial moments.

Looking at the spirited emperor on the platform, Wang Zhi and the others truly felt for the first time that the court officials had not misjudged him this time.

"Commanders of each camp, return to your camps immediately! I will personally go to the front lines of each camp and present swords to all the generals!"

"Here you go!"

Despite being in full armor, Fan Guang and the others kowtowed repeatedly. This was the emperor himself, and how could they not be moved?

"Yu Qing, Shi Qing, come with me!"

"Yes!" Yu Qian and Shi Heng exchanged a glance, their understanding unspoken.

Zhu Qiyu boarded the chariot, and Yu Qian and Shi Heng followed on horseback.

The carriage slowly passed in front of the various military formations, receiving countless stares. For a moment, Zhu Qiyu was filled with excitement and almost blurted out those words.

Upon arriving at the Fenwu Camp, the command flag was waved, and the soldiers saluted. Zhu Qiyu dismounted from the chariot, and Yu Qian found the Fenwu Camp's exclusive sword. He and Shi Heng stood on either side of Zhu Qiyu, behind him.

"Commander Fan Guang of the Fenwu Camp, step forward!" Lu Zhong's voice rose several octaves.

Fan Guangzhi knelt down and kowtowed before Zhu Qiyu.

"The Emperor bestows a sword!"

Fan Guang raised his hands above his head, not daring to look directly at Zhu Qiyu.

Upon seeing this, Yu Qian presented his sword to Zhu Qiyu, who took it and placed it steadily into Fan Guang's hands.

Fan Guang's spirits lifted, and the sword in his hand felt as heavy as a thousand pounds.

"rise!"

Fan Guang bowed again, turned to face the many soldiers, raised his sword high above his head, and drew the sword. Fan Guang held the sword in one hand and the scabbard in the other, like a war god descending.

Cheers erupted from the Fenwu Battalion, the command flags were waved again, and the shouts of the soldiers rose once more, clearly the slogans of the Fenwu Battalion.

"Not an inch of land will be yielded; there will be no retreat! We will dedicate ourselves to our country, and die without regret!"

Zhu Qiyu boarded the chariot and looked at the flushed faces of the people. He felt that great things were about to happen. At this moment, the little fear he had of Esen had completely disappeared!

The chariot moved slowly, carrying twelve imperial swords, each representing a crucial responsibility to protect the nation.

Each time the sword was bestowed, it was a vow of unity between the ruler and his subjects, to face the national crisis together.

Each act of bowing is an expression of unwavering loyalty and a sincere vow to defend the country to the death.

Zhu Qiyu climbed the high platform again and looked north.

Esen, I am waiting for you!