Chapter 186: The Great Ming's Military Review

The pincer movement between the Great Ning Guard and Zhangwu had already taken shape. Chahar Khan still launched several probing attacks, but finding that he could not attend to both the head and the tail, he gradually began to abandon the offensive and once again sought to open border markets. He wanted no vassal title, only trade. The imperial court certainly could not agree to this; Chahar Khan was trying to have his cake and eat it too. To stop the bleeding, the Great Ming was even willing to sacrifice its dignity—what was called tribute trade was in reality annual tribute payments. Chahar Khan still stubbornly clung to the glory of his ancestors, the Golden Family.

Meanwhile, the Liaodong front had quieted down, but in the far south, a campaign to suppress bandits had begun again. This time, it was the civil unrest in the Luopang Mountains. The Great Ming had sent officials to offer amnesty three times in total: once it failed to materialize, once the negotiations collapsed, and once the official sent by the Great Ming was beheaded and displayed to the public. Governor Ling Yunyi directly mustered one hundred thousand troops and even invited Zhang Yuanxun back from Lu Song to the Liangguang region, intending to solve the problem once and for all.

This Yao uprising was a snapshot of the Great Ming's policy of replacing native offices with appointed officials, and it was also a Yao uprising that had been raging for nearly a hundred years.

For example, during the reign of Emperor Xianzong of Ming, the famous and militarily gifted eunuch Wang Zhi was captured by the Great Ming imperial army during the Yao uprising at Dateng Gorge. The Yao uprisings, starting from the Chenghua era, had continued until the Jiajing era. The imperial court had repeatedly suppressed and pacified them, and during the Jiajing era, they launched multiple campaigns in the fourth, tenth, and twelfth years.

This time, Governor Ling Yunyi directly mustered one hundred thousand troops to sweep the bandits from the Luopang Mountains, after which he would establish the Three Luo regions to thoroughly implement county-level management in the area, rather than the previous hereditary native official system.

This time, the killing of the Great Ming's amnesty envoy thoroughly enraged Governor Ling Yunyi. The cycle of amnesty and rebellion had lasted for over a hundred years, finally exhausting the last bit of patience of the Great Ming imperial court.

In Lu Song, the conflict with the Red-Haired Barbarians was also intensifying. The Great Ming wanted to force their opponents to leave, but the terrain and hydrology of Mindanao were unfamiliar to the Great Ming. Attacking the island and seizing the city was simply too difficult in this era. This battle went back and forth, looking fierce and intense, but in reality, the Great Ming's guest troops had not been fully deployed; it was Lin Afeng leading that original group of sea pirates who were trading blows with the Red-Haired Barbarians.

The excitement was real, but the actual gains were truly meager.

Zhu Yijun was preparing to head to the Northern Tucheng. This time it was not the Spring Grand Review, but the ceremony of the Emperor's military inspection according to the ancestral laws.

This time, not only would he reward the Beijing Camp troops who had returned victorious, but he would also inspect the military might and showcase new technologies and equipment. After this military review, the army would be expanded again, directly increasing from the previous ten thousand men to thirty thousand.

This was the result of the court discussion a month ago.

Zhang Juzheng attached great importance to the Emperor's first military inspection. All ceremonial protocols followed the standards of the Spring Grand Review. The reason for such importance was that this was also a display of the phased achievements of Zhang Juzheng's New Policies to enrich the country and strengthen the army.

In the twenty-ninth year of Jiajing, after Altan Khan invaded, the Great Ming's Beijing Camp had forty or fifty thousand men, half of whom were old, weak, sick, or disabled, and the other half dared not fight. Duke Cheng Zhu Xizhong drove the Beijing Camp out of the city gates, but the soldiers all wept and dared not advance, returning to the capital once they reached the outskirts. In the first year of Longqing, the Beijing Camp had ninety thousand men, but when Chahar Khan broke through the Xifeng Pass to invade, the Beijing Camp dared not fight; it was merely a facade. This situation finally changed after Qi Jiguang and Tan Lun returned to the capital one after another in the second year of Longqing.

Qi Jiguang trained one hundred thousand troops, stationed at the Jizhen garrison.

To invigorate the military and strengthen the army, in Zhang Juzheng's words, was "the grand strategy of sincerely cultivating the interior and resisting the exterior, and the long-term policy of governing and protecting the state."

Whether resisting the exterior or pacifying the interior, you must have a strong army in hand; otherwise, who would listen to you?

The reason Zhang Juzheng dared to start investigating Wang Chonggu for relaxing defenses to appease the enemy and Zhang Siwei for corrupt politics and bribery in the sixth year of Longqing was entirely because Qi Jiguang was by his side.

Zhu Yijun was still at the Wenhua Hall, but the Directorate of Ceremonial had long since gone to the Northern Tucheng to set up the Imperial Canopy—the "canopy" of planning and strategy—using yellow curtains. It would be the main venue for Zhu Yijun's future military inspections.

Tan Lun, Assistant Minister of the Ministry of War and supervisor of Beijing Camp military affairs, had already gone with all the officials of the Ministry of War to supervise the generals and soldiers in clearing the area inside and outside the grounds. Of course, to prevent any madman from drawing a bow to assassinate the Emperor, the officials of the Ministry of War and the officers of the Beijing Camp had been repeatedly checking the area.

Yesterday, Zhu Yijun also dispatched the Great Ming's Grand Sacrificer, Duke Dingguo Xu Wenbi, to the drill ground to offer sacrifices to the God of the Banner. In military activities such as launching expeditions, returning from campaigns, and celebrating victories, sacrifices to the banner were common. The one used by the Emperor was the Dragon Banner Grand Standard.

Zhu Yijun's carriage had just arrived at the Meridian Gate and had not yet exited the gate tunnel when he saw a three-thousand-man infantry battalion with distinct banners outside the gate. This battalion was led by Assistant Regional Commander Li Rusong, wearing bright armor and displaying banners and weapons, completely in a combat posture.

Zhu Yijun had already changed into iron armor and was standing in front of his horse.

Qi Jiguang walked in from outside the gate, bowed his head, and said, "Your subject, Marquis Qian'an Qi Jiguang, humbly requests Your Majesty to proceed to the Beijing Camp for the military inspection!"

Zhu Yijun took the Dragon Banner Grand Standard from the hands of the Embroidered Uniform Guard Commander Zhao Mengyou and said, "Grand General, come forward."

Qi Jiguang walked before the Emperor with a vigorous stride. In the first year of Wanli, when the young Emperor gave Qi Jiguang the Son of Heaven's Sword, it had only reached Qi Jiguang's waist; now, it had grown to be level with Qi Jiguang's shoulders.

At that time, Zhu Yijun had just started practicing martial arts and was still a little chubby; now, he was heroic, upright, and full of spirit.

The Emperor was not what he used to be, the Beijing Camp was not what it used to be, and the Great Ming was not what it used to be.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard Commander Lu Bing once had an unfulfilled wish: he hoped the Great Ming could have a mounted Emperor who valued and paid attention to military preparedness. If the Emperor's martial arts teacher Lu Bing were still alive, he would surely be very gratified.

Zhu Yijun handed the Dragon Banner Grand Standard to Qi Jiguang and said with a smile, "From now on, General Qi will carry the banner for me."

"Your subject obeys the decree!" Qi Jiguang shouldered the Dragon Banner Grand Standard and strode out of the Meridian Gate.

Just as Zhu Yijun was about to mount his horse, Zhang Juzheng walked within ten feet of the Emperor, bowed his head, and said, "Your subject will assist Your Majesty in mounting."

"My horsemanship is already excellent; I can mount by myself," Zhu Yijun indicated, as the top expert in the youth group, he did not need anyone's help.

"Your subject will assist Your Majesty in mounting," Zhang Juzheng insisted firmly.

Zhu Yijun looked at the officials behind him and understood that this was actually a ritual. The Emperor was slowly growing up, and Zhang Juzheng also intended to slowly return power. Assisting the Emperor in mounting was to support the Emperor's imperial cause—this was the beautiful implication.

"I have troubled you, Mr. Zhang," Zhu Yijun said loudly; these words were for the ambitious people in the court.

Your Emperor now has someone protecting him; in military matters, there is Qi Jiguang, and in civil matters, there is Zhang Juzheng. Stop having any crooked ideas about your Emperor!

Other emperors whose palaces were burned could only report to the Emperor of Heaven and reflect on their own mistakes, but he did not need to; he could investigate whoever he wanted to investigate!

Zhu Yijun leaned slightly and mounted the horse steadily.

"The Son of Heaven is departing!" Feng Bao flicked his horsetail whisk and shouted loudly in a high-pitched voice. The young eunuchs, in pairs, relayed the imperial decree outside the Meridian Gate.

The sound of drums shook the sky, and the sound of horns was deep and far-reaching.

The infantry battalion led by Li Rusong, named the Imperial Escort Beijing Army, wearing armor and carrying blades, began to push the war chariots step by step toward the Deshengmen. Deshengmen Street was a military road; once out of Deshengmen, it was the Northern Tucheng.

Like a flowing stream, the Imperial Escort Beijing Army set off. Then, Qi Jiguang shouldered the Dragon Banner Grand Standard to clear the way for His Majesty. Behind Qi Jiguang was the Grand Sacrificer Xu Wenbi, carrying the Emperor's scepter and axe.

There was only one Dragon Banner Grand Standard in the entire Great Ming. Except for when Emperor Yingzong of Ming served as the vanguard for the Oirat Grand Master Esen to attack the Great Ming's Deshengmen, the Great Ming had always had only one Dragon Banner Grand Standard.

Zhu Yijun was dressed in military attire, his helmet not fastened with a face mask. He drove his horse slowly out of the Meridian Gate tunnel. Surrounding him were the palace guards of the Embroidered Uniform Guard led by the Commander, the Great Han Generals. In the innermost layer within the Great Han Generals were twenty armored sparring partners, including guards of honor and eunuchs. Closest to Zhu Yijun were the Commander Zhao Mengyou and the red-helmeted guard of honor Luo Sigong. The old ancestor in the palace, Feng Bao, was in front, and the second ancestor Zhang Hong followed behind the Emperor.

Feng Bao had to lead the horse, and Zhang Hong had to protect His Majesty. If His Majesty fell, he would have to be the human cushion.

Both Feng Bao and Zhang Hong were very clear that the young Emperor's horsemanship was already truly excellent.

Zhu Yijun drove his horse forward, and the gongs and drums sounded in unison. This was the military music for an expedition, solemn and dignified. Behind him was the team of civil officials, only Tan Lun was absent; Tan Lun had already taken a step ahead and gone to the Northern Tucheng to arrange matters for the military inspection.

At the end of the procession was another fifteen-hundred-man Imperial Escort Rear Army, responsible for the rearguard.

Zhu Yijun's honor guard finally arrived at the Northern Tucheng. The sound of drums and horns played again. The Great Ming Beijing Camp, standing in front of the Northern Tucheng and on the city walls, had bright armor and fluttering banners.

Qi Jiguang raised the Dragon Banner Grand Standard in his hand.

"His Majesty is mighty!"

"His Majesty is mighty!"

"His Majesty is mighty!"

The loud shouts of over ten thousand men shook the sky and pierced the clouds. The entire capital region was deafened. After the mountain-shaking shouts, the cannons began to play. The rumbling sound of the cannons was like rolling thunder, echoing throughout the entire capital.

Zhu Yijun reined in his horse and shouted loudly, "The Great Ming Army is mighty!"

Another round of mountain-shaking shouts followed.

At this moment, Zhu Yijun was filled with heroic spirit, just as high-spirited as Emperor Jiajing when he had just won a complete victory in the Great Rites Controversy.

Zhu Yijun looked behind him. The expressions of the Great Ming officials were different. Zhang Juzheng, Lu Diaoyang, Wang Guoguang, Hai Rui, and others all showed joy; seeing the Great Ming's military appearance, they were naturally excited. There were also some, such as Wang Chonggu, Wan Shihe, and Ge Shouli, whose expressions were complex. They were actually thinking that if they had such a strong army in the twenty-ninth year of Jiajing, even if Altan Khan were given the courage of a bear or leopard, he would not have dared to invade the capital region.

Some officials showed worry, or even some fear. If they had no guilty conscience, why be afraid?

Zhu Yijun looked toward the Northern Tucheng, where Tan Lun stood at the bridgehead in armor.

The young Emperor's face darkened. He knew that Tan Lun was just a martial artist in civil official's clothing. For such a small military inspection, Tan Lun had to wear armor. He could not let Tan Lun supervise the Beijing Camp military affairs to go to war; he was going to supervise military affairs, and he would definitely go to the battlefield to fight!

Zhu Yijun arrived in front of the Imperial Canopy and dismounted.

The military inspection officially began. Zhu Yijun started to warm up. Wearing armor in the middle of summer and walking such a long distance, he was truly very tired and drenched in sweat. He took out his seventy-pound bow, waiting for the start of the military inspection.

Everyone was waiting.

Qi Jiguang, Tan Lun, and Ma Fang began to release carrier pigeons with whistles. This was to signify a victory at the start. Qi Jiguang had already made comprehensive arrangements. Regardless of whether the young Emperor had deceived him in his letters and had not diligently practiced martial arts, the Emperor's face could not be lost.

And the one responsible for making up for the young Emperor's face was Li Rusong, who had already hidden in the crowd. If the Emperor's arrows could not hit the target, Li Rusong would quietly shoot to compensate.

Qi Jiguang released the carrier pigeons.

Zhu Yijun drew his bow and shot an arrow. After aiming, he immediately released the bowstring. The arrow reflected the brilliant noon sun, drew an arc, and hit the carrier pigeon.

Li Rusong was stunned; he had already prepared to compensate, but His Majesty did not need him to compensate at all!

A smile curled on Qi Jiguang's lips, and this smile quickly spread to become bright and sunny.

The young Emperor really did not fool him; he really was diligently training. Diligence can compensate for clumsiness, which is based on the foundation of doing things solidly and attentively. Any slackness will accumulate continuously. Martial arts, reading, and world affairs are all generally like this; if you do not advance, you retreat.

Obviously, in the year that Qi Jiguang, the teacher, had been away from the court, the young Emperor's horsemanship and archery had both improved.

Tan Lun and Ma Fang released the second and third carrier pigeons. The young Emperor drew his bow and shot arrows, hitting them down one by one. The ten thousand soldiers of the Beijing Camp saw this and could not help but tighten their grip on the hook-sickle spears in their hands, constantly stomping their feet, and shouting in unison, "Bravo! Bravo! Bravo!"

The command officer quickly presented the three carrier pigeons before the throne. Zhu Yijun saw the marks on the arrows; those were the marks he had left. If he had not hit them and had been compensated, others might not know, but Zhu Yijun himself had to be clear. However, all three arrows had the marks he had carved on the spot, and there was only one wound on the carrier pigeons.

"The teacher taught well," Wan Shihe said to Zhang Juzheng with great admiration.

People born into nobility are generally useless in the deep palace; this point has been proven countless times in history. In fact, the court officials did not expect the Emperor to have much promise; if he could review the memorials that should be reviewed, that would be enough.

But the Emperor's performance time and time again exceeded everyone's expectations. When Wang Zhigao left the court, the Emperor had given Wan Shihe a chance to escape, but Wan Shihe did not escape. Looking at this choice now, Wan Shihe did not regret it.

If the Emperor has promise, the party strife in the court will be even more cruel. Wang Zhigao's choice cannot be said to be wrong.

Everyone has their own aspirations.

Zhu Yijun walked off the drill ground and came to the infantry target, preparing for infantry archery. Fifty paces, human-walking target. Zhu Yijun could not yet do "piercing a willow leaf at a hundred paces," but being able to hit the target at fifty paces was already a qualified soldier.

He constantly drew his bow and shot arrows. After shooting five arrows, he switched his left hand to his right hand, shooting arrows from both sides, and shot five more arrows.

Two command officers directly carried the target to the Emperor's front and shouted loudly, "Ten arrows all hit! Ten arrows all hit!"

The command officer was very excited. After checking for the Emperor, he carried the infantry target and began to display it everywhere. Every time he passed a team, it triggered bursts of cheers.

Wang Chonggu stared at the target with wide eyes, his heart churning. In the future, if a villain were to assassinate, it would be uncertain who would kill whom. Wang Chonggu had actually hesitated many times, whether to choose the Emperor or the clan party. Looking at it now, choosing the Emperor was absolutely not wrong.

The Minister of Justice had always thought that the young Emperor's martial arts practice was boasting, just a persona created in the palace to express support for strengthening the military. How could a person born into nobility endure the bitterness of martial arts practice?

Zhu Yijun untied his quiver, put away his bow, and brought his waist saber to the front of two standing logs. Zhu Yijun held his breath and concentrated, performing the "Ding-character return kill." This set of movements was called "trial cutting." Zhu Yijun named it the "Ding-character return kill" based on the characteristics of the Ding-character step and the turning-and-cutting movement.

It was a standard movement for northern infantry to cut horse legs and behead enemies when facing cavalry.

For this movement, it was only this year that Zhu Yijun could cut off two standing logs.

The whole set of movements was smooth and flowing. The two logs were cut down to the ground. Zhu Yijun put away his saber and revealed a smile. In the "victory at the start," infantry target, and trial cutting, he had all achieved qualified results. He was not yet of age, and his strength was not enough to draw a stronger bow.

He was now qualified to become a qualified soldier.

Luo Sigong took a wooden saber and went onto the stage. After paying respects to the Emperor, the sparring began. This was also the first time that civil and military officials, except for Qi Jiguang, had seen the Emperor sparring.

Zhu Yijun had a yellow square scarf tied on his arm, and Luo Sigong had a red square scarf tied on his. The sparring went back and forth, each move fierce, fighting very fiercely. The sound of the wooden saber hitting the iron armor was clangorous and powerful, showing how much strength was used!

Luo Sigong, not respectful.

Luo Sigong was also growing up, and his strength was increasing. If he were not wearing armor, a wooden saber hitting a vital point would definitely be able to kill.

In seventeen rounds, Zhu Yijun won ten times. The reason for wearing armor was to avoid injury, mainly to showcase the young Emperor's short-weapon skills. Zhu Yijun also brought out his best skills to win completely.

After the fight, both were exhausted. Zhu Yijun, being close, could see Luo Sigong's legs shaking; he was already losing strength. And Zhu Yijun was no better, panting heavily, his whole body drenched in sweat.

This was the first military inspection, so Zhu Yijun had to showcase the results of his martial arts practice, and only then would the inspection begin.

The Great Ming Beijing Camp performed three routines on the drill ground: fist, saber, and spear, followed by infantry archery with ten men per team. These drills were all very practical skills on the battlefield.

Firearm shooting was a training that Zhu Yijun did not practice, but the Beijing Camp would definitely demonstrate.

"First load the gun, second twist the fuse, third load the powder, fourth the wad, fifth insert the bullet, sixth strike three times, seventh insert the arrow, eighth raise the gun, ninth listen to the signal, then fire, beat the gong, fire the firecrackers, retreat!" The soldiers of the Beijing Camp sang as they demonstrated the firearm shooting.

The "Pingyi" gun, used by two people, was also brought over. The four-tael powder Pingyi gun was more accurate and shot at moving targets. A dozen wild boars were released. The Pingyi guns sounded continuously, and the dozen wild boars fell one by one under the continuous sound of gunfire.

After the firearm shooting, it was artillery fire.

Twelve nine-pound cannons were pulled onto the drill ground. The hundred-pace artillery target was a steel-concrete pier. The twelve cannons fired four rounds of salvos, and the steel-concrete pier was hit with large craters.

The last two pulled out were the Great Ming's latest naval cannons, which were heavy and suitable for use on ships and defending cities. This thing was also pulled onto the drill ground. One hundred and fifty-pace target, three shots all hit, hitting the steel-concrete pier, making muffled sounds.

Although the one-foot-wide steel-concrete pier was hit with one crater after another, it still stood there as firm as a rock.

Zhu Yijun put down his telescope. He had a basis for letting Wang Chonggu cut corners, mainly because the Great Ming palace buildings were no higher than the Huangji Hall. For buildings of this height, Wang Chonggu's design standards were simply too high.

Tan Lun, Minister of the Ministry of War, stepped out and said in a loud, resonant voice, "Reporting to Your Majesty, the Grand Review is concluded!"

"Sound the gongs and stop the drums," Zhu Yijun replied in a resonant voice.

"His Majesty's decree! Sound the gongs and stop the drums!" Tan Lun turned and shouted loudly.

The official of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices stepped out and shouted loudly, "Play the music!"

The "Song of Martial Achievement," composed by the Emperor's uncle Zhu Zaiyu, the Great Ming's chief musician, and with lyrics by Zhang Juzheng, Lu Diaoyang, and others, began to play.

Li Rusong started it, and the soldiers of the Beijing Camp constantly stomped the hook-sickle spears in their hands, singing in unison, "Our Emperor reviews the martial arts, simplifies the army, and strengthens the imperial capital. The dragon banner shines on the Tiger and Leopard Camp, the six armies are like clouds, and the armor is bright. The prestige spreads, the barbarians are shocked, bowing their heads to praise the peace, and the four seas are clear."

"The immortal carriage moves to Pingyue, the neon banners crowd the Shanglan. Suddenly surprised by a thousand riders, then amazed by the six camps. The golden drums are sounded to build momentum, and the jade carriage is built in the vanguard. Light clouds carry the emerald canopy, and the beautiful sun marks the red pole."

The music was composed well, and the lyrics were filled well, but it lacked a bit of flavor; it was too solemn.

Zhu Yijun asked Qi Jiguang to lead a song, specifically naming the "Red Turban Army Song," "Clouds follow the dragon, wind follows the tiger, fame and wealth are dust and soil."

The Great Ming army all knew this song, but this was a famous rebellious song. According to the Great Ming's narrative system, the laws were lost at the end of the Yuan Dynasty, and the world was exhausted, so the people rose up. The "Red Turban Army Song" had a strong historical background. The Great Ming army sang this song to destroy the capital of the Hu Yuan and expel the Hu barbarians.

The implication of this song was excellent; its only problem was that it was a rebellious song, and there was a taboo about prophecy.

Finally, Qi Jiguang compromised and led the "Song of Victory." This song was also appropriate; the Great Ming Beijing Camp returned in triumph, and the Emperor could do whatever he wanted, but Qi Jiguang still had to worry about the influence.

"Ten thousand hearts as one, the mountains can be shaken!" Qi Jiguang led it. The musicians of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices were really at a loss; they did not know this song.

"Ten thousand hearts as one, the mountains can be shaken. Loyalty and righteousness, the spirit rushes to the stars!"

"The commander is close to me, better than parents. Violating military law, the body is not free!"

"The orders are clear, rewards and punishments are trusted. Going through water and fire, dare to delay!"

"Report to the Son of Heaven above, save the common people below!"

"Kill all the Japanese pirates, seek a title of nobility!"

Zhu Yijun knew this song. The main body of the military inspection was the soldiers of the Beijing Camp, not the Emperor. The "Song of Martial Achievement" created by Zhu Zaiyu and Zhang Juzheng was good, but the main body was still to promote the Emperor's majesty. He liked this song very much, especially the line "Report to the Son of Heaven above, save the common people below, kill all the Japanese pirates, seek a title of nobility."

He liked this line the most, representing the mission of the Great Ming army: report to the Son of Heaven above, save the common people below.

This was not only the significance of Qi Jiguang's military training, but also a portrayal of Qi Jiguang's life.

Since ancient times, the army has been a tool in the hands of the Emperor to expand territory and deter the four directions, and an inauspicious weapon. But Qi Jiguang first advocated saving the common people below. The common people are the civilians; the army should do this, and its great and lofty ideal is to pacify the country.

This goal alone was enough for Zhu Yijun to cherish. The army can not only kill people, but also save people.

He sang the "Song of Victory" with them before announcing the end of the Grand Review.

Afterward, the Emperor took his seat, the civil and military officials accompanying him performed a bow, the Emperor issued a decree to reward wine and food, and the officials thanked him for his grace. The drill ground was divided into two classes, east and west, and they sat down in order, preparing to eat.

The Emperor's grand banquet required drinking nine cups. Zhu Yijun saw this strong liquor and asked someone to change it to a small cup, three cups.

Zhu Yijun was young and did not drink alcohol; he drank water. Before the meal, Zhu Yijun specifically checked Tan Lun's wine glass. According to the doctor's advice, Tan Lun could not drink alcohol.

Just as Zhu Yijun expected, Tan Lun's was wine, not water.

Tan Lun was old, but he sat at the same table as the children.

After three cups in the Wu Ying Tower, the soldiers also started eating. The banquet was set up at two taels of silver per table. The five pounds of meat and ten pounds of potatoes he brought were gifts for the soldiers to take home.

Before the meal, the eunuch suddenly walked out of the Wu Ying Tower. Everyone was hungry, but the young Emperor still had something to say.

All the soldiers performed a military salute to listen to His Majesty's instructions.

"His Majesty's oral decree: the soldiers have worked hard. According to the system, each person is rewarded with two taels of silver. Respect this." Feng Bao knew that everyone was waiting to eat, so he did not put on airs and directly announced the Emperor's reward decision.

After the great victory at the Great Ning Guard last year, the Emperor had already given extra rewards. Today, from the Emperor's military inspection every five days to the daily military inspection, this could also be considered a ritual, directly two taels of silver per person.

So the first dish, every ten-person table had twenty imperial silver coins, everyone had a share.

This extra reward came from the inner treasury, and everyone was beaming with joy. If there is merit, the Emperor really rewards it. Is there such a good thing?!

They were all soldiers selected from the Nine Frontiers. When they were in the local area before, let alone rewards for merit, if the imperial court could issue military pay and the soldiers could receive half pay, they would be grateful. Now they had military pay, rewards for merit, and extra rewards.

Zhu Yijun was a very realistic person. He felt that to cultivate military discipline, of course, necessarily, and strictly, military discipline regulations must be followed. Similarly, he felt that military discipline also needed to be maintained with silver. The Beijing Camp proved in the Great Ning Guard that they were not eating for nothing, so they should have what they should have, making the cost of violating discipline rise further.

Zhu Yijun thought so and did so, so the biggest expense in the palace was rewarding the soldiers.

The civil and military officials in the Wu Ying Tower each received five taels of silver.

After three rounds of wine and five flavors of food.

Zhu Yijun looked at the memorial in front of him and asked suspiciously, "Mr. Zhang, this agreed-upon thirty thousand men, a total of ten infantry battalions, how did it become one hundred and twenty thousand men? This is forty infantry battalions."

"It is infantry, chariot, cavalry, and artillery battalions," Zhang Juzheng corrected the young Emperor's statement. It was not forty infantry battalions, but ten regiment battalions, each containing infantry, chariot, cavalry, and artillery battalions, a total of one hundred and twenty thousand men.

Zhang Juzheng felt that he could no longer advocate frugality. Since he had to spend money, he might as well expand the army. The total number of people in the Beijing Camp changed from thirty thousand to one hundred and twenty thousand.

"I agree very much, I'm just afraid that the court officials will nag again," Zhu Yijun naturally agreed.

Tan Lun was angry because he didn't get to drink wine. Hearing His Majesty say this, he immediately said happily, "If they oppose, let them oppose here."

On the territory of the Beijing Camp, opposing the expansion of the Beijing Camp, the soldiers of the Beijing Camp would not do anything to this official, but this official must have the courage to do so.

Qi Jiguang held his forehead. Who is the martial artist?

"Your Majesty, this year we select thirty thousand, and before next autumn, we expand the army to one hundred and twenty thousand. Ten thousand people in the Beijing Camp is too few. When I lead the army to attack, Your Majesty has no troops to send. If there are villains again, and a fire burns the palace, I am truly worried." As a die-hard imperial party member, Qi Jiguang represented the Beijing Camp and told the court officials that the expansion of the Beijing Camp was for His Majesty!

When doing bad things, weigh how sharp the knife in His Majesty's hand is!

"Your Majesty, the twelve-thousand-man Beijing Camp is actually not as expensive as you think. From the Yongle to the Chenghua era, except for the Tianshun era, the Beijing Camp had always maintained a scale of over two hundred thousand people. The Great Ming can still afford it." Wang Guoguang knew the young Emperor's nature of saving money and told His Majesty, Your Majesty, our Great Ming has money now.

One hundred and twenty thousand people need 2.16 million taels of silver for food and pay a year.

In the spring inspection in March of the ninth year of Wanli, Zhang Juzheng had been enriching the country and strengthening the army for ten years. The Great Ming Beijing Camp had one hundred and twenty thousand men. People at the time all said that the military appearance was prosperous, rare in modern times. Ask for monthly tickets, Awoo!!!!!

(End of chapter)