Chapter 116: Appoint Zhu Ying as [Daning Border Army Regional Commander]! Zhu Yuanzhang

"Crown Prince."

Zhu Yuanzhang sat on the dragon throne, looking at Zhu Biao with a gentle gaze, and asked softly: "The Liaodong war was handled by you personally, so how do you think Zhu Ying should be rewarded this time?"

His voice echoed in the solemn and majestic great hall, carrying unquestionable majesty.

Hearing this, Zhu Biao stepped forward, immediately bowed and saluted, and replied loudly: "Reporting to Imperial Father."

"Since the establishment of the Daning Prefecture territory, a Guard Commander has never been appointed, but rather the Prefect has temporarily served in this position."

"Now that Liaodong is about to be settled, Zhu Ying has grown up from the Daning border army, has rendered countless merits from the border army, and has killed countless enemies for the country."

"Your son believes that the position of Daning Guard Commander belongs to no one but Zhu Ying."

When Zhu Biao said this, his expression was firm, and his tone carried an unquestionable firmness, as if declaring the rationality of this appointment to the officials.

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded slightly, a faint smile appearing on his face, and then said: "In the past, the appointment of Guard Commanders required selection through recommendation."

"Selected based on battle merits in various places, then considered by the Ministry of War, and decided with my consent."

"Moreover, the generals who served as Guard Commanders in our Great Ming were at least thirty or forty years old."

"This Zhu Ying is only seventeen years old; this can also be considered the youngest in our Great Ming."

As he spoke, he stroked the armrest of the dragon throne lightly, his eyes revealing a hint of appreciation for Zhu Ying's youth and promise.

Listening to Zhu Yuanzhang's words, the officials in the court naturally understood very clearly that the matter of Zhu Ying's promotion to Guard Commander could basically be settled.

After all, Zhu Ying's battle merits were too dazzling; these dazzling merits were enough to compensate for his lack of age, and enough to compensate for the various cumbersome procedures required for promotion to Guard Commander.

You must know, a Guard Commander of a border guard battalion commanded at least fifty thousand troops and guarded one side; this could be considered a high official holding military power.

At the age of seventeen, ascending to this position had never happened in the history of the Great Ming.

"Imperial Father."

Zhu Biao said with a smile: "If it weren't for the fact that Zhu Ying has already been promoted three ranks this year, your son would even want to promote his title again."

When Zhu Biao spoke, the corners of his mouth rose slightly, his eyes filled with appreciation and regard for Zhu Ying.

Hearing this!

The officials couldn't help but look at Zhu Biao one after another, feeling emotional in their hearts about the depth of Zhu Biao's regard for Zhu Ying.

"His Highness the Crown Prince really regards this Zhu Ying highly." An official whispered to the person beside him.

"In one year, relying on military merits, he was promoted to Regional Commander, and now he is to be granted the position of Guard Commander. This is unique. But he was actually promoted three ranks, becoming an Earl of the Great Ming, leaping into the status of nobility. Since the founding of the Great Ming, the only one to receive such favor is this Zhu Ying. Earl of Champions! Extraordinary!"

The crowd echoed in low voices, their eyes filled with both envy for Zhu Ying and admiration for Zhu Biao's eye for talent.

Perhaps this is what it means to be rewarded and promoted entirely based on merit, without any hypocrisy.

Of course.

The root cause might also be that the Liaodong war was also personally asked about by the current Emperor and the Crown Prince.

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled slightly and said: "In one's position, one should seek one's government—a principle that has remained unchanged through the ages."

"Zhu Ying is still very young, and the favor he has received is already not small. Let him temper himself well in the position of Guard Commander first."

"Truly commanding an army and governing the military and political affairs of a prefecture is not as simple as it is on the battlefield."

"Crown Prince, after you return to the Eastern Palace, draft an edict to promote Zhu Ying to 【Daning Guard Commander】 and bestow the 【Guard Commander Seal】!"

"Additionally, bestow one thousand taels of gold! Bestow a mansion in Yingtian, and bestow a plaque 【Champion】 Mansion."

When Zhu Yuanzhang said this, his expression was solemn, his tone unquestionable, clearly having made the final decision on Zhu Ying's reward matters.

Hearing this!

Zhu Biao immediately bowed and saluted, his voice loud as he replied: "Your son obeys the decree."

"Alright."

Zhu Yuanzhang scanned the officials in the court and asked with a smile: "With this Liaodong great victory, do the officials have any other memorials to present?"

Under his gaze.

It was incomparably majestic, as if it could see through the thoughts in the hearts of the officials in the hall.

"Reporting to the Emperor." Tang Duo stood out and memorialized respectfully: "Grand General Feng Sheng memorialized that nearly two hundred thousand prisoners of war in Liaodong need to be dealt with. These need the Emperor's clear instructions."

When Tang Duo spoke, he lowered his head slightly, holding the memorial with both hands, looking respectful.

"Regarding these prisoners, what are the officials' views?" Zhu Yuanzhang pondered for a moment, his gaze looking at the officials in the court again, his eyes revealing a hint of inquiry.

"Reporting to the Emperor."

Zhao Mian stood out, his expression serious, "Your subject feels it is better to demote these prisoners to slaves. Our Great Ming territory is vast, many roads need repair, many city walls need reinforcement, and even the Great Wall needs reinforcement and repair!"

"These all require sufficient manpower and material resources. If these prisoners can be utilized well, it will be of great use to the national strength."

As Zhao Mian spoke, he gestured, attempting to make Zhu Yuanzhang understand his thoughts more clearly.

"Your subject feels it is a pity to demote such a battle-hardened army to slaves."

An old official slowly stood out, his face carrying a thoughtful expression.

"What insight does Shao have?"

Zhu Yuanzhang asked directly.

In the current Hongwu reign, after Hu Weiyong was executed, Zhu Yuanzhang abolished the position of Chancellor, replacing it with Palace Cabinet University Scholars who assisted Zhu Yuanzhang in handling government affairs.

Four Palaces and Two Cabinets!

Now they are called Palace Cabinet University Scholars, but in the later Ming Dynasty era, they were called Cabinet Elders.

Although they no longer had the power of the Chancellor, they were also in power, slightly higher than the status of the Six Ministers.

And this old official who spoke out was the Huagai Palace University Scholar, Shao Zhi, who was also an official trusted by Zhu Yuanzhang.

"Reporting to the Emperor."

Shao Zhi smiled and memorialized respectfully: "The Northern Yuan is no longer the Great Yuan of the past. Its national strength is weak, and it was driven out of the Central Plains by our Great Ming, but their army is actually not weak, and their combat power is also extraordinary."

"If these troops can be used by our Great Ming to defend against foreign enemies, they can definitely be of great use."

"After all, the northern frontier has many wars, and it would be a great pity to abandon such military strength."

When Shao Zhi spoke, his logic was clear, his tone steady, and his eyes revealed a look of contemplation.

"Shao University Scholar."

At this time, another official stood out and asked very questioningly: "Although this surrendered Yuan army has extraordinary combat power, has the University Scholar thought about a problem?"

"At least half of the prisoners captured in Liaodong this time are Yuan people. If you use them to guard the northern frontier, can you guarantee that they will not collude with the Northern Yuan?"

When this person spoke, his brows were tightly furrowed, his expression serious, expressing strong worry about Shao Zhi's proposal.

And this person was the Wuying Palace University Scholar, Wu Bozong.

"Wu University Scholar."

Shao Zhi said unhurriedly: "The situation of our Great Ming and the situation of the world are long past the pattern of the Qin and Han periods."

"On the Central Plains, countless ethnic groups have already survived, not just the Mongols, but many other ethnic groups who have all become citizens of our Great Ming and serve our Great Ming."

"In the Liaodong region, there are no less than one million Mongols living there."

"Does our Great Ming want to kill them all?"

"Population is part of the composition of our Great Ming's national strength, so naturally, it should be utilized well."

"According to what I know, Liaodong has always been managed by Nahachu. Although there is contact with the Northern Yuan, their recruitment was all done in Liaodong. The families of those prisoners captured by our Great Ming are all in Liaodong."

"If our Great Ming accepts their surrender and reorganizes them, and they dare to rebel after surrendering, that is the crime of exterminating the clan! I don't believe they dare!"

When Shao Zhi said this, his gaze was firm, his tone resolute, seemingly having full confidence in his point of view.

Hearing his words, many officials in the court nodded one after another.

When the Great Ming was founded, the slogan of Zhu Yuanzhang's conquest of the world was to expel the Tatars and recover the Han world.

This process caused quite a bit of slaughter, but the Ming army was also restrained. For those Mongols living on the Central Plains who were law-abiding, the Great Ming imperial court did not divide them into three, six, or nine grades, treating them all as commoners!

Even in the army, there were many Mongol descendants serving the Great Ming and killing enemies for the Great Ming.

The Han Central Plains was no longer the single ethnic group-dominated one of the Qin and Han periods, but mixed with countless ethnic groups, completely integrated into Huaxia and Sinicized.

Since ancient times, the Han!

The most powerful thing is not the military edge, but Sinicization, and the rituals and righteousness of thousands of years, the culture of thousands of years.

This also allowed those foreign races who entered the Central Plains to gradually integrate into the Central Plains Han cultural circle and become one.

Of course, if one were to say who was the most completely Sinicized, it would have to be an emperor of the Yuan court who also destroyed the Song and established a vast territory—the Yuan Emperor, Kublai Khan.

Before going south, he was Khan Kublai, but after destroying the Song, occupying the Central Plains, and ruling the world.

He became the benchmark of the Han, Kublai Khan, who called himself the orthodox Han ruler, also known as Liu Bilie!!

This is the power of Han Sinicization.

"What Shao said is not bad."

Zhu Yuanzhang said slowly: "This batch of prisoners indeed needs to be used well."

When Zhu Yuanzhang said this, he narrowed his eyes slightly, seemingly calculating something in his heart. The seemingly calm agreement actually indicated that he had thoughts about reorganizing this batch of prisoners.

"Imperial Father."

Zhu Biao said with a serious face: "The number of these prisoners is not small."

"According to Grand General Feng Sheng's report, there are over eighteen thousand. If we really want to reorganize these prisoners, we cannot establish a single guard battalion, and the reorganization must be meticulous, and we must be able to completely control them."

When Zhu Biao spoke, his brows were tightly locked, his eyes revealing worry and caution about this matter.

If we were to reorganize so many prisoners at once, this would be unprecedented for the Great Ming. Ten thousand-plus prisoners, each with a mouth, not only consumed a huge amount of food every day, but the reorganization would indeed have hidden dangers.

"These prisoners naturally cannot form a single army."

Zhu Yuanzhang also nodded seriously: "This matter must be carefully discussed before reorganization."

"Crown Prince, draft an edict and send it to Feng Sheng, asking him to discuss the reorganization of the Liaodong prisoners with the generals under his command."

"Give me a reasonable reorganization method as soon as possible. This military force cannot be wasted."

"I come from a poor background. If such a large military force is not used, that is a waste of heaven's gifts."

When Zhu Yuanzhang said this, his eyes revealed the importance he attached to this army. Having the Crown Prince Zhu Biao personally ask about it this time clearly also announced to the court officials his intention to accept the surrender and reorganize the prisoners.

"Your son obeys the decree."

Zhu Biao first bowed and accepted the decree.

Then, as if thinking of something, he immediately said: "Imperial Father! Now that Liaodong is about to be completely recovered, should the generals who went on the expedition to Liaodong return to Yingtian to report on their duties? Should the troops under their command also be transferred back?"

Zhu Biao inquired tentatively, his eyes carrying a hint of inquiry.

"What is the Crown Prince's view?" Zhu Yuanzhang smiled and asked back, his eyes revealing expectation for Zhu Biao's thoughts.

"Liaodong has just been settled, and there are many things to do."

Zhu Biao said immediately, without any hesitation: "There must be Yuan remnants hiding in all parts of Liaodong to cause trouble. The army still needs to guard it to ensure peace, and those ten thousand-plus prisoners also need the army to watch them to avoid chaos."

"After Liaodong is completely pacified, we can issue another edict for Grand General Feng Sheng and the others to return to the capital to report on their duties."

When Zhu Biao spoke, his logic was clear, and his analysis was well-founded, showing his excellent political talent.

"Follow the Crown Prince's words." Zhu Yuanzhang said immediately, a satisfied smile appearing on his face.

"Imperial Father is wise." Zhu Biao bowed immediately, his face filled with the joy of being recognized by Zhu Yuanzhang.

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Zhu Biao and smiled gently. The moment he turned his head, his gaze became majestic again, overlooking the court.

Subsequently.

He spoke directly: "Tang Duo, Zhao Mian, Chen Jing."

The names of the three people were called out from Zhu Yuanzhang's mouth, his voice majestic and loud.

"Your subject is here."

The three Ministers of the Six Ministries who were called responded in unison.

The three of them stood straight, their faces carrying serious expressions, waiting for Zhu Yuanzhang's decree.

"The Liaodong great war will soon be completely settled."

Zhu Yuanzhang said: "The Ministry of War, as the main responsibility for the army, must draft the list of casualties on the Liaodong battlefield as soon as possible, then submit it to the Ministry of Revenue for review, and implement the compensation as soon as possible."

"As for the Ministry of Revenue, actively raise money and grain. Compensation is the priority. For all soldiers who died for our Great Ming, do not treat them poorly by even half."

"Also, the appointment and removal of Liaodong officials—this is the foundation of Liaodong's future governance. Although the Crown Prince has decided on the candidate for the Liaodong Prefect and brought a group of auxiliary officials with him, Liaodong territory is not small, and the population is not small. We still need enough officials to govern. The Ministry of Personnel must select officials for transfer as soon as possible. Liaodong is settled; the key now is to let Liaodong completely integrate into our Great Ming."

Zhu Yuanzhang said to the three Ministers before him, his tone firm, his eyes revealing the importance he attached to these things.

The Ministry of War, the Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of Personnel—the three most critical of the Six Ministries.

"Your subject obeys the decree."

Tang Duo, Zhao Mian, and Chen Jing, as Minister of Personnel, bowed respectfully and responded in unison.

"Alright."

Zhu Yuanzhang scanned the court and asked loudly: "I have said everything I need to say. Do the officials have anything to add?"

His gaze scanned the officials again, waiting for the officials' response.

"Reporting to the Emperor."

Chen Jing memorialized respectfully: "Now that Liaodong is about to be settled, should our imperial court reduce taxes?"

"After all, the war has just been settled, and the flames of war have just extinguished! Liaodong people may also need a long time to recover."

When Chen Jing spoke, he lowered his head slightly, his eyes revealing concern for the Liaodong people.

"Indeed." Zhu Yuanzhang also came back to his senses and nodded: "Crown Prince, how much do you think Liaodong taxes should be reduced?"

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Zhu Biao again, his eyes carrying inquiry and expectation.

"This matter is of great importance." Zhu Biao said in a low voice, his face carrying contemplation: "Your son also needs to consider it carefully. Whether it is a single reduction of agricultural taxes, or a reduction of all taxes."

As Zhu Biao spoke, he frowned slightly, seemingly thinking carefully about various possibilities in his mind.

Tax matters are the foundation of the country, and Zhu Biao did not dare to make a decision easily.

After all, the impact was too great.

"This matter is not urgent." Zhu Yuanzhang said with a smile: "I will give you time. Since Liaodong was handled by you, it should naturally be governed to the end."

When Zhu Yuanzhang said this, his face was filled with a gentle smile, full of trust in Zhu Biao.

"Your son thanks Imperial Father." Zhu Biao thanked him immediately.

After another round of court discussion, the court session dispersed.

Inside the Fengtian Hall, only the father and son, Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao, remained.

"Father."

Without outsiders present, Zhu Biao bowed to Zhu Yuanzhang incomparably solemnly.

"Son thanks you." When Zhu Biao said this, his eyes were filled with gratitude.

Seeing this.

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled gently, slowly stood up from the dragon throne, walked to Zhu Biao's side, and directly helped Zhu Biao up.

"We are father and son; what is there to thank." Zhu Yuanzhang smiled gently, his voice filled with paternal love, his hands resting lightly on Zhu Biao's shoulders.

"Father." Zhu Biao said very gratefully: "Liaodong recovered, leaving a name in history. You have given your son too much."

Zhu Biao looked at Zhu Yuanzhang, his eyes glinting with emotion.

"Haha."

Zhu Yuanzhang laughed loudly: "Don't say one merit of recovering Liaodong! The entire Great Ming will be yours in the future."

"Everything I do while I am alive is so that you can take over a better Great Ming from my hands."

"Back in the Han Dynasty, the Rule of Wen and Jing, leaving a name in history."

"I am from a humble background, my hands stained with the blood of I don't know how many people, and I don't know how many corrupt officials I have slaughtered!"

"I have no way to achieve the kind of eternal emperor that Emperor Wen was."

"But you can. I hope you will take Emperor Wen as your benchmark in the future, becoming the Emperor Wen of our Great Ming, bestowing grace on the world, bestowing grace on all people, resting with the people, and starting anew with the people."

"This is my greatest expectation for you."

When Zhu Yuanzhang said this, his eyes were filled with expectation and trust for Zhu Biao, his hands gripping Zhu Biao's shoulders tightly.

"Son..."

Zhu Biao's gaze was firm, looking straight at Zhu Yuanzhang, his tone incomparably solemn: "Will definitely not let Father down."

At this moment, he stood straight.

As if condensing all his determination into this one sentence, his whole body radiated a convincing aura.

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Zhu Biao's appearance, his face instantly blooming with a hearty smile, then he stretched out his broad palm, patting Zhu Biao's shoulders repeatedly, letting out a gratified laugh, and said: "Haha, I believe in you."

His palm patted on Zhu Biao's shoulders, carrying sufficient strength, yet filled with paternal love, each pat seeming to convey trust and encouragement.

In this Fengtian Hall.

Sunlight shone through the cracks in the glazed tiles, casting bright rays of light, reflecting the figures of this father and son.

For Zhu Biao, being in the position of Crown Prince, his shoulders bore heavy responsibilities.

On weekdays, he had to maneuver in the court, handling various military and political affairs, balancing the forces of all sides.

Facing many complex national affairs, he had never been slack in the slightest, relying on his own excellent military and political talents to arrange various affairs in an orderly manner.

When officials reported government affairs, he could always quickly grasp the key points and make reasonable decisions. In military scheduling, he also showed extraordinary strategy, rendering great service for the stability and development of the Great Ming.

Zhu Biao! Indeed had never let Zhu Yuanzhang down.

"Father."

Zhu Biao narrowed his eyes slightly, the corners of his mouth curling up in a faint smile, carrying a hint of understanding, and asked softly: "Liaodong is about to be settled. Leaving the main army in Liaodong to guard it is not just to stabilize Liaodong, right?"

In fact, as early as when Tang Duo and the Ministry of War memorialized whether to summon generals back to the capital, Zhu Biao, with his keen mind, had already vaguely perceived the deep meaning within.

"Sit."

Zhu Yuanzhang's smile did not diminish, moving slightly, and he sat directly on the steps of this great hall. He looked at Zhu Biao with a gentle gaze, his eyes filled with paternal love and closeness, as if they were not in the majestic court, but in an ordinary home.

Seeing this, Zhu Biao did not have any restraint, getting along with his father without any barriers, just like ordinary father and son, naturally sitting beside Zhu Yuanzhang.

"Recovering Liaodong, besides taking back the territory that belonged to our Han people."

Zhu Yuanzhang straightened his back slightly, his gaze becoming deep and firm, and said slowly: "The more critical thing is to remove a sharp blade of the Northern Yuan that is ready to stab our Great Ming at any time."

As he spoke, a cold light flashed in his eyes, as if the threat of the Northern Yuan was right before his eyes.

"Now this sharp blade hanging over our heads has been solved, so naturally, the next step is to deal with the culprit of this hanging blade."

Mentioning Liaodong, a flash of sternness instantly crossed Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes—that was the ruthlessness unique to someone who had long been at the peak of power and faced enemies.

Zhu Biao naturally understood that the culprit in his father's mouth was self-evident: the Northern Yuan.

The Northern Yuan forces had always been entrenched in the north, eyeing the Great Ming covetously, harassing the border for many years, bringing many sufferings to the people, and keeping the Great Ming in a state of nervous defense at all times.

"It seems Father is prepared to point his sword at the Northern Yuan after Liaodong is completely stabilized."

Zhu Biao's mouth rose, revealing a confident smile, and he said softly.

He had already understood his father's strategic intent and knew deeply that this was an important decision concerning the national fortune of the Great Ming in the future.

"Liaodong is the sword hanging over our heads."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded heavily, his tone carrying unquestionable determination: "The Northern Yuan is the true great enemy. If I don't beat them until they are completely crippled, I can't sleep."

"If I don't beat them until they are completely crippled, how can I let you govern the country with peace of mind."

Speaking to this point!

Zhu Yuanzhang laughed loudly, his laughter clear and heroic, echoing in the Fengtian Hall for a long time, fully displaying the dominance of a generation of emperors.

"What the son can do is definitely not let Father down."

Zhu Biao stated solemnly again. Although Zhu Yuanzhang's words were filled with imperial dominance, Zhu Biao deeply felt the thick father-son affection contained within.

Everything his father did was for the Great Ming, and even more so for him to be able to smoothly take over the country. Thousands of words surged in his heart; besides being moved, there was a difficult responsibility that fell on Zhu Biao's shoulders.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 117 =====