eldest son of Ming dynasty

In fact, what happened was very strange, whether it was Dai Wang or Shen Wang, there were many people from Jinyiwei's inner guard hiding in the two Shanxi palaces.

Although it is true that 'where there is oppression, there is resistance', Zhu Houzhao ordered people to strictly monitor where there was instability in the oppressed places.

Have they all been lied to?

Zhu Houzhao is not sure, Mao Yuwen did not give him a definite answer, but there is still a possibility.

Zhu Di was also watched in Beiping back then, and there must have been spies from Nanjing by his side, so it wasn't because he got away with it.

After all, the prince is still the prince. Those who monitor him can only look for opportunities to take a look, and they cannot contact him all the time and know everything he says to everyone.

Temporarily suppressing this doubt, Zhu Houzhao went to meet his four cabinet ministers first.

Right now, none of the four of them should have received relevant information. They didn't know that Zhu Houzhao had also cultivated a little bit of self-cultivation, and his face was as calm as water, even they couldn't tell.

"The Lantern Festival has not yet passed, and the four pavilion elders have been announced to enter the palace. Thank you for your hard work."

Yang Yiqing couldn't bear the emperor's speech like this, let alone other people, so they all bowed down and dared not bear it.

Zhu Houzhao pretended to be in a good mood on the surface, he smiled and rubbed his hands, "You Zhi, it's very cold, except for Jie Fu, the other three gentlemen are all old, so bring the brazier here."

"I would like to thank the Emperor for your kindness!"

Zhu Houzhao Yourong, an old minister, is quite good at caring for his ministers. Anyone who has seen him will feel that the emperor actually feels like a spring breeze. It is hard to imagine that this person will do the head rolling.

In the third year of Zhengde, the emperor once summoned the main officials of the Shuntian Mansion. After all, the second year of Zhengde divided the land. After a year passed, Zhu Houzhao wanted to see how the situation was going, so he ordered Gu Renyi to bring these people into the palace together.

At that time, Lu Gong, the newly-appointed magistrate of Liangxiang County, had a stomach ache that was unbearable, and he couldn't bear it anymore, so he went to relieve himself.

This matter was held up by a group of censors, and more than 40 memorials were issued in more than ten days, asking the emperor to punish his emperor for his crime of misconduct.

Zhu Houzhao can understand that imperial power is to be majestic and not too casual.

But analyzing the specific situation in detail, with his current authority, these are no longer needed, so he ignored all these memorials, and wrote Zhu's comment: Everyone has three urgencies, are you not in a hurry?

This incident touched Lu Gong deeply. After all, he was also very afraid at first, afraid of being punished. During that time, he was even more anxious all day long. He never expected that the emperor would come out to intercede for him, the county magistrate.

To others, this is a trivial matter, but to him, it is a kindness like the sky.

Lu Gong himself always remembered this incident. When others called him the title of Sanji County Magistrate, he also readily accepted it, and even sighed when he met everyone: From this, I know my emperor's benevolence and righteousness.

The emperor was strict on the one hand and generous on the other. This is the old saying of giving both kindness and might.

Yang Yiqing, Wang Jia, etc. also feel the same way, the emperor treats them well, unless they are confused about serious matters.

"...To announce a few people to come here today is mainly about Jizhou." Zhu Houzhao gave the minister a seat, but he kept walking around rubbing his hands, "Jizhou has experienced turmoil in the six guards, plus the court The officers and soldiers unfortunately died or were injured in the battle, and the direct losses alone amounted to more than [-] people. As for Jizhou soldiers and horses, there are still many old and weak people, so I thought about it, put Jizhou The original [-] guards in the state were reduced to [-] guards, about [-] people. Generally speaking, this is what it means, and I would like to discuss it with you elders."

During the two to three hundred years of a dynasty, some powerful elite soldiers and horses will emerge at different time periods, such as the Qi family army and Guan Ning cavalry in the Ming Dynasty.

However, the armies that emerged in the middle and late stages of the dynasty were basically recruits, and some of them were outside the main army.

To talk about the Ming Dynasty, there should be at least 200 million troops at this time.

But it's pretty much useless.

Even when training soldiers, the old ones are left alone and the training is reorganized.

In the late Qing Dynasty, various new troops were also trained.

It is because the interest relationship in the old army is no longer clear. It is like a group of parasites, which are connected to the main body by flesh and blood, but they are already corrupted.

Therefore, this turmoil was Zhu Houzhao's only opportunity to cut out the flesh and remove the sores, and use the chaotic period of order to re-establish order.

But it's not that simple.

Simple four words for streamlining staff.

Where do the downsized people go?
Zhu Houzhao knew these four veterans, so he must have thought of this question.

"Your Majesty... wants Jizhou to be like Ningxia." Wang Jia said first, "However, Ningxia originally only had seven guards. After excluding casualties, it is not difficult to simplify it into four guards. But Jizhou is different and needs to be cut down." There are far more soldiers."

"Yes."

"Your Majesty." Yang Yiqing said, "I have something to say, I don't know if I should say it or not."

"Just speak up."

"I think that Your Majesty doesn't need to insist that there are four guards on all sides. Your Majesty personally leads 26 guards, and he knows how much money a Grade-A guard will cost. This is the first. Second, the army of the guards also takes steps. There is a difference between garrison and field battle. Your Majesty, please forgive me for being stupid. I thought that [-] elite soldiers in Jizhou would be enough. But [-] elite soldiers are not enough to guard such a large place and so many Therefore, border towns also need 'C' level guards."

Ah, that's a point that cannot be easily denied.

When it comes to army building, no matter how rich you are, you have to consider the cost issue, otherwise it will drag down your finances, which is called militarism.Blindly increasing the burden on the country and the people, in the end, this strong fortress was breached from the inside.

Yang Yiqing continued: "The old minister has calculated that His Majesty has at least 20 elite soldiers in the capital, and Gansu soldiers, Ningxia soldiers, and Hetao soldiers in the northwest, and another 50 soldiers. If it is the remaining army towns, each town has [-] to [-] elite soldiers." If you die, our Ming Dynasty can have [-] elite soldiers, including more than [-] cavalry. For thousands of years, there are not many people who can be as strong as our Ming Dynasty at this time."

This is indeed not a lie. No matter how many soldiers and horses the feudal dynasty claims to have, there are only a few who actually have combat effectiveness.

"What do you think?" Zhu Houzhao asked.

"The minister seconded the proposal." Yang Tinghe said first.

Wang Bing and Wang Jia have no other opinions.

"Okay, let's follow what Mr. Yang Ge wants. But Jizhou still needs to reduce the number of people, but the remaining ten guards will also be classified according to the classification method of personal guards A, B, and C. Three, four, three, three A-level guards, Four Class B guards and three Class C guards.”

Even so, the first-class guards of the frontier army are definitely not as good as Shangzhi's personal guards.

Elder Yang Ge heaved a sigh of relief in his heart. Although this approach was not as grand as the emperor's "[-] elite soldiers", it had a greater advantage: keep going.

The three third-level guards are the buffer zone, used to accommodate those who cannot be cleared out directly.

Moreover, Jizhou really does not need [-] elite soldiers. [-] capable soldiers are enough to deal with some emergencies. Even if there is any big chaos, there will be elites from Xuanfu, Liaodong and the capital nearby.

Besides, Jizhou is like this, and Datong and Xuanfu are also like this later. Each has such strength, and it is inevitable that there will be worries about instability.

Zhu Houzhao will not stick to his own opinion, but also depends on the situation. The key point is that he will not rely mainly on Jizhou soldiers and horses in the future, so it is not a problem to give them a policy that is easy for them to operate.

But he was a little dissatisfied with Yang Shangyi.

So I added a sentence at the end, "When you pass the order to Yang Shangyi, you must make it clear to him. He is a general who has led troops for decades, and he understands best that soldiers should be more valuable than more. These three Class A guards have 8000 troops. If he still can’t train himself to be a fierce and fierce warrior, I won’t have any kind words to say to him!”

If you can't take [-] soldiers well, then why don't you take them!

The emperor didn't say this ugly remark, but that's what he actually meant.

The elders understand the holy meaning.

The final outcome of Jizhou is three points.

First, there is no doubt that the military settlements must be properly cleaned up.

Second, take this opportunity to rectify the guards in Jizhou. The key lies in these three first-level guards. The rest, to be honest, many cities and passes in Jizhou need defenders, and garrison fields also need garrison troops. Once they are divided into two categories, B and C, military pay will go to a higher level and the pressure on the national treasury will be less, so that the water can flow steadily.

As for the third point, it is also a general one, that is, from chaos to order, emphasizing the word stability.

After the cabinet returned, Yang Yiqing personally wrote the draft order, and when it was finished, he sent it to Zhu Houzhao for reading.

This is an old politician, and he is more comprehensive in considering things than Zhu Houzhao, who has no practical experience, so after reading it, the emperor was as satisfied as usual, "It can be called appropriate, use the seal, and award it to Yang Shangyi."

"The minister obeys the order."

"Mr. Yang Ge, there is one more thing."

"Wang Shouren returned to the capital this time, and brought two guards, Shuofang Army, not many people, but at that time, he thought that if there was any instability, he could be dispatched at any time. After the 1 people arrived in the capital, how to settle down still needs to be carefully handled by Mr. Yang Ge. Consider it and arrange it properly, and there are cavalry among them, and Jingdou also needs to be prepared."

Yang Yiqing has led the army for many years, so he couldn't think of this. He nodded and said yes, "Your Majesty received the report a few years ago and knew that Wang Bo'an was going to Beijing. All preparations have already begun. Please rest assured, Your Majesty."

"Ah."

Zhu Houzhao stretched himself.

There are a few capable cabinet elders who are still different.

Yang Yiqing has been a civil servant and a military officer, has fought wars, and governed the people. He is indeed a rare talent.

"With Yang Ge here, I can worry less."

"It is the responsibility of the minister to share the worries of the king."

"There is no imperial examination this year, and the main thing is the Dachaohui in March. It has been stable for two years, and things are obviously more this year. I am afraid that Yang Ge will have to work hard again."

Yang Yiqing held the ceremony, and everything was left unsaid.

This period is torture for the incompetent.

But for Yang Yiqing, it was time for him to do big things.

~~~
Shuofang Town is a group of cavalry and infantry, marching in an orderly manner. It took more than a month to pass the Bauhinia Pass and arrive at the foot of the capital.

There is no obstacle for the army without purpose to enter the city, because the imperial decree has already urged Wang Shouren to speed up the march without delay.

In the fifth year of Zhengde, on the [-]th day of the first lunar month, after the Lantern Festival, the festive atmosphere gradually dissipated. Most of Shuofang's troops entered the city, and Wang Shouren entered the palace to meet the saint without any delay.

He was anxious not only because of the imperial decree, but also because of another matter.

Zhu Houzhao was happy to see this person. Jin Yiwei's report was vague, but it seemed that there was indeed a problem. Now that Wang Shouren is back, in his opinion, half of the problem has been solved.

Originally, he wanted to exchange some pleasantries, but Wang Shouren was very serious, "Your Majesty! I have something important to attend to!"

"What's the matter?"

"Your Majesty, please summon someone."

Zhu Houzhao didn't refuse, Wang Shouren looked back, and then a small servant walked in with a man who looked like a scholar, wearing a square scarf, wearing a light blue shirt, and a beard with the word "one". The appearance of early.

"Wei Chen, Shanxi Tixue Yan Biyun, is here to see His Majesty."

Zhu Houzhao didn't know this official, but he still knew what Tixue was for. In a sense, he was also a local supervisory official. "Bo'an, why did you bring Shanxi Tixue here?"

"Your Majesty, let me answer this matter. I was originally a second-class Jinshi in the 12th year of Hongzhi. I had heard of Wang Shouren's name ten years ago. This time I also knew that the emperor's decree called him back to the capital, so I was waiting on the road."

"You wait for him? Why?"

"In order to save my old life, I can expose a conspiracy to the emperor!"

Zhu Houzhao had heard Mao Yuwen mention it before, so he was mentally prepared. He dismissed the waiter who wanted to come to serve tea, and said seriously: "Get up and talk. Bo'an, you are also flattened."

How could Yan Biyun dare to get up? Not only did he not get up, he kowtowed heavily on the floor, "Your Majesty, I want to participate in the Shanxi capital commander's envoy Tian Ze, who secretly colluded with Pingyang Guard, Fenzhou Guard, Luzhou Guard and others to plot an uprising. !”

"Is there any evidence?"

"I don't have any evidence yet, I heard it, and I don't have a single word in my hands."

Wang Shouren cupped his hands, "Your Majesty, I know Yan Ti's academic character, and I am willing to guarantee it. If it is not true, he will never dare to speak out in front of the emperor!"

"Then where did you hear that?"

"Commander and envoy!" Yan Biyun said firmly, "The minister was invited to attend the banquet. During the process, he rushed out of the house and lost his way. He overheard the conspiracy in the secret room!"

"You mentioned Luzhou Wei, is it King Shen?"

The first generation of King Shen was Zhu Yuanzhang's No.20 son. He was granted the title of King Shen in the 24th year of Hongwu, and he became a domain of Shenyang. In the sixth year of Yongle, Zhu Di moved him to Luzhou, Shanxi.

This Luzhou is in the southeast of Shanxi, which is probably where Changzhi City is today, and it is still far away from the Daiwang in the northernmost Datong.

"According to what I heard, they are not headed by King Shen, but they must be named after King Shen."

Speaking of this, Zhu Houzhao suddenly understood.

Why didn't Jin Yiwei find out the point of the news he inquired about, and heard the wind, but didn't know where the wind came from.

It turned out to be the wrong point.

It was the rebellion of King Anhua in Ningxia that attracted Jin Yiwei's attention to the various vassals. In addition, it was an old tradition to defend the vassals of the Ming Dynasty.

After thinking for a while, Zhu Houzhao asked again: "But up to now, there has not been a single report from Shanxi to report this matter to me, even if there are no rumors. How can these people control Shanxi so tightly? Did you hear that? Whatever, say it one by one."

"Yes!" Yan Biyun took a deep breath, "According to what I heard at the time, they wanted to take advantage of two rebellions, one was the rebellion of cleaning up the border towns in the army, and the other was the rebellion of the court caused by the rebellion case. In the midst of the chaos, they took advantage of the chaos to revolt and then united with the rest of the chaos. As for His Majesty's statement that there was no movement in Shanxi, the minister and Bo'an also discussed it. Perhaps it was the thunderbolt of the imperial court's suppression of the chaos in Jizhou that made them They were a little afraid, so they stayed silent for the time being, preparing to wait for the chaos in the court."

"There is no sign of rebellion in the court, and there is no case of rebellion. Besides, who wants to rebel?"

Yan Biyun shot a bright light from his eyes, "Your Majesty, please forgive me for speaking out and offending you."

"You said."

"Your Majesty is cleaning up the military camps, and there are signs of turmoil in the border towns. At this time, Your Majesty may suspect that anyone may rebel."

This is to take advantage of the emperor's suspicion, to a certain extent.

Zhu Houzhao's eyes began to look different. These people seemed to be more capable than King Anhua.

Wang Shouren also said: "This is the most critical time for the cleanup of military camps. If a major case occurs in the capital and is widely implicated, causing people to panic, it will definitely destabilize the border towns and the court will be in a dilemma. This intention , is indeed vicious."