Volume 2: The Capital, I’m Back Chapter 88: I will personally lead the army to attack the northern desert!
New Year’s Eve, the fourteenth year of the Zhengtong period of the Ming Dynasty.
All officials took a day off, but there were a few exceptions.
A total of six people, including Prince Zhu Qiyu of Qin, Left Vice Minister of War Yu Qian, Marquis of Taining Chen Ying, Marquis of Xiangcheng Li Zhen, Co-director of the Three Thousand Battalion Ha Ming, and Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard Yuan Bin, were summoned to the imperial study to discuss important matters.
Everyone present could see that this meeting was extremely confidential, because there was not even a eunuch beside the emperor.
Zhu Qizhen swept his eyes across everyone's faces and said sternly, "You are all loyal ministers of the Ming Dynasty. I won't waste any more time. I summoned you here today to discuss only one thing. I am going to send troops north to personally conquer the Oirat!"
Although everyone was prepared, they were still quite surprised when they heard Zhu Qizhen say this.
Zhu Qiyu spoke first: "Your Majesty, this is a serious matter, please think twice!"
You must know that although you won a great victory in the last expedition, the Ming army also lost hundreds of thousands of soldiers and even almost lost you, the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty. You have just returned less than half a year ago, and you are going to lead another expedition. The court can't afford to suffer such a torment from you.
Zhu Qizhen did not answer, but looked at the others and asked, "What do you think? Tell me!"
Yu Qian stood up and said, "I believe that the remnant Yuan forces on the grasslands are always a scourge. This war will have to be fought sooner or later. However, our Ming court has many famous generals, such as the Duke of Yingguo, the Marquis of Ningyang, and the Marquis of Xiangcheng and the Marquis of Taining who are present here. They can all lead the army. There is no need for the emperor to lead the army in person. Moreover, sending troops to fight depends on the supply of food and grass. When Emperor Taizong led the army in person, it took him three months to prepare food and grass. This matter should be planned slowly and not be rushed."
Even though Yu Qian was outspoken, his words still saved face for Zhu Qizhen.
Emperor Taizong personally led the army to fight and it took him three months to prepare food and fodder. But you, on the other hand, took less than five days from the time you gave the order to personally lead the army to the time the army set out. There's no way you can win this battle!
Taining Marquis Chen Ying and Xiangcheng Marquis Li Zhen looked at each other and said, "I am willing to go to war!"
Li Zhen then said, "I also agree with the Northern Expedition, but Minister Yu is right. Your Majesty should not take risks lightly."
Zhu Qizhen looked at Yuan Bin again, and Yuan Bin said, " The Jinyiwei will follow the emperor's lead. Wherever the emperor goes, I will follow!"
Of the six people present, five had spoken, leaving only Ha Ming.
Ha Ming was very confused as to why the emperor specifically asked him to attend such a meeting.
I am only the deputy commander of the Three Thousand Battalion. It is enough for the commander-in-chief to express his opinion. How can a deputy go against the commander-in-chief?
Seeing the emperor's questioning look, he had no choice but to say, "I also agree with the Northern Expedition, but I hope Your Majesty will consider the selection of the commander-in-chief carefully."
Zhu Qizhen nodded, then looked at Zhu Qiyu and said, "Do you know why I insisted on letting you continue to supervise the country after I returned to the capital?"
"I... don't know..."
"Just for this expedition!" Zhu Qizhen's tone became more and more excited. "Wala Yesen was too much of a bully. He ran to my territory to burn, kill and loot. If I don't take revenge, how can I, as the emperor, face my ancestors? You stay in the capital and supervise the country. Duke Ying is old, so let him stay in the capital to assist you this time. Take care of the family and wait for my return!"
"But, Your Majesty..."
"No buts. I have already made a solemn vow to personally lead the army to conquer Mobei. Yu Qian, you will follow me!"
Yu Qian said in bewilderment: "Your Majesty, please think twice!"
Zhu Qizhen asked: "Let me ask you , if I was defeated in Tumubao and the Wala army attacked the capital, what would you do?"
"I will defend the capital till my death to repay the country's kindness!"
"If someone in the court proposed to move south, what would you do?"
"Anyone who proposes to move south should be killed!"
"If you were to command the defense of the capital, what chances would you have of winning?"
Yu Qian thought for a moment and said resolutely: "If I were the commander-in-chief, I would be able to defeat the Oirat!"
"That's it!"
Zhu Qizhen said with satisfaction: "When I was trapped, I ordered Jingyuan to bring the imperial edict back to the capital. I saw your ability. This time I will personally lead you as my deputy commander. Do you have the confidence to follow me to conquer Mobei?"
Yu Qian suddenly felt that he seemed to be tricked.
What we are discussing now is not whether we can win the war, but that it is really inappropriate for you, the emperor, to lead the army in person at every turn!
"Why don't you say anything? Are you afraid to go?"
"Of course I dare!"
After Yu Qian finished speaking, he realized that something was wrong. He was about to explain, but Zhu Qizhen interrupted him and said, "That's good. The matter of mobilizing troops and collecting food and grass is now left to you. Start preparing after the New Year and set off in three months!"
Yu Qian was relieved when he heard that they would set out in three months. It seemed that the emperor was still very cautious about this Northern Expedition.
On second thought, the current emperor is very different from before. Since returning to Beijing, every decision he has made has been full of wisdom, and he no longer listens to slander. What's more, the national treasury is now full with money and food. As long as we are well prepared, there is nothing to worry about.
Then fight, I’ll go with you!
Zhu Qizhen was very satisfied that his younger brother Zhu Qiuyu would not insist too much in front of him. The others had all followed him in battles and would not object. As long as Yu Qian could be convinced, there would be no problem.
"Okay, this is how I arranged it!"
Zhu Qizhen spread out a map and asked everyone to come forward.
"Ha Ming, there is something that I have discussed with King Qing for a long time, and finally decided to give this important task to you!"
Ha Ming hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, please give your orders!"
“Remember the North Sea?”
Ha Ming nodded and asked, "Is it the North Sea north of the Onon River?"
"good!"
Zhu Qizhen pointed to the location of Lake Baikal and said, "I have decided to form the Beihai Guard, and you will be the commander. As for the troops, draw 500 elite soldiers from the 3,000-man camp, and another 5,000 from other guards. Go to the rear of the Oirat first to help the local tribes resist the invasion of the Rakshasa Kingdom and incorporate Beihai into the territory of the Ming Dynasty!"
Ha Ming had followed Zhu Qizhen to Beihai and was familiar with the local situation. If Beihai could be incorporated into the territory of the Ming Dynasty, it would not only expand the territory, but also allow troops to be sent from the rear of the Oirat to contain it.
"I obey your order!"
Zhu Qizhen looked at Li Zhen again and asked, "Is it okay for you to transfer people from the Three Thousand Battalion?"
Li Zhen hurriedly shook his head and said, "I have no objection, even if all three thousand troops are withdrawn, I have no objection!"
Are you kidding? You are the emperor, you are the most powerful, how dare I have any opinion...
"That won't work. The Three Thousand Battalion has another important mission!"
Zhu Qizhen shook his head slightly and said, "You can select 500 men from the five military camps to make up the number of 3,000. For this northern expedition, I require the 3,000-man camp to lead the charge."
When Li Zhen heard this, his eyes lit up immediately and he said, "Your Majesty, please rest assured that I will fulfill my mission!"
"Chen Ying!"
Chen Ying stepped forward: "I'm here!"
"Keep an eye on Xishan Wanggongchang. The research and development of flintlock rifles and falconets has made a breakthrough and will soon go into mass production. The Shenji Battalion must familiarize themselves with the use of new firearms as soon as possible!"
"I obey your order!"
Ha Ming asked again: "Your Majesty, since we are forming the Beihai Guard, in addition to me as the commander, should we select a few more adjutants?"
Zhu Qizhen nodded and said, "I will leave this matter to you. When you arrive in Beihai, select a commander from the local tribal leaders to assist you in managing Beihai's military and political affairs."
"What should we do if those tribes don't obey?"
Zhu Qizhen smiled faintly and said, "Then find someone who is obedient!"
Ha Ming's expression became stern, and he said, "I understand!"
