On the spacious concrete road leading from Shanxi to the capital, a large army was marching towards the capital in neat formations. The size of this army was not too large, with only 5,000 people, but its appearance was neat and the formations were strict.
As the army walked, there was no sound other than the neat sound of horse hooves. A chilling atmosphere made other pedestrians on the cement road couldn't help but change their expressions slightly, and quickly got out of the way.
"Finally back to Beijing!"
Liu Jin rode on a tall horse and looked into the distance. He could vaguely see some houses on the outskirts of the capital.
In the past few years, the capital has been developing so fast. The suburbs of the capital have gradually developed. At the same time, villages and houses have been built along both sides of the cement road. One road has driven the development along the way.
"Yeah, it only takes a few months to go."
"It was still snowing heavily when we set out for the expedition, but now March has passed."
Wang Shouren, who was beside Liu Jin, couldn't help but sigh.
The past few years have been spent in conquests from the south to the north. From the beginning of the attack on the Japanese country, Wang Shouren has not stopped. He has followed the grassland people in the north, the Jurchens in Liaodong, the Southeast Asian countries, and the Western Regions.
The Jin Dynasty fought all the way, and the Ming Dynasty traveled all the way from east to west, north to south.
"I'm afraid we won't have the chance to go on another expedition in the future."
Liu Jin smiled and said.
After conquering the Western Regions, almost all the neighbors around the Ming Dynasty were defeated. Not long ago, Uzang was defeated by 10,000 troops led by Huo Yun. Both the Yellow and White Sects of Uzang completely surrendered to the Ming Dynasty.
Emperor Hongzhi directly set up two new chief envoys in Qinghai and Uzang in Uzang, and sent officials to govern these two places.
Having conquered everything from east to west, north and south, the Ming Dynasty can be said to have entered the most stable, strongest, and largest period. It has a vast territory, a vast territory, and a large population. And the key is that now everyone is afraid of the Ming Dynasty, and there are no border problems.
Therefore, Liu Jin had a hunch that after returning to Beijing this time, he might never have the opportunity to lead troops to fight in the future.
Although Liu Jin felt that his ability to lead troops in battles was really poor, the only thing worthy of praise was that Liu Jin knew that he was not good enough, so he basically let his generals fight.
Wang Shouren, Yang Yun, Mao Lun, Han Yi, Huo Yun and others are all very excellent generals. Wang Shouren is a monster. Although he is a scholar, he is almost self-taught in leading troops in battle.
Yang Yun was originally a member of the military. He became a marquis by killing a young Tatar prince, and then entered the Ming Dynasty Royal Military Academy to study and further his studies, and he was promoted.
Some of Mao Lun, Han Yi, Huo Yun and others were originally children of noble families, and some were children of ordinary families, but they all studied at the Royal Military Academy of the Ming Dynasty. After systematic study, they were all the best and outstanding generals.
Liu Jin boldly appointed these powerful generals if he couldn't do it himself, and listened to Lao Wang's opinions more, which made him truly invincible.
But Liu Jin himself knew how much he had, and he could not imitate the likes of Zhao Kuo and Li Jinglong. If he did not understand and still presented himself as a hero, it would harm the entire country.
After staying in the military camp for a long time, Liu Jin gradually fell in love with him.
I feel a little sad when I think about not being able to lead troops to fight in the future. I seem to be only in my twenties, and I will have to retire now?
But Liu Jin knew that he might not be able to lead troops in war in the future.
When I go back this time, I will probably be promoted to a noble rank. I am already the Marquis of Liaodong. This time I will probably get a duke's iron rice bowl. If I lead troops to fight again in the future, it will not be easy to get rewards for meritorious service.
There were no princes with different surnames in the Ming Dynasty, and even if there were, they were granted posthumously. I am only in my twenties, and I still have a long time to come.
Even Liu Jin felt that it was too high to be a prince. It was not a good thing to show off to the forest.
"I'm afraid life will be difficult after this."
Liu Jin couldn't help but sigh in his heart. Since ancient times, it has not been a good thing to achieve great success and shock the master.
Perhaps the only thing to be thankful for is that now is not the time when the Ming Dynasty was founded. Otherwise, this founding hero would not seem to have a good end in the Ming Dynasty.
"Yes, I'm afraid there won't be any chance to go on another expedition in the future."
Wang Shouren was a smart man, and he understood as soon as Liu Jin said it.
In fact, when Emperor Hongzhi sent people to the Western Regions to take over the 200,000 troops from the two men, they knew that they would never have the chance to lead troops to fight in the future.
Think about it again, Liu Jin is only in his twenties, and Wang Shouren is only in his early thirties. They are both in their prime. It is a pity that they will not be able to lead troops to fight in the future.
The army is constantly advancing, and these five thousand soldiers are all representatives sent to represent the 200,000 army coming to the capital to accept the reward from Emperor Hongzhi.
Of course, when he was in the Western Regions, Liu Jin had already rewarded the three armies. The soldiers all received their own rewards, including silver, land, cattle, sheep, horses, slaves, etc.
However, most of the middle and upper-level generals will definitely come to the capital to receive personal rewards from Emperor Hongzhi, and they will also send some representatives to receive reviews and rewards from Emperor Hongzhi.
This is the rule in the army, and it was also the rule formulated by Liu Jin and Zhang Mao.
The army of the Ming Dynasty is the army of the Emperor of Ming Dynasty. Therefore, the promotion and rewards of the senior generals in the army must go through Emperor Hongzhi, in order to tell everyone who the allegiance of the Ming Dynasty army is.
In order to implement and enforce such a fundamental principle.
Liu Jin and Zhang Mao formulated a series of measures, including brainwashing the army from generals to ordinary soldiers, establishing a majestic and glorious image of the Son of Heaven, establishing a sense of honor and loyalty among soldiers, etc.
"Report~"
"Your Majesty led all the civil and military officials to go out thirty miles from the capital to welcome the army back to the court!"
At this time, a messenger hurried to Liu Jin's side to report.
"This~"
Liu Jin and Wang Shouren looked at each other and immediately smiled.
As expected, I am afraid that I will never have the opportunity to lead troops to fight in the future. Emperor Hongzhi has already given me such a high honor, which is enough.
Soon, the army was getting closer and closer to the capital. On a concrete road, they could see flags fluttering, a canopy covering the sky, the bright yellow Ming Dynasty dragon flag fluttering in the wind, and many bright crimson robes.
There is no doubt that this must be Emperor Hongzhi leading all the civil and military officials to welcome Liu Jin and Wang Shouren's army back to the court.
"Everyone obeys the order!"
Liu Jin shouted loudly, and as Liu Jin's order sounded, the five thousand people immediately stopped advancing.
"Dismount~"
After another order, everyone turned over and dismounted in unison.
"Disband the troops!"
With another order, the five thousand people all left the bows and arrows, muskets, sabers, spears, etc. on their backs where they were.
"Start and go!"
Liu Jin took the lead and walked towards Emperor Hongzhi. Following his orders, five thousand people quickly formed a neat rectangular array on the cement road and walked forward in neat steps.
"Tap~"
Liu Jin and Wang Shouren led five thousand people in uniform and neat steps. There was no sound from the whole group, only the sound of uniform footsteps.
Emperor Hongzhi and others who were not far away couldn't help but change their expressions slightly when they saw this scene.
No wonder such an army can win every battle, no wonder it can sweep across all directions.
"Not bad, not bad, but the number of people is too small."
"I will definitely hold a military parade every year in the future. The number of people must be larger to make it more beautiful."
Zhu Houzhao, who had recently been learning how to deal with national affairs, saw this scene and his blood boiled with excitement.
It was not once or twice that he watched the military parade with Emperor Hongzhi. He never got tired of watching it, and he always felt very excited. His whole body was boiling with enthusiasm, wishing he could lead such an army to sweep across all directions.
When Emperor Hongzhi next to him heard this, he couldn't help but twitch. This brat, he is not dead yet, and he is already thinking about being the master of the country in the future.
He is truly unworthy of a man.
If he hadn't only had one son, he would have wanted to kill him.
Liu Jin brought five thousand people to the side of Emperor Hongzhi. He was very respectful and said formally: "Thanks to the blessings of the previous emperors of the Ming Dynasty, I, the emperor of the Ming Dynasty, have great strategies, strategize, and win thousands of miles. All the ministers of the Ming Dynasty are united and united.
Working together, our soldiers of the Ming Dynasty will be brave and fearless, and we will kill the enemy bravely."
"We, the Ming Dynasty, were able to regain our homeland in the Western Regions and regain the glory of the Han and Tang Dynasties!"
"The Ming Dynasty is mighty!"
As Liu Jin shouted loudly, five thousand soldiers behind Liu Jin also shouted out in unison.
"The Ming Dynasty is mighty!"
"The Ming Dynasty is mighty!"
The soldiers shouted over and over again, and the surrounding ministers soon followed suit and shouted in unison. Then the sound continued to spread, and people on the road who heard the sound also kept shouting.
"The Ming Dynasty is mighty!"
Zhu Houzhao also shouted after him.
When Emperor Hongzhi heard this tsunami-like shout, he stood up and shouted happily: "The Ming Dynasty is mighty!"
"The Ming Dynasty is mighty!"
As Emperor Hongzhi also shouted, everyone shouted even more vigorously, and the sound resounded through the sky and shook the world.
"Thank you for your hard work, soldiers!"
After a long time, when it gradually subsided, Emperor Hongzhi smiled and nodded to Xiao Jing.
Xiao Jing understood immediately, took out an imperial edict that had been written long ago and read loudly:
Emperor Fengtian carried the order and issued an edict: The Western Region has been our homeland in the Central Plains since ancient times, but it was occupied by foreigners...Tulupan Yelang was arrogant, did not know his capabilities, and challenged our Ming Dynasty...
Confess Liu Jin as the Duke of Liao, hereditary, regardless of succession...
Xiao Jing talked a lot during the meeting, but Liu Jin didn't hear it very clearly, but when he thought about himself, Liu Jin still heard it very clearly.
Well, I finally got an iron rice bowl. The Duke of Liao is a hereditary and irreplaceable kind. This is a proper iron rice bowl, the same as the Duke of Ying, Duke of Cheng, Duke of Ding, and Duke of Wei.
PS: Ahem, this is not the end, the content behind is still very long~