The next day, Chang Yu got up early and went out for a run with a few of his attendants to do strength training. This was almost a required course for him every day. People around him had long been used to it.
It was still relatively cold in the mountains. Zhu Cixiang huddled in bed, although he wanted to join in, but his body was extremely attached to the warm bed. He didn't get up until Chang Yu came back from exercise.
"Young people must know how to be self-disciplined. When you are in your seventies or eighties, you have plenty of time to lie down. At this time, even in the palace, you should have gotten up long ago."
Zhu Cixiang was very embarrassed. After getting up to wash up and have breakfast, he saw Princess Kunxing and the little nun walking from the outside together. Their faces were red and steaming: "Kun...little Kunzi, where have you been?"
Kun Xing couldn't help but laugh when he heard his voice being funny: "I went outside to watch the Black Wolf Camp's drills."
"Ah, why didn't you ask me to go watch with you?" Zhu Cixiang looked frustrated. The Third Battalion of Dongchang was the most courageous soldier under Chang Yu. Not only was it invincible on the battlefield, it was also very murderous in daily drills, which was very impressive.
"Come on, are you up?" Kun Xing pouted and walked to the hall, just in time to meet Chang Yu as he came out, and glanced at her: "Ahem, there are no rules. Mr. Shi is eating in there, why are you trespassing?"
Kun Xing was startled and then looked at Chang Yu with an angry look on his face. He clenched his fist in front of his face and shook it for a few times before leaving with a groan.
At three o'clock in the morning, the General Military Mansion became noisy. Tang Tong ordered all the rosters and books to be moved over. Dongchang Fanzi, Jinyiwei and the people from the Sanfa Division all participated. They posted the accounts first and then went to each warehouse to check one by one. As for the soldiers
He Zhanma first verified the current number of administrative offices, and then sent people along the Great Wall to verify them one by one. Yes, the inspectors were going to go all over the jurisdiction of Ji Town. Chang Yu really meant it.
As for the officials from the Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of Household Affairs, they were not idle at all. At first, many people were confused as to why they were accompanying them. It was not until this morning when they went to the Great Wall for maintenance that everyone suddenly realized that Chang Yu's trip was not just to patrol the border and rectify military affairs, but also to conduct inspections.
Statistics of side wall damage.
The audits were done by professional people under his command. It was impossible for Chang Yu to look through the account books there but he couldn't stay idle, so he and Shi Kefa, accompanied by Tang Tong, went to the military camp to reward the troops. Naturally, Zhu Cixiang also wanted to accompany him.
The General Military Mansion is still some distance away from the military camp. Fortunately, the weather is fine and it is very pleasant for everyone to chat and enjoy the mountain scenery after late autumn.
Although it is only late autumn, the climate in the mountains is changeable. According to Tang Tong, it has snowed three times. No wonder the woods that should have been hanging yellow have become bare, and the black mountains and white water have a unique style at a glance.
"Uncle Ping Xibo, when will the construction of your palace in Beijing be completed? Our family is going to have a wedding drink in time for your move." Chang Yu asked casually while chatting on the way.
The generals who were ennobled were given residences in the two capitals; the generals led troops outside; and their families were kept in the capital as hostages. This was the rule of all dynasties, and the Ming Dynasty was no exception.
The Ministry of Household Affairs will allocate funds for the mansion, and the Ministry of Works will be responsible for building it. As soon as half a year? Or as slowly as... Tang Tong, Zhou Yuji, Huang Degong and others are still far away.
As for the reason? Very simple? No money!
Build a noble palace? It can cost as little as a few thousand, or as much as tens of thousands? But now the imperial court is so poor that it won't be able to pay wages any time soon. How can there be any money to build a palace for you?
unless……
Like Chang Yu, spend your own money to decorate.
Chang Yu's house was also given to him, but it was neither a general's mansion nor a prince's mansion. It didn't need such high standards, and he himself wasn't very particular about it. He spent some money to clean it up and moved in directly.
But those generals' mansions? The Duke Bohou's mansion is different? The specifications are different, there are too many details, and naturally it will cost a lot of money? If the court doesn't have money, it can be paid for by itself, but the question is who is willing to pay for it by himself? Even if he is willing, he dare not pay.
If you spend thousands of taels of silver to build a house, you will probably be targeted by the censor. Where do you get so much money?
Even if you have thousands of excuses or even legitimate sources? But the impact will always be bad.
You must know that people in the Ming Dynasty like to pretend to be poor. Don’t you know that some yamen deliberately spend money to decorate them to be shabby?
Tang Tong smiled bitterly when he heard this: "It depends on the court when to move house, but it depends on when the governor's housewarming wine will be served to the general."
A few days ago, Chang Yu held a housewarming party, and Tang Tong asked someone to send him a gift. Because he was on military duty and could not leave his post without permission, he didn't get the wine.
Chang Yu laughed loudly: "As long as Ping Xibo wants to drink, our family can make it up for you anytime and anywhere."
"It's not a good time to drink here," Zu Dashou added with a slight smile and raised his hand to point not far away, indicating that the military camp had arrived.
Jizhou Town has jurisdiction over a thousand miles of defense line. At its peak, there were more than 100,000 soldiers and horses, but today there are only 30,000 to 50,000 soldiers left. Among them, there are more than 10,000 troops stationed by Shanhaiguan officials, and more than 10,000 troops are under the jurisdiction of Tangtong. The rest are scattered in various passes.
A few months ago, Tang Tong left thousands of troops to garrison Jizhou Town, and led 8,000 soldiers and horses to fight with Chang Yu. After the war, there were only five or six thousand soldiers left. Now, the total number of troops stationed in Jizhou Town is only 8,000.
But seventy-eight out of ten of these eight thousand soldiers had followed Chang Yu in his expeditions to the south and north, fighting against the Tatars and killing the traitors. Their victory in every battle and their return in triumph became the most glorious and glorious moments in their military careers.
So when I heard that the young eunuch who once led them to charge into bloody battles and was invincible on the battlefield came with the Minister of War to reward the troops, the entire military camp was shocked. The soldiers' morale was as excited as fresh shrimps just thrown into the frying pan.
Of course, some people were excited while others were worried. Some generals knew that the eunuch was not just here to reward the troops. He was ordered to inspect the nine sides. The wind had already blown over. His immediate superior, Tang Tong, had already checked with them.
He once warned: If you can't be fooled, there is only one way to go, be frank and be lenient!
"You see that cavalry is so murderous, it can't be the Guaning Cavalry, right?" The soldiers in the military camp crowded together and looked at Chang Yu and his entourage who were getting closer and closer, talking loudly.
When I heard you say this, I didn’t participate in the war. It was the Black Wolf Battalion of the East Factory Guards. Didn’t you see that there was a black wolf embroidered on their military flag? Hey, we fought side by side with them in Ningyuan. Wild
Very...
Here it comes, here it comes, do you see it? The one next to General Tang Bing is Eunuch Chang...
Bah, you called me Eunuch Chang. You should call me Lord Governor. Hey, Eunuch Chang is getting stronger and stronger after not seeing you for half a year...
It turns out that the rumored great eunuch of Dongchang is so young, he is really a young eunuch... So is he a great eunuch or a young eunuch...
I asked you if you are tired of living, you are like a eunuch every time, someone scolded me.
Not really, I heard that Eunuch Chang is very friendly and only likes to punish the high officials, but he is very kind to the little soldiers...
Amidst the discussion of the soldiers, Chang Yu and his entourage entered the military camp. Tang Tong ordered the soldiers to gather at the school ground to wait for the review. Soon, thousands of soldiers gathered at the school ground to stand by.
On the general stage, Shi Kefa was the first to speak. He was a civil servant and talked in one way, but the soldiers listened as if they were chewing wax and could not even understand what he was saying. They still liked to listen to the little eunuch talk, which was relaxed and down-to-earth.
, no holding or adjusting, comfortable.
Finally it was Chang Yu's turn. He would not stand on the stage and preach seriously. He got on his horse and walked slowly around the school grounds. Thousands of soldiers stared at him closely.
"I just saw a lot of familiar faces. There are many brothers here who have fought with me in the past. Seeing that you are still alive, I am very happy."
The soldiers who had participated in the war with him were so excited when they heard his opening remarks and the words "brothers", and couldn't help but have a proud smile on their faces.
"We haven't seen each other for a few months, so I came here to see how you guys are doing."
"good!"
Thousands of people shouted, the sound carried for miles, and the birds in the distant woods were frightened. However, Shi Kefa and Tang Tong on the stage looked at each other and smiled bitterly. This guy is so good at creating atmosphere, no matter how you look at it, you want to be in the theater to warm up the show.
"Today we are just talking about old times and nothing else, but I still have to say a few words about the situation." Chang Yu put away the smile on his face: "Our duty as soldiers is to protect our families and our country. This is a sacred profession.
However, over the past many years, the external sores and internal rot have become extremely stinky. As for how we got to this point, we will not take the blame. But from now on, the imperial court is determined to rectify military affairs and military discipline. In the future, everyone should restrain themselves more and commit less violations of law and discipline.
If you find that your colleagues or superiors are involved in corruption or discipline, you can go directly to the East Factory to report it. Once it is implemented, you will be heavily rewarded! But once the false accusation is proven, you will also be severely punished!"
This sentence set off a thousand waves, and even Tang Tong on the general stage changed his eyes. He was mobilizing the entire army to supervise corruption. It was not just a matter of several departments joining forces to investigate corruption.
He really dealt with it hard.
"Military discipline is strict, orders must be carried out, and battles must be won." Chang Yu changed his topic: "This is the imperial court's requirement for all troops and horses in the future. I also ask all officers and men to keep it in mind. I have clear rewards and punishments. You should have heard of it.
If you have merit, you will be rewarded, and if you have faults, you will never be lenient."
All the soldiers couldn't help but shudder!
He only had to say a few words on the stage to change the atmosphere from a volcanic eruption to freezing for thousands of miles, but as soon as the topic changed, it was spring in March again, and the spring breeze was blowing on his face: "What the court said, you just need to keep it in your heart. What about today?"
Let’s consider it a good time to say goodbye rather than newlyweds and talk about some happy things, so let me teach you to sing a few songs..."
The dignified eunuch of the East Factory was about to sing a song, which made thousands of soldiers unable to sit still. There were all kinds of boos and boos. Chang Yu coughed a few times, and the huge campus was silent for an instant, and then the song "Men should improve themselves" started to howl.
, all the officers and soldiers applauded, "Serving the country with loyalty and loyalty" came again.
Soon, they learned that these two songs were military songs, and all soldiers of the Ming Dynasty must be able to sing them in the future.
And you have to learn it on the spot.
Of course, Chang Yu didn't need to teach him word for word. Hundreds of people under his command knew it by heart. At this time, they were scattered throughout the school and began to teach military songs.
On the general stage, Chang Yu, Tang Tong and Shi Kefa watched all this with smiles on their faces.
Perhaps it was because the songs were catchy and easy to learn, or perhaps it was because the eunuch was watching the soldiers very seriously. In less than half an hour, he memorized the two songs by heart, and then started singing them one after another,
Then the whole audience sang loudly.
The song itself is majestic and majestic. Ten people sang it, hundreds of people sang it, and even thousands of people sang it in chorus. It was so powerful that it made people unable to calm down for a long time. All the soldiers were affected by the atmosphere and stopped joking. Their faces were solemn and they sang hard. Even Chang Yu
It also changed color.
"In the past, I have always wondered why the same soldiers and generals were defeated and defeated in previous years, but now they are invincible. Today I finally understand something," Zhu Cixiang suppressed his inner excitement and said softly beside Chang Yu.
Chang Yu glanced at him vaguely: "Let's talk and listen."
"In terms of momentum and vitality, soldiers in the past were like stagnant water, half-dead, but now their fighting spirit and morale are very different. You are good at stimulating morale."
Chang Yu shook his head slightly: "Morale is important, but morale alone is in vain. What soldiers need is blood! Only by stimulating their blood can they let go and move forward without any scruples."
Zhu Cihong hummed and nodded vigorously: "I've learned a lesson."
"Although there are many reasons for the repeated defeats in the past, the most fundamental reason is that the soldiers have lost their blood. And the situation caused by this is diverse and irreversible natural environment, but most of it is man-made. You should always listen
A soldier is like a raging enemy, and a general is like a raging nest. The generals I am talking about not only refer to the leading generals like Tang Tong, but also the people above them."
Zhu Cixiang's face turned red, and Chang Yu coughed lightly: "I'm not talking about the emperor. The emperor has always supported the main battle whether against the Tatars or thieves. It's just that a clever woman can't make a meal without rice. I'm talking about the imperial court and the courtiers."
Incompetent and no longer willing to fight anymore, they eat and drink every day and wait for death. As a result, the generals in the army are also looking forward and backward. When there is a battle to be fought, they will think about how to retreat and escape before the fight begins, and how to take advantage of the situation to fish in troubled waters...