New Year's Eve, the 14th year of Ming Zhengtong.
All the officials took a break, but there were a few exceptions.
A total of six people including Zhu Qiyu, the king of Tao, Yu Qian, the left minister of the Ministry of War, Chen Ying, the Marquis of Taining, Li Zhen, the Marquis of Xiangcheng, Ha Ming, the commander of the Three Thousand Battalion, and Yuan Bin, the commander of the Jinyiwei, were summoned to the imperial study to discuss important matters.
Everyone present could see that this meeting was very confidential, because there was not even a eunuch beside the emperor.
Zhu Qizhen's eyes swept across everyone's faces and said seriously: "You are all my ministers of the Ming Dynasty, so I won't talk nonsense. I have called you here today to discuss only one thing. I am preparing to send troops.
Go north and conquer Wala in person!"
Although everyone was prepared, they were still quite surprised when they heard Zhu Qizhen say these words.
Zhu Qiyu was the first to speak: "Your Majesty, this is a serious matter, please think twice!"
You know, although the last personal expedition returned with a great victory, the Ming army also lost hundreds of thousands of soldiers and horses, and even almost brought you, the Ming Emperor, into the army. Just half a year after returning, they have to conquer again in person. The court cannot bear your trouble. Zhu Qizhen did not answer, but looked at the others and asked: "Tell me what you think!"
Yu Qian stood up and said: "I believe that the remnant forces on the grassland are always a scourge, and this battle will have to be fought sooner or later. However, our Ming court has many famous generals, such as the British Duke, Ningyang Marquis, including the present Xiangcheng Marquis, Taining
All princes can take command, and there is no need for the emperor to personally conquer. Moreover, the troops sent out to fight are provided with grain and grass supplies. When Emperor Taizong personally led the expedition, it only took three months to prepare the grain and grass. This matter should be planned slowly and not rushed."
Even though Yu Qian was outspoken, his words still saved Zhu Qizhen's face.
It took Emperor Taizong three months to prepare food and fodder for his own expedition, but you are better off. From the time he ordered the expedition to the departure of the army, it took less than five days. It would be a shame if he could win this battle!
Chen Ying, the Marquis of Taining, and Li Zhen, the Marquis of Xiangcheng, looked at each other and said, "I am willing to go on an expedition!"
Li Zhen then said: "I also agree to the Northern Expedition, but Minister Yu is right, the emperor cannot take risks easily."
Zhu Qizhen looked at Yuan Bin again, and Yuan Bin immediately said: "The royal guards are only following the emperor's lead. Wherever the emperor goes, I will follow him!"
Of the six people present, five spoke, and only Ha Ming remained.
Ha Ming was very surprised as to why the emperor would name him to attend such a meeting.
I am just the deputy commander of the Three Thousand Battalion. It is enough for the commander to express his position. How can the deputy commander still confront the commander?
Seeing the questioning look from the emperor, he could only say: "I also agree to the Northern Expedition, but please consider the choice of the coach carefully."
Zhu Qizhen nodded, looked at Zhu Qiyu and said, "Do you know why I insist on you continuing to supervise the country after I return to Beijing?"
"I...I don't know..."
"Just for this personal expedition!" Zhu Qizhen's tone became more and more excited, "Wala also bullied others too much and ran to my territory to burn, kill and loot. If I don't avenge this revenge, how can I, the emperor, have the face to meet my ancestors?
Lie Zong? Just stay in the capital and supervise the country for me. The British Duke is old. This time, let him stay in the capital to assist you, take care of your family, and wait for my return!"
"But, Your Majesty..."
"It's nothing but, I have already sworn a strong oath that I will personally lead the army to conquer Mobei. Yu Qian, you will go with me!"
Yu Qian said blankly: "Your Majesty, please think twice!"
Zhu Qizhen asked: "I'm here to ask you, if I had defeated Tumubao and the Wala army attacked the capital, what would you have done?"
"I should defend the capital to the death to repay the country's kindness!"
"If someone in the DPRK proposes to move south, what should you do?"
"Those who propose moving south should be killed!"
"If you are the commander-in-chief and command the defense of the capital, what are your chances of winning?"
Yu Qian thought for a moment and said resolutely: "If I were the commander-in-chief, I would be able to repel Wala!"
"This is it!"
Zhu Qizhen said with satisfaction: "When I was trapped, I ordered Jingyuan to bring the imperial edict back to Beijing because of your ability. This time I personally recruit you as deputy commander. Do you have the confidence to follow me to defeat Mobei?"<
/p>
Yu Qian suddenly felt that he seemed to be involved.
The discussion now is not about whether we can win the war, but that you, the emperor, always go to war personally, which is really inappropriate!
"Why don't you say anything and don't dare to go?"
"Of course I dare!"
After Yu Qian finished speaking, he realized something was wrong. He was about to explain, but was overtaken by Zhu Qizhen and said: "That's good. I'll leave it to you to mobilize soldiers and horses and collect food and grass. We will start preparations after the new year. It will take three months."
Let’s go later!”
Yu Qian was relieved when he heard that he would set off in three months. It seemed that the emperor was still very cautious about this Northern Expedition.
After thinking about it again, the emperor now is very different from before. Since returning to Beijing, every decision he has made is full of wisdom, and he no longer listens to slander. What's more, the treasury is abundant now, with money and food. As long as the preparations are sufficient,
I don’t have any worries.
Then fight, I will go with you!
Zhu Qizhen is very satisfied. His younger brother Zhu Qiyu will not insist too much in front of him. Others have fought with him and will not object. As long as Yu Qian can make sense here, there will be no problem.
"Okay, this is how I arranged it!"
Zhu Qizhen spread out a map and asked everyone to come forward.
"Ha Ming, I have been discussing something with King Xi for a long time, and finally decided to hand over this important task to you!"
Ha Ming hurriedly said: "Please give me your Majesty's orders!"
"Remember Beihai?"
Ha Ming nodded and asked: "Is it the Beihai north of the Onan River?"
"Not bad!"
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, five hundred elites will be drawn from the three thousand battalions, and five thousand people will be drawn from other guards.
Arrive behind Oara, 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 had a clear understanding of the local situation. If Beihai could be included in the Ming Dynasty's territory, it would not only expand the territory, but also send troops from the rear of Oara to contain it.
"I obey the decree!"
Zhu Qizhen looked at Li Zhen again and asked, "Does the Qing family have any objection to transferring people from the Three Thousand Battalion?"
Li Zhen quickly shook her head and said: "No objection, even if we take away all the three thousand battalions, I have no objection!"
Just kidding, you are the emperor, you are the eldest, how dare I have any objection...
"That won't work, the Three Thousand Battalion has other important responsibilities!"
Zhu Qizhen shook his head slightly and said: "You can select 500 people from the fifth military camp to make up the number of 3,000. In this Northern Expedition, I require 3,000 battalions to take the lead."
When Li Zhen heard this, her eyes suddenly shone and she said, "Please rest assured, Your Majesty, I will fulfill my mission!"
"Chen Ying!"
Chen Ying stepped forward: "I'm here!"
"Keep an eye on the Wang Gong Factory in Xishan. The research and development of flintlock guns and Fran cannons have made breakthroughs and are about to be put into mass production. The Shenji Battalion must become familiar with the use of new firearms as soon as possible!"
"I obey the decree!"
Ha Ming asked again: "Your Majesty, since the Beihai Guard has been established, in addition to the commander Chen, 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 commanding officer from the local tribal leaders to assist you in jointly managing the political affairs of Beihai."
"What should we do if those tribes disobey?"
Zhu Qizhen smiled faintly and said, "Then find someone who is obedient!"