When the country was founded, all the civil servants and military generals were saying that the emperor was really kind to the military generals.
Why?
Because during the reign of Taizu, the viscounts and barons that had existed for thousands of years were abolished, and earls, marquises, and dukes became super-grades. This meant that a large number of generals did not have titles.
Emperor Shaowu, on the other hand, restored the two titles of male and female, and basically all the middle and high-level generals had titles, which can be said to be very satisfying.
But in fact, although there were no viscounts or barons in the pre-Ming Dynasty, there were a large number of hereditary generals, such as hundreds of households, thousands of households, commanders, etc. These were official positions, land, and wealth that were passed down from generation to generation.
For example, You Shiwei, his family is a hereditary military general.
The most typical example in the Ming Dynasty is Qi Jiguang of the Qi Jiajun. Even though he was only sixteen years old, he could still inherit the official title.
In addition, in the early Ming Dynasty, the burial system was popular, but the family members did not feel sad at all. This was because the family members who were buried with them would get a hereditary military attache. Who would not be happy to sacrifice one person in exchange for hundreds of years of wealth for the entire family?
To a certain extent, Zhu Yuanzhang was ruthless towards high-level heroes and generals, but he was also too kind towards middle- and lower-level military officers.
Nothing more than that they would not jeopardize the rule.
It was precisely because of his favor to the middle and lower-level military attachés that he was able to launch major cases like the autumn wind sweeping away fallen leaves and eliminate high-achieving nobles.
Therefore, in the early Ming Dynasty, the number of military attachés reached 28,000, and by the Chongzhen period, it exceeded 100,000.
That's too far.
Compared with Emperor Taizu, Zhu Yixi ostensibly restored his title to the title of son and second baron, which made more generals become nobles. However, don't forget that the titles in Shaowu's new dynasty were hereditary at reduced levels.
For example, if a baron's son succeeds to the baron's title, his grandchildren will live in a thousand households, his great-grandsons will live in a hundred households, and his great-great-grandsons will be common people. They can maintain wealth for a hundred years at most.
Even if it is a duke, it will be hereditary only after Jiang reaches the age of earl. Marquis Jiang becomes his son, and earl Jiang reaches the age of baron.
Only those who are above count can be regarded as truly retiring with the country, and are hereditary.
Ordinary soldiers naturally do not have such a high vision to see clearly.
However, as a transitional title, Baihu and Qianhu are not considered titles in terms of certain benefits, and they still attract the covetousness of some people.
You must know that to obtain a baron, you must at least command more than five hundred troops and horses to obtain it. However, those at the bottom of the army, even if they kill several times as many enemy troops as themselves, they cannot hope for the title of baron.
So if hundreds or thousands of households were to secure a title, many people would also want to be addicted to a title.
Thinking of this, Zhu Yixi suddenly remembered a term: "Bu Shijue".
To put it simply, the addiction of one generation cannot be passed on to the next generation.
At this time, our emperor unconsciously thought of the Qing Dynasty and crossed the river by touching the Manchu and Qing Dynasties. This has almost become his habit.
There is no way. As the culmination of two thousand years of Chinese feudal society, the Manchu Qing's ruling ability cannot be underestimated.
For example, under Gonghou Bozinan, he set up Qingqi Duwei (the third rank), Cavalry Duwei (the fourth rank), Yunqiwei (the fifth rank), and Enqiwei (the seventh rank).
Among them, Yunqiwei attacked again and was demoted to Enqiwei. Enqiwei was no longer demoted, but became hereditary.
Except for Enqiwei, promotions to all titles are based on Yunqiwei.
If you get two Yunqi Lieutenants, you will be promoted to the rank of Cavalry Captain;
If the Cavalry Commander adds another Cloud Cavalry Lieutenant, he will become a "Carriage Commander and a Cloud Cavalry Commander"; if the Cavalry Commander adds two more Cloud Cavalry Commanders, he will be promoted to a third-class Light Vehicle Commander...
By analogy, if I add two lower-level titles, I can advance to the upper level.
Even if you think of a duke, you can also be a first-class marquis.
The title levels of heroes of the opposite sex were exaggerated to twenty-seven. Therefore, in the three hundred years of the Manchu Qing Dynasty, there were only four persons of the opposite sex who climbed to the rank of duke, and they were all promoted during the Qianlong Dynasty, which was very successful.
Not easy.
Because they learned from the Ming Dynasty, the Qing Dynasty's royal family inherited the title of Jiangjue, while most of the Mongolian titles for meritorious officials were hereditary.
Therefore, the Qing Dynasty had the largest number of nobles. The three title systems of clan, hero, and Mongolia were just many unknowns.
The duke system was related to the foundation of the imperial court, and Zhu Yixi did not want to be arbitrary, so he recruited the person he trusted most - Zhao Shu.
As the most prestigious civil servant in the court, Xiao He was a figure like Xiao He. After surviving the crisis of establishing a prince, the emperor continued to trust him as always.
As he came slowly, Zhu Yixi suddenly realized that Zhao Shu was really old.
His temples were originally gray, but now they are mostly white. He has deep bags under his eyes and deep wrinkles, but his eyes are still bright, not as cloudy as the old man's.
Only then did he remember that Zhao Shu was fifty-nine years old, nearly sixty.
The time has come for a cabinet refresh.
Lu Daqi was seventy-one years old and Wang Yingxiong was sixty-seven years old.
Only Yan Chongxin is younger, only in his early fifties.
The Ming Dynasty, with a population of hundreds of millions and a land area of more than nine million square kilometers, needs a dynamic cabinet center.
Thoughts passed through her heart, but Zhu Yixi spoke her thoughts without changing her expression, and finally said:
"It is my intention to replace hundreds of households and thousands of households with brave captains and brave captains."
"He is a non-Sylord, and is dedicated to rewarding soldiers who bravely kill the enemy. Among the Spykers, it is reduced to inheritance. For example, the son of a baron becomes a brave captain, and then a brave captain."
Zhao Shu didn't change his expression and said softly: "Then how should the soldiers be promoted to nobility? From bravery to perseverance?"
"It should be like this." The emperor continued: "Two brave men can accumulate to bravery, and two brave captains can become a baron."
The chief minister nodded, and then discussed the details with the emperor.
Such as acquisition conditions, treatment, etc.
So without notifying the cabinet, the two discussed it for half an hour and finally reached an agreement.
The brave captain and the brave captain will only inherit one generation. In terms of salary, the brave captain will receive thirty silver coins every year, while the brave captain will receive fifty yuan.
Among them, the brave captain rewards the warriors who bravely kill the enemy. Each battalion will get one place, which is the best killer at the battalion level.
In other words, if you want to get to the next level of Captain, you must win the title of Best Killer at the battalion level twice in a row.
But as a restriction, battalion-level officers are not allowed to participate.
In other words, this is a preferential treatment for low-level officers and soldiers, and to some extent it can stimulate the vitality of the army.
Only two brave captains can be promoted to baron, so the standard for obtaining them is also their bravery.
And the selection scope is expanded to an army, and only one quota can be obtained among ten thousand people, and it can only be one of the heroic captains.
After all, not everyone has the ability to win the best killer three times in a row.
Zhao Shu sighed softly at the end: "As soon as this edict was issued, fighting in the army became fierce, but Your Majesty, the old minister has something to say, I don't know whether I should say it or not?"
"Oh? Come on?" Zhu Yixi was in a good mood.
He felt that he had completed a patch on the military merit system and would be worry-free for at least a hundred years. The rest would be left to his descendants!
"Your Majesty, the Northeast has been recovered, the Southwest has been pacified, Anxi has been newly established, and there are almost no enemies around the Ming Dynasty. With such a brave army, there will be no rival in the entire world."
Zhao Shu frowned and said with worry: "But the desire to win in the army cannot be suppressed. Because of the generous rewards, the soldiers want to make meritorious deeds day and night."
"But the battle today must be fought to the end."
"The court's money and food will eventually run out."
"Therefore, Sima Fa said: Although our country is large, if we are warlike, we will perish; although the world is safe, if we forget to fight, we will be in danger."
Obviously, the chief minister of the Ming Dynasty's cabinet also noticed the public opinion in the military and also felt the pressure.
Seeing the emperor's expression bewildered, he seemed to be lost in thought.
Zhao Shu continued his efforts and began to read the data. It was obvious that he had been with the emperor for more than ten years, and he understood that this proud man of heaven dismissed some big principles and only valued facts.
"There are 200,000 people in the Beijing camp and 100,000 frontier troops. However, Gansu and Anxi provinces have nearly 100,000 troops. Although the imperial court ordered them to be reduced, Anxi has a vast territory. Jin Guogong clearly stated that there are not 30,000 soldiers.
Unable to settle down."
"Among the naval forces, the Donghai Navy, Nanhai Navy, and the newly established Luzon Navy have more than a hundred large ships with a thousand materials or more, more than ten ships with a three thousand materials, and nearly 40,000 soldiers."
"Once the fighting subsides, I'm afraid there will be some chaos in the army."
"Last year, 20 million was more than enough. This year, I'm afraid it will cost 30 million."
"As time goes by, the imperial court wants to move to the plateau again, fearing that it will receive 40 million. However, the imperial court only receives more than 70 million a year, and nearly half of them are in the army..."
After hearing these data, Zhu Yixi admitted that these were true.
In other words, as the territory expanded, the cost of governance continued to rise, reaching the limit of the Ming Dynasty.
Moreover, in Anxi and other places, the imperial court has always been operating at a loss. In today's peaceful and prosperous age, it is nothing. Once the dynasty reaches the middle and decline period, it will inevitably be abandoned.
Just like the Tang Dynasty abandoned the Western Regions and the Ming Dynasty abandoned Annan.
Therefore, hematopoietic function must be increased.
Only by making the northwest region self-sufficient can we avoid being abandoned.
Zhu Yixi made up her mind.
Seeing the emperor acting like this, Zhao Shu nodded with satisfaction. The emperor could still listen to the advice.
It seems that the reduction of troops is inevitable.
"You're right, we can't continue like this."
Zhu Yixi raised his head and said seriously: "We must establish a tax collection office in Anxi as soon as possible. The Silk Road has now taken half of the road. Once it is unblocked, the court will definitely benefit a lot."
"Encouraging border merchants and setting up customs are all necessary things. Only by establishing order as soon as possible can we make it self-sufficient."
"Of course, Gansu has now become a hinterland, so the troops and horses will naturally have to be reduced."
Gansu is bounded by Alxa to the east, Xining Prefecture of Qinghai to the south, and Anxi to the west. The location of the Hexi Corridor is very important.
Therefore, 20,000 troops and horses are barely enough. Add Anxi's 30,000 troops, which equals 50,000 troops.
Directly cut the troops in half.
"These people cannot be let go easily. Especially since they are local strong men, let them go to Xining Prefecture. There are plenty of pastures for them there."
The emperor thought about it again and again and felt that they should move away. Qinghai would be a good place to go. It was close, there were many places, and there were many pastures, which was very suitable for these Mongolians.
When talking about this, I couldn't help but talk about the border army.
The frontier troops in the pre-Ming Dynasty were initially the Thirteen Sai Kings, who were in charge of the Monan Guards. Later, the cost became higher and they had to move inland. Yongle's internal disciples were Dongsheng Town, Daning Town, and the Monan Guards during the Renxuan period.
abolition.
By the Jiajing period, a nine-border defense line stretching thousands of miles from the Yalu River in the east to Jiayuguan in the west was completely formed.
Today's Suiyuan is the Dongsheng Guard in the early Ming Dynasty; Chifeng in Chahar is the Dongning Guard.
Emperor Shaowu's struggle for more than ten years was actually nothing more than the old land of Hongwu.
Can you imagine that in the Northeast, during the Hongwu period, the Jilin Shipyard was established and the Nurgan City was built at the mouth of the Heilongjiang River?
Jiubian was 600,000 during the Yongle period and 400,000 during the Chongzhen period.
However, the problem of empty pay and the continuous flight of military households is estimated to be at most 200,000.
The border troops of the Shaowu Dynasty started from Heilongjiang City, Jilin, Liaodong, Chahar, Suiyuan, Gansu, Anxi, and Ningxia in the east. The former Shanxi and Shaanxi were almost inland.
Therefore, there are 10,000 people in Jilin, 3,000 people in Heilongjiang, 20,000 people in Liaodong, 10,000 people in Chahar, 10,000 people in Suiyuan, 10,000 people each in Datong and Xuanfu, nearly 10,000 people in Ningxia, and 20,000 people in Gansu, totaling about 110,000.
This shows that the power of the Mongols has been reduced so much.
Now with the addition of Anxi, the number of frontier troops has expanded to 150,000.
Moreover, the biggest disadvantage of the northwest region is that there is insufficient supply of materials, money and food, and the cost of traveling is too great. Supporting 50,000 people is equivalent to raising another 100,000 frontier troops.
But crises also exist.
Once the Mongols are allowed to rise, it will be difficult to completely suppress these hundreds of thousands of border troops, so they must be weakened and divided.
There is no room for failure in the Mobei region.
After firming up his determination, the emperor chatted with Zhao Shu about daily affairs. Then, he calmed down and left Yuquan Mountain directly.
He will go to Beijing Camp to check out the situation.
The capital camps were almost built around the city of Beijing. There were tens of thousands on the Xishan side, tens of thousands on the Marco Polo Bridge in the south, Miyun in the north, and Tongzhou in the east. They were stationed in each of the four directions to protect the safety of the capital.
The reason why it is not directly in Beijing is to prevent the army from being intoxicated with prosperity and losing its combat effectiveness.
At the same time, it is also to alleviate the pressure on Beijing’s food supply.
The day-to-day management of Beijing City relies on the Military and Horse Division of the Five Armies. Not to mention the Imperial City, this is the responsibility of the Guard Division.
The Xishan Camp was built on the mountain. Although it was called a large camp, each army formed a small camp. The three formed a horn to support each other.
Each army has a size of 10,000 people and is managed by a general commander. The three general commanders are parallel and only obey the emperor's orders.
Viewed from a distance, thirty miles away from the Xishan Camp, a market has been formed unknowingly. A large amount of supplies for the army can be purchased here, such as wine, meat, vegetables, etc., which can be regarded as a good deal for ordinary people.
Many military officers buy homes here to take care of their families, which is the best of both worlds.
As for ordinary soldiers, they can only rely on three days of rest every month to go home and reunite.
The drills were going on as before, and the shouts were loud. At least on the surface, this army still maintained its combat effectiveness.
Zhu Yixi squinted her eyes and looked around a lot before dismounting and walking around casually.
Suddenly, a group of people came out from their bath, gathered together, and chatted casually. When they saw Zhu Yixi coming lightly dressed, they immediately became alert.