The main hall of the General's Mansion.
The Ming Dynasty's general military officers have never had a fixed rank. In the past, they were held by official positions such as capital commanders and envoys, and their ranks were determined accordingly.
However, in the troubled times of the late Ming Dynasty, the camp system developed greatly, and the guard system basically collapsed. Therefore, the chief military officer at this time is no longer held by the general of the guard station. Although there is still no fixed grade, it is already the highest official position of a military man.
At this time, Liu Yan was sitting in the center with his big horse and golden sword. At the bottom were Chen Xun, Wang Bo, Wang Yue, Zhang Yi, Miao Shao, Xu Ming, Shen Tuo, Qian Qian, Xun Jingyun and Jia Hongyu. On the left were Wang Wen. Zhen, Tian Huixu, Zhang Lei, Zhao Min, Yue Ming, Song Gongming, Bao Xuezhen, Tan Xiaoda, and Xu Le are on the right. Everyone is chatting happily, waiting for Liu Yan to announce the good news.
Just yesterday, the promotion list reported by Liu Yan had been approved and sent back by the Ministry of War, and Liu Yan gathered everyone to prepare to announce the latest appointment.
Looking at all the subordinates present, Liu Yan was filled with emotions. He walked step by step and finally sat on the position of chief military officer. It can be said that from today on, it will be a watershed in his journey. From now on, he will have the power in his hands. And strength will no longer grow slowly, but will increase by orders of magnitude!
"grown ups?"
Next to him, Wang Wenzhen said with a smile: "Sir, everyone is here, let's start."
Liu Yan nodded, and everyone fell silent instantly.
"In this thousand-mile expedition, our army was victorious, killing Zhang Xianzhong and Zhang Wenxiu, and severely damaging the army of bandits, which showed the prestige of our new army. Among you, those who accompanied the army fought bloody battles with great merit, and those who stayed behind helped the people and stabilized the place. , and your hard work has paid off, so you all have been promoted this time!"
After saying this, everyone started talking with a roar. This was a happy situation for everyone. Liu Yan looked at the lively atmosphere and smiled and waited for a while before everyone became quiet again.
Then Liu Yan took out the reply from the Ministry of War and handed it to Wang Wenzhen and said, "Wang Tongzhi, please make an announcement."
"yes!"
I saw Wang Wenzhen excitedly unfolding the official document, clearing his throat, and began to read.
This time, the officers and soldiers of each battalion of the New Army were promoted to one level. Qian Qian served as the commander with the rank of Qian Zong. Now he has been promoted to the commander and still commands the artillery battalion.
Seven people, Chen Xun, Wang Yue, Wang Bo, Zhang Yi, Shen Tuo, Miao Shao and Xu Ming, were promoted to the rank of commander of the capital. The Qian generals of each battalion were promoted to the rank of commander. The rest of the meritorious officers were promoted.
For example, Shen Wen was promoted to a captain on the left side of the rear camp, and his old boss, Captain Lao Bai, was also promoted to flag captain with the merit of three bandit heads.
Xu Mingde, the commander of the flag in the camp, was promoted to the commander of the flag in the camp, and Xiao Dongzi was also promoted to the commander of the flag.
At the same time, the strength of the seven battalions of the New Army also increased. Liu Yan added a ministry-level organization under the battalion, and the commander was the commander.
After the addition of organizational structure, the strength of each battalion increased almost four times. Each battalion still adopts the three-three system. One battalion has three departments, one department has three generals, one general has three posts, one post has three flags, and one has three flags. The flag still has four teams under its jurisdiction. It's just that the heavy troops attached to the ministry and general levels were changed from one sentry to one flag, and the number of troops was reduced.
Moreover, based on Liu Yan's experience in previous wars, as the New Army's firepower continued to increase, it was rare for the enemy to rush to the front of the formation, and only the Qing army could rush over with casualties.
Therefore, Liu Yan decided to change the military units of each flag from the original two teams of gunmen and two teams of gunmen to one team of gunmen and three teams of gunmen. Each team consists of fifteen people, with the number of sword and shield bearers also reduced from four to two, and the number of gunners or spearmen increased from ten to twelve.
After the expansion, the strength of the first battalion of the New Army increased from more than 3,000 to more than 12,000. A single battalion has the strategic combat strength to stand alone.
Of course, such a large-scale expansion also means a surge in military spending. The military salary expenditure of a combat barracks increased from more than 16,000 taels per month to more than 46,000 taels. Although the strength of the entire army increased from more than 28,000 to more than 88,000 people, military pay also increased from more than 16,000 taels per month. The monthly amount of more than 123,000 taels of silver increased to more than 338,000 taels!
If you add in the consumption of horses in the cavalry battalion, the food, equipment, uniforms and other expenses of the entire army, the new army's military expenditure for a month will cost at least 600,000 taels of silver!
At this time, after Wang Wenzhen read out the promotion of the new army and the order for the expansion of the new army, everyone also took a breath of cold air.
With such a large-scale expansion, I am afraid that the income of various workshops will not be able to support it.
As expected, Liu Yan said: "Last night, I learned from the commercial officer Song Qianhu that the output of various workshops has been increasing. Now the monthly income is about 530,000 taels, which can basically be pocketed. Expenditures after the expansion of the New Army."
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, and Liu Yan then said: "In addition, the Chamber of Commerce also has a stable income. The Chamber of Commerce membership fees and business taxes also bring in more than 200,000 taels of silver per month. Our family is still financially stable now."
Everyone was completely relieved.
Liu Yan said to Wang Wenzhen: "Okay, let's continue reading."
"yes."
This time, the town governor Xun Jingyun, the medical officer Bao Xuezhen, and the money and grain officer Yue Ming all went to war with the army. Liu Yan promoted the three of them to commanders.
Tian Huixu, Wang Wenzhen, Zhang Lei, Zhao Min and Song Gongming who stayed behind were also promoted.
Zhang Lei was promoted to the rank of Commander-in-Chief because he led his troops to fight the drought. Tian Huixu, the Commander-in-Chief, and Wang Wenzhen, the Commander-in-Chief were both promoted to the Commander-in-Chief as they were in the rear. Zhao Min and Song Gongming made contributions to raising money and food for the army and were promoted to commanders.
As for Tan Xiaoda and Xu Le, because they were not officials within the guard system, Liu Yan specifically applied to the court for merit for them, applied for the rank of sixth-grade civil servant, and was appointed to the Ministry of Industry.
Wang Wenzhen announced that everyone was happy.
Then Liu Yan said: "Our Qinglai Town is a new town built by the imperial court, and the administrative seat is set in Qingzhou Fucheng. I have decided to go to Qingzhou Fucheng to take office in three days."
"Since I am the chief military officer, I have the authority to open the palace, so your positions will also change accordingly."
Liu Yan made Chen Xun, the commander of the capital, serve as the guerrilla general of Jimo Camp and temporarily take charge of the military affairs of Jimo Camp. He led the soldiers of the front battalion to garrison Jimo Ying City and divided the troops to garrison Lingshan Guard, Aoshan Guard, Dasong Guard and Andong Guard. This is where Liu Yan's foundation lies. With Chen Xun leading his troops, Liu Yan feels at ease.
Later, Liu Yan commanded Wang Yue to serve as a guerrilla general in Laizhou and led the rear battalion soldiers to garrison various places in Laizhou Prefecture.
With the capital commanders Wang Bo, Zhang Yi, Shen Tuo, Miao Shao, and Xu Ming as guerrilla generals, and the artillery battalion commander Qian Qian, they all followed Liu Yan to Qingzhou City to take up their posts.
"In addition, Zhang Lei, the garrison officer, Yue Ming, the money and grain officer, Song Gongming, the commercial officer, Xun Jingyun, the town governor, and Bao Xuezhen, the medical officer, accompanied me to Qingzhou Fucheng to take charge of the relevant government affairs of the town. Zhao Min, the experiencer, was appointed as the administrative officer. , traveling together.”
"yes!"
"Jia Hongyu, the defensive officer of Qianhu Station in Shengling Mountain Guard, is the commander and the conductor of Dasong Guard."
Jia Hongyu didn't expect that he would be promoted, so he immediately knelt down and said loudly: "I would like to thank you for your promotion!"
Liu Yan said with a smile: "Dasongwei is very close to Wendeng Camp and Dengzhou Camp. Brother Jia must manage it well and don't slack off."
"Don't worry, sir, the general will definitely guard the Great Song Guard!"
At this time, Liu Yan looked at Wang Wenzhen and said: "Commander Wang will stay in Jimo Yingcheng for the time being. This is our foundation. We must guard this area together with Chen Guerrilla. Chen Guerrilla is in charge of military affairs, and Commander Wang is in charge of civil affairs." , as long as Jimo Yingcheng is stable, our Qinglai Town will be as stable as Mount Tai!"
Wang Wenzhen clasped his fists and accepted the order. Although he could not go to Qingzhou Fucheng with Liu Yan, he could be considered to have real power in Jimo Yingcheng, and he was naturally happy.
Seeing that everyone had made arrangements, Tian Huixu felt a little anxious. Liu Yan looked over and Tian Huixu quickly met his gaze with a smile.
"Haha, Commander Tian is also going to Qingzhou Fucheng with me this time. The new army is greatly expanded. Commander Tian is still responsible for the recruitment and training of new soldiers. He has a heavy responsibility!"
Tian Huixu took the responsibility and patted his chest and said: "Please rest assured, sir, I don't dare to say anything else, but my ability to recruit and train troops is still reliable. What's more, there is an infantry drill code written by my lord myself. As long as the money and food can be supplied, my subordinates will be able to do it." I’ll definitely do my errands next time.”
"Ah That's good."
At this moment, guerrilla generals Li Jiwen and Hu Zongming asked for a meeting outside the door. Liu Yan smiled and said to everyone: "I just wanted to see these two old Shangguan, and they came here. Let them in."
After a while, Li Jiwen and Hu Zongming came to the main hall. After saluting, they looked at the hall full of officials with a little embarrassment on their faces.
Once upon a time, everyone here was a subordinate of the two of them, but now many people are on an equal footing with him. It's really a twist of fate.
"Sir, my subordinates are up. Firstly, I want to congratulate you on your appointment as the commander-in-chief of Qinglai. Secondly, I want to hand over power."
Liu Yan looked at the two of them and said, "Why, you are not happy working under me?"
Li Jiwen hurriedly said: "Your Excellency, you have misunderstood. Although we are called guerrilla generals, we do not have the ability to lead troops. After thinking about it, continuing to lead hundreds of soldiers will only be a waste of money and food. It is better to resign on my own initiative."
Liu Yan was very satisfied. Although Li Jiwen and Hu Zongming didn't have much ability, they both had one advantage, that is, they knew how to advance and retreat, and knew where their positions were.
So Liu Yan said: "Well, after all, you are all generals in the army. If you resign rashly, some people will gossip. Although you two no longer lead troops, you should not be idle and do something."
"When I arrive at Qingzhou Mansion, I will open the Mansion. You two will stay with me. How about being my aides?" 33
Both Li Jiwen and Hu Zongming have one advantage, that is, they are familiar with the operations of the Ming Dynasty's officialdom, and they are good "secretary" candidates.
Li Jiwen and Hu Zongming were overjoyed when they heard this. They could at least take advantage of Liu Yan from time to time, so they accepted the order and served as Liu Yan's staff.
"Then you two should pack up and follow me to Qingzhou Fucheng in two days."
After all the discussions were completed, there was a banquet that night. Liu Yan and his subordinates drank and talked happily until late at night.
Back in the backyard, Liu Yan said to Wang Yunhe: "In two days, you will come with me to Qingzhou Fucheng."
Wang Yunhe said in surprise: "Really?"
"real."
"Then we have to take care of it."
After saying that, Wang Yunhe left Liu Yan and hurriedly called Shang Shan and Ruoshui to pack their bags overnight.
Liu Yan curled his lips and muttered: "There's no need to be so anxious, right?"
Two days later, Liu Yan led a group of subordinates and several battalions of new army officers to Qingzhou Fucheng. Wang Yunhe, his mother and son, and Shang Shan and Ruoshui also went together. Chen Xun, Wang Wenzhen and other remaining subordinates left the city ten miles to see each other off.
Some people died, but not completely...
