Generally speaking, the main military force near the capital consists of the Beijing camp and the bodyguards.
But there is actually another important force that has been ignored by the world. This is the tomb guarding army near Wan'an Mountain.
From the Jingling Tomb of Taizong to the Yongling Tomb of Shizu, twelve imperial mausoleums are lined up from east to west, and a total of twelve troops guarding the tombs are stationed along the way.
These armies are different from the mainstream guards who receive pay today. They still follow the settlement system established by Taizu, and they have cultivated and raised themselves for generations.
Therefore, this total of twelve guards, totaling more than 60,000 military households, can actually only send out 15,000 soldiers, and the remaining military households are mainly responsible for working and raising troops.
At this moment, around Yongling, there are both mausoleum guards and soldiers and horses, as well as a large number of Beijing camps and pro-army troops. The total number of guards exceeds 20,000.
Although the army is large, it does not appear chaotic at all, which shows that the current general command system is still very efficient.
Besides, what stands out about the whole sacrificial process is its scale. To put it simply, there are so many people participating, and the various rituals are ridiculously complicated.
After a long trip, it was already afternoon.
For someone as weak as Zhu Jingyuan, who was so tired that he relied on eunuchs to support him, the emperor would naturally feel a lot of dissatisfaction.
Among the people present, only Zhu Jingyuan was extremely happy about this, and he was also looking forward to the prince falling ill, so that he could replace the emperor and preside over the sacrifices in the next few days.
Of course, Zhu Jingyuan would never let him get his way, even if he insisted, he would continue.
Now that the sacrifice is over, everyone returns to their places and follows the large group of people on the road back to the capital.
On the road at this moment, in line with the principle of rather catching the wrong one than letting it go, Jin Yiwei has arrested more than a hundred people, all of whom were too close to the blockade area.
That's right, even outside the lockdown area, it won't work if you're too close.
Under such high-pressure control, it was extremely difficult to assassinate the king, so the team was able to return safely as when they came.
After returning to the capital, the civil and military officials and royal family members stopped outside Chengtian Gate, knelt down to see the emperor into the palace, and then left.
They were all extremely tired and needed to go back to rest quickly, after all, these were the things that were going to happen in the next few days.
Only the three legitimate sons of the royal family were able to escort the emperor back to his palace.
In the side hall of Qianqing Palace, looking at the frail body of the prince, Zhu Xianming wanted to teach him a few words, but when he thought that it was the Chinese New Year, he finally decided to save him some face.
"Fourth and Sixth, you all go back!"
"Yes, I am resigning!"
After the two of them saluted and left, Zhu Xianming glanced at Zhu Jinghong, and then asked: "Have you already thought about the military training?"
This is the first time the emperor has asked about this matter since it was agreed upon.
When asked suddenly, Zhu Jinghong was a little confused for a moment, but he soon sorted out his thoughts.
"Dad, this matter is very detailed. It will take at least half an hour to introduce it!"
Zhu Jinghong gave the emperor a vaccination because he was afraid that the old man would find him verbose.
"Let's talk and listen!"
"yes!"
So Zhu Jinghong began to introduce. This lecture really took an hour, during which he drank two cups of tea.
He was originally a layman, but his careful research these days and the exchange of experiences with "foreign teachers" really allowed him to make an extremely detailed plan.
Seeing that the plan was so feasible, Zhu Xianming felt much more relieved.
"Dad, how have you thought about that matter?"
Zhu Jinghong's inquiry interrupted the emperor's train of thought.
"What's the matter?"
"It's just a matter of giving land and money, and letting foreigners and our craftsmen work together to make guns and cannons!"
Zhu Jinghong had already made plans for this matter, and Zhu Xianming had been thinking about it, but he had forgotten about it in the past two days.
After thinking for a while, the good emperor asked: "If you want more elite soldiers instead of too many, can you really guarantee that foreigners can make better guns and cannons?"
"Yes!" Zhu Jinghong said firmly.
Now foreigners do have an advantage in technology. Secondly, Zhu Jinghong probably knows the historical context, so he is confident to build better guns.
"I hope you won't let me down!" Zhu Xianming said solemnly.
"Dad, did you agree?"
"It's in Shanglin Garden. It's spacious there. You can find a place by yourself. As for the money... you can ask Lu Tong for it!"
Lu Tong was in charge of the internal funds and silver. Zhu Xianming's arrangement was obviously to use money from the small treasury, which was a rare thing.
"My son has accepted the order, but there is one more thing..."
"What's the matter?"
"It's not enough to just rely on foreigners. We have to find some skilled craftsmen from the Ministry of Industry and the Bureau of War, so that our people can also participate!"
"Okay!" Zhu Xianming agreed simply.
Trying hard to hide his little calculation, Zhu Jinghong continued: "This requires cooperation from the Ministry of Industry. My son thinks... there must be a proper and thoughtful person!"
Seeing that he was cautious, Zhu Xianming said bluntly: "It seems that you already have a candidate!"
"My son does have some ideas!"
"Say it!"
"Qin Ye, the doctor of the Ministry of Industry and Maintenance Department!"
Upon hearing this name, Zhu Xianming couldn't help but have a strange look on his face: "Mr. of the Camp Repair Department? Have you lost your mind? This kind of craftsmen will either be in the Yu Heng Qing Li Division, or they will be assigned to the Ordnance Bureau of the Ministry of Industry. You will be assigned to the Camp Repair Department." Who are you looking for?"
The old man pointed out the flaw in just one sentence, and Zhu Jinghong felt extremely embarrassed.
But before he could speak, Zhu Xianming continued: "If I remember correctly, this Qin Ye...has been imprisoned now. The punishment proposed by the Ministry of Punishment is exile, and it will be executed soon!"
This sentence was beyond Zhu Jinghong's expectation, and the emperor also noticed this and was looking at him with interest.
"Dad...what's going on? Then how could Qin Ye be imprisoned suddenly if he did everything well?"
Although he asked this question, Zhu Jinghong had already guessed the reason. After all, he couldn't even think about the recent turmoil in the court.
He also knew that it was caused by the incident in his mansion, but in the beginning, people from the Ministry of Rites were severely punished, so he didn't pay too much attention.
Later events swept through various ministries and yamen, and more people were implicated and convicted. In addition, he was preparing to reorganize and train the army and build guns, so he had no time to pay attention to it.
Now that he suddenly learned that Qin Ye was imprisoned and sentenced to exile, how could Zhu Jinghong not be surprised.
Picking up the tea cup, Zhu Xianming said slowly: "He has failed in his performance of duty. How can he not be convicted? I leave him alive... it will be considered a mercy!"
"Dad...why don't you be extra merciful and exempt him from punishment?"
With a "pop" sound, the emperor put down the tea cup, and then scolded: "Nonsense!"
"My son is guilty, father, please calm down!" Zhu Jinghong quickly knelt down.
"This major case involves hundreds of officials. Do you want to show mercy to Qin Ye? Do you want anyone else to show mercy? Do you want the court to show mercy?"
Although the emperor was very angry, Zhu Jinghong still raised his head and asked: "Dad... the matter of hanging the plaque is just handled by the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Works. Why are so many people implicated because of my son?"
Hearing this, Zhu Xianming couldn't help laughing, and then he said coldly: "This is not your responsibility!"
This is indeed not Zhu Jinghong's responsibility, because the turmoil caused by him this time is essentially the emperor letting Zhao Yushan "eradicate dissidents", with the purpose of clearing obstacles for the subsequent reforms.
So Zhu Jinghong really shouldn't ask about the reasons for these things.
"Dad...there's really no way you can be accommodating?"
With the emperor clearly expressing his dissatisfaction, only he, the direct prince, dared to ask this question.
"Accommodating ass!"
(End of chapter)
