But in the end, which people have made the greatest contribution? In fact, everyone knows this, but they just don’t know how many titles the emperor will confer?
Many people are looking forward to the moment when the mystery is solved, and they are even more looking forward to the end of the year.
Fifteen days before the Chinese New Year, suddenly three more armies came outside the city. They were not many in number. One was a cavalry army, but there were only 800 cavalry. And judging from the flags, they belonged to two different armies. The other army was a combination of infantry and cavalry, with only 600 people. The last army only had 300 people, and it was an infantry army.
These three armies were not stationed outside the capital city, but entered the city and went to the capital camp.
When entering the capital, these Ming soldiers were very excited. It was the first time for many of them to enter the capital. Looking at the extremely tall city walls, then seeing the wide streets and countless shops with people, it is simply dazzling.
The soldiers of the Five Cities Soldiers and Horses Division cleared the streets first, but the common people could line up on both sides of the soldiers to watch the fun, which didn't matter.
At first, many people felt that it was causing more trouble for them. Although they did not dare to confront them in person, they could not avoid scolding them behind their backs. However, when they knew that an army from Liaodong had entered the city, they all stopped complaining and became curious to see what kind of army had entered the city.
At this time, troops were mobilized from Liaodong. Anyone with a little bit of intelligence would immediately think of the rumors in the capital, saying that the emperor would be knighted at the end of the year to reward meritorious soldiers. Suddenly, they all became excited. Looking at the marching Ming soldiers, their eyes became much more eager, and they began to discuss carefully behind the soldiers of the Five Cities Soldiers and Horses Division.
"They must be the soldiers who have killed the most soldiers, right? That's great!"
"No, since the twelfth year of Chongzhen, the capital has never been invaded by Jianluo, and there have been no military disasters, thanks to them!"
"That's right as you said. I'm sorry for my brothers. They used to be in Yongping Mansion, but they were massacred by Jianlu. Thanks to them killing Jianlu to take revenge. Otherwise, I wouldn't know what to say every year when I worship. !”
"..."
On a grand scale, it was the emperor's wisdom and martial prowess that defeated the Jianlu; however, in terms of details, it was only through the bloody battles of the Ming soldiers in front of him that we were able to win one victory after another, push the Jianlu back to Liaodong, and protect the capital. Peace to the land!
Now these people in the capital are all suffering from the disaster caused by the Jianlu army. It is also for this reason that they are grateful to these soldiers.
Some knowledgeable people are guessing which army these soldiers who have returned to Beijing and been awarded the title belong to?
"I don't know how to read. Which army does this cavalry belong to? Does this young master know?"
"This cavalry army, the one in front is the cavalry army under Marshal Wu of the Beijing camp, and the rest belongs to the Guan Ning Army, under the command of Marshal Jin Guofeng, the commander-in-chief of Jinzhou."
"This cavalry is the Dongjiang Army under Governor Lu!"
"And this last one, hey, it's Navy Denglai!"
"..."
After distinguishing these armies, for the people of the capital, the most famous one belongs to the Dongjiang Army. Not only because of Lu Xiangsheng's reputation, but also because the main force of the Dongjiang Army was once a bandit that wreaked havoc in the northwest and the Central Plains, so it attracted even more attention.
However, how the emperor dealt with the bandits captured in Nanyang has been spread throughout the Ming Dynasty. Naturally, the people in the capital also know. The bandits who went to the Dongjiang Army to fight against the Jianlu were all those who sincerely repented and volunteered to fight against the Jianlu. The remaining old thieves who were unwilling were all beaten by the emperor.
Just because they knew this, the people in the capital were paying close attention to this "prodigal son returning" army. They couldn't say what happened to the other bandits, but the ones in front of them must have been forced to rebel back then. They were inspired by the emperor and were willing to risk their lives to kill prisoners to atone for their sins. They were all good. With this in mind, many of them gave the Dongjiang Army a thumbs up.
At the front of the Dongjiang Army, Li Dingguo was leading the way. Although it was his first time to enter the capital and he was excited to see such prosperity, on the surface, he still had a serious look on his face, held his head high, and rode forward in a military manner while riding on his horse.
However, when he heard praises for the Dongjiang Army from both sides, he saw thumbs up at his side from the corner of his eye. The excitement of being recognized by the people was finally a little uncontrollable. I don't know when he started to show a happy smile. When he saw the thumbs up and heard the praise, he quickly responded with fists.
The other soldiers were naturally more excited and couldn't return the favor, so they smiled happily and deeply engraved the scene in front of them in their hearts and will remember it forever.
After these three armies entered the capital camp, news about the military merits and rewards of the soldiers began to spread throughout the capital.
Don't mention it. I didn't care before and didn't know about it. Now when I heard about it, many people in the capital were shocked.
"What are you talking about? The emperor has given so many grain fields? Well, if one of my family members is in the third camp, wouldn't I be able to live by collecting rent?"
"They risked their lives in exchange for it. Are you willing to let your son go?"
"What's there to be reluctant to part with? It's just a pity that my family only has one son, and the others are all daughters. Otherwise, I would definitely be sent to the army. Look, how many acres are here!"
"Why don't you look at where these fields are? They are far away from the capital. Do you want to?"
"Why don't you want to? As long as you give me fields, you can do it anywhere! And you see, for those who don't want grain fields, how much is the reward? It's as much as six hundred taels, which is enough to buy a house and marry a wife!"
"..."
It has to be said that when huge benefits are placed in front of them, people are often attracted by these benefits and forget that it is not easy to obtain these benefits.
Another phenomenon also occurred among them. Even those who looked down upon in the past will be envious when they return home in fine clothes.
Like most common people, they used to look down on military households who served as soldiers. Speaking of the status of military households, it is not low. At least in name, they are the same as civilian households, and they can also take imperial examinations and so on. For example, the famous Zhang Juzheng was born in a military household. However, military households cannot stand being poor. At least the vast majority of military households are extremely poor. Moreover, they have been military households for generations and have been poor for generations.
But now, at a glance, at least the military households in the three camps are very poor. The money and grain fields exchanged for military achievements made them jealous and envious.
And this is actually what Emperor Chongzhen wanted, and it is also the reason why he asked the Ministry of War to compile all previous rewards and publish them.
A few days later, just two days before the emperor paid homage to the ancestral temple, Emperor Chongzhen suddenly sent a decree that the three armies entering the city and Wu Sangui's troops from the Beijing camp who had participated in the grassland war went to the third camp of Yumajian.
Near noon, all these troops, including the three major battalions, gathered on the school grounds.
Although the cold wind howled, they all stood motionless. Because they were notified that the emperor would be coming.
Not long after, the guards in Jinyi rushed into the military camp first and lined up on both sides until they stood on both sides of the general platform. Then, the emperor's guard of honor arrived.
However, Emperor Chongzhen did not wear a dragon robe, but armor, looking like a military general on the battlefield. Behind him, there were many officials wearing scarlet robes, who should be senior officials of the Ming Dynasty such as the Six Ministries and Nine Ministers. After that, many servants came over carrying boxes one after another. Of course, there are also a lot of boxes in my hands.
When the Ming army officers and soldiers in formation saw all this, their chests straightened up even more. Because they know that something good will happen next.
Emperor Chongzhen strode to the general stand, slowly glanced at the Ming army soldiers in front of him, and finally glanced at the general soldiers standing at the front of the team. Finally, he said loudly: "By the end of this year, it will be just around the corner to wipe out the Jianlu. All of this depends on your bloody fighting. Your contribution should be remembered by the people of the Ming Dynasty. When you walk among the crowd, you should also let the Ming Dynasty remember it." The people all know that you are loyal and bloody warriors who protect your home and country!"
After the Han general spread the word, all the Ming army officers and soldiers couldn't help but feel excited and puzzled. When walking among the crowd, how do you let others know about your deeds? What about those who don’t know themselves? Is it possible to write words on your forehead to say how you are, but there probably isn’t enough to write on your forehead, right? And even if it’s enough to write, is this good?
While they were thinking, they heard Emperor Chongzhen saying loudly again: "Therefore, I asked the Ministry of Rites to create a medal, divided into three levels: gold, silver and bronze!"
Having said this, as soon as he raised his hand, Chen Baoting, who was waiting next to him, immediately stepped forward and presented a small box with both hands, which had already been opened. Emperor Chongzhen reached in, picked up something the size of a copper coin, signaled to the Ming army soldiers in the audience, and then said: "This is a bronze medal, you can hang it on your chest."
Having said this, he personally demonstrated it and hung it on his chest. After hanging it up, I patted it and showed it to them.
The winter sunshine shines on the bronze medal, which is very beautiful. The officers and soldiers of the Ming Army watched, and they couldn't help but be excited, but also suddenly realized that if you wear this medal on your chest and walk on the street, others will know it, and there is no need to carve it on your forehead!
"I will announce the explanation about the medal to the world later. Wearing this medal means you are a meritorious person of the Ming Dynasty. It is your honor and the glory of the Ming Dynasty." When Emperor Chongzhen said this, he raised his voice and spoke louder The voice said, "I am proud of you!"
After hearing this, almost everyone felt eager to have this medal. The emperor will be proud of those who have medals. If this is said out, I don’t know how many people will die of envy!
At this moment, these Ming soldiers felt proud of their identities for the first time!
