However, all the civil and military officials in Beijing, regardless of their rank, had all rushed to the Forbidden City earlier than them to attend the end-of-year ceremony.
The above mentioned things have nothing to do with ordinary people. Emperor Chongzhen paid homage to the Ancestral Temple, reported the situation of the past year to his ancestors, and under the blessing of his ancestors, the country was peaceful and the people were safe. This is what it should be.
The highlight of the day was the excitement at Fengtianmen. The emperor, six ministries and nine ministers, cabinet ministers and other senior officials of the Ming Dynasty were all on top of the city. Under them stood other civil and military officials.
Outside the cordon of Fengtianmen Square, there was a sea of people, all of whom were citizens of the capital watching the excitement. Those who are rich don't have to get up early, they have servants in the mansion to help them occupy their seats. Those who don’t have money, or are reluctant to spend money, can come early in the morning to get a seat. Of course, some people who maintain their own status, or those who are not convenient for crowding, such as eldest ladies, sit in the houses on the edge of the square and watch with telescopes.
Before the legendary military parade began, almost everyone's eyes were looking for their wise and mighty emperor. There is no doubt that the emperor is the center of attention.
But since he is the emperor, he might show up so early to drink from the northwest wind.
After a long time, in this cold weather, many people became a little sluggish and low in energy, even if they took adequate measures to keep warm. Some people even feel a little regretful. In this winter, wouldn't it be good to stay in a warm home with your wife and children warming up on the kang? They just want to join in the fun, just those soldiers, what's there to see? It's not like I haven't seen it before!
While they were thinking this, suddenly, the bells on the Bell and Drum Towers of the Forbidden City rang.
"Dang Dang Dang..."
The melodious bells echoed over the capital. As soon as they dissipated, a high-pitched voice was heard loudly: "The Emperor has arrived!"
Hearing this voice, the civil and military officials knelt down to welcome the emperor. The people outside the cordon also cheered up and followed the civil and military officials to welcome their most respected emperor.
To be honest, Emperor Chongzhen was extremely busy on this day. It was the New Year, and only children didn't have to worry about anything except the New Year's money. As an adult, there are all kinds of things. Even the emperor is no exception. He has been busy almost since he got up.
After the ceremony, with the attention of many people, Xue Guoguan, the chief minister of the cabinet, came out and announced loudly: "The ceremony of the Emperor reviewing the troops has begun!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the drums in the Bell and Drum Tower sounded.
"Dong dong dong..." The loud sound echoed in the sky above the Forbidden City.
In the military camp where the Royal Horse Prison was located, the troops who had been waiting in line for a long time immediately came out from the east gate of the Forbidden City, drove to Fengtianmen Square, passed in front of the emperor, and accepted the emperor's review.
This ceremony had never happened before, so many people were a little curious and wanted to see something strange.
"Tap tap tap..."
The sound of iron hoofs stepping on the stone slabs went from vague to clearly audible. The people in the capital who heard the sound and looked at it immediately saw a cavalry army, ten cavalry side by side, neatly appearing in their field of vision.
Undoubtedly, the most eye-catching thing is that every soldier of this cavalry has a legendary medal hanging on his chest, which is very eye-catching. This made the people who saw the medal for the first time praise it with envy.
Because they know that having medals means that these soldiers have done meritorious service in killing the Tatars, which is a good thing!
However, they didn't know exactly how many Tatars these soldiers killed and what kind of credit they had, so they could only guess.
When the people in the square were "buzzing" in low voices, suddenly, on the top of the city, officials from the Ministry of Rites were reporting to the emperor. Then, the Han generals shouted in unison, acting as a loudspeaker, It spreads far. At the same time, when the people who were talking in low voices heard this voice, they stopped talking and listened to the content with their ears pricked up.
"Your Majesty, what is coming is the cavalry of Jin Guofeng, the commander-in-chief of Jinzhou on the Ningjin Defense Line. They campaigned on the grassland in the middle of the 16th year of Chongzhen. Together with their friendly forces, they wiped out the accomplices of the Jianhu captives who helped the tyranny of the tyrants. They wiped out the eastern grassland tribes and dealt a heavy blow to them. The strength of Jianlu! In just one month, he fought thousands of miles away, playing tricks on the enemy at the palm of his hand..."
Hearing the introduction of their heroic achievements, the cavalry couldn't help but straighten their chests. Not only did they highlight the medals, but they also showed their best mental state. In the hearts of every soldier, there was a very strong feeling. So proud. When they were about to pass Fengtian Gate, all the soldiers turned their heads to look at Emperor Chongzhen on the top of the city. While giving military salutes, they shouted in unison: "Long live my emperor!"
The common people who were watching were aware of the achievements of this cavalry, and they gave thumbs up. They did not hesitate to praise them, and they all praised them.
At this time, they didn't know if it was a psychological effect or if it was really the case, but they felt that the cavalry in front of them was indeed the elite of the Ming Dynasty. They could feel it just by looking at their momentum.
Of course, the common people in the capital could not help but stare at their chests, carefully looking at the legendary medal. It was so beautiful and majestic!
Behind this army, a few feet away, another cavalry army came towards them. Each soldier had two medals hanging on his chest, which surprised many people in the capital who saw it. Already having previous experience, they were not in a hurry and were waiting for the introduction from the Ministry of Etiquette.
Sure enough, the Han general also shouted out the introduction of the official of the Ministry of Rites.
"The oncoming army is the newly established Beijing Camp Cavalry Army. Their predecessors are also from the former Guanning Army. They were commanded by General Wu Sangui. They accompanied the Western Expedition and fought to protect the tranquility of the northwest. During the war against the Jianlu, he not only participated in the grassland battle, but in October this year, he sneaked thousands of miles to the Liaohe Plain, joined forces with the Ming Dynasty's lurking internal forces, and rescued more than 20,000 people who were plundered by the Jianlu in one fell swoop, and burned down the Jianlu granary, and even attacked Shenyang, using their actions to tell the Jianlu that one day in the Ming Dynasty, we will definitely capture Shenyang. The slave chief Nurhachi brought endless disasters to the people of the Ming Dynasty, and this thief was also crushed by this heroic army. Flying ashes..."
The slave chief Nurhaci can be said to be the most hated person in the Ming Dynasty. If it hadn't been for him, there wouldn't have been so many disasters, and there wouldn't have been so many wives and children scattered and families destroyed. I heard that it was this army that crushed Nurhachi to ashes. Suddenly, many people shouted excitedly: "Okay, okay..."
On the top of the city, Emperor Chongzhen kept watching. It is true that the first military parade of the Ming Dynasty cannot be compared with those of later generations. However, he saw the effect he wanted, and he was very satisfied with it.
This military parade is not held just to save face. Rather, we should give honor to the soldiers of the Ming Dynasty and let the people of the Ming Dynasty recognize that it was the soldiers of the Ming Dynasty who fought bravely that made the years peaceful; let the people of the Ming Dynasty know the majesty of the soldiers of the Ming Dynasty and let them be proud of the soldiers of the Ming Dynasty; let them From the bottom of my heart, I no longer despise the soldiers of the Ming Dynasty, I can accept the soldiers of the Ming Dynasty, and even envy the soldiers of the Ming Dynasty!
Only with such a mass foundation and public opinion foundation will equality between civil and military forces be taken for granted; and there will not be much resistance to the promotion of all-military service;
If Ming Dynasty wants to dominate the world and compete with Western countries for its entire army, it must mobilize the entire country.
"Long live our emperor!" This Beijing cavalry force also showed their best spirit. When passing by Fengtian Gate, they shouted in unison to pay tribute to the emperor they revered.
Behind this cavalry army is a combined infantry and cavalry army with the infantry in front and the cavalry behind. There were as many as four medals hanging on their chests. One can tell at a glance that this army has made great achievements in battle.
Sure enough, I heard the voice of the Han general saying: "The army coming towards us is an army of prodigal sons who have turned back. They have washed away their shame with their blood and are now the Ming Dynasty's most powerful army. They are the Dongjiang Army. They landed in Liaodong and faced the counterattack of the Jianlu. They defeated the majority with a small number and firmly occupied Liaodong, restraining the Jianlu so that the Jianlu could no longer bypass Mongolia to invade the capital..."
Upon hearing this, all the people knew that this army was adapted from the bandits. They did not hear their specific battles. They only heard that because of their existence, the Jianlu could no longer detour through the Mongolian grassland. Invading the land of the capital has greatly increased the favorability of all the people in the capital.
"Well done, well done to you all!"
"Thanks to you, thank you!"
"..."
The people in the capital who had already experienced the suffering were naturally very excited and shouted loudly to express their gratitude.
"...They participated in the Battle of Lushun and started the first battle of the counterattack in Liaodong; they participated in the bloody battle in Pyongyang, faced Jianlu's trap, stepped in resolutely and killed Jianlu in fear, and completed the containment task well; they Participated in the Jinzhou War and captured the slave chief Daishan..."
To be honest, when the officers and soldiers of the Dongjiang Army heard the introduction at the beginning and pointed out their former identities as bandits, they felt uneasy and ashamed of their past. However, when they heard the subsequent introduction and the fact that the people of the capital were no less good than the roar of the cavalry in the capital before, and were recognized by the people of the capital, at this moment, they were far more excited than just hearing praise for their achievements.
At this moment, it can be said that they all let go of the worries hidden deep in their hearts. They suddenly felt like the sun was shining brightly. From the corner of their eyes, they looked at the people of the Ming Dynasty who applauded them loudly, and felt extremely grateful in their hearts. When passing by Fengtianmen, they also shouted "Long live our emperor" with their loudest voices!
Because they know that the emperor gave them what they have today. From now on, their lives will definitely be a bright road. This is something they never dared to think about when they were thieves before!
Miaoshuwu
