Chapter 882
Enlightenment
Although Zhu Qiyu had not received imperial education, he was of royal lineage and had been influenced by his surroundings, so he was knowledgeable in the ways of the world.
He asked, "Is the root of the problem with the military-agricultural colonies?"
Pan Jun said expressionlessly, "For the past twenty years or so, military officers have been arrogant and have encroached on military farmland. It has become the norm for soldiers to become tenant farmers for some military officers. In earlier years, soldiers would train during the off-season. But I heard that in recent years, apart from a few important border towns that have maintained a certain proportion of training, soldiers in other places have no time off from farming. They not only have to cultivate land for some individuals, but also have to provide them with silage and raise poultry. They are not even as good as tenant farmers; they have become long-term laborers."
A series of images of conflict flashed through Zhu Qiyu's mind: after the court session, some censors and military officers were arguing at the palace gate.
In restaurants, civil and military officials would often quarrel, especially if one of them had an imperial censor. Sometimes, they would even fight.
The words "encroachment on and occupation of farmland" exploded in my mind.
He used to treat everything he saw or heard as amusement.
Because their arguing and fighting were so entertaining—a group of well-dressed officials hurling insults at each other like shrewish women in the marketplace, and engaging in street brawls like thugs…
He would tell his elder brother about it as a joke, but he never thought that it would be the root of the disaster for this personal expedition, let alone that it would kill his elder brother.
Zhu Qiyu moved his lips and asked, "Chen Huai is not suitable. Who do you think is suitable to be the General of Datong?"
Pan Yun: "Why not consider Kwong Ye?"
Zhu Qiyu's eyes lit up. That's right, how could he have forgotten Kuang Ye?
Kuang Ye was an upright man who couldn't tolerate any wrongdoing. What's most interesting is that he was the Minister of War—oh, the former one.
His performance in this battle against the Oirat army was also remarkable. At least after he was left to guard Datong, he was much more useful than Guo Deng, and he was able to send a large army to support the late emperor.
Fortunately, he sent Chen Huai, which saved most of the officials accompanying the emperor and most of the soldiers, preventing them from being killed under the iron hooves of the Oirat Mongols or scattered.
Zhu Qiyu immediately made the decision: "Then let's go with Kuang Ye!"
Pan Yun's lips curled slightly.
In her timeline, Kuang Ye was also someone who kept urging the emperor to return to the capital.
He was remarkably similar to Kuang Ye in this timeline, both suffering serious injuries from a fall from their horses while leaving the capital.
Perhaps he sensed that this personal expedition would not go smoothly, so he persuaded the emperor to return to the capital every day.
In her time, Zhu Qizhen was twenty-two years old, a time when he was full of vigor and vitality.
Here, Zhu Qizhen was only eighteen years old.
Imagine a young emperor who is so arrogant and overconfident, yet constantly criticized and advised, who takes a desperate gamble and leaves the capital to personally lead an expedition with only two days of preparation time for the entire court. Would he listen to Kuang Ye and turn back?
Not only will this young emperor not turn back, but I'm afraid the vast majority of people in this world will not turn back either.
Even if they realize their mistake, they will never turn back.
That would be too embarrassing and a loss of authority!
Kuang Ye's persuasive words and methods were wrong, but his opinion was correct.
In this world, few people know they are wrong and can correct them, and even fewer know they are wrong and can admit it.
In her timeline, Zhu Qizhen only realized his mistake much later, but by then, too many people had already died.
Hundreds of thousands of civil and military officials and soldiers who accompanied him on his campaign lost their lives along the way when the Oirat Mongols entered the capital.
After that, the Ming Dynasty not only lost its backbone but also its foundation. Its border defenses continued to weaken. Even though Yu Qian increased military spending, tolerated Yang Jun's crimes, promoted Yang Hong, and reorganized the military in an attempt to revive its military prestige, the results were minimal during Zhu Qiyu's reign. The situation only improved when Zhu Qizhen's son ascended the throne.
But it's different now.
Kuang Ye is still alive. Many military officers died in the line of duty this time, but compared to her timeline, more military officers survived.
Chen Huai, Zhu Mian, the Jing Yuan brothers, and Zhang Zhong, the son of the Duke of Ying... More than ten generals who would have died tragically in the chaos of the Oirat army, all survived.
The Ming Dynasty can rely on more than just Yang Hong.
In her timeline, Yang Hong, who held significant military power in Xuanfu and made great contributions in the defense of the capital, was incredibly influential. Even Yu Qian and Shi Heng had to appease him.
So much so that even though all the officials knew that the emperor was captured and a large number of court officials were killed in the Tumu Crisis because of Yang Jun's dereliction of duty and negligence, Yang Jun still managed to save his life.
At most, he would be transferred to the border by Yang Hong when impeached by the censor, and after two years, he would be reinstated to his original position.
Yang Hong's nephews, despite holding important positions in the army, did not achieve any merit.
Pan Yun thought of Yang Hong, and Zhu Qiyu also mentioned him, sighing, "...Yang Hong wrote a letter to plead guilty. He also knew that his son had committed heinous crimes, but Yang Jun had already died in battle. He was his only son. My idea is that his merits and demerits should be offset, and he should still be appointed as the commander-in-chief of Xuanfu."
Pan Yun smiled and nodded: "Prince Cheng is benevolent."
Apart from a few military generals who were extremely dissatisfied with Zhu Qiyu's continued appointment of Yang Hong, the other court officials had no objections.
Yu Qian was also absent. At this time, it was better for Xuanfu to remain still than to make any moves. As long as Yang Hong had no intention of rebelling, he could continue to be used.
Unlike Guo Deng, Yang Hong was truly talented. Moreover, he had guarded Xuanfu for many years. This time, the Oirat army that infiltrated the defense line all entered from the Datong defense line. On the Xuanfu side, apart from Yang Jun's force that returned to support the emperor, the large army personally led by Yang Hong had been firmly guarding the Xuanfu defense line.
Unfortunately, a good father produces a bad son.
Upon hearing that the Prince of Cheng wanted to appoint Kuang Ye as the General of Datong, Yu Qian immediately took the lead in seconding the proposal and then suggested that Chen Huai be his deputy.
The initially angry generals paused, weighed their options for a moment, and then remained silent, which was taken as tacit agreement.
But people couldn't help but discuss it privately: "Didn't they mention General Chen? Why did they give it to Kuang Ye? Although he was the former Minister of War, he was a civil official. Does he know how to train troops and defend the country? This is different from fighting a war. It's a complicated matter."
Chen Huai kept thinking about what the Duke of Ying had said to Kuang Ye when he hid him and Zhu Mian behind the screen. If Kuang Ye stayed, would he focus on reorganizing the land reclamation and military training?
Datong is an important town. If Datong can be well-organized, the model can be promoted throughout the country.
This battle has truly taught us a lesson.
If he were to handle matters such as land reclamation, military pay, and troop training, he would surely offend his comrades.
Kwong Ye is different from them.
Kuang Ye was a civil official, and his descendants rose through the ranks through the imperial examinations. As for military affairs, he only needed to take care of himself.
But he can't.
His family is registered in the military.
Chen Huai inherited his father's position and became a deputy commander of a thousand men as soon as he entered the army. He rose through the ranks to become the Earl of Pingxiang and was a newly appointed nobleman.
His descendants would all seek official positions in the military in the future, so how could he dare to offend the old nobles?
Oh, even the newly appointed nobles won't do.
Moreover, he's not clean either. Anyone could handle the task of reorganizing military affairs, but he's not.
Chen Huai's heart skipped a beat, and he suddenly remembered that the Duke of Yingguo had sought out Kuang Ye for such a major matter as reorganizing the military system because Kuang Ye was the Minister of War and had a good reputation among civil officials. But why had he chosen him and Zhu Mian to eavesdrop behind the screen at the time? (End of this chapter)