In Beijing, the Forbidden City, in the Dongnuan Pavilion of the Qianqing Palace, Emperor Chongzhen was discussing with his most trusted favorite, Yang Sichang, about the rewards for those who had meritorious service in the imperial guard.
Emperor Chongzhen's temperament meant that he would always support those he valued to the end, just like he did to Yang Sichang.
Now, after he personally made Zhang Cheng the champion of the three armies, he had high hopes for him. Emperor Chongzhen was very happy with Zhang Cheng's military exploits, but this did not mean that he hoped that another Yue Wumu would appear in his lifetime. Support the Yue family army that others cannot shake.
It doesn't matter to other generals, but judging from Zhang Cheng's performance after joining the guard, it is as if he has cheated. It can be said that his military exploits are shining through. What is his ability?
Now let’s try to control his rewards and promotion speed first!
Chongzhen feels that he is still a little confused about Zhang Cheng. After all, it has been less than half a year since he heard this name. He should suppress him first and wait for a thorough observation and understanding of him before discussing promotion. Is it a matter of a word from the emperor?
But then, Emperor Chongzhen felt a little hesitant and worried. He said slowly: "I'm afraid that if the reward is too small, it will dampen the heart of the loyal and brave soldiers to serve the country."
Zhang Cheng still needs “experience”, it’s true!
But if this move made him feel dissatisfied and avoid war in the future, this would not be a situation that Emperor Chongzhen wanted to see.
Yang Sichang pondered for a moment and said: "Your Majesty, I think I can give General Zhang many awards in terms of honors...
...Wei ministers proposed that General Zhang should be conferred the title of General Huaiyuan, Texunjin should be promoted to the rank of Qingche Captain of the third rank, and his mother, Zhang Yang, should be conferred the rank of Grand Lady of the fourth rank.
He also showed kindness to his uncle Zhang Yan, the general of Xuanzhen, and in return, he posthumously made him a hussar general, gave him a funeral ceremony, built an ancestral hall, and raised his rank to the third level, and granted his wife Zhang Han the title of second-grade wife.
In this way, General Zhang will definitely feel the great grace of the Holy Spirit, and out of gratitude, he will definitely serve the Emperor with all his strength."
Here, General Huaiyuan and General Hussar are both called "Wu Sanjie".
Officials of the Ming Dynasty who entered the officialdom could obtain "casual ranks" according to their grades. Among them, the civilian rank was forty-three, and the military officer's rank was thirty, and each rank corresponded to different salary standards.
This is just like the military rank system in later generations, with only differences in treatment and no real power.
Zhang Cheng was promoted to the rank of Tongzhi, Commander of the Guards. As usual, he was initially promoted to General Huaiyuan, promoted to General Dingyuan, and later promoted to General Anyuan.
Not long ago, Zhang Cheng was promoted to the rank of Commander of the Guards, which is the official rank of the fourth rank, corresponding to the guerrilla general. This time, he was promoted to the rank of Tongzhi, the Commander of the Guards. This is the rank of the third rank, which corresponds to the rank of Wusan. First awarded as General Huaiyuan.
As for the honor, it is even more rare. This is a reward. Only very outstanding civil and military officials can be awarded it. Zhang Cheng was promoted to the third rank of guard commander and magistrate. The corresponding honor is "Light Vehicle" "Captain".
There are hundreds of guerrilla generals in the Ming Dynasty, but only Zhang Cheng has such an honor!
Emperor Chongzhen nodded.
In the Ming Dynasty, it was a very honorable thing for an official's wife to be granted the title of Imperial Lady. No matter how ceremoniously he expressed his gratitude to his uncle, even if Zhang Cheng did not get any benefit from the assignment, he would still have so many honors. He will also be very satisfied.
Of course, these honors given to Zhang Cheng were nothing but a favor to Emperor Chongzhen.
Just listen to him say slowly: "Just follow Yang Aiqing's opinion."
He walked around the Dongnuan Pavilion and suddenly stopped and said to Yang Sichang: "By the way, Ai Qing would like to remind Chen Xinjia again that when he is appointed as Xuanda University, he must support Zhang Cheng in recruiting troops and building a camp to train a strong force for me.
.”
Yang Sichang replied softly: "I will inform Chen Xinjia properly and ask him to fully support General Zhang in recruiting troops to build a camp and train a strong army for the country.
General Zhang Cheng also asked his ministers to report to the emperor on his behalf. The reason why he asked himself to guard the road was because he wanted to cultivate troops for the imperial court. If he manages it well, he can also save a lot of grain for the imperial court."
Emperor Chongzhen was shocked and said: "General Zhang can have such a desire to take over the country's Qiancheng, and he is really determined to solve the problems for the imperial court. Previously, I have promised him to do things cheaply when he recruits troops and builds camps. Please tell me what I mean."
With Chen Xinjia and Zhang Cheng,
The national funds are empty and there is not enough silver, grain and rice to save. If you can really succeed in farming, you can do it regardless of trivial matters. As long as it does not violate national laws, you can do it boldly."
At this time, the military garrison system established in the early Ming Dynasty was already in vain. Everyone in the imperial court knew it well, but it was difficult to return to it.
In the past, when Sun Chuanting was the governor of Shaanxi, he also vigorously deployed land and reorganized the army, which was also quite effective. At that time, Emperor Chongzhen also issued an order for the whole country to follow suit, but little effect was achieved in various places.
Now, Zhang Cheng wants to rectify the army, and Emperor Chongzhen naturally supports it. If it succeeds, the court can save a lot of money in raising troops. If it fails, the court will not lose anything.
"The Emperor's Holy Ming."
Yang Sichang praised him and then said: "General Zhang also said that when he entered the guard this time, he deeply felt that firearms were extremely useful in fighting the Donglu cavalry, but the firearms in the hands of his soldiers were all quite old, and explosions occurred frequently.
has happened,
I would like to ask the imperial court for permission to make a batch of firearms to enrich the newly recruited troops, so that they can serve the emperor in the future, sweep away bandits and drive out the Tartars."
"Homemade firearms?"
Emperor Chongzhen closed his eyes and pondered for a long time before he said: "This matter needs to be done with caution!"
He walked a few steps, stopped in front of Yang Sichang, and said: "Firearms are the sharp weapons of the country, and the generals in each town are not allowed to make their own. It is not appropriate to open this door from Zhang Cheng."
You can discuss with Chen Xinjia to allocate a group of Tianjin craftsmen and Xuanda to be temporarily placed in Zhangcheng's camp in the name of the Xuanda Firearms Bureau. They will be dismantled after their new camp is equipped with firearms.
You must not let it cause its own problems. You and Chen Xinjia should properly discuss this matter and ask him to pay more attention to it."
"The Emperor's Holy Ming."
Yang Sichang sang another song and finally said: "I have something to say about Sun Chuanting."
A few days ago, the invading armies returned to camp near the capital. Emperor Chongzhen had appointed Sun Chuanting as the governor of Baoding, responsible for all military affairs in Baoding, Shandong, and Henan.
At the same time, it was planned to appoint Hong Chengchou as the governor of Jiliao, and it was decided to leave all the Shaanxi soldiers who entered the guard and go to Liaodong with Hong Chengchou, the governor of Jiliao, to guard Jiliao.
On the way back to the capital from Qian'an, Sun Chuanting made many requests to his Majesty to see the emperor. However, due to Yang Sichang's obstruction, Emperor Chongzhen not only failed to see him, but also severely criticized Sun Chuanting.
As a result, when Sun Chuanting arrived in Tongzhou, he suddenly fell ill and became deaf. He used this as an excuse to apply for a sick leave.
Yang Sichang wrote in Emperor Chongzhen's preface that Sun Chuanting's claim of illness was an act of evasion.
Emperor Chongzhen was a little dissatisfied, and immediately sent an order to Sun Chuanting to quickly go to Baoding to take up his post, and to serve his country well as his governor of Baoding.
At this time, why did Yang Sichang mention Sun Chuanting?