In fact, Zeng Hualong had this idea in his mind for a long time.
According to the practice of the Ming Dynasty, civilian officials controlled military commanders. Therefore, theoretically speaking, the governor was the highest military and political official in a place, with jurisdiction over all guards, commanders, and generals in the area, and even the participating generals and the commander-in-chief. They are all under his jurisdiction. However, the governor himself does not have the power to control troops. He only has the power to mobilize troops. If it is in normal times, of course it does not matter. As long as the governor gives an order, no one dares to disobey it.
But now is the time when the world is in chaos. The imperial court's control over local areas and generals has been greatly reduced. Whoever has soldiers and generals, food and guns is the boss, especially some generals who control heavy troops. Basically, they use the imperial court's decree as a wiping paper, throw it away after reading it, and whether they implement it or not depends on their mood. And the imperial court can't offend them too much. If they are pressed, they will follow the thieves, or surrender to the outsiders. Manqing, it would be even worse. The most typical one is Zuo Liangyu, who the court can only coax and play with.
In addition, local officials such as governors, governors, and supervisors may have sounded coaxing and majestic in the past, but in this period they are under pressure. They are forced by the court above and supported by military generals below. Both sides are criticized, and they are not human beings inside and outside. In the past, high officials of the imperial court who were appointed to exterminate bandits, such as Chen Qiyu, Yang Sichang, and Hong Chengchou, all suffered from the failure of generals who did not listen to orders.
Although there are no generals with heavy troops like Zuo Liangyu in Shandong, the troops and horses of the guards are also in the hands of local generals. Although they do not dare to blatantly disobey the imperial order, after receiving the general's order, they will not shirk in every possible way. It means being obedient and disobeying, or agreeing on the surface and subverting secretly. In any case, it is to preserve one's own strength first, or to ask for pay from the court. Although Zeng Hualong is the governor of Denglai, in fact he is just a polished commander. Stay still.
In fact, when Zeng Hualong took office in Shandong, he was full of ambitions and wanted to do something in the Denglai area. However, he only discovered a few months after he took office that in this area, except for himself, Apart from the hundreds of servants under his command, he felt that no one could be relied upon. Therefore, he also eagerly hoped to recruit a team of his own and find a few capable generals that he could trust to help him.
It was under this circumstance that when Zeng Hualong saw the victory document sent from Yishui County, he vaguely felt that this militia group might be exactly what he needed, so he did not hesitate to condescend as the governor and come to Qingshui Village. Just wanted to try my luck.
Finally, when he arrived at Qingshui Village, he met Shang Yi, and through a conversation with him, he personally learned about the process of wiping out the Qinglang Peak bandits, and after watching the drill of the militia. Zeng Hualong discovered that although Shang Yi Young, but calm and well-behaved, he is not only proficient in the art of war, but also good at training soldiers. Although he is just a militia, he has made him stronger than the officers and soldiers. If he takes the opportunity to recommend to the imperial court, he will not only seek talents for the country, but also It will be of great benefit to cultivate a trusted general for yourself and let him train a strong army of officers and soldiers, which will help you to show your talents and ambitions in Shandong.
Although thousands of households are generally hereditary from military households, at this time, special treatment can also be done. Just transfer Shang Yi's original household registration to military households. Anyway, there is now a vacancy in Qishan Office, so as long as it is from Zeng Hualong came forward to recommend to the imperial court, and there was basically no problem in being approved. Although Qianhu was not a high-ranking general, he was still a fifth-grade general. The approved number of soldiers under his command was 1,200. With Shang Yi so young, he The leap from a commoner to a fifth-level military general is almost a leap to the sky. From then on, as long as there are men among his descendants, as long as they make no big mistakes, they can inherit this position of Qishansuo Qianhu forever.
Therefore, all the civil servants and generals around Zeng Hualong stared at Shang Yi, their eyes full of envy and jealousy. Even Zhou Shiqi was shocked, although he also estimated that Shang Yi would not only respect a militia teacher.
But he never expected that he would become prosperous so quickly and be appreciated by the governor. It would not be difficult to continue to be promoted in the future. At the same time, he was very cautious. Qishansuo was more than 600 miles away from Yishui County. Shang Yi
Now that he's gone, what will the militia do? What if he takes away the people from the militia again? Doesn't it mean that he will cause trouble immediately?
At this moment, I heard Shang Yi say: "Sir, please forgive me for not obeying my orders."
Not only others, but even Zeng Hualong was shocked. He had never thought that Shang Yi would refuse. Is it difficult to say that he thought there was no future as a military general and planned to take the imperial examination? This is not impossible, because Ming Ming
The imperial court has always respected civil servants and military officials, so even if someone wanted to join the army, they would first take the imperial examination and enter the civil service system, and then transfer to military positions to save the country in a roundabout way. However, Shang Yi was not even a scholar now, and he would be a general
Thousand households can also take the imperial examination again.
Therefore, Zeng Hualong said slowly: "Why is this? The world is not peaceful now. There are bandits inside and Tatars outside. I see that you have real talent and knowledge. Why don't you want to be an official?
Is the imperial court trying its best? Could it be that they think Qian Hu is too small?"
Shang Yi hurriedly said: "Your Excellency, you have misunderstood. The rise and fall of the world depends on everyone's rules. What's more, as a citizen of the Ming Dynasty, Shang Yi should do his best for the country. How can he despise the size of his official position?"
Zeng Hualong nodded and said, "Then why?"
Shang Yi said: "When the grassroots formed a militia in Qingshui Village, they just wanted to protect their fellow villagers and did not expect to be successful as officials. However, Qishan is located on the coast of Dengzhou, five or six hundred miles away from Yishui County. If the grassroots go to Qishan
Once I take office, I'm afraid it will be difficult for me to return to Qingshui Village. The grassroots people really can't leave the folks here, so I just want you to arrange the grassroots people in a nearby area, and the grassroots people will definitely not refuse."
"Oh!" Zeng Hualong never expected that Shang Yi would have this reason. However, it is human nature to love one's hometown and care for one's native land. Doesn't this also mean that Shang Yi is a person who values friendship? So now that he has promoted him, what will happen to him?
I will definitely be grateful for my support. Just like Zuo Liangyu is now so powerful that he can even ignore the court's will, but he always respects Hou Xun who promoted him in the first place. Hou Xun's words sometimes
It's more effective than an imperial edict. Maybe I can be a Hou Xun myself.
On the other side, Zhou Shiqi almost shed tears. He didn't expect Shang Yi to have such deep feelings for Qingshui Village. He couldn't help but secretly glance at Zhou Shaoqing, and saw Zhou Shaoqing lowered his head with a look of shame on his face.
Everyone has feelings. After living in Qingshui Village for more than two months, Shang Yi really couldn't bear to leave, but this was just one of the reasons for his refusal. In fact, for Shang Yi, being a small local leader of soldiers
Military generals are a rare opportunity. Although Qianhu is not a high-ranking official, he has his own army of men and horses, and in this one-third of an acre of land, he is the local emperor. He can legitimately train troops, expand the army, and colonize the territory.
They recruit refugees, make firearms, and prepare gunpowder. They even take the initiative to raid mountains and suppress bandits without any scruples. Whatever the Xu Township militia cannot do, they can do it openly.
But now Shang Yi Yijing has established a quite solid foundation in this area. In addition to Qingshui Village, Bajiaotai Village, and Shilitun Village, Wangjiadatun and Qiliu Town Yijing are equivalent to Shang Yi's private power. So How can you give up a good foundation so easily? Once you arrive at Qishan Institute, everything has to start from scratch. Moreover, Qishan Institute is right under Zeng Hualong’s nose. You have to be careful about anything you want to do. It is not as relaxed as here. Therefore, Shang Yi just wants to work as an official nearby, or he would rather stay as the chief teacher of the militia in Qingshui Village and never leave too far from here.
Zeng Hualong also became serious, and everyone was silent for a while.
After a while, Meng Honggong, the magistrate of Qingzhou, said: "Sir Governor, regarding the matter of recommending Shang Yi, you are so humble that you have something to say. I don't know whether to say it or not?"
Zeng Hualong glanced at him and said, "Go ahead."
Meng Honggong said: "Your Majesty seeks talents for the country, supports the underachievers, and is very open-minded, which is admirable. But Shang Yi is attached to his hometown and does not forget his fellow villagers, which is also commendable for his kindness. Considering his humble position, it is better to make arrangements for him in Qingzhou Prefecture. If we have the best of both worlds in one position, wouldn’t everyone be happy?”
Zeng Hualong nodded and said, "Are there any vacancies in Qingzhou Mansion?"
Meng Honggong said: "Reporting to your lord, within the territory of Qingzhou Prefecture, thirty miles northeast of Yishui County, at the junction of Yishui and Linju counties, there is Muling Pass. There was originally an inspection department, but now there are many bandits, and the inspection department It is also difficult to maintain the local area. Therefore, in view of the humble position, it is better to recommend Shang Yi as Qingzhou Wei Qianzong and stationed at Muling Pass. On the one hand, Shang Yi's army can be enlisted in the army to do his best for the court, and on the other hand, it can also fulfill Shang Yi's desire to defend his hometown. If you get the second grade, you will have merit in the future, and it will not be too late to gradually improve. If it is due to lack of grade, you will not report to the Governor of the Fifth Army, and join the regiment to practice garrison and get the title of Thousand Households."
Zeng Hualong thought for a moment. Although Qianzong and Qianhu are the same word, there is a big difference. Qianzong is a district military officer street without grades. In addition, it cannot be hereditary. Although there is a standard of 1,000 people under the rule, But compared to Qianhu, it is still far behind. Although the issue of rank can indeed be solved by applying for a regiment training and defense line Qianhu for Shang Yi, as Meng Honggong said, but after all, it is a false title. The only advantage is That means it can be appointed directly by the governor without going through the Fifth Army Superintendent's Office.
So he asked again: "Shang Yi, what do you mean?"
In fact, Shang Yi didn't understand that there were so many articles in it, but he knew that Mr. Qian was also a low-level military attaché who had assigned a thousand people, and he understood it and asked him to garrison Muling Pass, which is where he was. He is considered a top leader. He is not far from Yishui County. Therefore, he did not refuse and immediately said: "The common people should obey their orders."
Zeng Conglong nodded. He originally wanted to arrange Shang Yi by his side, but this is not bad. He recommended it by himself and met Shang Yi's needs. As for cultivating Shang Yi into his right-hand man, he will gradually improve it in the future. Come on, just because he is really capable, are you afraid that he will not get the chance to be promoted? So he nodded and said: "Okay! I will send an official document immediately after I return to Dengzhou." He turned to Meng Honggong and said: "Meng Honggong Magistrate, if Shang Yi becomes an official under your rule in the future, he will need to be taught more."
Meng Honggong said: "Don't worry, Sir, I will definitely teach you carefully."
He could see clearly that the governor was very optimistic about Shang Yi. As long as he arranged Shang Yi well, Zeng Hualong would be happy. And just now he also saw that Shang Yi was indeed a general. With him in his territory, Zeng Hualong would be happy. It will probably be stable for two years.
Just when everyone thought they were happy, someone suddenly came to report that a group of bandits had come to attack Yishui County.