Ming Dynasty: Ask Zhu Yuanzhang to abdicate at the beginning

Chapter 482 Old Zhu personally goes to the front line! His days are numbered!
"Let me ask you, since His Majesty has taken charge of the government, when has our Great Ming Dynasty ever fought a war against foreign powers without achieving a resounding victory and becoming awe-inspiring in all directions?"

Old Zhu was stunned.

Before he could speak, the old man continued, "Our Great Ming army conquered Japan in the east, attacked the remnants of the Yuan Dynasty in the north, and pacified the three Jurchen tribes. Its prestige was so great that it intimidated Goryeo into surrendering without a fight and voluntarily becoming a vassal state!"

A hint of pride flashed in his eyes, and his voice grew even more impassioned, "Even when we went on expeditions overseas, to countries like Siam and Pegu, we crushed them like dry leaves, and the enemy army was wiped out in the blink of an eye!"

Such military achievements are unprecedented and unparalleled throughout history!

"Therefore, it is clear how absurd it is to say that the people's peaceful and happy lives will weaken the military!"

Old Zhu was speechless, his mind churning with thoughts.

This is an undeniable fact, and he has no way to refute it.

Since Zhu Yunwen came to power, the Ming army has been invincible and victorious in every battle.

As an emperor who had survived countless hardships, Zhu Yuanzhang knew all too well just how formidable the Ming army was!

Speaking of the Northern Yuan, in his previous view, the grassland tribes were a problem that had plagued the Central Plains for thousands of years and were very difficult to eradicate.

Therefore, he enfeoffed his sons to guard the frontier, rebuilt the Great Wall, and stationed troops beyond the Great Wall, in order to gradually encroach upon the territory.

In Zhu's estimation, it would take the efforts of several generations, or even dozens of generations, to completely pacify the grasslands.

Unexpectedly, Zhu Yunwen's newly trained army swept away the Northern Yuan with lightning speed, and the Great Wall no longer needed to be repaired!

How can such an army indulge in comfort and ease?
How can one talk about indulging in pleasure?

Where is the fighting strength weak?

The old man smiled and said, "The reason why our Great Ming Iron Army is invincible in the world is firstly due to the firearms and cannons created by His Majesty, which are unparalleled in power, intimidate the enemy, and kill countless enemies."

"Secondly, we rely on the new army's unwavering morale and soaring spirit, which far surpasses that of the past by a hundredfold, and is far beyond the reach of those barbarians!"

"A peaceful and prosperous people nurture the most loyal and courageous soldiers; this is the foundation for a lasting and secure empire!"

Old Zhu was stunned again, as if he had been awakened by the old man's words.

He had never thought deeply about this cause and effect before.

But at that moment, it was like a sudden enlightenment.

There is an old saying: "A good man doesn't become a soldier, and good iron isn't used to make nails."

“If a respectable young man were to be driven to desperation, who would willingly join the army?”

“Even the imperial court used to often demote criminals and exiles to garrison soldiers and send them to the army.”

He snorted, his tone laced with sarcasm: "From high-ranking officials in the imperial court to ordinary citizens in the city, everyone regards being a soldier as a lowly profession and a shameful act."

"Most soldiers were forced to obey orders and go into battle under the whipping and intimidation of their officers."

"How can an army with such a morale be strong? How can its combat power be formidable?"

"It is only through the strict supervision and discipline of the generals that they can be driven to fight."

"What you just said means that only those who are suffering and do not crave comfort can go into battle and kill the enemy."

"But consider this: throughout history, which general didn't lead from the front and charge ahead to inspire the army to advance bravely?"

"If the general is afraid of death and dares not fight, such an army will most likely collapse in one battle and have no fighting power whatsoever."

"But among these generals, who is truly from a poor family?"

"Which commander goes to war not in pursuit of wealth and glory?"

The old man's voice suddenly rose: "The soldiers risk their lives on the battlefield, licking blood from the edge of their blades, all for the sake of achieving merit, securing a good reputation for their wives and children?"

"After a major battle, there were countless generals who frequented brothels and squandered money like water!"

"But how could this have stopped them from risking their lives and fighting bloody battles on the battlefield?"

"If that's how the generals are, then why do the soldiers, when they live a peaceful life and have money to live a good life, become afraid of death and dare not face the enemy?"

"Isn't such an argument utterly absurd?"

Old Zhu remained silent.

The old man's words were sharp as knives, yet they pointed out the crux of the matter.

Those generals and ministers who once followed him in battles across the country and made unparalleled contributions were indeed like that.

They drink wine from large bowls, eat meat in large chunks, and spend money lavishly; they are all people who live for the moment.

Now they have become nobles, living in luxury and worry-free lives.

Even now, if these people were to lead the battle, these veterans who had fought their way through mountains of corpses and seas of blood would not show the slightest bit of cowardice!

It's not that we're afraid to work hard just because we're living a better life now.

Absolutely impossible!

They are still braver and more composed than ordinary soldiers, and more fearless in the face of death on the battlefield!
Old Zhu was well aware of this and firmly believed it.

In fact, the garrison troops relied mainly on their officers at all levels to fight battles.

From commander of a thousand households to deputy commander of a thousand households, then to garrison commander, centurion, general, junior officer, and so on.

These people are the backbone of the army.

If these people are afraid of death, then the soldiers below will never fight to the death; they will run away faster than any of the officers.

But normally, these people are relatively brave.

In battle, officers of the rank of centurion, captain, and lieutenant were always at the forefront.

Otherwise, the Ming army would have little fighting power.

However, these people's salaries were not low. The centurions received the salary of a sixth-rank official, the generals received the salary of a seventh-rank official, and the junior officers received the salary of an eighth-rank official.

Their lives, at least compared to ordinary people, are much more comfortable and better.

However, they were not more afraid of death than the soldiers because of this.

Therefore, it is clear that whether one lives a good life or a comfortable life has no necessary connection with whether one is brave in battle.

Conversely, the lowest-ranking and poorest soldiers are often in a daze.

In fact, most of the time, the imperial court did not expect them to take the initiative to charge. It was already quite good if they could be whipped into obeying orders and not dare to run away, and could even charge together.

Otherwise, "exile" would not have been punished as a crime.

The old man raised his cup and took a small sip. The wine went down his throat, and he once again recited the ancient saying in a loud voice: "'When the granaries are full, people know etiquette; when they are well-fed and clothed, they know honor and shame.' This saying is truly true!"

“In the past, people often lacked food and clothing. Unless they were desperate, who would want to join the army?”

"Even if they went to the battlefield, most of them were cowardly and only wanted to survive, and had little will to fight to the death."

"But now, the world is at peace, people are prosperous, every family has surplus grain, and every household has new clothes."

"What the people are pursuing is no longer just food and clothing, but glory and dignity!"

"By throwing themselves into the new army and fighting the enemy, everyone strives to be the first and never retreats, thus forging the illustrious reputation of the new army of the Great Ming!" The old man's voice was firm and heroic: "The new army, personally created by His Majesty, enjoys excellent treatment and generous salaries. If someone unfortunately dies in battle, they will also receive extremely generous compensation. Soldiers are proud to be soldiers, unlike before when they were ashamed of it."

"As a result, their morale is soaring, far surpassing that of the garrison troops of the past!"

"Once they went to the battlefield, they dared to charge into battle, risking their lives without hesitation, and each of them was willing to dedicate themselves to the country!"

"That is why the new army was able to be invincible and victorious in every battle!"

The old man's tone was resolute.

Although these were his deductions, he was extremely confident in them.

"Not long ago, the imperial court dispatched elite new troops to the northwest frontier, and I heard that even the cavalry of the grassland tribes were ordered to go."

"The Da Ming Daily also published an editorial, stating that Western Region Hu people have repeatedly harassed our Ming merchants and travelers, and therefore issued a stern warning against such behavior."

"There are also articles that mention the Western Regions, which were formerly Han territory, and now the Ming Dynasty should take them back."

"The imperial court has sent another delegation to the Eastern Chagatai Khanate. Judging from the atmosphere, it is clear that they are trying to persuade it to surrender. If it does not comply, they will launch a military campaign against the Western Regions!"

"If you have any doubts about the fighting strength of the Ming Dynasty's new army and want to see for yourself whether the soldiers are really as brave and fearless as I say, and willing to risk their lives on the battlefield, then you may wish to go to Jiayuguan. Once the battle begins, you will be able to witness the mighty appearance of the Ming Dynasty's new army!"

The old man laughed heartily and continued, "If I take the opportunity to buy some rare goods from the grasslands and resell them in the interior, I'm sure I'll make a fortune!"

His words carried a hint of mockery, yet also an absolute confidence in the Ming army.

Upon hearing this, Old Zhu's eyes lit up, and he felt a surge of emotion.

Although he is old and his health is declining, his heart, which once galloped across the battlefield and commanded thousands of troops, has not cooled down.

The days of iron horses and golden spears have been constantly churning in Lao Zhu's mind lately, stirring up endless memories of those passionate years.

This is a common problem for every elderly person.

Who doesn't reminisce about their youth when they get old?

However, given Zhu's current status and position, it is no longer possible for him to personally lead troops into battle.

Besides, his advanced age and frail health allowed Old Zhu to do so.

Even so, if one could quietly travel to the border and witness the might of the new army, it would be enough to soothe one's heart.

Old Zhu became more and more excited as he thought about it, and immediately said, "What you say makes a lot of sense, sir!"

"In that case, let's head to Jiayuguan, find some rare treasures of the grasslands, and take a look at the new army's style along the way!"

The old man was taken aback. He had only made a casual remark to prove his point, but he hadn't expected this person to take it so seriously and actually want to go to the border.
He frowned slightly and hurriedly advised, "This is a place of war and danger, you should think twice before you act!"

Old Zhu waved his hand and laughed, completely unconcerned, and said with a hearty laugh, "It's alright, it's alright! We know what we're doing!"

Seeing this, the old man quickly tried to persuade him again.

But Old Zhu had already made up his mind and naturally wouldn't listen to him.

After speaking for a long time, the old man realized he couldn't persuade him any further, so he said, "Although the border is secure, weapons are ruthless. You must be very careful and it's best not to leave Jiayuguan. The area inside the pass is relatively safe, and the barbarians would never dare to invade the borders of our Great Ming!"

As Old Zhu drank, he casually responded, his mind already wandering to the majestic passes and fluttering banners of the frontier.

His eyes shone with a long-lost fervor, as if he had returned to those glorious years of war!
Besides, Zhu Yuanzhang was also eager to see what the secret to the Ming Dynasty's new army's invincible record was.

Although I had seen the new army's weapons and equipment, their muskets and cannons, and watched their drills, actual combat is different from drills.

Judging solely from the memorials, it is different from being on the front lines of war.

After leaving the tavern, Old Zhu immediately ordered the caravan to head towards Jiayu Pass.

……

Beshbaliq, the capital of the Eastern Chagatai Khanate

Zhu Su stood in front of the Hudada residence, his gaze fixed on the mansion with its distinctive Western Region style.

The surrounding walls are made of rammed earth, rugged yet rustic, and the surface of the walls has a faint earthy yellow hue under the blazing sun.

The gate is tall and majestic, with a pair of lifelike eagles with outstretched wings carved on the lintel, their sharp eyes seemingly looking down on those who come.

Two stone lions crouch on either side of the gate, their imposing presence adding to the solemnity and grandeur, as if silently proclaiming the power of the owner of this place.

Zhu Su straightened his clothes, stepped forward slowly, and said to the guards at the door in slightly broken Western Region language: "My name is Cao Zhu. I once treated the lady's illness and am an old acquaintance of Lord Zaisang."

"Please inform him that Doctor Cao Zhu has urgent business to discuss with Lord Zai Sang."

After saying this, he calmly slipped a Ming Dynasty banknote, which was widely circulated in Beshbali, into the guard's hand.

With his superb medical skills, Zhu Su had already gained a reputation in Beshbali. He was even invited to treat the wife of Huda, thus establishing a relationship with this powerful figure.

The name "Zai Sang" is a transliteration of "Prime Minister" and has been used since the Yuan Dynasty. At the end of the Yuan Dynasty, the Eastern Chagatai Khanate was established. Khudaidayin assisted Khedi Erhuo Zhe in ascending to the Khanate and made the greatest contribution. He naturally became the Zai Sang of the Eastern Chagatai Khanate, in charge of the government and was very famous.

Cao Zhu was the alias Zhu Su used when he traveled in the Western Regions.

The guards, who had been looking at Zhu Su with cold eyes, scrutinized him from head to toe with a wary expression.

But when he took the bright red Ming Dynasty banknote, a smile immediately spread across his face: "Please wait outside for a moment, I will go and inform them."

After saying that, he turned and quickly walked inside.

A moment later, the guard returned and announced loudly, "Lord Zaisang requests your presence. Doctor Cao, please come with me."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Su felt a slight sense of relief and let out a long sigh.

If he could successfully meet with Huda, his plan would already be half successful.

Zhu Su gathered his thoughts and stepped into the mansion.

Stepping into the inner courtyard, a spacious hall comes into view. The hall is beautifully decorated, with colorful tapestries hanging on the walls, painted with intricate floral and geometric patterns, all still exuding a strong Western Region style.

In the center of the hall, instead of the Grand Tutor commonly seen in the Central Plains, there was a large, exquisitely carved folding chair.

It was the dead of winter, and the wind was biting cold outside, but the hall was warm and cozy.

Heat was quietly rising from underground, dispelling the bitter cold.

Huda was sitting on the edge of a Hu bed, flanked by two beautiful women dressed in Hu clothing.

Their clothes were thin, revealing large expanses of their snow-white skin, exuding an exotic allure.

Zhu Su stepped forward, respectfully cupped his hands in greeting, and said, "This humble subject, Cao Zhu, pays his respects to Lord Zaisang."

Upon hearing this, Hu Daida glanced at Zhu Su and laughed loudly, "Dr. Cao, what brings you here today?"

Zhu Su raised his head slightly, his gaze inadvertently sweeping over the two beauties beside Hu Daida.

Just then, he caught a glimpse of Huda's hands roaming over their bodies, kneading them wantonly, his actions undisguised, flamboyant, and unrestrained.

Zhu Su's heart tightened, and he instantly abandoned his original idea of ​​asking Hu Daida to dismiss the others.

He quickly lowered his eyes, not daring to look any longer, and said, "I have heard that the Ming Dynasty delegation has arrived in Beshbaliq. I fear that Lord Zaisang's days are numbered and his life is nearing its end!"

……

(End of this chapter)