I was compiling the daily records during the Wanli reign

Chapter 254 Training generals is worse than training soldiers! A visionary leader, Shen Ziheng.
As Shen Nian strode out, all eyes were on him.

Just now, Zhang Juzheng's profound discourse left the young Wanli Emperor speechless.

Although the latter compromised, he still lost face in front of all the officials.

In the eyes of many officials, Zhang Juzheng's words were just empty promises, offering no effective solutions to encourage the young Wanli Emperor to improve his governance, and the problem of lax discipline in the Beijing garrison remained unresolved.

Even after the morning court session ended, the conflict remained.

Some officials will impeach Zhang Juzheng for deceiving the emperor when he was young, while others will once again strongly support the implementation of the "Preparatory Plan for Prohibiting Military Training in the Inner Palace".

If Shen Nian could come up with a military strengthening strategy that would be acceptable to both the young Wanli Emperor and the entire court, then both the emperor and his ministers would have a way out, and the subsequent court sessions would not lead to even greater conflicts.

Shen Nian straightened his chest, took out the memorial from his bosom, and began to read it aloud.

"I have observed that the system of the capital garrison has become riddled with problems due to prolonged peace. If there is danger in the northern border, how will the imperial guards respond? Your Majesty's desire to personally plan and guard the capital is truly a visionary move."

"However, the current number of personnel in the Beijing garrison is vacant, training is lax, and many officers and soldiers are mediocre. Relying solely on the troops trained internally is like trying to revive a dried-up river with a small amount of water."

……

"I believe that internal training is not as good as external training, and training generals is not as good as training soldiers. Your Majesty should select brave men under the age of thirty from the north and south, especially those who are literate. You should give them generous care and allow them to learn both literature and martial arts. You should also order veteran generals from the nine border regions to teach them riding and archery, and hire officials from the Ministry of War to teach them military strategy. Every spring and autumn, you should hold military exercises at Xishan."

……

"The number of people need not be large, just a thousand. Firstly, they will serve as a model for all soldiers in the country, and secondly, they will fill the gaps in the number of generals and commanders. One year of training in the capital, two years of experience in the border towns, five years to become elites, ten years to become good generals, twenty years to become famous commanders, and after ten years, all the generals and commanders in the capital and the four directions will be from His Majesty's personal army. The country will surely be at peace."

……

"This is my 'Strategy for Training Generals Across the Land'!" Shen Nian raised his hands and presented the memorial above his head.

Feng Bao jogged over to take the memorial and handed it to the young Wanli Emperor.

In short, Shen Nian's idea was to select a thousand talented individuals skilled in both literature and martial arts, capable of becoming generals, and place them in the emperor's personal guard to learn various military tactics and improve the current soldiers in the capital garrison. The young Wanli Emperor would then assign them to positions based on their abilities. In this way, after more than ten years, almost all the generals in the country would come from the emperor's personal guard, and the young Wanli Emperor would know them inside and out. In this way, the young Wanli Emperor's control over the military and politics would be unprecedentedly strong.

At that moment, Zhang Juzheng, Yin Zhengmao, and Shen Shixing all wore bright smiles.

Shen Nian's "Emperor's Strategy for Training Generals" shows a very long-term vision. It will take at least ten years and at most twenty years to train these people. By then, Zhang Juzheng and Yin Zhengmao will most likely have retired.

The key to this strategy lies in "training generals, not soldiers," and its purpose is to make the emperor more centralized in his power, which is exactly what the young Wanli Emperor wanted.

It also avoided the situation where eunuchs held great power.

This was an external training exercise, and the officials who were mainly trained were personally appointed by the young Wanli Emperor. He only needed to inspect the troops, because these were the emperor's personal troops. The cabinet, the six ministries, and the five military governorates had no authority over them, which to some extent also enhanced the status of military officers.

After reading "The Emperor's Strategy for Training Generals," the young Wanli Emperor smiled.

This was exactly what he wanted.

He didn't really care whether it was internal or external operations, as long as they were the emperor's personal troops.

Shen Nianzhi's plan not only satisfied his interest in personally training troops, but also made him feel great when he thought that in a few years, all the middle and senior generals in the capital and the border would be his personal troops.

This policy gave the young Wanli Emperor the feeling that although he was still extremely restricted at present, the future was infinitely bright.

"Good! Good! Good!" Emperor Wanli exclaimed three times, then looked at the kneeling officials below and said, "All of you, please rise and take your places first, and then we can discuss this plan further."

Immediately, Zhang Juzheng and the others stood up and then joined the ranks.

"Your Majesty, I believe this policy is more suitable for the present situation than the 'Plan for Preparing Military Training within the Forbidden City'!" said Wang Guoguang, Minister of Personnel, in a loud voice.

"I second the proposal!"

"I second the proposal!"

"I second the proposal!"

……

The officials all seconded the motion, including the civil and military officials who had just stood on opposite sides.

Just then, Yin Zhengmao stepped forward.

"Your Majesty, the cost of training a thousand imperial guards is far greater than that of ordinary soldiers. I would like to know whether the expenses for their training should come from the imperial treasury or the imperial granary?" As the Minister of Revenue, Yin Zhengmao was naturally most concerned about money.

At this moment, Feng Bao suddenly became tense.

If it were an internal military force, his plan was for the imperial treasury and the imperial granary to each contribute half. If it were an external military force, he felt that the expenses should all come from the imperial granary, since this strategy would increase consumption and no eunuchs would be involved.

He looked at the young Wanli Emperor and shook his head slightly, but at that moment, the young Wanli Emperor had no eyes for him at all.

The young Wanli Emperor looked at Shen Nian and asked, "Shen Qing, what do you think?"

Shen Nian cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, to demonstrate Your Majesty's divine might, I suggest that the Imperial Treasury and the Imperial Granary each contribute half to the training camp in the border town, and the expenses can be allocated to the border town!"

"Very well, I have no objection!"

Upon hearing this, Yin Zhengmao nodded slightly.

This expense was entirely covered by Taicang, putting a heavy burden on the Ministry of Revenue.

With all the funds from the imperial treasury, Feng Bao would not only have complete control over these expenses, but he would also misappropriate money from the Taicang treasury, potentially using public office for private gain.

The imperial treasury and the Taicang each contributed half, and Yin Zhengmao had the ability to keep the power to spend this money in his own hands, ensuring that every penny was spent on this policy.

After the young Wanli Emperor finished speaking, he looked at Zhang Juzheng, who had remained silent, and asked, "Prime Minister, do you think this plan is feasible?"

Zhang Juzheng's expression was serious. After a moment, he cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, the establishment of the Imperial Guard to cultivate future generals is a far-sighted strategy that benefits not only the present but also the future. As long as these Imperial Guards do not get involved in matters outside the military sphere, I wholeheartedly agree!"

Upon hearing this, both civil and military officials looked at the young Wanli Emperor.

Zhang Juzheng's words were actually an attempt to fight for the rights and interests of the court officials.

The emperor's personal guards had the duty to defend the capital and the frontiers, and to protect the young Wanli Emperor, but they could not be used to deal with the officials in the court.

When a rift develops between the emperor and his ministers, the emperor has the right to order the Embroidered Uniform Guard to arrest them and interrogate them in the imperial prison, but he does not have the right to deploy the emperor's personal guards.

The mobilization of the emperor's personal guards meant that the subject had committed a capital offense.

If the young Wanli Emperor were to rely on this army to defy ancestral rules and his ministers, he would become utterly lawless.

"I understand what you have said, Grand Secretary. My personal guards protect the country and its people and are the future generals. I will never underestimate such talent," the young Wanli solemnly declared.

Zhang Juzheng bowed deeply and said, "Your subject supports the implementation of the 'Emperor's Strategy for Training Generals'!"

"I second the proposal!"

"I second the proposal!"

"I second the proposal!"

……

Another large number of officials followed suit.

Some officials looked at Shen Nian with expressions of admiration or envy.

If the young Wanli Emperor were to order them to write a "Plan for Preparing Military Exercises within the Inner Palace," they would definitely be convinced that they would be supporting him this time.

Unexpectedly, Shen Nian predicted that there would be controversy in the court, so he wrote another strategy called "The Emperor's Strategy for Training Generals".

He understood the thoughts of the young Wanli Emperor, Zhang Juzheng, and the entire court, and knew how to truly bring the greatest benefit to the Ming Dynasty.

Therefore, he resolved another court crisis.

This is a unique ability of Shen Nian.

"Shen Ziheng became a vice minister at the age of thirty. It wasn't luck that made him successful; it was clearly his ability!"

"I don't like Shen Ziheng. I think he always thinks he's a saint and is self-righteous, but this strategy prevented the eunuchs from gaining power, so I think he did a good job!"

"No one can stop Minister Shen from rising to a higher position now. It's fortunate that he's in the court; otherwise, they'd probably be arguing every day!" "Now, it seems His Majesty and Grand Secretary Zhang will both be grateful to him again. His future entry into the Grand Secretariat... is practically guaranteed!"

……

Officials unanimously agreed that Shen Nian mended the nearly broken relationship between the young Wanli Emperor and Zhang Juzheng.

The morning court session ended quickly.

All the officials returned to their respective offices, while the three Grand Secretaries and Shen Nian were summoned to a side hall of the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

……

In the side hall.

The young Wanli Emperor unusually granted all four of them seats and served them tea.

"My three Grand Secretaries, I did not discuss this plan with you before instigating the officials of the Five City Governorates to implement it during the regular court session. It is my fault, I am wrong!"

"We dare not! Your Majesty is only thinking about the affairs of the court and sharing the burden of government affairs with us!" Zhang Juzheng quickly said, and Yin Zhengmao and Shen Shixing both bowed and agreed.

The young Wanli Emperor raised his teacup.

"Prime Minister, from now on, let us unite our efforts and work together to create a prosperous Ming Dynasty and ensure that all people in the world can have enough to eat!"

"I obey your orders!"

Zhang Juzheng, Yin Zhengmao, Shen Shixing, and Shen Nian all stood up and drank the tea in their cups in one gulp.

After drinking this cup of tea, all the unpleasantness that arose during the morning can be considered completely put behind us.

Shen Nian felt very gratified.

Although the young Wanli Emperor made many mistakes, he was always able to admit and correct them, which shows that the lecturers had taught him quite well over the years.

……

Zhang Juzheng was always decisive and efficient in his actions, and he always kept his word.

That afternoon.

Zhang Juzheng then drafted a memorial proposing to appoint Zhou Linshan, the deputy commander of the Right Guard of the Left Army Commandery, and Yue Zhong, a commander of the Dragon and Tiger Guard, as military lecturers, to give lectures on military policies and strategies and practical lessons to the young Wanli Emperor on the afternoons of the 3rd and 6th of each month.

Zhang Juzheng also adjusted the courses taught by Shen Nian and other daily lecturers.

Courses on etiquette, historical lessons, talent recruitment, appointment of officials, and the art of caring for the people have been reduced, while many practical aspects of governance have been added.

at the same time.

Under Zhang Juzheng's orders, all government offices in the capital began to make self-corrections based on the problems discovered by the young Wanli Emperor.

Also.

After discussion, Zhang Juzheng, Yin Zhengmao, and Shen Shixing decided to select five memorials each day and have them reviewed directly by the young Wanli Emperor without going through the drafting process.

This move was naturally intended to allow the young Wanli Emperor to assume personal rule as soon as possible.

Many officials thought Zhang Juzheng would seize power, but they did not expect him to so voluntarily relinquish power.

Next, the young Wanli Emperor will surely be even busier.

However, the addition of military lectures and court affairs also brought him a lot of novelty.

He knew that if he wanted to take charge of the government as soon as possible, he had to figure out all these things clearly.

Just as Shen Nian told him in private: Freedom is something you earn through ability.

This gave the young Wanli Emperor a lot of enthusiasm.

Every day, Shen Nian's head was full of question marks. Some of the questions were so perplexing that Shen Nian couldn't solve them and had to ask the young Wanli Emperor to summon Zhang Juzheng for a consultation to resolve the issues.

At this moment, Shen Nian felt that the young Wanli had truly grown up.

……

Three days later.

Under the joint planning of the Five Military Commissions and the Ministry of War, the imperial court began to order the governors, governors and generals of the border towns to select soldiers who met the criteria for "the emperor's personal guard". Those selected would be sent to the capital for further selection and intensive training.

After being trained and nurtured by the imperial court for ten years, these people will at least be classified as commanders of a thousand households.

This is a great job.

Emperor Wanli emphasized: "Select talent, not relatives; those who violate this imperial decree will be severely punished."

If any official dares to send their good-looking but useless nephews or nieces, they will be punished with at least sixty strokes of the cane and a demotion.

……

Night fell, in the rear office of the Directorate of Ceremonial.

Feng Bao leaned back in a recliner and closed his eyes for a nap.

Beside him, a young eunuch massaged his legs, and another young eunuch massaged his shoulders. Feng Bao never expected that his carefully planned internal power strategy would be ruined like this.

Feng Bao is currently 58 years old.

He had no intention of further strengthening his own power and becoming a powerful eunuch above the cabinet. He proposed this plan so that he could enjoy his later years in peace.

He had a vague feeling that the civil officials of the previous dynasty were increasingly inclined to believe that "eunuchs should not interfere in politics."

Once they are prohibited from interfering in politics, the power of eunuchs will be severely reduced, and at that time, the officials they have offended will seek revenge.

At present, Feng Bao can only hope to be a good lackey of the young Wanli Emperor and avoid being impeached by officials by taking advantage of the young Wanli Emperor's influence.

Just then, a young eunuch strode into the room and handed over a letter.

"Ancestor, Lord Fengpan has sent another letter!"

Feng Bao glanced at the letter and said, "Burn it!"

Since the end of last year, Zhang Siwei, the Minister of Rites in Nanjing, has been writing to Feng Bao, hoping to return to the capital, even if it's just to become the fourth-rank official, the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy in Beijing.

Feng Bao ignored him.

Just as the eunuch walked to the brazier not far away, preparing to burn the letter, Feng Bao said again, "Bring the letter over here!"

When Feng Bao opened it, he found that it was still Zhang Siwei's request to return to Beijing to take up his post.

He thought for a moment and said, "Reply to Lord Fengpan and tell him to do more things that benefit the people in the near future. If there is an opportunity, I will definitely speak up for him."

"Yes, Your Majesty!" The young eunuch quickly withdrew.

……

On the third day of the fourth lunar month, the capital city gradually warmed up.

Some representatives of the imperial clans who lived far from the capital were already on their way to Beijing.

Many of the imperial clansmen already knew that the court summoned them to the capital because they disliked the large number of members in their families, and the court no longer wanted to support too many outsiders.

Some of the princes were furious and prepared to go to the capital to argue with the young Wanli Emperor before their ancestors.

Some princes and nobles, however, harbored no resentment. Because their treatment was poor and their annual stipends from the court were delayed or insufficient year after year, they had already decided to engage in business and make money openly and legitimately.

All of this information, though secretly obtained by the Embroidered Uniform Guard, reached the ears of the young Wanli Emperor.

Because of Wang Xijue's statement that "in sixty years, the population of the imperial clan could reach one million," the young Wanli Emperor was very determined and kept communicating with the cabinet, thinking about how to complete this reorganization peacefully.

(End of this chapter)