The Wanli Emperor of the Ming Dynasty was extremely rebellious

Chapter 9: Mastering the military force is the only way to regain the imperial power
Wanli ignored state affairs for several days, and the backlog of memorials reached several thousand.

The matters that required memorials were basically major events. Apart from party struggles and infighting, they included the appointment, dismissal and promotion of important officials, the allocation of money and grain, the mobilization of the army, and so on.

He didn't approve anything, and the Ming Dynasty court was in chaos.

At this time, rumors began to fly in the capital.

What Wanli was was a tyrant who killed loyal officials as soon as he came to power.

What Wanli was was a tyrant who was addicted to wine and women every day and ignored the affairs of state.

What about Wanli being disobedient and unfilial, speaking ill of Empress Dowager Li, etc.

This is why Zhang Siwei ordered people to spread rumors in preparation for the abdication of the emperor.

Empress Dowager Li really wanted to depose Wanli and replace him with Prince Lu as emperor.

Feng Bao was shocked when he received the news.

At this moment, he and the little emperor were in the same boat. Once the little Wanli was deposed, he would be doomed.

He couldn't care less.

Early that morning, around 1 a.m., Wanli had just gotten up. He leaned over and combed Wanli's hair while whispering, "Your Majesty, rumors are flying all over the capital right now."

Is Zhang Siwei spreading rumors again?
Wanli said calmly, "What rumors are there?"

Feng Bao said carefully, "Your Majesty, please forgive me. I was telling you a rumor. It said you were a tyrant who slaughtered loyal officials and neglected state affairs. It also said you were disobedient and unfilial, and spoke ill of the Empress Dowager."

Humph, Empress Dowager Li, do you really want to depose me?

You are a traitorous woman!

Reputation is very important these days, and even an emperor cannot have a bad reputation.

The worse his reputation becomes, the more people will support his removal.

No, we can't let these guys ruin his reputation so unscrupulously.

Wanli turned around, stared at Feng Bao and asked, "Aren't you capable of spreading rumors?"

what?
I spread rumors!

Feng Bao was quite puzzled and asked, "Your Majesty, what rumor is this servant making up?"

You really can't do it.

Wanli leaned over and listened carefully.

When Feng Bao heard this, his eyes almost popped out.

However, it was very easy for the Jinyiwei and the Dongchang to spread rumors.

Not long after, a bunch of new rumors emerged in the capital.

What Empress Dowager Li wanted to emulate Wu Zetian and usurp the throne.

What Zhang Siwei wants to undermine the imperial power and cover the sky with one hand.

What a treason! Shen Shixing insulted Wanli and committed treason.

What happened? Wanli was humiliated by his ministers and became sick with anger.

When rumors were flying all over the capital, Qi Jiguang finally arrived.

That evening, around 12:00 p.m., it was already dark, and the gates of the Imperial City and the Imperial Palace had already been locked. Wanli and Empress Wang had already gone into their bedrooms, but Feng Bao was outside, whispering, "Your Majesty, Lord Liang and General Qi wish to see you."

Finally it's here.

Upon hearing this, Wanli immediately put on his dragon robe, stepped on his boots, walked out quickly, and asked with surprise, "Where is it?"

Feng Bao explained, "I've ordered them to wait outside the Imperial Study in the Qianqing Palace."

Upon hearing this, Wanli immediately waved his hand and said, "Let's go."

After saying this, he walked quickly towards the Qianqing Palace.

When Liang Menglong and Qi Jiguang saw Wanli approaching in his dragon robe, they immediately knelt on the ground and said respectfully, "Greetings, Your Majesty."

Wanli raised his hands repeatedly and said, "No need to be polite, no need to be polite. Come, let's talk inside. Big friend, watch carefully outside and don't let anyone get close."

After saying that, he walked quickly into the imperial study.

Seeing this, Liang Menglong and Qi Jiguang quickly got up and followed in.

Wanli sat down and took a closer look under the light, and nodded secretly.

Qi Jiguang was over fifty years old, with a thick beard, and his face was as old as tree bark due to years of fighting outside.

However, he was still energetic, with a determined face and a gleam of light in his eyes.

His figure was extremely muscular, and his muscles were faintly visible under his Confucian robe.

Although he was not wearing armor, he was still full of iron and blood. Although there was no one behind him, it seemed as if he was followed by thousands of troops.

He is indeed worthy of being the best general of the time, and he remains unyielding despite heavy pressure.

This was the person he needed. This person was the key to his survival and even the recapture of imperial power, so he had to win him over.

Wanli thought about it carefully, then sighed: "General Qi has fought for the country for more than 30 years, and has made great contributions. He should be granted a title of nobility based on his military merits. However, some people have suppressed meritorious generals too much, causing the general to suffer injustice.

General Qi, please summarize all your military achievements over the years and hand them over to me. I will find a way to confer you a title of nobility."

His Majesty is so compassionate to meritorious generals?
Qi Jiguang was deeply moved when he heard this.

When he received the news of his impeachment in Jizhou Town, he thought he was finished.

Zhang Siwei wanted to suppress him, and he knew very well why.

It is rumored that the three major powerful families in Puzhou are collaborating with the enemy and selling out their country, and are in cahoots with the Northern Tartars.

He really thought he was finished.

Historically, this was indeed the end of him. After he was transferred to the south and left idle, the northern barbarians indeed attacked Jizhou Town and Xuan Da again. The officers and soldiers of Jizhou Town and Xuan Da were unable to resist, so they jointly wrote a letter requesting that Qi Jiguang be transferred back to take charge.

As a result, not only did Zhang Siwei not transfer him back, he also ordered the censors to impeach him to death and frame him in various ways, forcing him to resign and eventually die in poverty.

But now it’s different. The current emperor actually likes him.

He never expected to receive a secret order from Wanli, asking him to return to Beijing secretly with his trusted officers.

Moreover, as soon as they met, Wanli recalled his achievements and wanted to confer him a title of nobility.

He couldn't help but be moved and said, "Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty."

Wanli nodded slightly, then said solemnly: "General Qi, you should have heard the rumors in the capital. My mother really wants to depose me.

As for the reason, it is because I do not want to betray my teacher and ancestors, harm my teacher's family, and abolish the reform.

The current situation is extremely unfavorable to me. Apart from the imperial guards under Otomo, I don't know how many Jinyiwei I can mobilize.

They now control the Beijing camp, and may also transfer border troops to purge the court.

General Qi, you are the most famous general in the world. I trust you, so I have secretly transferred you back to the capital to protect the emperor."

The world's number one general!

His Majesty thinks too highly of me.

A scholar dies for a confidant!

Upon hearing this, Qi Jiguang immediately fell to the ground and swore, "I swear to be loyal to Your Majesty until death. If they want to depose Your Majesty, they must walk over my dead body."

Very good, with the world's number one general swearing allegiance until death, self-preservation should be no problem.

Seeing this, Wanli quickly stood up and raised his hand and said, "Yuan Jing, get up quickly. We are family, there is no need for such formalities."

One of our own!
Qi Jiguang was deeply moved.

He quickly stood up and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, if there is anything you want me to do, just tell me what you want me to do. I will climb a mountain of swords and plunge into a pot of oil. Neither I nor my men will frown."

I know you are not afraid of death. For the sake of Ming Dynasty, you can fight until your entire army is annihilated and you fight to the last drop of blood.

Wanli nodded with satisfaction, then asked, "General Qi, how many officers did you bring back? Who are they?"

Qi Jiguang introduced them in detail: "The only eight people who can be generals under my command are Wang Rulong, Chen Dacheng, Lou Nan, Hu Shouren, Chen Ziluan, Zhu Jue, Wu Weizhong, and Qi Jin. The remaining sixty or so are all captains and thousand commanders in the army. They are not worth mentioning.

However, they have all fought with me for many years, and have killed at least a hundred enemies. Even if I can't say I can defeat a hundred with one, I'm sure I can defeat ten with one."

You have more than seventy battle-hardened officers under your command!
No wonder the Qi family army was so powerful.

He now needs these loyal officers to control the military force. If the Beijing army can be trained like the Qi family army, he will be able to regain the imperial power.

Wanli nodded slightly, then explained in detail: "I summoned you back to the capital so that you can control the Beijing camp, but you don't have to fight to the death for this.

The current situation of the Beijing Camp is a bit complicated. Originally, the commanders of the Beijing Camp were all nobles and relatives, but this was changed in the 20th year of Jiajing. The Minister of War directly commanded the military affairs of the Beijing Camp and appointed a commander-in-chief of the Beijing Camp.

However, in the 29th year of Jiajing's reign, during the Gengxu Incident, Chou Luan, the Marquis of Xianning who also served as the commander-in-chief of the Beijing Camp, colluded with the enemy and betrayed the country. From then on, the Beijing Camp no longer had a commander-in-chief.

I heard that the Beijing Army is in chaos now, with serious shortages. I don't know how many people are drawing salaries without working, and the military farms of the 72 guards in the Beijing Army have been almost completely swallowed up.

General Qi, I hand over the Beijing Camp to you. I will find a way to replenish the insufficient manpower for you. I hope you can train the Beijing Camp into an invincible force for me."

Well, training people and horses is my strong point.

The problem is that Wu Dui, the Minister of War who is in charge of the military affairs of the Beijing Camp, is Zhang Siwei's man.

Qi Jiguang frowned and pondered for a moment, then said frankly, "Your Majesty, there's no problem with training the Beijing Camp. The question is, will the Minister of War, Wu Dui, nominate me to be the commander-in-chief of the Beijing Camp?"

I had naturally thought of this a long time ago.

Wanli picked up a long-prepared imperial edict and handed it to the two men, then explained in detail: "When I send someone to deliver the imperial edict, I will tell them that if they don't approve this imperial edict, I will not attend court. Let's see who can outlast the other."

What does this imperial edict say?

When Qi Jiguang took it and looked at it, he was stunned.

Liang Menglong, the Minister of Personnel, was transferred to be the Minister of War, and Wu Dui, the Minister of War, was transferred to be the Minister of Personnel!

Will Zhang Siwei approve this imperial edict?

(End of this chapter)