My Portable Ming Dynasty

Chapter 344 The Ambitions of the Nobles
June, martial arts supervisor.

Inside the cavalry section, Li Rusong was leading his classmates in cleaning the school building.

Li Rusong's injuries had just healed; he was injured during the last reorganization of the Beijing garrison.

Thinking about this, Li Rusong felt both ashamed and angry.

After arriving at the Beijing Garrison, he trained his troops diligently. However, when the Beijing Garrison finally mutinied, his cavalry squad from the Shenshu Camp ended up becoming a "rebel force."

Li Rusong was forced out of the camp by soldiers and then ran into Qi Jiguang's Datong cavalry.

Li Rusong was captured alive on the battlefield and also fell from his horse and was injured.

Because of this incident, Li Rusong was ridiculed by the cavalry squad for several months.

However, Xia Zhongxiao, Li Rusong's younger brother, became famous in the previous Beijing garrison incident.

The investigation of the Beijing Garrison was initiated because of Xia Zhongxiao, and even the bigwigs in the imperial court remembered his name.

"Class monitor, the dormitories are all ready!"

Xia Zhongxiao led his men to clean the new students' dormitories, and after completing the task, he reported back to Li Rusong.

Li Rusong finished tidying up the drill ground, put down the broom in his hand, and said:
"Dean Su will be attending the opening ceremony in person, so everyone be on your best and don't let our Class Two down!"

Upon hearing the name of Dean Su, even the most unruly students adopted a serious expression.

Even the most unruly students in the entire martial arts academy would tremble at the mere mention of this dean's name.

Xia Zhongxiao leaned closer to Li Rusong and asked:

"Master, I heard there are even scholars among the new students this year?"

Li Rusong nodded and said:
"I heard he was recommended by the local authorities and passed the Ministry of War's assessment."

Xia Zhongxiao said disdainfully:

"This scholar has probably never ridden a horse before, right? Those old men in the Ministry of War are just messing around, how come they're putting just anyone into the Military Academy?"

Li Rusong did not respond.

Wherever there are people, there are small groups. Based on their backgrounds, the martial arts academy was also divided into several small groups.

For example, within the cavalry department, there was a distinction between the noble faction and the hereditary military faction.

But the next one was even more chaotic.

This time, those who enrolled in the Martial Arts Academy included not only nobles and sons of military families from generations past, but also martial arts students recommended by local education officials.

I heard that in the future, students in the preparatory courses of the Military Academy and the Imperial College can also choose to apply for the Military Academy.

Li Rusong said solemnly:
“Zhongxiao, don’t speak carelessly. The local recommendation of martial arts students for admission is a national policy proposed by Dean Su. How can we question it?”

"And have you forgotten all the school rules and regulations?"

Speaking of school rules and regulations, Xia Zhongxiao's hands would cramp up. The reason was simple: Xia Zhongxiao had been punished by the instructors many times for violating school rules and regulations. After copying them so many times, Xia Zhongxiao had memorized the school rules by heart.

The military academy has extremely high discipline requirements, and bullying within the academy is strictly prohibited.

Su Ze knew that military discipline was key to the army's combat effectiveness, and that bullying in the military was very damaging to the military's atmosphere.

The key to governing an army lies with its officers, which is why strict regulations were established.

When these military academy graduates become officers in the future, they will maintain the discipline of their subordinates.

"Yes, yes, please don't say anything more, Class Master."

Xia Zhongxiao then asked:

"Class monitor, the new recruits have arrived. Are we about to leave?"

Li Rusong said:
"Yes, after this month, we will be going to the new army for temporary assignments."

"Still on temporary assignment?"

How long will this temporary assignment last?

Upon hearing the words "temporary posting," everyone gathered around Li Rusong.

Li Rusong said:
"This time is different."

Everyone pricked up their ears, and Li Rusong said:

"I heard that the new army in the capital was established, which is why we had this opportunity to take up temporary posts."

The group was still not very enthusiastic. Last time, when they were temporarily assigned to the Beijing Garrison, they became pawns of powerful figures in the court. After all that training, the Beijing Garrison was eventually disbanded.

Li Rusong said:
"This time is different. I heard that this is a special case. If you perform well, you can stay in the Beijing Garrison New Army."

Xia Zhongxiao asked:
"What's so good about staying in the Beijing Garrison's new army? Aren't we supposed to go back and inherit our families' military positions after graduation?"

Surrounded by his trusted confidants, Li Rusong said:
“My father wrote to me saying that he hoped I could stay in the Beijing Garrison New Army.”

"Why?"

Li Rusong said:
"Didn't you all notice? The imperial court has put a lot of effort into building a new army. My father said that if this trend continues, the new army of the Beijing Garrison will have a chance to make a name for itself in the future."

"Didn't you see the three armies of the Beijing Garrison? The Kelu Army, the Zhenbei Army, and the Annam Army correspond to the northern frontier, Liaodong, and the southwest. In the future, when war breaks out in these places, the new army of the Beijing Garrison will be responsible for launching attacks, and the original garrisons will only be responsible for defense."

"Moreover, the new Beijing garrison has just been established, and there are many vacant military positions. As long as you make meritorious contributions, why worry about not having opportunities for promotion?"

"Have you all forgotten what Dean Su said last time? Military merit is the basis for promotion. Without military merit, you won't even have the opportunity to be promoted!"

Are you all willing to return to your garrisons to lead troops?

Everyone was stunned for a moment.

Several martial arts students from inland military garrisons showed reluctant expressions.

What's the point of serving as a thousand or hundred households in a garrison?

Their ancestors and fathers had always guarded the garrisons. Some garrisons never fought any battles, and the heads of the thousand-household and hundred-household units were just village chiefs.

There were also a few sons of soldiers from Shaanxi garrison. Back when the Hetao region was in turmoil, their garrisons had to guard the border, and their fathers stayed on the frontier, spending their days with the cold wind.

These are not the worst things; the worst thing is not seeing any hope.

If your father is a centurion, your son will also be a centurion. Becoming a thousand-household commander is as difficult as climbing to heaven, because even thousand-household commanders have sons.

This is also why Qi Jiguang became an idol of the Ming Dynasty soldiers. From being a son of a hereditary military household to being granted a title for his merits, this was not a legend but a myth under the old military system of the Ming Dynasty.

Li Rusong then truthfully recounted the information he knew:

"I also heard that when we graduate next year, the imperial court will rank us according to our academic performance and military training results."

"Those ranked higher can choose the army they want to join."

Everyone's eyes lit up as they chose the army they wanted to join.
Can the Imperial Guard also go?
For ordinary guards, becoming a bodyguard to the emperor would be an honor that would bring glory to their ancestors.

After conveying the information he knew, Li Rusong looked at the clean classroom.

All things considered, their days at the military academy are numbered.

The training program at the Military Academy was two years long. During this time, they would shuttle between the new army camp in the capital and the Military Academy, completing their studies at the Military Academy while assisting in training the new army.

Li Rusong was puzzled by his father's decision to send him to the Military Academy.

But now he has developed feelings for the Military Academy and is truly proud of his identity as a student of the Military Academy, rather than as the son of the Liaoyang General.

Students from all over the country gathered at the Martial Arts Academy. At that time, they only had one identity: "Martial Arts Academy Students." This identity transcended region and family background, binding them tightly together.
-
In the Duke Cheng's Mansion.

Duke Cheng, Zhu Shitai, said, "Second brother, this is Mu Changyou, the younger brother of Duke Qian. He is of the same generation as us."

Zhu Shitai's younger brother, Zhu Shikun, the squad leader of the cavalry section of the military supervisory office, quickly bowed to the young man dressed in white mourning clothes.

"Brother, you flatter me. Once I enter the Martial Arts Academy, you will be my senior brother. Please take good care of me."

Mu Changyou's tone was humble, and Zhu Shikun seemed to see a reflection of himself in him. The second son of a family of martial arts heroes, he had learned to keep a low profile since childhood.

The family title belongs to the elder brother. The system of primogeniture for the title of nobleman in the Ming Dynasty is written into the "Collected Statutes of the Ming Dynasty". No matter how much the father loves him, he cannot change this order of inheritance.

The Mu family is a typical example.

Mu Chaobi outlived his elder brother Mu Chaofu and his two nephews Mu Rong and Mu Gong before inheriting the title of Duke of Qian.

This was only because the Mu family was far away in Yunnan. Which family among the meritorious officials in the two capitals would dare to play such a game?
The civil officials in the court were all waiting to strip the meritorious officials of their titles.

Mu Changyou is Mu Chaobi's son. Having such a father, his childhood was probably even more difficult than Mu Changyou's.

Duke Zhu Shitai of Chengguo said:

"Changyou's trip to the capital was originally on the orders of his elder brother, the Duke of Qian, to apologize to the court. Unexpectedly, as soon as he arrived in the capital, the court sent an imperial edict to Nanjing."

Zhu Shikun immediately understood.

Mu Changyou was originally sent by his elder brother to apologize on behalf of their father, Mu Chaobi, but the court dealt with Mu Chaobi so quickly.

Mu Changyou breathed a sigh of relief when he realized that he had completed the task without having to move around.

Their abstract father, the brothers, was truly a menace, but as sons, they were powerless to resist.

His elder brother was alright; he inherited the title of Duke of Qian and could ignore his father's unreasonable demands.

However, Mu Changyou was different. He was frequently beaten and scolded by Mu Chaobi, who vented his resentment at having his title taken away on his son.

His grandmother could originally protect him, but after she fell seriously ill, Mu Changyou lost his support.

Then my grandmother passed away, and my abstract father came to escort the coffin to Nanjing.

Duke Mu Changzu of Qian was terrified. Knowing his father's character, he knew that no one could bring him back, so he simply sent his younger brother to the capital to plead guilty to the court, hoping to get a lighter sentence for their father.

Mu Changyou traveled at breakneck speed, and when he arrived in the capital, he heard the news that the court had already dealt with his father.

Mu Changyou was very pleased with this outcome.

That way, my abstract father could observe three years of mourning in Nanjing, and my family could have three years of peace.

Three years is enough time for the elder brother to consolidate the power of the Duke of Qian's mansion and expel the influence of his father.

So Mu Changyou changed his purpose again, visiting people in the capital and getting closer to the sons of other meritorious officials.

After hearing about the matter of the military supervisor, he immediately sought help from the Duke of Dingguo's mansion.

Xu Wenbi readily agreed to this trivial matter and arranged for Mu Changyou to enroll as a new student.

Mu Changyou also learned that the Duke of Cheng's younger brother had been studying at the Martial Academy for a year, so he brought gifts to the Duke of Cheng's residence to pay his respects and try to get closer to Zhu Shikun.

After exchanging pleasantries for a while, the Zhu brothers saw Mu Changyou off.

Back inside, Duke Zhu Shitai of Chengguo smiled and said:
"That's a smart person."

Zhu Shikun nodded, agreeing with his brother's statement.

Nowadays, all the meritorious officials in the capital know that sending their sons to the Military Academy is the best way out.

However, this year is different from last year. The Duke of Dingguo is personally in charge, and the Ministry of War is responsible for the assessment. The sons of meritorious officials who do not meet the requirements for admission to the Military Academy are not allowed to enroll.

Even if you get past the Duke of Dingguo and the Ministry of War, there's still Su Ze, the Dean of Education, behind you.

The nobles in the capital were filled with regret. Why didn't they send their sons to the Military Academy when it was so easy to enroll last year?
The two brothers returned to the house, and Duke Zhu Shitai of Cheng waved his hand, and the steward immediately withdrew.

After the two brothers were left in the room, Zhu Shitai said:
"Second brother, I want you to go to the Imperial Guard after you graduate."

"The Imperial Guard Camp? Why go to the Imperial Guard Camp?"

Zhu Shikun was very puzzled.

Back then, my father arranged for me to join the military academy so that I could make a name for myself on the battlefield.
To go to the Imperial Guard camp to guard the palace gates for His Majesty?

Isn't this something that even the sons of noble families can do?

I finally graduated from the military academy, and now I have to do this kind of work?

Faced with his younger brother's confusion, Zhu Shitai said:
"You don't think the Imperial Guard is just there to protect His Majesty, do you?"

Zhu Shikun nodded.

Zhu Shitai said:
"The Imperial Guards are His Majesty's close guards and advisors. You've studied these past few years, do you know anything about the Privy Council of the Song Dynasty?"

Zhu Shikun was stunned for a moment.

Zhu Shitai suddenly asked again:

"What is the cabinet? Originally, it was just a close advisor who assisted His Majesty in handling confidential matters, but only today have they become prime ministers."

"Why is the cabinet able to control all the ministers? Isn't it because they can serve His Majesty closely?"

“Originally, we nobles were stationed in the palace as Red Helmet Generals to advise His Majesty on military matters.”

Zhu Shitai sighed:

"Unfortunately, after the Tumu Crisis, the martial lineage of military merit was severed, and with the cabinet's growing power, they gradually became mere guards."

Zhu Shitai looked at his younger brother and said:

"But you are different!"

"Since you are studying at the Military Academy, you are perfectly capable of advising His Majesty on military affairs!"

Zhu Shikun was dumbfounded.

Is this why your brother wants you to join the Imperial Guard?
Upon closer reflection, my brother's words made sense.

After the Tumu Crisis, the sons of meritorious officials were reduced to guards for the emperor, not because the meritorious officials themselves had become corrupt and unable to provide the emperor with effective military advice.

However, after studying at the Military Academy for so long, Zhu Shikun felt that he had improved rapidly. Even if he could not reach the level of a front-line general in commanding troops in battle, he could still serve as a military advisor who could talk about war on paper.

Zhu Shikun wasn't stupid; he understood that if he really did that, it would be a power struggle with the cabinet and the Ministry of War.

If nobles are unwilling to enjoy their wealth and status and want to get involved in military and political affairs, then civil officials will definitely not be as polite as before.

This imperial guard battalion would inevitably become a target of attacks from civil officials.

Duke Zhu Shitai of Chengguo said quite calmly:

"Martial arts officers are not allowed to stay overnight outside. Go back and think about it carefully."

“There are like-minded people within the Military Academy. You can discuss it with them, and I will help you arrange to join the Imperial Guard.”

Zhu Shikun returned to the Military Academy with something on his mind, and met Li Rusong, who was out for a walk, in front of the school building.

"Zhu Banzheng?"

Upon seeing Li Rusong, Zhu Shikun thought for a moment, then walked over and said:
"Li Banzheng, there is something I need to discuss with you."

"?"

The two arrived at the training ground, and after Li Rusong listened to Zhu Shikun's words, he was still unable to calm down for a long time.

Imperial Guard Battalion? Privy Council? Military Advisor?

Is this what the meritorious officials were plotting?
"Li Banzheng, what do you think?"

Li Rusong took a breath and said:

"Military affairs are too far removed from my work; I'm going to the border troops."

"But you can give it a try, Zhu Banzheng."

"Didn't the Dean of Academic Affairs say that we live in a time of great competition, where everyone is thinking about advancing? Can we military officers afford to retreat any further?"

(End of this chapter)