Ming Dynasty 1627

Chapter 32 You are different, and everyone will be different.
It took quite some time to award prizes to the more than two thousand warriors.

Unfortunately, Zhu Youjian listened attentively for a long time, but didn't hear a single familiar name again.

By this time, the sun was high in the sky, and on the drill ground, the soldiers who had not received any rewards were in complete chaos.

Noise, clamor, shoving.

Human emotions are contagious. When the first person starts complaining out of jealousy and disappointment, this negative emotion quickly spreads like a plague among the people.

From the platform, Zhu Youjian took in everything, his expression calm and undisturbed.

The two officers behind him were extremely uncomfortable, with beads of sweat already forming on their foreheads.

They tried to speak several times, but when they saw the emperor's young yet indifferent profile, they swallowed back the words that were on the tip of their tongues.

In normal times, such a scene would have warranted the dispatch of troops to quell it.

But today, with the emperor here, who dares to make a move?
"Serve the food."

Zhu Youjian's voice wasn't loud, but it reached everyone's ears clearly.

Xu Yingyuan was slightly taken aback, then bowed and agreed.

The order was quickly given, and the previously noisy crowd on the drill ground fell silent for a moment, then erupted into a deafening cheer.

Whether or not one receives a reward, one must still eat.

The sky is big and the earth is big, and eating is the biggest thing.

Besides, with the emperor here today, he'll surely have a good meal, right?
On the drill ground, people whispered amongst themselves, and laughter filled the air.

However, Zhu Youjian's next words shattered the previously harmonious atmosphere once again.

"The warriors selected today will be given separate meals, and each will receive an extra snack."

Upon hearing this, the warriors who had won awards in the archery competition erupted in even more enthusiastic cheers than before.

"Your Majesty, Holy Might!"

"Thank you for your grace!"

They stood tall and proud, their faces beaming with joy, and their eyes held an undisguised sense of superiority as they looked at the unsuccessful candidates.

Those who didn't win a prize on the training ground froze on their smiles.

We're all soldiers, so why do they get to eat and drink well while we can only watch?

A new commotion was brewing in the crowd.

Zhu Youjian, however, didn't care at all—absolute fairness is absolute unfairness.

Without a disparity in treatment, what can inspire people?

Civil officials need to submit their scrolls, eunuchs need to submit their scrolls, and soldiers need to submit their scrolls too!
If you roll so fast and well, why don't I just keep adding to your winning streak and let you get ten consecutive limit-up days?!

However, there are always exceptions.

Amidst those envious, jealous, and hateful gazes, there were also some people who were excitedly dancing and gesturing, their joy even more genuine than that of the victorious warriors.

"See that? The one on the far left! That's my brother! He got the top prize!"

A young soldier was excitedly grabbing his comrade's arm and shaking it vigorously.

"The reward is four taels! Hahaha! My family won't have to worry about the summer tax next year!"

Similar scenarios are not uncommon among teams that are not selected.

When one person attains the Tao, the chicken and the dog ascend to heaven.

Although they themselves did not win the prize, their relatives, fellow villagers, and friends did. Right now, it's a reward of gold and silver, but who knows if they will have a bright future and wealth in the future?
Even if we take a step back and say that he's going to do menial work for nobles, wouldn't he still have to give them an extra two copper coins?

Zhu Youjian watched all of this quietly, and the complexity and reality of human nature were fully revealed at this moment.

He did not rush to suppress those who harbored resentment, nor did he commend those who cheered for their relatives and friends.

While the cook was starting the fire and preparing the food, he took a pen and paper, leaned over the table, and quickly began to calculate something.

After a moment, he put down his pen, already having a clear idea in his mind.

Zhu Youjian nodded, stood up from his seat, and glanced at the three thousand so-called "warriors" below the stage who, although standing in a row, were in a disorderly formation and whispering among themselves.

"The warriors are in complete disarray; it's not a good sight."

He spoke softly, his voice not loud, but carrying an undeniable air of authority.

He turned to Xu Yingyuan beside him and instructed, "Xu Yingyuan, go down and take each of the middle and upper-level award winners and temporarily lead three to four lower-level award winners to form a squad, and temporarily appoint them as squad leaders."

Corporal!

Although he was only the lowest-ranking officer, he was still an officer!

These words stunned not only Xu Yingyuan, but also the two officers in charge of the camp.

Is the emperor... about to promote military officers on the spot?

This is just too... against the rules!

In the military, the selection and appointment of officers has always followed a strict procedure; it cannot be treated so lightly.
Although His Majesty said it was a temporary appointment...

But if these soldiers become unruly, will they still be obedient later on?
The two officers exchanged a glance, both seeing shock and a hint of... dissatisfaction in each other's eyes.

They opened their mouths, as if they wanted to say something. But Xu Yingyuan didn't give them a chance to speak at all.

He didn't even glance at the two men, but bowed deeply to Zhu Youjian and loudly replied, "This servant obeys the decree!"

After saying this, he turned around and strode down the platform to convey the emperor's decree.

Seeing this, Gao Shiming immediately understood and waved to the eunuchs behind him: "Be smart, go down and help Commander Xu organize the ranks. Each of you is in charge of ten squads. Make sure the ranks are neat and orderly for His Majesty!"

"Yes!"

The eunuchs responded enthusiastically and ran down from the platform.

Only the two officers in command were left standing there awkwardly, their faces alternating between pale and flushed.

They had a vague sense of foreboding, but couldn't quite make it out.

Your Majesty has uncovered the fraudulent activities today, yet you have remained silent, which is like a long sword hanging over their heads.

They dared not utter a single word until they were certain of their own safety.

As Xu Yingyuan and the eunuchs relayed their orders, the queue, which had just been basking in pride at receiving the title of "warrior," was thrown into chaos.

"Why should you be a sergeant?"

"I was only two out of nine, just a hair's breadth away from winning the prize. You're only a passable prize, so what right do you have to tell me what to do?"

"Stop arguing! Listen to Eunuch Xu!"

A new power structure is being established, the old balance is being broken, and chaos is inevitable.

Amidst the chaos, Sun Yingyuan, who had been standing beside Zhu Youjian, slowly came to his senses from the ecstasy of the "special reward."

He looked around at his companions, who were arguing heatedly over the position of "corps leader," and then at Xu Yingyuan and the eunuchs running back and forth in the crowd, shouting loudly. He felt a sense of bewilderment.

Your Majesty... seems to have forgotten about me?

He gritted his teeth, torn between his inner turmoil and his own conscience.

On one hand, there was the fear of being disrespectful before the emperor; on the other hand, there was the resentment of missing out on a future.

Ultimately, the yearning for the future triumphed over the fear of imperial power.

He mustered all the courage he had ever had, stepped out of the ranks, and bowed to Zhu Youjian on the platform.

"His Majesty!"

His voice was a little hoarse from nervousness, but it was still clearly audible in the noisy environment.

Zhu Youjian's gaze fell on him.

"Your Majesty, what about me?" Sun Yingyuan looked up, his eyes filled with a hint of grievance and urgency. "I am... a special award."

Seeing his nervous yet expectant expression, Zhu Youjian couldn't help but burst into laughter.

He stepped down from the platform and approached Sun Yingyuan, intending to pat him on the shoulder like a friendly leader, but he was embarrassed to find that the guy was too tall and strong, and he had a hard time even standing on tiptoe.

He had no choice but to subtly withdraw his hand and instead pat Sun Yingyuan's arm, which was as strong as an iron block.

"Yingyuan, you are the top scholar this time, so naturally you are different from them."

Zhu Youjian's tone was gentle, with a smile on his face.

Sun Yingyuan was somewhat bewildered by the emperor's intimate gesture, but upon hearing the words "top scholar," he was overjoyed.

But... where is the difference?
He was suspicious, but dared not ask any more questions. He could only scratch his head, give a simple, honest reply, and return to the queue.

Zhu Youjian found it somewhat amusing to see his unwilling yet hesitant expression.

He turned around and looked at the line that was still slowly establishing order amidst the chaos, his mind filled with a myriad of thoughts.

Yes, you are different, Sun Yingyuan.

It's not just you; everyone can never be the same.

No one can step into the same river twice.

Sun Yingyuan, in this life, your fate, and the fate of this country, are destined to be completely different from those in history!
I, Zhu Youjian, keep my word!
　[Historical Materials in this Chapter]

　　1. The organization of guard posts and battalions is not quite the same. A guard post has about 5660 people, while a battalion usually has 3000 (main combat battalion and about 1600 supply battalion).

　　2. This section will only cover the organization of battalions; please take a look and don't worry too much about it:

　　- Corporal, in charge of 5 men

　　- Each team has one team leader, who oversees 10 squads, totaling 50 men.

　　- Each division has one commander, who oversees 10 teams, totaling 500 people.

　　- Each department is headed by a commander of 1000 men, who oversee two divisions, totaling 1 men.

　　-Each battalion has a resident officer responsible for command, training, logistics, and other matters.

　　- Each battalion is headed by a battalion commander who leads the entire battalion.

　　然后一营一般是3000人，即3部3千总，但辽东那边也有很多小营、1000人的、2000人的都有。

　　3. The Manchu Qing dynasty at the same time was also like this. They had more than 400 Niru, including large and small Niru, and not all of them were fully staffed.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)