Zhu Yunying never doubted Zhu's abilities. Even though Zhu sometimes made no attempt to hide his feudal peasant mentality, the fact that Zhu was able to rise from humble beginnings to build the Ming Dynasty was enough to demonstrate his capabilities and abilities.

Zhu Yunying looked at his grandfather and said seriously, "Grandfather, we are thinking of establishing a martial arts academy. Right now, it's impossible to have all the generals of the Ming Dynasty come from the academy. But if it's managed well, martial arts academy students will be found throughout the Ming army in the future."

“That makes sense. I heard you want to be the headmaster. But I don’t think it’s right; you’re not capable enough right now.” Old Zhu said with a smile, speaking simply and directly. “We’re free right now, so we’ll lend you a hand. I’ll be the headmaster; no one else has the ability. After I pass away, I’ll pass the position to you, and you can leave it to Yin’er.”

That's correct. No one else is truly qualified to hold the position of Headmaster of the Martial Arts Academy, nor should they be allowed to interfere. It must be the Emperor himself who serves as Headmaster, essentially the nominal 'Dean,' and this identity and role are the most suitable.

"Everyone says that a cup of wine can relieve military power, but I'm worried that the Ming Dynasty won't be able to produce new military leaders in the future." Zhu Yunying said solemnly, expressing his concerns and thoughts. "Although there have been military families and military leaders in every dynasty, many of them have fallen into corruption quickly. This is not a good thing. Civil officials can study, and military leaders shouldn't be left idle."

Nodding, Old Zhu looked at Zhu Yunying and teased with a smile, "Our grandson has no other skills, but he's destined to worry. With you, he probably doesn't need to worry about military achievements. You're so worried, I guess it's because you're concerned about Yin'er and our descendants."

That makes sense. There's not much to worry about during Zhu Yunying's reign. However, it's hard to say about his descendants in the future. There might be some unworthy offspring, which wouldn't be a good thing.

Zhu Yunying continued, "A new generation replaces the old. We need to keep training new talents for the military merits. The same applies to the scholars and the military merits. Only when new talents emerge can the court maintain balance. We plan to link the Martial Academy with the military merits. In the future, our Five Armies Command will not need to worry so much. At least there will be someone to fill the gaps."

“Grandfather’s Five Military Commands are very good. Our Ming Dynasty’s military officers can use them to suppress and check the civil officials.” Zhu Yunying analyzed and said to his father, “In the past, our Five Military Commands were full of dukes and marquises. It’s just that in recent years, they have become a little less impressive. Even with Fu Youde and Xu Huizu, they are still a little inferior to those at the founding of the dynasty.”

Zhu Yunying nodded. The military ranks were incredibly strong at the beginning of the dynasty; civil officials at that time were practically bewildered by them. But now, after so many years, many military officials have either aged or died, and civil officials are also showing signs of rising in power. Therefore, Zhu Yunying's concerns were not unfounded.

It is often said that military men had a very low social status during the Song Dynasty, but in fact, their status was not high in the mid-to-late Ming Dynasty either.

Another war god of the Ming Dynasty, the Emperor, caused the downfall of the elite troops of the capital, and almost the entire group of military meritors were also imprisoned along with him.

Since then, the status of the Five Military Commissions has declined sharply. The Five Military Commissions, which had become mere figureheads, were suppressed by the Ministry of War, and military personnel began to frequently become "subordinates" of civil officials. Although they were of the same rank, the status of military personnel was inferior to that of civil officials.

"Let's not talk about that now. The Grand Commanders are all of the first rank, and the Vice Grand Commanders are basically just people who receive honors and stipends but have no real power. Let's not talk about the second rank for now. But those third rank commanders and vice commanders should be from our Martial Academy. When our Martial Academy becomes strong, the fourth rank vice commanders and the fifth rank garrison commanders should all come from our Martial Academy."

Old Zhu smiled and nodded, saying to Zhu Yunying, "Considering your previous evaluations, those sons of military merit who want to inherit titles should also enter the Martial Academy."

“That makes sense, that’s what we think too.” Zhu Yunying smiled and raised an eyebrow at Old Zhu. “Grandfather, we have different levels. Children from military families should enter the advanced class. Our Ming Martial Academy should have primary, intermediate and advanced levels to distinguish them, so that the families of military families won’t be unhappy.”

Old Zhu couldn't help but laugh, increasingly convinced that his precious grandson was born to be an emperor, with a deep and thoughtful mind.

Zhu Yunying laughed and said to Old Zhu, "Grandfather, our martial academy isn't just about teaching military tactics. We think that's not enough. Our martial academy should teach more than just those things."

Old Zhu looked at Zhu Yunying and asked with a smile, "Tell me, what else do you plan to teach?"

"There are still different levels." Zhu Yunying laughed and said, "People are different. Some are born commanders, and some are generals. If you really want to say it, some people are hopeless. Then there are some people who seem to be bad at leading troops, but if you ask them to strategize and plan, they are top-notch."

Old Zhu was silent for a moment, then said, "Among our old brothers, Xu, Chang, and Feng were all commanders. Li Wenzhong was also one, and Fu Youde, if he trains now, could also be considered a commander. In this generation, Xu Huizu is slightly better, but still not as good as his father."

Zhu Yunying nodded with a smile and said, "Actually, we originally thought Lan Yu was a talented general, but now it seems he's also a brilliant commander. He can lead 100,000 soldiers and win every battle; that's more than just a talented general."

Old Zhu was silent for a moment, then reminded him, "Lan Yu is usable, but he's a bit like Chang Yuchun. He's too aggressive in battle, and he likes to use surprise attacks. If you have a major battle in the future, and if Xu Huizu is still alive, you can let Xu Huizu take command. That man's tactics are moderate and steady, and he may not be as good as Lan Yu, but this steady approach will make things work."

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