Alas, a few days ago I was praising you as a good grandfather who could make money. But now, I want to call you a bastard.
Zhu Youxiao looked at the two brothers Qi Zhaguo and Qi Changguo who looked very old in front of him, sighed in his heart, and cursed Wanli as a bad grandfather.
Shortly after Zhang Juzheng's death, he was purged, and Qi Jiguang, whom he appreciated and promoted, was also implicated.
First, he was transferred from the General of Jizhen to the General of Guangdong, which meant that he was driven out of the capital by Emperor Wanli. Then, Emperor Wanli dismissed Qi Jiguang from his position and took away his salary on the grounds that he was a member of Zhang Juzheng's party.
In this way, Qi Jiguang, the god of war with great military achievements, returned to his hometown of Penglai in dejection.
The later years of this famous general were even more miserable and lonely. He couldn't even afford medicine or medical treatment, and died in poverty and illness.
The evil Wanli Emperor was so cruel to the generals who had made great contributions to the country. He even attacked his teacher, whose body was still warm, causing Zhang Juzheng's family to be destroyed and his body to be almost broken into and mutilated. He was worse than pigs and dogs.
Zhu Youxiao scolded Wanli, calling him a bastard and a conscienceless pig and dog, but what was the use?
As for brothers like Qi Zuoguo, they only held minor official positions, or inherited the family business, but did not inherit the military and literary skills of their grandfather Qi, and had nothing to do with the Qi Family Army.
Even the troops led by Qi Jin, the nephew of Grandpa Qi, in the bloody battle of Hunhe River were not, strictly speaking, the real Qi Family Army.
Grandpa Qi has been gone for over thirty years, and the Qi Family Army has also disappeared into the long river of history. With Grandpa Qi's military strategies and tactics, and following his training methods, can we recreate an invincible "Qi Family Army"?
Zhu Youxiao had no hope for this, and believed that even if Grandpa Qi were reborn, he would not agree with such an idea, but would scold him instead.
As a famous general who can flexibly use and continuously improve tactics, he can be described in a modern way, that is, "keeping pace with the times."
More than 30 years have passed. Weapons and equipment have changed, tactics have changed, and even the enemy has changed. How can we still copy and use them?
If Grandpa Qi were still alive, he would definitely make adjustments and changes. After the "Qi Family Army" that fought against the Japanese pirates and the "Qi Family Army" that fought against the Mongols, he would create another "Qi Family Army" that could deal with the Jiannu.
"Since the 'Chronicle of Qi Shaobao' has been published, please print more. I will provide 10,000 taels of gold from the treasury to support it." Zhu Youjiao had a happy face, but he secretly sighed in his heart that the descendants of Grandpa Qi were far inferior to his ancestors.
"I thank Your Majesty for your great grace." Qi Zuoguo and Qi Changguo knelt down and kowtowed.
Zhu Youxiao nodded and said, "I want to build a new army. If any of your sons and nephews are strong and knowledgeable and willing to join the army and serve the country, please tell me."
Qi Changguo knelt without hesitation and said, "I have three sons, Panzong, Xianzong, and Zhenzong, all of whom are willing to fight on the battlefield and serve the country."
"I have two sons, both of whom can serve the country." Qi Zuoguo did not hesitate too much.
Zhu Youxiao nodded and said, "My two beloved ministers, please each send one son to join the army. Swords are merciless, and I do not wish to leave my loyal ministers without descendants."
"I already have grandchildren, so I don't worry about not having descendants." Qi Zuoguo kowtowed again and said, "I dare to ask Your Majesty to accept my two sons. It would be their honor to die on the battlefield."
"One son is enough for me." Qi Changguo expressed his loyalty again.
Zhu Youxiao smiled and said, "You two beloved ministers are loyal, as I know. I have already decided to give each of you a son, so there is no need to say more."
Zhu Youxiao then spoke in a clear voice, "Qi Zuoguo and Qi Changguo, descendants of famous generals, are loyal to their country. Qi Zuoguo is appointed Deputy Commander of the Dengzhou Guard and given the title of General of the Cavalry; Qi Changguo is appointed Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard and given the title of General of the Courage. I will also give them both a python jade, and Qi Changguo will wear an embroidered spring sword."
"I thank Your Majesty for your great grace." The Qi brothers kowtowed to express their gratitude.
The deputy commander of Dengzhou Guard was a hereditary position in the Qi family, and Grandpa Qi’s military career began from there.
Although the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard sounds glorious, it is just a nominal position established to reward the descendants of ministers and has no power.
Looking through the open palace door at the departing figures of the Qi brothers, Zhu Youxiao pursed his lips.
I hope that among your sons and nephews there will be talented people who can revive the Qi family and restore the reputation of Grandpa Qi.
After calming down, Zhu Youxiao reviewed the memorial for a while. Then the palace maid reported that Yuan Keli came to see him.
After the imperial examination, the examination papers were marked very quickly. Zhu Youxiao read the memorials submitted by Yuan Keli and Xu Guangqi, and personally selected some candidates with special expertise.
Although the joint examination is very important, the palace examination that follows is the final stage, and the top three winners will also be determined after the palace examination.
As the chief examiner and deputy examiner of the imperial examination, Yuan Keli and Xu Guangqi were freed and could each go about their own official duties.
Yuan Keli had already been appointed as the governor of Denglai. In order to avoid changing generals at the last minute, Zhu Youxiao originally planned to wait until the Guangning war was over before letting his teacher go to the border to take over Tao Langxian's work.
But Yuan Keli insisted on going to Denglai first, temporarily in the name of assisting in military affairs, to familiarize himself with the local military preparations in Denglai and the situation in Deng Town.
If we were to say who Zhu Youxiao trusted and respected the most, it would be his two teachers, Sun Chengzong and Yuan Keli. Xu Guangqi was still a step behind them.
What made Zhu Youxiao feel sad and regretful was the age of the two teachers. They were both over 60 years old and had to shoulder heavy responsibilities and go to the border.
Whenever he thought of this, Zhu Youxiao hated those bastards who did not do their job and cursed nonsense. In history, the two teachers worked hard outside, and there were also censors who attacked them.
Therefore, when Zhu Youxiao decided to send teachers to the border, he also secretly made a ruthless move, telling anyone who dared to criticize the teachers to get out.
Damn it, all the people who work hard are ruined by those who talk big. With such a political environment and such a court, how can anything good happen?
"Teacher Yuan, please sit down." Zhu Youxiao not only showed respect to the white-haired and bearded teacher Yuan in his heart, but also took concrete actions and asked the palace servants to bring a chair.
"Your Majesty, this is..." Yuan Keli was a little confused and a little frightened. This didn't seem to be the etiquette of a subject.
Zhu Youxiao waved his hand and said, "Master Yuan, don't be alarmed. This is my praise and respect for you. Only Master Yuan and Master Sun can receive this kind of treatment. Well, Xu Baoluo can also sit down."
After a pause, Zhu Youxiao added: "This was made by my order, not by me personally."
This chair is not just an embroidered cushion; it has a backrest, armrests, and a soft blanket, making it incredibly comfortable to sit in. Of course, it's not as wide as the Dragon Throne, to show the difference between the monarch and his subjects.
"I, an old minister, thank Your Majesty for your kindness." Yuan Keli felt relieved. The emperor did not take up his proper job to be a carpenter. He appreciated the respect for his teacher, so he thanked him and sat down.
Zhu Youxiao ordered the palace servants to serve tea, then slowly said, "Master Yuan is already old, and I cannot bear to see him go to the border for the country. But Master Yuan is the only one who can suppress Denglai."
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