On February 2, the dragon raises its head.

I have to admit that Huang Guan's abilities are outstanding in almost all aspects.

In just three days, Zhu Ying had received a complete set of charters.

The detailed planning of the expeditionary force, including the optimal ratio of combat troops to auxiliary troops, the amount of food to be carried, the types of ships in the navy's fleet, etc., were all noted in detail.

There is no harm without comparison.

In the past, Zhu Ying was generally in charge of handling these affairs, and the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue would then provide detailed regulations. Finally, Zhu Yuanzhang would review them, check for omissions and deficiencies, and offer reference opinions, and finally Zhu Ying would finalize them.

First of all, in terms of time, it takes at least seven days, and it takes nearly half a month to finalize it.

Now that Huang Guan has the power of the Zhanshi Mansion, he is equivalent to being a disciple of the Crown Prince. Even the six ministers have to pay attention to him.

So when Huang Guan went to see the Minister of War Ru Yan and the Minister of Revenue Zhao Mian, the two had to put down their work and cooperate with him fully.

Huang Guan is also a ruthless man. He knows very well how important the Weeping Tree is in the heart of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, so the expeditionary force is extremely important.

Before that, according to Zhu Ying's plan, the expeditionary force would cross the Bering Strait on foot during the winter of next year, which was the freezing period.

But with the fleet transportation provided by Huang Guan, it means that by the end of this year, the expeditionary force is very likely to catch up with the ice period of the Bering Strait.

The sooner you get the weeping tree, the sooner you can complete the Ming Dynasty's steam ironclad ship.

Therefore, all processes should be shortened and accelerated as much as possible.

So Huang Guan simply used the name of the Crown Prince to force Ru Hong and Zhao Mian to work overtime to complete the details of the regulations.

As a result, many officials from the two departments also had to work overtime.

Since the matter was of great importance to the Crown Prince, Ru Hong and Zhao Mian naturally did not dare to delay and could only notify all department staff to work overtime.

The offices of the six ministries are basically close to the imperial palace, and when officials work overtime, the Guanglu Temple in the palace can provide meals.

My goodness, Huang Guan’s inward-looking behavior directly caused several departments to work overtime.

This is a very rare situation in the current Ming Dynasty.

Even though Zhu Yuanzhang used to handle a large amount of government affairs every day, except for summoning officials for some urgent matters, it was rare for a large number of departments to work overtime at the same time.

Generally, this situation only occurs during wartime.

Poor Ru Rong and Zhao Mian, they have already passed the threshold of knowing the destiny, and it is really unbearable for people in their fifties to stay up late like this.

Thirty-five-year-old Huang Guan is full of energy and directly dominates the entire meeting.

In fact, the details of the regulations had been completed on the second day of overtime, but in order to find out the omissions and fill in the gaps, even Huang Guan, who had a photographic memory, still reviewed it three times and modified some minor details before submitting it to the Crown Prince for review.

After Zhu Ying got the details of the charter, he asked the old man to review it together.

"This Huang Guan is quite capable. I didn't expect that I underestimated him."

Huang Guan was the top scholar chosen by Zhu Yuanzhang, so he certainly knew how famous his six poems were.

At that time, the 27-year-old Huang Guan was young and energetic, and was known as a child prodigy and genius.

Zhu Yuanzhang knew very well that if such talents were not carefully nurtured, they would most likely be wasted, and he would not be able to immerse himself in learning more knowledge.

Therefore, it was placed in the Ministry of Rites.

First of all, from the emperor's perspective, it was domestication.

People who are proud of their talent hate being bound by rules the most. The Ministry of Rites, as a place of etiquette, is naturally the place with the strictest rules.

In addition, the Ministry of Rites was also responsible for diplomatic affairs and dealing with envoys from all over the world, where one could also learn more knowledge.

It has to be said that Zhu Yuanzhang had reached the pinnacle in the art of controlling people.

Huang Guan, who won six prizes in a row, did have the feeling of being young and frivolous.

He thought that there was only one stone of talent in the world, and he took eight dou of it for himself, and the remaining two dou were shared by everyone in the world.

After arriving at the Ministry of Rites, my temper was gradually smoothed out and my mind settled down. While learning the rules and etiquette of the Ministry of Rites, I was also learning the culture of all countries, being inclusive and keeping a low profile.

Zhu Yuanzhang did not treat him unfairly. Although he was not transferred to another department, he was promoted in rank according to his merits.

In fact, there are indeed some favoritisms, otherwise, how could an ordinary person like Huang Guan, who has no background, rise so quickly and become a third-rank official in less than five years.

"We once placed him in the Ministry of Revenue for a year, but we didn't think he was that outstanding. We didn't expect that he would perform so well after becoming Da Sun's disciple."

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at the regulations he had worked out in three days and said with some admiration.

In fact, it is no wonder that Huang Guan’s performance in the Ministry of Revenue was mediocre.

Huang Guan was in the Ministry of Revenue in the 28th year of Hongwu. At that time, the Ministry of Revenue had been almost hollowed out by Zhu Ying and became a one-man show under Zhu Ying.

Apart from the taxation part, Zhu Ying was basically in charge of all other matters concerning the allocation of money.

How could the Minister of Revenue Zhao Mian dare to go against Zhu Ying? As the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue at the next level, Huang Guan, of course, could only obey orders.

During that period, Zhu Ying mainly assigned simple tasks to the Ministry of Revenue, and most of them were assigned to Zhang Bo, whom he trusted more.

Huang Guan completed the part he was responsible for very well, but it was like a simple answer sheet with only ten points. Even those who got slightly worse would get nine points. Ten points was extremely common, so Huang Guan had no chance to demonstrate his abilities at all.

The reason why Zhu Yuanzhang recommended Huang Guan at this time was that he felt that most of the ministers, although very talented, were limited by their age and could not keep up with the crown prince's thinking in many aspects.

Huang Guan was chosen because of his youth. At the age of 35, he could be considered a new generation among high-ranking ministers.

Now it has given a lot of surprises.

Just from the details of the charter, we can see that the feasibility of this trip to the Bering Strait, or the top of the Far North, is very high.

Every detail has been considered very perfectly.

Even when Zhu Yuanzhang was young, his ability to deploy troops and make strategic plans was only to this extent.

"Grandpa has foresight. Now the rough jade has been carved into a tool that can be used for great purposes."

Although he once complained about the old man's methods, Zhu Ying still had to admit that the current Huang Guan was very useful.

Because he was influenced by the Ministry of Rites, Zhu Ying had observed Huang Guan's character and found that he was very loyal to the Ming Dynasty.

The Jinyiwei also conducted a detailed investigation and found that Huang Guan had not engaged in any corruption over the years.

Zhu Yuanzhang expressed that he enjoyed the flattery from his eldest grandson.

At the same time, he said, "Since the rules are so detailed, let's make arrangements. I think Mr. Huang is right. Things have their priorities. The expeditionary army should be started sooner rather than later. As for the selection, there is no need to wait too long. We can select 50,000 people first and set off."

"The above record is also very good, and it makes sense. The expeditionary army can definitely send out another batch next year. The soldiers are so enthusiastic. A mere 50,000 people is not a big burden for our Ming Dynasty."

"But this weeping tree is of great importance. If we can really make this steam-powered ironclad ship, our Ming navy will be able to go anywhere in the world."

"Let alone the second batch, even the third and fourth batches, if the number of people is insufficient, we can recruit people from the northern border. They live in the cold winter all year round, so they naturally have their own way of survival."

The pattern opens.

In Zhu Ying's opinion, the death rate of this expeditionary force was too high.

But in Zhu Yuanzhang's view, if a steam-powered ironclad ship could be built, it would be worth it even if there was a loss of 200,000 or 300,000 people.

Zhu Ying still has some sense of morality, but how could someone like Zhu Yuanzhang, who spent half his life killing, have any moral constraints?

To put it another way, he is morality itself.

“That makes sense.”

Zhu Ying found that his vision was still narrow in this regard.

A kind man cannot command an army.

Although I have reminded myself many times, my thinking is naturally limited.

…

In order to select suitable expeditionary soldiers as quickly as possible.

Zhu Ying provided a relatively simple screening condition.

Running with weights.

Physical strength and endurance are the key to an expeditionary force.

Most of the time, they need to walk with basic supplies.

If these two conditions are not met, it is naturally impossible to join the expeditionary force.

As Zhu Ying's order was issued to each guard post, the screening for weighted running began immediately.

The weight-bearing standard is 50 kilograms.

This was not Zhu Ying's original idea. As early as the Warring States Period in the Wei State, the regular army was also called Wei Wuzu, which was organized by the famous general Wu Qi and had a maximum of 50,000 people.

But their physical training is exaggerated.

Historical records show that each of them wore armor made of three kinds of metal, held a crossbow weighing twelve stones, carried fifty arrows, placed a spear on top of the crossbow, wore a helmet and carried a sword, carried three days' worth of food, and could march a hundred miles at noon.

That is to say, each person had to carry 70 to 80 kilograms of equipment every day and run more than 80 miles in half a day.

In the era of cold weapons, people had to vigorously tap into their potential. As long as they didn't die from training, they would train until they died.

The fifty kilograms that Zhu Ying set was really not too much.

Because most of the cases involve new recruits, the weight limit was set at only 50 kilograms.

In order to better demonstrate the Crown Prince's style and his importance to the expeditionary force.

Therefore, Zhu Ying will personally watch the selection competition in the garrisons near the capital.

You can't keep watching.

After all, this endurance race is over a hundred miles long, even longer than later marathons, and the participants also have to carry a load of 50 kilograms.

It cannot be compared with the Wei Wuzu of Wei State. After all, their training method is not only to carry weights of 70 to 80 kilograms, but also to run for half a day.

It is estimated that it will take at least half a day.

The participating soldiers also carried extra dry food and water.

These are not included in the 50 kilograms.

Each competition is jointly organized by several guard posts, with a total number of about 10,000 participants.

Currently, the radiation area can only be in Nanzhili, and 20,000 people will be selected.

The remaining 30,000 people will be selected in Peiping.

After the selection in Peiping was completed, the fleet was basically ready and could set off from Haijin Port and head north around Goryeo Island.

now.

Ming Military Academy.

"Tianlu, you are so glorious this time. I didn't expect that after being selected, you can be promoted to a centurion. This is a special gift from His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

"It's a pity that after this graduation, we won't be able to see each other for at least ten years, but you have to treat us all to a good meal. Damn, the settlement fee is two thousand strings of cash. You've made a fortune, kid."

"Two thousand guan is just a small reward. This is a centurion. If Tianlu can come back alive, he will be a thousand households. He may even be granted a thousand households. A thousand households, is this something we can achieve in ten years?"

"I don't care. You have to treat me, and there has to be a big meal. I'm still a fucking virgin, so I'm relying on you tonight."

Wang Tianlu's mind was still a little confused at the moment.

He himself got A grades in all subjects at the Military Academy.

As the eldest son in the family, Wang Tianlu signed up without hesitation when the expedition was called up.

Compared to the garrisons, the selection for the military academy is much simpler, because the physical training for weighted running is just a routine program at the Ming Military Academy, and it has to be done almost every two days.

Those who are able to successfully graduate from the Ming Military Academy have always been strong in physical fitness.

The food here is the best in the entire Ming army, and as an A-class student, he can also enjoy the treatment of medicinal baths to strengthen his body. Although he thinks that the medicinal baths provided by the medical school may not have much effect, they are still very effective in recovery.

After each bath, the aches and pains all over my body would quickly disappear, and I would feel full of energy again the next day.

According to the current rules of the Ming Military Academy, it is no longer as easy to become a centurion as before. Even the top students can only be promoted to a thousand households.

There is still a trial period between the sixth grade and the genuine product.

A higher-ranking official can crush people to death.

It is so difficult to upgrade now.

Because he was chosen, he was specially nominated as a centurion.

Wang Tianlu, who was in the church, had a dazed look in his eyes.

The laughing voices of his classmates made him feel a little comforted.

Teach now.

"According to the requirements of this expeditionary force, Wang Tianlu, you will graduate early. You will have to follow the army north to Shanghai Tianjin Port in five days. You can go back in the next few days, rest for a few days and then set off."

Wang Tianlu nodded, stood up, said hello to his classmates and went to pack and prepare.

The classmates exclaimed one after another.

"Ah, why are you leaving so soon? We haven't had our day off yet. We won't be able to have a good meal."

"Teacher, can you please be flexible? We want to hold a farewell party for Wang Tianlu."

"Damn it! My brothel is ruined."

The teacher looked at the somewhat excited students with dignity and shook his head firmly.

There was no regulation on taking a day off from his superiors, so he naturally couldn't make his own decision.

The rules of the military academy are very strict, not only for students, but also for teaching and instructors, which are all under military control.

Wang Tianlu is naturally not the only lucky one.

At this moment, at the gate of the Ming Military Academy, there were a dozen people in the same situation as Wang Tianlu. They were obviously centurions who were selected to participate in the expeditionary force and were specially promoted.

It was not until this time that the loneliness Wang Tianlu felt when he left the academy completely disappeared.

The eleven people looked at each other and burst into laughter.

There is surprise and expectation in everyone's eyes.

Even though most people are not familiar with each other, there is no sense of strangeness when walking side by side.

"My name is Wang Tianlu, from Class 7, what's your name?"