Old Zhu was being rather tactful; Lan Yu's abilities were beyond question, but Lan Yu's curiosity about soldiers made Old Zhu a little uneasy.
If used well, it could lead to a resounding victory; however, the slightest mishap could result in a devastating defeat with heavy losses. Xu Huizu's steady military strategy is an advantage; given the Ming Dynasty's current resources, a smooth advance is feasible. Even if it's not a spectacular victory, a major defeat is unlikely, and victory is practically guaranteed.
Zhu Yunying smiled and nodded, saying, "Among the younger generation, I think Zhang Yu is quite good; he's a talented leader."
"Zhang Yu?" Old Zhu paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "Is that the one who went out of the northern desert with Xu Huizu this time? He's alright, he's quite capable. He's been ennobled now, give him some good training. I think although he can't compare to Feng Sheng, he'll be good enough for you."
Talented people emerge in every generation, each leading the way for hundreds of years!
Zhu Yunying didn't stray from the topic and continued, "In our Martial Academy, we definitely want commanders-in-chief for the positions of Left and Right Commanders. It's good that my cousin from Jiujiang is going there. He's not very good at fighting on the battlefield. But if we let him plan and strategize, he'll definitely be good. He'd be a great strategist and advisor."
Old Zhu couldn't help but chuckle. Although he felt that Zhu Yunying had some prejudice against Li Jinglong, Old Zhu wouldn't say much. He was just a grandnephew. Even though Old Zhu respected his brother-in-law Li Zhen and valued his nephew Li Wenzhong, and was willing to give Li Wenzhong more opportunities, his precious grandson was definitely the most important person in his eyes.
"Grandfather, our Martial Academy is just getting started. Right now, we can only set up an advanced version, and we can only do our best to run the intermediate class. In the future, all the mid-to-high-level military officers of our Great Ming will be graduates of the Martial Academy. In a few years, the commanders of the garrisons in various places will also take turns to be trained at the Martial Academy. After the founding of our Great Ming, the garrisons and military system will become more and more standardized."
Old Zhu nodded with a smile. Although his grandson was quite mischievous, sometimes his mischief was actually quite good.
Zhu Yunying continued enthusiastically, "In the future, we will not only need to train generals, but also advisors. We need someone who can learn from Sun Sheng, someone with great strategic skills, someone who can handle logistics and supplies, and someone who is knowledgeable about the weapons of our Great Ming."
Changsun Sheng, the father of Changsun Wuji and Empress Changsun, was not only a man with two good children. The story of killing two birds with one stone originated from him. Most importantly, although he did not command any major battles, he proposed the strategy of "befriending distant states and attacking nearby ones, separating the strong and uniting the weak" with his outstanding strategies, in order to divide and weaken the Turks and maintain peace in the northern border of the Sui Dynasty.
Commanders and generals are of utmost importance, as they directly lead troops. However, they also need a staff and a logistics support department. This martial academy is not the Five Armies Commandery, the Ministry of War, or a miniature imperial court.
However, here, it is necessary to cultivate a comprehensive range of talents, soldiers born for the army and for fighting.
Old Zhu, who was listening with great interest, said with a smile, "Alright, this way our Five Military Commands won't just be full of noble sons who haven't seen blood. We'll always be able to produce some military merits. We can't let our guard down with the civil officials either. But you must remember, the Five Military Commands and the Martial Academy must be under the control of our royal family. We can't let the civil officials interfere."
Old Zhu didn't need to remind me of this; checks and balances on cultural relics are very important, and we can't let civil officials reap the benefits.
Zhu Yunying nodded with a smile, then said, "Although our Imperial Grandfather came from a rebellious background and sees everyone as someone who wants to rebel, the Martial Academy is different after all. Our Great Ming is powerful and strong, and we are not afraid of anyone causing trouble. Our Great Ming's army is also controlled by the Ministry of War. Without food and pay, how can we rebel!"
Old Zhu, bristling and glaring, corrected him, "We're not rebelling! We're starving, and the people are starving too! We're just trying to make a living. You little rascal, all you do is make fun of us!"
Zhu Yunying couldn't help but chuckle and said, "That makes sense. My imperial grandfather cares about all the people under heaven, which is why he gathered the righteous forces in accordance with the will of Heaven!"
Seeing his increasingly lazy grandson, Old Zhu couldn't stay angry. "If I had the temper I used to have, I would have definitely disciplined you!"
"Come on, you wouldn't even dare to hit me!" Zhu Yunying said smugly, becoming increasingly emboldened. "Whether my bottom hurts or not after you hit me, I don't know, but Grandfather will be worried. But speaking of which, since we're not going to be the headmaster of the Martial Academy, Grandfather should at least give us an official position."
Old Zhu looked at Zhu Yunying with a smile and said disdainfully, "You're no good, you're a bad influence on the younger generation!"
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