Being a benevolent emperor is not a bad thing. However, Zhu Yunying never intended to be completely benevolent from the beginning. In his eyes, the best way is to use both kindness and severity. This is the most correct way to handle things. Unconditional leniency is not a good thing.
The reputation of mistreating meritorious officials, or being harsh, was never a source of trouble for Zhu Yunying. He could be said to have never cared about such empty fame from the beginning.
They discussed it in detail with Li Jinglong. It seemed that some of the advanced students from the martial arts academy were about to go to Goryeo. These people might not necessarily have achieved mastery of their skills, but it would be good to send some people over now, taking advantage of Goryeo's large-scale military operations.
Whether it's for gilding or for gaining experience, it's all the right thing to do, to allow these second-generation elites to improve themselves and to better serve in the Five Military Governors' Office.
As for whether these sons of noble families will encounter any accidents on the battlefield, there's really nothing to say.
Earthenware pots inevitably break at the well, and generals are destined to die on the battlefield—this is the 'fate' of many, hard to deny, it's the most realistic truth. Those born into nobility inevitably have to consider military campaigns. In times of peace, they can enjoy wealth and honor, but this is all earned through the lives of generations.
After discussing it carefully with Li Jinglong, Zhu Yunying couldn't help but laugh because he saw a name that was somewhat familiar.
There was no Jingnan Campaign, so Zhang Yu naturally didn't die in battle. Fortunately, he had also participated in the Northern Expedition with Xu Huizu and others a few years earlier, for which he was ennobled. Although he is not the most dazzling general now, he is still considered a backbone of the army.
Zhang Yu's son, Zhang Fu, may be twenty-six years old by the traditional Chinese age reckoning, but he currently serves in the Eastern Palace and is one of the core members of Zhu Qizhen's inner circle. If nothing unexpected happens, Zhang Fu shouldn't be killed by the Oirats in his seventies, since Zhu Qizhen no longer exists in the Ming Dynasty.
Little Zhu had just finished his day's lessons when he was summoned to the Wuying Hall. At eight years old, Little Zhu was quite sensible and knew this must be a formal matter; otherwise, he wouldn't have been summoned to the Wuying Hall.
"Father." Little Zhu may be mischievous, but he is also sensible. "Your subject greets Your Majesty the Emperor."
Zhu Yunying smiled and said, "Not bad, it looks decent enough. When you go back, give Zhang Fu some encouragement and have your two uncles accompany you on an inspection of the Eastern Palace Three Guards. Pay even more attention to the Orphans of the Imperial Guards, after all, they are the sons of soldiers who are willing to die for their country."
Little Zhu immediately replied, "Father, the Eastern Palace Three Guards are our guards, not our private army, so we take care of them. As for the Orphan of the Imperial Guard, I went there with my great-grandfather a while ago. That's our real force, and we've always kept an eye on them."
Zhu Yunying nodded with a smile. He valued the orphans of the Imperial Guards quite a bit, though he hadn't sent them any rewards over the years. While he couldn't claim to have taken in all the orphans of fallen soldiers, it had earned the gratitude of countless Ming soldiers. The emperor of the Ming Dynasty was indeed protecting them, easing their worries.
There was no such thing as soldiers dying in battle and their orphans being left without care. If anyone dared to embezzle the compensation for fallen soldiers, their family would be ruined at the very least. Zhu Yunying would not tolerate such things in the slightest.
"We intend to establish the orphans of the Imperial Guard as a separate guard, incorporating them into the Capital Garrison," Zhu Yunying said slowly, turning to Little Zhu. "Yin'er, what do you think of this?"
Little Zhu looked miserable and said, "Father, you already have three major camps, what use do you still have for our Imperial Guards Orphans? Why don't you take back the Crown Prince's Three Guards? We've always been the ones training the Imperial Guards Orphans, and our great-grandfather has helped us a lot!"
This sounds like Little Zhu was actually training troops. In reality, it's just a figurehead position; it's Old Zhu who's really helping out.
Even if Little Zhu is considered to have some talent, he is only eight years old. Compared to his peers, Little Zhu seems to have good military talent. But to actually ask him to plan a war is simply playing with the lives of his soldiers.
To put it bluntly, let alone planning a war, even something as simple as training troops, Little Zhu would just watch from the sidelines. In reality, it was Old Zhu, or rather Little Zhu's uncles, who would handle these matters. Little Zhu was merely combining theory with practice.
“We plan to promote Zhang Fu to commander, and have him lead the orphans of the Imperial Guard to Goryeo to serve under your uncle. Zhang Fu’s father is also there. Zhang Fu is quite capable and has inherited his father’s style, but he lacks experience.” Zhu Yunying said, “Later, have Wang Daban send a sword over, and you can give it to him.”
Little Zhu was immediately excited and happily knelt down, shouting, "Your subject thanks Your Majesty for your great favor! Long live Your Majesty!"
Zhu Yunying said to his shameless son, "Get out of here. Go to your great-grandfather's place first and ask him what he thinks. Let him help you plan things out. Remember, you have to attend court tomorrow. This is something you begged for."
Since the intention is to curry favor, it should be done in a more effective way. Zhang Fu seems quite suitable; in Zhu Yunying's eyes, Zhang Fu could become a capable right-hand man, allowing Zhu Yunying to better control military power.
Since this is an important general entrusted to young Zhu, he naturally needs to be carefully nurtured. Although Zhu Yunying and Zhang Fu are the same age, this does not prevent Zhang Fu from serving under young Zhu. In fact, such an age difference is not a big problem.
Little Zhu ran off happily. His general was about to go to Goryeo and make a name for himself on the battlefield, which would undoubtedly make Little Zhu very happy and excited.
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