Chapter 5 Preliminary Notes
Zhu Yuhuan returned to Kunning Palace, briefly told Hu Shanxiang and Wu Miaosu about what had happened, and then went back to clean up.
Fortunately, Zhu Yuhuan had two marching experiences and was familiar with the preparation work. He packed up the things he would take tomorrow in just a few minutes.
Liu Yongcheng had already gone outside the palace to dispatch troops early. In order to facilitate the rapid march tomorrow, Zhu Yuhuan also had to go to the princess's mansion to stay for one night after packing up.
Hu Shanxiang knew that her time was very urgent, so she just reminded her to be careful and asked Zhu Yuhuan to take Huai'en and Han Guilan out of the palace as soon as possible and rest up in the princess's mansion.
Zhu Yuhuan sent Huai'en to find Liu Mian and summon Xu Gong and others to temporarily stay in the princess's mansion for rest. Han Guilan was responsible for presiding over the affairs of the princess's mansion and arranging the guards.
After Xu Gong and the others had assembled, Zhu Yuhuan explained the situation clearly and then said, "The main force consists of the troops led by General Liu and the Jinyiwei Tartar officers and their soldiers. If necessary, you must also fight the rebels. After you return to the capital victorious, I will report your achievements to His Majesty and the Grand Empress Dowager."
After listening to the words of the Empress Dowager and others, Zhu Yuhuan already had an idea in his mind. These people were not so much rebels as they were poor people who had been fooled. There was obviously a certain gap between their combat effectiveness and that of regular troops, but necessary pre-war explanations were still necessary.
Xu Gong and others were eager to try.
It is unknown when one can get an official position by relying solely on promotions within the Jinyiwei, but suppressing the rebellion is a real military merit, especially now that the world is peaceful and there are no wars everywhere. It is extremely difficult to get military merit, but once you have it, promotion will be much faster.
Zhu Yuhuan looked at them with excitement, as excited as a beast seeing its prey.
Zhu Yuhuan cleared his throat and reminded him, "Suppressing a rebellion is different from going north to kill the Tartars. When refugees and poor people rebel, the court usually pacifies them. Except for the ringleaders, they are severely punished, and the rest of the people are mostly given farmland to resettle."
Most of those who followed Zhang Puxiang in the uprising were influenced by the White Lotus Sect. They didn't have a clear purpose in mind, simply wanting to make a living. There was no need to root out the rebellion completely. If it were a rebellion by a vassal king, the situation would be very different.
Zhu Yuhuan glanced around and continued, "I know that on the battlefield, swords are merciless. Your own life is the most important thing, and making contributions to bring honor to your family is even more natural. I say this simply to warn you. Military discipline is strict. Your duty to protect the princess will not be used for personal gain. Anyone who kills indiscriminately under the pretext of 'protecting the eldest princess' will be handed over to the commander-in-chief, General Liu, for military punishment. I will show no mercy."
The battlefield was already chaotic, so it was inevitable that some people would have such thoughts. Border troops also often falsely claimed military merits and killed Tartar civilians to claim the credit.
It’s just that the border troops killed foreigners, so it’s difficult to forge it. But it’s difficult to distinguish between friends and enemies in an internal uprising, so the possibility of false claim is greater.
Zhu Yuhuan's words were very insightful. For those who originally had this plan in mind, after hearing what Zhu Yuhuan said, this idea almost disappeared.
Liu Yongcheng was a general who had led troops in battles and defeated enemy invaders. He knew the importance of military discipline better than anyone else and would not tolerate soldiers who violated the law. Especially since Princess Shunde would never tolerate such things, General Liu would certainly not sit idly by.
The princess's personal guards receive an additional salary than ordinary Jinyiwei, not to mention that Princess Shunde also gives them additional rewards during festivals, which can be said to be comprehensive.
In other words, no one wants to lose their job.
Zhu Yuhuan settled everyone and tidied up his armor before instructing Han Guilan on matters inside and outside the palace, especially the situation on the side of Empress Dowager Sun, telling her to keep a close eye on it and to ask Liu Shang more about the new people who had entered the palace.
Even if Zhu Qizhen didn't have this idea, Zhu Yuhuan had to be on guard. If Zhu Qizhen would listen to her, his half-sister, how could he not listen to others?
Han Guilan naturally understood the importance of this matter and said, "Your Highness, rest assured. I will pay close attention to it." She hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Your Highness, won't you choose some young women?"
Zhu Yuhuan understood her implication. She stroked her chin and said, "The emperor still enjoys having fun, so it's too early for him to choose concubines. But we do need to be prepared..."
What Han Guilan raised was indeed necessary. Just like Empress Dowager Sun and the Sun family, even if the Sun family was bold enough to murder Zhu Yuhuan, with Concubine Sun in the palace, they were safe in the end. They just had to return to their hometown for a few years.
Zhu Yuhuan did not expect the concubines' pillow talk to be completely effective, but it would be better if these concubines could reveal the direction of the situation to him so that Zhu Yuhuan could be prepared.
Zhu Yuhuan thought about it for a moment, and finally said, "The selection of concubines is usually done among the common people. It's rare for a concubine to be born a palace maid. Empress Wu is from a female official family, and her status is still criticized. If she hadn't been a meritorious protector of the emperor and borne an heir, she might not have been able to become a concubine. Moreover, the emperor has not abolished the law of burying daughters alive with the dead. Most families who love their daughters avoid the selection of concubines. Many have even lost their family property and gone into hiding in the mountains. Let's discuss the selection after I return."
The reason the Sun family had people select their maids to enter the palace was because of the saying "advance for offense and retreat for defense." If asked, they would simply say that it was Empress Dowager Sun who selected the maids. If these maids could win the emperor's favor, everyone would be happy, and they could rise to power through his favor. If they didn't win the emperor's favor, they would still have enough food and clothing to stay in Empress Dowager Sun's palace.
Han Guilan also understood that what Zhu Yuhuan said made sense and responded softly.
In fact, she felt a little uncomfortable in her heart. She always felt that these girls should not be allowed to enter the palace. Otherwise, wouldn’t they be the same as herself in the past?
But Han Guilan asked herself again whether she regretted coming to Beijing now, and the answer was obviously no.
"By the way, how is Zheng Tong doing in the Yinshou Prison?"
Han Guilan didn't expect Zhu Yuhuan to ask this so suddenly. She said, "Eunuchs are bound to criticize each other. He is an honest man who takes steady steps and avoids conflicts with his colleagues. Now he is peacefully serving as the head of the department."
Zhu Yuhuan nodded gently and said, "Nowadays, the eunuchs are more powerful, and the competition is naturally more intense. Especially in the government offices like the Imperial Household Department, they are the center of the power struggle, and it is inevitable that it will spread to other places. It is already very difficult for him to get ahead. Remember to tell him to be cautious."
Han Guilan was slightly stunned, then overjoyed, and said, "Yes. Guilan thanks His Highness for his concern on his behalf."
Although she and Zheng Tong were from the same hometown, Han Guilan knew that there were some things she couldn't freely share with him. Zheng Tong naturally understood this as well, and when they occasionally met, they only talked about their own affairs. However, Zhu Yuhuan's words now clearly indicated that he intended to treat Zheng Tong as "one of his own." At least from now on, the two of them would have a common goal and would be more comfortable with each other.
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