Chapter 74 Military Scholar
Zhu Yuhuan's decision would naturally not be easily changed, and only Chen Xun, Yu Qian and Xu Yun knew about this matter.
Both of them could be regarded as Zhu Yuhuan's die-hard supporters, and Chen Xun did not expect them to object, and what the emperor said was not unreasonable.
Judging from Shang Lu's behavior, he might have been preparing for this matter under the emperor's instructions.
Lifting the sea ban is not a trivial matter, nor can it be accomplished by the emperor or the ministers alone. At that time, other people in the court will naturally debate with the emperor, and Chen Xun will not openly offend the emperor at this time.
How could Zhu Yuhuan not know the little calculations of this group of people? She never thought that persuading Chen Xun would allow this matter to proceed smoothly. The other people in the court were the ones who had the final say.
However, the most urgent task now is to complete the palace examination and post the yellow list.
Due to Zhu Yuhuan's special arrangement, the palace examination lasted two days, the first day was for interviews, and the second day was for riding and archery.
The next day, Zhu Yuhuan arrived at Xiyuan. Everything had already been arranged. In addition to the accompanying officials and tribute scholars, Zhu Yuhuan also brought two children, Zhu Shuyuan and Zhu Jianshen, to watch the fun.
The candidates who came to participate had already changed into their yisas and stood quietly on both sides of the parade ground waiting for the emperor's arrival.
The guards of the Imperial Stables and the ceremonial guards of the Embroidered Uniform Guard were dressed in armor and surrounded the entire parade ground, making it seem even more solemn and dignified.
Zhu Yuhuan wore a royal blue robe with cloud patterns and long sleeves, his hair tied up in a bun, and a pearl-shaped folding-brimmed hat. He stood on a high platform and looked down at everyone, looking intimidating without even being angry.
The female officials who followed her were dressed similarly, but their clothes were not as gorgeous as the emperor's.
"Your Majesty."
Zhu Yuhuan took the pistol, aimed at the target in the distance, and fired it with ease. With a bang, the bullet hit the target opposite accurately, and a puff of green smoke came out.
Zhu Shuyuan and Zhu Jianshen, who had been reminded by the nannies to cover their ears, couldn't help but exclaim when they saw this scene, thinking that it was the fireworks the nannies mentioned.
For a moment, there was no extra sound in the training ground.
If the previous assessment in the Fengtian Hall was just a simple appearance of the emperor, then Zhu Yuhuan's shooting now proved that this emperor was not only diligent in government affairs, but also proficient in both civil and military affairs and full of martial virtues.
With Zhu Yuhuan's move, the palace examination for martial arts officially began.
The military examination consisted of two sections: civil and military. The civil examination included military strategy and memorization of military classics and military tactics, while the military examination consisted of basic horseback archery and simple weapon drills. Zhu Yuhuan's original idea was to include actual combat drills, but since he never personally oversaw this, this aspect was often overlooked by the examiners.
After all, most of these examiners came from the civil service examinations and had relatively little knowledge of military affairs, so naturally they didn't understand the importance of certain subjects. Wang Zhen, the executor of the emperor's orders, was particularly unconcerned. He considered the reinstatement of the military examinations a significant achievement; the title alone was sufficient; the specific implementation could be left to the subordinates.
Now that Zhu Yuhuan personally participated in the palace examination for martial arts, he naturally added back the sand table model examination subjects. According to Zhu Yuhuan's idea, assessments on astronomy, geography, and the use of muskets and gunpowder were originally required, but considering the current learning level of martial arts candidates, the assessments in this area were only conducted simply, and the issue of re-education was left to the future superiors of these martial arts candidates.
Zhu Yuhuan sat on a high place, with a clear view of the situation on the field. Zhang Fu, Jiang Gui and Wang Ji, who were accompanying him, were also concentrating on watching the candidates taking the exam on the training ground.
Among the three of them, only Duke Yingguo Zhang Fu had ever served as an examiner for the military examination. The situation at that time was completely different from that of today, so he could not help but watch with fascination.
There were no such assessments at that time. The lucky ones could rely on the legacy of their ancestors, while the unlucky ones had to rely on their own military merits on the battlefield to have a chance of promotion. Despite this, ordinary people had almost no promotion channels for military officer positions, let alone such a systematic assessment as today.
In addition, the three of them are now in charge of the construction of martial arts in the Imperial College. In addition to the structural design of martial arts, the teaching content must also be improved. Naturally, they have to think about the emperor's requirements for military scholars from today's palace examination.
Only the two little kids nearby who didn't understand what was going on were very excited watching the lively scene on the field.
Zhu Shuyuan pointed at the warriors on horseback shooting arrows and said excitedly, "Look, mother, how impressive!"
Zhu Jianshen nodded like a chick pecking at rice and said, "Great, great..."
"But my mother is even more powerful. She can use a bow and arrow that breathes fire—"
Zhu Yuhuan was a little amused and said, "When you two grow up a little, mother will teach you how to use a bow and arrow that can spit fire, okay?"
The two little guys' eyes sparkled and they said in unison: "Okay—"
Zhang Fu, who was sitting below, immediately understood the emperor's intention of bringing the two royal heirs. It turned out that it was to show the queen mother's importance to her former nephew, who was now the royal heir.
If they can see it, the future Jinshi scholars below can naturally see it as well, which can also reduce some unnecessary rumors.
Zhu Shuyuan and Zhu Jianshen had never seen such a scene before, and they were very interested, pointing and commenting on the scholars below. However, children's energy was limited, and they soon became a little sleepy. Zhu Yuhuan had the two children sent back to the imperial concubine's palace.
"What do you think? We will also have practical courses in martial arts. I don't want officers who only know how to talk about military strategy."
Zhang Fu was the first to speak up, "Your Majesty is indeed far-sighted. Actual combat drills are indeed necessary. Small-scale border battles should be handed over to these newly appointed military scholars to gain practical combat experience. If they don't even understand sand table drills, how can they lead troops in battle?"
Zhu Yuhuan nodded seriously and said, "Duke Ying is absolutely right. This kind of martial arts school should not only be established in the Imperial College, where the children of nobles and students from humble backgrounds can learn martial arts classics and cultivate martial arts, but it should also be spread throughout the country. At least every prefecture should have a martial arts school. Only in this way can we ensure that we have officers of a certain quality to defend the country."
The three of them all agreed, but Zhang Fu spoke tactfully, "Establishing martial arts schools across the country would be a significant expense for the national treasury. The country suffers from droughts, floods, and locust plagues every year, and there's also the reform of the aboriginal system in places like Guizhou. This will cost a lot of money, Your Majesty..."
Zhu Yuhuan smiled faintly and said, "Yesterday, Chen Xun also discussed the national treasury with me. The key is to increase revenue and reduce expenditure. When it comes to reducing expenditure, I will set an example myself. As for increasing revenue, I already have some ideas. In the past, our great-grandfather used merchants to raise and transport supplies. Today, I can also use merchants to cooperate with officials in trading in the West to replenish the national treasury."
Zhang Fu and others were puzzled when they heard this and looked at each other.
Zhu Yuhuan briefly recounted what he had said yesterday before continuing, "In addition to those skilled in navigation and experienced in navigation, I intend to commission a number of sons of noble families to accompany me on another voyage to the Western Ocean. This isn't simply to promote national prestige; there's another crucial purpose: to investigate the local area with the accompanying craftsmen to see if there are any rare treasures not found in the Ming Dynasty."
How could Zhang Fu not understand the importance of this matter, and he was even more aware of its importance to them, the nobles.
The emperor is willing to give the nobles a chance, but only a few of the nobles' children can really go to the battlefield and make merit. Most of them are like Xue Huan, and training them is not something that can be accomplished in a short time.
In order to prevent the nobles from falling into decline, the emperor was willing to provide some special channels to help the children of the nobles rise, and all the nobles had to do was to be absolutely loyal to the emperor.
As the Duke of Ying, Zhang Fu knew better than anyone where his family's title came from. If it were not for Emperor Taizong Zhu Di's suppression of the rebellion, his family would probably have been ordinary military officers all their lives and would not have been able to obtain a title like the Duke of Ying.
For them, the most important thing is to closely bind their own interests with those of the emperor, so as to ensure the prosperity of the family and the wealth and glory of their children and grandchildren.
In addition, when the emperor looked at him when he said this, Zhang Fu immediately thought of his son who had followed the young emperor at that time and could be regarded as an "old acquaintance" of the royal heir. In this way, it can be seen that the emperor intends to let the next "Duke of England" prepare in advance and do something for the country.
Zhang Zhong had difficulty walking and had no chance to go to the battlefield and make achievements. If Zhu Qizhen were still alive, it would be unknown whether Zhang Zhong could successfully inherit the position of Duke of Ying.
As soon as Zhang Fu spoke, Jiang Gui and Wang Ji followed suit, saying, "I understand. We will live up to your majesty's call and fight for the Ming Dynasty."
Although Wang Ji was a member of the imperial examination system, he had a title bestowed by Zhu Qizhen, which had never been taken away by the current emperor. His son would also be able to inherit his title in the future, which meant that Wang Ji was destined to stand with the "emperor".
Zhu Yuhuan smiled with satisfaction and said, "With all of you working so hard, why should we worry about the prosperity of the Ming Dynasty?"
The imperial examination system selected officials time and time again. As the saying goes, "the waves behind push the waves ahead", there were always young people like Xu Yun who wanted to step onto the stage and show their talents. How could Zhu Yuhuan be reluctant to give them opportunities?
Even the emperor can be replaced by someone else, let alone officials. It all depends on their own abilities.
The imperial examination determined the upward path for most people, but the emperor could often promote talents through privileges.
The military examination on the parade ground ended, and Zhu Yuhuan's first palace examination in power finally came to an end.
Not long after, on April 15th, the imperial edict was posted in the capital, officially selecting the top three winners of the civil and military examinations in the first year of Yuanguang.
Now Zhu Yuhuan was finally able to get to the point and put the matter of sailing to the West on the agenda.
Most of the officials in the court had the same concerns as Chen Xun. Although the method proposed by Zhu Yuhuan was similar to the current salt permits of the Ming Dynasty, going to the West was no trivial matter and the cost was extremely high. Most officials found it difficult to accept handing over such a matter involving the dignity of the country to merchants.
At this time, Zhu Yuhuan naturally brought out the children of nobles as members of the voyage fleet. Some of them were studying martial arts, while others, like Zhang Zhong, were older. Many of them even held official positions and were serious court officials.
As a result, the personnel composition of this fleet is much more balanced and the division of labor is very rich.
Civilians, military officers, soldiers, merchants, nobles, eunuchs, craftsmen, sailors, female officials, translators, etc.... not one was left out.
It can be said that "everything is ready, only the east wind is missing."
The emperor's attitude was very clear. What he wanted was a certain degree of subsidy from the national treasury and personnel support, and at the same time, he wanted to use this as an excuse to reopen the maritime ban.
As for whether the officials in the court should go to the West together, that was not something Zhu Yuhuan considered.
Now that the matter is settled, if you are really worried about something happening on your voyage to the West, the best solution is to go there with us.
Zeng Heling, the chief minister of the cabinet, had always supported most of Zhu Yuhuan's decisions. Seeing this situation, he no longer cared about the complaints of the censors and some officials of the Censorate, and began to select suitable candidates to join the fleet to sail to the West.
Zhu Yuhuan briefly glanced over the list prepared by Zeng Heling, added a few names to it, and then asked the palace servants around him to give it to Zeng Heling and others for review.
The names Zhu Yuhuan added were Tong Shouhong, Lu Xiemei and others who had been with him last year.
Zeng Heling was a little surprised and couldn't help asking, "Your Majesty, is there anything special about these people?"
He had already selected the record-keeping officials. Considering the number of people in the fleet, Zeng Heling couldn't help but wonder why Zhu Yuhuan added these extra people.
Zhu Yuhuan saw his confusion and said gently, "This voyage to the Western Ocean is no small matter. It is the first step in reopening the maritime ban. I hope that not only you, but also the descendants of the Ming Dynasty will remember this day in the future."
Zeng Heling was stunned and understood what Zhu Yuhuan meant.
It seems that this voyage to the West is just the beginning, and the emperor will have other big moves in the future.
Zhu Yuhuan continued, "I know some people think that reinstating tribute missions to the West is asking for trouble, and such rumors won't dissipate anytime soon. But I want you to know that those small nations are not completely useless. Grapes, pomegranates, pipa, and even many BMWs aren't native to the Central Plains, yet they've been passed down from generation to generation, not because of their origins, but because of their usefulness. Since there are lands beyond the Ming Dynasty, why should we give up exploring? Who knows if what we discover overseas will become the 'grapes' and 'pomegranates' of the future?"
Her implication is clear: "There is always someone better than you." If you think highly of yourself and are complacent, you will only end up with a heavy fall.
Zhu Yuhuan has always been a person who thinks ten steps ahead before taking one step. Not only that, she will stick to what she has decided on to the end, and even if she has to compromise temporarily, she will just endure it.
Both Zeng Heling, the teacher who taught Zhu Yuhuan since childhood, and Xu Yun, the speculator who pursued power and status, were very clear about this.
"I understand."
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