Why did the emperor rebel?

Chapter 342 Border Rectification
The Ming Dynasty's frontier defense army actually had a relatively complete system.

After the founding of the country, Emperor Taizu was very vigilant against the remnants of the Northern Yuan Dynasty. Therefore, he not only sent troops to clear the border many times and pursued various Mongolian ministries, but also designed a set of border guard troops based on farming.

This kind of farming is not simply letting the army farm, but a new method that combines grazing, farming, and patrolling.

This system has two basic support points, that is, the military households guarding the place passed down from generation to generation, and the vast pastures controlled by Hongwu.

At that time, Xuan Mansion and Datong to the north, within thousands of miles, belonged to the territory of Ming Dynasty.

Because the local military households have made this their home for generations, farmland and pastures are their livelihood industries for them.

When the enemy invades, they are not only protecting the border as an army, but also protecting their own homeland. Naturally, the army has a solid morale and full combat power.

At the same time, Emperor Taizu canonized thirteen kings of Sai, giving them great autonomy to protect the security of the border.

In the same way, because it is their own fiefdom, the kings of Sai will manage it well, protect the local prosperity, and strictly prevent the invasion of foreign enemies.

Therefore, in the Hongwu era, all the kings of Sai devoted themselves to the training of the army, farming, and grazing.

Under this system, the imperial court can maintain the continuous strength of the frontier army without expending too much energy and financial resources.

But everything has pros and cons.

The biggest shortcoming of this system is that the frontier army can almost be self-sufficient and independent of the central court with the mutual assistance of military settlements, grazing, and the Chinese salt law.

This is the only loophole left by Emperor Taizu.

Since it does not rely on the central court, it means that the central court's control over the frontier troops has plummeted.

Especially when the major kings of Sai have important powers such as military and civil affairs, once they are allowed to operate for decades, or even two or three generations, the border will naturally be stable.

However, it is almost inevitable that these kings of Cyprus will become feudal states that are completely out of the control of the court.

So in fact, Emperor Jianwen's cutting of the feudal clan cannot be said to be a wrong behavior. It is impossible for anyone to ascend the throne and turn a blind eye to this risk.

It's just that although Jianwen's direction is not wrong, his political ability is indeed not good enough, and he ruined himself.

Therefore, after Emperor Taizong ascended the throne, he made a big adjustment to the border system.

Emperor Taizong himself was King Sai, so he naturally knew where the core of this system lay.

In order to strengthen the central court's control over the frontier army, he first revoked the military power of the vassal king, and the control of the frontier army was returned to the frontier generals appointed by the court.

At the same time, he transferred the troops who had been stationed at the border for generations into the interior, and ordered the troops from the interior to rotate to station at the border.

The soldiers will be separated, completely eliminating the threat of the frontier army to the central court.

But in this way, the frontier troops are all on rotation, and they don't really have any sense of belonging to the frontier, and their combat power is naturally not as good as that of Hongwu.

And the most serious problem is that because the frontier troops are on rotation, there is no way to keep grazing continuously.

After all, the fields in the army station are there, but cattle, sheep and horses need long-term care. Frontier troops are rotated almost every few years, so it is difficult to maintain large quantities of long-term grazing.

Without grazing, the huge pastures outside the customs would be of no value, and instead would take a lot of time and energy to patrol.

Therefore, in the later period of Yongle, Emperor Taizong abandoned Daning, Kaiping, Dongsheng and other strongholds outside the pass, and withdrew the defense line, hoping to establish a new border defense order.

It is a pity that once the original order collapses, it will inevitably be a long process to establish a new order.

This is also the reason why Taizong continued to march north.

The defense line on the border has been damaged, so if you want to maintain the tranquility of the border, you can only take the initiative to attack.

However, not everyone won the world as soon as Taizong.

The tribes on the grassland are always reborn in the spring breeze, and as long as there is enough time, they will quickly become stronger.

After abandoning Daning, Kaiping, Dongsheng and other strongholds outside the customs, Xuanfu, Datong, Ningxia and other strongholds became important towns to directly face the Mongolian tribes.

Without the buffer of these strongholds outside the customs, the new border defense system has not been completed, and a certain overlord is so happy, the fiasco of the civil engineering battle has already planted the root of disaster.

As Yang Hong, who has been at the border almost all his life, he actually knows the situation of the border army better than anyone else.

But precisely because of this, he could not agree with Wang Ao's statement.

"The imperial court appointed frontier generals to guard the border in order to ensure the tranquility of the border and cultivate the fields. It was originally to relieve the pressure on the imperial court. However, in recent years, the imperial court has repeatedly reduced border military expenditures. The salaries of the soldiers?"

"Among the frontier generals, there are certainly a few unruly people who use the frontier army for their own use, but these unruly people will naturally be impeached by the imperial court to inspect and punish the censors, which will not affect the overall situation. In the final analysis, it is still due to insufficient military funds and frequent rotations. , This led to a decline in the combat power of the frontier army."

"To solve these problems, we need to start from the root and increase the border military expenditure. If the border military salary is sufficient, the number of soldiers fleeing will naturally decrease, and the border generals will also focus more on training to improve the combat effectiveness of the border troops."

Since orthodoxy, the imperial court has strengthened its control over the border, but the annual military expenditures have actually decreased.

On the one hand, it was because the court spent a lot of material resources on the three expeditions to Luchuan, and on the other hand, it was also because when San Yang was in power, he advocated the practice of letting go of all unurgent tasks.

So from Yang Hong's point of view, the biggest reason why the frontier troops fled and the farms were abandoned was that the imperial court did not pay enough attention to the border.

Without enough military expenses, the frontier troops would naturally flee, and the court would not give money, but the frontier expenditure would not be reduced, so it was natural to divert the normal training troops to farm the fields, which is what Wang Ao called oppressing soldiers.

Looking at Yang Hong with a displeased face, Wang Ao also shook his head and said.

"Yang Hou, you love soldiers like a son, and you have strict military discipline. This old man knows this, but the border is not a place in Xuanfu, the frontier army is corrupt, the vacancy is serious, and the frontier generals torture soldiers. This is not an alarmist talk, but a fact."

"What's more, there are not enough resources in the DPRK and China, and silver is needed everywhere. If you want to rectify the border defense, starting with the border generals is the best way!"

Most of the arguments in the court were like this.

Yang Hong's words are naturally reasonable, but Wang Ao is not talking nonsense.

The current situation on the border is due to both institutional reasons and imperial control. Of course, there are also reasons for the greed of the border generals and even local officials.

This kind of thing is often caused by many factors intertwined and very complicated.

But because of different positions and cognitions, different people will have different views on solving problems.

Yang Hong advocated increasing the military budget and changing the treatment of frontier troops, so as to reduce fleeing and steadily restore the normal order of farming.

This is viewed from the point of view of the general.

Wang Ao advocated the abolition of unqualified generals to directly curb this unhealthy trend.

No one is right or wrong between two people, it's just out of their own interests and perspectives.

Zhu Qiyu sighed, looking at the two people facing each other, feeling a little helpless in his heart, after thinking about it, he said to Yu Qian.

"Yu Shangshu, what do you think?"

Yu Qian pondered for a moment, and his attitude was very clear, said.

"Your Majesty, I think that if you want to get quick results, it is best to start with the frontier generals. Nowadays, there are still many frontier generals in the border passes for private use. If you can tidy up these people, it will be a big deal. Relieve financial pressure on the border."

"However, there are a few difficulties. According to the military report of the Ministry of War, there has been a change in the northern Wala recently. If the opposing generals make a big move at this time, they may be taken advantage of by others. There are also border generals who are guarding everywhere now. He made meritorious deeds in the battle of Oara, and the court has just finished reciting the merits, and then strictly rectified it, which may make everyone feel cold."

"Moreover, in the long run, simply rectifying the frontier generals will not solve the fundamental problem. Of course, the imperial court has a lot of revenue, so it is not advisable to rely solely on the imperial court's blood transfusion."

His words were considered impartial, and he tactfully denied the words of both Wang Ao and Yang Hong.

At this moment, Bo Fan Guang, who was silent at the side, suddenly spoke.

"Your Majesty, I have a different opinion on this matter."

Zhu Qiyu's eyes fell on him, he waved his hands and said, "Then tell me."

Only then did Fan Guang open his mouth and said: "I just heard what some adults said, they all focus on the big picture, but these years, I have traveled to Liaodong, Xuanfu, Datong and other places, and what I see is slightly different. "

"Yang Hou and the generals of the capital and auxiliary capitals are disintegrated, which is attributed to the frequent mobilization of frontier troops and the serious fleeing. But in fact, when I was in various places, I saw a large number of military settlements. The reason why the imperial court could not support them through military settlements The frontier army is because there are a lot of privately cultivated fields."

Zhu Qiyu lifted his spirits, turned his body sideways, and said.

"Private land cultivation? Tell me in detail!"

Seeing that the Son of Heaven was so concerned, Fan Guang did not dare to neglect, and continued.

"It's the private cultivation of the land. I am in the army. The soldiers guard the city with three points and plant the crops with seven points. According to the fertile land and the buffer of the place, the grain produced is divided into nineteen, twenty-eight, four or six. The bulk needs to be handed over to the imperial court, but if private land is cultivated, then it only needs to be reported to the government, and the land tax can be paid in the form of private land."

"Nowadays, in the army, private farming is very popular. From the frontier generals to the sergeants, everyone is keen on private farming. It is precisely because of this that the military settlements are becoming more and more deserted."

"That's why I believe that the most urgent task is neither to expand military expenditures nor to rectify frontier generals, but to solve the problem of private farming."

The hall suddenly became quiet, and a group of ministers all fell silent by coincidence, causing Fan Guang to be confused for a while.

On the contrary, Zhu Qiyu smiled, and said, "Well said, it hits the nail on the head! Private farming is the most urgent problem to be solved at the border!"

There are actually many reasons for the dismantling of military settlements. Both Yang Hong and Wang Ao are right, but they all avoid the issue of private land reclamation.

Not for anything else, because the scope of private land reclamation is really too big.

The border is no different from the interior, the closer it is to the border, the fewer people there will be, and therefore, there will be more land available for reclamation.

Compared with the military settlements where most of the output from farming needs to be handed over, the frontier soldiers, from generals to ordinary sergeants, are more willing to reclaim wasteland as private land.

This is no longer a problem of one individual, but a problem of the entire frontier army.

Because of this, no one dared to bring up this topic lightly, because once the private farming was to be rectified, it would not only touch the interests of the frontier generals, but the interests of the entire frontier army.

If it is not handled properly, it may even lead to a mutiny.

You must know that whether it is in the hearts of the common people or in the hearts of these soldiers, the land is the same as their lifeblood. Whoever dares to touch their fields will have to fight with you.

Therefore, the ministers of the imperial court would rather squeeze out money for blood transfusions, or rectify and replace the generals, rather than easily touch the sensitive topic of private farming.

That is to say, when Fan Guangjiu was in the army, his mind was full of how to lead the army to fight, without so many twists and turns.

So when Zhu Qiyu asked, he said it according to his own ideas.

Taking a glance at the ministers who bowed their heads in silence, Zhu Qiyu said lightly.

"Everyone, you didn't know about the private cultivation of fields today, did you?"

After a while, Yu Qian's expression was a little complicated, and he replied with difficulty.

"Your Majesty, forgive me. This matter is really of great importance. If you want to rectify the private farming, the frontier army will be hurt. The court has been troubled by the border all these years. What the court thinks about is how to improve the frontier army. If there is a large-scale war, the frontier army will be restless, and the border will be unsafe."

This is the truth, the problem has existed for a long time, and the court has known it for a long time.

However, if you are not forced to the point where you have to solve it, everyone is always reluctant to scrape the bone and cure the poison.

What's more, the imperial court has indeed not had the environment to solve this problem in recent years.

On the border, Wala stared at each other, and there were constant frictions. If this matter was not handled properly, causing a mutiny by the frontier army, and Wala took advantage of it, it would easily lead to the overthrow of the country. No one can afford this responsibility.

Zhu Qiyu looked at Yu Qian fixedly, and after a while, Fang shook his head and said.

"Border troubles are one thing, but you can't delay solving this problem just because of border troubles. Private farming is a blunt knife. If it is not rectified, military settlements will become more and more mere formalities. , may not be better than bone scraping to cure poison."

However, Zhu Qiyu also understood Yu Qian's difficulties, so he didn't criticize too much on this matter, and continued.

"I know that all of you are the pillars of the country, and they are for the sake of the community, but the matter of private farming must be resolved. Yu Qian, if I let you take charge of this matter, would you like to take over?"

All the ministers looked at Yu Qian in unison, this was a hot potato.

Not to mention the difficulty of this matter, but the consequences.

If it is not done well and causes a mutiny in the army, even with Yu Qian's current status, he will inevitably lose his position.

Even if it is done well, it is still part of the job, but from now on, Yu Qian will also become the public enemy of the frontier soldiers, and it can be said that there is no balance between the two.

But if you want to decline, I'm afraid it will not be easy. Since the emperor asked a question, it must be on his mind. As Yu Qian is the Minister of the Ministry of War, this should be his duty.

Yu Qian didn't speak, and his expression was a little complicated.

Seeing this, Zhu Qiyu said: "If Yu Qing is worried, there will be too much commotion and the Mongolian ministries will take advantage of the situation, so there is no need to worry. If this matter is going to be implemented, it must be when the border is safe."

Others think that Yu Qian is cherishing his body, but Zhu Qiyu understands him better.

It is impossible to say that Yu Qian is not afraid of death, but he is a person who values ​​the overall situation of the country more. In addition to personal life and death, what he considers more is whether doing so will be harmful to Daming.

Sure enough, after Zhu Qiyu's voice fell, Yu Qian quickly made a decision.

He raised his head, with a firm face, and said.

"Your Majesty, if the stability of the border is guaranteed, I would like to go to the border in person to check the privately cultivated land, rectify the border affairs, and restore the army station!"

"it is good!"

Zhu Qiyu nodded, with a look of satisfaction on his face, and said.

"Since this is the case, the Ministry of War will start preparations from now on, and make a detailed plan. Don't worry, I will order the Metropolitan Procuratorate to assist you."

It is not a trivial matter to check the privately cultivated land.

Specifically how to check, who to send, how to appease the frontier army, and how to deal with the privately cultivated fields of the border generals and the privately cultivated fields of the sergeants.

All kinds of issues require careful consideration and repeated discussions.

So now, just set a general direction, really start to rectify, at least several months later.

Here Zhu Qiyu was talking, and Wang Cheng, led by Cheng Jing, hurried in, holding a box in his hand, and reported.

"Your Majesty, the Mongolian special envoy has already entered the city, and forwarded the letter from the Great Khan Tuotuobuhua and several leaders. Please read it, Your Majesty."

　Calvin, today's update~
　　
　
(End of this chapter)