Rebirth of Zhu Di's son

Chapter 354: Rewarding the meritorious officers of the Northern Expedition
When Prince Zhu Zhanyu walked out of the main entrance of Wuying Palace and walked down the corridor in front of the palace, he felt a sharp cold wind on his face.

He couldn't help but sneeze, and the next moment he felt a chill on his face.

Zhu Zhanyu raised his hand to brush his face, and then saw a few snowflakes that had not completely melted into water drops.

He hurriedly raised his head and looked up at the sky at a 45-degree angle. He found that the sky in the distance was covered with gray, and the sky in front of him was sparsely filled with countless snowflakes.

Just when Zhu Zhanyu stopped and watched the snow, Zhu Gaoxu, who felt something strange outside the hall, also came to the entrance of the hall.

"Looking at the momentum, I'm afraid it will be a heavy snowfall."

Zhu Gaoxu frowned.

Zhu Zhanyu hurriedly took three steps back, bent down and raised his hands in salute: "Father."

Zhu Gaoxu nodded slightly and said: "It has not yet entered the twelfth lunar month, and snow has already fallen in the capital. It can be seen that this winter is destined to be severely cold. You must keep an eye on the quartermasters in Heishui and Datong, and be sure to ensure that the soldiers of the fifth battalion stationed in Mobei are Everyone has winter clothing to keep out the cold and warm.”

"Yes."

Zhu Zhanyu bowed.

"I will immediately ask the cabinet to draft an imperial edict, leaving full authority to you to set up a real capital on the grassland and build roads, cities, inns, factories and other matters."

Zhu Gaoxu paused, looked at Zhu Zhanyu and said: "Winter on the grassland is the coldest. Since the imperial court is determined to directly manage the grassland, it cannot ignore the life and death of the herdsmen in all parts of the grassland. Do you know what to do?"

"The sons and ministers will send envoys in the name of the imperial court to inform all the grassland ministries, telling them that the imperial court will send a large amount of food there before the severe winter snowstorms to calm the people of the grassland and demonstrate the benevolence of the imperial court."

Zhu Zhanyu replied calmly.

Zhu Gaoxu nodded with satisfaction.

Then, he turned around and walked into the palace, and at the same time told Kang Ping, who was not far away: "Go and tell the cabinet ministers to come here to see me."

"According to the order."

Kang Ping bowed and accepted the order.

At the same time, Zhu Zhanyu bowed towards Zhu Gaoxu's back and said, "My son, please retire."

In the second year of Qianxi's reign, it was November [-]th.

Today is an auspicious day to hold a merit award ceremony.

In the early morning, before dawn, all the departments in the inner court were already busy, and all the civil and military officials who had received awards had arrived at Fengtian Hall.

The deacons such as Si Shijian, Shang Baosi and others placed the imperial incense case on the Danbi in Fengtian Hall. They also set up the imperial treasure case and edict case in the main hall. The imperial edict case was placed to the north of the center of the edict, and the announcement case was placed to the north of the imperial edict. .

At this time, Jian Yi, Xia Yuanji, and Yu Yanzhao, the three ministers of the Ministry of Li, Hu, and Li, were already wearing court clothes and standing respectfully in the southeast of Fengtian Hall. Xu Huizu and Li Jinglong, the left and right governors of the Metropolitan Governor's Mansion, were also standing in court clothes. In the southwest above the main hall.

The honorary position of the civil and military officials who were awarded this time is in Danqi, that is, the red steps in front of the Fengtian Hall and the open space on the steps.

The order of rewarded officials is located in the southwest of Danqi, and when receiving the reward, they must go to the south of the Gaoming case.

The deacons responsible for specific affairs were already standing to the west of where the rewarded officials were standing. Each of them was holding either a decree or a gift in their hands, and they all stood facing north, forming a team of their own.

As for the other furnishings in the palace, they were as usual for court ceremonies.

As the three-way drum sounded, all the deacons immediately took their positions.

The next moment, Emperor Qianxi of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Gaoxu, was enthroned wearing Gong robes and a crown.

Crown Prince Zhu Zhanyu also wore a robe and a crown. He entered from the east gate of the main hall and stood at the lower left of Dan.

Gun mian refers to the gun robe and crown. It is the dress and ceremonial crown of ancient Chinese emperors and princes. It is the formal clothing worn by princes and nobles during major celebrations such as worshiping heaven and earth, and ancestral temples.

In the Ming Dynasty, the use of troops was not as simple as fighting and killing. There were also nine strict and complicated etiquettes, namely personal expedition, sending generals, offering sacrifices, accepting surrender, presenting triumphs and prisoners, rewarding merits, military parades, Shoot big, save the day and beat the drum.

At this moment, Zhu Gaoxu, Emperor Qianxi of the Ming Dynasty, was rewarding the meritorious civil and military officials of the three-pronged army who went north to the desert in August this year and returned triumphantly in November.

After Zhu Gaoxu ascended the throne, the civil and military officials who were rewarded went to the throne in turn and performed four obeisances.

Then, Xu Huizu, Duke of Wei, and Li Jinglong, Duke of Cao, who were the recipients of this merit-based reward ceremony, knelt down and took over the edicts and writings taken from the incense table by the deacon of the Ministry of Rites. They came out from the middle door of the main hall. Jian Yi and Xia Yuanji , Yu Yanzhao came out from the west door of the main hall, and they all stood on the east side of the murder case.

Xu Huizu came to the front of the palace, stood facing south, looked at the civil and military officials who had been rewarded, and said loudly: "There is an edict!"

All the civil and military officials who were rewarded knelt down to listen to the edict.

The imperial edicts and orders issued by the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty were in the form of "imperial edict" and "zhishu". The main difference was that "the order was the system, and the order was the imperial edict".

"Zhishu" is generally used when the emperor promulgates important systems, and the audience is civil and military officials. It begins with "The emperor is destined to be carried by heaven, Zhiyue".

"Edict" is generally used when the emperor issues an order about a specific person or thing. The audience is usually a specific person or group, which can be officials or common people. Sometimes when important political matters need to be announced to the world, they must also Use an edict, starting with "Heaven carries the emperor, the edict says."

At this time, two ceremony officials, one on the left and one on the right, bowed from the east and west corridors to both sides of Xu Huizu, and worked together to slowly unfold the edict.

Xu Huizu began to read the edict aloud.

"The emperor is entrusted with the destiny of heaven, and the edict says: I only serve the emperor's plan, abide by the established constitution, promote it to the end, and hope that the world will be happy, prosperous and peaceful, and that all things will be safe. Therefore, I work hard day and night, and I dare not neglect it."

"The Oara leader Mahamu and Tuohuan and his son are capricious and have repeatedly sent troops south to plunder the border people. In addition, the Tatar leader Arutai, Angkopolo and his son and others are unscrupulous and harm the people and cause chaos." "I am tired of envoys, sir. The evil is endless, but Tuo Huan, Arutai and others do not respect the edict, wantonly attack the grassland tribes, bully the weak, do evil, accumulate evil like a mountain, the world cannot tolerate it, and the gods and men are angry. I have no choice but to use the period of raising troops to attack the evil. Disgrace the people."

"Lai Tiandi Zongshe silently acted, and the soldiers obeyed their orders. The troops of the Three Routes of the Northern Expedition came wherever they came. He applauded the good, appeased and surrendered, and wiped out the rebels such as Tuohuan, Alutai and their soldiers, and the grassland was determined in one battle. "

"In the past, during the Han and Tang Dynasties, the grassland rebelled against its fate, and the imperial court raised troops to fight against it, and all achieved great achievements. Today's Northern Expedition has indeed surpassed the ancients. I will reward the officers and men who have made meritorious service in the Northern Expedition, and erect the "Huang Ming Northern Expedition Monument" in front of the Capital City God's Temple. The emperor and his Ming Dynasty soldiers who have made great contributions to the Northern Expeditions will be famous for centuries. I admire this."

All the civil and military officials who received the award, as well as other civil and military officials standing in the square outside Fengtian Hall, knelt down and said, "Long live my emperor, long live, long live."

After the ceremony, all the officials stood up.

Xu Huizu and the two etiquette officers stepped back one by one, and Li Jinglong and another etiquette officer came over with a tray in both hands.

Li Jinglong stood where Xu Huizu had been, facing south, looking at a group of civil and military officials who had received awards, and shouted loudly: "With control!"

All the civil and military officials who were rewarded knelt down and listened.

Li Jinglong took the first copy of the book from the tray held by the etiquette officer, unfolded it and read out:
"In order to commend Zhu Neng, the deputy general of the Western Route Army of the Northern Expedition, for his extraordinary achievements, I canonize Zhu Neng as the Duke of County (third-class Duke), the military minister who steadfastly overcomes chaos and overcomes difficulties. He is awarded the rank of general and the second-class ax medal. Along with the royalties, iron certificates, food and salary of 4000 dan, which will be inherited by descendants from generation to generation, reward is [-] taels of silver yuan, [-] pieces of silk and satin, and [-] yuan of gold banknotes."

After the reading was finished, Zhu Neng, one of the awarded civil and military officials, prostrated himself on the ground and bowed twice.

"reward!"

The ceremony officer not far away sang and shouted loudly.

Zhu Neng hurriedly walked to the incense case and knelt down. Jian Yi, the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, held the imperial decree sent by the deacon, and Xia Yuanji, the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, held the list of gifts sent by the deacon, and awarded them to Zhu Neng in turn.

Zhu Neng bowed again and then stepped back to his original position to stand respectfully.

Li Jinglong took down the second copy of the book from the tray held by the etiquette officer, unfolded it and read out:
"In order to commend Chen Mao, the Marquis of Ningyang Township, who has made outstanding contributions to the Western Route Army in the Northern Expedition, I canonize Chen Mao as the Duke of County (xùn), a military official (xùn) for pacifying chaos and overcoming difficulties, and granting him the title "Third-class Duke". Second-class ax and ax medal, valve review, iron coupons, food and salary of 4000 shi, which will be inherited by descendants from generation to generation, reward of [-] taels of silver yuan, [-] pieces of silk and satin, and [-] yuan of gold banknotes."

After Li Jinglong finished reading, Chen Mao prostrated himself on the ground and bowed twice.

"reward!"

The ceremony officer not far away sang and shouted loudly.

Chen Mao hurriedly walked to the incense table and knelt down in front of the incense table. Jian Yi, the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, held the imperial decree sent by the deacon, and Xia Yuanji, the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, held the list of gifts sent by the deacon, and awarded them to Chen Mao in turn.

Chen Mao bowed again and then stepped back to his original position to stand respectfully.

Then, the commander of the Eastern Route Army of the Northern Expedition, Yangwu County Hou Xuelu, the deputy general, Xincheng County Hou Zhangfu, and the vanguard officer of the forward army Yang Hong were recognized by Zhu Gaoxu as quasi-miraculous achievements.

Xue Lu was awarded the title of Duke of Jiao County (third-class Duke), a military official who suppressed chaos and conquered difficulties and pushed Chengxuanli to fight the chaos. He was awarded the rank of general and was given the second-class ax and ax medal, valve review, iron coupons and other items.

Zhang Fu was awarded the title of Duke of Yingxian County (third-class Duke), a military official who would conquer the chaos and overcome difficulties and push Chengxuanli to fight against the difficulties. He was awarded the rank of general and was given the second-class ax medal, valve review, iron coupons and other items.

Yang Hong was awarded the title of Jingxian Bo (first-class Bo), a military official who conquered chaos and conquered difficulties and pushed for sincerity and Xuanli. He was awarded the rank of Hussar General and was given the second-class ax and ax medal, valve review, iron coupons and other items.

The chief general of the Northern Expedition Middle Route Army, Chengshan Township Hou Wangtong, and the deputy general Anshun Tingbo Xue Gui were recognized by Zhu Gaoxu as the top contributors.

Wang Tong was promoted to the rank of Marquis of Chengshan County (second-class Marquis), awarded the rank of Hussars General, and was awarded the third-class axe-axe medal, valve review, iron coupons and other items.

Xue Gui was promoted to the rank of Anshun County Count (first-class uncle), and was granted hereditary status (previously he was a lifelong knight), awarded the rank of Chariot and Cavalry General, and was awarded the third-class ax and ax medal, valve review, iron coupons and other items.

The four battalion commanders and eighteen commanders of the Shaanxi-Pu Dudufu under the West Route Army, as well as the battalion commanders and commanders of the various armies under the East Route Army and the Middle Route Army were all recognized by Zhu Gaoxu as minor meritorious deeds. He was promoted to a noble title, and those without a title were given a viscount. All military ranks were promoted to one level, and each person was given a third-class sword and halberd medal, as well as gold banknotes, silver coins and other items.

In this way, other meritorious civil and military officials were rewarded in turn.

Then, Xu Huizu, the official in charge of the imperial edict, Li Jinglong, the official in charge of the system, Jian Yi, and Xia Yuanji, the deacons who were participating in the merit-based reward ceremony, all went to the imperial court to resume their duties, and then stepped back and stood in their original positions.

"The rest of the Northern Expedition officers and soldiers will discuss their merits and reward them together."

Zhu Gaoxu glanced at Li Jinglong, Yang Rong and other civil and military officials and loudly said: "The military and political governor of the Shaanxi-Pu Dudu Prefecture, Hou Wugao of Jiangyin County, Wang Gen, the vice president of the Hubu Bank, Guo Ren, the vice president of the Royal Bank, and others have contributed greatly to the coordination of military supplies. Li Jinglong, Duke of Cao State, Bo Quneng of Pingyang County, Yang Rong, the right minister of the Ministry of War, and others for their meritorious service in assisting in military affairs, were all rewarded with 2000 taels of silver yuan, ten pieces of silk and satin, and [-] yuan of gold notes."

"I would like to thank Your Majesty for your kindness. Long live my emperor!"

All the ministers went to worship.

"Now that the grassland has been settled, the monarch and his ministers will work together to protect wealth and honor. I cannot live in peace and forget the danger, and you cannot be arrogant and lazy based on your achievements. However, you must always remember the festival of hard work to protect your reputation. This blessing will be extended to your descendants, and your fame will be spread forever. .”

Zhu Gaoxu looked at the conferred civil and military officials and said loudly: "Everyone is an upright man, and he treats nobles and rewards without any selfish motives. Today, I use the world's wealth to reward the world's merits. Although the gifts are limited, the honors and rewards are endless. However, if I continue to be able to benefit from my public diligence, I will not hesitate to repay you for your kindness."

All the civil and military officials who received the award bowed down together, kowtowed and shouted "long live long live long live long live".

Immediately, they bowed their heads to the ground again, stood up and bowed again, making four obeisances.

After the ceremony, Zhu Gaoxu returned to the Qing Palace, and Prince Zhu Zhanyu returned to the Palace of Spring and Harmony.

Other civil, military and rewarded officials exited Fengtian Hall and walked outside the Meridian Gate.

The rewarded officials placed the official orders and gifts under the temporary colorful pavilion built outside the Meridian Gate, and then the ceremony officials beat gongs and drums to deliver the official orders and gifts to each official's residence.

On the next day, these rewarded officials will have to express their gratitude. The process is the same as the usual expression of gratitude.

(End of this chapter)