A small soldier of the frontier army in the late Ming Dynasty

Chapter 460 The Emperor's Military Parade
Old White Bull: I suddenly found out that it is New Year's Day. Happy New Year everyone.
……
On the same day, and the next morning, the Jingbian army in Laishui transported the artillery and food and grass placed there to the capital to join the army. For this reason, they mobilized a large number of civilians.
At noon on the 25th, it was time for the emperor to hold a grand banquet for the generals. Wang Dou, Yang Guozhu, and Wang Pu all dressed up carefully, put on armor, carried bows and arrows and sabers, and tied red cloaks.Wang Pu asked himself over and over again if there were any omissions, obviously nervous.
Both Wang Dou and Yang Guozhu had face-to-face encounters, so of course they would not be as anxious as Wang Pu. At the beginning of noon, people from the palace came, and the three of Xuan Wangdou entered the capital. They entered the capital from Deshengmen, accompanied by the guards.
From Deshengmen Street all the way to the front of Bei'anmen in the imperial city, the streets and alleys were full of crowds of onlookers.They all cheered for Wang Dou and the three of them, and the voices of the dense generals who conquered the captives were endless. The people in the capital are full of enthusiasm.
When they arrived outside the imperial city, the guards of the three generals stayed outside and were entertained by special personnel, but they were not allowed to enter the imperial city.
The three followed the eunuch leading the way into the imperial city, but turned around and came to the Chengtianmen (later Tiananmen) in the south of the Forbidden City, and entered the palace city from there.According to the emperor's special decree, the three generals can ride horses in the Miyagi Corridor Square, but of course they can't do it in front of the main hall.
At this time, there were many civil and military officials attending the banquet, and dazzling ramie silk dresses gathered on the square of Huangji Hall (formerly Fengtian Hall).The acquaintances kept greeting Wang Dou and the others, and then entered the Huangji Hall one after another.Wang Dou and the others wanted the emperor to issue an edict to summon them, and Fang entered the hall under the eyes of all the people.
Here, Wang Dou met the great eunuch Wang Chengen, Zhang Ruoqi from the Ministry of War, Ma Shaoyu and others, all of whom were the supervisors of this army.
Wang Cheng'en mainly supervises the food and pay, checks the merits and demerits, while Zhang Ruoqi and others praise the painting strategy, supervise and promote the army, all of them have great power, so they have to feast and act grandly.
Fu Yingchong, the deputy general of the Shenji Battalion, also came. He was wearing a cloud-wing helmet, a long body armor, and arms, all in the style of Ming armor.With a bow and arrows on his back, the nail leaves seem to have been newly painted. Under the sun, the light can be seen. He looks excited, and his thin face is full of high spirits.
When everyone met each other, they couldn't help exchanging greetings. The great eunuch Wang Cheng'en with a deep expression smiled at Wang Dou and said, "Uncle Zhongyong, we will see each other again after we bid farewell to Xiangyang."
Fu Yingchong joked and joked. In his words, he flattered Wang Dou and Wang Cheng'en, but there was a faint arrogance towards others.
At this time, all the officials have entered the Huangji Hall, and only the dense Jinwu guards and the band dancers of the Jiaofang Division are left outside the hall.There are also officials below the fifth grade, and their wine and food tables are located in the east and west corridors of the main hall.
At the end of noon, the emperor drove from Youshun Gate to Fengtian Gate Danbi, Wang Dou and others immediately heard the great music in the hall and the sound of whips.
I also listened to the praise and worship of the officials and leaders of Honglu Temple, and then the dancers from the Jiaofang Division entered one after another. Play a song of gratitude to the emperor.
After a few wines, the dancing and music stopped in the hall, Fu Yingchong whispered to Wang Dou: "It's our time."
Sure enough, not long after, the martial arts masterpiece, the Jiaofang Division played the song of calming the world, and waves of voices came out of the hall: "The emperor has a decree, Xuan Zongbing Yang Guozhu, Wang Dou, Wang Pu..., the supervisor Wang Chengen, everyone! Enter the palace."
Wang Dou and the others straightened their armor and boldly entered the Huangji Hall from the steps.
As soon as he entered the main hall, he saw countless gazes. When Wang Dou swept his eyes, he saw that the majestic main hall was neatly filled with a banquet table, with wine utensils and tableware on it, and all civil and military officials sat on the side. The person did not squint, and only glanced at Wang Dou and the others from the corner of his eye.
On both sides of the main hall, there are densely arranged musical instruments such as Hui, Huo, Sheng, Chi and so on, and there are many musicians from the teaching workshop dedicated to playing music.
The grand banquet of the imperial court was indeed a mighty purge.
Emperor Chongzhen was on top of the imperial banquet, and when he saw the generals coming in, he couldn't help turning his eyes over, especially Wang Dou.
In the Wuqu, Wang Dou and others shouted long live three times under the official praise of Honglu Temple, and the Emperor Chongzhen said: "Please stand up, please, and let me sit down."
Wang Dou and others, under the guidance of the internal officials, sat down in front of their own desks, left and right, all of them were the desks closest to the emperor. Sure enough, the banquet was grand, and the treatment was different.
At this time, 32 dancers entered the hall. They all held the trunk with their left hands and held their relatives with their right hands. They were divided into four rows, with eight people in each row.Under the imprint of the movement, the dance moves forward and vigorously, sitting in the shape of attacking stabs, and there are two dancers holding banners to attract them, performing a dance to calm the world.
Le Zhi, Emperor Chongzhen said loudly: "The king's division set out to set off in Liaodong in the north. Now there are loyal and brave Bo Wang Dou, general Yang Guozhu, Wang Pu, and deputy general Fu Yingchong. They are loyal and brave. , nothing to worry about."
He raised the imperial cup: "All the lords and generals, please drink up this cup and congratulate me."
Headed by the chief assistant of the cabinet, Fan Fucui, everyone stood up and said loudly: "Congratulations to me."
All in one gulp.
Emperor Chongzhen drank the wine, and under the excitement, red tides appeared on his pale face. At this time, Jiaofangsi knelt down and played the dance of comforting the Siyi. Sixteen dancers from the Jiaofangsi entered the hall. Ren, four from Nanman, four from Beidi, and two dancers, held up a banner to attract them.
During the dance, a magnificent movement sounded: "Little General, Daming Lord. Ding Yuhuan, Sheng Enkuan, in charge of the country. East captives Xirong, North Di Nanman. Holding hands high, treasure plate, joy in front of the palace. Wuyun palace towers Lian Xiaohan, The golden light shines on the eyes. The sound of the golden water in the Yugou is gurgling, looking down at the fontanel, and looking at it. Yiluan is solemn and majestic, and the heart is frightening... My emperor Wanshou, pass the door, Ding Yuhuan, Ding Yuhuan. Palm Jiangshan, Caress the barbarians, sing, worship and dance in praise, for thousands of years, the emperor's career will be safe!"
During the dance music, Emperor Chongzhen kept nodding his head, fascinated, obviously imagining the grand occasion of the Ming Dynasty being revived in his own hands, the emperor's career in Jiangshan for thousands of years, and the grand occasion of comforting the Siyi.
After the dance was over and the music stopped, Emperor Chongzhen laughed loudly, glanced at Wang Dou and the others, and said loudly: "Come here, take the golden bowl, and I will personally give it to the generals who are going to conquer."
The internal officials brought four golden bowls, and Emperor Chongzhen personally poured wine into each golden bowl. Wang Dou, Yang Guozhu, Wang Pu, and Fu Yingchong came out to take the imperial bowls one by one and held them up high.
Emperor Chongzhen looked at the four generals wearing armor and carrying bows and arrows, especially Wang Dou's face, his eyes were full of expectation, and he said: "The battle of Jinzhou is related to the fate of the country. , this is the battle. I hope that all the generals will be loyal and do not disappoint me."
Wang Dou said in a deep voice: "I am afraid, and I will definitely live up to the emperor's kindness."
Yang Guozhu said in a deep voice, "I will serve the country with a death battle!"
Wang Pudao: "I will do my best, be loyal, and kill the thieves bravely."
Fu Yingchong, deputy general of Shenji Battalion, said loudly: "I only have the emperor in my heart, as long as the emperor gives an order, I will dare to fight like mountains of swords and seas of fire!"
Emperor Chongzhen said with relief: "Okay, I will feel at ease when all the generals say this."
The four Wang Dou each gave three bowls of imperial wine and a golden bowl.
Seeing such honors, all the officials in the palace secretly envied, Wang Pu and Fu Yingchong stroked the golden bowl, and laughed so hard that their teeth could not see their eyes.
Afterwards, the atmosphere in the hall was warm. Headed by the cabinet officials, there were constant voices of congratulations, and Emperor Chongzhen also happily accepted the continuous toasts from all the officials.
At the ninth juejiu, the Secretary of Jiaofang knelt down and played the song of driving the six dragons, and the feast was completed.Guanglu officials withdrew from the imperial case, and all the officials attended the North Xiangli, bowed four times, blew the whip, and rejoiced. Emperor Chongzhen drove out, followed by all the officials.
However, Wang Dou and others did not leave the palace, because Emperor Chongzhen issued another decree to summon the supervising army and all the generals to have a small banquet in Xiyuan.
……
Wang Dou and other generals, under the guidance of the inner officer, changed into casual clothes in a side hall. Wang Dou put on his python robe, and then the inner officer led them to Cuihua Garden.
At this time, the eunuch Wang Cheng'en, Zhang Ruoqi from the Ministry of War, Ma Shaoyu and others arrived early, and Chen Xinjia, Minister of the Ministry of War, accompanied Emperor Chongzhen.
Emperor Chongzhen also changed to the emperor's regular uniform, with a coiled collar, narrow sleeves, embroidered gold dragon patterns on the front, back and shoulders, and a winged crown.He is now in his 30s, but he looks like 51 or [-], with gray temples and abnormal paleness on his face.But at this time, his expression was excited, and there was some blood on his face.
There are also some seats in the garden, and each table has four kinds of side dishes, brown rice, even on the emperor's desk.
Wang Pu, Fu Yingchong, Zhang Ruoqi and others all had choked-up expressions on their faces, even saying that the emperor is frugal, treating him so badly, and seeing his subordinates feel like a knife cut his heart.
It seems that they may not have the elements of acting, only Wang Chengen's face is full of regret.
Wang Dou knew that Wang Chengen's feelings for Emperor Chongzhen were very unusual. Emperor Chongzhen might not have the feeling of his father and brother towards Wang Chengen subconsciously.
Facing the emperor's frugality, Wang Dou sighed inwardly, the king of a country, to live such a life, although Wang Dou can live in poverty and rich, but he can enjoy it, he will never treat himself badly.
Seeing everyone's expressions, Emperor Chongzhen just waved his hand: "The finances are beyond our means, and if I don't take the lead in frugality, how can the country turn around?"
He looked at Wang Dou, and said with a smile: "Bo Zhongyong Bo Zhi's army is very good at fighting, and I heard that there is also a way to make money. I wonder if you can teach me?"
Everyone laughed, Wang Dou pondered for a while, then picked up a steamed bun and said, "The humble minister will show his shame."
Just as he taught his son at that time, he pinched a small piece and kept most of it in his hand, saying: "Ninety percent of my Ming's financial resources are big gentry, big army leaders, big officials, big businessmen, royal families, nobles, etc." Waiting for possession, the country is very kind, the tax they pay is this..."
Holding up the small piece of steamed bun, he signaled to everyone.
Seeing the excitement on everyone's faces, he smiled again, and said, "The rest of the poor and small households of Daming, they account for the largest number of people, this is it."
Holding the big piece of steamed bun in his hand.
Then said: "The financial resources they occupy are this."
He held up the small piece of steamed bun again, making everyone cough uncontrollably.
Emperor Chongzhen sighed, he was a very smart person, if he was born in a peaceful and prosperous age, even Emperor Jiajing might not be able to beat him, so how could he not know what Wang Dou meant?
However, Emperor Chongzhen decided to be a sage king, and who would support the sage king, the literati.
Who is in the hands of the state's finances?Most of them are literati, collect taxes from them?Now I am afraid that Emperor Gao will be alive.With the ability of showing the emperor back then, he had to stop the tax envoys in the end, and he was brought up to speak out year after year.
That's right, the people above who account for [-]% of the financial resources are so powerful. With Wang Dou's unscrupulousness, now they dare not pay grain and taxes to the gentry on the East Road.
Not to mention anything else, everyone here, can you receive money from Chen Xinjia, Wang Pu, and Fu Yingchong?
In fact, Wang Dou thinks that there is a great saving of money, that is, the weak Guanning defense line, if it is exhausted, it will be shrunk to Shanhaiguan, and I don’t know how much money it can save in a year.In the first year of Chongzhen, the military expenditure of Jiliao was 600 million taels a year, which was reduced to 480 million taels in the second year of Chongzhen. This amount is still extremely huge.
However, it is impossible to stop Guan Ning's line of defense. Surrounding Guan Ning, how big an interest group is there?From the local to the central, there are benefits from sharing.If everything is done, there will be chaos in Ningqian, and the Guan Ning army is very likely to surrender to the Qing Dynasty, which will be even more catastrophic, just like Kong Youde's investment in gold back then.
In the end, Emperor Chongzhen sighed and didn't talk about it.

(End of this chapter)