The Rise of Ming Dynasty 1646

Chapter 690
For the next half a month or so, Zhu Linmi shuttled between Changchun Palace and Yikun Palace in this way, enjoying the blessings of Qiren "without shame".

Of course, the Jianlu who had invaded Southern Zhili had not yet been completely wiped out, and the rebel army of King Jincai of Huguang did not stop.

At the same time, it is an established national policy to launch the Northern Expedition and arrive in Beijing, and the time is tight and the task is heavy.

Therefore, even if Zhu Linmi was on her way to inspect the Longjiang shipyard, she would not be free for a moment. There were several military officials sitting in the imperial chariot, and other courtiers were waiting outside.

He flipped through the memorial that had just been handed over.The first is the cabinet report on the matter of the Tang King and the Tang Taiwang Concubine leaving Beijing to take up the feudal domain - a few days ago, the Empress Dowager Zeng had formally invited her to take the title of Empress Dowager, and follow her son to become the Taiwang Concubine.There were very few officials who saw Zhu Linyuan off, but the Ministry of War specially dispatched a thousand Polu battalions to escort them along the way, so safety was assured.

The next one was the resignation form delivered by Huang Daozhou, still saying that he was old and wanted to return to his hometown to provide for the elderly.Zhu Linmei recalled that this was Huang Ge's fifth resignation request, and he had rejected it the previous four times, so the face that should be given is already enough.

Zhu Linming then drew up a pen to write instructions, allowing Huang Daozhou to return to his hometown when he was old, and Yang Tinglin was promoted to the first assistant of the cabinet, and concurrently served as Minister of the Ministry of Officials, and Zhang Canghai was transferred to the post of Minister of the Ministry of Households temporarily.

Who is the right servant of the household department?He was thinking about it, but he heard Zhang Jiayu cough lightly from across the road, and then he remembered the people in the car, so he put away the memorial, smiled and raised his head and said, "Ah, Yuan Zi just wanted to talk about the preparations for the Northern Expedition. ?”

Zhang Jiayu bowed respectfully and said: "Return to the emperor, General Yu sent someone from Jian'an to send back the news last night that the [-] recruits from the Infantry Academy have completed their selection, and they can leave for Nanzhi today."

Zhu Linmei nodded and said, "Including the [-] Longnan recruits who left a few days ago, it's enough to make up for the reduction in Xi Mingshan's first battle."

Although it is said that they are recruits from Jian'an and Longnan, in fact, the source of soldiers comes from all corners of the country.

The Dragon Guard Army and the Polu Camp achieved a great reputation through a series of great victories, coupled with the unremitting publicity of the Propaganda Department, the status of the Ming Army in the hearts of the people has been unprecedentedly improved.A large number of young people from all over the country gathered in Longnan and Jianchang to apply for military academies.

The admission standards for military academies are now several times stricter than before. The two military academies are only planning to enroll 5000 students every six months.

A few days ago, based on this situation, Zhu Linmei shortened the service period of the Daming Field Army to three and a half years—there are enough recruits, so it is natural to be more sympathetic to the veterans who have made great contributions to the country.Of course, excellent soldiers who voluntarily continue to serve will also be paid better and continue to stay.

Zhang Jiayu continued: "Your Majesty, there are also a large number of military students who have not been selected to join the Ministry of War, requesting to join the army in advance, so as to fully drive out the ambitions."

Zhu Linming asked, "They should still be graduating in a year, right?"

"Back to the emperor, half a year at the earliest, more than a year at the slowest." Zhang Jiayu paused, and then said, "However, according to what General Yu said, most of these recruits have completed all the drills and are worthy of use."

Zhu Linmi didn't know that the Dragon Guards and Poluying were like heavenly soldiers and generals in the hearts of these military students.In order to be able to put on that heroic military uniform, they all trained with all their might. If one of the two years of training subjects hadn't finished one year, they would be ashamed to say hello to others.

He considered for a moment, and then ordered: "In this case, then gradually expand the field army quota. Recruit 4000 new recruits every month. Until the three battalions of the field army increase by [-] each."

The first and second battalions of the Field Army are the Dragon Guard Army and the Polu Battalion. After such an expansion, the total number of troops will reach 4.And the third battalion, that is, the white pole army, will expand to 3000 people.The overall combat capability will be greatly improved.

In fact, if it was just the Northern Expedition to regain Beijing, or even wipe out Liaodong, the size of the current field army would be basically sufficient. After all, there are still a large number of garrisons from various places that can be called.

However, Zhu Linming's eyes had already turned to the vast Mongolian grasslands and even Siberia.If these places are not taken down, they will all become Daming's henchmen's troubles in the future.

He continued: "Don't be impatient about expanding the army. The quality of the soldiers must be strictly controlled, and shortages are better than excesses."

"Yes, I will keep it in mind."

After Zhang Jiayu finished speaking, Ying Tianxiang, the logistics supervisor at the side, cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, [-]% of the food and grass needed for the Northern Expedition have been dispatched from various places, and it is estimated that they will arrive at Dacang in Zhenjiang within a month."

Zhu Linming knew that this batch of grain and grass was prepared for the follow-up operations. There were nearly [-] shi of unused grain in Nanjing, which was enough for the early stage of the Northern Expedition.

He asked the logistics department to prepare more than four months' worth of grain and grass in advance.

"How much money did you spend, and is it difficult to buy food?"

Ying Tianxiang hurriedly said: "Back to the emperor, a total of 19 taels of silver has been withdrawn from the treasury. The logistics department has sent special personnel to the three merchants responsible for transporting grain and grass to supervise. According to their reports, there is sufficient food in the local area, and the price of rice is more than two Below two taels of silver, potatoes and sweet potatoes only cost four taels of silver.”

Zhu Linmei nodded secretly, which was basically consistent with the situation reported in the Huangzhuang newspaper.

Due to the promotion of the Huangzhuang contract system and the large-scale planting of potatoes and sweet potatoes, the grain output of Ming Dynasty has increased significantly after the autumn harvest last year, and it is easy to support the [-] to [-] Ming troops.

It is foreseeable that when potatoes and sweet potatoes are planted in Huguang, Nanzhili and other places, the grain production will be at least double that of previous years!And with the increase in food production, it is bound to bring about a strong population explosion.In this era, population is an important part of national power.

Ying Tianxiang continued: "Your Majesty, in addition, the logistics department's own supply convoy has been completed, equipped with more than a hundred four-wheeled cloud carts, and the methods of collecting and transporting grain are learned from several other merchants. In three days, we will go to Guangxin, Chuzhou and other places purchased the first batch of rice."

"Okay, the logistics department is very fast and decisive." Zhu Linmei praised.At the end of last year, he mentioned to Ying Tianxiang the "reform of commercialization of logistics", but he didn't expect to see it so soon.

The so-called "reform of commercialization" is actually the "socialization of logistics" of later generations. He modified it according to the situation of Ming Dynasty and gave it to Ying Tianxiang.The Logistics Department began to form a fleet, and operated it commercially. When there was no military mission, they could even do business among the civilian population.This can not only greatly improve logistics efficiency and save expenses, but even make the logistics department itself profitable.This is one of the important reform measures for the modern army of later generations.

"The emperor praised it absurdly."

While Ying Tianxiang was talking, the imperial chariot had already stopped.Shi Lin reported from outside the car: "Your Majesty, the Longjiang shipyard has arrived."

Zhu Lin got out of the carriage, looked up, and saw a huge shipyard with a radius of several tens of miles to the north. In the factory, the flags of the sun and the moon were flying everywhere, and the craftsmen shuttled back and forth like busy ants. It was a scene of enthusiasm.

(End of this chapter)