Chapter Nine: Training the New Army (Part One)

Wei Zhongxian and Sun Chuanjing withdrew together. Outside the door, Wei Zhongxian said, "Imperial Envoy Sun, you have worked hard. As for the matter of the Beijing garrison, I await your instructions on how to proceed."

Sun Chuanjing was startled, fearing he had offended him, but seeing Wei's demeanor, it didn’t seem so. He hurriedly saluted, "Director, you overstate things. We all serve His Majesty; I dare not claim hardship. It is you, overseeing the Eastern Depot and attending to the Emperor, who truly bear the burden."

Wei Zhongxian's smile lifted his brows. "I am a servant in the Emperor's household; loyalty is my duty. Please, Imperial Envoy, let us discuss the details together." He thought to himself, this person is promising—worth cultivating a good relationship. Thus, the first collaboration between the eunuch in power and the butcher began amidst laughter and conversation.

Five days later, a total of thirty-three thousand soldiers were returned to the Beijing garrison. Wei Zhongxian apprehended five chief eunuchs, and—starting with Wang Tao—locked up twenty-three officers in prison, demanding they return all embezzled pay from over the years. He did not arrest any nobles, but he had Zhang Yougong, Zhang Youde, and Zhang Youye castrated. Sun Chuanjing and Lu Qin sifted through all the soldiers, dismissing all the unfit and elderly, ultimately securing twenty-three thousand able-bodied men, revealing that most of the privately used troops were the healthiest.

The two reported their findings. Zhu Youjiao asked, "Why were the three members of the Zhang family castrated?"

Wei Zhongxian recalled that the Emperor himself had said he wanted them to become 'Zhang Nothing,' wondering if he had misunderstood. He replied, "These three showed no respect for military discipline and were excessively unruly. Without such a severe punishment, those who follow would not be properly warned."

"Oh, let it go this time, but do not execute such punishments arbitrarily in the future. How much was given to each dismissed soldier?"

Sun Chuanjing replied, "By your graciousness, each received two taels of silver."

Zhu Youjiao laughed, "Two taels considered gracious? These men have toiled for years; to send them off with two taels makes me seem too heartless! Issue my decree: take the funds from the officers' returned pay, give twenty taels to each, make the announcement widely known, deliver it to every soldier. The Eastern Depot will supervise; if anyone tries to take extra, their hand shall be severed."

"As for the twenty-three thousand able-bodied selected, let Lu, the battalion commander, and Zhou, the company commander, lead them for now. Lu Qin is promoted to assistant general, Zhou Yuji to battalion commander. First, eliminate those who are cunning or physically unfit, then begin training."

"Your Majesty, I have just been promoted to assistant general and fear I cannot command so many troops. Please select another worthy person; I am willing to assist in the training."

Lu Qin had only just been promoted. To expect him to command so many soldiers was indeed difficult. Whom should they find? They needed someone both capable and trustworthy, a rare combination. After some thought, two names came to mind.

"I decree: Yang Guangkui, son of the Captain of the Imperial Guards, is promoted to commander of the Beijing garrison, overseeing all training. Yang Guanggao and Lu Qin will assist in the garrison’s affairs, Zhou Yuji in military regulations, all working together under the commander."

The Yang brothers were summoned and instructed, "Your task is solely to train troops. Following the New Treatise on Military Effectiveness will suffice. Yang Guanggao, you will assist in military discipline. First, ensure every soldier can recite and understand the regulations, and also make them realize why they fight. The treatise contains detailed guidance—follow it closely. Lu Qin, you will focus on combat effectiveness. Have all troops train first with short spears—even the original Shenji battalion will do so. I have arranged for the Bureau of Weapons to prepare them. As for spear techniques, I have a subordinate proficient in them who will serve as instructor. Once he says the soldiers have mastered the short spear, move on to training with muskets. Each must be proficient in both weapons. Zhou Yuji, you are responsible for drafting the drill manual: specify how everyone should act, march, train, respond to incidents, even eat and use the latrines—there must be protocols for everything. This is crucial; you must be diligent. I will review the troops after some time and hope you will not disappoint me."

The four bowed in unison. Zhu Youjiao summoned Huiming. "Master, you have said your spear technique is suited for the battlefield. I appoint you chief instructor of the Beijing garrison, tasked only with teaching spear thrusts—nothing else. Please also write to Shaolin Temple and invite their masters skilled in combat to serve as instructors here."

Huiming clasped his hands, saluted, and went to draft the invitation. He then accompanied Commander Yang to the barracks.

As for Sun Chuanjing's assignment, the story in The Ming Disaster seems to take place in Shaanxi, and Li Zicheng and his followers also rose there. This region requires close attention. Zhu Youjiao consulted Xu Guangqi, learning that the poorest area in Shaanxi was Yan’an Prefecture. Thus, the Emperor decreed: Sun Chuanjing is promoted to Prefect of Yan’an. Since Sun had served as imperial envoy and as assistant minister in the Ministry of War, the appointment was unproblematic.

Upon taking leave, Zhu Youjiao gave Sun Chuanjing personal instructions: "Sun, your main task in Shaanxi is to reorganize the military farms and promote high-yield crops. If within three years you can have sweet potatoes and potatoes planted throughout Yan’an, the grain shortage across Shaanxi will be solved. I do not care what methods you use, only that you secure sufficient troops and produce enough food to supply the army. The Imperial Garden Bureau will provide you with some experienced farmers and their planting manuals. One cannot know everything, so make good use of these people and resources, give them favorable conditions, and do not interfere in their affairs. I expect a prosperous Yan’an, and even more so a prosperous Shaanxi. I hope you will not let me down."

Sun Chuanjing understood perfectly and knelt, promising to make Yan’an the wealthiest prefecture in Shaanxi within three years, as a token of gratitude for the Emperor’s favor.

Zhu Youjiao ordered Wang Tiqian to escort Sun Chuanjing to the Imperial Garden Bureau to select technical staff. Sun carefully reviewed the bureau's regulations and the yields for sweet potatoes and potatoes, then had Wang Tiqian help pick several experienced farmers. He also requested that a few of the bureau's young eunuchs who drafted regulations be chosen. The farmers were easy enough, but Wang Tiqian had no authority over eunuchs and returned to seek the Emperor's instructions.

Zhu Youjiao laughed when he heard, "It seems Sun Chuanjing is a practical man, which reassures me. Select a few young eunuchs to be stationed in Yan’an as inspectors. Sun should have someone learn from them and then send them back. Go ahead and arrange it—I have other matters to discuss with you."

Zhu Youjiao picked up a memorial on his desk and sighed. It was from Xu Guangqi, who had exercised restraint, recommending only Li Zhizao and Yang Tingyun—both versatile talents, though lacking in military expertise. Talented people are rare, especially military experts. One cannot always have civil officials lead troops; if so, changing the hierarchy of civil over military will never be easy.