Chapter 38: The Emperor and Military Power!

Just as he was thinking this, Wang Xiantong also produced a booklet.

"Your Highness the Crown Prince, this is the ledger for the Chief Military Commission of the Front Army, which I have brought with me."

"In accordance with your instructions, I have discharged a number of the old, weak, sick, and disabled upon my return."

"At present, the actual strength of the Chief Military Commission of the Front Army stands at 6,300 men, 1,200 horses, 650 muskets, 50 cannons, and all other supplies as listed here."

Ma Bao then handed Wang Xiantong's booklet to Zhu Cilang. After reviewing it, Zhu Cilang’s expression remained largely unchanged, as these figures were roughly what he had anticipated.

In short, the situation was dire. If the Front Army was in such a state, the other four Chief Military Commissions were likely in even worse condition. It seemed that reforming the military system was imperative. He wondered when Li Banghua would arrive; the success of the reform rested on his shoulders.

"By the way, Your Highness," Li Guozhen said suddenly, sounding somewhat hesitant.

Zhu Cilang glanced at him and chuckled lightly. "You are all my loyal subjects who have supported my rise. Speak your mind freely; I shall not hold any of your words against you."

Li Guozhen then spoke: "Starting yesterday, the Ministry of War has sent two groups to the Capital Garrison, claiming they wish to inspect our troop numbers and armaments. Without your orders, I dared not grant them access and have kept the gates closed."

"However, as time drags on, I fear something might go wrong, and I wanted to ask how you would like me to proceed."

Upon hearing this, Wang Xiantong quickly added, "Your Highness, the situation at the Chief Military Commission of the Front Army is the same. I, too, have denied them entry. But if this continues, the Ministry of War will surely grow suspicious. I await your instructions."

Zhu Cilang fell into deep thought. The military structure of the Ming Dynasty was unique, featuring both the Ministry of War and the Five Chief Military Commissions. While the Ministry of War had existed since ancient times, the Five Chief Military Commissions were an original creation of Zhu Yuanzhang, intended to weaken and disperse the Ministry's military authority.

The two systems coexisted and checked one another without conflict, as Zhu Yuanzhang had meticulously delineated their powers. The Ministry of War held authority over the deployment, appointment, promotion, demotion, and training of troops, but it lacked the power to command them in battle. Conversely, the Five Chief Military Commissions were responsible for leading troops in combat, managing military colonies, maintaining registers, and recommending generals, but they lacked the authority to mobilize armies.

The standard procedure for troop mobilization was: the Emperor would decide to mobilize, inform the Grand Secretariat, and issue an imperial decree to the Directorate of Imperial Horses. During this era, the Grand Secretariat dared not interfere with the Emperor's will; if the Emperor said to mobilize, they would certainly comply. Upon receiving the decree, the Directorate of Imperial Horses would take the decree, the tally, and other tokens to the Ministry of War. Once the Ministry of War verified the documents, they would prepare the logistics and provisions before handing the troops over to the Five Chief Military Commissions. Finally, once the Commissions had completed preparations, the army could set out. After the campaign, the generals would return the tallies and military authority, and the troops would return to their posts.

The process was seamless and unimpeded. Although cumbersome, it ensured that military power remained firmly in the Emperor's hands. Without the Emperor's consent, neither the Grand Secretariat, the Directorate of Imperial Horses, the Ministry of War, nor the Five Chief Military Commissions could move a single soldier. This was the supreme command held by the Emperor.

This system was indeed perfect. At least until the reign of the "Gate-Calling Emperor," Zhu Qizhen, the military power of the Ming Dynasty remained firmly under the Emperor's control, as seen under rulers like Zhu Yuanzhang, Zhu Di, Zhu Gaochi, and Zhu Zhanji.

The Tumu Crisis finally shattered this system. Zhu Qizhen led an army of 200,000 to campaign against the Oirat, only for the entire force to be wiped out and for him to be taken prisoner. This disastrous blunder decimated the Ming's military strength. Furthermore, the veteran nobles of the Five Chief Military Commissions all perished in battle, and their successors were too young to grasp the reins of power.

When the defense of the capital began, the Vice Minister of War, Yu Qian, turned the tide and saved the dynasty. The civil officials seized the opportunity to use Yu Qian and the Ministry of War to consolidate military power. It was then that the Five Chief Military Commissions became a mere shell of their former selves. The balance was broken, and the Ministry of War became dominant, controlling not only the nation's armies but also the Capital Garrison and the Five Chief Military Commissions. From that point on, civil officials held the military power of the Ming Dynasty.

Subsequent emperors could no longer exercise supreme command; every time they wished to mobilize troops, they had to negotiate with the Grand Secretariat and the Ministry of War. This was a world of difference from the past, when the Emperor could communicate directly with the military. Post-Tumu, the Emperor had to have his orders passed through the labyrinthine bureaucracy of civil officials.

The Emperor had lost supreme command. It wasn't until the reign of the Ming Wuzong, Zhu Houzhao, that this changed. Unable to tolerate the civil officials' interference, Zhu Houzhao empowered his eunuchs, fostering the "Eight Tigers" to contend with the officials in court. He built the Leopard Quarter, where he spent his days working and indulging in pleasures, refusing to interact with the civil officials. This series of actions cultivated an image of a frivolous and hedonistic ruler, causing everyone to let their guard down.

Then, Zhu Houzhao self-styled himself as "Generalissimo of Martial Might," Zhu Shou, and used this identity to rush to the frontiers, seizing control of the nine border armies with lightning speed. By the time the court officials realized what had happened, Zhu Houzhao had already defeated the Mongol prince. From that moment, the frontier armies recognized Zhu Houzhao's prowess, further consolidating his power. He went even further, using the border troops to form the Emperor's personal guard. These troops, having fought alongside him, obeyed only his orders; they treated the commands of the Grand Secretariat and the Ministry of War as nothing.

Thus, Zhu Houzhao regained supreme command. Wherever he pointed on the map, his armies would strike, unhindered by anyone. Yet, no one expected that such a formidable monarch would perish from a simple drowning accident. After his death, military power returned to the Ministry of War, as if nothing had ever happened.