Chapter 119: Zhu Di’s Masterpiece – The Three Great Camps

On the sand table, the infantry, musketeers, and cavalry of the Ming Dynasty were painted in three different colors: yellow, black, and red, arranged on the grassland. Behind the left hill of the Ming army formation, there was a hidden unit of white-painted Mongol cavalry.

Suddenly, the white Mongol cavalry dispersed and lined up in a single file along the hill, while the Ming army below remained motionless.

The white cavalry began to appear on the hill and then charged downhill.

At this moment, the Ming army formation began to change. The front-line yellow infantry moved aside, and behind them, the black musketeers took the forefront with their dark cannon muzzles aimed forward. Three rows of musketeers spread out.

Cannons and muskets were fired. Some of the charging cavalry fell, but the remaining riders continued their charge.

When the white cavalry was eighty paces away from the black musketeers, the musketeers withdrew from both wings. At this point, the crossbowmen among the infantry took action, and a barrage of crossbow bolts rained down.

More white cavalry fell.

After a round of synchronized crossbow fire, the crossbowmen quickly retreated to both flanks. Meanwhile, the red cavalry of the Ming army charged out and engaged the remaining white cavalry, who eventually fell on the sand table.

The sand table simulation continued silently.

However, for Zhu Di, Xu Huizhu, and Yao Guangxiao, this simulation was a vivid display of military maneuvers, with the sound of galloping horses, clashing swords, and clattering spears echoing in their minds.

“How is it?” Zhu Di looked at Yao Guangxiao with a somewhat triumphant expression.

Yao Guangxiao nodded solemnly and said, “This formation is unparalleled in the world.”

Xu Huizhu laughed heartily and said, “In that case, let’s start rehearsing the new formation.”

Zhu Di stared at the sand table, his eyes gleaming with determination, and declared, “It’s time. Tomorrow, the Grand Training Grounds will open for training!”

At the Grand Training Grounds, Zhu Di and Xu Huizhu led drills, continuously changing formations, arranging cavalry charges, calculating distances and timings, identifying issues in the application of the military formation, and then making adjustments.

By the end of March, Zhu Di and Xu Huizhu formally submitted a report, announcing to Zhu Yunwen:

The new military formation has been perfected!

Upon receiving this news, Zhu Yunwen immediately summoned Zhu Di, Xu Huizhu, Yao Guangxiao, and Song Sheng.

“Uncle Yan, please explain in detail,” Zhu Yunwen said with a solemn expression, suppressing the excitement in his heart.

Zhu Di stood up and spoke with a resonant voice, “Your Majesty, I have trained the Capital Garrison, integrating various types of troops and tactics. I intend to transform the Capital Garrison into Three Great Camps.”

“Three Great Camps!” Zhu Yunwen clenched his fists in excitement. The renowned Three Great Camps were finally making their mark in history, and the one responsible for their creation was still none other than Zhu Di!

Zhu Di nodded and continued, “The Three Great Camps are divided into the Five Army Camp, the Three Thousand Camp, and the Divine Machination Camp. The Five Army Camps will be the main combat force, consisting of the Central Army, Left Vanguard Army, Left Wing Army, Right Vanguard Army, and Right Wing Army, totaling 150,000 troops. The Three Thousand Camps will consist of elite cavalry, totaling 3,000 soldiers. The Divine Machination Camp, which is the musketeer and artillery unit, will have 3,600 musketeers, 1,000 cavalry, and 400 artillerymen, totaling 5,000 personnel.”

“The capital city alone should have more than 158,000 troops in the Capital garrison, right?” Zhu Yunwen asked with a furrowed brow.

Zhu Di smiled and said, “Your Majesty, after studying historical records, I have found that past dynasties often suffered greatly from relying solely on one military force, risking the state’s foundations in a single battle. Therefore, I discussed with Duke of Wei and decided to establish both primary and secondary Three Great Camps within the capital’s military. The primary Three Great Camps will focus on external warfare to safeguard our borders, while the secondary Three Great Camps will be responsible for defending the capital and provide additional military strength for campaigns.”

“In case the primary Three Great Camps face defeat and an enemy advances towards the capital, we will still have a strong force within the capital, ensuring that we have an army available to defend it. This will help secure the safety of our capital.”

Zhu Yunwen looked at Zhu Di in surprise.

A primary and an secondary Three Great Camps?

Two Three Great Camps?

When did Zhu Di learn about circuit knowledge and understand redundancy backup?

This idea is quite advanced.

Thinking about the historical records of Emperor Yingzong of Ming, Zhu Qizhen, he lost all the elite troops of the Central Three Great Camps at the Tumu Fortress, and Zhu Qizhen himself was taken away by the Oirats during the “Northern Expedition.”

Later, when the Oirats army approached Beijing, it was only due to the effective actions of Yu Qian, combined with the Mongols’ lack of determination for all-out war, that Ming did not repeat the mistakes of the Northern Song Dynasty.

At that time, the most challenging issue for Yu Qian was the lack of troops.

If the historical Zhu Di had indeed created two Three Great Camps, even if the Primary Three Great Camps brought by Zhu Qizhen had been completely wiped out, it would not have been so difficult for Yu Qian to defend Beijing.

“Is there any difference in training between the primary and secondary Three Great Camps? How is the training arranged?” asked Zhu Yunwen.

Zhu Di shook his head slightly and said, “There is not much difference. In terms of daily training, the Five Armies Camp focuses on practicing formations and honing battle tactics. The Three Thousand Camp is responsible for patrolling, reconnaissance, and shock tactics, while the Divine Machine Camp specializes in artillery and musket training.”

After hearing this, Zhu Yunwen nodded repeatedly and asked, “How will they be deployed during wartime?”

Zhu Di confidently replied, “Your Majesty, during wartime, the commander’s guard unit will be in the center, and the Five Armies Camp will be deployed in different positions, with infantry on the inside and cavalry on the outside. The Three Thousand Camp and the Divine Machine Camp will be on the outside, forming a long encirclement. If there is any enemy activity, the musketeers will take the front, followed by cavalry, and then infantry.”

“How about the training for the new battle formations?” Zhu Yunwen looked at Yao Guangxiao and Xu Huizu.

Xu Huizu nodded repeatedly and said earnestly, “Your Majesty, this battle formation is perfectly matched. It can make up for the lack of cavalry and enhance the strengths of our infantry. When facing the Tatars and Oirats, we can compete on equal terms!”

Yao Guangxiao echoed, “Although the Three Great Camps are prepared for large-scale warfare, they are incredibly versatile in changing formations. They can be used for skirmishes, disperse attacks, and exhibit great flexibility. They should be implemented in the Capital garrison.”

Seeing the unanimous approval of Xu Huizu and Yao Guangxiao for the Three Great Camps, Zhu Yunwen nodded and said to Zhu Di, “In that case, we will follow uncle yan suggestion, split the capital garrison into two and establish the primary and secondary Three Great Camps. The Grand Training Ground will be designated as the training ground for the primary Three Great Camps, and the Small Training Ground will be for the secondary Three Great Camps. Is there anything else?”

Zhu Di respectfully replied, “Your Majesty, for the primary and secondary Three Great Camps, we should gather the finest troops from all over the country. I humbly request Your Majesty’s permission to transfer elite forces from regional garrisons and border troops to fill the ranks of the Three Great Camps.”

Zhu Yunzhe understood that pulling elite troops from local garrisons was the most effective way to strengthen the camps, but it would be detrimental to the border regions.

“Regional garrisons should not be hastily transferred to the capital for now. Instead, let’s order Ping An to select 30,000 elite troops from the Beiping Garrison. Then, command the King of Liao to send 2,000 Duoyan Three Guards to reinforce the Beijing garrison. In this way, the Beijing garrison will need to reduce its forces by 30,000 soldiers.”

Zhu Yunzwen spoke solemnly.

Zhu Di and Xu Huizu took a deep breath.

Reduce the troops by another 30,000?

This was no small matter, especially since these soldiers were deeply attracted by the new army policy, and no one wanted to leave the capital garrison easily.

Zhu Yunwen’s gaze hardened, and he said firmly, “Maintaining a garrison of 300,000 troops in the capital is already a heavy burden. We cannot increase the number of troops. I know it’s difficult for all of you, but it’s even more difficult for the people of Ming. Let it be done. Implement the elimination system. Those who lag behind will leave the capital garrison!”

His words were resolute and left no room for refusal.

The elimination system meant that soldiers in the capital garrison would be assessed, and those who performed poorly would be required to leave the garrison and return to civilian life.

For all the soldiers under the new army policy, this was a cruel measure, but it was also a tool to motivate them.

Only by instilling a sense of crisis in all the soldiers could they be encouraged to train autonomously, cooperate with training, and develop a strong sense of honor and duty.

“We obey, Your Majesty,” Zhu Di and Xu Huizu replied solemnly.

Just as Zhu Di and the others were leaving the palace, Qiu Fu hurriedly found Zhu Di and whispered, “Your Highness, there is trouble in Beiping.”

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