As a powerful dynasty in Chinese history, the construction and use of military power of the Ming Dynasty largely determined the security of the country and the stability of its frontiers. The elite strength of the Ming army, especially the three battalions and the Duoyan Sanwei, was not only a symbol of the imperial military strength, but also a concentrated embodiment of the Ming army's combat effectiveness.
First of all, the three of the Ming Dynasty
First of all, the three major battalions of the Ming Dynasty were the most elite units in the Beijing army. According to 1, the Beijing army is composed of two parts: the Beijing camp and the pro-army, of which the Beijing camp is the defense army and the main mobile army of the Ming Dynasty's Beijing division, and the pro-army is the emperor's guard army and the imperial city guard. In the early Ming Dynasty, the Beijing camp was 48 guards, about 200,000 people, and was later led by the Governor's Office of the Five Armies to defend the Beijing Division. After Chengzu moved the capital to Beijing, the Beijing camp increased to 72 guards and more than 300,000 people, plus the garrisons of the eight provinces in Jin, and the Beijing division and its peripheral troops reached 600,000. The 3,000 battalions in the Beijing camp were initially composed of soldiers from outside the border, and later expanded to tens of thousands, divided into five divisions, with the responsibility of guarding the emperor, transmitting orders, and supervising the battle, and were the elite of the Beijing camp.
Further, according to 3, the three major battalions of the Ming army specifically include the five military battalions, the three thousand battalions and the Shenji battalion. The Fifth Army Battalion was a mixture of cavalry and infantry, composed of elite troops transferred from the local area, and served as the main force of the attack. The 3,000 battalion, mainly composed of surrendered Mongol cavalry, was the most formidable cavalry force of the Ming army, mainly playing a shock role in the war. The Shenji Battalion was a special unit in charge of firearms in the Ming army, using artillery and guns, and later adding arquebuses to form a strong fire support. The establishment and equipment of these troops reflected the advanced military technology and the diversity of tactics of the Ming Dynasty.
As the border guards of the Ming Dynasty, Duoyan Sanwei also played an important role. They are made up of ethnic minorities of the frontier and have a high degree of mobility and combat effectiveness. The soldiers of Duoyan Sanwei are usually familiar with the local terrain and climate, and can quickly deploy and react along the border, which is a key force in maintaining border security.
The elite of the Ming Dynasty army was not only reflected in its numbers, but also in its well-trained and well-equipped forces. According to 9, Ming Chengzu relied on the army of the original King of Yan to rebuild the Ming army "Jingying", which was the most elite force of the Ming Dynasty at that time. Under the leadership of the Yongle Emperor, this army repeatedly went deep into Mobei to defeat the Mongols, showing its strong combat effectiveness.
However, in the late Ming Dynasty, despite having elite troops, it faced the double pressure of internal and external troubles. According to 7, Li Zicheng's army of millions of peasant rebels and the attack of more than 100,000 cavalry of Houjin made it difficult for this reconstituted army to parry. Elite troops required a long period of training and training, and the Ming Dynasty could no longer withstand the attrition of successive large-scale wars in the late period.
In general, the military power of the Ming Dynasty was very strong in the early days, and the existence of the three battalions and the three guards not only ensured the safety of the Jingshi, but also played an important role in the defense of the frontier. But over time, internal corruption and external pressures gradually weakened the combat effectiveness of these elite troops, which eventually led to the decline of the Ming Dynasty.
As a unified and powerful dynasty in Chinese history, the scale and strength of the Ming Dynasty's military power reached a peak during the Hongwu period. According to the records of the "Ming Shilu", in the twenty-fifth year of Hongwu, the number of officers and soldiers in the Ming Dynasty had reached 1214931. This figure not only reflects the huge size of the Ming Dynasty's army, but also demonstrates its strong national strength and solid military foundation.
Compared to the size of the army during the Warring States period, the army of the Ming Dynasty was more authentic and reliable. During the Warring States Period, in order to compete for hegemony in the world, countries often falsely reported the number of troops in order to gain momentum. However, the size of the army during the Hongwu period of the Ming Dynasty was real, and it was able to send 150,000 armored soldiers at one time, which was extremely rare at the time. This scale not only far exceeds that of any of the Seven Heroes of the Warring States, but also reflects the true combat effectiveness of the Ming army.
The army of the Ming Dynasty was rigorously organized and adopted the system of guards. According to the "History of the Ming Dynasty, the Chronicles of the Soldiers, the Preface": "The Ming Dynasty set the world with martial arts, reformed the old system of the Yuan Dynasty, and reached the counties from Beijing, and all established guards. 12 This system refines the military establishment to every level, from the guard to the station, to the hundred households, the general banner and the small flag, forming a strict military organization system. This kind of establishment is not only conducive to the management of the armed forces, but also conducive to rapid mobilization and command in wartime.
The Ming Dynasty army was also very well equipped. In the era of cold weapons, armored soldiers were the main force of the army, and the Ming Dynasty had a large number of armored soldiers and were well-equipped, which greatly improved the combat effectiveness of the army. At the same time, the Ming Dynasty also vigorously developed firearms, such as firearms and artillery, and the use of these firearms greatly enhanced the army's long-range strike capabilities.
During the Hongwu period of the Ming Dynasty, the training of the army was also very strict. According to historical records, Zhu Yuanzhang attached great importance to the training of the army, and he himself personally inspected the army many times to ensure the combat effectiveness of the army. The training content of the army includes formation, martial arts, cavalry archery and other aspects, aiming to improve the individual combat skills and overall combat ability of soldiers.
In addition, the army of the Ming Dynasty also implemented the tuntian system. This system not only solves the problem of food for the army, but also enhances the army's self-sufficiency. The soldiers can not only ensure the food supply of the army, but also exercise the soldiers' physical strength and will to prepare for wartime battles.
In short, the large scale, exquisite equipment, strict training, and perfect system of the army during the Hongwu period of the Ming Dynasty made it one of the most powerful military forces in the world at that time. Compared with the false report of the size of the army during the Warring States period, the army of the Ming Dynasty was more authentic and reliable, and its combat effectiveness was also more powerful. This powerful military force provided a solid guarantee for the stability and development of the Ming Dynasty.
There is a close relationship between military pay and combat effectiveness, which has been verified in many periods of history. During the Ming Dynasty, the combat effectiveness of the army was directly proportional to the amount of military salaries, which was particularly obvious. High salaries can significantly stimulate soldiers' enthusiasm and loyalty, thereby improving the overall combat effectiveness.
At the beginning of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang implemented the Tuntian method in order to save the expenses of the imperial court, and the military households were divided into soldiers and soldiers. Over time, however, the system gradually revealed its problems. Most of the food produced by military households does not belong to them, and they need to pay taxes and health posts, resulting in low real incomes, poor living conditions, and low morale. Under such circumstances, it is naturally difficult to increase the combat enthusiasm of the soldiers.
However, when military salaries were guaranteed and soldiers' treatment improved, combat effectiveness increased significantly. For example, the private armed forces owned by Li Chengliang, a famous general of the Ming Dynasty, were very effective because they received sufficient military pay and good treatment, and became the backbone of the northeast frontier defense at that time. Similarly, Qi Jiguang's Qi family army was also known for its high welfare benefits, and the soldiers received generous salaries and stable supplies, which greatly enhanced their fighting will and team cohesion, making the Qi family army one of the most effective units at that time.
The adequacy of military pay has a direct impact on the life and psychological state of soldiers. When soldiers no longer worry about their livelihood and are able to devote themselves to training and fighting, their combat efficiency and will to fight will naturally improve. In addition, high military salaries can also attract more outstanding personnel to join the army and improve the overall quality of the army.
However, in the middle and late Ming Dynasty, due to financial difficulties and corruption, the payment of military salaries was often insufficient, and even arrears and deductions appeared. This led to a difficult life for the soldiers, a serious phenomenon of desertion, and a sharp decline in the combat effectiveness of the army. The performance of the soldiers on the battlefield was also affected, lacking motivation and initiative.
Generally speaking, military salaries are an important factor in ensuring the combat effectiveness of the armed forces. Only by ensuring that soldiers receive the treatment and respect they deserve can we arouse their enthusiasm for fighting and improve the overall combat effectiveness of the army. The historical experience of the Ming Dynasty tells us that ignoring the issue of military salaries will have a serious negative impact on the stability and development of the army.
The tactical diversity and advanced weaponry of the Ming Dynasty army is one of the important reasons for its high reputation in history. In the use of tactics, the Ming army not only inherited the traditional tactics of siege and split attack, but also developed a more flexible and changeable tactical system according to the needs of the war and the characteristics of the enemy.
Siege tactics were a common tactic used by the Ming army, especially in siege warfare. When besieging a city, the Ming army usually adopted the strategy of advancing in multiple directions and encircling it layer by layer, gradually weakening the enemy's defense by digging tunnels, setting up forts, and building siege equipment. At the same time, the Ming army would also use psychological tactics, such as shouting and hanging letters of persuasion to surrender, to reduce the enemy's morale and urge him to surrender.
Split-route attack was a tactic commonly used by the Ming army in field warfare. By dividing the troops into multiple squads, the Ming army was able to form a multi-point flowering situation on the battlefield, forcing the enemy to disperse its forces to respond, so as to form a local advantage and achieve the purpose of breaking through the enemy formation and dividing and encircling. This tactic was especially effective in warfare against nomads, as the Ming army was able to use its superiority in equipment and training to quickly break the enemy's formations, allowing for rapid maneuver and flexible strikes.
In terms of weapons and equipment, the Ming army also showed an extremely high level. The use of firearms and artillery was a major highlight of the Ming army's weapons technology. At the beginning of the Ming Dynasty, the use of firearms, such as firearms and artillery, had begun to become widespread, and these firearms played an important role in siege and field battles. With the advancement of technology, the firearms of the Ming army were also constantly improved, and longer range and more powerful artillery were developed, such as red-coat cannons, which could cause great deterrence and damage to the enemy on the battlefield.
In addition to firearms, the cold weapons of the Ming army were also sophisticated. Such as spears, bows and arrows, swords, etc., were all standard equipment for Ming soldiers. The Ming army's pikemen and archers were able to form powerful long-range strike capabilities on the battlefield, while melee weapons such as swords played an important role in hand-to-hand combat. In addition, the Ming army also paid attention to the maintenance and updating of weapons to ensure that they were always in top condition.
In the combination of tactics and weapons, the Ming army showed superb command art. According to the battlefield situation and the comparison of the strength of the enemy and the enemy, the generals flexibly used various tactics and rationally allocated weapons and equipment to achieve the best combat results. For example, against the Mongol cavalry, the Ming army would use the long-range strike capabilities of firearms to weaken the enemy's charging power, and then counterattack with cavalry and infantry; In siege warfare, the Ming army would first use artillery to destroy the enemy's walls and fortifications, and then use siege equipment such as ladders and chariots to carry out assaults.
In short, the tactical diversity and advanced weaponry of the Ming Dynasty army made it a formidable military force in history. This powerful military strength not only ensured the national security and social stability of the Ming Dynasty, but also promoted the development of military technology and the innovation of tactical theory to a certain extent.
The Battle of Tumubao was an important symbol of the decline of the Ming Dynasty's military power, which not only led to the death of a large number of Ming soldiers, but also caused the Ming Dynasty's military strength to suffer an unprecedented blow. In this battle, the 500,000 troops led by the Ming Ying clan were almost completely annihilated, and this fiasco not only greatly damaged the national strength of the Ming Dynasty, but also exposed many problems in the military system of the Ming Dynasty.
First of all, the strategic mistakes of the Ming army were one of the main reasons for the fiasco. The Ming army did not make adequate preparations and reconnaissance before the battle, and lacked sufficient understanding of the enemy's strength and tactics. In addition, the command system of the Ming army was chaotic, and due to the dictatorship of the eunuch Wang Zhen, Yingzong's decision-making on the military was seriously interfered with. Wang Zhen lacked military experience, but he interfered in military command, which led to a mistake in strategic deployment.
Secondly, there were also serious problems with the training and combat effectiveness of the Ming army. Before the Battle of Tumubao, the military system of the Ming Dynasty had already begun to have problems, the army was poorly trained, and the combat effectiveness of the soldiers declined. The long-term peaceful environment has degraded the army's will to fight and its ability to fight in real combat. Moreover, corruption is rampant in the military, and many officers seek personal gain through embezzlement of salaries and abuse of power, which further weakens the combat effectiveness of the army.
Moreover, the equipment and weapons of the Ming Dynasty army were also relatively backward. Although the firearms technology of the early Ming Dynasty was once leading the world, by the time of the Battle of Tumubao, the firearms equipment of the Ming army had not been updated and improved in time. At the same time, the army of the Mongol Warat took advantage of the mobility of the cavalry and exerted a powerful assault capability. The inferiority of the Ming army in equipment and tactics put it in a situation of being passively beaten on the battlefield.
Finally, the low morale of the Ming army was also a problem that could not be ignored. Due to the long-term arrears of military pay and poor treatment, the soldiers' lives are very difficult, which seriously affects their will to fight. In the Battle of Tumubao, many soldiers had lost confidence even before the battle began, and this low morale greatly affected the outcome of the battle.
To sum up, the Battle of Tumubao is a microcosm of the decline of the Ming Dynasty's military power. It reflected the deep-seated problems of the Ming Dynasty's military system, including strategic mistakes, inadequate training, outdated equipment, and low morale. After this battle, the Ming Dynasty had to re-examine and adjust its military policy in response to the increasingly severe border situation. However, the impact of the Battle of Tumubao on the Ming Dynasty was far-reaching, not only marking the decline of the Ming Dynasty's military power, but also laying the groundwork for the later military reform and adjustment of border defense policies.