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卷九十九 志第四十七: 兵二

Volume 99 Treatises 52: Military 2

Chapter 99 of 元史 · History of Yuan
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Chapter 99
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1
宿
○ Palace Guard
2
宿 宿 宿 使 宿 宿 宿
The palace guard constituted the emperor's personal forbidden army. Under Yuan regulations, palace-guard forces were stationed inside the capital while frontier garrison forces were posted outside; the inner and outer establishments supported each other to balance military power—a sound institutional arrangement for the dynasty. In the era of Genghis Khan, Muqali, Chilaun, Boroghul, and Borokhula were appointed the Four Qeshig, commanding qeshig troops in rotating palace-guard duty. Under Kublai Khan, five guards were additionally established to represent the five directions, giving rise to the personal guard armies headed by commanders-in-chief. Subsequent additions and reorganizations meant that forbidden-troop establishments soon exceeded what had existed earlier. Wearing bow-cases and quivers while posted in the palace precincts belonged to palace guard duty, but such service had many uses. When deployed for major court assemblies, they were called encampment guard troops; When deployed for major state sacrifices, they were called ceremonial guard troops; When the emperor traveled, they served as escort troops; When guarding the imperial treasuries, they were called watch troops; When employed at night to guard against emergencies, they became patrol troops; When the annual grain convoy reached the capital and they were used to keep order, they became restraint troops. These are here grouped under palace guard, with the other categories noted where relevant.
3
宿 宿
The Four Qeshig: Genghis Khan's great ministers Boroghul, Borokhula, Muqali, and Chilaun, known collectively as Jebegun Küreg—the Four Heroes—were commanded to have their lineages lead the qeshig chiefs in perpetuity. Qeshig meant, in effect, rotating palace-guard duty. Palace guards rotated every three days. On the shen, you, and xu days, Boroghul's shift served as the First Qeshig, also called the Great Qeshig. Boroghul died young, and Genghis Khan had the Besü tribe replace him; because they were not among the Four Heroes, the khan personally assumed the title of its leader. Yeke signified that the emperor led this qeshig himself. On the hai, zi, and chou days, Borokhula led the Second Qeshig. On the yin, mao, and chen days, Muqali led the Third Qeshig. On the si, wu, and wei days, Chilaun led the Fourth Qeshig. After Chilaun's line ended, the Fourth Qeshig was usually headed by the right chancellor.
4
使
Qeshig chiefs' descendants—whether personally trusted by the emperor, recommended by the grand councillor, or next in hereditary order—inherited the post and commanded the encircling guard. No matter how modest their rank at first, after long service they could be promoted to first-grade posts. The Four Qeshig chiefs might occasionally be supervised by senior ministers appointed by the emperor, but such oversight was not permanent. Other qeshig attendants stationed close to the throne hereditarily managed caps and robes, bows and arrows, food and drink, records, carriages and horses, tents, treasuries, medicine, and divination. Even when promoted to high civil office, they resumed their palace duties on returning to the inner court, and their descendants held the same posts; only the most trusted were admitted.
5
Qeshig offices included: those in charge of bows and arrows and hunting birds were called quiver-bearers, falconers, and falcon keepers. Those who drafted imperial edicts were called jarguchi. Those who kept the emperor's records were called bitüchi. Those who prepared the emperor's meals were called boilüchi. Those who attended the ruler with sword, bow, and arrows were called sword-bearers and quiver attendants. Gatekeepers were called doorkeepers. Those in charge of wine were called cupbearers. Those in charge of carriages and horses were called carriage masters and horse masters. Those who managed imperial robes in the inner wardrobe were called robe attendants. Camel herders were called camel keepers. Sheep herders were called sheep keepers. Bandit catchers were called bandit catchers. Musicians were called musicians. Loyal and brave warriors were also called baatur. Fearless champions were called batu. Their titles were numerous, but all were attendants who served the emperor at close hand, rotating in three-day shifts under the qeshig chiefs like the Four Qeshig themselves.
6
宿 宿 使
Palace-guard soldiers proper were called qeshig soldiers and likewise rotated every three days. They began as a small corps but were eventually expanded to fourteen thousand men. By ancient standards they remained the emperor's forbidden army. In peacetime each man performed his assigned duty within the palace; in wartime they answered only to the emperor's orders. Among all forces of the Bureau of Military Affairs and the guards, they were the most trusted.
7
宿
Yet from Genghis Khan onward each reign maintained its own qeshig for the royal ordos, and palace guard was never discontinued. Each reign thus accumulated its own qeshig; counted together their numbers swelled, and annual grants of paper money often ran to hundreds of millions— a major drain on state finances.
8
使使 使 宿調
Right Guard: in 1262, Dong Wenbing, commander-in-chief of the personal guard army, concurrently served as pacification commissioner for Shandong Eastern Route and jointly oversaw the affairs of the Martial Guard army. The grand commander Saqisi of the Yidu branch province was ordered to verify the household registers already fixed in the renzi year and, according to Li Tan’s total military registers, select two trained soldiers from every thousand households to serve as personal guards; the forces of Haizhou, Donghai, and Lianzhou were also attached to it. In 1264 the Martial Guard was changed into the personal guard army, divided into left and right wings, with commanders-in-chief appointed over it. In 1271 it was reorganized as the Left, Right, and Central Guards, which handled palace guard and imperial escort duties, also farmed garrison lands, and were mobilized whenever the state had major affairs.
9
The Left Guard and Central Guard were both established in 1271 by reorganizing the personal guard army.
10
宿調使
The Forward Guard: in 1279 the personal guard army was split to create forward and rear guards responsible for palace guard and escort, garrison farming, and mobilization in national emergencies, each under a commander-in-chief. The Rear Guard was likewise established in 1279.
11
使
Martial Guard: in 1288 the Secretariat reported that Naihai and Nadi would lead ten thousand Han troops, modeled on the Tiger Guard Office at Shangdu, to farm garrison lands and repair fortifications. In 1289 Anbo of the Bureau of Military Affairs proposed combining six thousand men from the six guards, three thousand capital garrison farmers under Talahai Boke, and one thousand from nearby route and wanhu commands—ten thousand in all—to form the Martial Guard Personal Army Command for wall repair and capital construction.
12
使 使
Left Capital Guard: in 1279, Shizu assigned ten thousand households of newly acquired personal guard troops to the Eastern Palace and established a personal guard army command. In 1294 it was reassigned to the empress dowager and renamed the Longfu Palace Left Capital Guard Command. In 1310, eight hundred men of this army who were skilled at manufacture were selected; one chiliarch office and eight centurion wings were created to supervise them, and they were divided among workshops for production. In 1312, one thousand troops formerly commanded by Councilor Wang were used to establish garrison farms. In 1323 the artisan-soldier chiliarch office was abolished.
13
使 使
Right Capital Guard: at the dynasty's founding Muqali, by Genghis Khan's order, assembled the Jalair, Uru, Mangγut, and Naihai appanages; Anchar, Bolu, Sain Nökö, Bulghai Badghur, and Kököbüqa led the reconnaissance cavalry. After the Jin were subdued, they garrisoned wherever required. In 1262 Kublai Khan formed the Mongol Reconnaissance Cavalry Headquarters from the five appanage reconnaissance units. In 1279 this force was disbanded and men returned to their appanage obligations. In 1282 they were again conscripted for military service. In 1284 the bureau proposed placing all five appanage reconnaissance units under the heir apparent and restoring their former command structure. In 1285 it was renamed the Mongol Personal Guard Army Command. In 1294 it became the Longfu Palace Right Capital Guard Command.
14
西 使
Tangut Guard: In the eighteenth year of Zhiyuan, Asha and Azu said: "This spring, by order I have overall command of three thousand Hexi troops, but those bearing tiger tallies and gold plaques are very numerous; for weighty campaigns, if there is no office, how can they be restrained?" The Bureau of Military Affairs relayed the request, and the Tangut Guard Personal Army Command was established.
15
Imperial Yellow Guard: established in 1287.
16
西西使
Western Regions Personal Army: in 1295, following the precedent of the Imperial Yellow and Tangut Guards, the Western Regions Personal Army Command was first established.
17
使 使
Guard Attendance Command: in 1264, Yuzong recruited 135 Konghe attendants. In 1294 the Huizheng Yuan added sixty-five Konghe attendants, established the Guard Attendance Office to command them, and also put it in charge of ceremonial escort gold and silver vessels. In 1295 the empress dowager further attached one hundred commandant-guards from the Prince of Jin to it. In 1307 another two hundred Konghe attendants from Huaimeng who had accompanied the court were added, and it was promoted to Guard Attendance Command. In 1308 another hundred Konghe attendants were added, for a total of six hundred men, and six centurion offices were established as its subordinates. It was abolished in 1323. In the fourth year, 630 Konghe attendants were assigned to the empress’s establishment; afterward the office was established again.
18
宿 使
Right Asud Guard: in 1272 the Asud Badghur darughachi was first appointed; later over three thousand regular Asud troops and seven hundred selected Asud royal-guard qeshig soldiers were assigned to escort the emperor, guard the capital, farm along the Chao and Su rivers, and supply provisions. In 1286 the Asud army suffered heavy casualties attacking Zhenchao in the south; seven hundred Zhenchao households were attached to it, bringing the combined force to ten thousand households under the forward and rear guards. In 1309 the Right Asud Personal Army Command was formally established.
19
The Left Asud Guard was likewise established in 1309.
20
西西 使
Longzhen Guard: while Ruizong was still in his princely residence, he had once established garrison troops at the southern and northern mouths of Juyong Pass to patrol for bandits, with a chiliarch office set up at each. In 1288 the upper chiliarch office of the southern and northern mouths was made to command them all. In 1311 the chiliarch office was changed into a wanhu office; three thousand soldiers were detached from the Qangli, Tangut, Imperial Yellow, Western Regions, and Left and Right Asud guards, together with 693 Han soldiers from the old passes at the southern and northern mouths and Taihe Ridge, to garrison forty-three eastern and western locations, with ten chiliarch offices established and the Longzhen Upper Wanhu Office created to command them. In 1312 it was first changed into the Longzhen Guard Personal Army Command. In 1315 the Qarluq army chiliarch office was also attached to it. In 1321 Mongol and Han military registers were established.
21
使
Left Guard Rate Command: in 1308, ten thousand Central Guard troops were ordered to form a Guard Rate Command and were assigned to the Eastern Palace. At the time Renzong was crown prince, and he said: “Shizu established the Five Guards to correspond to the five directions; their system is like the Secretariat’s six ministries and can hardly be changed.” Accordingly, the Jiangnan provincial wanhu offices were ordered to select ten thousand elite Han soldiers as Eastern Palace guards, and the Guard Rate Command was established. In 1317 it was renamed the Central Support Office; before long it was again renamed the Imperial Presence Personal Army Command, and because “Imperial Presence” was not a classical name, it was changed to the Feathered Forest. In 1319, when Yingzong was established as crown prince, it was again attached to the Eastern Palace and remained the Left Guard Rate Command.
22
禿滿
Right Guard Rate Command: in 1318 the Sükenär wanhu under Household Superintendent Tumanjir, the Eastern Route and Jurchen wanhu commands, and right-wing garrison farmers were merged into the Right Guard Rate Command under the heir apparent.
23
Kangli Guard: in 1310 Wuzong fixed the Kangli military registers. Non-Kangli claimants were struck from the rolls; only verified Kangli were enrolled. Reconnaissance cavalry of princes Azigi and Huolangsa claimed by the Kangli were registered by dispatch from the Kangli Guard under the Bureau of Military Affairs.
24
使 使 使
Loyal Support Personal Guard: in 1292 the Garrison Farm Office was first established. In 1307 its troop numbers were increased, and it was established as the Datong and Other Places Personal Guard Army Command. In April 1311, when the empress dowager repaired the Wutai temples, it was transferred under the Huizheng Yuan, and three thousand Jingzhao troops were added to it. In 1314 it was renamed the Central Capital Guard Command and remained subordinate to the Huizheng Yuan. In 1321 it was first renamed the Loyal Support Personal Guard Army Command.
25
Zongren Guard: In the second year of Zhizhi, Right Chancellor Bayan memorialized: "When Töge Temür rebelled earlier, one hundred households of Yiqilieis people were confiscated; together with three thousand Mongol children and women now collected, and two thousand craftsmen of Qingzhou, totaling five thousand marching troops—please establish the Zongren Guard to command them." Bayan was appointed to command the guard, issued tiger tallies like the Right Guard Rate Command, and subordinate marching-thousandhousehold offices were created.
26
西
Right Qangli Guard: in 1286, following the Hexi guard precedent, the Qangli Guard was established. In 1322 it was split into left and right guards. In 1329 it was placed under the Grand Council.
27
Left Qangli Guard: this too was established in 1322. When the guard was first established during the Zhiyuan era, nineteen marching chiliarch offices and three garrison farms were created. During the Dade era, the Jirhalang and Tiegona chiliarch offices were created. In 1308 another four chiliarch offices were established. At this point it was first divided into left and right guards, and it too belonged to the Grand Council.
28
使
Dragon Support Personal Guard: in December 1328 the Dragon Support Guard Personal Army Command was established, with nine chiliarch offices from the Left Qangli Guard, including Tangjishi’s, attached to it.
29
使
Tiger Guard Personal Army Command.
30
使
Left Support Mongol Personal Guard Army Command.
31
使 使 使 使
Right Assistant Mongol Personal Guard Army Command. Loyal Oros Guard Personal Army Command. Martial Asud Personal Army Command. Eastern Route Mongol Personal Guard Army Command.
32
使
Jurchen Personal Guard Army Wanhu Office. The Koryo-Jurchen-Han Army Wanhu Office oversaw the Jurchen Personal Guard Wanhu Office. Haikou Garrison Personal Guard Garrison Storage Command. Xuanzhen Personal Guard.
33
西
In April 1260 Kublai Khan ordered route commanders: troops who had followed Wanhu Sange on the western campaign were to report to the capital as city-defense forces—319 Mangγut soldiers, 1,345 under Yan Wanhu, 140 from Jinan Route, 149 under Toγolcha, 145 under Jochal, and 144 under Commander Ma.
34
使 使
In the tenth month of the third year, an edict was issued to the great and small military officials and soldiers of Yidu: "Formerly Li Tan harbored rebellion, obscuring the court's gracious command, driving you to serve as his private benefit; although you had meritorious achievements, there was especially no report of reward—once extinguished, this was not your disloyalty's fault, but truly Li Tan's crime of harboring rebellion. Now the Personal Guard Army Commander-in-Chief Dong Wenbing has come to memorialize the details, saying that you each have words of wishing to exert strength for the court—this again shows your long-standing preservation of loyalty. Now Dong Wenbing is ordered to remain Eastern Route Pacification Commissioner, to gather you and be directly subordinate to the court, serving as Martial Guard troops for close attendance duties. Before taking up regular duties, for the time being you shall guard the southern frontier and defend against external gaps, so that military and civilians within the interior may each secure their occupations. You should increasingly exert your hearts to plan meritorious achievement."
35
In December 1265 the personal guard was expanded by ten thousand men—three thousand Jurchen, three thousand Koryo, three thousand Ahai, and one thousand from Yidu Route. Each thousand had a chiliarch; each hundred a centurion. The fittest men were chosen for active duty.
36
In the fifth month of the third year, the emperor said to Bureau of Military Affairs officials: "The Personal Guard Army may not be sent to fill corvée labor except by Our command. The soldiers repairing Qionghua Island are to be released and sent home that same day."
37
In July 1267 the Eastern Capital pacification commission was ordered to draft 1,800 personal guard soldiers from households ranked third grade or higher on the ten-grade scale. If third-grade households could not supply enough men, second-grade households were to fill the quota. Chiliarchs, centurions, and squad leaders were appointed, and families accompanied the men to the capital for duty.
38
宿宿
In May 1277 Mongol and Han troops were combined to guard the capital, its outskirts, and Wanshou Mountain, with Yisubuhua continuing to command encampment guard.
39
宿西西
In May 1278 Commander Hu Xiang petitioned for the return of guard soldiers. Earlier, a hundred men from the Su and Qi wanhu office had been assigned as guards, then followed Yan Zhongfan into Sichuan; after Jiading, Chongqing, and Kuizhou fell, Zhongfan withdrew but stayed in the west. Hu Xiang's request was granted. In September 2,232 soldiers hidden by Commander Zhang Ziliang were enrolled as guards.
40
In April 1279 twenty thousand newly submitted troops from Yangzhou, with families, were enrolled as personal guards and relocated to the capital.
41
In October 1287 Commander Wang Weihe selected 1,000 elite troops and asked that a brother command them as guards; the request was approved.
42
調
In the eighth month of the fourth year of Yuanzhen under Chengzong, an edict said: "Sons and younger brothers of reconnaissance cavalry under the Mongol Guard who had entered princely household service—all are to follow Shizu's established statutes and be sent back to their original duties as soldiers." In February 1302 ten thousand Mongol guard and other troops were sent to summer quarters at Guanshan.
43
宿 宿使 便
In the ninth month of the sixth year of Yanyou under Renzong, Bureau of Military Affairs chief Tash Temür said: "Han people may not select encampment guard soldiers; even censors may not learn beforehand the registers listing troop numbers—this is a national institution. Recently the encampment guard officer said the Secretariat ordered Auditor Li Chugong to inspect warehouse-guard soldiers; if any were absent from duty they were to be punished, to warn those after and keep them from slackness—that alone. Yet Auditor Li on his own took troop registers and flogged soldiers—in law this is an offense. We your ministers discuss that the Secretariat and Bureau of Military Affairs should jointly send men to investigate, verify the facts, and report." Approved. In June 1320 the Red City Central Capital Guard was returned from the Imperial Household Directorate to Bureau of Military Affairs control under the former system.
44
宿
△ Encampment Guard Troops
45
宿
In July 1289 Kublai Khan ordered another ten thousand capital personal guards to Shangdu for encampment duty.
46
宿 西西
In the tenth month of the second year of Yuanzhen under Chengzong, Bureau of Military Affairs officials said: "In former times at great court assemblies, outside the imperial city there were no walls; therefore troops were deployed in a ring for encampment guard. Now the walls are complete; on the south, north, and west three sides troops may all be posted; only west of the imperial wine store the ground is narrow and cannot hold them. We your ministers discussed with Chancellor Oljei that each city gate should be guarded by Mongol troops, and south of Zhou Bridge a watch tower should be placed to warn at dusk and dawn." Approved.
47
調宿使 使
In January 1311, by the crown prince's order, 30,000 Mongol and Han troops were mobilized for encampment guard, with armies summoned from Shandong, Hebei, Henan, and north Huai. The Capital Command, left and right wings, and Right Capital Guard were told to prepare arms and transport. In June 1311, because princes and imperial sons-in-law came to court, 826 Semu and Han soldiers were drawn from the various guards and sent to Shangdu, again under Commander Yegenbuhua.
48
宿 西調 宿 禿 宿 宿 宿
In June 1312 Guard Rate troops were assigned encampment guard at Longfu Palace gates. In the eleventh month, Bureau of Military Affairs officials said: "The Empress Dowager has issued an edict that forbidden-palace gates must be strictly guarded. We your ministers discuss adding one centurion, and from Qangli, Imperial Yellow, Western Regions, Tangut, and Asud guards transferring ninety soldiers to augment guard at the various side gates; again appointing one chiliarch and one centurion to lead patrol." Approved. In October 1316, with princes attending court, encampment guards were raised from 6,000 to 10,000; Yeleghan and Tulu were appointed to command the left and right sections. In November another 10,000 colored-troop soldiers were added to the encampment guard. In the twelfth month, Bureau of Military Affairs officials said: "Encampment guard soldiers do not reach the quota; those already sent from each guard, because the distance is far, cannot arrive on schedule—those cutting reeds and Qingta Temple labor troops may first be moved to prepare guard. Soldiers of each guard returning home were also to send twenty-five thousand men to prepare chariots, horses, and equipment, all assembling at the capital." Approved. In intercalary August 1319 Zhongjia took encampment command; five-guard troops replaced Forest Guards, with 200 picked elites under two chiliarchs and ten centurions.
49
宿 宿
In the first month of 1321, Yingzong went to Stone Buddha Temple; because its walls were broken and sparse, he ordered Deputy Military Commissioner Shuwentai and Assistant Commissioner Asan to command encampment guard soldiers for patrol duty. In August, twenty-five bays of palace-guard quarters were built in the imperial city of the eastern palace, and 250 soldiers were selected from the Five Guards to occupy them for inner-palace security.
50
調宿調宿
In the second month of the second year of Tiansli under Wenzong, Bureau of Military Affairs officials said: "Last year We received an edict to follow the former system and mobilize troops to hold encampment guard; at that time soldiers of each wing were everywhere on campaign, and some had scattered; therefore they could not be dispatched in order—only from the Right Wing Guard and Right Capital Guard one thousand one hundred twenty-six men were sent for encampment guard. This year as the imperial carriage travels, we your ministers discuss raising one thousand three men of undispatched soldiers from the Henan and Shandong capital commands to prepare escort." Approved. In the fifth month, military officials again said: "Recently by edict, guard soldiers were released. We your ministers discuss that by regular rule release is on the first day of the third month and reporting for duty on the first day of the sixth month; now that release was late, they may report on the first day of the eighth month." Approved.
51
△ Ceremonial Guard Troops
52
調
In December 1275, at the assumption of the honorific title and temple sacrifices, fifty men from the left, right, and central guards served as street-clearing escort.
53
調 宿
In December 1309 Wuzong's honorific ceremony used 1,000 troops as ceremonial guard. In October 1310 the empress dowager's investiture used full ceremonial guard plus 200 five-colored armored cavalry. In February 1311 joint sacrifices used 180 street-clearing and rampart guards drawn from encampment troops, then released. In July 1311 welcoming Wuzong's jade register used 150 escort troops under a chiliarch and centurion. In September the Grand Temple sacrifice used 150 street-clearing troops with a chiliarch and centurion.
54
In March 1312 the Heavenly Longevity Festival used 1,000 ceremonial guards.
55
簿 簿
In November 1321, Yingzong ordered the responsible offices to select Konghe guards, colored troops, and Han soldiers to provide imperial procession and ceremonial guard. In December the imperial procession squads and regalia were fixed, using 2,330 soldiers and forty-five wanhu, chiliarch, and centurion officers. It was further proposed to use 1,950 soldiers and fifty-nine wanhu, chiliarch, and centurion officers to provide the ceremonial guard.
56
In June 1328 the Grand Temple sacrifice used 100 street-clearing and 100 grain-basin guards with officers. In September the great ceremony used 1,000 Mongol and Han troops bearing regalia.
57
使調
In November 1328 Wenzong's personal temple sacrifice used 1,650 ceremonial and armored troops under Qingshan and Vice Commissioner Hong as acting mobile-corps commandants. In 1329 New Year's rites used 1,000 ceremonial guards. The Grand Temple sacrifice used 100 street-clearing and 100 grain-basin guards with officers. The Heavenly Longevity Festival used 1,000 ceremonial guards. The empress's investiture bearers used 1,200 troops under four officers.
58
△ Escort Troops
59
西
In March 1280 Mangγut and Cha'erchi's Hexi troops and 200 men under Arugh joined the imperial escort.
60
調
In 1309, as the empress dowager planned a Wutai pilgrimage, the Imperial Household Directorate requested escort troops. Provincial officials discussed: "Formerly when the Grand Empress Dowager visited Wutai, from summer-quarter reconnaissance cavalry and Han troops three hundred escort soldiers each were raised; now follow the precedent." Approved. In the eleventh month, Bureau of Military Affairs officials said: "Last year within the six guards' Han troops, because construction labor was underway everywhere, six thousand soldiers were used at Shangdu. We your ministers discuss that for next year's imperial tour, again order six thousand mounted soldiers to prepare chariots, horses, and equipment, with two thousand foot soldiers for escort." Approved.
61
△ Watch Troops
62
調
In November 1288 troops were assigned to guard granaries outside the capital. Capital granaries already had guards, but the four suburban depots—Fengrun, Fengshi, Guangchu, and Tongji—did not. As harvests grew, Chancellor Sangge arranged five guards per suburban depot, matching inner-city practice. In the twelfth month, Secretariat officials said: "Behind the Bureau of Military Affairs offices there is a granary storing grain; We request five soldiers transferred to guard it." Approved.
63
調
In February 1300 five hundred troops were posted to the newly dredged river sluices.
64
In the sixth month of the fourth year of Zhida under Wuzong, as the emperor attended the Great Peace Pavilion, Bureau of Military Affairs officials memorialized: "We once received an edict to place troops at each gate for guard. We your ministers discuss that reconnaissance cavalry soldiers are far from their garrison places and ultimately cannot arrive; We propose sending Asud, Tangut, and other troops mixed with Han troops for use, fifty men at each gate." Approved.
65
殿 調
In intercalary March 1314, officials of the Longxi Yuan said: “At first, Shizu’s image hall had soldiers guarding it. Now that Wuzong’s imperial portrait has been installed at the Great Chong’en Fuyuan Temple, troops should be assigned for guard duty according to precedent.” This was approved. In February 1316, the Lingbei province requested soldiers to guard its granaries; three hundred men were ordered to be selected from the three thousand reconnaissance cavalry in the wanhu command under Chouhan and given to it.
66
宿
In 1321, Yingzong increased the troops guarding the walls of the Grand Temple. At first, guard soldiers and ordinary troops jointly kept encampment guard, so only four hundred Mongol soldiers were used; at this point, guard soldiers defended the inner walls, while ordinary troops alone were used for the outer perimeter, and the number was increased to eight hundred, with Assistant Commissioner Hasan and Vice Director Al Temür again ordered to command them. In April an edict ordered that five soldiers should always guard inside the Sosgiwajir Bahsi Temple.
67
△ Patrol Troops
68
宿
In March 1312, Chancellor Temüder memorialized: “Every year after the emperor has gone to Shangdu, 370 guardsmen are left from among the palace guards to provide patrols; this year there are many bandits, so one hundred men should be added to tighten the defense.” The proposal was approved. The Bureau of Military Affairs and the Secretariat were further ordered to divide command of them. In May 1320 an edict ordered officials of the Capital Retention Office and the Tiger Guard Office personally to lead their men on night patrols.
69
△ Restraint Troops
70
調使 調 調
In intercalary March 1314, officials of the Bureau of Military Affairs memorialized: “The Secretariat says that the Jiang-Zhe spring grain shipment of 836,260 shi is choosing a date to put to sea and come to Zhigu; it requests that soldiers be assigned in advance for security.” An edict ordered that, according to the annual precedent, one thousand soldiers be dispatched, and Bayan, deputy commander-in-chief of the Right Guard, was ordered to go and secure it. In April 1316, when the sea shipment reached Zhigu, officials of the Bureau of Military Affairs memorialized: “This year the number of troops is insufficient; we request that five hundred soldiers be dispatched to patrol and secure it.” This was approved. In April 1320, one thousand troops were dispatched to secure the sea shipment, as under the old system.
71
△ Garrison Defense
72
西 調 調
The Yuan dynasty was founded by force of arms, and frontier garrisons were likewise a major concern. In the conquest era of Genghis and Ögedei Khan, armies had no fixed posting pattern and early arrangements are hard to trace. After Kublai unified the realm, princes garrisoned key frontiers while Mongol and reconnaissance cavalry held the strategic heartland of the Yellow River basin and Shandong. South of the Huai and Yangzi to the sea, fiefs and prefectures held Han and newly submitted garrisons. This was Kublai's grand strategy, devised with senior ministers who understood military geography well enough to guide later reigns. Later the three Jiangnan circuits often debated troop rotation, but none dared alter ancestral statute. Yet prolonged peace bred arrogant commanders and lax troops; administration decayed until the realm was beyond remedy—not because the system was flawed, but because institutions inevitably decay over time. Their troop deployment and garrison system is therefore recorded here under garrison defense.
73
西
In May 1260 Han wanhu were ordered to equip troops and garrison near Yanjing: Shi Tianze 10,435; Zhang Mage 240; Xie Cheng 1,760; Jochal 466; Xieliang Badu 896; Fugou cavalry slaves 129; Neihuang Temür 144; Zhao Nu Huai 41; Yanling Shengdu Gu 65. In November Qieliemen of the Right Three Departments and Pacification Commissioner Zhao Bi led Mongol and Han troops to garrison near Yanjing; Pacification Commissioner Tachar led 10,000 Martial Guard troops to North Mountain; Han, hostage, and conscripted appanage troops garrisoned Xijing and Xuande. Qieliemen became Grand Commander; Dada troops split between Xuande-Dexing and Xingzhou. Han wanhu troops were posted along the Chao River. Later Xingzhou Dada troops joined Dexing-Xuande garrisons, and Han wanhu moved to the Huailai-Jinyun mountains.
74
In October 1262 Tian Deshi's 916 Gu'an hostage households and Liu Bulie's 400 Pingluan hostages returned to home territories.
75
調使 調西
In 1270 eight hundred Jinzhou troops joined the Eastern Sichuan command, returned to Chengdu, and Hulanggi troops garrisoned eastern Sichuan. In January 1274 Mangγudai's 11,000 new and old troops garrisoned Jiandu. Xiangyang furnished 600 raw-ticket and 400 seasoned-ticket soldiers; Jingzhao garrisoned Yachi Pool under the Jinzhou Qangli pacification commissioner. In December Wang's Western Sichuan pacification force and Yang's command were merged with Huonichi's troops, joining Chou Han and Huang Ula to garrison Heda.
76
In February 1275, fearing Song incursions near new Eastern Sichuan fortresses by Kuizhou, 3,000 Gongchang conscripts were posted as garrison. In March Haizhou pacification commissioner Ding surrendered; 4,000 men from five prefectures were drafted to guard Haizhou and Donghai.
77
西
In October 1276 Biesu and Hubielie Badur were made grand marshals with 2,000 Mongol and 1,000 Hexi troops for Khotan.
78
調西 調 使調 西 西 便 調
In March 1278 Yangzhou provincial troops were redeployed at Longxing. When the circuit was created Jiangxi had the fewest troops; now Temür Buqa led 10,000 men south to join Marshal Tachu's force for the broad, rugged Guang region. In April 3,000 newly conscripted Henan troops under Bayan and Aju were sent back to garrison Luzhou. In June Tahi, pacification commissioner of northern Jinghu, mobilized Kuizhou forces. In July returning Kuizhou veterans and Yangzhou-Jiangxi fleets were placed under Naval Wanhu Zhang Rongshi for river defense. In August Jiangnan garrison troops were sent back to their wanhu camps. Early Yang garrisons used wanhu retinues, but desertion and casualties left rolls incomplete; troops were now returned to home camps. The Anxi Prince's office said: "Sichuan being pacified, of cities, fortresses, mountain stockades, and caves totaling eighty-three places, the thirty-three including Quzhou's Liyi Fort and others should have troops garrisoned; the rest may all be withdrawn." Approved. In September 400 Eastern and Northern Capital troops garrisoned Yingchang, replacing the old garrison. In November separate military-civilian jurisdiction and Mongol garrison zones were codified. After Li Tan's rebellion military and civilians had been separated; pacifying Jiangnan led officers to hold civil posts as well. Chiliarchs and centurions had brought entire retinues to prefectural posts, which proved unwieldy. Military and civilian affiliation was now separated again under the original system. Troops were organized by wanhu on suitable garrison land; scattered Mongol soldiers and ordos returnees were regrouped. Four wanhu encamped in Hebei, Aju's 20,000 households in Henan for mobilization; other men were registered and called up for campaigns.
79
西西 調 調 西使
In February 1279 Wanhu Börü Jing was ordered to guard Huzhou with his original troops. 288 Tang, Deng, and Jun soldiers once under Jing, later at Jiangling, were now returned to him. In April Shangdu garrisons were ordered to use locally registered troops. By custom, garrison troops rotated annually, so other routes' men served at Shangdu at heavy transport cost. Now 4,000 local Shangdu soldiers garrisoned annually, ending outside rotations. In June households in Diaomen, Yutong, and Li-Ya districts defied law; troop garrisons were proposed. 500 new-subject, 100 Mongol, and 400 Han troops were sent to garrison them. In July 7,000 Western Sichuan Mongol and 3,000 new-subject troops were assigned to Prince Anxi. Jelme Temür brought 690 Hangzhou garrison troops to the capital; Huai-South and northern reconnaissance cavalry replaced them. In August 5,000 Jiangnan new-subject troops each were posted at Taiyuan, Daming, and Weizhou. Another 10,000 reconnaissance cavalry and Zhang Wan's Kuizhou new-subject troops were sent under Yeqin to garrison Khotan.
80
西 便 調 使 調
In January 1280 Teginbahan was fixed at Jiandu and Buqij on the Changxihe—no transfers. In the third month, Associate Pacification Commissioner Zhang Duo of eastern Zhejiang said: "Jiangnan garrison military officers are inconvenient; please rotate them periodically." Under the state system, after Jiangnan was pacified, troops were garrisoned in the various cities, and their senior military officers held their posts hereditarily without change. Many therefore formed factions with wealthy households, seized commoners' fields, houses, and dwellings, corrupted official administration, and caused ever greater harm. Zhang Duo blamed the harm on permanent tenure and asked for term-limited transfers. So newly submitted populations could live in peace. In May 600 troops were assigned to Juyong Pass north and south gates. In July Guangzhou garrison troops were ordered rotated. Originally 2,500 Kebek troops under Bayan had followed Zhang Hongfan against the Guang prince and stayed as garrison. Years of service left them impoverished with many dead. Rotation was now ordered. Yangzhou's 40,000-household Mongol force was rotated to Tanzhou. In October 1,000 artillery troops entered Ganzhou for defense. In December the Eight Tribes Luodian office requested more garrison troops. Originally 3,000 garrisoned the Eight Tribes; half were diverted to the Yixi Busi campaign. After the campaign the office requested reinforcements; approved.
81
沿
In January 1281 Wanhu Zhang Gui went to Tanzhou, recovered his grandfather's Bozhou troops, and took unified command. In February 3,000 Kebek troops garrisoned Yangzhou. In October Koryo and the circuit reported coastal prefectures faced Japan; a frontier guard wanhu office was approved. In November eastern campaign rear guards were split among Qingyuan, Shanghai, and Ganpu embarkation ports.
82
沿便 調 西西 西西西
In February 1282 Tanggu was to post Yangzi garrisons as needed; Ezhou, Yangzhou, Longxing, and Quanzhou were to plan city garrisons. The Eastern Zhejiang office moved to Wenzhou; 28 garrison posts were set from Guizhou to the three sea mouths. In April 3,000 Yangzhou Kebek troops garrisoned Quanzhou. Tanzhou sought a joint garrison headquarters because Linchuan bordered Champa and Li territory. In July Longxing and Xijing troops replaced Shangdu garrisons and returned west. Previously Shangdu garrisons' families were in Sichuan while Sichuan garrisons came from Longxing and Xijing, causing costly rotation—now reversed.
83
In August 1283 Yangzhou kept 1,000 Mongol troops; the rest were released. Of 9,000 Yangzhou Mongol troops, the circuit asked to keep one-third on garrison. Shi Talahun said: "Mongol soldiers are fierce and brave—who dares oppose them? One thousand men suffices." Approved. In October 1,000 Qan-toghrach troops reinforced Fujian. Fujian had cited rugged terrain and banditry to request 1,000 more Mongol and Han troops. The bureau approved Liu Wannu's Qan-toghrach force.
84
調
In April 1284 Tanzhou Mongols, like Yangzhou, kept 1,000; the rest went home. In October Gold Teeth garrison was reinforced: 3,000 Han and new-subject troops had been insufficient against fierce locals; 2,000 more reconnaissance and Mongol troops under Yilaqai were sent.
85
西 宿沿
In February 1285 Jiang-Huai and Jiangxi marshal offices became upper, middle, and lower wanhu commands with 37 mixed wings. Upper wanhu wings: Suzhou, Qi, Zhending, Yitan, Yidu, Gaoyou, coastal—seven. Middle wanhu: Zaoyang, Shizi Road, Pizhou, Dengzhou, Hangzhou, Huai, Meng, Zhen—eight wings. Lower wanhu: twenty-two wings including Changzhou, Yangzhou, Taizhou, militia, naval units, and others. Each wing had a darughachi, wanhu, and vice wanhu under its circuit.
86
調 西西
In May 1287 500 soldiers from each guard were sent to Pingluan. In October 5,000 troops under Hudutemür of Jiangxi were sent to garrison Guangdong against border bandits.
87
調 調西
In February 1288 Yangzhou troops replaced Ezhou garrisons. In March Huangzhou, Qizhou, and Shouchang forces returned to Jiang-Huai jurisdiction. The three places had originally maintained garrison troops, but because they lay near Ezhou Province they had once been divided off under Ezhou command. Military officers now raised the matter, and the old arrangement was restored. Liaoyang reported Yizhou bordered bandit country and received reinforcements. In April one Jiang-Huai lower wanhu wing moved to Jiangxi. 10,000 men under Prince Toγon and Liu Er Badu were dispersed to their camps. In November Xianping garrison was reinforced as a true frontier post.
88
祿
In February 1289 Wanhu Liu Delu garrisoned the Eight Tribes with 5,000 men.
89
調西 調 沿 調 沿
In June 1290 circuit troops were sent to Jiangxi until banditry subsided. In September 400 of Marshal Nahuai's troops guarded Wenzhou. Jiang-Huai lower wanhu troops garrisoned Fujian. In the eleventh month, Jiang-Huai Circuit said: "Earlier when Chancellor Bayan and Marshals Aju and Atahai held the circuit, each route placed garrison troops according to local weight—more or fewer; afterward Mangγut replaced them and completely changed the law, replacing commanders, officials, and soldiers—greatly losing fitness. Now Fujian bandits are pacified; only the Eastern Zhejiang circuit, land extremely frontier and wicked, bandit nests—please restore thirty thousand households for garrison. Qaradai's army garrisoned the coast, Ming, and Tai; Yeqile's army garrisoned Wen and Chu; Jaqutai's army garrisoned Shaoxing and Wuzhou. Ningguo and Huizhou at first used local soldiers; later all colluded with bandits; now all were moved north of the river; Gaoyou and Taizhou two wanhu Han troops were transferred to garrison them. Yangzhou, Jiankang, and Zhenjiang three cities straddled the Great River with dense populations—a seventy-thousand-household command was established. Hangzhou, where the circuit's offices and treasuries were located—a forty-thousand-household command was established. Naval warfare methods: formerly only ten posts; now twenty-two key coastal and river points were chosen for rotation, training, and watching bandits. Qiantang controlled the sea mouth; formerly twenty warships were placed; now one hundred warships and twenty sea ships were added." The Bureau of Military Affairs approved all proposals.
90
調
In February 1291 2,000 Jiang-Huai reconnaissance and Han troops encamped near Prince Toγon at Yangzhou. In 1292 500 new-subject troops from Xianping and Eastern Capital reinforced Jurchen garrisons.
91
西 調
In January 1293 of 8,000 western campaign reconnaissance cavalry, 1,000–2,000 were retained locally; the rest went home. Prince Orγoch and King Shibo feared dispersal would cause unrest; 4,000 were kept, 4,000 released—approved. In May Sibao, Huangping, and Zhenyuan were to conscript escaped Song labor troops for garrison. In July 1,000 Sichuan new-subject troops garrisoned Songshan.
92
西 沿
In July 1295, officials of the Bureau of Military Affairs memorialized: “Liu Er Badur says: ‘At first, when troops and horses were stationed by the Ezhou province, the southern front extended only to Tanzhou and related places; later, after Guangxi’s four overseas prefectures and the territories of the Eight Tribes and cave peoples were acquired, the borders became broad and distant, and garrison troops were lacking, so another forty thousand men were added. Now the four-wing wanhu troops formerly attached to this province are being separated out, and the army’s strength is diminished.’ We say that Liu Er Badur’s words are reasonable; nevertheless, when Jiangnan was pacified, the stationing of troops and horses along the Yangzi was discussed and arranged by Bayan, Aju, Atahai, Ariqaya, Alahan, and others, all of whom had taken part in the original conquest, together with close ministers such as Yuelü and Boluo and officials of the Bureau of Military Affairs. We request that men versed in military affairs and knowledgeable about geography be ordered to deliberate together on increases, reductions, and deployments, so that there may be no future harm.” This was approved.
93
調沿 沿
In the fifth month of the second year, Jiang-Zhe Circuit said: "Recently the seven thousand two hundred twelve men of the full wing of the Jiankang, Taiping, and Baoding wanhu garrison were transferred to Huguang Circuit; We request dividing Huai-South garrison troops for coastal restraint in this circuit." Bureau of Military Affairs officials discussed: "Yangzi River troops were placed by Bayan and Aju—do not let them be changed; only from this circuit's original chiliarch and centurion troops send soldiers for garrison." Approved. In September an edict noted that garrison troops in the four overseas prefectures of the two Guang circuits were rotated yearly at great hardship. They were granted pay, and skilled physicians were sent to treat the sick. Rotation was set at two or three years.
94
調
In February 1296 Yangzhou's Deng Xin wanhu full wing was split to garrison Qi and Huang.
95
西西禿 調 沿調調 沿調 沿簿 調 西
In March 1297 Teliebo of Shaanxi led 3,000 headquarters troops against western rebels; 100 headquarters men and 200 each from Jiezhou and Tusima garrisoned Jiezhou; the rest returned home. Huguang Circuit requested moving ten thousand men of the Baoding wing to garrison Chenzhou; Bureau of Military Affairs officials discussed: "This wing is the old campaign army led by Zhang Rou; it should be moved to encamp in Ezhou Circuit; separately mobilize troops to guard it." In July 1,000 Song Two Rivers native troops were recruited at Sirap Buka's request. In the eleventh month, Henan Circuit said: "Formerly Yangzhou established the Jiang-Huai Circuit, Jiangling established the Jing-Hu Circuit, each commanding troops for restraint above and below. Later Jiang-Huai Circuit moved to Hangzhou, Jing-Hu Circuit moved to Ezhou; south of the Yellow River and north of the Great River, at the ancient commandery of Bianliang the Henan and Jiangbei Circuit was established, comprehensively governing the former territories of Jiang-Huai and Jing-Hu two circuits. Recently troops were merged for comprehensive command; of subordinate lands, the Great River was most critical; the two Huai lands were perilous and people stubborn—only after Song's fall did they come to submit. At that time along the river belt, weighing urgency and ease, thirty-one wings of troops were settled for restraint; later twelve wings were transferred to Jiangnan; of the remaining nineteen wings, internal mobilization left only one or two tenths of the original quota. Moreover the two Huai and Jing-Xiang have since antiquity been strategic passes; though quiet since submission, the unforeseen should be considered. We request following the former river garrison troops, returning Jiangnan wings and soldiers occupied by each circuit to their original wings, and restoring former restraint." Provincial and bureau officials discussed the claim that thirty-one wings of troops had been stationed along the river, but the bureau had no such registers. When Henan official Bolughan was asked, his province likewise had no Privy Council files; its records only said that in 1282 Bayan, Yus Temür, and others had planned to station 32,000 troops there, later increased by 2,000 to 34,000. Ordering the provinces to return soldiers diverted to other duties, deserters, and casualty replacements would be enough to fill the service rolls. Bolughan added Bayan had counted over 52,000 Henan troops last year, rising to 70–80,000 if borrowed and casualty men returned. Besides those, Prince Toγon had 1,000 reconnaissance cavalry and 1,000 Han troops, with Qarluq forces nearby—all available in emergency. Occupied-service troops totaled 13,881: 209 officers and 13,672 soldiers—5,580 Han, 8,028 new-subject, and 64 Mongol. Jiang-Zhe occupied four thousand nine hundred fifty-seven; Huguang seven thousand six hundred three; Fujian one thousand two hundred seventy-two; Jiangxi had forty-nine new-subject troops on campaign not yet returned—all were ordered back to service. Jiang-Zhe Circuit also said: "Henan Circuit now occupies eight thousand eight hundred thirty-three soldiers of this circuit; they too should be sent back for restraint." Both circuits were ordered to send officials to court for adjudication.
96
西
In the first month of the second year, Bureau of Military Affairs officials said: "Of the two thousand one hundred thirty-six Han, Jurchen, Koryo, and other troops led by Arigh and Toghos, some claim sea-battle service, some have garrisoned four or five years—their material strength is exhausted; We request from the six guards dividing one thousand two hundred men, Datong garrison-farm troops eight hundred, and Cherigten troops two hundred—total two thousand two hundred—to replace them." Approved. In March garrison posts were consolidated: Fujian to 53, Jiang-Zhe to 227, Jiangxi from 226 to 64.
97
In March 1299 Yuanzhou unrest led to posting Piyang wanhu at Chenzhou, Zhenchao at Yuan and Jing, and Shangjun at Changde and Li.
98
調
In March 1301 Henan was ordered to return 11,472 borrowed Jiang-Zhe troops except Hongze and Shaobei farm detachments. In April 1303 1,000 Diaomen Sichuan troops garrisoned Luolusi.
99
調
In February 1304, with few sea-mouth troops, 100 Wang-wanhu Han, 100 Ning-wanhu Han, and 300 new-subject troops guarded Qingyuan; 300 of Nayan's Mongols guarded Dinghai.
100
沿宿沿 調 沿
In the seventh month of the second year of Zhida under Wuzong, Bureau of Military Affairs officials said: "Last year Japanese merchant ships burned and plundered Qingyuan; government troops could not resist. Jiang-Zhe Circuit said, requesting coastal wanhu new-subject troops of Qingyuan and Taizhou for inland garrison, and moving Qi and Suzhou wanhu inland Han troops to coastal encampment garrison. We your ministers discuss: from Shizu's time, Bayan, Aju, and others gauged terrain's tendencies and affairs' fitness, then placed troops—how can this be lightly changed. The former circuit Mangγut also spoke, saying naval and land forces should be mutually exchanged and transferred; Shizu had instruction saying: "Has Mangγut not gone mad drunk to issue such words! Making naval troops practice land skills, driving steppe and cavalry soldiers to follow wind-and-water service—hard to succeed, easy to fail; what help to affairs." Now to prepare against treachery, it is best as convenient to take one-third of coastal wanhu new-subject naval troops and mix with inland Qi county wanhu Han troops for joint garrison." Approved.
101
沿調 調 調 西調
In the tenth month of the fourth year, because Jiang-Zhe Circuit had said: "Along the two Zhe coasts at river passes bordering various barbarians, sea bandits appear and vanish; moreover after receiving Jiangnan, for more than thirty years in prolonged peace, generals are arrogant and soldiers lazy, commanders are not the right men, and troops are improperly posted—we request weighing strategic passes and transferring garrison restraint." Bureau of Military Affairs officials discussed: "Qingyuan adjoins Japan and was burned by Japanese merchants; it should follow the request; as for other transferred troops, it concerns military affairs and will be separately deliberated." In December Yunnan unrest led to 4,000 Sichuan Mongol and Han troops under Wanhu Nangaji. Sichuan Circuit said: "This circuit's territory southeast connects Jing-Hu, northwest links Qin and Long, blocks mountains and embraces rivers, closely adjoins fan barbarians—always called heaven's hazard, anciently termed the utmost frontier heavy ground; We request from troops rested six years after relief, mobilizing two thousand to go." Approved.
102
西
In November 1312 Renzong ordered Jiangxi malarial-zone garrisons moved to healthier stations.
103
沿調 西西 調 西 調
In the fourth month of the fourth year of Yanyou, Henan Circuit said: "This circuit's territory is broad and the connection is not light; subordinate wanhu offices are all at river crossings along the Huai above and below for frontier restraint, separated from the provincial seat—nearest more than a thousand li, farthest more than two thousand li—unexpected mobilization is hard to respond to in time. Moreover Bianliang is the state's vital-center land; establishing a circuit with no personally commanded troops—in comparison with Jiang-Zhe, Jiangxi, Huguang, Shaanxi, Sichuan, and other places, all have circuit-attached troops; only this circuit has not received allocation." The bureau ordered 1,000 troops from the Shandong-Hebei and Henan-Huaibei metropolitan wanhu commands. In the eleventh month, Shaanxi Metropolitan Wanhu Office said: "One hundred fifty Diaomen reconnaissance cavalry have garrisoned many years; We request release to original wings." Bureau of Military Affairs officials discussed: "That region is also a key place and should not be released; only order one hundred fifty dispatched from original wings, rotating garrison every three years. The originally mobilized one thousand Han troops of Sichuan various wings garrisoning Diaomen, Li, and Ya are also ordered to rotate together."
104
西 便 西便 西調 西 沿 沿 調 西 沿 調
In the third month of the fourth year of Taiding, Shaanxi Circuit once said: "Fengyuan established a circuit and surveillance commission but has no military office; only the Mongol Metropolitan Wanhu Office, far at Fengxiang, is separated by more than three hundred fifty li—urgent matters are hard to use. We request moving the metropolitan wanhu office to Fengyuan to establish its bureau—for military and civilian, both convenient." Later Shaanxi Metropolitan Wanhu said: "From the third year of Dade an order moved the bureau to a balanced placement; for more than thirty years now, Fengxiang is three thousand li from the capital, Tubo, and Gansu—its ground is balanced in the middle; not moving is convenient." The Bureau discussed: "Shaanxi's old precedent never mobilized troops; moreover Fengxiang's bureau has stood more than thirty years and should not be moved." Approved. In the twelfth month, Henan Circuit said: "Territory governed adjoins east to the Huai and sea, south is bounded by the Great River, north reaches the Yellow River, west connects Guan and Long; cave barbarians and grass bandits appear and vanish, harming the people. This circuit's troops are all posted along the sea and river; far ones two thousand, near ones more than a thousand li; We request moving artillery and crossbow wings to Bianliang, and from each wanhu selecting five thousand troops to establish a wanhu office accompanying the circuit for restraint." The Bureau of Military Affairs discussed: "From the nineteenth year of Zhiyuan, Shizu ordered officials knowing geography of circuit and bureau jointly to discuss garrison of troops at sixty-three places along the sea and river. At that time Bianliang had not yet placed troops; Yangzhou, a vital strategic place, had five wings of troops and artillery and crossbow troops placed. Now Imperial Prince Toγon guards Yangzhou and commands four circuits' troops; these troops should not be further changed. If Henan Circuit truly uses troops, then within Notaghachi's forty thousand households of Mongol troops, thirty thousand are south of the Yellow River and west of Henan Circuit; ten thousand are south of Henan Circuit; Tögetei's fifty thousand households of Mongol troops are all north of the Yellow River and northeast of Henan; Arigh Temür and Antong's two personal guard Mongol forces are north of Henan Circuit—altogether eleven guard-wing Mongol forces encamp surrounding Henan Circuit. Again this circuit's nineteen wings of troops are all south of Henan Circuit, arrayed along the river. If troops are used, then urgently memorialize and mobilize from among the various troops." Approved.
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