Tiantang Splendid

Chapter 5021 There are gaps between them
Li Ji looked solemn and tapped the table lightly. "Whether it's government soldiers or recruited soldiers, there are always pros and cons, good and bad mixed together. It's okay to start over with the navy, but if we adopt a one-size-fits-all approach for the rest of the army, such a huge change will probably cause unrest in the world."

What is "reform"?
In short, it is a reform that touches upon the vested interests and redistributes the ownership of interests. Every reform is a declaration of war on the vested interest groups, so it is full of difficulties and dangers. "Moving someone's money is like killing their parents", not to mention touching upon the basic interests on which people rely for their inheritance?

The Tang Dynasty was founded on the "Fubing System". No matter whether it was the founding generation or the meritorious officials of the Zhenguan period, they all depended on the "Fubing System" for survival. All their interests depended on it. If the foundation of the "Fubing System" was destroyed in one fell swoop, it would be equivalent to cutting off the interests of everyone. How could those people just sit there and wait to die?

Therefore, change means blood and killing.

Throughout history, there has never been a successful revolution without bloodshed...

Fang Jun, however, did not care: "The current priority is to discuss and come to a conclusion on which is better, the 'Fubing System' or the 'Muslim System', and which is more in line with the interests of the empire at the moment, rather than rushing to implement either system."

Cui Dunli echoed, "What the commander said makes sense. Once we have determined the right direction, we can think about how to eliminate the dross and retain the essence and overcome difficulties during the implementation process. If we hesitate or even hesitate because of the visible difficulties, what is the point of our discussion here? It is better to implement the 'Fubing System' to the end, at least everyone will feel at ease."

Li Ji shook his head and looked at Li Jing who was silent beside him: "What do you think, Lord Wei?"

Li Jing put down his teacup, stroked his beard, and said slowly: "In fact, the opinions of the court are very clear. Why do we need to set up such a 'Military System Reform Committee'? It is because the reform has to be carried out. This is the consensus of the court and the people. The only difference is how to reform."

Except for local forces and military generals, everyone, including Your Majesty, knows that the military system must change.

The "Fubing System" did create several dynasties and had many advantages, but one of its disadvantages was that the central government could not tolerate it. That was that the "Fubing System" could easily lead to a situation of "weak trunk and strong branches", and the most direct consequence was warlord separatism.

The Wei, Zhou and Sui dynasties were directly destroyed by local armed forces. Even the Tang Dynasty has gradually shown signs of the expansion of local forces. Although the crackdown on aristocratic families has suppressed this trend, if its roots cannot be eradicated, it will sooner or later repeat the same mistakes.

What is the root cause of the expansion of local power?
One is the aristocratic family, and the other is the "Fubing System".

When the "Fubing" joined the army, they provided their own weapons, armor, and horses. They served as soldiers in wartime and farmed in peacetime. Their household registration and taxes were all controlled by local governments. In times of hardship, they even had to "borrow" from the government to get enough weapons and horses. In this way, they would only accept the control of local governments and not the orders of the central government.

In addition, local government is often controlled by aristocratic families, which is the prototype of warlords.

Li Ji knew this, but he still had reservations: "The millions of troops in the world all come from the 'Fubing'. If we cut them off from the local government hastily, the interests of everyone will suffer. How can we sit back and let the central government manipulate us? I also recognize the shortcomings of the 'Fubing system', but I don't agree with a one-size-fits-all approach. We should take it step by step."

After a pause, he continued, "Knowing is not the same as doing. Everyone knows that it is not difficult to make the empire prosperous and the golden age come. It is nothing more than 'clean and honest governance'. But which dynasty in ancient and modern times can truly achieve such a simple truth?"

Everyone can see the drawbacks of the "Fubing System", but because too many interests are involved, it is extremely difficult to abolish it completely.

Pei Huaijie said: "Mr. Ying's words are about planning for the country. Many things are not simply right or wrong, but whether they can be implemented must be considered. If a thing cannot be implemented, what is the point even if it is right? I do not agree to abolish the 'Fubing System', and the 'Mubing System' may not be that good either."

Fang Junqi asked, "Who asked for your opinion?"

Pei Huaijie: "..."

He suppressed his anger and said expressionlessly, "I am a member appointed by His Majesty. Can't I even speak?"

Fang Jun smiled and said, "No one says you are not a committee member, but even if you are a committee member, what can you do? Have you ever led troops? Have you ever fought in a war? What are your military achievements? You just sit here and listen to what we talk about, what we discuss, and what conclusions we come to, and then report it to His Majesty word for word. As for giving opinions... you are not qualified."

"That's unreasonable!"

Pei Huaijie was furious and said angrily: "How can you deceive me like this?"

His identity as a "spy" was exposed, which made him lose face and angry. It would have been fine if he was just an eyeliner for Liu Li before, but now he was entrusted by His Majesty to play a role in the military reform and participate in the imperial examination. How much more would his political status be raised?
He is definitely the emperor’s confidant!

But still have to endure Fang Junzhi's humiliation? !

Li Ji frowned and said dissatisfiedly: "Why are you yelling? No one is bullying you here, it's you who don't know your position. Since you are not familiar with military affairs, you should listen more and learn more instead of pretending to know something and filling in the gaps."

"..."

Just to fill in the gaps? !
Pei Huaijie was furious, but under the gaze of Fang Jun and Li Ji, he had to suppress his anger.

Once this anger erupts, there will be no room for turning back. If he is on this "committee", Fang Jun and Li Ji will not be there; if Fang Jun and Li Ji are there, he will not be there.

Will Fang Jun and Li Ji be demoted from the "committee"?

Of course it is impossible. Even His Majesty cannot do this, so the one who has to leave is Pei Huaijie.

But even if he just "hangs around" in the "committee", it is an extremely dazzling political achievement. Just like participating in organizing the imperial examinations, it can become a further step in his resume in the future. Naturally, he is unwilling to leave.

Taking a deep breath, Pei Huaijie said, "Since the Grand Commandant and Lord Ying are so hostile to dissidents and unwilling to listen to appropriate suggestions, I will not say anything more."

Fang Jun nodded, his expression gentle: "That's right, just listen carefully during the meeting and keep your mouth shut. Making noise is annoying."

Pei Huaijie could no longer sit still and left the table angrily.

The meeting broke up unhappy.

Li Jing stood up and stretched, shaking his head helplessly, "Knowing that he is your Majesty's man, why do you have to do this?"

Fang Jun said: "This guy is indecisive and has no integrity. If we can't make him behave himself, he will definitely cause trouble in the future. Rather than waiting for him to stir up trouble in the future, it is better to suppress him now."

Li Ji also said: "This generation only knows how to make money, and has no talent, so don't worry about it."

Li Jing smiled bitterly: "If the two of you join hands, the entire Tang army will tremble. Why don't you know how to avoid suspicion? If this matter gets to the palace, His Majesty will be unhappy."

Fang Jun laughed and said, "Lord Wei has misunderstood. When did I ever join forces with Lord Ying? Lord Ying is narrow-minded and vindictive. I'm afraid he wants to part ways with me and never have anything to do with me again."

Li Jing naturally knew that Fang Jun had returned to the Council of State, and he couldn't help but look at Li Ji. Could it be that these two people would really do something dirty because of this?

Li Ji snorted, ignored Fang Jun, got up and left.

Fang Jun pulled Li Jing and called Cui Dunli: "I haven't seen Lord Wei for many days. I miss you very much. Let the cook prepare two small dishes and heat a pot of good wine for Lord Wei to drink a few cups."

"Here!"

Cui Dunli quickly agreed and went out to make arrangements.

……

In a duty room in the backyard of the Ministry of War, Fang Jun and Li Jing sat opposite each other by the window, enjoying a few side dishes and a pot of good wine.

Watching Fang Jun pouring wine for him, Li Jing asked with concern, "Is everything going well between you and Mao Gong?"

Fang Jun smiled and said, "Duke Wei is overthinking. Duke Ying and I are not fools. How can we not understand your majesty's methods? Although we have never said it directly, we all understand it tacitly."

Li Jing was still worried: "But even so, the soldiers under your command may not see it clearly. Even if they see it clearly, I am afraid they will inevitably fight."

To put it nicely, once Fang Jun and Li Ji join forces, they can unite the army into an impenetrable solid body. But to put it bluntly, the two of them are the two most powerful factions in the military today, and are in the most direct competitive relationship. If you get more benefits in the army, I will get less. How difficult is it to coexist peacefully and advance and retreat together?
Now that Fang Jun has returned to the government hall and become the prime minister, he can be considered as a latecomer. Li Ji may consider the overall situation and not care about it, but how can the generals under his command accept it calmly?
Fang Jun raised his glass and clinked it with Li Jing's. He took a sip and said with a smile, "Checks and balances exist everywhere in the universe, and the same is true in the army. Achieving balance through constraints is the truth of heaven and earth. How can there be a natural balance? The army has never been a monolithic entity. But don't worry, when I need an ally, I will know how to seek compromise through concessions."

Li Jing nodded and warned: "Mao Gong is very scheming. Don't take him lightly. Always be on guard."

When Fang Jun's generation rose to prominence, Li Ji had already achieved success and power, so these people may not understand Li Ji's character. He seemed to put justice first and be loyal to the emperor and the country, but in fact he was scheming and resourceful, and he would never hesitate to take action.

Anyone who thinks he is an honest gentleman is blind...

"Thank you for your reminder, Lord Ying. I now know what to do now."

Fang Jun thanked him sincerely and said, "Duke Wei is the best military strategist in the world and knows the real situation of the army very well. Therefore, this military system reform urgently needs your opinion. You can't just stand by and watch. You should give more opinions. You can't just watch an ignorant person like Pei Huaijie jumping up and down and making irresponsible remarks, right?"

Li Jing was quite helpless: "I know you look down on people like Pei Huaijie, but after all, we are in different realms and levels. How can you just slap them in the face without caring about your face like before? You must pay attention to unity!"