The prince is more stable

Chapter 153: Military Service
After traveling through time for so long, Zhao Xiaoqian finally developed some air of wealth and nobility.

The so-called wealth and nobility does not mean eating well or wearing nice clothes, but having the courage and confidence to fight back immediately when being treated rudely by others, no matter who they are.

He is the crown prince, the duke of a county, and the half-brother of the current emperor. He is just short of peeing on the middle finger of Tathagata Buddha.

You are such an awesome person that even I am afraid of you. Who the hell do you think you are to be rude to me?
The Minister of Justice? Where do the wild onions grow?

Zhao Xiaoqian responded almost without thinking, and everyone in the government hall was stunned.

This is the government hall, and everyone here is a big shot. Are you so tough, young man?
Xing Shu was so angry that he was speechless and pointed at Zhao Xiaoqian, who was shaking like he had a stroke.

Being able to sit in this government hall, Xing Shu is naturally a member of the New Party. He has been frustrated in recent years. During the Yuanyou period, the Empress Dowager was in power and vigorously excluded and suppressed the New Party. Xing Shu was also among those suppressed.

For seven or eight years, Xing Shu had been demoted to the prefect of Heyang, and he had been holding a lot of anger in his heart. Now, the clouds have finally cleared and the moon has appeared. Zhang Dun has been appointed as the prime minister, and Xing Shu has finally waited for his chance. He was transferred from the prefect of Heyang to Bian Jing and served as the vice minister of the Ministry of Justice.

He was still in his position as the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice. He had only held the position for a few days and was feeling very proud of himself. However, who would have expected that today he would be knocked down by Zhao Xiaoqian.

"You, you, you...you are such a rude boy!" Xing Shu pointed at Zhao Xiaoqian and said angrily.

The elderly Xing Shu was furious, but the young Zhao Xiaoqian remained calm.

Glancing at him calmly, Zhao Xiaoqian said, "I was just responding to your words. Why are you so anxious?"

"It was the Emperor who summoned me to the palace today to make my report. I'm here to obey his orders. The Emperor hasn't said anything yet, and you're jumping out to make comments. What's going on? Are you trying to make yourself known? Are you trying to create a good impression of someone who's fighting for you in front of the Emperor? Go use that energy on the old party, why are you trying to be so naughty in front of me?"

The words were even more impolite, almost pushing Xing Shu to the ground. In front of the emperor and his ministers, Xing Shu's old face turned red with anger.

At this moment, Zhao Xu also frowned.

Zhao Xiaoqian's response was rude, but his words simply implied that Xing Shu was interfering in other people's affairs.

Indeed, Zhao Xiaoqian entered the palace on imperial edict. What they were going to discuss today was the military service law, a matter of great importance to the country. Zhao Xu originally wanted to listen to Zhao Xiaoqian's opinion, but before he could open his mouth, he was stopped by Xing Shu in the name of clan members not being allowed to interfere in politics.

After thinking about it carefully, Xing Shu is secretly accusing me of breaking the ancestral system. He is just a minister, and he has only been in office for a few days, but he is already so arrogant?

Zhao Xu rubbed his fingers and glanced at Xing Shu with a stern look.

Zhang Dun, who had been silent the entire time, also noticed something was amiss. His heart suddenly sank, and he hurriedly said in a deep voice, "Minister Xing, the emperor is here, and we must not lose our composure!"

After saying this, Zhang Dun cast a stern look at Xing Shu, implying a warning.

Xing Shu paused, then slowly retreated with anger.

Zhao Xiaoqian grinned at Zhang Dun, "Mr. Zhang, can I speak now?"

Zhang Dun also smiled: "The 'Military Service Law' we are discussing today was proposed by the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince should explain it in detail so that we can weigh in."

Zhao Xu also nodded at him at this time: "Zi'an, please feel free to speak freely."

Zhao Xiaoqian said: "The so-called 'Military Service Law' is an additional law added by the court on the basis of the implementation of the new law."

"All of you present here are pillars of the court. You should know that military affairs are matters of life and death. We can govern and discuss affairs in the prosperous city of Bianjing, and enjoy the comforts of life and death, all because of the soldiers on the frontiers who guard the borders and strictly protect the national borders."

"If a foreign enemy invades our borders, our soldiers will fight bravely, sacrificing their blood and lives to keep the enemy out of our country. Only then can we enjoy peace and tranquility. Do you agree with me?"

Everyone present nodded in agreement.

Zhao Xiaoqian added, "The soldiers paid the price of their blood and lives to ensure peace for us. Do you know how much they receive in annual salaries?"

Zhang Dun was indeed a prime minister, and his memory was excellent. He thought for a moment and said, "As I recall, ordinary soldiers in the four armies of Bianjing can receive a monthly salary of 700 coins, while ordinary soldiers in the border armies can receive 500 coins."

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled and said, "Mr. Zhang has a good memory, but there are some things that the ministers sitting in high positions may not be aware of..."

"It's said to be 700 and 500 wen, but the salaries issued by the court have to be deducted by officials and generals at various levels. After all the deductions, what actually falls into the hands of ordinary soldiers is only about 100 to 150 wen." As soon as these words were spoken, everyone in the room was shocked.

Zhang Dun said in a deep voice, "Prince, do you have any evidence for what you said?"

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled and said, "I don't need to produce evidence. If you're interested, you can change into casual clothes and not reveal your official position. Then, pick a patrol squad of imperial guards outside Bianjing and ask them how much they earn each month."

Zhao Xiaoqian had done this before. After repeated verification, Zhao Xiaoqian dared to state the specific data in the Council of State.

Everyone present was silent. Seeing that Zhao Xiaoqian spoke with confidence, they gradually understood that what he said must be correct.

"The soldiers all have families, with elderly parents and young children to support. Can you imagine supporting a family with just over a hundred coins?"

Zhao Xiaoqian continued, "Besides pay, there are many other problems within the military. Their lowly status often makes them looked down upon by the literati. Even the common people think being a soldier isn't a good way to make a living."

"Soldiers don't even have basic dignity. Why should they be forced to shed blood and risk their lives for the Song Dynasty? Are they inherently inferior and destined to die?"

Zhao Xiaoqian was a little excited, and his tone became intense.

Zhang Dun frowned and said, "Your Highness, are you saying that the military service law is intended to improve the status and salaries of soldiers?"

"Yes, that's what I meant, but that's just superficial. The purpose of the military service law is to boost the morale of the Song Dynasty's army and establish a clear law of rewards and punishments within the army, so that the soldiers have something to strive for. If they have made military achievements, they will be given official titles and rewards."

"The court should create more public opinion. Soldiers are not a menial livelihood, but heroes who sacrifice their lives for their country. They deserve to be admired and loved by the people of the world."

"Outside the mausoleums of the previous emperors, monuments were erected for the soldiers who died in battle, with their names engraved on the stones, allowing the spirits of the fallen soldiers to guard the mausoleums of the previous emperors, etc..."

"All of this should be incorporated into the military service law. If this is followed, I believe the combat effectiveness of the Song Dynasty's Imperial Guards will soar, becoming a truly elite force. When engaging the enemy, they will be brave enough to fight and fight to the death."

"Enjoying peace and tranquility is but a cowardly pursuit; unifying the country should be the long-cherished wish of all present."

After Zhao Xiaoqian finished speaking, he stood quietly aside.

There was silence in the government hall. Everyone looked at each other, their eyes revealing many complex meanings.

After a long silence, Xing Shu stood up again.

"Your Majesty, I believe that what the Crown Prince said is absurd! Civil officials are valued over military officials; this is the foundation of the Song Dynasty and the law passed down by our ancestors! How can we so easily abolish this ancestral system?"

"If you follow your opinion, the military service law would raise the status of soldiers to the same level as us scholars and officials. This is simply unheard of! Haven't you heard the lessons of the Tang Dynasty? At that time, local military governors were divided and their military governors were independent, refusing to obey the imperial court's orders. This was the reason why the Tang Dynasty fell."

"The military service law raises the status of officers and soldiers, setting a precedent for prioritizing military power. If this continues, officers and soldiers will rely on force and become arrogant. Military commanders will become increasingly arrogant and disrespectful of their rulers. Is the Song Dynasty destined to repeat the mistakes of the late Tang Dynasty?"

"I firmly oppose the military service law!"

Zhang Dun also frowned at this time and said slowly, "Your Majesty, I also think that the military service law is too radical and inappropriate."

"Let's put aside the ancestral system. If we elevate the status of soldiers, praise them as heroes, and even erect monuments and inscribe them, this will only encourage the arrogance of warriors and cause many troubles in the future."

After Zhang Dun finished speaking, all the ministers present echoed his words and expressed their opposition.

Zhao Xu sighed and looked at Zhao Xiaoqian with some weakness in his eyes.

"Zi'an, what do you say?"

Zhao Xiaoqian said expressionlessly, "You all just need to know that the imperial power of the Song Dynasty is now extremely strong, especially the military power. The deployment of every soldier is under the control of the emperor."

"As long as the government doesn't follow the Tang Dynasty's policy of enfeoffment and allows military commanders to rise to power, your worries are unnecessary."

(End of this chapter)