The prince is more stable

Chapter 154 It’s all here
The fact that scholars looked down on military men did not start in the Song Dynasty.

Those who work with their minds rule over others, and those who work with their hands are ruled by others. Therefore, scholars have an innate sense of superiority, believing that they are people who use their brains and are naturally superior to those who only know how to use brute force.

This was also the reason why no one in the court opposed the national policy of valuing civil officials and devaluing military officials after Zhao Kuangyin established the country.

Learning from the lessons of the Tang Dynasty was one reason, but the important thing was that those who assisted Zhao Kuangyin in governing the country were all civil officials. Who would oppose this national policy that elevated himself?
In fact, Zhao Xiaoqian was very clear about what everyone in the government hall was thinking, but it was not convenient to explain it too clearly.

What they were worried about was that after the status of the army was improved, a situation would arise in the court where military men and civil officials would fight for power. The military men would hold the hilts of knives in their hands, and if they were forced into a corner, they would use their knives to kill the civil officials as if they were killing a dog.

Zhao Xiaoqian's words were also very tactful. He told the gentlemen that the military power of the world was concentrated in the hands of the emperor, and the real handle of the sword was in the hands of the emperor.

Since its founding, the Song Dynasty has been particularly wary of its army, so the military system of the Song Dynasty was "separation of soldiers and generals". Only when military generals were ordered to go out to fight did they have the power to command troops.

In addition, if a military general mobilizes a soldier without authorization, it will be a serious crime that will result in the confiscation of property and extermination of the clan.

Therefore, even if military generals entered the court to participate in politics, they were only the emperor's subjects. They could not kill civil officials unless the emperor wanted them to die.

If the emperor wanted to kill someone, he didn't need to lift the knife himself.

When it comes to using your brains, military generals are no match for you old scoundrels. You have long been far ahead in the field of fighting for power and profit, so what are you afraid of?

If you still can't understand this logic, then all your years as an official have been in vain.

The words were spoken in a tactful way, and Zhang Dun and others understood them, and their old faces turned slightly hot.

Zhang Dun still shook his head and said, "Your Highness, what you said is still inappropriate. Warriors are crude and accustomed to solving problems with brute force. Raising their status will undoubtedly encourage them to solve problems with brute force, which is not good for the court or the world."

"It's difficult to implement the new law now, and there's really no need for us to cause more trouble for the government."

Zhao Xiaoqian sighed. These old stubborn people really couldn't be reasoned with.

No matter how high-sounding the reason is, it can be summed up in one sentence: they are unwilling to let warriors be on equal footing with them.

Zhao Xiaoqian looked at Zhao Xu helplessly.

I have no other choice, if you can do it, come on.

If you can't do it, then let's just forget about it. I will never mention it again and will be content to be a salted fish at home.

Seeing that the situation had reached a stalemate and the atmosphere was quite tense, Zhao Xu finally spoke.

"The issue of the military service law still needs further discussion. I...actually, I quite agree with Zi'an's argument. A rich country needs an army to be strong. Don't forget that the Liao Kingdom has been eyeing the Song Dynasty covetously for years, and the Western Xia has frequently provoked wars on the border in recent years. Without elite troops, how can the Song Dynasty cope with the situation surrounded by foreign enemies?"

Zhao Xu looked at the crowd, his smiling expression gradually turning stern. "Zi'an said that enjoying peace is only temporary, and unifying China should be our long-cherished wish. That makes sense. You are all important officials and pillars of our country. Are you really willing to spend your whole lives defending this small territory without any ambition to expand it?"

These words were a bit harsh, and everyone clearly sensed Zhao Xu's displeasure. Zhang Dun and the others hurriedly bowed and said, "We dare not."

Zhao Xu snorted coldly, "Without a strong army, how can we advance and expand our territory? Zi'an's proposed conscription law is precisely the way to strengthen the army, yet you blindly oppose it by citing ancestral law. Do you think I don't know what you're thinking?"

Zhang Dun and others lowered their heads, all sweating profusely.

Then Zhao Xu stood up and said coldly, "Everyone, go back and think it over carefully. We will discuss the military service law next time. I hope there will be a good result."

After saying that, Zhao Xu turned away and left, winking at Zhao Xiaoqian before leaving.

Zhao Xiaoqian silently gave him a thumbs up.

It still has to be you, my brother!

It would be even more satisfying if I could kill a few loyal people on the spot to establish my authority.

Zhao Xiaoqian was thinking secretly like a treacherous minister.

Sometimes when he felt angry, Zhao Xiaoqian would unconsciously feel that what Li Chengqian, the deposed crown prince of the Tang Dynasty, said actually made some sense if he thought about it carefully.

"If I indulge my desires and kill five hundred people, won't it be settled?"

Zhao Xu, you have to be as hard as when you favored your concubine, otherwise the military service law will never be implemented.

…………

The discussion of military service was just a small matter. What really caused a stir in the court was the dispute between Shao Shu and the abolition of the Qingmiao Law.

This was a head-on confrontation between the old and new camps, and the fierce debate in the court became increasingly intense.

Now, during the daily court meetings, the court officials are as excited as if they have been injected with chicken blood, just like boxers about to enter the ring, wanting to knock out the opponent with one punch.

After the court meeting, the court officials were no longer in the mood to do their work. They went home to look for books and quote classics to find arguments to support their views.

Whenever a sage said something that happened to accord with his own views, it would be immediately regarded as a guiding principle, carefully recorded, and brought to the court tomorrow to be discussed again.

Zhao Xiaoqian was pleased to see this; at least everyone was being serious and reasonable. This was a good thing, far better than the chaotic debate between the old and the new. But Zhao Xiaoqian didn't want to get involved. He simply wanted to ensure that the new law included a military service law; this was his most important mission.

When the Council of State was not discussing the military service law, Zhao Xiaoqian was still unemployed and lying at home.

Having the lovely Jiang Miaoxian at home, who will shyly cooperate with any pose you want, isn't it much better than facing those old guys in the court?
That day, a guest came to the palace.

After the servant reported the news, Zhao Xiaoqian immediately stood up in surprise and went out of the door to greet him.

The guest’s surname is Zhong, and his given name is Jianzhong, also known as Mr. Zhong, who is famous in history, Zhong Shidao.

To be honest, Zhao Xiaoqian was quite surprised by Zhong Jianzhong's proactive visit.

Zhong Jianzhong was the commander-in-chief of the Longwei Camp and a military general. It was indeed taboo for him to visit Zhao Xiaoqian.

When I went out, I saw Zhong Jianzhong standing outside the ear room in a low-key manner. Today he was only wearing black casual clothes and a felt hat that covered half of his cheek, making him look like a sneaky assassin.

Seeing Zhao Xiaoqian coming out to greet him, Zhong Jianzhong bowed and said, "Zhong pays homage to the Marquis of the County."

Zhao Xiaoqian held his arms with both hands and said with a smile, "General Zhong, please don't embarrass me. Please stop being so polite."

"Come in, let's have a drink first." Zhao Xiaoqian invited warmly.

Zhong Jianzhong hesitated for a moment, then whispered, "Please forgive me, Lord, for my inappropriate status in entering the palace. If you are willing to move, how about I find a secluded place and have a drink with you?"

Zhao Xiaoqian was stunned for a moment, then a mysterious smile appeared on his face: "So General Zhong also likes this..."

"You are so bad, I like it so much!"

Zhong Jianzhong looked at him in confusion.

Zhao Xiaoqian's smile gradually froze. He was smiling, but the other person was staring at him expressionlessly, making him look like a fool...

After getting on the carriage, Zhong Jianzhong pointed the way, and the driver went through the streets and alleys, but the road became more and more remote.

The carriage did not stop until it reached a dark alley. Zhong Jianzhong led Zhao Xiaoqian through the alley and stopped when they entered a low, simple, and even slightly dilapidated tile-roofed house.

Zhao Xiaoqian looked around in shock, with doubts in his mind.

Could it be that there's another world inside? It looks shabby on the outside, but inside it's a magnificent den of gold and jade, filled with all sorts of scantily clad, long-legged beauties, all sorts of beautiful women, all fat and thin, all sorts of extravagant and licentious, just waiting for this elegant young man from this corrupt world to consume...

However, when Zhong Jianzhong took off his felt hat and sat leisurely in the yard, Zhao Xiaoqian was disappointed.

So, no reversal?

This is just a simple yard?

Zhao Xiaoqian, unwilling to give up, pushed open the dilapidated door behind Zhong Jianzhong, and then... he was completely desperate.

Yes, there really is no reversal.

"Shall we drink here?" Zhao Xiaoqian couldn't help but ask, "Is the beautiful girl still on the way?"

Zhong Jianzhong was puzzled and asked, "What beautiful girl?"

Zhao Xiaoqian's face suddenly turned gloomy: "Drinking vegetarian food?"

Zhong Jianzhong immediately said, "There's meat! It's coming right up. There's fish and meat. How can I be stingy in front of the Marquis?"

Zhao Xiaoqian: “…………”

The Crown Prince of Chu, a dignified county marquis, has long developed an air of wealth and nobility. It is absolutely forbidden for him to drink vegetarian wine. Drinking vegetarian wine will make you cough!
"I suddenly realized that I can't drink much today. Let's drink next time. Goodbye!" Zhao Xiaoqian ran away. Yes, his face was so realistic.

Zhong Jianzhong hurriedly stopped him: "Why are you so arrogant? This place is remote and out of sight, so I invited you to drink with me. Now that you're here, you're here..."

Zhao Xiaoqian stopped and let out a long sigh, looking up to the sky.

"Since we are here now" is a reason that no Chinese person can refuse.

Sitting down on a low chair in the yard, Zhao Xiaoqian said with resentment, "Let's talk business before we drink. What did General Zhong eat wrong today... Well, why did General Zhong disregard the taboos and take the initiative to come to my house today, and even sneakily find such a ghost... Well, this is a quiet and elegant place."

"If you have anything to say, tell me first. If I drink too much later, I won't remember anything."

Unexpectedly, Zhong Jianzhong suddenly faced Zhao Xiaoqian and knelt down on his knees with a thud.

Zhao Xiaoqian was startled and immediately jumped up on the spot with a very ugly look on his face.

It must be a big deal to make this famous general kneel down. Could it be that he wants to borrow my head?
Zhong Jianzhong knelt on the ground, head bowed, and sobbed, "I heard that the Marquis argued forcefully in the court, wanting to establish a military service law to elevate the status of warriors like me. On behalf of the millions of soldiers across the land, I thank the Marquis for his righteous advice!"

(End of this chapter)