We have fought to the Arctic Circle, and you want me to inherit the throne?

All the generals were deeply moved and horrified; many lowered their heads, their eyes welling up with tears.

They were not unaware that the soldiers longed for home, but this most basic human desire was overshadowed by the pressures of survival.

In the military, it was even seen as a sign of weakness.

Ma Jing's face turned pale, and he said urgently, "Your Majesty is benevolent and deeply understands the suffering of the soldiers!"

"However, the troops on the northwest defense line are already stretched thin. If we allow a large number of veterans to return to their hometowns, the defense line may collapse in an instant, and the Tibetan army will be able to sweep in unimpeded. Then the northwest will be in danger!"

"It's not that I'm unwilling, but I truly dare not!"

However, Li Che smiled, turned around and walked back behind the desk: "What my Great Qing lacks least right now is soldiers who can fight!"

The most elite Feng Army, the newly annexed Shu Army, the Imperial Guard directly under the court, and the troops from various provinces and garrisons.

The surrendered Southern Army units alone numbered over 100,000. If the best of the best were selected and the old and weak were removed, at least 30,000 to 50,000 elite soldiers could be assembled.

Li Che doesn't actually lack soldiers now; on the contrary, he's been thinking about reducing some of them for a long time.

He looked at Ma Jing and said decisively, "My mind is made up. Anyone who has served in the Northwest Army for more than ten years may apply to retire and return to their hometown according to their own wishes!"

"Your Majesty!" Several generals instinctively tried to dissuade him.

Li Che raised his hand to silence all the noise and continued, "All veterans will receive the same treatment as regular army veterans, including travel expenses and resettlement allowances."

"Those who have served for more than ten years will receive additional compensation for each additional year of service!"

"This money cannot be spared! If the imperial court cannot afford it, my private treasury will provide it! If the private treasury is not enough, I will sell everything I own and rob neighboring countries, but I will never mistreat these veterans a single penny!"

Upon hearing this, the room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

If Li Che's previous statements were imperial tactics, a necessary means to consolidate border defenses...

Therefore, Li Che's resounding words at this moment stemmed purely from his own benevolence.

The generals were deeply shocked.

Having served under the late emperor and witnessed the court's methods, they knew that in matters of national importance, the survival of an individual soldier was merely a number.

Veteran?

Can soldiers who have lost their fighting ability and are no longer able to serve the court still be considered soldiers?

When has anyone ever cared about their lives?

Yet this young emperor was willing to pay such a price for these old soldiers who were no longer of much use.

Ma Jing opened his mouth, but ultimately swallowed all his words of dissuasion, turning them into a long sigh.

"Your Majesty's benevolence and virtue benefit all people; your subject prostrates himself in reverence!"

Li Che's tone softened slightly: "Of course, not all veterans need to leave."

"Those who do not wish to leave the military or have no ties to their hometowns may continue to serve."

"The military has added more positions such as staff officers and instructors, and veterans are given corresponding official positions and treatment based on their years of service, combat merits and abilities. They are responsible for imparting experience, training new recruits and assisting in military affairs."

"Their experience is a treasure that money can't buy."

He looked around at his generals and said, “This matter cannot be rushed. I have already transferred troops from Sichuan, and more troops from other places will arrive in succession.”

"One person replaces another, in a gradual rotation. When a batch of new recruits arrives, they receive training and become familiar with the environment before replacing the next batch of veterans who voluntarily retire."

"During this period, the priority is to maintain a solid defense line and never give the Tibetans any opportunity to take advantage of the situation."

Seeing that Li Che's plan was thorough and even took into account border security, the generals had no further objections.

"Your Majesty, we will obey your decree!" Ma Jing led the other generals in a chorus of agreement.

"Furthermore, I will issue an edict of self-reproach," Li Che said calmly.

"Your Majesty! No! Absolutely not!" Ma Jing's expression changed drastically as he rushed forward. "Your Majesty is wise and insightful; what crime have you committed?"

"The Northwest Army has been in dire straits for twenty years. How can we issue an edict of self-reproach because of accumulated problems, thus damaging the Emperor's prestige? We, your subjects, would rather die than obey such an edict!"

"Your Majesty, please reconsider!" Xu Jiezi also showed a rare solemn expression, stood up and bowed deeply. "The edict of self-reproach is no small matter. It is a solemn decree in which the monarch takes responsibility and blames himself, informs Heaven and his ancestors, and promulgates it to all the people of the world."

"The problems in the Northwest have been long-standing, and the blame lies with corrupt officials. Even if the emperor has failed to supervise properly, it is not Your Majesty's fault."

"Issuing an edict suddenly might encourage petty people to make unfounded accusations and cause unrest among the people, which would ultimately undermine Your Majesty's ambition to reform and govern the country."

The crowd's words were already quite straightforward.

The Northwest Army's mistake wasn't Li Che's fault; ultimately, it should be attributed to Emperor Qing.

In their minds, the emperor is always supreme, and even if he is wrong, he should not publicly admit his mistakes to the world.

Li Che remained unusually calm despite the vehement opposition from the crowd.

After the crowd's voices subsided, he slowly began to speak:

"How could I not know that the majesty of the Emperor cannot be violated, and the dignity of the Sovereign cannot be dishonored... But have you considered what those old soldiers will face when they return to their hometowns?"

"The villagers only see him as an old soldier who spent half his life in the Northwest and was eventually laid off."

"If no one steps forward to take responsibility for this mistake, they will not receive the courtesy and respect they deserve!"

He turned around, his gaze piercing: "I issued this edict of self-reproach to tell the world that these veterans left the camp and returned home not because they were useless, nor because they were wrong!"

"It was I who was wrong! It was the court that was wrong! We have failed them in their prime, failing to relieve them of their burdens sooner!"

His tone became somber and forceful: "I will take responsibility for this crime. I will admit my mistake to the world and acknowledge that the court has failed these soldiers who defended the country."

"In this way, what the world sees will not be a disheveled old soldier returning home in disgrace, but a group of heroes who should have returned in glory long ago, but whose return is delayed because of the court's fault!"

"Only in this way can they earn the respect of others in their later years, instead of spending them in suspicion and cold stares."

The study was deathly silent.

Li Che's words completely transcended the typical mindset of an emperor, showing a deep empathy for the veterans.

They never thought about the problem from this perspective.

In their minds, the emperor's bestowal of favors and the soldiers' tearful gratitude constituted a perfect ending.

Why should a king admit his mistakes in order to pave the way home for his soldiers?

Ma Jing felt something choking her throat, and her eyes welled up with tears again.

"Your Majesty's benevolence extends to even the smallest plants and trees; I, in my ignorance, have failed to grasp even a fraction of Your Majesty's compassion," Ma Jing's voice was hoarse. "But...Your Majesty's divine might is overwhelming, and ultimately..."

“Heavenly might?” Li Che interrupted him. “True heavenly might is not about being right all the time, but about being able to admit mistakes and correct them, and having the courage to take responsibility!”

"Only in this way can we live up to the expectations of hundreds of millions of people and those who have shed blood and sweat for this land!"

"Today, I issue an edict of self-reproach on behalf of the veterans. It may seem like I have lost face, but I have won the hearts of the army and the people, and it will be a testament to the justice recorded in history!"

"I know exactly what I'm doing."

He paused, then said in an unquestionable tone, "My mind is made up on this matter; there is no need for further discussion."