Chapter 925 Military System! International Court!
The early morning light shone into the palace hall, and the faint smell of alcohol made people recall the hearty celebration banquet yesterday.
The current prime ministers of the Tang Dynasty were seated in the hall. The three provinces, two academies and six ministries were all here. The national teacher Luo Su was also present again, which was rare.
This made everyone in the hall extremely cautious.
The topic was the issue of palace soldiers garrisoning the border, which was presented by Yongguogong Luo Xuanling.
This is not a question of interest distribution, but a major problem that the empire actually encounters in the course of its operation.
This type of problem does not require the emperor to make a dictatorial decision, but rather requires the collective efforts of all.
Li Shimin looked around at everyone in the hall and said, "Duke Yong's question is very good.
The Zhechoufu soldiers of our Tang Dynasty followed the methods of the previous dynasties and made improvements to it, thus forming the current system. In this system, the farthest Zhechoufu is two thousand miles away, which serves for more than one year.
But now our Tang Dynasty has a vast territory, and the distance from Chang'an to Gaochang is already seven thousand miles.
In the future, our Tang army will move westward to Kangguo, which is truly thousands of miles away.
If the soldiers were on duty at the Anxi Protectorate, the journey alone would take more than a year, so their duty time would have to be extended. If the soldiers were really allowed to stay at the border for several years, could the soldier system still be sustained?
People all over the world are homesick. Over the years, tens of thousands of households have fled back to the Central Plains from the borders of the four barbarians, and all those who moved from the Central Plains to the borders were exiled.
My Lords, you must be aware of the people's support."
The candlelight in the hall flickered, making crackling sounds, and at the same time there were bursts of sighs. This was indeed a big problem, but we could not directly block the people's way back to the Central Plains.
Luo Su added fuel to the fire, "It's not just a matter of people's hearts. In the military system, weapons, horses, food, etc. must be provided by oneself. If people from Guanzhong go to Chang'an to serve, it's not a big deal.
But the distance from the Central Plains to the Western Regions is thousands of miles, and many families of soldiers cannot afford the travel expenses. If they can win the battle in the Western Regions, they can make up for the losses. But if they lose the battle, a family of soldiers will go bankrupt.
Many families of government soldiers still had land, but they could only sell the land or even borrow money at interest to make money.
Otherwise, the money for the expedition would not be enough. The consequences of not being able to raise enough money must be clear to the emperor and the ministers.
You all should know what the money-making thing is. Not to mention ordinary soldiers, even if the Luo family borrows it, they will be skinned alive."
As soon as Luo Su finished speaking, Li Shimin became furious, his face turning pale and blue, "Li Jing, Chu Suiliang, is what the Imperial Master said true?"
Li Jing was the Minister of War, and Chu Suiliang was the Minister of Revenue, who were directly in charge of these two aspects. Both of them were shocked and said, "Your Majesty, this situation is relatively rare now. Your Majesty is so powerful that at your command, all the soldiers of the Tang Dynasty are eager to join the battle. In the expeditions against Western Yan and Gaochang, a large number of government soldiers took the initiative to join the battle. The situation described by the Imperial Master is not very common yet."
However, the more Li Shimin listened, the uglier his expression became. The hall was even a little quiet. The crackling sound of the candlelight became louder and louder, because the hall was getting quieter and quieter.
Li Shimin's face and hands were bulging with veins, and one could imagine how restless he was. After a long while, he said, "I thought the world was at peace, but I never thought that a disaster would almost happen. The soldiers who fought for the Tang Dynasty have gradually come to this point?
I came from a military background and have fought in almost all the wars since the founding of the Tang Dynasty, but will the kings who follow me have this ability?
The Tang Dynasty has hardly ever lost a battle until now, but can the kings of later generations have this ability?
This situation is relatively rare now, but it is the early days of the Tang Dynasty, and there are already such signs. I can hardly imagine what the palace soldiers will become in the future!
If one day, the people of our Great Tang Dynasty feel ashamed to be soldiers and even escape military service, that will be the time for our Great Tang Dynasty to be destroyed.
Duke Yong, the topic you raised is very good. Imperial Master, what you said also reminded me.
It is urgent to solve this problem and reform the current military system. I will never leave this problem to future generations.
If you have any ideas, please submit them quickly. We, the monarch and our ministers, will pool our wisdom to solve the country's problems."
Li Shimin's voice echoed in the hall.
The situation faced by the Tang Dynasty was unprecedented, so the strategic direction required was also one that had never been encountered before.
Wei Zheng stroked his mustache, smacked his lips and said hesitantly, "Since ancient times, military service has been nothing more than conscripting soldiers from all over the country or conscripting soldiers from part of the country.
During the Zhou Dynasty, at first, only nobles served as soldiers. Later, soldiers were hidden among the people and all the people became soldiers. Later, with the development of armor, the Han Dynasty basically recruited all the good families in the six counties to suppress the world.
Therefore, each country at the end of the Han Dynasty had its own source of elite troops. Although the Zhechoufu of the Tang Dynasty were spread all over the country, in fact most of them were in Guanzhong, which was quite similar to the six counties of the Han Dynasty.
In the fifth year of Zhenguan, His Majesty reformed the military system and adjusted the scope, obligations, and powers of the fubing, but in essence it was a strengthening of the fubing system.
Our Tang Dynasty has been running well for more than 20 years. How can we reform the military system at this time?
Do we have to abolish or set up more Zhechoufu?
A special Zhechoufu was set up on the border, which was under the jurisdiction of each protectorate.
This is probably the only way to select soldiers from the locals."
Li Jing's face changed drastically and he immediately shouted, "Absolutely not. We must not allow the locals to set up their own Zhechongfu. The land and property of the soldiers are all in the local area, and they still serve in the local area, and they don't go to Chang'an. Isn't that the same as the princes at the end of the Han Dynasty?"
The way to cause chaos!
Wei Zheng's suggestion can indeed solve the problem of operating costs of the local soldiers, but it is indeed easy for local governments to become powerful, especially when the imperial court is weak.
Li Shimin pondered for a moment, then turned to look at Luo Su, "Master, what do you think of what the Minister of the Central Secretariat and the Minister of War said just now?"
Luo Su said in a gentle voice: "As long as the central government's finances are not dragged down, local autonomy is inevitable in the end.
The Central Plains is the trunk, and the Western Regions, Liaodong, and Mobei are all branches. The way to ensure that there are no problems with the branches is not to torment the branches, but to allow the trunk to thrive.
The Central Plains is vast. What is the root of this towering tree?
As for the lands in the plains and the people living on these lands, as long as the imperial court can control these lands, the Central Plains will never be in chaos.
This vast plain south of Yanshan Mountain and east of Taihang Mountain all the way to the Huai River provides more than 50% of the world's grain. We should provide disaster relief when it is needed and exempt taxes when they should be. We should build more water conservancy projects here and pay attention to the management of the Yellow River. Then the Tang Dynasty will never be short of food or people.
The Jianghuai area is also a place of finance and taxation. If we protect it from being harmed by rebels, the court will not be short of money.
There is no shortage of food, people or money. Even if there are some clowns around, what is there to be afraid of?
Of course, when possible, we should try our best to prevent local areas from showing signs of independence. The imperial court should set aside a separate portion of money to maintain stability.
If the court's economic conditions are good, it will spend more, and if the economic conditions are bad, it will spend less. There is only one goal, which is to show that the court is determined not to allow local secession, but also to prevent the local areas from really dragging down the court's finances. "
Li Shimin frowned and thought, "Is the Imperial Master trying to say the same thing as the Minister of the Central Secretariat?"
Even Wei Zheng was quite surprised and fidgeted. He quickly said, "Your Majesty, Imperial Master, how about we discuss this again? My idea just now may not be perfect enough."
Luo Su shook his head and said, "The imperial court is far away from Mobei, and the imperial court only has military threats in Mobei, no economic interests, so in the end, the Prince of Yan was appointed to guard the north, and the Western Regions must not appoint another prince."
This is understandable. The Western Regions are the trump card of the Central Plains dynasty to control the northern desert. Moreover, the Western Regions have huge economic interests and must be completely controlled by the court.
At least the area east of the Pamir Mountains must be completely controlled by the imperial court.
“There are two ways to exercise rule over a land: one is whether you can mobilize soldiers, and the other is whether you can collect taxes.
If Datang can satisfy the first requirement, but not the second one.
Therefore, an additional institution was to be set up in the Anxi Protectorate, certainly not to collect clerks, but to collect membership fees.
Every country at the Three Khans' Conference, as well as every country in the Western Regions, had to pay a certain fee to pay for the food and wages of the soldiers stationed in Anxi.
The Tang Dynasty stationed a number of elite soldiers in Anxi. These soldiers were paid and rationed and specialized in fighting. They could be recruited locally or from the Central Plains. Many soldiers on the verge of bankruptcy could revive by joining the army in Anxi. This at least gave them one more chance.
The most important thing is the position of Grand Protector of Anxi. My suggestion is not to let a military officer take the position, but let a civilian who is familiar with military affairs take the position, or at least let the civilian have the power to supervise the Grand Protector. "
What Luo Su said before was very interesting to everyone, but the last sentence caused an uproar, "National Master, the Grand Protector is the chief military officer, how can we not let the military officer take the position?"
Luo Su said solemnly: "This is the most critical link. In a place like the Western Regions, the most important thing is not military capability, because there is no country that can compete with the Tang army, and the Western Turks are nothing but dry bones in a tomb.
What the Tang Dynasty needed in the Western Regions was strategic determination, that is, to transform the Western Regions from a war zone into a commercial zone.
The most important thing is to handle relations between various countries and maintain relations between various countries and the Tang Dynasty.
Each of those military officers wanted to get promoted or make a fortune through military exploits. The current Protector-General is Prince of Hejian Li Xiaogong, and he dare not make any more achievements. But if it were anyone else, it would be inevitable that he would provoke border conflicts without authorization.
During the reign of Emperor Li of Han, 70% of the wars were initiated by the Han Dynasty. What did it gain in the end? The treasury was empty, the pockets of the generals were bulging, the soldiers were bleeding, and the four barbarians were alienated.
Your Majesty, do you want the Tang Dynasty to become like that?
As long as there is peace in the Western Regions, the Tang Dynasty can make money and use the local money to maintain the local army. If there is a war, a large amount of money will have to be invested from the Chang'an court. Is this what the emperor and the ministers want to see?"
Luo Su's words were in line with Li Shimin's long-held view of being cautious about war. Needless to say, the prime ministers were most unwilling to fight unnecessary wars, which would result in deaths and money being wasted.
Li Jing opened his mouth and wanted to speak, but finally closed it in disappointment, deciding to keep a low profile.
There was a raging fire in Luo Su's eyes. He did not start a war in the Western Regions because he had greater pursuits.
The Western Regions is one of the basic bases of the Central Plains. Of course, we must be cautious in fighting on this basic base.
Li Shimin said in a loud voice: "I think what the national teacher said is very reasonable. My lords, please follow the national teacher's advice and write a policy paper. I will promulgate it and let everyone in the world see it."
After everyone left, Li Shimin suddenly said to Luo Su: "Grandmaster, just now you mentioned that we should continue to recruit troops in the Western Regions. I suddenly wonder if we can do the same in Chang'an and expand the Hundred Cavalry.
Belonging to the Northern Court, and only obeying my orders?"
In the Zhechoufu system of the Tang Dynasty, the government troops were under the Twelve Guards. These Twelve Guards were government troops and belonged to the Southern Yamen. In other words, these troops were under the control of the prime minister.
The emperor also has a part of the army directly under his command, which is the Hundred Cavalry stationed in the Northern Yamen. The number of people is very small. Now Li Shimin has come up with the idea of expanding the Hundred Cavalry. If it can be expanded to a Thousand Cavalry, the safety of the emperor will be greatly enhanced.
Luo Su narrowed his eyes slightly and smiled faintly: "What can't the emperor do if he wants to do it?"
After saying this, he leisurely left the Taiji Hall. The light shone on him. Li Shimin looked at him from behind and felt that the highest mountain was slowly appearing.
"Master, what exactly do you want to do?"
Doubts slowly emerged in Li Shimin's heart. What the Imperial Master had done over the years gradually made him realize that the Imperial Master must be planning something. He couldn't help but recall what Luo Su had said before, "Your Majesty, if you can't accept it now, it means that the time has not come yet. When the time comes, you will know."
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After the Battle of Gaochang, the Tang Dynasty looked at the vast area of the Western Regions with a cautious attitude. The Tang Dynasty used force and diplomacy to make itself the arbitrator of the Western Regions with a strong strategic determination. The world's first international court was born here. - "The Rise and Fall of the Tang Empire"
(End of this chapter)
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