Now, every soldier in Dongjiang received three taels of silver, which was not military pay, but "settlement fee".
At the same time, the families of Dongjiang soldiers would be exempted from taxes and corvee labor. Although they didn't even have land and couldn't pay taxes, it was still a preferential policy, and it would be nice to be able to enjoy it in the future.
The monthly military salary was five cents of silver, the monthly ration was one stone of rice and two catties of salt, three pieces of horse meat were issued per year, and there was an annual reward of two taels of silver.
During the Wanli reign, one tael of silver could buy two dan of high-quality rice. Prices rose slightly in the early years of the Tianqi reign, but the increase was still moderate. One tael of silver was still more than enough to buy a little over a dan of rice, and even more if converted to something like millet.
Therefore, the Dongjiang soldiers' annual salary should be around fifteen or sixteen taels. This is not only enough for themselves, but also enough to support a family of three or four. Although they may not be well-fed, they can certainly ensure food and clothing.
This was the standard that Zhu Youxiao had carefully calculated, and it was not a small amount. You know, even the standard salary for the Qi family army was only about 18 taels of silver per year!
As for the historical fact that the Liaodong Army’s military pay was twenty taels, or even reached twenty-four taels, Zhu Youxiao could only sneer.
He believed that if he randomly picked out a soldier from the Liaodong Army and asked him how much salary he received in a year, the number he would get would definitely be jaw-dropping.
Half, a third? That's probably the maximum. Where did the rest go? The water has flowed through the ground, and who among the civil and military officials who handled it didn't embezzle or pocket the money?
"Did you hear that? This is the money His Majesty saved for his wedding." Feng Datie heard the soldiers next to him whispering.
"What's a wedding? Marrying a wife?"
"It's marrying the queen, a big deal!"
Feng Datie tightened his grip on the silver in his hand, a slightly foolish smile on his face. He figured that if he worked for a few years, or chopped off a few heads of the Jiannu, he would have enough money to marry a wife.
"Hush—listen, there's more good news in the imperial edict!"
Feng Datie quickly put aside his wandering thoughts and listened carefully.
"...For soldiers killed in battle, their salaries will be doubled and paid to their wives and children as usual for ten years. They will also be granted thirty mu of meritorious land, which will be tax-free forever..."
The officers and soldiers couldn't help but let out a cry of surprise, looked at each other, and then their faces were filled with joy.
The eunuch who delivered the imperial edict seemed to think that the officers and soldiers' strange noises were somewhat disrespectful. He rolled his eyes and glanced at them, and the shrill voice sounded again.
"...Officers below the rank of Qianzong who died in battle will be posthumously awarded the third rank, with a salary paid for ten years, and an additional fifty mu of meritorious land exempt from taxation. One of their sons will be promoted to the rank of Bazong..."
"...Generals and officers above the rank of Qianzong who died in battle will be posthumously awarded the title of General, receive a ten-year salary, and be granted one hundred acres of meritorious land, exempt from permanent taxation. Their sons will also be granted the rank of Qianzong..."
"...all those who died fighting for their country should have their monuments engraved on stone, be granted funeral rites, and be honored with ancestral temples..."
It was basically the same as the imperial edict read out in Guangning City, with generous rewards and relieving the officers and soldiers of their worries after their death.
Everyone has a wife and children, and everyone has parents. Asking soldiers to be loyal to their country and sacrifice their lives on the battlefield, yet still making them worry about the well-being of their families, about whether their parents, wives, and children are suffering from hunger and cold, is a dereliction of duty on the part of the court and a cruel and unfeeling act on the part of the emperor.
Qian Zong Zhang Pan knelt on one knee, his head slightly lowered, his eyes slightly moist.
A native of Liaoyang, he was the son of a well-off family. However, when the Later Jin army captured Liaoyang, his entire family, except for Zhang Pan, was killed. Zhang Pan first joined the army as a personal soldier of Mao Wenlong, and later rose to the rank of Qianzong (a thousand-man commander) after Mao Wenlong recaptured Zhenjiang.
His entire family was slaughtered, and this deep blood feud always gnawed at Zhang Pan's heart.
When he heard the imperial edict mention the families of the officers and soldiers who had been benevolent, he could not help but be moved and thought of his deceased family members.
After the imperial edict was announced, Zhang Pan fought back his tears and bowed deeply. Gratitude and hatred intertwined, bursting out of his chest in a cry, "The emperor's grace is boundless. Long live, long live, long, long live!"
In the distance, Luo Sigong, accompanied by Mao Wenlong and other generals, stopped to watch.
"If His Majesty wishes to reform the military system, let's start with General Mao." Luo Sigong pointed and said, "These two are the military pay officers, and they are also General Mao's subordinates. They are only responsible for verifying the troops, submitting documents to the court to request pay and rations, and distributing them in full."
Mao Wenlong was not angry about having his financial power taken away. Instead, he felt that it saved him trouble. He bowed and said, "Your Majesty, this is a wise move. The officers and soldiers will enjoy the emperor's grace, and the troubles of the generals will be reduced."
Mao Wenlong didn't know about the establishment of Dongjiang Town yet, but he knew that the emperor valued Dongjiang. However, he also knew that he had no one in the court, and it would be difficult to ask the officials of the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue for money and food.
Now that he has the Inspector of Finance to deal with those big masters, he doesn’t have to worry about it.
Moreover, the military governor was probably appointed by the emperor, and his words could reach the ears of the emperor. The emperor knew the difficulties faced by Dongjiang, and it would be a simple matter of a word for him to give strong support.
This is also because Zhu Youxiao saw that the new rules and regulations of Dongjiang Town were relatively smooth to implement because it was just a new town. If it were other Ming army units with deep-rooted problems, it would have encountered many more troubles and obstacles.
"General Mao," Luo Sigong pondered for a moment before admonishing, "Household servants and private soldiers are the legacy of the old army, and His Majesty deeply detests them. As for our Ming generals, His Majesty particularly esteems Marshal Qi and bestowed upon General Mao the 'New Book of Records of Effectiveness'. General Mao, you should know His Majesty's earnest expectations."
Mao Wenlong hurriedly bowed in the direction of the capital and said, "Your Majesty, I will do my utmost to fulfill your expectations. General Qi is a master of military strategy, and the strong army he has trained is invincible in every battle. I will definitely learn from him and emulate him."
Luo Sigong nodded and went to the banquet at the invitation of Mao Wenlong and Chen Jisheng.
"Each person is only given three taels of silver to settle down, and look how happy these vulgar men are." Zhang Zongbao, who was mixed in the army, lowered his head in a pretentious manner and muttered to himself.
Zhang Jun wanted to agree with him, but the feeling of seasickness had not yet subsided. He felt like vomiting as soon as he opened his mouth, so he had to hold it back.
Zhao Huizu snorted and complained, "Look at what they cooked. A huge pot of messy food. It's like pig food."
"Then don't eat. If you reach the standard early, you can go home early." Zhang Zongbao let out a wicked laugh and glanced at Fatty Zhao.
Zhao Huizu rolled his eyes and said, "If you don't want to eat, then don't eat. I can handle it."
Just as he finished speaking, Zhao Huizu's stomach made a gurgling sound and protested.
Zhang Jun couldn't help laughing, but before he could close his mouth, he was kicked on the butt and his head almost hit the ground.
Zhang Jun gritted his teeth secretly and was able to support himself on the ground with his hands. However, as a young marquis, he dared not even fart. He could only be ruthless in his heart, but he was really scared by those cold-faced Jinyiwei.
"Those who fear death and refuse to move forward will be killed!"
"Kill those who desert the battlefield!"
"Those who disobey orders will be killed!"
"Screaming rioters, kill them!"
"Those who disrupt the morale of the army will be killed!"
………
The person on the stage was replaced by a ferocious-looking military judge. Every harsh and cold word "kill" came out of his mouth, making people feel cold and terrified.
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