"But the consequences of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms for us Han Chinese were too great. Countless people were captured, slaughtered, and even eaten by the army. The people were afraid of them, and Taizu, Taizong, and Zhenzong were also afraid of them."
"Thus, in the early years of the Song Dynasty, in order to defend the army, the generals and soldiers were forced to separate. The soldiers did not know the generals, and the generals did not know the soldiers. As a result, in the early years of the Song Dynasty's foreign wars, they could not defeat the foreign invaders and suffered many defeats."
"Since I ascended the throne, I have always hoped to reorganize the army, eliminate the corrupt officials within it, insist on daily military training, ensure the army's supplies, strictly enforce military discipline, and enhance the status of soldiers in the hearts of the people, so that the army and the people can be of one mind."
"What I hope is that the Han Chinese have an army that fights for the people."
"I hope that the soldiers of the Song Dynasty will always point their blades at their foreign enemies, and always protect their own people."
"I also hope that soldiers can stand up straight and not be called 'thieves' anymore."
"But I know that the beginning is not the right time, because the image of Song Dynasty soldiers in the minds of the people has already been fixed. No matter what I say, they will still be looked down upon.
"So I have been waiting, waiting for the day when the Song army can prove itself."
"Until, with the help of Prime Minister Zhao and Prime Minister Fan, I finally defeated the Western Xia, destroyed Yuan Hao, and then struck the Khitan in the north and recovered Yanyun."
"I knew the day I'd been waiting for had finally arrived."
"The army of the Great Song Dynasty has proven itself through practical actions. They are not the bandits that people see them as, but rather the guards of the Great Song Dynasty. They are heroes in my heart."
"From now on, I will reform the army, let the soldiers return to the barracks, and make the army of the Song Dynasty strong again."
"And today, I want to announce this matter to the world, to tell the people of the world that the soldiers of the Song Dynasty are all great."
"From now on, they must remember that their mission is to defend their country, to protect the Han people of the Song Dynasty, and to protect their own country."
"I will also enforce this law as an iron rule within the army. You are the defenders of the people, the defenders of the Great Song, and the pride of the people of the Great Song. From this day forward, you should no longer be called bandits, but true heroes!"
"I declare that anyone who insults soldiers will be considered a criminal. I also hope that the people of the world can re-understand them and change their views of them. If you encounter difficulties, please seek their help!"
"I also believe that they will not be stingy with their help and are willing to lend a helping hand to everyone who trusts them."
"They should be the most trusted people among all the people of the Great Song Dynasty!"
"The soldiers of the Great Song Dynasty are all the soldiers of our people. Long live our soldiers, and long live the people of the Great Song Dynasty!"
Zhao Zhen let out a long breath and finished reciting the script.
In fact, the content is somewhat different from the original manuscript. The manuscript written by the Ministry of Rites did not contain so many words praising the soldiers.
But Zhao Zhen added some of his own ideas and polished it slightly to make the manuscript more perfect.
This moment.
There was thunderous applause at Xuande Gate.
Immediately afterwards, thunderous cheers came from the direction of the people below again.
"Long live the soldiers!"
"Long live the soldiers!"
"Long live the soldiers!"
The cheers were like a tsunami, one wave higher than the other.
At this moment, the Song Dynasty government finally began to change the image and status of soldiers in the hearts of the people.
This official promotion is just the beginning. If the Song Dynasty army wants to truly gain the trust of the people, it will need to demonstrate with more practical actions in the future.
Just like our soldiers in later generations, no matter they are fighting floods or fighting earthquakes and fires, they are always at the front line!
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