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On the rostrum at Xuande Gate, Zhao Zhen looked at the thunderous cheers below and felt a mixture of emotions.
This is what Zhao Jun said on the first day he came here.
He said that for a strong country, the first thing to do is to ensure the health of the army, and then the development of all aspects of the country.
If even the army of one's own country is discriminated against and not valued, who can we hope to rely on to defeat powerful external enemies?
These words made Zhao Zhen begin to reflect.
Because Zhao Jun was right.
Dignity is always on the edge of the sword, and truth is always within the range of the cannon.
As a state organ of violence, the existence of the army itself is full of violence and danger, and it is bound to hurt others as well as itself.
Like a double-edged sword.
But if you are afraid of being hurt by it and dare not pick up this double-edged sword, then when the enemy's sword is swung, what can you use to block it?
This is a question worth pondering.
Moreover, when the people of a country have lost confidence in the army, why should the army itself defend the country?
Therefore, the Song army was weak in combat effectiveness, with only numbers but no combat power, and suffered defeat after defeat.
So, although the Song Dynasty had a developed economy, prosperous commerce, unprecedentedly flourishing agricultural culture, and strong military power on paper, in the end, even a small Western Xia could bully them.
Based on these considerations, Zhao Zhen understood that the weak military thinking that had existed since the Taizu, Taizong, and Zhenzong generations was about to be put to an end in his own hands.
Even though the civil service group headed by Lu Yijian used the example of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms to persuade Zhao Zhen, Zhao Zhen was ultimately persuaded by Zhao Jun.
It's just that Emperor Taizu Zhao Kuang changed the two departments into three yamen and transferred the commanders of each army, creating a situation where the soldiers did not know their commanders and the commanders did not know their soldiers. This was because the lessons of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms were indeed too profound.
Moreover, the problem of redundant troops was difficult to solve, and Zhao Zhen did not dare to take action against the army easily, so he could only place his hopes on Zhao Jun.
After Zhao Jun discovered that he had actually come to the Song Dynasty and learned about the situation personally, he realized how naive his boast was back then and knew that the military issue could not be dealt with hastily.
Therefore, even if the grandfather and grandson wanted to change the situation, after assessing the situation, they decided not to act immediately, but to wait for a suitable opportunity.
Relying on their advantage of foresight and the miraculous effect of grenades against cavalry, they first won the Song-Xia War.
Then he vigorously developed firearms and acquired the ability to compete with the Western Xia and Liao. Only after the Qingli period did he first solve the problem of redundant officials and expenses, and finally began to take action against the army.
Even so, there were still many difficulties, and there were even rebellions and uprisings. It can be said that the journey was extremely difficult.
But today, Zhao Zhen feels that all the difficulties are worth it.
He did it with his eldest grandson.
Not only did he completely solve the problem of redundant troops, he also vigorously reorganized the army, making it look brand new, with strong combat effectiveness, and becoming the world's number one powerful army!
Thousands of people outside Xuande Gate were still cheering. On the city wall, Zhao Zhen sighed for a few moments and then announced loudly, "I declare the military review to begin!"
"Bang bang bang bang!"
Fireworks shot up into the sky, followed by the sound of military music that filled the square.
In this era without computer central control, it is really not easy to achieve such seamless connection.
The people setting off the salutes and fireworks in the back have to be prepared at all times, and the band must always stand in front of the microphone. Any carelessness may cause an accident.
Fortunately, the imperial court attached great importance to this grand hall and rehearsed it many times since September, and only officially began it when everything was foolproof.
Otherwise, they would not be able to achieve such a perfect connection.
As the music started, the Zuoye Palace Gate opened wide, and Zhang Kang was the first to walk out with the infantry phalanx.
They held their heads high and marched in unison, majestically entering the square outside Xuande Gate. Then, with the crisp sound of their military boots hitting the hard marble floor, they arrived outside Xuande Gate.
A young Jinshi from the Ministry of Rites stepped onto the stage and announced loudly, "Now approaching us is the Great Song infantry formation, led by Privy Councilor Zhang Kang. They are fearless and have fought bravely and repeatedly killed the enemy. Under Zhang Kang's leadership, they have repeatedly defeated the attacks of Li Yuanhao of the Western Xia and Yelü Zongzhen of the Liao, protecting the Great Song. They are the protectors of the Great Song and our heroic warriors. Your Majesty will award medals to Zhang Kang and his men."
Zhang Kang rode on horseback and led the infantry phalanx to the outside of the gate. He then dismounted, walked to a microphone set up in the square outside Xuande Gate, and saluted the city wall with a standard new military salute.
Zhao Zhen walked up to the podium and said, "Prime Minister Zhang, originally a Jinshi (Jinshi) scholar, chose to join the army. First, as the prefect of Linyan Road, he led 8,000 cavalrymen deep into Xingqing Prefecture, destroying the Western bandits' lair. Then, he led his troops in a surprise attack on Yuan Hao, defeating the Western bandits. I bestow upon you the title of General and the Order of the Dragon Banner of the Chinese Song Empire!"
He recounted Zhang Kang's achievements in his early and middle years, which were extraordinary. He led Di Qing and his men on numerous expeditions into the northwest, defeating Li Yuanhao's army. He also intercepted Yelü Zongzhen during the Song-Liao War and captured a large number of Liao people.
Afterwards, he followed Fan Zhongyan and made many contributions in the Song-Xia and Song-Liao wars. Together with Fan Zhongyan, he recovered the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun, which can be said to be a very great contribution.
It was precisely because of his extraordinary achievements in the early and middle stages, coupled with his status as a Jinshi, that he was promoted too quickly, directly to the position of Privy Councilor, which resulted in him being unable to be given any more titles later on, and he was unable to fight in the campaign to destroy Western Xia.
Therefore, the subsequent wars had to be fought by Di Qing, making Di Qing a god of war in the second half of the war. He first destroyed Western Xia and then recovered the Western Regions, but lost a lot of merit.
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