He continued, "Volunteer soldiers can be divided into different branches of service and trained. Using the military pay of retired soldiers, we can support a fierce and powerful army. What we need is an elite army, not a motley crew of mediocre soldiers!"
Wang Jiyang fell silent. He thought about why those soldiers were willing to die in the army rather than go home, because going home would mean a burden. Their families couldn't afford to support them, and after staying in the army for a long time, they wouldn't even have a warm bedmate when they returned home.
At least in the military, you get a salary and won't starve.
If a conscript serves for four years, he will be exactly twenty when he returns home. With the money he received from the military, he can go home and get married and start a family.
Furthermore, Zhao Shu's letter also mentioned that volunteer soldiers, if they become non-commissioned officers but are not military talents and cannot become generals, can receive work assigned by the imperial court when they reach the age of thirty-five.
This job could be in a government office, like a constable, or it could be working for the imperial court's businesses.
Nowadays, major families control the salt market, and the government's salt supply is merely on par with theirs.
These are all things we must fight for.
The two fell silent. It was a massive project.
Before the conscription system in their hands can be implemented nationwide, all military power must be taken back.
After a long while, Wang Jiyang sighed, "How on earth did this girl come up with all this stuff?"
Wei Tingsi only said one sentence, "Don't even think about making a move on her."
Wang Jiyang gave him a strange look. "What could I possibly want with a little girl?" He paused after saying that, then looked at Wei Tingsi and burst into laughter.
After laughing, the two looked at each other's thoughts written on paper, and then fell silent again.
After a moment, Wei Tingsi asked, "When will you come down from the mountain?"
Wang Jiyang looked up as if trying to see the sky, but could only see thatch. He then lowered his head, saying, "The time is not right."
Both of them knew that having more ideas now was useless; they had to take it one step at a time. Wei Tingsi rolled up all the papers filled with writing.
"I need to go to the palace. Farewell."
Wang Jiyang didn't try to stop him. He nodded slightly and watched Wei Tingsi leave the thatched cottage.
Before leaving, Wei Tingsi suddenly turned back and said to Wang Jiyang, "Perhaps your time to come out of seclusion is coming soon."
Wang Jiyang was taken aback, but ultimately said nothing.
The next day, Zhao Shu heard that Wei Tingsi had been promoted to the rank of Fourth-Rank Left Martial Guard General. Although it was a nominal position, he still concurrently served as the Commander of the Five Cities Military Command.
“Congratulations, Lord Wei. This matter came suddenly, and I, the princess, had not prepared a gift. Please do not mind.” Zhao Shu said.
Wei Tingsi came to visit today to discuss the layoffs of the garrison. Zhao Shu spoke of his matter in a serious manner, and then solemnly clasped her hands in a salute, saying, "I have not yet thanked the princess for her generosity."
The word "generosity" is something that probably only Wei Tingsi and Zhao Shu can understand.
Zhao Shu chuckled, "My lord is too modest. This princess actually knows nothing and spends her days idly waiting for your achievements."
"This is a system that I drafted overnight for the soldiers of your household. Please take a look, Princess." He didn't say much, and the matter of merit or not was not within the scope of the conversation. He directly took out a roll of paper from his pocket and handed it to Zhao Shu.
Zhao Shu carefully examined the draft and found that several parts of it had been modified. This made it impossible for others to use it to attack the Yongwang Mansion. It was very comprehensive and much more applicable than her draft. "Thank you, sir. You are truly a man of extraordinary talent." After looking at the Weiting Division's military system, Zhao Shu couldn't help but recall how he had commanded the three armies a few years ago. He was a young marshal, so impressive.
Wei Tingsi did not offer any pretentious refusal and then feel smug. Instead, he ignored Zhao Shu's words, cupped his hands in greeting, and hurried off to the training ground.
Zhao Shu pursed her lips, "What an arrogant marshal."
In the afternoon, he handed Zhao Shu a list of people who could stay.
Zhao Shu looked at it, and the number was about the same as what she had in mind.
That's just how Wei Tingsi is. If he's going to do something, he won't do it at all. But if he does, he'll do it to the best of his ability. It seems she made the right bet. The problems he hasn't discovered yet will eventually come to light as time goes by.
There's no rush. Tomorrow is the beginning of July, the day of the grand court assembly. She plans to make preparations and go to the palace to watch the play first thing tomorrow morning.
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