Xi Zhicai was perfectly clear about the emperor's intentions. He knew that what the emperor needed was an absolutely loyal army, an army that would fight wherever the emperor pointed.
Xi Zhicai then said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty is right. Therefore, I believe that in addition to the generals in the army, the education of the lower-ranking soldiers and junior officers is also very important. They need to know who they are protecting and who they should be loyal to!"
Only in this way can we minimize the chances of soldiers being manipulated and incited by those with malicious intentions!
“In the past, soldiers and lower-ranking officers only knew their generals, but not the emperor and the court! Over time, the soldiers would become the private army of those generals, which would easily lead them to have some inappropriate thoughts…!”
In Xi Zhicai's view, in order to prevent the army from slipping out of control, in addition to winning the loyalty of the generals, the most important thing is to make the lower-level officers and soldiers clear about who they are loyal to. A loyalty that comes from the bottom up is the most reliable.
"Yes, Zhicai is right. Educating soldiers is indeed of paramount importance!"
Liu Hong turned his head and looked at Xi Zhicai with great satisfaction. Xi Zhicai's ideas about loyalty education were no different from his own.
But Liu Hong wanted more than just loyalty; he wanted an army with faith that could not be defeated.
So Liu Hong continued, "However... I think the most important thing is to let them know why they are fighting! A sense of responsibility and mission is also very important!"
They need to know what is right and wrong, what soldiers should and shouldn't do. Only then will the army be truly at your command! Zhi Cai, do you understand my meaning?
"Your Majesty is right...! I understand!"
Xi Zhicai nodded and gave Liu Hong a deep look. It seemed that in addition to loyalty, the emperor also intended to instill a unique soul and ideology in the army.
For a moment, Xi Zhicai couldn't help but feel excited. He wanted to see what kind of power such an army could unleash.
Then Liu Hong turned to Xi Zhicai and asked:
"Zhicai, how are those political instructors doing with their studies these days?"
Xi Zhicai respectfully replied, "Your Majesty, the five hundred political instructors fully endorse Your Majesty's political views and have now thoroughly understood them. Moreover, their loyalty and background are very reliable, and they are now fully capable of fulfilling their duties!"
Liu Hong nodded. "Okay, that's good. Let them be in charge of instructing officers and soldiers at the grassroots level in the Northern Army, the Imperial Guard, and the Tiger Guard!"
"promise!"
"Also... make sure to tell them that they have the final say on the political life of the troops, as well as their food, clothing, and lodging, but they absolutely cannot interfere with normal military operations and daily training!"
Xi Zhicai nodded, "Your Majesty is right! However, I believe that when a military commander issues a military order, the opinion of the political instructor should be sought! Moreover, the military order must be jointly signed by the military commander and the political instructor!"
They also have the right to stop military commanders from issuing inappropriate orders, or to carry out correct political orders, when military actions contradict His Majesty's political stance!
"Hmm? Zhicai's suggestion is quite good...!"
Liu Hong glanced at Xi Zhicai in surprise. Wasn't this the political commissar of later generations? He hadn't expected Xi Zhicai to have thought of this.
The only difference was that these political instructors served him, the emperor.
If Xi Zhicai's suggestion is implemented, then the country's army will be completely under the emperor's control.
Afterwards, Liu Hong and Xi Zhicai returned to Deyang Palace and carefully studied and discussed the specific work of the political instructors and the promotion of political instructors and junior officers.
Ultimately, Liu Hong and Xi Zhicai both agreed that the existence of this political instructor was crucial to the stability and development of the army, and that he must be firmly in their hands.
Finally, Liu Hong looked at Xi Zhicai and said in a deep voice:
"Here's what we'll do. After Zhicai goes back, he can organize those political instructors and establish a Military and Political Performance Evaluation Office, or (Military and Political Office) for short, which will be directly responsible to me. Their promotions and evaluations will be independent of all other government offices!"
As for their salaries and benefits, they will be treated the same as officers of the same rank. I will grant them the same official titles, and it is not impossible that those who excel in their education will one day enter the central government to assist me in governing the country!
"Your subject obeys!!"
Upon hearing Liu Hong's promise and being appointed as the head of a department, even Xi Zhicai couldn't help but feel excited.
Although he had always been by the emperor's side and had become an enviable close advisor, deep down he still hoped that he could become someone like Yang Biao, Xun You, or even Jia Xu and Cheng Yu, someone who could govern a region and let people see his true value, rather than just being a strategist by the emperor's side.
Now that the emperor has ordered him to establish a military and political department, he has finally achieved his goal after so long in political work and can now put his talents to good use.
Seeing Xi Zhicai's excited expression, Liu Hong felt both gratified and somewhat disappointed!
He was relieved that Xi Zhicai was wholeheartedly trying to help him, but he was also disappointed that his only friend, Xi Zhicai, could no longer be by his side all the time.
"Alright, let's talk about the armor!"
Then Liu Hong changed the subject and brought up the matter of reselling military equipment.
Xi Zhicai pondered for a moment, then cautiously said, "Your Majesty, I believe that the matter of weapons and armor should be left to Cheng Yu and Jia Xu to handle!"
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