Chapter 938: Daming Military Village (First update, please subscribe)
The military dependents’ village is a type of settlement unique to the Ming Dynasty. It is itself part of the military base and is actually the dormitory for officers, non-commissioned officers and their families, so it is called a “military dependents’ village”.
The Army and Navy also established a direct service command to manage the army and navy dependents' villages and logistics facilities. Compared with ordinary settlements, the exclusive living facilities of the dependents' villages are more complete, including hospitals, schools, guest houses, shops, post offices, cinemas, and even churches - because many soldiers' families are of European descent and they believe in Catholicism, so of course they must be properly taken care of. The Ming Dynasty has always been open-minded about faith, but there are also special requirements. They don't eat this, they don't allow that, and they always ask others to respect them. Those who don't respect others are definitely not welcome in the Ming Dynasty.
Although most of the facilities in the military villages are open to residents, they are strictly controlled and residents' entry and exit are always restricted.
We drove to the army base in the western suburbs of Yingtian. When entering the military dependents' village, although Chen Yangsheng stated his identity as the president of the USO, he still needed to register. After all, the military dependents' village itself was part of the base.
After the car drove into the military village, what came into view were rows of single-family two-story buildings, with flat lawns and beautiful gardens in front of the buildings.
Seeing the president looking at the unique houses on both sides with appreciation, Cheng Gongjie explained.
"The military dependents' village, to some extent, is always the benchmark of life. There is no apartment here. No matter whether you are an officer or a non-commissioned officer, as long as you get married, you can apply for a family dormitory, which is a house like the one outside. Basically, there are matching houses for the number of officers and non-commissioned officers in a base. Even if there is a shortage, it must be solved within half a year according to the regulations. Otherwise, the chief officer will be held accountable. The public facilities here are also twice as many as those in ordinary communities..."
The status of Ming Dynasty soldiers was never what was stated in words: "The status of imperial soldiers is sacred." Instead, it was reflected in many aspects. Soldiers and their families lived in "military villages" with the most complete facilities, and their children could enter the best public schools nearby. Outside of the compulsory education stage, the military would subsidize their tuition.
"There are all kinds of facilities such as swimming pools, libraries, and clubs. They also go to the military welfare club for shopping. The food and other daily necessities there are generally 20% cheaper than those in the market. As for general goods, they are also about 5% cheaper. Well, the soldiers and their families can also receive free medical treatment in the hospital."
Chen Yangsheng did not feel uncomfortable with the preferential treatment enjoyed by the soldiers. After all, the soldiers were sacrificing their blood and sweat for the security and expansion of the empire.
"It is because our Ming Dynasty treats soldiers so well that the imperial soldiers are willing to serve the country loyally!"
Many things happen for a reason. What is the most fundamental reason why the Ming soldiers were so brave on the battlefield?
It is because they know that even if they die in battle, their families will not fall into poverty or have no means of living because of their deaths. In addition to generous pensions and military life insurance, the military will continue to provide financial assistance to their families in the name of the Ming royal family. The unremarried spouse of the deceased soldier, unmarried children under the age of 18, disabled children of any age, children aged 18-23 attending schools funded by the government Veterans Administration, and low-income parents of the deceased soldier can all receive lifelong financial assistance.
This subsidy is based on a unified standard, and is equal to everyone, regardless of rank or length of service. If the spouse does not remarry, the monthly payment will continue until death, and will end if the spouse remarries. If there are children, each child will have their own quota, and the amount will be accumulated if there are more children...
In addition, the families of fallen soldiers are entitled to a survivor support plan, which is one-third of their basic salary during their lifetime.
In a word, the Ming Dynasty would never treat its soldiers unfairly. Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang even once said, "If a soldier's family in a country falls into poverty because of the death of his son or husband, it is undoubtedly a shame for the entire country!"
It is based on this point of view that the Ming Dynasty formulated a lifelong subsidy covering the families of fallen soldiers - soldiers are loyal to their country, and the country is filial on their behalf.
This is the Empire's promise to all Imperial soldiers.
Of course, this is also why the "Japanese Samurai" are not the imperial soldiers, because... they can't afford the compensation. Consumables, of course, can't be treated the same.
The lives of Ming soldiers were very valuable, so the officers of the Ming Dynasty were very good at using steel to save blood and advance steadily step by step.
"Soldiers are loyal to their country, and the country is filial on their behalf!"
Just as they were talking, they happened to see some women passing by and walking towards a house. Seeing that scene, Cheng Gongjie, who had served in the army, became a little low in tone.
"They should be going to accompany the lady of the house. Her husband should have been killed in battle..." In the military dependents' village, there are many rules that are different from the outside world. The families of soldiers also play their roles. When they learn that their neighbor's husband has been killed in battle, they will go to comfort her first, help her do things within their ability, and take care of her children.
In the army, soldiers are brothers, and their families are sisters. As for the children, they are brothers and sisters.
"Why……"
With a long sigh, Chen Yangsheng touched his arm. He... had also been on the battlefield and lost an arm in a battle in a gold mine. Later, with the grace of His Majesty, he worked his way up from a warehouse keeper guarding the gate to the current president of the "Imperial Labor Union".
There will always be casualties in war. Even if the Ming army is willing to use bombs and artillery shells, and even wants to raze everything to the ground with bombs and artillery shells, it is still inevitable that people will be killed!
The two men didn't speak anymore on the rest of the journey. The car drove along the road of the military village. After a while, they arrived in front of a quaint two-room building. Looking at the roses planted in front of the building, Cheng Gongjie said.
"President, we're here!"
After the car stopped, Cheng Kejie got out quickly and walked in front of the president. As soon as he reached the door, he heard the sound of piano in the room.
"Well, she should be home."
Cheng Gongjie knocked on the door. When the piano music stopped abruptly, a boy who looked about five or six years old opened the door and looked at the visitor in surprise.
“You are…”
Then a beautiful lady with long curly hair came over. She seemed a little nervous at first. After all, at this time, if a guest suddenly came to "visit", it would always make people a little worried. What if he was here to deliver a death notice?
Only when he saw Cheng Gongjie did his tense expression relax.
"Hey, Gongjie, why are you here? Who is this gentleman?"
My throat is very uncomfortable right now, and my family has started to have a fever. I estimate that it will only be today and tomorrow, and I hope it will pass safely... It would be best if I have no pain and no fever, and I will definitely update more when that happens. Thank you!
(End of this chapter)
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