Unfortunately, after coming several times, the servants in Zheng Hongtao's mansion were unable to stop this group of fierce warriors.
"Where's Brother Zheng? Come out, brother. We brothers are not asking you to borrow money. We just want to ask a few questions."
"Generals, the master is really not at home."
A group of burly warriors pushed the servants aside and searched for people everywhere as if they were at home.
After searching for a while but not finding any trace of Zheng Hongtao, they went to the front hall and summoned Zheng Hongtao's housekeeper to ask, "Brother is really not here. Where did he go?"
Butler Zheng Hongtao said with a bitter face: "I have already told the generals that the master is not at home."
"Then where did the eldest brother go? As the housekeeper, you must know, right?"
Of course, Butler Zheng Hongtao knew about it, but Zheng Hongtao had already instructed him not to reveal his whereabouts before he left.
He shook his head, "Generals, please don't embarrass me."
Seeing his expression, Ding Shangbiao's eyes turned, "Brother must have gone to the palace to meet His Majesty, otherwise why would Butler Zheng remain silent no matter how many questions he asked?"
The other generals also thought it made sense and burst into laughter, saying, "Although this military academy is just an academy, it's also a place where people learn how to fight. Our eldest brother is the best at fighting, so His Majesty will definitely consult with him on this matter!"
"Let's wait here!"
On the other side, Zheng Hongtao, who had just left the palace, returned home and saw a group of carriages at the door. He immediately realized that there were guests at home again.
Thinking about what His Majesty had asked him to discuss in the palace today, he was filled with energy.
"Sir, several generals arrived this morning and are still waiting for you at your house," the doorman whispered.
Zheng Hongtao nodded and walked towards the front hall with steady steps.
"Old Zheng is back!" Ding Shangbiao, who had sharp eyes, saw Zheng Hongtao who had just replied and shouted.
"You bunch of shameless people, do you really think you are the master of Zheng Mansion when I'm not at home?" Zheng Hongtao cursed with a smile as he looked at the front hall that was in a mess because of them.
Ding Shangbiao stepped forward and said, "Old Zheng, you're being so formal, aren't you? What's the difference between your family and mine? We're all brothers, why are we making such distinctions?"
"Okay, then give me your thousand-mile horse as well. After all, what's mine is yours, and what's yours is mine." Zheng Hongtao glanced at him.
Ding Shangbiao quickly chuckled and changed the subject, "Did you go to the palace to see His Majesty today?"
"Did His Majesty tell you about the Military Academy? We are all worried."
Zheng Hongtao smiled and tapped him a few times with his fingers, not bothering with him.
"Your Majesty did summon me to the palace today to discuss matters concerning the Military Academy."
Everyone took their seats and asked in surprise, "Did His Majesty say when this military academy will be built? How long will it take to be completed?"
"Your Majesty said earlier that every family attending the New Year's Eve banquet will have two places to enter the Military Academy. What if a family has more than one son?"
"What should I do if I'm not qualified to attend the New Year's Eve party?"
Everyone was talking about their own interests.
"Don't worry, His Majesty hasn't forgotten you."
Zheng Hongtao shouted loudly to suppress the voices of the crowd.
"Didn't His Majesty say that those without vacancies can take the exam on their own? As long as they pass the exam, they can still enter the Military Academy."
When they heard that they were going to take an exam, these rough guys immediately looked worried.
"My kids are just like me. They get dizzy and dizzy when they read. If they really have to take exams, our family will be doomed."
"Our military academy is a place to teach people how to march and fight. Why do we need to take exams? We won't be civil servants in the future."
Hearing everyone's complaints, Zheng Hongtao's face instantly darkened. Seeing that his expression was not right, everyone's voices gradually became smaller.
Seeing that everyone was silent, Zheng Hongtao said angrily, "You have lived for so long, how come you are still so stupid?"
"What is a military academy? It's about turning marching and fighting into a system, just like studying."
"How could an illiterate man, who couldn't even read a single word, understand the art of war and read military books? I'm afraid he couldn't even count the rations his grain officers had withheld from the army!"
"Since His Majesty is the president of this military academy, the graduates will be the emperor's disciples. If they don't learn well, wouldn't it be a disgrace to His Majesty?"
"As long as you can successfully graduate from the military academy, you will at least be an officer. You don't have to start from a soldier and climb up the ranks step by step. You will be an officer as soon as you enter the army. Not only will you be respected, but others will not say you have connections."
"The higher-ups wouldn't dare to take advantage of your military achievements."
"Do I need to tell you what the future holds?"
One of them was filled with shame and slapped himself in the face. "Brother, I said the wrong thing. When I get home, I'll make sure the boys at home study hard. If anyone doesn't study hard, I'll punish them with my stick."
"Your Majesty, this is for our own good. From now on, the position of president of the Military Academy can only be held by the emperor. As long as we are capable, even if the world is at peace and there are no wars to fight, those scholars will not be superior to us."
Zheng Hongtao thought through all of An Jingzhi's considerations, and precisely because he understood them, he felt even more moved.
The establishment of a military academy is a win-win situation, as it not only protects the interests of military generals but also ensures the stability of the country.
Whenever a country is first founded, there are always many heroes, but by the end of the chaotic times, only a bunch of losers are left.
It was because there had been peace for too long, the soldiers had neglected training, and there were no wars to fight, so all kinds of embezzlement were common. With the interference of scholars in the army and the guidance of laymen to the experts, the army became more and more corrupt.
As long as the military academy is established, the country can at least survive for another ten years.
Regarding the matter of the Military Academy An Jing, it is planned to be officially established after the country is unified. The purpose of making it known in advance is to reassure the people below and let them fight with peace of mind.
As expected, the military academy's affairs were certain. After the battle began, the generals under them rushed forward one after another and defeated the enemy.
If they make more achievements now, their family will have more places to enter the military academy in the future. They have no confidence in their own children and think that it is unlikely that they will be admitted, so they can only work hard to make achievements on their own.
…
With the support of Wujiang, the world's granary, the remaining remnant forces were defeated one after another.
All the princes who came to Wujiang on New Year’s Eve last year were also kept in Wujiang. They had to attend the courses arranged for them by An Jingzhi every day.
No matter whether it was literary or military strategy, or people's livelihood and economy, the second prince always ranked first in all assessments.
After announcing the results of the assessment again, An Jingzhi let them leave the palace.
A group of people immediately gathered around An Shaolin to congratulate him.
"Second brother is first again this time. Judging from the look on father's face, he must be the most satisfied with the second brother." said the third prince.
"We can still learn how to handle government affairs, but when it comes to fighting wars, we are born without the ability to do so," said the Fourth Prince nonchalantly.
"It seems we are not destined for that fate." The fifth prince said bitterly.
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