The following day, the Hall of Two Extremes.
Civil and military officials lined up on either side. Fang Er and Wei Chi Jingde, the two brothers, leaned against the pillars, gnawing on chicken legs while listening to Li Shimin speak.
“Today, during this court assembly, I shall first deliver some good news!”
“Nanyue, Tubo, Shiwei, Mohe, and Heilongjiang Mohe have all been incorporated into the Great Tang’s territory!”
Li Shimin sat on the dragon throne, his expression serene as he addressed the officials below.
Upon hearing this, the entire court was shocked.
The expeditions of Chai Shao to Nanyue and Cheng Yaojin to Tubo were already known. If these two countries were conquered smoothly, it wouldn't be entirely unexpected. However, when did they begin their actions against Shiwei, Mohe, and the three regions?
Seeing the confusion on the faces of the officials, Li Shimin waved his hand, signaling for them to quiet down.
“Alright, stop guessing. The three northern regions are the achievement of Fang Anzhi, the Duke of Shenyang County.”
“However, there is good news, and there is also bad news.”
“The three northern regions were first invaded by the people from the Far West. Duke Fang led troops to assist them, which was only natural. But, the people from the Far West revealed something: they, too, had their country destroyed, and fled to the northern regions out of desperation. And the one who destroyed their country used firearms! Therefore, this can be considered bad news!”
“Yesterday, the Duke of Wei analyzed that the Great Tang might still have a year of peace. After one year, it is possible that the unknown force that invaded the Far West will invade the Great Tang.”
“Therefore, the first matter today is to discuss how to defend against that unknown force!”
“Everyone, share your opinions!”
Li Shimin picked up his tea, taking a sip as he awaited the ministers’ opinions.
“Your Majesty, this minister believes that the power of firearms lies in their flexibility. And the current Wei Fu Army system can no longer meet the needs; it has even become a burden. I suggest reforming the army. This is the charter I have drafted; please review it, Your Majesty.”
Li Jing was the first to step forward, taking a memorial from his chest and handing it to a nearby eunuch. This was pre-arranged yesterday; they were just waiting for Li Jing to take the lead today.
Li Shimin accepted the memorial from the eunuch and opened it, carefully perusing it. After a long while, he closed it and set it aside.
“This method proposed by the Duke of Wei, I believe, is feasible. Chengqian, read it aloud for everyone.”
“Yes!”
Li Chengqian, standing at the head of the officials, ascended the imperial steps, picked up the memorial, and read its contents word by word.
In his memorial, Li Jing first analyzed the advantages and disadvantages of the Fu Bing system.
“As a hereditary military system, the core of the Fu Bing system lies in soldiers being registered separately, serving for generations, and providing their own food and equipment. In exchange, the government provides them with land and exempts them from other corvee labor. The land that the military households use to serve the country is directly granted by the court and cannot be arbitrarily traded. This means that the loyalty of the Fu Bing directly faces the emperor, the advantages of which are self-evident for the court.”
“However, similarly, the disadvantages of the Fu Bing system have also become apparent over the ten-plus years since the founding of the Great Tang. This military registration is not voluntary but mandatory. In many instances, military households are forbidden from intermarrying with other households. Men of military age from military households must serve in the army, and those who evade military service will be severely punished.”
“In times of peace, military households merely undertake general guard duties. The most difficult task is being assigned to construction work in some area, and they do not have to bear general corvee taxes. Military households are generally willing, and there are few deserters. But once war breaks out, they must provide their own weapons and equipment, march long distances, and how many can survive the battlefield?”
“Many old military households have deserted, and new military households are difficult to recruit due to the lack of land, directly resulting in a shortage of soldiers when needed.”
“As a result, the combat effectiveness of the Tang army under the Fu Bing system has been diminished.”
“Before the establishment of the Extermination of Barbarians Army and the Victorious Might Army, this drawback was not very apparent. However, after these two new armies were established, they have always followed the recruitment system adopted by Fang Er’s Heavenly Fire Army.”
“The combat effectiveness of full-time soldiers versus part-time soldiers has become starkly evident.”
“The same ten thousand soldiers, the Victorious Might Army, even without firearms, could defeat ten thousand of the Left Wu Guard!” This was a fact that Cheng Yaojin had privately told Li Jing before. Before taking charge of the Victorious Might Army, he was the highest commander of the Left Guard Wu, so his words were beyond doubt.
Li Jing’s analysis in the memorial was far more convincing than what Fang Er had privately told him yesterday. The military officials in the hall were all moved. They had witnessed the sharpness of firearms but had never delved into the true combat power of the Victorious Might Army. Only now did they realize that the root of combat effectiveness was not just in the difference in weapons, but the soldiers’ own combat power also accounted for a large part.
After analyzing the Fu Bing system in the memorial, Li Jing mentioned the Protectorate-General system of the Han Dynasty.
“Protector-General means supervising the military and protecting the people. In times of war, they have the authority to make decisions on the spot, and even the right to initiate foreign wars. In times of peace, they are responsible for suppressing bandits and eliminating evil within the territory to pacify the common people. Although the name is different from military regions, the powers exercised are similar. Moreover, this existed in the Han Dynasty. Compared to the new term ‘military region,’ civil and military officials will find it easier to understand.”
“Even in the setting of the Protectorate-General system, Li Jing directly suggested establishing nine Protectorate-General offices.”
“The capital city will be the Central Protectorate-General, with Li Shimin personally serving as the supreme commander. Andong, Anxi, Annan, Anbei, Southeast, Northeast, Southwest, and Northwest will be the eight garrisons for defense.”
“Simultaneously, while establishing the Protectorate-General system, the existing Fu Bing will be reformed and streamlined. Select elite soldiers who are capable and dare to fight to be retained, while the old, weak, and disabled soldiers will be eliminated.”
“Furthermore, the combat methods will be changed to a mixed use of firearms and bladed weapons. Each Protectorate-General office will be equipped with ten thousand firearm troops, one thousand elite cavalry, and thirty thousand infantry.”
Li Chengqian read with great effort. After reading the entire memorial, his face turned red. It was unclear whether he was ignited by Li Jing’s passion or simply tired from reading the memorial.
Seeing his son finish reading the memorial, Li Shimin spoke.
“My esteemed ministers, you have all heard the memorial. Share your opinions.”
The officials in the hall fell into intense discussion. The military system can be said to be the foundation of the nation. Once it is changed, the consequences are unpredictable.
“Your Majesty! This minister agrees with Yaoshi’s proposal!”
“Every time we deploy troops, we have to carefully screen them, which takes too much time. If we don’t screen, the old and weak going to the battlefield will only be a burden. If this reform is implemented, and we have all elite soldiers under our command, where will all these troubles come from!”
The first to voice his agreement was Wei Chi Jingde. He had also tasted the benefits of the new army. The Extermination of Barbarians Army was previously under his command, so he was very clear about the advantages of the new army.
“Your Majesty! This minister also agrees!”
“Your Majesty! This minister seconds the motion!”
“This minister seconds the motion!”
A group of military officers stepped out of the ranks.
Just as Li Shimin was about to nod, he heard a dissenting voice.
“Your Majesty, this minister dissents…!”
Wei Zheng stood out, covering his mouth. The Red Flower Oil that Fang Er gave him yesterday had dissipated the bruises on his face, but the injury in his mouth had not yet healed, so when he spoke, it seemed to be a bit slurred.