"Your Majesty, we …"
Zhao Hu was just about to say something when Xiao Ruxun stopped him.
"I know that this sort of worry can't be dispelled just by talking about it, nor can it be dispelled by me giving you the alchemy books and iron certificates. Emperor Taizu of the former Ming Dynasty bestowed countless iron certificates, but he also killed countless people. Before imperial authority, even father, son, and brother can face each other with swords, much less a lump of iron."
Xiao Ruxun's words were a little too frank, so frank that everyone found them somewhat incredulous.
"Imperial authority truly is a very important thing, and its allure is far too great. Even I cannot guarantee that I won't be tempted by imperial authority and do something to all of you. Thus, before all of this begins, I have chosen to speak the truth to all of you.
I want to make everything clear, because all of you have followed me all this way, achieved merits and suffered hardships. For me to be able to reach where I am today is inseparable from all of your contributions. I do not want to become a second Zhu Yuanzhang. To tell the truth, I very much dislike many of Zhu Yuanzhang's methods. "
Xiao Ruxun continued, "But I can understand his worries and his goal in doing this. Before I officially became Emperor, I had already experienced it. I worry, I worry, I am suspicious of everything, I am also suspicious of all of you. I can't even control myself.
Thus, I hope that all of you can understand that in a few days, I will be Emperor and not your Commander-In-Chief. I will no longer be that Commander-In-Chief who can leisurely stroll with you and chat about the future. All of you must remember that I am Emperor!
I hope that all of you can understand the difference between treating a Commander-In-Chief and treating an Emperor. Thus, all of you must arrange for your families to be in the capital. I will bestow upon you a certain amount of land around the capital. All of you must do this. "
Xiao Ruxun's gaze swept over everyone before settling on Li Rusong.
"Especially you, Zimao. You should understand what I am most worried about."
Li Rusong took in a deep breath, stood up, and kneeled in front of Xiao Ruxun.
"I is willing to send this old father and my family to the capital. This is what this old father hopes for. Your Majesty, please make the appropriate arrangements."
This level of compromise was something that Xiao Ruxun had long ago expected.
But this was far from enough.
The degree of independence of the Liaodong Army and the terrible situation in Liaodong worried Xiao Ruxun.
"No, this is not enough."
Xiao Ruxun continued, "If you want me to continue using you, to continue letting you lead the troops and let you gallop on the battlefield, you have to accept my transformation of the Liaodong Army and any personnel changes I make in the Liaodong Army.
In the former Ming Dynasty, the Liaodong Army was in a semi-independent state. You all have private soldiers and servants who only listen to you and not the imperial court. I won't allow it. I won't allow any army that is not under my control in the territory of Daqin. Remember, any army. "
Xiao Ruxun stared straight at Li Rusong. "The Li family has a deep foundation in Liaodong, and Liaodong is an important place for Daqin to use troops in the future. I have many plans in Liaodong, and I can't allow anyone to interfere with them. I will give you and the generals of the Liaodong Army certain compensation.
But after that, you, the Li family, and your cronies can no longer serve in the Liaodong Army. The Liaodong Army must be completely handed over to the central government. I will set up a formal government in Liaodong, and the whole territory of Liaodong will be governed by the central government. "
Li Rusong pursed his lips, and his body trembled slightly.
Xiao Ruxun's words were unquestionable, with a hint of threat.
He could believe that if he did not cooperate with the Liaodong Army in any way, the two cavalry regiments of the Battle Wolf Battalion and the Wild Lion Battalion would quickly attack him the next day.
No, more than that, Xiao Ruxun's 200,000 elite troops around the capital could rush to Liaodong at any time and crush his Liaodong Army into pieces if he dared to resist.
As a general, Xiao Ruxun knew better than anyone the importance of military power to the stability of a country.
Li Rusong also understood all this.
So, he knew what he should choose.
"I … will obey Your Majesty's order, and dare not resist. Everything … is at Your Majesty's disposal."
Li Rusong made such a decision in contradiction and fear.
Xiao Ruxun nodded slowly.
"Very good, you didn't let me down. Zimao, I will continue to use you, use the Li family, and protect the Li family's wealth."
Then, Xiao Ruxun looked at Chai Guozhu.
Chai Guozhu was much weaker than Li Rusong, and he was more straightforward. He directly knelt in front of Xiao Ruxun and handed over everything.
"I am at Your Majesty's disposal."
Nothing could win Xiao Ruxun's appreciation more than this kind of straightforwardness.
"Very good, Qingxiao, I will also continue to use you and protect your wealth."
Then, Xiao Ruxun continued, "Since ancient times, there has been no imperial court that has not been afraid of generals who lead troops, and few generals who lead troops and make meritorious achievements can have a good death. Everyone knows that this is not good, but once the suspicion arises, it can't be suppressed. This is a fact that even the emperor can't change.
When I was a general, I hated the imperial court's restraint and suspicion of me. I didn't have any disobedient intention, but now I can understand what this feeling is all about. When one's meritorious service overshadows the emperor and holds a large number of troops, he will inevitably be suspected. When this suspicion can't be solved normally, it will lead to a mutiny. "
As he said this, Xiao Ruxun looked at his generals. With Zhao Hu as the leader, they all lowered their heads and didn't dare to say anything.
"In fact, this is also because generals don't have many ways to retreat. Other than leading troops, they just lead troops. Once their military power is taken away, for a general, it is no different from death. They will be at the mercy of others. Therefore, even in death, generals are unwilling to give up their military power. I thought for a long time, and in order to change this situation, I decided to set up a military academy."
Xiao Ruxun continued to talk about his plan.
"A military academy?"
Zhao Hu and the others looked at Xiao Ruxun strangely.
"Yes, a military academy, a military academy that specializes in training martial artists. Just like academies for scholars to train scholars, I believe that if the army wants to maintain its strength, it also needs to have a military academy that trains martial artists. There will also be teachers and students who will also learn cultural knowledge and be literate. However, they will specialize in military affairs. Sun Tzu's Art of War and Wu Zi's Art of War are the Four Books and Five Classics for us martial artists."
When he said this, everyone understood. Everyone revealed astonished gazes and looked at each other. No one could say anything.
"Scholars can train more scholars through academies. Some will become officials, and some will become teachers. I believe that generals can do the same. In the past, the inheritance of generals was hereditary. How can a hereditary inheritance compare to a nationwide selection? Therefore, it is natural that the former Ming Dynasty's generals declined and the former Ming Dynasty's civil officials flourished.
Therefore, I decided to set up a military academy and use the methods of scholars to train generals. I will recruit young people who want to join the army from all over the country. Through educating them, I will maintain the quality of officers and an endless number of them. "
Xiao Ruxun stretched out his hand and pointed at the generals. "And all of you will be their best teachers."
"Teachers?"
The generals couldn't help but blurt out.
Generals could also become teachers?
How could an illiterate man become a teacher in the traditional sense? Although they weren't illiterate and could already read and write without any obstacles, this was indeed something unimaginable.
How could such an honorable title like teacher be given to a boorish general?
How could such an honorable title like teacher be given to a boorish general?
To the generals of the former Ming Dynasty who were used to bloodline inheritance, this was simply a fantasy. However, coming from Xiao Ruxun's mouth, it was not strange at all.
"Your Majesty, what you mean is that when we become old and unable to join the army, we can enter a military academy and become teachers? Train new generals in the army? "
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