Picturesque Rivers and Mountains in the Red Chamber

Chapter 431 6.2 "Using civility to control military force" is not acceptable.
Volume VI

6.2 "Using civil society to govern military affairs" is not acceptable.
As the girls of the Zhou family expected, Zhou Yang was indeed in the private residence of Princess Yongchang at this time, but it was different from the "happy" scene similar to theirs. What he was facing now was a problem that was not convenient for direct discussion in the court and could only be discussed in private. ——One thing is for sure, that is, you won’t have to work hungry.

Of course, neither Zhou Yang nor Princess Yongchang usually pursue good taste. Although the lunch was quite sumptuous, with their current status, they can really be praised as "simple life". A total of four people ate together, Dongfang Bing even more Most of the time, they sit together, and after eating, they find excuses to give up space for activities. Just like the Chinese people's habit since ancient times, the purpose of eating together has never been to "eat".

Inner study.

"Although the rules for the next month are indeed 'sleeping', you're not really going to do nothing, are you?" Princess Yongchang glared at Princess Yongjing, and gave her a light tap by the way. He snatched back the thick material, "Or do you already have a plan? Last night, the emperor's sister-in-law said, let me watch you carefully, for fear that you will be dishonest."

"I can't talk about any plans, but there are indeed many things." Zhou Yang smiled secretly, of course he was dishonest, "Although I can be called 'Holy Family Zhenglong' now, I will not forget my foundation. The aircraft camp has only just completed the initial integration, and it is still far from my ideal combat capability."

"Brother Zhou, you still don't think the army that was reviewed by the public a few days ago is not strong enough?" Princess Yongjing said in surprise, "It's not that I haven't seen it. Compared with General Qi's Imperial Guard Army and the original Imperial Forest Army, How can such soldiers and horses not be strong enough? I wonder what Brother Zhou’s ideal army should look like?"

"I'm afraid it will be difficult to achieve." Zhou Yang thought of the red iron army in the modern world and shook his head helplessly. At least it was just an ideal and belief, which was impossible to achieve in a feudal society. "The main problem at this stage is personnel. To replenish and update equipment, I plan to select the original outstanding veterans and disperse them into the entire Shenji Battalion to serve as small flags and general flags.

Just to put it bluntly, it will take at least two months to get it all done. This only counts personnel adjustments and equipment replenishment. I have told you before that Uncle Xue has gone all out to assist, but there is an old saying, "It's hard for a clever woman to make a meal without rice", and he couldn't conjure up guns and transport them to the capital, so he had to do it slowly.

The total strength of the Shenji Battalion is nearly 4000, and at least [-] flintlock guns are needed, more than [-] infantry cannons, [-] to [-] [-]-jin field guns, and more than [-] cavalry, which means about [-] horses. , about two thousand draft horses and pack horses, not counting daily consumption or losses. To put it bluntly, this is a terrifying number. "

"Brother Zhou, are you a heavenly soldier or a heavenly general?" Princess Yongjing was dumbfounded.

"Ziyang, don't be too exaggerated." Duke Yongchang held him in his arms, his tone still full of laughter and laughter, "If we really let you do this, how will the other battalions respond? The Three Thousand Battalion claims to have [-] elite cavalry, but in fact It’s hard to say even [-]%, but you have already built a huge horse farm, and you are equivalent to building another half of the [-] battalion."

"Okay, then I will reduce the cavalry by about half and the heavy artillery by half." Zhou Yang understood her worries and thought about it before making a concession, "If necessary, you can report directly to the Queen and His Highness. , if you still have any doubts, call me into the palace at any time to explain. At this time, there is no room for any cracks or barriers between us."

"I'm sorry you still remember." Princess Yongchang nodded, recognizing what he meant. "I heard that you got together with Niu Jizong and the others a few days ago? You won't forget how they tricked you in the first place. Right? Now the imperial court is in a troubled time, and it really cannot withstand any big storms. "

"My mentor Chen Ruiwen said something very good. No matter what thoughts I have, I am also a military commander. This cannot be changed." Zhou Yang said calmly, "There is a difference between civil and military affairs in the court. For the Tian family, 'balance' ' is the most basic rule. It is wrong for any party to be too strong. Once such a situation occurs, who has the final say in the court?

Excessively weakening the martial arts will not be good for the royal family. I know what the Queen is worried about, but don't forget the old things in the late Ming Dynasty. Emperor Chongzhen was "all the people are upright and the court" until his death. What is the result?The crooked-necked tree on Meishan Mountain has not yet been cut down, and there is also Yue Wumu's eternal iron rule, 'Civil officials do not love wealth, military generals are willing to die, and the world can be peaceful'. "

Obviously, this is because the royal family has been losing points continuously during this period and is somewhat unable to stabilize the court, so it is preparing to play "using civil servants to control military forces". This is not possible. Originally, this was not a big problem for Zhou Yang, but Now in the entire military commander system, he is the most powerful and popular one. Once this strategy is implemented, the first one to feel the pressure will definitely be the Shenji Battalion.

"What does Brother Zhou mean?" Princess Yongjing gave her sister an apologetic look before continuing, "After all, Sister Huang and I are going out, and in the hands of Sister Huang, you have been too close to her from the beginning. Being close is nothing now, but once the emperor's nephew ascends the throne, there will probably be a lot of repetition."

"You damn hooves, it's no wonder that I've been so good to you, and I still do this now!" Princess Yongchang angrily twisted her sister's ears, but she still smiled when she spoke. In fact, many things are like this, and it's okay to talk to them face to face. , the more you hold it in, the easier it will be to not solve it.

"You guys, can't you think about it carefully? You were patronizing His Highness to get close to Wu Xun, but this time Wu Xun pulled his crotch, and you didn't think of the Queen's background?" Zhou Yang said angrily, "Rong'er, I remember Or did you say before that the Li family is a powerful family in the world, with a family of poetry and calligraphy that has been passed down for thousands of years, right? Isn’t there anything you can pick out?"

In fact, it can not only promote the talents of the descendants, the Li family is known as "a family with a history of thousands of years, a family of poetry and calligraphy", and its influence is not limited to its own family. The biggest influence of the so-called "gentry" has always been the "network". Don't have too many friends, senior fellow apprentices, etc. The queen can use this network to radiate out her own group of civil servants.

"The eldest brother of the emperor's sister-in-law, Li Shannai, is a great scholar in the country, but he has never been an official." As soon as Princess Yongchang finished speaking, Zhou Yang understood what she meant. He was a nerd and was useless. "The second brother, Li Miannai, is a doctor in the examination department of the Ministry of Civil Affairs. In recent years, I have not been promoted due to my family background. Lin Ruhai has just become the Minister of Rites and really needs a helper."

"Look, isn't a servant coming out?" Zhou Yang said with a smile, "That old slicker Yu Chong can just hang it up. Anyway, the main function of the Ministry of Rites is an imperial examination. At that time, let this Li Mian be the deputy chief examiner several times." , just let Yu Chong be named, and His Royal Highness will ascend the throne next year, no matter what, Kai Enke will be indispensable, so the first batch of available manpower will be there—is there any more?"

"There is also a third brother, Li Ji, who has no fame and fortune. He has been in charge of the Li family's common affairs for many years. I'm afraid he won't be able to help him." Princess Yongchang shook her head helplessly.

"If you can't be an official of the court, then find a way to help your nephew manage the money bag." Zhou Yang has been unhappy with Prince Zhongshun for a long time, and every year he gets at least 5 taels of "travel money" from Xuezihao. Quite a few, give him the title of deputy general manager, and ask the Jinyi Army to send some manpower to investigate the construction of the emperor's mausoleum carefully. The prince goes home to retire. Doesn’t he like actors and masculinity? Let him go back and play by himself? The imperial tomb is the head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Industry. It’s no problem to take the opportunity to kill one or even two servants, and then use it as an opportunity , is it difficult to get the Minister of Industry to be honest?"

Princess Yongchang and Yongjing:
"What are your expressions?" Zhou Yang was a little nervous because of the expressions of the two sisters.

"Zhou Ziyang, if it weren't for these years, I would know your temperament and know that you have been in the army, otherwise I would definitely think you have been bewitched." Princess Yongchang looked at him speechlessly, with a wonderful expression, "OK Come on, stop talking, hang up the Ministry of Rites, and Lin Ruhai, the Ministry of Personnel, is a talented person, plus the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Works, it will be enough."

"Not only the royal family's own purse, but also the imperial court's" Zhou Yang felt that it needed to be strengthened.

"Shut up!" *2.

"Wen Shangshu is proficient in the official affairs of the household department. He has devoted himself to the Great Zhou Dynasty for many years. Even if he has no credit, he has hard work." Princess Yongchang said angrily, "He is a man who knows how to advance and retreat, and understands the general trend. He has some thoughts, old man Liu Lun has tried to win over him many times before, but he has not wavered, let alone now."

"Okay, you guys have the final say." Zhou Yang said nonchalantly, "I will go to him to settle the matter in a few days. Whether it is the current Shenji Camp or the former Left Guard of the Fifth Army Camp, the total total exceeds 50. two advances"

"Just think of it as filial piety." Princess Yongchang interrupted him without hesitation.

"Brother Zhou, the current situation in the country is difficult." Princess Yongjing was gentle enough, but her meaning was exactly the same.

"My two princesses, that money is not mine, it is the hard-earned hard-earned money of the Xue family." Even if Zhou Yang had already guessed, he was not in the mood at this time, at least he couldn't let them go so smoothly. , as for his own money to raise troops, he is actually happy to see the results, such as the famous "eating Master Yuan's meal" problem in small town military training in the late Qing Dynasty, "You are competing for profits with the people."

"General Zhou, do you want me to send someone to investigate the main source of goods on Jiangnan Salt Road and the source of smuggled goods from Jiubian?" Princess Yongchang immediately threatened, "Also, do you still have the nerve to say that the brand name Xue is Xue?" From home? I won’t say anything from the Jiangnan side, but you really don’t know who is in charge of the Northland and Gyeonggi area?"

"Your Highness Yongchang, I remember who is the largest salt merchant in the entire Northland?" This person is not easy to mess with.

"Brother Zhou, Sister Huang, it turns out you" Princess Yongjing's expression was wonderful.

"You shut up!" *2.

"Well, since the country's affairs are difficult, I should show some filial piety as I can." Seeing that if the argument continues, it will end badly, someone decided to give it up, "It's just that I can't let me advance the food, salary, and money in the future." ?The entire Shenji camp has 2 people. If I support them all with my own money, are you sure there will be no problem?"

"Oh?" Princess Yongchang smiled coldly, "I wonder if General Zhou still has any problems? Do you want me to help you advise and see when it is appropriate to take action?"

"Are you sure those poor people aren't gossiping?" This is what Zhou Yang is most worried about.

"Then we will follow the original quota and the payment standards will remain unchanged." Princess Yongchang said "happily", "I assure you that the payment will be in full and with full salary. Anyone who dares to deduct a penny will have his nine tribes destroyed. Let me vent your anger!"

"You have to have a conscience as a human being. This is equivalent to asking me every year." Zhou Yang was even more dissatisfied now. With the current training level of the Zhou Dynasty's army and the "three days and one exercise" standard salary, it was a cold weapon. Exercise classes, those things are so fucking boring, it’s hard to say whether they can survive ten or eight days a month, let alone some live-fire exercises and the like.

Princess Yongchang didn't say anything, but gave her sister a look, and the two of them worked together to "forcefully drag" someone to the bedroom.

"What are you two doing? I'm not a casual person——"

(End of this chapter)