unclear

Chapter 531 What is a Soldier 2
This is no longer a problem of the personal morality of a certain general or a few generals, but a very real systemic flaw. Due to its backward system, the Ming Dynasty's army was no longer suitable for high-intensity warfare. But no one knew how to change it so that it would not threaten the throne but also increase combat effectiveness, which is why it became the strange appearance it has today.

They are not an army at all, but a group of ragtag people, the latter called cannon fodder driven by a small number of mercenaries to fight. It cannot be said that the outcome of the battle has nothing to do with them, but it is still a small number of mercenaries that play a decisive role.

As a general, who would pay too much for a group of cannon fodder? Guaranteeing not to starve to death, not to freeze to death, and not to mutiny is the upper limit. Even if you have money, you will not spend it on cannon fodder. It is really better to hire dozens more mercenaries.

Wanting to change all of this is difficult or easy, but no matter whether it is difficult or easy, in fact, if you look closely, you will eventually focus on one word, money!
Why do ordinary people become soldiers and fight? Some people have said that it is a sense of honor and patriotism. You can’t say it wrong, but like self-esteem and personality, these two things have to have a prerequisite, that is, you can’t go hungry. When a person is hungry, he will not have self-esteem and personality.

Eating is the basic condition for human survival, and its priority exceeds spiritual needs. That is to say, only after meeting the basic needs for survival can people have higher pursuits, such as dignity, honor, and feelings, and the order cannot be reversed.

Someone has said that at a certain stage it was the poor people who had no food and clothing who stood up and won the war and established the country. Yes, that's true, but why did the poor stand up? The answer is still to give money.

Because someone made them believe that if they win, they will have their own land and they will not be bullied by those in power. Land and power are two other forms of money. Their essence is the same. The difference is only in the means of payment first and payment later.

Hong Tao asked himself that he did not have the ability to be a wolf with nothing, nor did he have the psychological quality to speak with nothing, so he could only adopt the method of giving money and people, I will pay and you will work hard, one at a time.

In fact, this method is relatively stupid, and it is far less convenient than talking about ideals and writing promissory notes. But everything has at least two pros and cons. The stupid way is to go slower and pay a higher price, but it is better to go steadily. As much money as you have, you can do as many things as you want, so that you won't end up half-way through it, only to find out that your ideals can't be negotiated, your promissory notes can't be paid, and everyone is in trouble.

After living so many times, Hong Tao has done many bad things and killed many people. He has long since drifted away from the good guys. It is difficult to say whether he is a bad person or not. But he always maintained the bottom line he thought he should have, that is, he would not cheat the poor, and he would not choose to take a big gamble even if things couldn't be done.

This may be the fundamental reason why he has never been able to achieve glory, let alone greatness. The ancients said that if the country is in the war, how can the people live happily? Don't talk about the matter of making a marquis, because one general will make thousands of bones wither.

No matter how many lives he has lived and how many great things he has done, he is still a commoner at heart. He looks down on others who are devastated by their struggle for power, but he is also unwilling to end up in a bloody mess all over the world. His personality is full of contradictions. In the words of later generations, it is a bit of both being and standing at the same time, trying to occupy both sides but not being able to settle on both sides.

"... I am willing to follow His Majesty to the death!" It was probably the first time Du Wenhuan listened to the emperor's teachings in person, and it was probably the first time he heard that the army could become like this. This made Jun Song beside him anxious, and he quickly spoke up to help his nephew make amends.

In his mind, when the emperor and his ministers are in trouble, the ministers have only two choices. One is to oppose, and then die immediately; the other is to support, and it depends on luck how long he can live. Although they are all dead ends, the latter still has Xu'er.

"Of course I am willing to follow your majesty, but if you do this, I will not be able to raise tens of thousands of good soldiers and generals even if you exhaust the royal tax. I hope your majesty will think twice!" After hearing his uncle's words, Du Wenhuan knew what he meant, but he still felt that he had deceived the emperor. It's not interesting enough. This young emperor is indeed a little different after he ascends the throne. Should he say a few words of loyalty like in the play?
"Heh heh heh... I never thought that your little deputy commander would be more daring than my governor, commander and governor."

Hong Tao didn't expect Du Wenhuan to answer like this. He looked at Jun Song, who looked ashen, then looked at Sun Chengzong and Li Ruzhang, who looked surprised, and finally turned to Yuan Keli, who had a normal expression but pressed his lips together, and suddenly sneered. , and pointed with his fingers.

Usually when I say something babbled, all the ministers will nod in agreement. It's nothing more than some nodding sincerely and others nodding superficially but cursing inwardly. Except for a few vocal officials, almost no one would refute him face to face. Today, I saw someone who dared to tell the truth.

"Your Majesty, minister..." The result of this smile made Du Songruo feel sad, and when his legs went weak, he had to plead with his nephew. Even if both uncle and nephew lost their official positions, they would be considered lucky to be able to save their lives.

"Stop, stop, stop, I didn't say that your nephew is guilty, and there is no punishment. Get up quickly. Du Wenhuan, you are really unqualified to be the deputy commander-in-chief, but Ningxia is an important border town, and the post of commander-in-chief cannot be replaced rashly.

Let's do this. I will give you the Feiyu suit. Don't go back to Ningxia for the time being. Go to the army and stay for a few months. Learn from Governor Li how to train the new army soldiers. We will make arrangements later. "

But before Juniper could express her pleas and expressions, she was rudely interrupted. It’s not that I’m not allowed to speak, it’s that the emperor has something to say. Not only was Du Wenhuan not guilty, he was also rewarded.

"I thank Your Majesty for his grace. Long live His Majesty!" This time, Du Wenhuan knew the importance of the matter without Du Song's reminder, and quickly knelt down to express his gratitude.

Although the Feiyu uniform is precious, it is just a manifestation of honor. As a border warrior, he rarely goes to court, and he is basically a life-saving soldier. It is of no great use, but the arrangement of joining the army and studying with Li Ruzhang is a bit interesting.

Everyone knows that the army is the right-hand man of the emperor, but due to its small number, it cannot yet act alone. There are only two purposes for learning how the army trains soldiers. One is that the frontier armies will promote this method in the future, and the other is that the army needs to expand. No matter what the situation is, I may be reused.

"Hey, let's not be busy thanking you for now. I heard that in addition to the Du family, there are several generals in Yansui Town who are serving in the military, and their positions are not low. Your uncle and nephew happen to be here today, so let's talk about these families. Speak freely, the more detailed the better.”

Now that he has touched the border town, Hong Tao doesn't want to have a headache or a headache. Even if he can't completely solve it this time, he still has to know who is the protagonist, who is the supporting role, who can be reused, and who can be reused. Use it, who can keep it, and who can’t keep it.

(End of this chapter)