The Great Han Dynasty: From Feng Lang Juxu to the Eternal Emperor

Chapter 468 Reforming the Military Service System

At the end of the fifth year of Yuanfeng, heavy snow continued to fall in Chang'an.

Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty decided to change the Yuan Dynasty next year. This time he did not let the Ministry of Rites be responsible for changing the era name of the Yuan Dynasty. He personally handed over the era name "Taichu" to the Ministry of Rites.

This year has some rudimentary forms of Taoism, and we can more or less see the change in the mentality of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty.

Naturally, the officials were unwilling to have any dispute with Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty over a reign name. Although they all believed that the country's reign name should not be established with a Tao name, no one refuted Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty.

In this year's annual general political affairs summary, the focus is undoubtedly on discussing national development.

Hube Sang Hongyang brought a piece of shocking news, which immediately caused the entire Qilin Palace to explode.

The Japanese developed a large number of copper, iron, gold, silver and other mines on the islands.

When Wei Ning asked Sang Hongyang to dig deep for mineral resources on the Japanese slave island, Sang Hongyang was still a little confused. When these mineral resources were dug out, Sang Hongyang couldn't help but gasped and looked at Weining in shock, thinking He opened his mouth to say something, but was stopped by Wei Ning.

He now had no idea how to explain to Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty. If Sang Hongyang asked again, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty might think that he was the incarnation of a god.

He can no longer say that he dreamed about it.

After Hubu Sang Hongyang said this, he spoke again: "Your Majesty, the annual military expenditure of the Ministry of War is too heavy. I pray that the military expenditure of the Ministry of War can be reduced."

The Ministry of War now spends hundreds of millions of dollars every year, mainly because the country's army has too many people.

North Korea, Japan, and South Vietnam have each invested nearly 100,000 troops. The standing troops in Liaodong are 300,000, and in the northwest are 600,000. The navy has now been expanded to 100,000.

The entire army of the Han Dynasty already numbered over one million, but the total population of the Han Dynasty was only over 50 million.

Most of this population was born in the past few years. When the country is not troubled by war and the economy develops, the population will definitely grow wildly.

With a population of more than 50 million and an army of more than 1 million, this burden is undoubtedly too great.

Sang Hongyang requested to reduce the military expenditure of the Ministry of War. Naturally, the Ministry of War was not happy. If he really made such an excuse, what else could be said about the combat effectiveness of the Han soldiers?

The Ministry of War came out to fiercely refute Sang Hongyang.

Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty did not think that military expenditures should be reduced, but when Sang Hongyang put the huge military expenditures of the Ministry of War this year in front of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty could not hold on.

Excessive military spending will only make the country and court poorer and poorer.

Just when Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty was hesitating, Wei Ning stepped forward and said: "Your Majesty, military expenditures do not need to be reduced, but the number of troops can be reduced."

"Nowadays, the Han Dynasty rarely faces the threat of war."

After the Xiongnu in northern Xinjiang were completely destroyed, the Han Dynasty no longer had any enemies in the surrounding area, so it seemed meaningless to maintain so many troops.

The Minister of War asked Wei Ning: "It is true that the world is at peace now, but who can guarantee that the Han Dynasty will not encounter the threat of war in the future?"

"What should we do if that happens?"

Temporary conscription will naturally not work. Those new recruits will have no combat effectiveness, and the old soldiers will have to be eliminated. The army's lack of recruitment will become a hidden danger to national defense security.

When Weining heard the concerns of the Ministry of War, he smiled and said: "The reduction of troops that Gu said is to send a group of soldiers back to their hometowns to farm or work."

"Every year we can recruit a group of soldiers to train in the military camp, and then send them back after one or two years, and so on."

"In this way, we can ensure that the Han Dynasty has millions of troops among the people. As long as we start the war and recall this group of people, they will not be new recruits in name." In fact, what Weining is saying now is Similar to the Tang Dynasty's military system.

This is not to say that the Fu Army System is not good. Each era has its own needs. Now that the Han Dynasty’s future plan is to develop the economy, the Fu Army System can adapt to the current national policy.

The freed-up productive forces can be immediately put into economic construction.

After hearing what Weining said, the eyes of all the officials lit up.

This is indeed the best way to increase revenue and reduce expenditure to solve such a huge army!
Almost the perfect solution!
Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty nodded and said: "Then according to the Crown Prince's suggestion, you have three provinces and six ministries to discuss it carefully, and then show it to me when you have a plan."

"According to the order!"

Today's court meeting did not last long, and the old military system should be reformed.

Weining's reform plan was undoubtedly the most perfect and appropriate. No matter what Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty had against Weining, he had to admit it.

When there are some policy problems, Weining can always come up with some eye-catching strategies.

However, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty did not let Weining participate in the military reform plan. Instead, he asked the Ministry of War to take the lead and discuss it together with the three provinces and six ministries.

At the end of the court meeting, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty suddenly spoke and said to the officials: "I intend to make Liu Huan King of Jiaodong. What do you think?"

The officials were stunned again and looked up at Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty in disbelief.

Liu Huan was brought back, which originally made all the officials object. However, in view of Zhou's filial piety, there is nothing wrong with a father taking back his child. Even if the child's mother made a big mistake, this shows that Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty was tolerant. , Baiguan naturally can't say anything.

Now that the Han Dynasty's state system adheres to Confucian orthodoxy, filial piety is bound to be regarded as a top priority.

But now you, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, actually want to make Liu Huan the King of Jiaodong, and you will make him the king directly after he comes back. This undoubtedly breaks the bottom line of all officials.

There are also a large number of bureaucrats who support Weining, and naturally they don't want to see this scene.

Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty's intention was too obvious. If Liu Huan was promoted now, Liu Huanzhen would replace Wei Ning one day in the future. This would seriously not be in the interests of all officials.

Once the emperor and the courtiers, they have all invested. If the monarch is changed, who can guarantee what his career will be like in the future?
Regardless of whether it is better for public or private affairs, no matter what, the officials will not agree to grant Liu Huan the title of king!
Master Fu Yan was the first to stand up and rebuttal to Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, saying: "Your Majesty, this is not allowed!"

"Liu Huan is no longer the eldest prince. He has returned as a commoner and has not made any achievements. How can he be crowned King of Jiaodong?"

Sang Hongyang also came out and retorted: "Your Majesty, think again! Although I know that your Majesty, as a father, cares for his children, but Liu Huan is no longer a prince. If he is crowned king at this time, wouldn't it tell the world that the rebellion of his mother's family will not affect his children?" "

"Once such a bad start is made, it is unlikely that many royal heirs will follow suit in future generations."

"Your Majesty, please think twice!"

Sang Hongyang's words were based on emotion and reason, and were well-founded. He also informed Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty and all officials of all future risks.

Of course the officials came out and followed Sang Hongyang in retorting, saying: "Your Majesty, please think again!"

"Your Majesty, please think again!"

Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty took a look at the attitude of the officials and said indifferently: "Retreat from the court."

Today he was just a test, but the result was obviously not what he wanted!
(End of this chapter)