The Ming Dynasty’s Prodigal Son - Chapter 1802

[1802. Chapter 1714 A good idea]

Zhu Houzhao was stunned.

He never expected that Fang Jifan had already had a ‘plan’.

“Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”

Fang Jifan said modestly: “I am still young. Although I have a not-so-good idea, I think your Majesty is wise and the two ministers in the cabinet are experienced in planning the country. They have already made up their mind. “Ji, I need to be more humble. “

Liu Jian and Li Dongyang didn’t say anything. Anyway, no matter what Fang Jifan said, they didn’t care.

Zhu Houzhao said anxiously: “Speak quickly.”

“There is only one way.” Fang Jifan said: “Disband the First Army temporarily.”

“What…”

Suddenly, everyone was confused.

When everyone stared at him with wide-eyed shock, Fang Jifan said: “The military attache will stay temporarily, and the rest of the soldiers will be dismissed.” “

Dismissed?” Zhu Houzhao came back to his senses, frowned and said: “Old Fang, you Are you crazy?”

Fang Jifan became particularly serious: “This is the fastest way. Of course… there is a faster way, which is for the court to provide more money and treatment, but your Majesty also knows that in the future we There are tens of millions of people to be recruited. The current treatment is already a huge burden for the imperial court. If there are more people, I am afraid that the imperial court will be unable to bear it, so… I said that the first to be dismissed “The army is the best way.”

Liu Jian also frowned: “How can we set up a standing army and change it at night? This is a national policy. Recruit today and demobilize tomorrow. What does this mean?”

Fang Jifan has already made plans, and said: “I The meaning is not to change the order at night, but to let the First Army retire early, and all the key personnel will be left, so it is not a change at night. “

Li Dongyang couldn’t help but ask: “What does Qi Guogong mean?”

Fang Jifan said: “This is for the sake of the standing army. It is too difficult to change people’s ideas. It is as difficult as climbing to the sky…”

Zhu Houzhao said angrily: “No, Lao Fang, no matter what idea you have, I will never Allowing you to do this is because these are the soldiers I have trained so hard and are my hard work.”

In an instant, the emperor actually stood with Liu Jian and Li Dongyang, and Fang Jifan became the target of public criticism.

Now, they only have one thought: Fang Jifan has a brain disorder.

Fang Jifan said: “Your Majesty, please listen to my explanation.”

“No!” Zhu Houzhao said: “No matter what flower you name, I will not allow you to fool around.”

Fang Jifan gritted his teeth: “Your Majesty, how do you recruit the manpower of the standing army? The Ministry of War is already as anxious as an ant on a hot pot. “

Zhu Houzhao had to think about it again.”

Fang Jifan said, “We can’t waste time. Why don’t we make a bet?”

Zhu Houzhao said sternly. I don’t allow you to gamble on anything?”

Fang Jifan sighed inwardly, well, he still understands Zhu Houzhao’s virtues!

Liu Jian and Li Dongyang never thought that national affairs would end up being child’s play…

Fang Jifan said: “Three months, give me three months to dismiss these thousands of people, and I will bring you one hundred thousand good sons and daughters.” ! Not only that, if these previously dismissed soldiers are willing to come back, you can still let them join the team. Don’t you dare to gamble? “

” Why don’t you dare?” Zhu Houzhao glared at him and said, “You lose. “What?”

“Xishan is willing to pay three million taels for military expenses,” Fang Jifan said without any guilt.

At this moment… even Liu Jian and Li Dongyang started to feel excited.

Zhu Houzhao was happy: “How can I ask for your money?”

Fang Jifan said lightly: “Forget it.”

Zhu Houzhao waved his hand and said immediately: “We have agreed on a bet, how can we just say it? A gentleman has no jokes, a real man “What if your Majesty

loses

?” Fang Jifan looked at Zhu Houzhao calmly.

Zhu Houzhao said: “For so many years, warriors have indeed been suppressed. How can we, the Ming Dynasty, think about opening up the territory and extending kindness and power to the four seas, and at the same time let the soldiers be treated as untouchables? They want to do it for the Ming Dynasty. , He who bleeds for the imperial court, a person who bleeds, can be treated so lightly, not to mention it is unreasonable, even if it does not do any good to the country, if it can be a glorious thing for people to join the army, then… soldiers. Our situation will be greatly improved. This is a great achievement. If I don’t reward you, how can I let it pass? If it succeeds, I will give you an official title for the first time. I will not be stingy.”

Fang Jifan calculated. , three million taels of silver, in exchange for a black gauze hat and a title, no matter how you look at it, it doesn’t seem to be a good deal!

However… he looked sure of victory: “In that case, within three months, Your Majesty will not be able to get involved, and you will have to obey the ministers.”

“It’s up to you.” Zhu Houzhao laughed.

No matter how you calculate it, he won’t lose anything!

………

Soon, a decree came out of the palace and immediately arrived at the First Army.

After the decree was issued, everyone in the army was stunned.

They never expected that the good-looking First Army would suddenly be disbanded.

As soon as the news came out, the whole army was filled with mourning.

When we first entered the camp, everyone felt miserable and wanted to leave quickly.

But now… they are gradually getting used to being here, having enough to eat and drink every day, and training has gradually become a piece of cake in their eyes. In this army, after getting along with the robes for a long time, they treat each other like family members. The support was suddenly leaving, and everyone was about to return to their hometowns. Not only did this come suddenly, but also… almost everyone was reluctant to leave.

According to the decree, they could only stay here for one night, and the severance expenses would be paid the next day and they would set off immediately.

Zhou Yi felt that his mind was blank, and he was actually crazy. Like everyone else, they were silent and did not speak. Everyone lowered their heads and packed their bags.

During dinner in the evening, someone was sobbing softly while eating the food.

As the night passed, everyone’s hearts were complicated. When they were about to leave the camp and leave, the emotions that had been suppressed in their hearts burst out suddenly as they were about to be separated.

Zhou Yi suddenly burst into tears at the gate of the camp. Some of the people who accompanied him day and night also held their heads and cried.

The relationship between the military and classmates is slightly different, especially in the First Army. Everyone practiced together under the scorching sun, crawled in the mud, fought side by side, experienced life and death tests, and surpassed the hardships of ordinary people time and time again. For individuals, it is suffering.

And after experiencing countless hardships and sufferings of life and death, only Paoze, who ate, slept, and was together all day long, became each other’s source of comfort.

But now…everything is back to where it started.

Zhou Yi wiped his red eyes desperately, and finally… boarded the pick-up carriage. He got on the carriage with several fellow villagers, and looked through the glass window at the far away gate, the familiar flag, and… There are those familiar faces, as if all of a sudden… I have given up a part of my life.

The decree came ruthlessly, and the process of dismissal was also very fast, because…these soldiers were already accustomed to obeying, and even if they were reluctant to give up, they all carried their bags and embarked on their way home.

………

Jingli heard the news.

There was an uproar.

The First Army was fine before, so why was it suddenly disbanded?

In fact, everyone in Beijing had a good impression of the First Army.

The First Army hardly disturbed the people, and… was highly disciplined. It once put down Jiang Bin’s rebellion.

It is really unexpected that such an army and horses dispersed at the drop of a hat.

On this day, Zhu Houzhao appeared in a teahouse with Fang Jifan, Liu Jian, Liu Jin, Wang Shouren and others.

They were wearing casual clothes, and although they looked strange as a group,… not many people paid attention to them.

In the teahouse, people were talking enthusiastically, and countless words filled Zhu Houzhao’s ears.

Zhu Houzhao was like a quiet listener, holding a teacup and drinking tea slowly.

“It’s a pity for the First Army. I thought that with them, the capital would be safe. We, the common people, feel at ease. How could we have imagined that… the imperial court will change whenever it says.” “

Yeah, that’s right, but… just listen. It is said that many soldiers cried like hell when they left the camp.

“It’s just a matter of crying. This is a good thing for them. But who can become a soldier if they have some potential?” The family is looking for a matchmaker, but which daughter of a decent family will marry them? If this soldier continues to do this, he will have no descendants. “

“It’s true, most of the time, those who join the army are not good people .

“What’s the good of joining the army? It’s better to leave the military household and live a good life.”

When Zhu Houzhao heard this… he lost his temper again and wanted to throw the tea cup in his hand, taking advantage of the situation to get angry. .

Fang Jifan knew Zhu Houzhao best, and he hurriedly pressed Zhu Houzhao’s hand and whispered: “Your Majesty… why are you arguing with people? What if you win?”

Zhu Houzhao knew that Fang Jifan was right, but he still held back his breath. , then he put the tea cup down and suddenly said loudly: “That’s not entirely true. Without these soldiers, how can we be safe? You guys are talking nonsense.”

He said so loudly.

Several people who were originally talking lowered their voices and looked at Zhu Houzhao in surprise. Unexpectedly, at this time, someone actually came to argue with them.

But when they saw Zhu Houzhao’s young appearance, they immediately showed meaningful expressions, and then looked at Zhu Houzhao with eyes that looked at him as if they were caring for a mentally retarded person.

“Little brother… I’ve been here before, so you don’t understand. Joining the army is not a nice thing to say. You young people are ignorant, and you will know it later.”

The others started laughing, thinking that Which merchant’s young master came out and made nonsense.

“In the future, if my little brother has a daughter, he will know a saying that it is better to have a daughter than to marry a soldier. People who join the army are called thieves in the army in all dynasties. Those who have committed crimes are exiled and sent to the army. You just joined the army, tell me, what good can this do?”

(End of this chapter)