Please call me Your Majesty!

Chapter 118: Northern Expedition! Northern Expedition! Northern Expedition! Chu Shizhao's Military Merit System! The Great Zhou Dynasty is completely crazy!
[In December of the seventh year of Kaihuang, Chu Shizhao implemented a new military merit system in the Great Zhou Dynasty to boost the morale of the army.]

[The military merit system is divided into extraordinary merit, first merit and second merit. ]

[Among these, extraordinary achievements are the highest honor, requiring the meritorious person to make a decisive performance in the battle, such as beheading a general and capturing a flag, being the first to climb a siege, tearing open the battle line, defending the city to the death, and even dying for the country are all the highest honors. ]

[The first merit is second, requiring soldiers who are fearless and brave enough to charge into battle. ]

[The second merit is to obey the army's orders during the battle, not to desert the battlefield, and to ensure that everyone performs their duties, which is also considered a kind of merit.]

[Those who capture the enemy's head will also be eligible for the title of nobility. ]

[For this reason, Chu Shizhao re-established the military merit title system, abolished the complex, changeable, and fictitious title system of the Great Zhou Dynasty, and came up with a twenty-level military merit title system. The rewards and status obtained by different levels of military merit were also different. ]

[For example, if a soldier could kill a Xiongnu on the battlefield, he would be directly awarded the first-class title and one mu of land. The higher the title, the higher the status, and he could enjoy the same treatment as the literati.]

[Each level of nobility has corresponding land, servants, travel methods, etiquette and other benefits, and the boundaries between levels are clear. ]

When Chu Shizhao reformed the military merit system and took out this trump card, he was aiming to crush the Huns and achieve the ultimate strategic goal - the Western Expedition.

This move has to be said to be extremely powerful. After Chu Shizhao used it, he had no way out.

Because once it is effectively implemented, the combat effectiveness of the army of the Great Zhou Dynasty will increase exponentially. At the same time, after the battle reaches the upper reaches, Chu Shizhao will not be able to stop the war just by saying so.

Chu Shizhao must be prepared for death in the second generation.

As long as the successor is not capable enough, and follows Chu Shizhao's approach, the empire will collapse in an instant.

The pros and cons are also obvious.

The advantage is that it opens up a promotion channel for generals that did not exist before, so that a soldier will not be a soldier all his life, the general's son will always be a general, and the noble's son will still be a noble.

Chu Shizhao did this to provide the common people with channels for upward mobility and to stimulate their enthusiasm for fighting and production.

At the same time, it also prevented the children of nobles from eating idle meals, making the court of the Great Zhou Dynasty full of "vitality".

In essence, the military merit system and the imperial examination system are both methods of opening up channels for the lower classes to rise.

That's what the Ming Dynasty was like.

This dynasty, even in the late Ming Dynasty, still produced many heroes.

Although the classes in the Ming Dynasty became solidified in the later period, compared with other dynasties, the Ming Dynasty did not completely close the channels for upward mobility.

So there is always someone who can stand up.

The most important thing is that only by starting the military merit system can Chu Shizhao have the capital and ability to go on the Western Expedition.

There is no benefit. Who on earth would be willing to fight you to the end?
A long-term war will inevitably lead to war-weariness.

So Chu Shizhao offered greater benefits and more obvious profits and worked hard.

Mainly due to the current situation of the Great Zhou Dynasty, Chu Shizhao does not have a good way to revive the Great Zhou in the most stable way.

Chu Shizhao could only make bold moves and use some unconventional techniques to achieve miraculous results.

What's more, war is the continuation of politics.

Even though the Single Whip Law is being implemented vigorously, the landlords are actually quite resistant to it.

In fact, if these landlords pay more taxes, their lives can still be quite comfortable, it's not like they can't make ends meet.

However, no one likes to have a large amount of money in their hands reduced by a part and become relatively more money.

The powerful and wealthy families were very dissatisfied with Chu Shizhao's actions.

In this situation, Chu Shizhao could not ensure that everyone would be as loyal as Huan Sheng, so he had to win over a new group of factions to suppress the powerful and wealthy families.

Generals who are promoted through the military merit system can all become new factions under Chu Shizhao.

This new faction was responsible for enforcing the "Single Whip Law", a sword hanging over the heads of the powerful families.

Chu Shizhao was so determined to fight the Huns, not only to avenge himself and regain his lost face, but also to cultivate his own imperial power, train new descendants, and suppress those whose interests were harmed after the reform.

This is about building prestige.

Therefore, this battle is extremely important to Chu Shizhao.

If we win the battle, we will have everything we need. Chu Shizhao will be able to handle everything easily afterwards.

If he lost the battle, it would be a question whether the "Single Whip Law" could be implemented stably, and his throne might even be overthrown.

This series of reforms and changes to open up channels for common people to rise up would actually be something that no ruler of any feudal dynasty would dare to follow Chu Shizhao's example.

Because this is the fundamental factor that affects governance.

For example, the so-called "Ten Perfect Man", the "Saint" founder of the Qing Dynasty, Kangxi, had the opportunity to develop firearms and promote national science and technology, and had favorable conditions.

The main reason why he did not develop science and technology was that he was afraid that the Qing Dynasty would be overthrown and that his own ruling position would be affected.

A strong country sometimes does not mean a strong monarch.

If the subordinates are too powerful, it will definitely be detrimental to the monarch's rule.

Most monarchs, in the later period of their reign, constantly considered how to weaken their subordinates in order to prevent them from rebelling against their superiors.

Chu Shizhao is not afraid.

In the current situation, the Great Zhou Dynasty is in a state of danger and survival at all times. Is he still considering weakening himself?
He just filled it up.

Either he destroyed all the surrounding countries, or his Great Zhou Dynasty collapsed because it was too powerful. However, Chu Shizhao was determined not to accept that the country he ruled was destroyed by others.

The examples of the Five Barbarians' Invasion, the Jingkang Incident, the Battle of Tumu, the Three Massacres at Jiading, and the Eight-Nation Alliance are all heartbreaking.

This time, Chu Shizhao used Yang Jian's reign title.

It is not a tribute to Emperor Wen of Sui Yang Jian, but the meaning of this era name reflects Chu Shizhao's attitude towards this governance.

It symbolizes a stage in the evolution of all things in the universe.

It is also the main tone of Chu Shizhao's grand ambitions!
And on the screen.

Because of the emergence of the military merit system, the morale of the soldiers of the Great Zhou Dynasty was permanently increased by 20 points.

[Because you introduced the military merit system, your country has temporarily gained a new entry effect - martial arts has become a trend. ]

[Martial arts have become a trend: After Emperor Kai, Chu Shizhao, implemented the military merit system, the martial virtues of the Great Zhou Dynasty became increasingly abundant, and all the soldiers in the army were eager to establish merits for the country and win military exploits.]

[Your soldiers' morale is permanently increased by 20 points, your soldiers' force is increased by 3 points, and it is easier for your soldiers to learn combat skills. ]

[In January of the eighth year of Kaihuang, Chu Shizhao began to collect food and fodder from all over the country and dispatched civilians to clear the grain transportation line to ensure that there would be no mistakes during the entire Northern Expedition.]

[In February of the eighth year of Kaihuang, Emperor Chu Shizhao personally reviewed his troops in Chang'an.]

【You are now thirty years old. 】

[In front of many soldiers, Chu Shizhao drew out the long sword from his waist and said in a loud and high voice: "Soldiers, do you know why I am here today?"]

[“It was eight years ago that the Luma Rebellion began.”]

[“During that great chaos, the imperial court’s traitors Lu Yi and Ma Su’an led the Xiongnu into the interior of the country and wreaked havoc on the northern border, harming many innocent people.”]

[“Daning Prefecture and Datong Prefecture were trampled underfoot by the Xiongnu just eight years ago, and countless civilians were killed and injured.”]

[“And now, I have sent an envoy to ask Su Fu to return the culprit of the Luma Rebellion. Not only did the Xiongnu not return the traitor to our dynasty, they also detained my beloved ministers and colleagues for no reason.”]

[“This is the situation, this scene, this moment.”]

[“My heart aches.”][“But I can’t do anything about it!” Chu Shizhao rode on his warhorse, looking down at the three prefectures’ army, which had formed a battle array of tens of thousands of people on the parade ground below.]

[“The country is weak, and the finances of several generations of kings have been unbalanced. I have suppressed the Luma Rebellion, and the national strength has declined. Facing the Xiongnu’s aggressiveness, I can only be tolerant for the time being.”]

[“Eight years. I have been waiting for eight years.”]

[“How many eight years can we have in our life? Is it worth waiting for?”]

[“I can only watch with my own eyes as the Huns’ horses’ hooves trample on the heads of my people. I can only watch with my own eyes as the common people on the border suffer from the war.”]

[“During the Yongjin Dynasty, Daning Prefecture was massacred, but my father endured it.”]

[“In my dynasty, Datong Prefecture was also massacred, and countless people were enslaved. I still endured it, and I had no choice but to endure it.”]

[“Now, the Huns have put their swords to my neck, detained my ministers, and enslaved my people, and they want me to stop here.”]

[“I can’t stand it anymore! I can’t stand it anymore!”]

[“So, I must fight this battle!”]

[“Because I am afraid. I am afraid that after I am gone, the Xiongnu will once again cross the Great Wall, murder my people, bully my subjects, and enslave my family, the wives and children of my officers and men.”]

[“Today, I will issue an order. This may be my last order.”]

[“I want to tell you, I want to tell all the people in the world, in the Central Plains, there are only people from the Great Zhou who died in battle, and there are no people from the Great Zhou who escaped and were willing to be humiliated!”]

[“This is the first battle of the new dynasty, and it is the foundation of the Great Zhou Dynasty.”]

[“It is a great honor bestowed upon us by God that you can experience such a great war.”]

[“This is also a chance God has given us to go down in history!”]

[“Soldiers, the time has come for you to make achievements!”]

[“Let the enemy’s blood soak our battle robes, and let the Huns know that our Great Zhou cavalry can also roam the entire northern desert!!!”]

[Chu Shizhao jumped off his horse, held his sword horizontally, and stood in front of the soldiers of the three armies. He raised his eyes and looked at the tip of the sword.]

[Instantly, many soldiers of the three prefectures drew their weapons at the same time. Yang Yanchao knelt on one knee and shouted, "Your Majesty, please pass on the order. We swear to follow Your Majesty until death. We will not regret it even if we die. What does it matter if we are buried in a foreign land?"]

[“Your Majesty, please issue an order—”]

[After the words fell, the soldiers of the three prefectures followed the generals who had led the shouting and all knelt on the ground, each of them shouting the same words.]

[Chu Shizhao points his sword in the direction of Mobei.]

[“Commend your presence, soldiers—”]

Chu Shizhao spoke hoarsely, roaring with all his strength: "Generals of all divisions, return to camp and reorganize your troops, and fight with the Xiongnu royal court in the Qilian Mountains, and march north!"

[“Pass on my order, the three armies will march north to attack the Xiongnu!!!”]

[“Northern Expedition!!!”]

[“Yang Yanchao!” Chu Shizhao appointed the vanguard general in the front row among many generals: “I order you to lead 2,000 Beiwei troops and march directly into Mobei as the first cavalry. Can you do it?”]

[Yang Yanchao knelt on the ground and accepted the order, saying: "I will definitely live up to your grace."]

[“The role of the vanguard is of utmost importance. If you don’t win the first battle, what crime should you be punished for?” Chu Shizhao looked at Yang Yanchao and said.]

[“Cut off my head!” Yang Yanchao looked straight into Chu Shizhao’s eyes and said, “As a token of respect to the three armies!”]

[“Okay.” Chu Shizhao set his sights on a burly general with a fierce look, “Dou Li, I want you to lead 30,000 Northern Army troops and march to Mobei with the right wing to engage in a head-on battle. What do you think?”]

[Dou Li clasped his fists and accepted the order, saying: "As long as I am here, the Northern Army will be here. The Right Route Army will never retreat even three steps. As long as I am here, I will only advance and not retreat."]

[“Huangfu Jian.” Chu Shizhao asked another general who was wearing bright armor and a gorgeous cloak.]

【“I am here.” Huangfu Jian said. 】

[“I want you to go to Liang Province, join forces with Huan Jie to form a 100,000-man army, use Liang Province as a front, fight in a roundabout way, and attack the Xiongnu royal court together with the Qiang people.”]

【“I obey your command.” Huangfu Jian clasped his fists. 】

[“Li Shengming, Lan Shu, Han Gu.” Chu Shizhao continued.]

【The three generals came out together at a leisurely pace. 】

【“I am here.” The three said in unison. 】

[“You three will lead an army of 70,000 with me. You will march along the center and take care of the three armies on the flanks.”]

【“Li Jin.” Chu Shizhao looked at the last person. 】

【“I am here.” Li Jin stepped out. 】

[“I want you to stay in Chang’an and be ready to support the front line at any time. I trust your judgment and you have the power to make your own decisions. If there is any failure, you can send troops to support.” Chu Shizhao said calmly: “I leave you 5,000 cavalry and 30,000 armored soldiers.”]

[Li Jin bowed and said, "I obey your command."]

[“The three armies, large and small, will advance together with infantry and cavalry, and surround and attack us. We will meet at Qilian Mountain.” Chu Shizhao finished speaking, “I will fight this battle until they are hurt.”]

[“My men, clear out the northern desert in this battle.”]

[“The first battle is the decisive battle, and one battle will determine the outcome!”]

[In March of the eighth year of Kaihuang, Chu Shizhao launched the first full-scale war of the Zhou Dynasty against the Xiongnu royal court.]

[The first northern expedition of the Kaihuang Dynasty was announced. 】

[In April of the eighth year of Kaihuang, the Northern Expedition finally began! ! ! ]

[Two thousand Beiwei troops led by Yang Yanchao broke into Mobei. According to the marching route set by Chu Shizhao, in order to ensure unimpeded passage outside the Great Wall, they traveled lightly. When they encountered Xiongnu tribes along the way, they fought to support the enemy, used their own combat power to rob the enemy's supplies and then raided everywhere to ensure mobility in Mobei.]

[Yang Yanchao encountered Yanqu, a general of the Xiongnu royal court, who was sent by the Xiongnu royal court to patrol the tribes in the northern desert.]

[“Although I have the courage to defeat an army, I am no match for you.”]

[“Now I, Yang Yanchao, will fight to defend the city from the north with my body, making you barking dogs feel like you have lost your home!”]

[Yang Yanchao killed the Xiongnu general Yanqu in battle.]

[“A blood feud, avenged in this battle!”]

[“I’ll take your head first, to repay the country’s kindness! And to comfort my father-in-law’s spirit!”]

[On April 6, the eighth year of Kaihuang, Yang Yanchao led the Beiwei Army to defeat the Xiongnu Wang Ting's 5,000-strong roving army. He broke into the enemy's formation and killed Yan Qu.]

In the screen, Yang Yanchao's martial arts value has increased from 89 points when they first met to 92 points. On the generals panel of the Great Zhou Dynasty, such martial arts is second to none.

Chu Shizhao began to dispatch troops from all directions on the main interface, almost abandoning the defensive style of attack in an attempt to sweep the entire Mobei grassland.

The basic morale of the three armies of the Great Zhou Dynasty was as high as 80 points. The elite among them, including the main arms headed by the Beiwei Army, had a morale that exceeded 90 points. This also meant that in this Northern Expedition, there were only soldiers of the Great Zhou Dynasty who died in battle, and no Great Zhou people were captured!
This is an army that is like Shura, waiting to die outside!

You guys, can you stop it?!

Apologies.

I watched a game I shouldn't have watched, which caused the update to be late.

It will no longer be possible to watch a match of a certain game.

Will update today.

(End of this chapter)