The Ming Dynasty began from Sarhu

Chapter 718 Soldiers should think about the country

Deng Changxiong's arrival made Emperor Guangde feel relieved. Based on Liu Kan's understanding of Deng Changxiong, he knew that even if the whole world betrayed Da Qi and himself, this important minister would not do so.

The situation was urgent, Deng Changxiong saluted hastily and asked:

"Your Majesty, why didn't you discuss such a major matter as disarmament with me first? A hasty decision at this time could easily lead to unnecessary associations among the generals."

The so-called unnecessary association is to suspect that the emperor is getting rid of the donkey after it has served its purpose.

This was Emperor Guangde's open conspiracy. Whether it was disarmament or reform, the goal was to abolish the privileged status of military personnel.

Emperor Guangde pointed at the bustling crowd of soldiers and civilians and said with lingering fear:
"I informed them at the last minute, yet so many people opposed it, causing such a big commotion, even going so far as to come up with the idea of 'cleansing the imperial court'. This shows they had this planned long ago. If I had announced it to the world in advance, I'm afraid I'd be beheaded by now."

Deng Changxiong remained silent.

Based on Deng Changxiong's understanding of this group of military men, it is not impossible for them to be forced into a corner and assassinate Liu Kan and replace the emperor.

Kang Jingxiu was worried:
"The previous emperor was too lenient towards the generals. The government and the country are centered around the military. Now that Your Majesty has even slightly reduced their power, they will want to purge the emperor's side. The military has become too powerful to be eliminated. If no reform is carried out, the Great Qi will end up like the late Tang Dynasty."

Emperor Guangde took over the conversation and said firmly:
"Lord Kang is absolutely right. Disarmament is imperative. I'll go and explain this to them!"

Seeing that the emperor was determined, Deng Changxiong stopped trying to persuade him. He clasped his hands together and volunteered:

"Your Majesty, your body is worth thousands of gold. How can you put yourself in danger? Let me persuade them."

Kang Guangxu was murderous: "General Deng, if you can persuade him, then persuade him. If you can't persuade him, the three major corps are not just for show."

A number of civil servants echoed this.

Deng Changxiong did not waste time explaining to the civil officials. Without waiting for the emperor's consent, he went straight to the battlements of the city wall, facing the dark crowd below the city, and shouted:
"Comrades, I am Deng Changxiong, commander of the Second Corps!"

The breeze blew Deng Changxiong's gray hair. The old general stood straight, his body like an old pine tree.

"I'm fifty-six years old this year. I've fought for over thirty years with the retired emperor, and I boast I've never lost a battle. Now I'm old and useless, and it's time to retire. This time, when I returned from Japan, I heard the emperor was planning to reduce the army. Some people believed the rumors, saying the court wanted to exterminate us and get rid of us! There are many smart people in the army, but I see there are also many fools, and many people believe this nonsense!"

With two whooshing sounds, two sharp arrows streaked across the sky like lightning and flew in front of him in an instant.

Although Deng Changxiong was old, he was a veteran who had fought in hundreds of battles. At the critical moment, he subconsciously raised his knife to block. Although he was aware of it, his hands were obviously a few beats slower.

Seeing that he was about to be shot, Jiang Liuer took a quick step forward and raised his shield to block the sharp arrow.

"General Deng?"

Deng Changxiong remained calm and said, "I'm fine."

There was a sudden chaos above and below the city gate. The elite guards who were ambushed in the city square heard the order from the chief officer and immediately climbed up to the top of the city wall. The armor plates of the well-equipped guards clattered, and thousands of rifles were pointed at the restless crowd below the city.

Seeing that the situation was out of control, Deng Changxiong shouted and ordered the soldiers to put down their rifles.

"Every one of you, why did you join the army in the first place? To get promoted or make money? If that's the case, then you shouldn't have joined the Great Qi Army. And all of you, the garrison commanders and civil officials, you were just refugees back then. The Emperor entrusted you with important tasks, asking you to defend your country. Look at what you're doing now? Are you planning a rebellion? Have you forgotten your original promise?"

At the beginning of the establishment of the Great Qi, from the emperor to the ordinary soldiers and civilians, everyone thought about creating a harmonious society where everyone would be equal and well-fed.

One for all, one for all.

However, as time went on and the situation both internally and externally deteriorated dramatically, the retired emperor and his loyal ministers and generals gradually forgot their original intentions. Emperor Guangde was unwilling to return to the past, but he would not sit idly by and watch extremism devour the entire Great Qi.

At this time, a leading officer under the city shouted loudly:
"General Deng, that's a good point. Your commanders have substantial wealth and can thrive even if we're laid off. But what about us soldiers? Without the imperial rations, will our families starve to death? Do you know how many farmers in Liaodong are starving to death right now?"

Deng Changxiong said loudly:

"You don't have to worry about what's happening in Liaodong! Since His Majesty has reduced the army, there will be a resettlement plan. All veterans will have land and jobs. He will not ignore you!"

"Da Qi can't afford to support so many soldiers, nor does it need to. The country is in trouble now, and it's time for you to contribute! Fighting is serving the country, and retiring is also serving the country!"

Deng Changxiong drew his sword and said with awe-inspiring righteousness:

"Today, I promise you all that if the imperial court mistreats the soldiers, even the slightest bit, you can all go directly to the Great Merit Square, to my house, and claim my head! Assume today's events never happened. Return to where you came from! I guarantee with my head that the imperial court will never seek retribution later!"

Tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians were silent.

After a while, dozens of battalion officers shouted together:

"General Deng, you are highly respected and virtuous. We brothers all trust you, but words alone are not enough..."

Deng Changxiong was about to speak when Emperor Guangde stepped out from behind his shield.

"What you all did today was for the good of the Great Qi State. What crime have you committed? Your intentions were good, but you were exploited by treacherous individuals, causing your loved ones grief and your enemies joy. I promise today that if you immediately cease your actions and don't be misled by rumors, I will not pursue what happened today! I will not embarrass you in the future. I keep my word!"

All the soldiers and civilians bowed down and shouted "Long live the emperor".

The chief eunuch Li Juying jumped out, raised his arms and shouted in a hoarse voice:

"Soldiers should think about the country. If I don't get laid off, who will?"

~~~~
At Cheng'en Gate, Kang Guangxu, the Minister of Rites, met Li Dingguo's assistant, Lü Demin, a fat man in his sixties.

Kang Guangxu was surprised that Old Lu was so energetic and could still stare at the young women walking on the street at such an old age. In fact, he didn't know that this was just the professional quality of a human trafficker.

After all, Lu Demin has been in Yinzhou for many years, specializing in human resources adjustment (European population trading) business.

Perhaps it was because they had similar interests, or perhaps it was because Kang Guangxu's father, Kang Yingqian, had close ties with Lu Demin during his lifetime (mainly in the human trafficking cooperation), and the two hit it off immediately.

Lu Demin gave Kang Guangxu a detailed introduction to the brilliant achievements of Yinzhou's development in recent years.

They led expeditions to collect European skulls in North America, plundered British furs and tobacco, and enjoyed the virginity of Indian women...

Kang Guangxu was dumbfounded.

It turns out that in Yinzhou, there is fertile land comparable to Liaodong, and there are more horses than the Mongolian grasslands...

"Lord Kang, you should visit Yinzhou. The scenery there is magnificent, the people are simple and honest, and there are charming European and Indian singers who are no less beautiful than the women of Qi. Your Vajra Powder may be of great use in Yinzhou. It's a pity that the emperor is giving up Yinzhou."

Kang Guangxu imagined the Indian woman with ostrich feathers on her head and colorfully painted face lying in his arms, and murmured:

"Yeah, what a pity, what a pity."

(End of this chapter)