The prince is more stable

Chapter 199: Military Supervisor
The war was about to begin, but Zhao Xiaoqian was a little worried.

People who have lived two lives may not necessarily understand everything. Zhao Xiaoqian had never been to the battlefield in his previous life. As a deputy commander of an army, he was really unsure.

His own safety on the battlefield was not a big issue; what he feared was that one general would be incompetent and exhaust the entire army.

If his command mistakes caused unnecessary casualties among the soldiers, Zhao Xiaoqian really didn't know how to apologize to the soldiers' parents, wives and children.

The Imperial City Bureau's intelligence network is only extensive within the territory of the Song Dynasty, and is extremely small outside the country.

Zhao Xiaoqian secretly made up his mind that after the Song-Xia war, the intelligence network of the Imperial City Bureau must be improved, otherwise it would be like being blind and delaying the war.

"Although it is too late, the Imperial City Division still has to send people to infiltrate Xixia and use all means to collect intelligence on the Xixia army. This is a death order and must be carried out. Wei Jie, you must arrange it immediately." Zhao Xiaoqian ordered.

Wei Jie took the order and left.

Zhong Jianzhong and Zong Ze were still left in the general's tent.

Zhong Jianzhong did not show any pre-war nervousness at all, but instead showed an excitement that was eager to try.

"I am pleased to hear that the Marquis of the County is in charge of the Dragon Guard Camp. I am honored. I am willing to follow the Marquis' orders and kill the enemy and make meritorious deeds." Zhong Jianzhong said in a deep voice.

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled and said, "Old Zhong, we are old friends. There is no need to be so serious. Besides, I am just a deputy commander sent from heaven. The Dragon Guard Battalion still depends on you to command. I will just watch the fun from the side."

Zhong Jianzhong shook his head. "A county marquis cannot just watch the fun. You are the official-appointed Deputy Envoy for Strategic and Pacification, and the legitimate Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Three Armies. The Dragon Guard Battalion includes the Northwest Army. Any dispatch from the Commander-in-Chief requires your approval."

Zhao Xiaoqian was stunned. "What are you talking about? I'm the deputy commander. The commander needs my approval to deploy troops? Are you crazy?"

Zhong Jianzhong was also a little surprised: "Don't you think the county lord doesn't know?"

Zhao Xiaoqian was confused, but as a county marquis he still had to save face and couldn't appear innocent and stupid.

Zhao Xiaoqian rubbed his face and said, "Ah? This... Of course I know, but the emperor was a little vague when he appointed me, so I don't quite understand what he meant..."

Zhong Jianzhong and Zong Ze looked at his clear yet foolish appearance quietly...

Zhao Xiaoqian said coldly: "...Don't force me to resort to military law. If you have something to say, just speak!"

Zhong Jianzhong sighed, "In this battle, the northwest has General Zhang Yu in command, and the Dragon Guard Battalion is led by General I. The emperor wouldn't appoint another deputy commander for no reason. But the emperor appointed a county marquis, which shows that the county marquis plays an important role."

"Marquis, you are the military supervisor assigned by the government to the Song Dynasty's royal army. Since the founding of the Song Dynasty, the royal army has always had a military supervisor, usually a civil official."

"This time, the emperor has only appointed the Marquis of the County as deputy commander, indicating that the emperor places greater trust in his clan members. Zhang Yu and I must report any troop movements to you, the Marquis of the County. You, the Marquis of the County, will then report all troop movements to the capital daily by express horse. This is the rule."

Zhao Xiaoqian suddenly understood. No wonder Zhao Xu appointed him as deputy commander-in-chief. Zhao Xiaoqian had always felt strange. Even though he was framed by Zhang Dun and others and had to go on the expedition with the army, he could have been appointed to any official position, but he had to be appointed as the deputy commander-in-chief of the three armies.

Now Zhao Xiaoqian understood that Zhao Xu was using a trick against them. Since you insisted on him going to the war, he would be a military supervisor and monitor every move of the Song Dynasty army.

Although he was the deputy commander-in-chief, the function of the military inspector was actually higher than that of the commander-in-chief. Even the commander-in-chief Zhang Yu had to be wary of him. Whenever there was a troop movement, Zhang Yu would personally go to Zhao Xiaoqian to ask for instructions and report.

In the army, the military inspector represents the emperor. He is the emperor's eyes, always keeping an eye on the commander-in-chief and the soldiers' every move. If the military inspector feels that Zhang Qi's troop deployment is wrong or inappropriate, he has the right to question and object, or even veto it.

The power of the Song Dynasty's military supervisor is so outrageous.

In the eyes of ordinary people, a military supervisor is someone who writes memorials, keeps records in a small notebook, and acts like a treacherous minister, secretly making false accusations and taking it as his responsibility to harm loyal officials and frame patriotic generals.

In fact, the military supervisor does not need to secretly report the commander-in-chief. If the commander-in-chief's order is wrong, the military supervisor can immediately step in to stop it. If the commander-in-chief does not nod his head at the order issued by the military supervisor, the order cannot leave the commander-in-chief's tent.

If the commander-in-chief intends to rebel, the military supervisor can even make a decision on the spot, immediately seize the commander-in-chief's military power, purge the army of his followers, eliminate the treacherous officials, and nip the rebellious action in the bud.

Zhao Xiaoqian realized it later and only then did he realize how much power Zhao Xu had given him.

Only now did I understand the true value of Zhao Xu's words "make decisions on the spot" in the government hall.

"So, in other words, I can spank anyone I want in the army, even if the commander-in-chief asks for mercy. Is that what you mean?" Zhao Xiaoqian's question was very abstract. Zhong Jianzhong was stunned for a moment, then hesitated, "I don't know why the county marquis has a penchant for spanking, but... yes, that's what I mean. The county marquis can spank anyone he wants."

"I don't have that kind of hobby! Isn't the military cane just for spanking?"

"Marquis of the County, military law is enforced in the army. The military stick is used to hit the back, which is the so-called 'back stick', not the buttocks." Zhong Jianzhong explained carefully.

Zhao Xiaoqian: “…………”

I couldn't continue the conversation, and the more I talked, the more timid I became.

I'm a fresh little office worker from the 21st century. Isn't it normal that I don't know where to hit with a military stick in ancient times?

You are so knowledgeable, let's compete in memorizing pi.

"It's alright, I'm leaving." Zhao Xiaoqian said goodbye decisively: "You take care of your Dragon Guard Battalion. It's not easy for me to make a flintlock rifle. Don't embarrass me in the Dragon Guard Battalion's first battle."

Zhong Jianzhong stood up and accepted the order.

Zhao Xiaoqian looked at Zong Ze again and said, "You should also work hard. Watch more, listen more, learn more, and talk less. The Song Dynasty needs you in many places. Don't dig rivers in the future. That's not your job."

Zong Ze didn't know why the county marquis thought so highly of him, but he was obviously a man who knew how to appreciate favors. He had to accept the favor the county marquis gave him.

"I will definitely live up to the high expectations of the county marquis." Zong Ze bowed politely.

Zhao Xiaoqian looked at Zhong Jianzhong and Zong Ze, and a feeling of heroism suddenly arose in his heart.

Xiaozhong on the left, Zongze on the right, with the Imperial City Division as spies in front and Zhao Xu as the backer behind. Is this a royal bomb at the start?
The Shame of Jingkang?
Impossible!

…………

Time was running out and the court only had three days to prepare.

Within three days, the court machinery began to run at a frantic pace.

The four major rivers in Bianjing were full of grain transport ships, loaded with grain and fodder stored in military camps. The Ministry of Works, the Ministry of War, and the Firearms Bureau were busy preparing various military weapons, as well as flintlock rifles, mountains of sealed gunpowder, iron balls, war horses, armor, and so on.

The Dragon Guard Battalion intensified their training day and night.

As one of the four upper armies guarding the capital, the Longwei Battalion's expedition was of great significance. This was the first battle of the first organized hot weapons army in Chinese history. It was no exaggeration to say that its outcome determined the fate of the Song Dynasty.

During these three days, Zhao Xiaoqian was not idle. He first went to accompany his mother Feng for two days. When Feng heard that her son was going to the war, her reaction was exactly the same as Zhao Hao's. She first cried bitterly and then scolded Zhang Dun.

Finally, realizing that the situation could not be changed, he had no choice but to scold Zhang Dun while busying himself with packing his luggage, food, clothing and other daily necessities for the expedition.

Fearing that her son would suffer outside, she sewed two expensive silk quilts together herself to make a sleeping bag. No matter how bad the weather outside was, people could stay warm and sleep soundly inside.

Di Ying, Jiang Miaoxian and Yuan'er were even more reluctant to let him go, and prepared more things for him. To be honest, it was fortunate that Zhao Xiaoqian was the deputy commander of the three armies, otherwise, with the mountains of luggage prepared for him by his mother and wives and concubines, he would have been beaten with a military stick as soon as he entered the military camp.

As early as the day he was appointed by the court, Di Ying's third daughter packed his luggage and took the initiative to move to Feng's Fanglin Garden to accompany her, saying that she was fulfilling her filial duty on behalf of the official.

Zhao Xiaoqian did not object. After all, they were getting married, and there was Zhao Hao, a vicious old man, in the palace. It would not be good for the father-in-law and daughter-in-law to spread some unpleasant rumors while their son was away at the battlefield.

As Zhao Xiaoqian's legal wife, Di Ying was very careful in this regard.

Zhao Xiaoqian even considered buying himself a mansion and moving out after returning from the expedition.

Of course, I can't forget my original intention of relying on my parents for support. From now on, I will go back to the palace to beg for money every now and then.

(End of this chapter)