The prince is more stable

Chapter 978 Selecting Talents for the Nation
The greater the ability, the greater the responsibility.

Zhao Xiaoqian has too many things to do in his current position.

The well-being and survival of all people depend on him, and to change the current situation of the Song Dynasty, many reforms must be made.

The establishment of the Censorate, the implementation of new policies, and the opening of military academies were all among his reform measures.

The Song Dynasty's tendency to prioritize civil affairs over military matters was ingrained in the very bones of its subjects, which is why there is the saying, "Good iron is not used to make nails, and good men do not become soldiers."

Just a few years ago, when the Song Dynasty was still enduring the Liao Dynasty's humiliation, the status of military officers and soldiers was very low in people's minds.

The Song Dynasty's military system employed a mercenary system. Once someone joined the army, whether it was the Imperial Guard or the Garrison Army, they were generally looked down upon.

In people's traditional view, only when a man is extremely unsuccessful in life and has no way to make a living will he choose to join the army.

Once you join the army, you have to silently accept the contemptuous looks of others and feel inferior, especially in front of civil officials. Even a low-ranking official of the eighth rank can point at the nose of a fourth or fifth-rank military officer and curse him, and the military officer doesn't dare to talk back and can only obediently endure it.

When soldiers who defend their country are treated with such contempt, it will undoubtedly cause serious problems for the nation.

I'm looked down upon by everyone, so why should I risk my life for you when the enemy comes knocking?

The Song Dynasty's army suffered defeat after defeat, regardless of whether the situation was favorable or unfavorable. This was not unrelated to the Song Dynasty's prevailing attitude of underestimating its soldiers, and could be considered the root cause.

It wasn't until Zhao Xiaoqian invented various firearms and personally led his army to fight against the Western Xia and Liao dynasties, winning several brilliant battles and making the people of the Song Dynasty proud that the soldiers' status improved slightly, and they were finally able to earn the respect of the people.

The situation has indeed changed, but it's not enough.

What Zhao Xiaoqian wanted to do was to elevate the status of his soldiers. He didn't expect them to be respected and loved by everyone in future generations, but at least he wanted them to be able to walk the streets and be praised by the people as "heroes."

Therefore, the establishment of the military academy was very necessary.

Firstly, to improve the status of the soldiers, and secondly, to select suitable generals and commanders from the army so that Zhao Xiaoqian would never have to worry about having no generals to send.

After all, in the next one or two decades, the Song Dynasty may face many wars. After destroying the Western Xia and Liao Dynasties, the Song Dynasty will take the strategic initiative and expand its territory outward, including exploring and conquering new continents. All of these will require war to resolve.

With Zhao Xiaoqian in this era, the Song Dynasty will certainly not lag behind the West in the future Age of Exploration. In the upheavals that will influence the next thousand years, the Song Dynasty must seize the initiative.

“A military academy… perhaps that’s feasible.” Xu Jiang nodded and first expressed his opinion: “As the Privy Councilor, I also feel that it has been difficult to find good generals in the Song Dynasty in recent years. After all, for the past hundred years, civil officials have been valued over military officials, and most men with some ability in the court and the countryside are unwilling to join the army because they will be looked down upon.”

"If the imperial court were to establish a military academy to select generals for the country, many people would surely be interested. In recent years, the Song army has been equipped with firearms and has won every battle against foreign powers. This has not only brought honor to the people, but also meant that the soldiers are no longer looked down upon as before."

Zhao Xiaoqian nodded and said, "Since Mr. Chongyuan also thinks it's feasible, let's discuss it at the court meeting."

Xu Jiang smiled wryly and said, "If we bring this up in court, I'm afraid there will be a lot of opposition. Your Majesty should know that the accumulated problems of the past hundred years cannot be solved overnight. Most people are still very conservative and old-fashioned. If Your Majesty wants to improve the status of military officers and soldiers, the civil officials will not easily agree."

Zhao Xiaoqian sighed: "Every time I implement a new decree, the end result is always an earthquake, either the dismissal of a large number of officials or the killing of officials to establish authority. Is this time going to be no different?"

Xu Jiang slowly said, "I believe Your Majesty should wait for a more suitable opportunity..."

"What time?"

"Your Majesty, do not forget that Zhong Jianzhong is leading the army to fight against the Western Xia. This is a war of annihilation. If we can destroy the Western Xia, the Song Dynasty will gain tremendous benefits. When the news of victory returns to the capital, the people will naturally rejoice. At that time, Your Majesty can take advantage of the situation to propose the establishment of a military academy. Perhaps the resistance will not be so great."

Zhao Xiaoqian's eyes lit up. That's right, how could he have forgotten about Zhong Jianzhong's 60,000-strong army that was meant to destroy the country?

The outcome of this battle was essentially a foregone conclusion. The question now was how much benefit Zhong Jianzhong's forces would bring to the Song Dynasty after they destroyed the Western Xia.

Whether it's territory, cities, pastures, or money, food, warhorses, and complete control of the Silk Road, these are all interests.

When the news of victory reaches Bianjing, the whole country will be in a state of jubilation, and the Song army will be even more triumphant. At this point, proposing the establishment of a military academy will not be a big problem.

Of course, there may still be dissenting voices, but they won't be too many. After all, the court officials probably understood the role of the army in the country through the war to destroy Xia.

If the state benefits, don't private individuals benefit as well? Even from the perspective of mere self-interest, the opposition from court officials shouldn't be too intense.

Zhao Xiaoqian felt a little relieved, then looked up at Xu Jiang and chuckled.

"It is said that scholars are cunning. In my opinion, the top scholar is even more cunning. He offered a brilliant plan without even blinking. I have truly witnessed the talent of Mr. Chongyuan."

"Remember to teach all these skills of yours to my son without reservation. That boy has such a pure and innocent look on his face even before he's entered university. It makes me anxious."

Xu rolled his eyes and said, "If Your Majesty doesn't know how to praise people, you don't have to say anything. It's not that I absolutely need Your Majesty to praise me..."

"The matter is settled. When the news of victory comes from the Northwest, Mr. Chongyuan should also speak on my behalf at the court meeting. You are the Privy Councilor, and the Military Academy is a major military and strategic matter for the country. You should personally take charge of this matter and act quickly."

Xu bowed and said, "Your subject understands."

A series of hurried footsteps sounded as Zhao Hao came running over, beaming with joy.

He's here! He's here! He's changed his diaper and is running over!
Zhao Xiaoqian laughed heartily, then scooped up Zhao Hao and took a sniff of him. Hmm, a baby's scent—the palace servants had just washed him very clean. "Father—!" Zhao Hao shouted loudly.

"Good son!" Zhao Xiaoqian praised.

"Hmm? What are you eating?" Zhao Xiaoqian stared at Zhao Hao's moving mouth.

Zhao Hao opened his little mouth, and there was a small piece of maltose in his mouth.

Zhao Xiaoqian blinked and said mysteriously, "How about Dad plays a game with you?"

Zhao Hao's eyes lit up: "Great!"

After putting Zhao Hao down, Zhao Xiaoqian squatted in front of him, his hands clenched into fists and outstretched: "Guess how many candies Daddy has in his hand. If you guess right, Daddy will give you all three candies in his hand."

Without hesitation, Zhao Hao replied, "Three!"

Zhao Xiaoqian held out his fist in front of him and said, "Blow a breath."

Zhao Hao obediently blew air into his fist.

"Push harder, haven't you eaten yet?"

Zhao Hao puffed out his cheeks, his face turning bright red, and blew hard into his fist.

He used too much force, and with a "poof," the maltose he had in his mouth was spat out.

Zhao Hao looked at the candy he had spat out and dropped on the ground with a pained expression, but then he thought that his father still had three candies in his hand, which gave him some comfort. Then he stared intently at Zhao Xiaoqian's hand.

Zhao Xiaoqian suddenly spread out his hands. Zhao Hao leaned over to take a look and found that there wasn't a single piece of candy. Undeterred, he grabbed his father's large hand and sniffed it with his little nose. Sure enough, there was no sweetness at all.

Zhao Hao, feeling cheated, was immediately unhappy and his little mouth twitched as if he was about to cry. Suddenly, he remembered that the loss could still be recovered, so he rushed over and tried to pick up the candy he had just spat on the ground.

Zhao Xiaoqian swiftly scooped him up and held him in his arms, while the palace servants nearby hurriedly picked up the candy from the ground and destroyed it.

"Your dad said there are three, and you actually believe there are three? Is your dad such a trustworthy person?"

Zhao Hao struggled and cried in his arms in anger, but Zhao Xiaoqian looked gloating and patted his little bottom a few times.

Turning to look at the palace servants attending to the young prince, Zhao Xiaoqian said sternly, "Give him less sugar in the future. He's still teething. You're all trying to please him. What will I do when he grows up with a mouth full of cavities?"

The palace servants hurriedly and fearfully agreed.

Patting Zhao Hao's bottom, Zhao Xiaoqian laughed and said, "You won't get any candy, but your dad can play with you, lift you up high, let you ride on a horse, and build a snowman. What do you think?"

Zhao Hao stopped crying immediately. After thinking about it, he realized that playing was more important, so he stopped crying and making a fuss.

Zhao Xiaoqian laughed heartily, easily lifted Zhao Hao up, and let him ride on his shoulders, then strode forward: "Let's go!"

The most distinguished father and son in the world ran and played in the snow-covered palace grounds in winter.

Xu Jiang stroked his beard and watched this scene with a smile, but for some reason, his eyes gradually welled up with tears.

The nation was fortunate; he ascended the throne of the Song Dynasty.

Xu Jiang now dares not imagine what the Song Dynasty would have looked like if Zhao Xiaoqian had failed to seize the throne and someone else had taken it.

It's impossible for it to be better than it is now, right?

Xu silently calculated the rest of his life, wondering if he would live to see a golden age no less prosperous than the Han and Tang dynasties.
As evening fell, Zhao Hao, exhausted from playing, fell into a deep sleep on Zhao Xiaoqian's shoulder.

Zhao Xiaoqian carefully carried him back to Funing Palace, where Di Ying and Niaoniao came to greet him.

The sight of their father holding his sleeping child filled the two daughters with genuine joy and happiness, their eyes brimming with sweet, honey-like delight.

However, upon closer inspection, the two women were immediately furious.

Zhao Hao looked like a little bear that had fallen into a ditch; he was filthy and smelly, and his fancy clothes were even more filthy.

Looking at Zhao Xiaoqian, he wasn't much better off. His yellow robe was filthy, covered with snow and withered leaves, and his hair was a mess.

Niao Niao hurriedly took the child and gave him a disapproving look.

Di Ying was even less polite, pinching him angrily and saying, "You and your father always get yourselves so dirty when you're together, what have you been doing?"

"I built a snowman, rode a big horse, and rolled around in the snow a few times," Zhao Xiaoqian said innocently.

(End of this chapter)