I was the emperor in the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 233 Forming a New Army
Then he smiled and asked the two of them,
"I have a question, I wonder if the two dukes can answer it for me."

The two were startled, not understanding why Li Tian suddenly changed the topic, but since Li Tian asked, they had no choice but to forcefully stop the turbulent waves in their hearts.

low voice,
"Your Majesty, please ask."

Li Tian said solemnly,
"Alright then, the two princes, listen up!"

"In the early years of Taizu, the world was initially established, and people's livelihood was slightly restored. Taizu formulated the military household system until the eighth year of Hongwu.

The Tianxia Guards stationed 80 hectares of farmland, and in the 21st year of Hongwu, there were 700 million tons of military rations remaining in the farmland.”

"Then I don't understand why the number of farms increases year by year, and why the guards were able to support millions of troops back then.

Up to now, even a mere 200 million troops can't support them, and the imperial court has to spend millions of taels of silver every year to subsidize them. "

"Could it be that the so-called prosperous age is an illusion, and what I hear and see are all lies."

It seems to be asking, but it is actually pressing.

Whether it is Zhu Yong or Zhang Fu, how could they not know why.

It's not because officials at all levels are exploiting each other layer by layer, which has led to a year-by-year decrease in the income of the guards' fields.

What's more, most of the farmland has become the private property of some military officers, and it is just a nice way of saying that it is not enough to make ends meet.

But how dare they say this to Li Tian.

Seeing that they were afraid to speak anymore, Li Tian snorted coldly,

"Since the guards are already in such a difficult situation, and the court needs to spend half of the tax burden to support them every year, why do I want them to exist?"

The two of them have been pressed by Li Tian repeatedly, so they don't know what to say.

After struggling for a while, Zhang Fu said with a bitter face,

"But Your Majesty, if the system of guards is abolished, how should Ming's Nine Sides be guarded, and who should intimidate the rest of the world!"

Li Tian snorted coldly.

"Could it be that there is no other way without the guard house? How did the Han Dynasty do it, and how did the prosperous Tang Dynasty do it?"

Zhang Fu was dumbfounded and said in disbelief,
"Could it be...Could it be that His Majesty intends to restore the former recruitment system!"

"So what, anyway, the imperial court spends money to raise soldiers, why not raise some full-time fighters."

No matter what era it is, soldiers who sell their lives for money have better combat effectiveness than militiamen who are forced to join the army and are unwilling.

But even so, compared to the huge cost of recruiting soldiers, the cheapness of the militia has been the first choice of those in power in all dynasties.

This is also the origin of the Fubing system in the Tang Dynasty and the Weisuo system in the Ming Dynasty.

With so many twists and turns in his heart, Zhang Fu did not believe that Li Tian would completely abandon the guard system.

But Li Tian's words have already reached this point, and he couldn't help but not believe it.

As if making the last struggle, he said to Li Tian,
"However, Your Majesty, recruiting soldiers is no different than others, and the military salary must be paid in full every month, and the imperial court's tax burden is not much.

To feed millions of troops, it may cost more than tens of millions of taels a year. Where did the court get so much money? "

Seeing that he finally asked the point.

Li Tian smiled and said,

"Who said that I have to feed an army of millions, if there is an army that can win every battle and defeat ten with one.

With only 20 people, I am confident that Daming's Nine Frontiers will be protected from wind and rain. "

Whether it was Zhu Yong or Zhang Fu, even Zheng He didn't believe it.

"Ah, only 20 people are needed, Your Majesty is not joking!"

Seeing their surprised expressions, Li Tian said with disdain in his heart,

"If I can improve my matchlock gun to meet expectations, and form a hot weapon force of 20 people, who else in this world will be my opponent."

It's just that this thing hasn't been seen yet, and he can't talk about it for the time being.

Li Tian took a sip of his wine lightly, and said with a light smile,
"Of course I'm not joking, and I never joke about this kind of thing."

Several people looked at each other in blank dismay, wanting to laugh out loud, but they didn't dare, and were very uncomfortable.

Zhu Yong, who has a relatively straightforward personality, held back for a long time but couldn't help but said directly,

"Your Majesty, don't make fun of me. I don't believe anything. Only 20 people can defend the entire Ming Dynasty!"

Naturally, Li Tian didn't intend to support 20 people, and his original intention was to carefully build a semi-modern army.

Speaking of this, Li Tian felt that it was almost time to show his cards.

"I won't hide it from you, the reason why I called you here today is because I intend to discuss this matter with you."

"I plan to draw people from the Shenji Battalion, the Three Thousand Battalion, the Fifth Army Battalion, and the Longxiang Four Guards to form a new army!"

Li Tian's words, although the abolition of the military household system was much less shocking than before, it was shocking enough.

Several people present made eye contact with each other,

"What does your majesty mean? Could it be that what he said was not empty words?"

Before they could react, Li Tian continued,

"This new army is different from any other army in that it adopts a recruitment system, and the military salary is paid in full every month.

Cancel other establishments and use firecrackers. In the initial stage, I plan to recruit 5000 people as a trial. "

"As for the candidate for the general of the new army, I plan to choose one from among you!"

The last sentence is the most important sentence of all Li Tian's words tonight.

Whether it is the aforementioned investigation of the Tianxia Weisuo, or the abolition of the military household system later, although it has affected several people, these two things have not just been implemented.

It's just a prediction. Generally speaking, the impact on their own power is not too big.

But the establishment of a new army is different.

The new army was hosted by Li Tian himself, plus the rhetoric of 20 people sweeping the world.

It all shows that this is an emperor's army that Li Tian intends to personally control.

If you can join it, you will definitely become a celebrity in Li Tian's eyes in the future, and it is not impossible for you to be an extremely popular minister.

Seeing that the guard system may not be guaranteed, one's own power will also be greatly affected.

And the new army may be the only way for them to maintain their current power, so how could they not be moved.

It's just that you look at me and I look at you, and it's not sure who is the No. 1 choice in Li Tian's mind.

What's more, it's not good to talk too much at this time, for fear that there will be some rift with Li Tiansheng, and this rare opportunity will be lost.

After holding back for a long time, finally Zhu Yong couldn't help but speak first to express his loyalty.

"Your Majesty trusts me so much, I am willing to die for Your Majesty!"

Zhang Fu was so annoyed by the missed opportunity, he knelt down on the ground with a slightly red face,
"Your Majesty has high expectations, and I will never let you down. I will do everything according to your Majesty's orders."

Zhu Gaosui also blushed at this time, this was his only chance to return to the top.

But thinking of what happened before, he wanted to speak several times, but he stopped abruptly.

(End of this chapter)