A family of loyal martyrs, starting with nine wives to continue the family line.

When Wei Zhao pushed the command arrow in front of Huo Qingluan, none of the people in the tent reacted.

"All the veterans of the Wei family army, the Imperial Guards, and the old soldiers who were trained after the surrender of Pingyang are all assigned to you."

No one spoke inside the tent.

Xie Daoning closed the medicine booklet halfway, then stopped.

Huo Qingluan did not immediately accept the command arrow, but only looked up at Wei Zhao.

She was usually quiet, but this time, her eyes were clearer than any words could express.

inappropriate.

That's very inappropriate.

Wei Zhao knew what she was thinking.

Guiping Camp is currently holding Huainan, Du Heng's navy is still hiding in the Huai River, and the whereabouts of Han Dashan and Zhou Laodao are unknown.

At this point, removing the veterans is tantamount to dismantling all the protective shields around you.

There are one million new soldiers left.

That sounds scary.

If a real battle breaks out, it's hard to say whether we'll be able to stand firm after the first volley of arrows.

Wei Zhao was certainly aware of this.

He doesn't really treat numbers like soldiers.

One million new soldiers were not one million guards, nor even one million qualified soldiers.

The problem is, the new Wu Dynasty now has to show the world one thing.

The military merit system is not just a pretty phrase posted on the city gate.

These are the true rules that would make people risk their lives for a better future.

This first battle must be fought by the new army.

Otherwise, the common people would think that killing the enemy in exchange for land sounds good, but the ones who actually fight are the Wei family soldiers; the surrendered soldiers would think that the court is just using them to make up the numbers; and the aristocratic families would think that the military merit system won't take off and will just be delayed.

No.

Now that this fire has been lit, it should burn until everyone's eyes hurt.

"His Majesty."

Huo Qingluan finally spoke.

"If Golden City is truly the target of the rebel king, I can indeed stabilize the situation by taking the old soldiers back. But in Guiping, relying solely on the new army is too risky."

Wei Zhao smiled.

"risk."

He held Huainan in check.

"But if it's not risky, how can we let the world know that the new army is capable of fighting?"

Zhao Qiniang's lips twitched.

"Your Majesty, these words sound inspiring, but new recruits won't be fearless of death just because they hear nice words."

"Therefore, I will give them armor, shields, military doctors, and land as a reward."

Wei Zhao looked outside the tent.

On the drill ground, the new army was practicing gun formations.

The rows were skewed so badly that when the drumbeat changed, the front and back rows bumped into each other.

A tall, thin man tripped over the gun barrel. When he got up, his face was covered in dust, but he still clung tightly to the gun.

Wei Zhao stared at it for a long time.

These people are stupid.

chaos.

thick.

But there's something in their eyes.

That thing wasn't loyalty to the emperor, nor righteousness, nor the military spirit nurtured by blood among the old Wei family troops.

It is a field.

It's his wife and children.

It's a way out.

That's so tacky.

It is also the hardest.

"I don't expect them to become the Wei family army from day one."

Wei Zhao withdrew his gaze.

"All I want them to know is that by putting on the new armor and taking up the new spears, they can exchange land for killing enemies. Today they may only be able to thrust once, but tomorrow they may be able to thrust twice. Once the first group actually gets the land, the others will rush forward on their own."

Huo Qingluan looked down at the array diagram and drew a line from Guiping to Golden City with her finger.

"If I take the veterans back, Golden City can be secured. But Your Majesty needs to leave at least ten thousand veterans to maintain order."

"Not keeping them."

Wei Zhao shook his head.

Huo Qingluan frowned.

"Leave none behind?"

"Leave none behind."

Wei Zhao looked at her.

"Qingluan, the real battle might be even tougher in Golden City."

Upon hearing this, the expressions of the people in the tent all changed.

The curtain was suddenly lifted.

Liu Jingshuang walked in.

She had clearly heard the second half of it, and her face turned extremely cold.

"Since Your Majesty has determined that the Golden City is more dangerous, then you should return to the capital to oversee the situation."

Zhao Qiniang immediately shut up.

Xie Daoning also looked at Wei Zhao.

Huo Qingluan held the command token but did not interrupt.

Liu Jingshuang walked step by step to the table and placed her hand on the hilt of the knife.

"In the capital, there are Wei Xuan, Su Qingyun, Fang Fuyao, Tuoba Yue, and Xiao Guanyin. Shang Wanqing's Armory is also in the capital. Hua Jieyu and Nie Yinniang have just established the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and their foundations are not yet stable."

She stared at Wei Zhao.

"If you don't go back, who can keep you in check?"

Wei Zhao looked at her, and felt a slight pang in his heart.

Liu Jingshuang rarely discussed her private matters in military council meetings.

She mentioned Wei Xuan and Su Qingyun not to pressure him with their families, but to remind him that the core of Xinwu was not just on the front lines.

This is true.

That's even quite right.

If things are going to be safe, he should indeed return to Beijing.

With the emperor in white robes stationed in the capital, the morale of the army in the Golden City will be stable, the powerful families will not dare to make a move, and even the rebel kings who try to flank the enemy will hesitate.

But Wei Zhao cannot return.

Not at least not now.

"Shuang Jing".

Wei Zhao lowered his voice.

"If I return to the capital, what will happen to the million-strong new army in Guiping?"

Liu Jingshuang frowned.

"We can postpone the attack on Huainan."

"We can't delay."

Wei Zhao interrupted him directly.

The tent fell silent.

He knew that these words sounded harsh, even a bit cold-hearted.

His son had just been born, and the capital was in danger of being attacked, so his wife and family were all in the rear.

At this time, if he were to suppress Huainan, outsiders would probably call him cold-blooded.

But sometimes emperors have to be cold-blooded.

If he turns back now, the Eighth Prince will immediately understand.

Wei Zhao has a weakness.

He will return as long as we attack Golden City.

What's next?

If we attack the capital, will he return?

Will he return if Su Qingyun's supply route is disrupted?

Will he return after attacking the medical camp?

Peace cannot be achieved through a single concession.

If you back down, the rebel king will just hand you the knife three inches closer to your doorstep.

Wei Zhao didn't want them to learn this.

"The military merit system had just been implemented, the old nobility titles had just been abolished, and a million-strong new army had just been assembled."

He looked at Liu Jingshuang and said, word by word.

"At this moment, Xinwu needs a victory."

Liu Jingshuang remained silent.

Wei Zhao continued, "It wasn't the Wei family army that won the victory, nor was it the Imperial Guard. It was the new army that won the victory."

He pressed his fingers on Huainan.

"Huainan is the most suitable place to strike first. Du Heng has forcibly conscripted young men, the morale of the water fortress is unstable, and the salt farmers are full of resentment. His old army can defend the water, but his new recruits may not dare to fight on land. As long as Shang Wanqing's equipment is in place, I will lead this million-strong new army to press on."

"Conquer Huainan."

"The Salt Road".

"Reward military merit with land."

"Let the first people to kill the enemy actually receive the land deeds."

As Wei Zhao finished speaking, his eyes turned completely cold.

"At that time, I won't need to call out anymore; the poor people of the land will flock to the new military camps on their own. The sons of noble families will also understand that the old titles are gone, but the new path is real. The subsequent land reform, the imperial examination, military registration, medical camps, and the military equipment bureau can all be pushed forward."

He paused for a moment.

"But if this battle isn't fought, the military merit system will remain just a theoretical concept."

Things written on paper are most easily dragged down.

Wei Zhao understood those aristocratic families and former officials all too well.

They may not dare to speak out against it, but they will wait.

Waiting for the front lines to remain still, waiting for the new army to eat its rations, waiting for the people to become suspicious, waiting for the displaced people to become disappointed, waiting for the military merit system to turn from a hot pot to cold ashes.

By then, it won't matter how many people Li Huai kills.

Rules must be implemented through bloodshed.

The enemy's blood.

Blood of our own people.

There was also the first actual land deed that was issued.

Therefore, once the weapons and equipment are in place, we must take Huainan as soon as possible!