Chapter 253 Reform
The so-called military reform means giving benefits to soldiers.

Let them all know that being a soldier has its benefits, and you all should come and join the army.

The meeting hall of Youzhou city.

The first thing Zhao Xin thought of was the military rank system.

The so-called military rank system is almost the same as the title of nobility.

The only difference from a title is that some people’s titles can be inherited, while the military rank system, I think, generally cannot be inherited.

But in fact, no matter what system it is.

In the final analysis, it’s all about distributing the benefits to the soldiers. Anything else you say is just bullshit.

The reason why they did not use the old system of nobility passed down from the Qin Dynasty was that they were an army of the new era, so they naturally had to have a new look and could not use the old one.

The second one, taken out separately, is conducive to cultivating the collective sense of honor of the army. And, by the way, in the meantime, it can subtly make them accept the spirit and strict requirements of the Li Yuan Army.

After some tinkering, Zhao Xin quickly produced a draft for soliciting opinions.

The current military rank is tentatively set at level seventeen.

The highest rank is field marshal, and the lowest is private first class.

As for how much the benefits are at each level.

It is certainly necessary to live within one’s means, and at the same time, refer to the original treatment of military officers in the Song Dynasty.

While reforming the military ranks, Zhao Xin also had to try to reform the currency.

This is mainly because this year, their craftsmen finally made banknotes that made him relatively satisfied.

To be honest, it was still very inconvenient for the Song Dynasty to use copper coins or even iron coins.

It would be better to directly tie it to military rank and benefits.

In the past, the army of the Song Dynasty distributed various things, such as silk, rice and wheat.

This is very inconvenient.

If only all of these could be turned into paper money.

That would be much more convenient.

of course!

Paper money is just a receipt for taking things. You must first ensure that you have enough things to give to the other party.

For this reason, Zhao Xin also called Wang Anshi.

Next, we plan to establish large-scale warehousing and logistics mechanisms in Hebei and even across the country.

On the one hand, their railways will certainly be gradually improved in the future.

On the other hand, it can also solve some employment problems.

However, this is a long process. To accomplish such a thing, it will probably take at least ten years, and it will also depend on the region and the order of things to be done.

therefore……

For the time being, we can forget about implementing this nationwide, but the Hebei region alone can serve as a pilot project.

After hearing Zhao Xin’s idea, Wang Anshi naturally gave his full support.

can only say……

Zhao Xin was a bit like the chairman of the board, while Wang Anshi was the CEO. Moreover, this large-scale warehousing and logistics business certainly did not belong to the government. Zhao Xin felt that it might be better to regard it as an independent company that was responsible for its own profits and losses.

Because if you use officials to manage, if you want to fire someone, you have to consider the impact and find various excuses.

But if you hire someone from outside to take care of it, you can just fire that person if you don’t like him.

In fact, there are not many officials who are currently helping Wang Anshi.

Wang Anshi hired all the workers himself, and then received wages directly after they did their work.

It is expected that…

The distance from Kaifeng to Beijing is more than 1,300 miles, and a warehouse must be built at least every 100 miles.

Of course! Not necessarily, because when building warehouses and logistics, you also have to look at the distribution of local counties and state capitals.

It is best to build it in a place where sufficient labor can be easily found.

Otherwise, who will unload and load the goods for you?

Anyway…

Wang Anshi still had to work out these more details.

Although Wang Anshi was a slovenly person, every time he met him, he didn’t know how many days it had been since he had taken a bath. He must have fleas on his body.

But when it comes to doing things, he is very serious and meticulous.

The most important thing is that no matter how hard or tiring the work is, the other party has no complaints.

He really is a natural born ox or horse!

After that, Wang Anshi also reported to Zhao Xin about the matter of Yellow River management.

Although Wang Anshi had nothing to do with river management, if the Yellow River burst its dike, it would have a great impact on Wang Anshi.

Because Wang Anshi loaned all the grain to the people, if the Yellow River burst its banks, the people would have nothing to harvest. This also meant that they would never get their seedling money back in the future.

In recent years, the Yellow River floods have been hanging over the heads of the people of Hebei. Although some places have been reinforced according to Zhao Xin’s requirements, and the latest methods of controlling water and attacking sand have been implemented.

But what if there really are unlucky people who happen to encounter this? How can we expect these unfortunate people to pay back the money?
This is what they have to think about.

of course!

It would be best if the Yellow River did not burst its banks, then there would be no need to consider such matters at all.

Fortunately, Zhao Xin has now taken back the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun, and there is no need to discuss whether the Yellow River should return to its original state.

in fact……

Many people support or oppose the Yellow River’s return to its original state, and they all have their own interests to consider.

For example, if someone’s hometown is in Shandong, these officials will definitely not agree to let him return to the province.

Because the Yellow River is not changing its course and everything will be fine. It has changed its course, and the people living near this river have to be prepared for disaster at any time.

Even in later generations, there are still Yellow River flooding areas, and some people living in these areas must be appropriately relocated and resettled.

Not to mention the Song Dynasty at that time.

But the good thing is…

After Zhao Xin reinforced some high-risk river embankments over the years, although the Yellow River is at risk of bursting its banks, it has not yet completely burst its banks.

Anyway…

Just make do with what you have and live one day at a time.

The draft for soliciting opinions on military reform was then also issued.

Initially, Zhao Xun should at least be a general.

After all, there are so many things to do.

As for Zhao Xin himself, he is of course the Grand Marshal.

For the others, give them the rank of lieutenant general.

As for other soldiers of the Li Yuan Army, they must of course start from a lower level.

After dealing with the military ranks within the Li Yuan Army, what remains is to deal with other troops.

Some people who fought bravely and performed outstandingly were singled out and awarded military ranks.

It was because of the conquest of the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun that the taxes of sixteen more prefectures were added, which actually made it fourteen prefectures. Otherwise, Zhao Xin would not have had the money to carry out such reforms.

You know, after being awarded a military rank, you will receive a monthly salary.

This expense is not small.

It doesn’t mean that if you send it this time, you don’t have to send it next time.

However, after this battle, Zhao Xin himself gained a lot.

For example, this time when he occupied Youzhou City, he seized more than 7,000 slaves from the homes of Yelu Chongyuan and other Liao officials.

Zhao Xin planned to convert all these slaves into female workers.

after……

He can now monopolize the silk business in the Youzhou city area.

It’s a bit like competing with the people for profit.

But there is no other way. It is better to keep the money with him than with other merchants’ homes.

After all, if it is stored in other merchants’ homes, it will be of little use to the country, but if it is stored with him, he can use it to fight wars or build the Great Wall.

Yes!

I think it would be best if the Great Wall could be repaired.

What can we say about the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun today? Although there is actually a Great Wall there.

But actually…

There are still many passages suitable for the Liao Kingdom to move south.

If it weren’t for the fact that it wouldn’t disturb the people too much and the huge amount of work, Zhao Xin might have just built it. When discussing it with Wang Anshi, Zhao Xin also said that.

If you can’t pay back the money for the crops, then come and build the Great Wall.

Either to reinforce the embankment of the Yellow River, or to mine and smelt iron, or to build palaces, or to construct the Great Wall or forts in some key passages.

One thing to say!

There aren’t too many things Zhao Xin wants to do at this moment.

As for Fan Zhongyan and Han Qi, after arriving in Datong Prefecture, they also inspected the surrounding situation and submitted a memorial, hoping that Zhao Xin would provide money to build the fort.

In addition…

Further west of Shuozhou are their Qizhou and Fuzhou. It would be even better if they could build a Great Wall or something to connect the two places.

Because Qizhou and Fuzhou had been isolated before, it was very difficult to transport food there.

Fortunately, now that Datong Prefecture has taken it back, the pressure of transporting grain can be greatly reduced.

Regarding the Xinzhou Basin, Pang Ji also submitted a memorial to Zhao Xin, suggesting that the people be allowed to develop more previously undeveloped land.

Anyway…

The Liao people have been driven away, so all the areas that were previously considered dangerous and dared not be developed can now be developed.

All memorials were sent to Zhao Xin.

As for his father…

It has become a mascot.

However, given his father’s condition, it is indeed not advisable for him to worry about these things anymore.

Considering that her father might be bored being alone in the palace, Zhao Xin also wrote a letter to Chen Yuanyuan.

The children are all grown up. Although it is inauspicious to enter the palace, it cannot be said that they cannot go at all.

I can only say that you can go there from time to time, but it doesn’t mean that you can’t go there at all.

then……

That autumn, Chen Yuanyuan took everyone to the palace for a trip.

It also allowed Zhao Zhen to experience the joy of playing with his grandchildren.

At this time, his father’s hands and feet were somewhat unresponsive.

People who have suffered a stroke will gradually develop weakness in their hands and feet.

So normally, I can only use a cane.

In addition…

This autumn, Zhao Huirou will also have to get married.

After all, I’m already twenty-one.

If I don’t get married soon, I’m afraid no one will want me in the future.

There’s nothing we can do if Zhao Xin can’t go back.

The only option is to ask Chen Yuanyuan to prepare the gift.

Exactly!

Shen Kuo has already made a clock, and Zhao Xin can give them one as a gift.

This is at least much more accurate than looking at the sky.

As for science and technology…

Zhao Xin also has to carry out reforms.

after……

Any research results or paper results will be rewarded.

In addition, a system for evaluating professional titles has also been established.

The treatment is comparable to that of civil servants in the Song Dynasty.

Zhao Xin issued orders one by one, but it is estimated that most of the officials in Tokyo City were still kept in the dark.

to be frank!
Nowadays, the traditional civil servants of the Song Dynasty are no longer popular.

Of course, governing a country still depends on these civil servants. All we can say is…

Nowadays, the channels for ordinary people in the Song Dynasty to rise are no longer limited to studying and taking exams.

And waited until the winter of this year.

The Western Xia also sent people to Dongjing City to pay tribute.

Mei Zang suddenly became well-behaved.

As for the Liao Kingdom…

We are still in war time, so naturally they won’t send anyone here.

After arriving in Dongjing City, the Western Xia envoy went north and met Zhao Xin.

In recent years, with the war with Zhao Xin, the economy of Western Xia has continued to suffer a severe blow.

and so……

In addition to paying tribute, the purpose of this tribute was also to open another trading market.

Zhao Xin was not very opposed to this.

I agreed immediately.

but……

Zhao Xin hopes that Xixia can relax restrictions on military horse trade.

It is hoped that 20,000 war horses can be provided to them every year.

The envoy had no way of making a decision on such a matter and could only take this message back and discuss it further.

Zhao Xin also emphasized that he actually loves peace very much.

As for whether Mei Zang believed what Zhao Xin said, it is hard to say.

Xingqing Prefecture of Western Xia.

Of course, it is impossible to agree to 20,000 war horses.

After all, if the Song Dynasty had so many war horses, they would definitely be the next to suffer.

Although the war horse trade did not succeed, Zhao Xin also emphasized that even if Xixia did not sell war horses, it would not affect the opening of the market.

in this way……

Only then did Mei Zang order his people to reopen trade with the Song Dynasty.

Ouyang Xiu wrote a memorial suggesting that it would be better to just kill Xixia directly.

What business do you still have with them?

Zhao Xin could only say that he had actually thought about this.

But let’s be honest!
If the war really reaches Xingqing Prefecture, how to govern it is also a problem.

There should be at least a million people over there, right?
You can’t just say, kill them all, right?

Even if they really captured Xingqing Prefecture, there would surely be many rebellions.

Besides…

It is actually difficult to take it down.

After all, as soon as you go to fight them, they will definitely burn all the pastures. By then, they will run to the west, and even if you get Xingqing Prefecture, it will be almost an empty city.

By then, their defense costs will only increase even more.

Therefore, it is better to put the attack on Western Xia on hold for now.

Now their main enemy is the Liao Kingdom.

The dignity of the Liao Kingdom would not allow them to surrender to the Song Dynasty. From now on, their conflicts would only increase, not weaken.

And by the end of this year.

Many people gradually learned through merchants from the north and some construction workers that Zhao Xin planned to move the capital to Youzhou.

How can I say this!

The officials in Tokyo city must have had a huge reaction.

After all, many industries are in Tokyo City. If the capital is really moved to Youzhou City, their houses will depreciate.

Therefore, the debate on whether or not to move the capital was sparked.

Officials certainly won’t say that if they move, their houses will depreciate.

But from a safety perspective.

Youzhou City is so close to the border. If it is not well defended, there is an immediate risk of the enemy surrounding the capital.

(End of this chapter)