I served as an admonisher in the Song Dynasty

Chapter 165: The dispute over the number of troops to be reduced, a big fight between two governments and three departments
The next day.

The officials of Zhongshu, Third Department, and Privy Council were all busy.

The policy of disarmament will be written by Wen Yanbo, the political counselor, and assisted by Zhang Fangping, the political counselor, and Pang Ji, the deputy privy envoy.

Any required information or data must be coordinated by other yamen as soon as possible.

Taiwan's admonishers carried out supervision.

The generals of the three yamen were all nervous.

They knew that it was difficult to change the imperial court's policy of reducing troops, and they could only hope that the number of reductions could be smaller.

Some veterans know nothing but being soldiers.

If he were released as a civilian, he would most likely become a wandering bandit.

Some generals have sent letters to express their concerns, but Zhao Zhen only replied with one sentence: The court will arrange things properly.

……

Ten days later, near noon.

The first draft of the disarmament policy was placed on the table of the Zhongshu Provincial Government Hall.

Wen Yanbo, Zhang Fangping and Pang Ji were all smiling, obviously very satisfied with this policy.

As usual.

This policy should be reviewed by the ministers of the two governments and three departments before being submitted to Zhao Zhen.

In order to avoid disputes, Wen Yanbo invited Tang Jie, Ouyang Xiu and Su Liang over.

at this time.

Chen Zhizhong, Xia Song, Wu Yu, Wang Yaochen, Ouyang Xiu, Tang Jie, and Su Liang all had an approximate number of troop reductions in mind.

After all, everyone often reads the military and political information of the Song Dynasty and has an estimate in mind.

Immediately, the seven people took the lead in reading.

……

This troop disarmament policy is divided into four parts.

First, it summarizes the current basic situation of the Song Dynasty’s army.

The current number of the Imperial Army and Xiang Army has reached over 120. The imperial court often recruits refugees into the army, and the number increases day by day. As a result, the people are poor, the country is short of money, the troops are redundant, the money is exhausted, and the state is very short of resources.

In some places, nearly half of the patients are old, weak and sick, which is really a serious problem for the country...

Second, it clarified the method of reducing soldiers.

Infirm persons over 40 years old and soldiers over 50 years old will be laid off;
Set up quotas and establish military camps.The imperial court determines the total number of troops in each place, and those who are redundant will be laid off and the military camps will be merged;

Establish military regulations for elite soldier drills, and those who do not comply will be eliminated;
Some of the forbidden troops were reduced to Xiang troops, and some of the Xiang troops were exempted from being civilians.

Restrict citizens from enlisting in the army. Those who need labor in the local area can be compensated with labor. Refugees, thieves, etc. cannot be recruited as soldiers. Other appeasement measures should be taken.

For newly recruited soldiers, the amount of military expenditures is strictly controlled. The average annual expenditure of each soldier of the Forbidden Army cannot exceed fifty guan, and the average annual expenditure of each soldier of the Xiang army cannot exceed [-] guan.

We will reduce the number of low-level generals and partially merge the military camps, so that two out of ten can be reduced.

……

Third, more than [-] resettlement measures were proposed.

Those who have merit but are unable to fight will be classified as remnants or minors, their salary will be reduced by half, and they will be transferred to various state capitals or military camps as handymen or to inspect warehouses and forage yards in various places;

For those who are weak or old and are released as civilians, various benefits such as tax exemptions, tax exemptions, land, and monetary pensions will be given to them based on their military merits or years of enlistment and family circumstances;

If a soldier dies in battle and has a wife, he will be given full monthly rations, and if he observes discipline, he will be given life-long provisions; if a soldier dies in battle and has a wife, he will be given six dou of rice per month for three years;
If the reduced troops cause chaos, all rewards will be deducted, and the crime will be increased by one level.

……

Fourth, the overall number of troop reductions was inferred based on the resettlement capabilities of local and state governments.

This number is actually what everyone is most concerned about.

"About 26 people were released as civilians, and the remaining 4 were reduced to 30 in total. Over the next three years, the number was gradually reduced, with the best remaining 80."

Most of these 30 people are weak soldiers from the northwest, Hebei, Hedong, Jingdong, and Jingxi roads.

As for the remaining members, their food and clothing were halved and their affairs were rearranged.

This disarmament policy has clear logic and reasonable arguments.

From cuts to appeasement, everything is basically done and various situations are taken into consideration.

Su Liang couldn't help but smile when he saw this number and combined it with the inference of the receiving capabilities of various places based on the troop reduction strategy.

This result was better than he expected.

Simple enough!Bold enough!Enough courage!

And this moment.

Chen Zhizhong's face darkened, and Xia Song on the side frowned tightly.

Obviously, this was not what they expected.

Chen Zhizhong and Xia Song haven't spoken yet.

Wang Yaochen, the third commander on the side, took the lead and said: "Three of you, are you too conservative? Just lay off 30 soldiers. Our dynasty currently has more than 120 million soldiers. This is more than 120 million mouths, food, drink, housing and transportation. They are all provided by the imperial court, which is really a big burden!”

Hear this.

Ouyang Xiu, Tang Jie, and Su Liang couldn't help but laugh.

Military expenditures constitute the bulk of the national treasury expenditure, so Wang Yaochen naturally likes to have more, the better.

On the other side, Chen Zhizhong and Xia Song were so angry that their faces were livid.

Wang Yaochen continued: "I think at least 40 people must be laid off, otherwise it will not be enough to make up for the shortfall in the national treasury. Can the three of you think about it again, whether you can reduce some of the Forbidden Army to Xiang Army, or make the average age of each soldier of the Forbidden Army The fee cannot exceed forty guan, and the average annual fee for each soldier of the Xiang army cannot exceed [-] guan. Otherwise, the pressure on the Third Division will still be great. To reduce our troops, we must be bolder..." "Envoy of the Third Division, that's enough! "

Chen Zhizhong was the first to interrupt Wang Yaochen's words.

"We all know that the Third Division's finances are tight, but the Third Division cannot rely on a single reduction of troops, so that you, the Third Division's envoy, will have no money worries from now on. No matter how much money you have, it will not be enough. The first thing we need to consider is The imperial court’s ability to bear it!”

"30 people is really too many. I feel that the pressure on the local and state governments is too great. It is really difficult to resettle fields for those who have been released as citizens and arrange errands for the remaining people!"

"How many people does Mr. Chen think are suitable?" Wen Yanbo asked.

"Half." Chen Zhizhong said simply.

What he was considering was how to avoid the risks of disarmament, and 15 people was within his acceptable range.

"15 people? No, no, that's too few!" Wen Yanbo shook his head immediately.

Compared with the total number of more than 100 million soldiers, 15 is indeed a small number.

Hebei, Jingdong, and Jingxi alone can easily lay off 15 people.

At this time, Zhang Fangping looked at Xia Song.

"Xia Shuxiang, what do you think?"

Xia Song thought for a while and said: "I think that 10 people is too much. The reduction of troops needs to be done slowly and the emotions of every soldier need to be taken into account. You want to see how we, the Song Dynasty, will cause a stir after implementing this policy. A rebellion?"

From Xia Song's point of view, the smaller the number of soldiers he reduces, the easier it will be for him and the lower the possibility of risks.

At this time.

Wu Yu also said: "I also thought that reducing the number of 30 soldiers was a bit excessive. 20 soldiers is still feasible."

Wen Yanbo looked at Ouyang Xiu, Tang Jie and Su Liang.

Ouyang Xiudao: "I agree with the opinions of the three envoys. It is difficult for 40 people to shake the foundation of the country, so they can all be reduced."

Tang Jie thought for a while and said: "I agree with this policy. It is completely acceptable to lay off 30 people."

Su Liang followed up and said: "I also agree with this strategy. The analysis of the three ministers has been very clear. Cutting off 30 people will never shake the foundation of the country. It can be done."

Suddenly, the political hall became quiet.

Except for the three writers.

Chen Zhizhong believes that up to 15 people can be laid off, Xia Song thinks that up to 10 people can be laid off, and Wu Yu thinks that 20 people can be laid off.

Wang Yaochen and Ouyang Xiu believed that 40 people could be laid off, while Tang Jie and Su Liang thought that 30 people could be laid off.

This difference is not that big.

Of course, everyone is thinking about the issue from their own standpoint.

Wang Yaochen paid more attention to saving money, while Chen Zhizhong and Xia Song paid more attention to the difficulty of execution.

Xia Song glanced at the troop reduction strategy on the table, and then looked at Wen Yanbo, Zhang Fangping, and Pang Ji.

"Three of you, don't set the number of 30 soldiers just for the sake of great success. Xixia and Liao are watching us. Once the number of soldiers decreases, they will definitely become more unscrupulous!"

I heard the words "what a great success".

Wen Yanbo couldn't help frowning and replied: "Xia Shuxiang, maybe you haven't been to the military camp for a long time. In military camps, old and weak people often flee without fighting when encountering enemies. This is a burden for the strong. A strong man will be defeated and flee because of this, which is not only useless to the army, but also harmful, so he should be eliminated."

In the political hall, the only one who was qualified to speak against Xia Song with such words was Wen Yanbo.

Zhang Fangping followed up and said: "Xia Shuxiang, the three of us have set the quota to 30 people. The specific inferred reasons have been written in the policy document. Although it will save the Privy Council and Zhongshu some trouble, in Jiangshan Sheji But there are huge benefits, the sooner the better, the better, lest the black sheep bring a lot of bad habits into the army!"

After hearing this, Tang Jie also stood up.

"Xia Shuxiang, what are you worried about? Is it because you are unable to do this? Or will cutting too many troops hurt your interests?"

"Reducing too many troops will harm the country. Once this policy is implemented, there will be rebels among the reduced troops. Are you going to cause chaos in the country?" Xia Song said with wide eyes.

Xia Song's "great success" and "causing chaos in the country" completely ignited everyone's emotions.

"The country is in chaos? If we don't reduce the number, we will leave a group of useless soldiers to eat the people's wealth? What we are reducing this time are useless soldiers. They are useless as soldiers. They will rebel and rebel, let alone cause a splash!"

"Xia Shuxiang, according to my official opinion, you are trying to evade your responsibilities. If you feel that you are no longer able to hold the position of Privy Councilor, you can resign from the official position. Of course there will be someone who can do a better job than you!"

……

At this time, Chen Zhizhong thought for a while and said: "How about 20 soldiers? The maximum number Zhongshu can accept is 20 soldiers. Any more will be difficult to place!"

Wen Yanbo shook his head.

"Prime Minister Chen, this number is not a random fabrication by the three of me. It is determined based on the reduction requirements and the capabilities of various state governments. It is obvious that the reduction can be 30, why is it only reduced by 20? I really can't understand!"

"As for military chaos, it may happen in some places, but according to the strength of our army, it will definitely be quelled quickly. It is not a big deal!"

"It's not a big deal? Do you know Chen Sheng and Wu Guang? Do you know Huang Chao? Do you know the Anshi Rebellion? If our Song Dynasty turns from prosperity to decline because of this policy, can you bear this responsibility?"

"Prime Minister Chen, if you are so timid and afraid of taking responsibility, then you won't be able to accomplish anything, so it's better not to lay off employees!"

……

In the political hall, a group of princes quarreled again.

From time to time, Wang Yaochen's clear voice can be heard: "No matter how hard the troublesome secretary and the Privy Council work, they can completely reduce the number of 40 people!"

Everyone insisted on their own opinions and no one gave in.

Ouyang Xiu, Tang Jie, and Su Liang watched the princes of the two governments and three divisions debate fiercely, but did not join the battle and felt helpless.

Many decisions in the Song Dynasty that had more advantages than disadvantages were made due to the pull between the two governments and the three departments.

To put it bluntly, the Great Song Dynasty was frightened by these husbands who were afraid of taking responsibility.

Su Liang felt that if the Song Dynasty was to launch a reform movement in the future, the first thing to do would be to replace the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers, otherwise it would be too energy-consuming to pull the strings.

(End of this chapter)