After watching the North Manor Army's drill, Hou Junji and the other Left Guard generals all wore solemn expressions.
They compared the strength of the Left Guard Army and the North Manor Army in their minds.
Just from what they saw, they felt inferior.
After the inspection of the three armies, Hou Junji gave a few words before announcing the rewards for the three armies on behalf of the Emperor.
Then, several carts of gold and silver were pulled into the camp and displayed in front of the thirty thousand North Manor Army.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" The 30,000 strong army shouted.
Hou Junji nodded in satisfaction at the unified thanks.
In his view, the soldiers were still loyal to the Great Tang and to His Majesty.
After inspecting the three armies, Hou Junji ignored any attempts to stay and led his generals and personal soldiers back to the main camp under Zhang Zhao's escort.
After that, the army set off towards Jingzhou.
……
Divine Capital Chang 'an, Hanyuan Hall.
After reading Hou Junji's report, Li Shimin passed it to Wang De and told him to pass it to Fang Xuanling and the others.
After reading it, Minister of War Li Jing stood up and bowed to Li Shimin,
"Your Majesty, should we postpone the execution of the Prince of Yan of Youzhou?”
As Li Shi Min's trusted aide and there were no outsiders in the hall, Li Jing spoke directly.
"Mm, postpone it. Order the surrounding troops to drop their guard.”
"This subject obeys the decree!"
The rest of the people remained silent. They knew that the Emperor was more concerned about the situation of the North Manor Army.
Sure enough, Li Shiming spoke,
"It seems that my sixth son really has the talent to lead troops and train soldiers. The thirty thousand North Manor Army soldiers had put even Hou Junji under pressure in such a short time.”
The officials below did not dare to say a word.
"Oh right, is the memorial that King Jing wrote about adding 20,000 auxiliary troops to the North Manor Army still there?”
"Your Majesty, yes." Wang De nodded, then quickly took out one of the memorials from the golden table and placed it in front of Li Shimin.
After reading it silently, Li Shimin closed the memorial.
"It's approved. In addition, in the next decree, the 20,000 auxiliary army will be changed to the main army, and the auxiliary army will be set up separately!”
"This…"
Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, and the others looked at each other. As for Zhangsun Wuji, his expression suddenly changed. Then, he seemed to have recalled something, and the corners of his mouth curled up slightly as he relaxed.
"Your Majesty, White Cloud City already has 30,000 main troops and 20,000 auxiliary troops. If these 20,000 auxiliary troops were to be converted into main troops, King Jing would definitely recruit more than 20,000 auxiliary troops.”
"At that time, there will be more than 80,000 troops stationed in White Cloud City.”
After hearing the decree, the Minister of War, Li Jing, stood up and cupped his hands.
"Your Majesty, I also think that although White Cloud City is a border city, it is the fief of a vassal king. Allowing it to expand its army by 50,000 plus the auxiliary army would be too much. The vassal king holds a large number of troops. The monarch is weak and the ministers are strong. It is not good for the country. Please think twice.”
After Li Jing finished speaking, Wei Zheng also stood out with a serious expression.
Previously, he had spoken up for Li Lin in disguise. Now that he wanted to increase the White Cloud City's military strength, Wei Zheng naturally had to stand up and speak up.
Moreover, what he said was indeed reasonable.
Only then could he show that he was dedicated to the public.
However, Li Er had a different thought.
"There's no need to say anything more. King Jing had fought for the country, so he couldn't be promoted. It was only right for him to give some compensation in other aspects.”
"Besides, King Jing is good at training soldiers, and he is located at the frontline of the border town. Wouldn't the border be more stable if he had more troops?”
Fine, you're the emperor. What you said makes sense. I won't say anything.
Li Jing and Wei Zheng left. This matter was settled.
However, after the two of them left, someone else stood up.
Fang Xuanling stood up.
"Your Majesty, please issue a decree regarding the expansion of the White Cloud City's army, military supplies, equipment, and salary.”
Since they had expanded the army, they naturally had to give them military supplies, equipment, and money.
This was what he should do.
As the Minister of Right, Fang Xuanling naturally had to ask. Even though he knew that White Cloud City had raised their own military supplies and food.
"Lord Fang, the current national treasury doesn't have much food and pay, and there aren't enough weapons for the generals.”The Duke of Qi, Zhangsun Wuji, stood up and spoke.
Although he was also the Minister of Personnel, the Ministry of Revenue and the General Supervisor were not his departments.
However, as an official who had entered the General Government Hall, he was naturally qualified to understand these aspects.
However, Fang Xuanling turned a deaf ear to Zhangsun Wuji's words and continued to look at Li Shiming.
He hoped that the Emperor would reconsider his attitude toward King Jing.
" The next decree," Li Shimin said after a moment of consideration,""Just say that the country is in a difficult situation and let King Jing raise his own funds first to ensure the stability of the border. After that, when the national treasury is full and the weapons and armor are ready, send them over.”
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Helpless, Fang Xuanling didn't say anything more and could only bow to receive the decree.
As for Zhangsun Wuji, who was seated below, he smiled slightly. As expected, that was exactly what His Majesty was planning.
…….
A few days later, when the angel arrived at White Cloud City to deliver the decree, Li Lin and the others received the decree and sent the angel away before gathering in the main hall.
"It seems that His Majesty wants to use the army to drag down our White Cloud City's economy.”Zhang Zhao hit the nail on the head and pointed out Li Er's thoughts.
All the soldiers, armor, food and pay were self-raised.
It was easy to say.
After the White Cloud City's taxes became stricter, the caravans of many aristocratic families and sects reduced the number of times they entered and exited the White Cloud City.
As for the civilian tax, Li Lin had reduced it by quite a bit.
Speaking of which, White Cloud City's treasury was full at the moment. However, in reality, this money was needed to forge armaments and armor, pay salaries, and maintain the city's defense.
There were many places where he needed money.
With the reduction of taxes, the money in the treasury would not be used for long.
"Don't worry about this, Zibu. I have my own arrangements.”Li Lin, on the other hand, had a calm expression.”
"I'm here." Gao Shun stood up.
"Turn the auxiliary army into the main army and act according to the decree. In addition, recruit another 30,000 soldiers. His Majesty did not limit the recruitment area. You will lead the troops to the counties of Youzhou with the decree.”
"Within a month, the 30,000 auxiliary troops must be recruited and trained.”
"Yes, I will obey your orders!"
"As for weapons and armor, I have my own arrangements.”
"Yes, sir!" The officials and generals replied.
The other civil and military officials retreated, leaving Zhang Zhao and Fa Zheng behind.
" Young Master, weapons and armor…"
"Don't worry, Zibu. I still have tens of thousands of sets of armor here, enough for the new auxiliary army. Also, didn't we seize many warhorses in the last battle?”
"Leave the Flood Dragon Horses and above. As for the rest, ship them out and sell them.”
"Although these warhorses can't compare to flood dragon horses, it's not like the Imperial Court doesn't lack horses. These warhorses were all good horses from the plains. Even if the Sixteen Guards didn't use them, they could still be used by the various Zhechong Prefectures.”
"Yes, this subordinate understands." Zhang Zhao smiled and nodded.
"Young Master, should we inform Youzhou?”Fa Zheng stood out and said.
"No need. I don't care what Li Yi thinks. He and we are wary of each other. White Cloud City is our foundation!"
"Understood."
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