Liang Xiao's recruitment announcement was posted in nine districts of the capital.
Some young and middle-aged people have been deeply influenced by newspapers recently, and they are fascinated by Liang Xiao, the newly born Marquis of Lanling. When they heard that Liang Xiao was ordered to recruit troops, they rushed to the bulletin board.
"What? You must be able to wear three layers of heavy armor, hold a long halberd, hang an iron sword from your waist, hold a large shield and scull, fifty crossbow bolts and a powerful crossbow, plus three days of army rations, and march a hundred miles in half a day... This is not Are you trying to force someone to do something difficult?"
Seeing the announcement, the men who came here to sign up today were very unhappy.
Even workers like them who have been doing hard work for a long time cannot guarantee that they will meet the standards!
"Sir, are you sure the announcement is correct?"
Everyone asked repeatedly, and the military attache in charge of recruiting soldiers said bravely: "It's true, this is an announcement prepared by Marquis Lanling himself!"
Complaints abounded at the scene until the military attaché reminded: "Can you not just look at the standards, but look at the monthly salary, which is three taels of silver per month. In the future, there will be opportunities to reward landowners! Those who participate in the selection will be provided with free meals for a day!"
"Damn it, three taels per month? Is this on par with the Imperial Army?"
Everyone cheered up instantly and rushed towards the central city like flying.
At this time, Liang Xiao was sitting in the center of the high platform, calm and relaxed, watching the crowds of people in the audience.
There must be brave men under the heavy reward, and he also intends to select some elites in advance.
There is an endless stream of applicants, and everyone hopes to receive three or two months of salary.
A salary of three to two months is currently only available to the Forbidden Army of the Great Zhou Dynasty, Xuanwei and some elite cavalry.
This means that those selected can become elites, and they will not be treated poorly in terms of food, clothing, housing and transportation in the future.
These workers earn less than two taels of silver for a month of hard work, and food and accommodation are not included.
Going to the battlefield carries the risk of death, but it is common sense that the court will provide compensation to the families of fallen soldiers.
The pension system for elite soldiers is equally generous.
Zhuge Hui trusted his abilities so much that he entrusted Zhuge Cheng to transfer to him the decades of military experience he and his colleagues had gained. How could he betray his trust?
"The Marquis of Lanling has something to say: once you are selected into the Liang Family Army and register as a military member, you will become an elite division on the battlefield with orders and prohibitions in the future. If you are not aware, please withdraw voluntarily to avoid violating military law! Starting from early tomorrow morning, several consecutive days of testing will be arranged to select the candidates. Each of you will be rewarded with three taels of silver!"
Since most of the applicants were illiterate, Liang Xiao arranged for his loud-voiced subordinates to explain his announcement repeatedly at the scene.
Everyone was very excited!
Will you be rewarded with three taels of silver if you are selected?
Countless people registered on site.
In the prime minister's house, after Zhuge Xiang reported the situation to Zhuge Hui, he said with a worried look on his face: "Uncle, is Marquis Lanling taking too big a step? According to common sense, you should first train the regular army and prove yourself with results, and then It’s not too late to select the elite…”
Zhuge Hui shook his head and said: "This boy cannot be judged by common sense. Your Majesty and we have seen his training method. It is unique and well-founded. He can train an elite teacher."
Zhuge Ding was at a loss for words.
As the prime minister, Zhuge Hui also led troops in battles in his early years. Generals such as Wu Sheng were invincible, and the troops trained by Zhuge Hui were indispensable.
As a nephew, Zhuge Ding also learned a lot of military training methods from Zhuge Hui's side and was greatly shocked.
Even he recognized Liang Xiao's military training methods, and Zhuge Ding had nothing to say.
"Are you worried that those aristocratic families will get into trouble because of military spending?" Zhuge Hui said.
Zhuge Ding then nodded: "I still can't hide it from my uncle."
Zhuge Hui explained: "Since he has begun to join the military, he will inevitably face difficulties from the courtiers. Instead of doing so, why hide it. The country's fatigue has been alleviated by the recent increase in revenue from the salt administration. For him, time waits for no man. He has been preparing for the worst for the country, maybe tomorrow we will receive an urgent report from the border that Beihu is heading south?"
Zhuge Ding couldn't help but be in awe: "That's it! My nephew will definitely help with all his strength!"
"How can your Majesty waste military expenditures and let him do whatever he wants! Just let Liang Xiao control the old, weak and remnant soldiers. If he controls the elite, the capital may change one day!"
In the imperial study room, Duan Yunyi looked at the officials in the audience with cold eyes and was furious.
Liang Xiao had considered this situation before and requested to confront them face to face. Considering that Liang Xiao had little official experience, she did not agree.
Now these old ministers look like they are about to be knocked to death on a pillar. Those who don't know better think that they are grieving for the country.
They are just resentful. The person who enjoys such treatment is Liang Xiao, not them!
These ministers from aristocratic families have been noisy in the imperial study for a long time, just to force her to take back her life, or to let Liang Xiao recruit some old and weak soldiers.
In particular, Tuoba Lie, the Minister of Household Affairs, refused to support Liang Xiao in selecting elites, citing various financial difficulties.
"After all the ministers have said, I would like to ask you, if I, the Zhou Dynasty, don't support a strong army, why should I use the money and food that should be used for military expenses to please Beihu and use it as 'year-old coins'?"
Duanmujie said quickly: "With these hundreds of thousands of taels of silver, if we make good friends with Beihu, we can ensure the stability of the border and repair the two countries. If there is a war in the future, we can drive them..."
"presumptuous!"
Duan Yunyi finally couldn't bear it any longer and smashed the inkstone on the table, startling the officials.
"Everything you said today might as well be published in the Zhou Dynasty newspaper so that the army and people of the Zhou Dynasty can understand it well?"
Tuoba Lie and others were shocked and did not dare to reply.
Duan Yunyi stared at these ministers coldly, feeling disheartened.
"In the past, you controlled the public opinion of scholars, and the people did not understand the affairs of the court. But today is different. Your words and deeds only need to be spread by a newspaper, and everyone will know about it in one day. Back then, the North Hu's march to the south has brought humiliation to our dynasty and ruined lives. This hatred is irreconcilable. We have tens of millions of people in the great Zhou Dynasty. How can we be servile and servile?"
"The Lanling Marquis Mansion is full of loyal men. Liang Aiqing inherited his father's ambition and recruited 10,000 soldiers for trial training. Those recruits were naturalized and became our generals in the Zhou Dynasty. They followed my orders. What's the problem? Why do you keep doing it again and again, ignoring me? Are you determined to negotiate peace with Beihu? Is it true, as Liang Aiqing said, that you actually don’t care who your master is?"
Everyone panicked and expressed their opinions: "I only think about your majesty and the country!"
Duan Yunyi said coldly: "In terms of qualifications, ability, and loyalty, how do you compare to the Prime Minister?"
Everyone was helpless and said in unison: "Ashamed!"
"Since the Prime Minister fully supports it, you who claim to be loyal ministers should be loyal to the master, perform your duties, and stop criticizing Zhongliang. Otherwise, I don't mind replacing some incompetent officials. If there is no one available, I don't mind selecting talented people from poor families. A man who has both."
"In addition, I am also preparing to select people with lofty ideals in the country to fight with Beihu one day, avenge the past humiliation, and comfort the late emperor!"
Duanmujie and others heard the implication of Duan Yunyi's words and sweat broke out on their foreheads.
In the past, finances were tight, and the court could not always accept donations from the Dingguo Marquis Mansion.
These aristocratic families are so rich that they can donate a small amount of money occasionally and take credit for themselves. Duan Yunyi and Zhuge Hui also have to listen to their opinions.
Even so, Duan Yunyi has always been so cold as ice and will not let them manipulate him.
They were worried that Duan Yunyi would confiscate their family and exterminate their family, so they didn't dare to go too far.
Now, the treasury has gained millions of taels of net income, and the empress in front of her is obviously more confident.
