The eldest sons were full of questions, but no one spoke, they just looked at Zhao Mengqi intently.
Zhao Mengqi cleared his throat, "The Song Dynasty is very tolerant to the clan. As long as you have the ability, even the prime minister will do it. Of course, considering that not everyone likes to write and write, and the road to the imperial examination is not easy, so I I plan to open another path for you, join the army and seek fame on the battlefield!"
The eldest sons couldn't believe their ears. The clan was not allowed to touch the military power, but this was an iron law passed down from their ancestors!
King Yan is probably crazy!
"Your Highness, aren't you afraid that in the future, the clan in charge of the army will rebel and cause chaos with its own troops?" Someone couldn't help but ask.
This is a very real problem. People with royal blood seem to aspire to be emperors more than ordinary people, and they have more appeal if they rebel.
Zhao Mengqi naturally understood this. He knew that letting the clan get involved in the army had both advantages and disadvantages.
But he knew that even in the chaotic times of the late Northern Song Dynasty and the late Southern Song Dynasty, no clan members were seen raising flags to stand on their own, which meant that after hundreds of years of clan system being implemented, the general Zhao family's children were less interested in becoming emperor than other dynasties. The clan is so strong.
Even except for the "Shadow of Ax and Sound of Candle", which is difficult to confirm, nothing thrilling happened in the succession of the throne of the Song Dynasty.
Therefore, he felt that there was no need to be too wary of the clan, and taking ten thousand steps back, if a fierce man really emerged who could seek to usurp the throne, it would not necessarily be a bad thing for the Song Dynasty. After all, if history remains unchanged, this The Song Dynasty was not many years old.
Moreover, he planned to follow the experience of later generations to reform the military system of the Song Dynasty, so that while increasing its combat effectiveness, it would never become someone's private army.
Speaking of private armies, in fact, since the Song Dynasty moved south, many armies have been privatized to varying degrees. After so many years of efforts by the court, they have improved a lot, but they still exist.
These are also things that Zhao Mengqi needs to solve slowly, but there is no need to speak out now.
"I am not afraid. If I can really allow you to lead an army to rebel against me, it will be due to my incompetence!"
This was said very plainly, but it made the eldest disciples deeply feel Zhao Mengqi's strong self-confidence, and even a sense of domineering awe.
"You should know that I am determined to achieve something. Since I want the title of 'Yan', I have decided to build the mausoleum in Yanshan, otherwise I would rather die without a burial place!"
"If you want to achieve this wish, you must strengthen the army, but I cannot do this with my own efforts. As descendants of the Zhao family, do you have the ambition to work hard with me!?"
After saying that, Zhao Mengqi calmly waited for the replies from his eldest sons.
The eldest sons were hesitant, not knowing whether King Yan was sincere or just playing tricks to lure them into taking the bait.
After Zhao Heyun hesitated for a long time, he asked with a hint of hope, "Your Highness does have the intention of the Northern Expedition?"
"My ambition in this life is to never regret it even after nine deaths!"
Zhao Mengguan gritted his teeth and said, "Your Highness really wants us to join the army? Are you not afraid that we will have second thoughts?"
"I'm not afraid! Relatively speaking, I'm more afraid of being destroyed by foreigners."
Zhao Mengqi seemed to still have some concerns, "Your Highness, what is the use of joining the army for a weak person like my younger brother? My hands can lift a pen, but it is difficult to hold a sword."
"Weak? Are you as weak as I was before? Even now, judging from the appearance, your body should be stronger than mine. It doesn't matter even if you are really weak, just practice. Our ancestors were real soldiers. How can we practice? Will it be inferior to those mud-legged ones?"
"This? Your Highness is right. Nothing is difficult in the world, as long as there are people who are willing!" Zhao Mengqi gained a little confidence.
"What's more, in addition to warriors who can go into battle, the army also needs civil servants such as counselors, logistics, and management. Don't be afraid that there will be no place for them! We have a lot of non-commissioned officers leading the army in the Song Dynasty, so don't worry."
"I understand, I was thinking too narrowly before. Why don't the man take Wu Gou, collect the fifty states in Guanshan, and ask you to temporarily go to Lingyan Pavilion, like a scholar of ten thousand households? I don't want to be a scholar anymore, I only want to follow His Highness, Restore the rivers and mountains and revive the Song Dynasty!"
Hey, this Zhao Mengqi said he was not a scholar, but there was still a bookishness in his words.
Then Zhao Mengxi raised his fist and said, "Yes, yes! I am willing to follow His Highness and create great achievements for all generations!"
Immediately, the remaining eldest sons also enthusiastically expressed their loyalty to the army.
Zhao Mengqi knew in his heart that these people may not be as willing to join the army as they say.
Although the imperial court did not treat the clan as favorably as previous generations, their background gave them more advantages than ordinary people. With a little effort, they could live a comfortable life.
Not everyone will have ambitions. Those who are willing to live in peace and enjoy wealth should be the choice of most people.
It's just that they are really afraid of Zhao Mengqi. If they go against his will, they might not be able to see the sun tomorrow. Besides, carrying dirt and earth is really not a human job. It's so painful!
For Zhao Mengqi, it doesn't matter whether these people are sincere now. As long as they enter the melting pot, he will have the confidence to refine them out. At worst, there will only be more slag.
"Very good. Since everyone is willing to work hard to revive the Song Dynasty, I welcome you to join the Yan King's Guards!" Zhao Mengqi looked satisfied and pleased.
Unexpectedly, the first batch of soldiers in his direct lineage were actually these contenders for the crown prince.
Whether they were sincere or not, the eldest sons all cheered for joy. What they didn't know was that the training in the army would be ten times harder than carrying earth and mud!
They had already been fooled into joining the army, so there was no need to let them stay here. After being dismissed, the twenty-odd eldest sons immediately ran to their residences in the palace. Their spirits did not look like they were exhausted. people.
Sure enough, mental strength can overcome everything.
Looking at the eldest son who had disappeared without a trace, Zhao Mengqi sighed, but he heard Qian Long say with some schadenfreude, "These silly boys, think that life in the army will be easy? Haha, how naive!"
When Qian Long first entered the palace, if Zhao Mengqi did not leave the palace, he would have to train in the army, which would be considered a hardship.
Zhao Mengqi looked at Xiaopang Qian with a look of disdain, "Naive? Fatty, you think you don't have to go to the army? Let me tell you, when the army is full, I will personally sit in the army and not lose weight on your body." Come on, my surname is not Zhao!"
"Ah!?" Qian Long was dumbfounded, "No...that's not right. Your Highness, you have never said this before. I am born fat. How can I lose it? Your Highness doesn't want it, brother-in-law..."
"What!? Who is your brother-in-law?" Zhao Mengqi glanced at him, then ignored him and walked towards the palace.
Qian Long was depressed, secretly hating that his elder sister was useless. She was alone in the same room with a man and a woman every day, but she still hadn't captured His Highness. She was so beautiful, and she had the nerve to be called the most beautiful woman in Lin'an.
Seeing him stunned, Wu Qiong bumped into him deliberately when he passed by, "The little fat guy really wants to do good things, and he also wants to be His Highness's brother-in-law..."
"You poor guy! It's none of your business! How dare you hit me? I won't take care of you!"
Qian Xiaopang jumped on the spot. After being furious and incompetent, he couldn't help but start thinking about how to get his sister to sleep with His Highness as soon as possible.
