xymnovel Chapter 34: Leaving the Palace
Chapter 34: Leaving the Palace
In terms of combat strength, the current Shence Army cannot be considered elite.
If a real war were to break out, these people might not even be able to defeat the local warlords' troops.
Regardless of the circumstances, the shence army's sheer numbers of tens of thousands ensured its unshakeable power in the capital region.
It can be said that whoever controls the Shence Army can wield immense power in the imperial court.
Therefore, for Li Ang, the most important thing is to improve his control over the Shence Army.
As for how to improve military discipline and combat effectiveness, we can only think of solutions later.
This was also the real purpose of his inspection tour. Only by gaining a deeper understanding of the true situation of the Shence Army could he take targeted measures and formulate subsequent directions.
By this time, Li Ang had already summoned a number of generals in the army, and logically, the journey was nearing its end.
Therefore, Liu Hongyi took the emperor's question as casual and answered respectfully.
"In response to everyone, according to the old system of Emperor Dezong, there is a Shence Army Ward in the capital, which is specifically used to settle the families of the Shence Army. Each family is given 100 mu of land, exempt from rent and taxes for five years, and exempt from all taxes and corvée labor for the whole family. In addition, the Ministry of Finance will provide monthly grain rations to keep the morale of the army."
Upon hearing this, Li Ang was taken aback at first, and then a bitter smile involuntarily rose in his heart.
If you want to control the Divine Strategy Army, the original owner's method of killing people is definitely not going to work.
In recent days, Li Ang has come up with some solutions himself.
Starting with the families of the Shence Army is one approach.
But now it seems he was oversimplifying things.
Every era has its share of clever people. The ancients may have been limited by their time and lacked a broad perspective, but when it came to political maneuvering, they were certainly not lacking in any way.
That's right. The Shence Army was established because of the Jingyuan Mutiny. As the emperor, he would naturally not be unprepared.
Bringing their families to the capital for centralized management and providing them with generous treatment served both as hostages and as a means to win over the people.
However, this would make it difficult for him to realize his original idea.
Although somewhat disappointed, Li Ang quickly composed himself and made a decision.
"In that case, let's go and take a look at the Shence Army Workshop."
Anyway, his main purpose in coming here this time was to conduct on-site investigations and further understand the situation of the Shence Army.
Although it differed somewhat from what I had expected, in a sense, it was still a gain.
Otherwise, if he rashly acts according to his original ideas, he might make an even bigger fool of himself.
Since that's the case, why not go a step further and find out more details?
However, his decision made Liu Hongyi hesitate for once.
"Your Excellency, the Shence Army is located in the city, where there are many people and much chaos. Given your noble status, it would be inappropriate for you to go there rashly. Moreover, it is already late today. In my opinion, it would be better for you to return to the palace first."
That statement isn't entirely without merit.
The Shence Army's garrison was located just outside the palace.
Basically, you can get there as soon as you leave the palace gates, so even if Li Ang is the emperor, there's no need to alarm too many people.
However, the Shence Army Workshop is located in the city, which is quite far away.
This would involve a lot more trouble, since the emperor leaving the palace is not a simple matter.
But Li Ang had clearly made up his mind, and shook his head.
"No need for a big fuss. Take some guards with you, and we'll change our clothes together. It'll be like taking a stroll in the city. It just so happens that I haven't left the palace in a long time."
"Everyone……"
Liu Hongyi wanted to say more, but Li Ang's tone was already somewhat displeased.
"I've had some free time these past few days, and I just wanted to go out for a stroll. Can't I even handle something this simple?"
Having said all that, Liu Hongyi couldn't stop them any longer.
After a moment's hesitation, he had no choice but to say it.
"Then please, Liu Xuanhui, escort everyone back to the palace to change. This old servant will go down immediately to prepare the carriages and guards..."
Li Ang nodded in approval, and Liu Hongyi then bowed and hurriedly left the tent.
The claim that it was getting late was just an excuse; it was only about noon.
After returning to the palace for lunch and changing into casual clothes, Li Ang quickly led Liu Xingshen to the outside of the Nine Immortals Gate.
At this time, Liu Hongyi had already made preparations, prepared a carriage, and waited outside with dozens of officials dressed in plain clothes.
"Greetings to everyone."
Upon seeing Li Ang leave, he quickly stepped forward and bowed.
Afterwards, the group boarded the carriage and headed out of the imperial city.
"According to the old system, the families of the Shence Army reside in the capital region. Because their numbers are too large, it is difficult to settle them in one place, so they can only be scattered in various neighborhoods."
"Among them, the families of the Left Army mostly lived in the Qinglongfang and Dunhuafang areas, while the families of the Right Army mostly lived in the Chonghuafang and Andingfang areas."
"Where would you all like to go first?"
The Shence Army in the capital numbered fifty to sixty thousand, and their families numbered at least three times that, roughly over one hundred thousand.
This scale is only possible to accommodate in a metropolis like Chang'an with a population of over one million.
Sitting in the carriage, Li Ang pondered for a moment before speaking.
"We went to the Left Army's garrison this morning, so this time, let's go to Chonghuafang, where the Right Army's families are settled."
"Yes……"
Liu Hongyi bowed his head in response.
But for some reason, Li Ang always felt that his expression was a bit strange.
He seemed relieved, but at the same time, he also seemed a little nervous.
Thinking this to himself, he didn't really care, since he would find out what the situation was when they arrived.
Chang'an is a very large city. It took us almost half an hour to travel by carriage to reach the vicinity.
Fortunately, it did not attract much attention along the way.
After getting off the carriage and stepping onto the bluestone-paved streets of Chang'an once again, Li Ang couldn't help but feel a little curious.
Even in the original owner's memories, there weren't many memories of the streets and alleys of Chang'an.
After all, given the strict management of the imperial family by the Li Tang dynasty, even when he was a prince, he was basically confined to the Sixteen Princes' Residence, and the opportunities to go out were very few.
Experiences like strolling leisurely through the streets and alleys are now virtually nonexistent.
Although it was already the late Tang Dynasty, it must be said that Chang'an, as the most glorious pearl of the Tang Dynasty, still maintained its prosperity and bustle, and was even more prosperous than before.
At this time, the strict ward and market system that was originally enforced in the early Tang Dynasty had gradually disintegrated. The once orderly streets and alleys and houses became densely packed, with various taverns, teahouses and inns built along the streets.
There was a restaurant that stood a hundred feet tall. On its vermilion railings, boldly dressed women of Central Asian descent held pipa (a traditional Chinese stringed instrument), chatting and laughing. Brightly colored silks fluttered in the wind, creating a lively and bustling scene.
"Since we've all come out of the palace, why don't we take a stroll around the city first?"
At this moment, Liu Hongyi, who was standing nearby, also offered his timely suggestion.
Li Ang hesitated for a moment, but did not refuse.
After all, he also harbored some curiosity about Chang'an, a city with a long-standing reputation.
After looking around, Li Ang quickly pointed to a three-story building in the distance with the inscription "Zhang Family Restaurant" and said.
"Let's go in and take a look..."