Zhao Song: My father was Emperor Taizu of Song

Chapter 128 The Martial Academy is Initially Established

Chapter 128 The Martial Academy is Initially Established

When Zhao Dezhao and Xue Juzheng parted ways, the morning mist had completely dissipated.

Instead of returning to his own palace, he went to the palace stables to find a horse for transportation. To Zhao Dezhao's surprise, the huge royal stables were completely empty, with not a single decent steed in sight.

"Where are the horses?" Zhao Dezhao asked, puzzled.

"Your Highness, the Imperial Guards are conducting a military drill today and are short of a few warhorses. His Majesty has specially ordered that the finest horses from the stables be temporarily transferred to the Palace Guard for emergency use," the horse-raising soldier replied.

After hearing the explanation, Zhao Dezhao couldn't help but shake his head slightly and sigh softly, "The shortage of horses has reached such a point—"

Throughout history, the two major sources of warhorses in the Central Plains were the Yan-Yun region and the Dangxiang region.

However, now that Yanyun has been ceded to the Liao Kingdom by Shi Jingtang, and the Central Plains has also lost its previous control over the Tanguts, the number of warhorses in the Central Plains has plummeted, and the entire country cannot even muster 20,000 warhorses.

It's important to know that during the prosperous Tang Dynasty, the number of warhorses in a single country could exceed 400,000!

What a irony this is!

It's no wonder that the Central Plains armies were repeatedly defeated by the Liao and later the Western Xia in open field battles; the natural advantage of cavalry was simply impossible to overcome with sheer numbers.

"Never mind, never mind."

Zhao Dezhao waved his hand helplessly and had no choice but to go to the mule and horse shop in the inner city, spend thirty coins to rent a sturdy blue mule, and then head towards the northern suburbs of Kaifeng.

The blue mule walked slowly, its hooves making a soft "clattering" sound on the official road.

"It seems I'll have to persuade my father later. Perhaps we could set up a border market in the Tangut region, or even establish a tea and horse trading post, to address the immediate shortage of warhorses."

As Zhao Dezhao pondered, he unknowingly arrived at the Imperial Guard camp in the northern suburbs of Kaifeng.

Kaifeng is located north of the Yellow River. Now that the Yan and Yun regions have been lost, the Liao cavalry can move south as easily as walking on flat ground. The Yellow River has become the last barrier north of Bianliang City. Therefore, the Imperial Guard camp was located here to guard the vital passage.

After entering the Imperial Guard camp, Zhao Dezhao went straight to his personal guard camp.

On the training ground, the eight hundred elite soldiers, led by Jing Si, were conducting their daily drills. Upon seeing Zhao Dezhao arrive, Jing Si hurriedly ran over, bowed in greeting, and then led Zhao Dezhao to the personal guard's command tent.

"Greetings, Your Highness."

Inside the tent, Cao Bin and Li Jilong rose together to pay their respects upon hearing the sound.

After returning from the campaign against Yangzhou, Cao Bin officially joined Zhao Dezhao's forces, serving as Sima, in charge of all military affairs of the Prince's residence.

"Didn't I say? There's no need for such formalities." Zhao Dezhao waved his hand and smiled at Li Jilong: "Second brother, you must make the most of this opportunity to learn military strategy from Uncle Guohua. In a few days, you might have to change teachers."

Li Jilong was slightly taken aback: "Huh? What do you mean by that, brother?"

After more than half a year of military training, Li Jilong, who was once somewhat naive and inexperienced, now exudes a more rugged and sharp temperament.

The army is indeed a good place to temper people.

Cao Bin also looked over with a puzzled expression.

"My father is preparing to establish a martial arts academy, and I have come here today to ask Uncle Guohua to oversee this matter," Zhao Dezhao said bluntly. "Generals Shi Shouxin, Gao Huaide, and several others have already agreed to let me serve as a teacher at the academy."

"In addition to the sons of military families, some suitable soldiers and orphans adopted by the imperial court will also be selected from the army to attend the school together."

Zhao Dezhao immediately revealed his idea of ​​establishing a military strategy academy.

Upon hearing this, Cao Bin remained silent for a long time. After a long while, he willingly bowed again to Zhao Dezhao, saying, "Your Highness's noble character is truly admirable!"

"It's not exactly a noble cause." Zhao Dezhao shook his head, then pointed to an open space on the sand table in the center of the command tent, in the northern suburbs of Kaifeng, and said, "I plan to locate the Martial Academy here."

"In addition, Feng Jisheng's firearms workshop will also be moved here and incorporated into the Martial Academy, becoming one of its departments."

"This way, it will be close to the Imperial Guard camp, making it convenient for military drills and battles, and it can also protect the capital, killing two birds with one stone."

"As for the specialization, I have initially drafted several categories, namely cavalry, infantry, scouts, engineering, navy, firearms, logistics, and so on."

Zhao Dezhao paused, looked at Cao Bin, and said earnestly, "Uncle Guohua, I need your help to oversee this matter. Also, the initial management of the Martial Academy may require your assistance as well."

Upon hearing this, Cao Bin did not immediately agree; instead, a look of hesitation appeared in his eyes.

Seeing this, Zhao Dezhao said gently, "Uncle Guohua, please speak freely."

"Your Highness, please forgive me. I just feel that the subjects you have assigned are somewhat inappropriate." After thinking for a moment, Cao Bin still spoke truthfully: "For example, whether it is cavalry, infantry, or scouts, what they learn in the early stages is actually the same."

"It's nothing more than archery, horsemanship, military discipline, military strategy, and common sense."

"Therefore, in my opinion, it would be better to follow the system of the Imperial Academy and set up three dormitories: the lower, middle, and upper."

"The lower quarters can be divided into four subjects: archery and horsemanship, military discipline and physical fitness, basic military strategy, and general knowledge. Essential battlefield skills such as terrain surveying, military intelligence communication, wilderness survival, and basic engineering can all be categorized under general knowledge."

"Students who fail the lower-level examination may be assigned to the Imperial Guard or local militia, starting as ordinary soldiers. Those who pass the examination may be promoted to the corresponding department of the middle-level examination based on their talents and strengths."

"The central barracks can be divided into five departments: cavalry, infantry, scouts, engineering and logistics, and naval, to meet the needs of actual combat."

.

Those who fail the mid-level assessment can be assigned to the army as low-ranking officers such as squad leaders, while those who pass will naturally be promoted to the upper level.

"In the upper quarters, there is no need for separate courses. The main subjects are four: literary and military strategy, command and moral character, logistics coordination, and multi-service cooperation. After graduation, soldiers can take a unified military examination, and according to their results, they will be granted different official positions."

"As for firearms—it could become a specialized discipline, since only craftsmen make firearms and they don't need to go to the battlefield."

Cao Bin spoke eloquently, clearly and thoughtfully, leaving Zhao Dezhao in a long silence after listening.

He looked up at Cao Bin in front of him, his eyes somewhat dazed.

He underestimated the wisdom of the ancients!

Many of the modern systems he is so proud of are, in essence, nothing more than later generations picking up scraps of wisdom from the ancients and making improvements upon them.

These renowned generals, who left an indelible mark on history, were not undeserving of their fame. In matters such as military administration and talent cultivation, their insights and abilities far surpassed those of Zhao Dezhao.

"How fortunate we are to have Uncle Guohua's help!"

Thinking of this, Zhao Dezhao immediately bowed deeply to Cao Bin to show his respect.

"Your Highness is too kind," Cao Bin quickly helped him up.

Zhao Dezhao didn't stand on ceremony. He straightened up and waved his hand, saying, "This matter will be entirely entrusted to Uncle Guohua. Later, I will send someone to deliver 500,000 strings of cash, which Uncle Guohua can use as he sees fit."

"Your subject will certainly not fail in his mission!"

Cao Bin's gaze also subtly stirred.

If such a great undertaking, which benefits the present and future generations, is accomplished, his name will surely be recorded in history!

This is an irresistible temptation for anyone with ambition.

Even someone as reserved and composed as him cannot escape the common fate.