"Without military merit, one cannot be ennobled; without being a noble, one cannot become a minister," they say. Had these words been uttered during the era of the scholar-officials of the Song Dynasty, the speaker would have certainly been whipped to death. In the Ming Dynasty, where military officers automatically ranked two levels below civil officials, whoever said this would definitely have been condemned to death by denunciation!
It’s also why later dynasties relentlessly criticized this saying. There was no other reason than the fact that scholar-officials held power. They couldn’t allow military generals to rise to prominence, declaring that pedantic scholars were always right and military generals should always be considered less. This was the atmosphere future generations were keen on fostering. Hence later dynasties faced numerous defeats with pedantic scholars shamelessly crossing moral boundaries. The statement, "I’d rather be a meek and starving ghost than emulate a mantis trying to stop a chariot," could be ascribed to them. What can be said about the integrity of pedantic scholars?
However, during this period, civil officials had not yet taken power. From counting heads to determine military contributions in the Qin Era to the slightly embellished system of military merit ennoblement in the Han Dynasty, in summary, there were no pure civil officials in this age. Who among those present had not been on the battlefield? Ban Chao could throw down his writing brush and charge into battle; Li Dian could drop his letter and turn from a civil official into an outstanding military general. In this era, there was no separation between civil and military.
The importance of archery mastery among the Six Arts of the Gentleman was no less significant than rites and music. If the Great Han Dynasty was provoked, any Imperial Censor might turn into a high-ranking general overnight. The spirit of valuing martial prowess had already been deeply ingrained in that age. Literacy might have been rare, but there were many who could fight. After all, if you wanted to be ennobled, you had to be prepared to enter the battlefield!
Because this tradition had been passed down for years, people like Jia Xu felt no pressure about the statement that one couldn’t be ennobled without military merit. As for Chen Xi’s remark that scars were a form of glory, these strategists who had been on the battlefield also felt a profound resonance, nodding in agreement without objection. As to whether it was too extreme, that didn’t matter.
"Next is Jingling Palace, where the names of every soldier who has died on the battlefield must be engraved on the steles out front. During the four seasons and solar terms, I and others will perform the sacrifices... The offering of three kinds of livestock and six kinds of domestic animals must not be slighted in the slightest. The ceremonial rites will compare to those for Feudal Lord Kings. This shall serve as the final resting place for all our soldiers," said Chen Xi, steering the conversation back on track, offering benefits to the living and glory to the dead, ensuring that the living are free from worries and the dead are without regrets.
"Though it seems somewhat excessive..." Mann Chong and Liu Ye exchanged glances, muttering hesitantly, "but considering the reason behind it, it should be acceptable."
"Let’s not talk about being excessive. There are things that, even if they go beyond the limit, everyone will turn a blind eye to," Chen Xi waved his hand dismissively, clearly unconcerned with the notion of excess. If not for the worry that making too grand a gesture might be hard to step back from, Chen Xi would have preferred to perform sacrifices as grand as those to Heaven itself. He sought that kind of glory; in the era of the Han, where faith and righteousness prevailed, such glory was enough to attract many of the lower classes to the flame like moths.
"Zichuan, continue with your plan. It seems to be a comprehensive system. You’ve already mentioned the dead; now it must be time to discuss how to settle the living or something else," said Jia Xu, gesturing dismissively. For someone like him, the issue of excess was inconsequential as long as he was sufficiently safe, allowing him to disregard everything else.
"Well, for the families of those who died in battle, all farm taxes are waived until their eldest son turns eighteen. One child from the family can enter government education duty-free for three years, regardless of what he studies. It’s all free, as long as he has the ability to complete it—he deserves recognition for his strength!" Chen Xi said naturally, for all these measures were built up little by little by him, and now it was time to put them into action.
"The expenditure is not significant, but it is very valuable. However, what if the eldest son is already eighteen?" Lub Su asked a rather amusing question.
Chen Xi was startled, then realized that this wasn’t like the future generations. It was indeed possible for the eldest son to be eighteen. Despite any discharge system, one could not avoid people dying in battle in their thirties, and in this era, it was common for the lower-class citizens to marry at fourteen or fifteen. So, having an eighteen-year-old son was not a problem at all.
"Hmm, I see, if the eldest son is under fifteen years old, then in addition to the five years of consolation money already issued for the deceased, for every year the eldest son is younger than fifteen, an extra three months of the deceased’s salary will be supplemented." Chen Xi thought for a moment and said.
Exempting agricultural tax, adding a certain salary, plus five years of consolation money, and three years of full-board education, the money should be spent by the time the child is able to earn a living. It’s not that he didn’t want to give more, but such consolation matters involved too many people, and, once promised, it had to be delivered, otherwise instability in morale could lead to big trouble, especially since the money circulating in Chen Xi’s hands was not infinite.
"The consolation money is for five years, huh, I thought Zichuan would adhere to the old practice and give ten years. I didn’t expect it would only be five years." Lub Su smiled and said. In fact, as soon as Chen Xi brought up the subject of consolation, Lub Su had prepared to provide ten years worth of the deceased’s salary as consolation money; unexpectedly, Chen Xi had only given five years, which somewhat defied common sense.
"Indeed, the first installment of the consolation money is five years," Chen Xi said indifferently.
"Does that mean there is a second installment?" Lub Su immediately felt helpless, Chen Xi earned a lot, but he also spent a lot!
"The first installment of the consolation money goes to the wife; if the wife continues the duty of raising the children, then she can receive half of her husband’s annual salary at the government office each year. This salary continues for ten years, and when the government office has suitable piecework for women, these wives have priority. Ten years later, if their son is younger than fifteen, the salary will be increased to compensate until the son is fifteen. At the same time, disabled, retired soldiers returning to their hometowns have supervisory rights to oversee the government and others..." Chen Xi glared at Lub Su, then, with a hint of a smile, continued speaking.
"I knew it, it still has to be paid in full." Lub Su sighed, knowing Chen Xi would not let those people down, as expected.
"This method is good, presumably the benefits for the disabled soldiers, as well as those for retired soldiers, are distributed annually, and all at the same time. With the bonds of comradeship and hometown affinity, these benefits are maintained." Liu Ye stroked his beard, quite satisfied with the plan. Chen Xi had almost taken all considerations into account.
"Indeed, only when these retired soldiers band together can they assure their own interests, and those who are not seriously disabled upon retirement can be prioritized for transitioning into government officials, which makes it easier to ensure their benefits," Chen Xi nodded and said, having some insight into the concept of checks and balances.
"Regarding what Wen He mentioned earlier about elite soldiers, they will be their guarantee. Urban management and patrol teams should be purely composed of veteran soldiers around thirty-five years old who have been through numerous battles and have no disabilities, and who will only patrol internally within the city and guard Jingling Palace. I refuse to believe that with such a force, comparable to imperial guard-level, anyone would dare reach out for this money—they would naturally cut off the offender’s hand! Boning! I’ll recommend you for a nominal position when the time comes!" When Chen Xi said this, a chill emanated from his eyes; he did not believe anyone would dare reach out under the oppression of such a purely violent force!
"That won’t be a problem," Mann Chong nodded. He understood why Chen Xi was giving him such a force. Even if it was just a nominal appointment, the deterrent power was not to be taken lightly, and as a cruel official, he very much needed that deterrent.
"Right, all retired soldiers, regardless of whether they retire due to injury or age, must first go to Jingling Palace to offer incense before returning home. Similarly, new recruits must go to Jingling Palace to offer incense after they have been enlisted; only after offering incense can they be distributed to the various legions! In short, my goal is to ensure the incense at Jingling Palace never goes out!" Chen Xi stood up, looking solemnly at the sky outside the door, his goal was to forge a spirit, an everlasting martial spirit, to be engraved into the soul! (To be continued. If you work, welcome to Qidian ) to vote for recommendation tickets, monthly tickets, your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please go to m.qidian.com to read.)