Great Song Pirate

Chapter 104 Argument (2)

As soon as Xu Yi mentioned the issue of the military system, Li Bo had the right to speak as a soldier, but he knew that there was no place for him to speak here. Xue Tu came from a powerful background and had no opinion on this matter, so he couldn't say no. Why did it happen, and Li Mutian was a businessman, and he said that he was okay in business, but he was a complete layman when it came to military affairs. Only after hearing this, Mr. Zhao, his eyes lit up, and he hurriedly said: "It turns out that Brother Xu treats me well." The military system of the Great Song Dynasty also has opinions, it seems that Mr. Xu is not very optimistic about our military power in the Great Song Dynasty! Zhao is willing to listen to Mr. Xu's opinions!"

Now that he said it, Xu Yi simply finished speaking, so he was not polite, smiled and continued: "Xu is not flattering about the combat power of our Song army. I think that there was Fang La in the Songjiang uprising in Liangshan not long ago. Everyone knows about the rebellion. They are just some civilians, and they are not a well-trained and strong army at all. But after the uprising, they immediately captured many cities like a broken bamboo. Although the officers and soldiers carried out encirclement and suppression in the early stage, but But after repeated battles and repeated defeats, these rebellious people continued to grow up. Leaving aside political affairs, the combat power of the Song Army alone showed the strength of the Song Army, so that Fang La almost occupied the entire territory of the two Zhejiang provinces. Later, Song Jiang had to be rebelled. After the army recruited the rebels and merged their rebels into the imperial army, they also summoned the imperial court's troops and horses to carry out a large-scale encirclement and suppression. It took nearly a year to wipe them out. There must be a reason for it.”

Li Mutian listened on the sidelines, secretly surprised in his heart. Although Xu Yi's son returned from overseas not long ago and had never landed in the Song Dynasty, he was so clear about the affairs of the Song Dynasty, which is really an anomaly. Mr. Zhao, who was sitting by the side, looked a little unhappy, and after pondering for a long time, he said: "It can't be said that the imperial army has no combat power at all. After all, when the rioters raised their troops suddenly, the local governments were caught off guard, and they were careless. Didn't he be wiped out by the officers and soldiers after all?" Although he said so, there was not much confidence in his words.

Hearing what he said, Xu Yi took a sip of wine and smiled and said, "Since Mr. Zhao thinks this is the case, then Xu has nothing to say. I think you and I both know what's going on. It doesn't matter if we don't talk about this topic." How about we keep drinking?"

Hearing that Xu Yi didn't want to continue talking, this made Mr. Zhao unhappy, so he hurriedly said: "No way! Drinking is fine, but since the words have come to this point, wouldn't it be better if we didn't say anything? Why don't we drink while drinking?" How about a chat? Come on!" he called out.

One of his attendants outside responded immediately and rushed in, bowed and said, "I don't know what your master wants?"

"Hurry up and serve me the best wine in this restaurant. I want to have a few drinks with all of you here. Hurry up!" Mr. Zhao ordered.

His entourage hurriedly went downstairs to make a fuss, and after a while, a waiter brought a jug of wine to their room and said: "This is the best wine in this restaurant, it was stored by our shopkeeper many years ago. For the next 20 years, Xinghua Village, please use it slowly!"

After slapping open the seal of the wine jar, a strong aroma of wine immediately permeated the whole room. Xue Tu is also a person who loves wine, so he immediately yelled: "Good wine, it really is good wine!"

Although Xu Yi is not a drunkard, after smelling the aroma of wine, he couldn't help shouting for good wine. After everyone was full, they toasted each other. If you have some insights, why don’t you just talk about the disadvantages of the Song Dynasty’s military system? Zhao is willing to listen to it!”

Anyway, when it comes to this point, it makes no difference whether to say it or not, Xu Yi simply continued: "Since Mr. Zhao is willing to listen to Xu's clumsy remarks, then Xu will show his shame today. Although the Song military system was created by Song Zu, there is naturally a reason for its implementation. The advantage lies in the separation of military power. You don’t have to worry about the fact that the generals will support their troops so that they can’t lose their tails. The new problem is that the soldiers do not know the generals, and the generals do not know the soldiers. When the war starts, the leading generals are temporarily designated, and soldiers are drawn from various places to form an army. If they rush into battle in a hurry, it is inevitable that the general orders cannot be effectively implemented, which will delay the opportunity of the battle. This is one, and since the Song Dynasty, the imperial court has always pursued the style of emphasizing literature and despising military affairs, using literature to restrain martial arts, and setting up accompanying supervisors when using troops, with civil servants taking the lead. Civil servants often have to obey the instructions of civilian officials who are not good at fighting. The dynasties are different. They adopt the system of recruiting soldiers. Although this policy is enlightened, it does not have an effective retirement system. , Criminals were filled into the army one after another. Although the place was stabilized and these idlers were restrained, there were many old and weak soldiers in the army, and the soldiers were mixed. It is natural to imagine how effective this kind of mixed army is. It is also this kind of military manufacturing that has caused the number of soldiers in the army to increase day by day, so that there are many redundant soldiers. Since the Song Dynasty, the officers and soldiers have been generous and have increased the burden on the court. The result of the enhancement, this is the fourth, and it is precisely because of the impermanence of the soldiers, the soldiers are seriously lacking in training, and they have to rotate to defend other areas every three years. Look at the food and pay, but once it is used, there is no combat power at all. This is the fifth, and there is no horse. The land that produces good horses in the world is basically occupied by the Dangxiang, Jurchen, and Khitan people. Hetao, Rehe, Gongmeng, etc. The land is all occupied by foreigners, the country has no horses, and the cavalry is scarce, which also seriously affects the combat power of the army. Adopting a defensive position and losing the initiative of the army was the result of the Liao Kingdom fighting if it wanted to. This is the sixth reason. Of course, there are other reasons. Is it not enough to worry about strength?" Xu Yi expressed his "opinion" freely.

After listening to what Xu Yi said, Mr. Zhao was speechless. He sat on the chair for a long time without speaking, and his heart was quite uneasy. After seeing the many flaws in the military system of the Great Song Dynasty for a long time, this Mr. Zhao was really speechless, and finally he clasped his fists and said: "Zhao has been taught, and Mr. Xu's words are like enlightenment, which makes Mr. Zhao think deeply. It’s just that Mr. Xu saw that there are so many shortcomings in the military system of the Great Song Dynasty, is there any countermeasure to reform it?”

Hearing his question, Xu Yi shook his head and said: "Although Xu can see these shortcomings, is it possible for a villager like me to change the imperial system? The empire is like a giant cart, and no one can rely on it alone. The power of power can change its direction. At the beginning, even with the full support of the Holy One, Mr. Wang failed in the final reform. It is conceivable that the reform is difficult. For a person like me, I can only talk at most. Don't mention it!"

Of course everyone knew what he said about Mr. Wang and the reform. What Xu Yi was talking about was of course the Wang Anshi reform during the reign of Shenzong decades ago. After Mr. Zhao heard him mention the Wang Anshi reform, he immediately asked: "It turns out that Mr. Xu is also interested in the new law. I understand, but I know that Wang Anshi's new law is not a good reform. On the contrary, after the new law was introduced, it caused a lot of anger, people's grievances, and unpopularity. Can the new law, which has attracted the opposition of the whole world, be called good? Mr. Zhao really does not agree with it, and ask Mr. Xu for advice!" He changed the topic from the military system to the new law.

Xu Yi thought for a while, collected the historical views on Wang Anshi in his memory, and said: "I dare not take it as a lesson, so Xu can just say his own opinion. From what Xu saw, Mr. Wang There was nothing wrong with the original intention of the reform introduced back then, and the new law was thought of by the court everywhere, and it also lightened the burden on the people. It would be a good way to implement it by order, but the problem is that the good scriptures were given by the monks. The idea is wrong. There is no problem with the new law, whether it is the starting point or the feasibility. The usury and exploitation of farmers, the government will lend money to farmers to solve their expenses when they are in short supply. If it is implemented, it will be a good thing for the country and the people, but the mistake is that in order to implement the new law, Mr. Wang gave money to various places. The government has set quotas and rigidly stipulated how much loans must be issued. In this way, after apportionment is made layer by layer, the price is increased layer by layer. When the loans reach the hands of farmers, the interest has already doubled by dozens of times. The burden, on the contrary, allows officials to make a lot of money in it, and it is the common people who suffer, so the good law has also become a bad law. If it is destroyed, I think Mr. Zhao will definitely feel the same way!"

This time Mr. Zhao was really convinced. He got up again and said: "Mr. I should be an official and serve the country, but I don't know what Mr. Xu is doing for a living now? If Mr. Xu wants to be an official, Zhao is not talented, and he still has some popularity in Beijing. I don't know if Mr. Xu has fame now? If Mr. Xu If the young master has fame and fame, it is not a problem if he is willing to recommend Mr. Xu to be an official because of Zhao's popularity in Beijing. I wonder what Mr. Xu would like?" After listening to Xu Yi's words, Mr. Zhao couldn't help but love talent. , So I asked about Xu Yi's background and was willing to recommend him as an official.

After listening to Mr. Zhao's words, Xu Yi and the others immediately realized that this person might not be just a noble son of a wealthy family. He could tell Xu Yi to be an official without saying anything. I'm afraid he must be deeply involved with the government behind him. Yes, so Xu Yi suddenly smiled and said: "Xu thanked Mr. Zhao for his kindness, but Xu is just a businessman, he has not read any books of sages, and he has no fame. Such a humble opinion is just hearsay. It’s just finishing, it’s not a great talent, Xu is now a businessman, food and clothing are not a problem, and he doesn’t have any ambitions to become an official, thank you Mr. Zhao!”

Hearing Xu Yi's words, Mr. Zhao couldn't help but feel a little pity. After all, a person without fame is still a commoner who is a merchant. Even if he wants to recommend Xu Yi as an official, it may violate the official system of the Song Dynasty. I didn't find any useful position, so I sighed: "Mr. Xu is too polite. From Mr. Xu's opinion, it's a pity not to serve the court and become an official. , can still serve the country. Although Zhao passed by Hangzhou, the government here still has some friends. If Mr. Xu has any business needs, even if you say yes to Zhao, I can say something here. It is convenient for Mr. Xu to do business. This is what Mr. Zhao carries with him. If Mr. Xu needs it, take this thing and find the government. Naturally, someone will help Mr. Xu. Mr. Zhao will return to Beijing soon. , if Mr. Xu intends to develop in the capital in the future, you can also take this thing and come to the capital to find me, and I will do my best to help!" He said, untied an inconspicuous sign from his waist, and handed it to Xu Yi .

Xu Yi was about to decline, but seeing the sincerity of Mr. Zhao, he accepted the brand and put it in his arms. After thanking Mr. Zhao, the two parties sat down again and drank.

Apparently after hearing Xu Yi's words, Mr. Zhao felt a little disturbed. After drinking a few cups, he got up and said goodbye: "Mr. Zhao has bothered you a lot today, and Mr. Zhao has something to do, so I won't disturb you any more. Yes, if there is fate some other day, let's talk and drink again, and Zhao will bid farewell!"

Seeing that Mr. Zhao had something to do, Li Mutian and Xu Yi were inconvenient to keep him, so they sent Mr. Zhao out of the room. Seeing him take his leave with a group of followers outside, he went downstairs again to see if it was getting late , so several people also got up to pay the bills, planning to go back to Li's mansion to rest, but when it was time to pay the bills, Li Mu knew that he had already settled the bills for them when Mr. Zhao left just now, so he laughed with Xu Yi: "This Mr. Zhao is really a weird person! After breaking into our room and talking about it, he really settled the accounts for us, and let me, the host, even save the meal money!"

Xu Yi also said with a smile: "It seems that Mr. Zhao is also a man of temperament. Xu is just drunk, and he is so polite, which makes me feel a little embarrassed. Since he has already paid the bill, it is not wrong for us to save money." Bad thing, I think we should go back and rest, this old Xinghuacun wine is really strong, I really can't stand it!"

After they got into the car, they went back to Li's mansion. Xu Yi's performance at the banquet today made Li Mutian look at Xu Yi even more with admiration. An extremely different kind of pirate!
(End of this chapter)