Great Song

The result of the performance of Baoying Guan was spread all over the streets and alleys of Tokyo.The iron ball that can only be pulled away by sixteen horses, the thunder in broad daylight, and the emperor's presence in person to present the reward are all things that people enjoy talking about.Those who had the courage to see it with their own eyes wished they could blow up this ceremony to a miraculous level.

The "Ri Xin Bao" also kept up with current events and published essays written by Meng Xisheng.Not only described the process of the performance in detail, clarified the reason, but also made public the key to repeat the experiment.Now those who have never seen it with their own eyes can't hold back anymore. Many people have found a blacksmith to make this "big balloon". .Although there are not many companies that can make a one-and-a-half foot iron ball as big as Baoyingguan, but smaller ones don't delay the performance.As long as the water is drained and the air valve is sealed, even a palm-sized ball can be pulled apart with force.When the air valve is reopened, the child can split the iron ball into two halves with a light tug.Such obvious differences have gradually convinced people about the statement that "the atmosphere has great power".

Of course, some shrewd doctors have also begun to apply this principle in medical science.For a time, more and more people in Tokyo used suction tubes to treat diseases.The bamboo tube soaked in the medicine is soaked in boiling water and inhaled on the body while it is hot to get rid of sickness.The "suction tube method" originally used to treat carbuncle sores is now used to treat headaches, brain fever, and wind-cold invasion of the body, which is unexpected by many people.

This is true among folks, not to mention Shilin.The cup-covering experiment before made many people talk about it with great interest and gave rise to many ideas. Now that they suddenly heard that the atmosphere has such a huge force, how many people can sit still?It's just that this matter came so suddenly, and the Baojia Law was in front of it, making people unable to concentrate.No matter how much they think in their hearts, not many people speak out on this matter, for fear that someone will misunderstand that they don't care about government affairs and only care about common things.Didn't you see the "Mingde Daily", which is closely following the trend, fell silent this time?Who else is willing to take the lead.

As a great Confucian with extensive knowledge, Wang Anshi also heard about this matter.He is preparing his own "Three Classics and New Meanings", and he originally wanted to take advantage of the great opportunity to be the Prime Minister to spread his own theories.I also attach great importance to this new atmospheric pressure.However, at this moment, he has no intention of delving into this method, because the Baojia method he has worked so hard to prepare has suffered another round of fierce attacks.The attacker was none other than Zhang Zai Zhang Zihou who he was optimistic about before and recommended to the emperor!

This is something that Wang Anshi never thought of. After all, the Baojia method has many similarities with Zhang Zai's own military strategy.Now he is suddenly contradicting him, and it's not that Cai Tingyu, who helped him implement this method in Shaanxi, was unjust to his benefactor?Moreover, although Zhang Zai has a reputation, his official position is not very high.If you act so recklessly, aren't you afraid of being squeezed out of the court and never being able to gain a foothold?

However, it is precisely because of that soldier's general technique that his attack is more difficult to parry than others.

After Zhang Zai presented two memorials, even Wang Anshi was called to the emperor to argue with him.

"Zhang Xiaoshu once wrote "Jingyuan Road Jinglue Division's Discussion on Border Affairs" and "Jinglue Division's Uniform Border Affairs", and Cai Ting, the envoy of Huanqing Jinglue, used Ru's soldiers and generals, but now he says that the Baojia method is out of date. Isn't it absurd?" As soon as he came up, Wang Anshi stabbed Zhang Zai's painful foot.

In this sentence, it implied that he had betrayed the Lord, and his words and deeds were inconsistent, which could not be said to be vicious.Unexpectedly, Zhang Zai's complexion did not change, and he said calmly: "When the lower official was in Shaanxi, he once talked about military affairs and helped Cai Jinglue manage the army. However, these insights came from the border counties, and they can only be used in the border counties. If the world uses it , it will be harmful."

This answer is quite cunning, Wang Anshi sneered: "There are gaps in the law, so it can't be implemented. Now the Baojia law is designed to check for leaks and fill in the gaps, so it is very different from your military law. Besides, it is not implemented nationwide immediately, but it is only implemented in the capital first. , the hearts of the people have been reassured."

This answer was impeccable, but Zhang Zai sighed lightly when he heard the words, and suddenly said: "Dare to ask my husband, have you ever led or ruled an army?"

Wang Anshi was not afraid of these words at all: "The Division of the Three Divisions and Regulations is in charge of military, political and financial matters. I have read many documents and asked many officers and generals before doing this. Raising troops requires money and food, and the military is cunning. There are too many people who are timid to fight. Recruiting soldiers is a waste of money, it is better to train soldiers with the people."

This is his final expectation for the Baojia Law.It can replace recruiting with conscription, save a lot of military expenses, and at the same time increase military power and stabilize the people.Such a method that kills three birds with one stone, but some people still say it is wrong, what a blind eye!

How could Zhang Zai fail to understand the meaning of his words, stared at him for a long time, and finally shook his head: "Your Excellency is absurd. You can't fight if you spend money to raise soldiers, how can you hope that the people who have nothing to gain are not afraid of death? "

These words hit Zhao Xu's mind, and he couldn't help but nodded: "What Zhang Qing said is true."

He was not optimistic about Wang Anshi's plan to recruit troops. He spent hundreds of millions of dollars every year to support the forbidden army, but they were still unable to fight.Can it be replaced by conscription?

Wang Anshi did not want to admit defeat, and immediately said: "Conscription is an ancient system. Since the Tang Dynasty, all soldiers and civilians have not been distinguished, so they have combat power. As long as the punishment of tattooing is abolished, the people will be brave and shameless, and they will be able to fight. "

This statement is true. From Qin to Tang, soldiers were recruited from the people.Even if people complain about the over-conscription, they are still quite capable of fighting when it is time to fight.And Wang Anshi is counting on this method to be reactivated, replacing the method of recruiting and raising soldiers that put a heavy burden on the court.

However, this eloquent argument was exactly what Zhang Zai was waiting for: "The Qin and Han conscripts were able to fight because of their military merits. The Tang Dynasty soldiers were able to fight because of their self-respect. What does Xianggong want to do?"

As soon as these words came out, Wang Anshi's expression changed.The founding of the Song Dynasty strictly controlled the generals, just because they didn't want to cause the chaos of the feudal towns in the Five Dynasties.Rewarding nobles for military merits violated the interests of bureaucrats and must never be repeated.These two sentences are simply heart-breaking words!

"The officials have learned from it, and I have no such intentions." Wang Anshi immediately said to the emperor, "Baojia is only for training the people, and I have no other ideas."

Zhao Xu's face is not very good-looking, he is the emperor, and the most fearful thing is that the army is not under control.If Wang Anshi really had such an idea, it would not be too much to dismiss him immediately.

But Zhang Zai refused to let him go, and he cupped his hands and said to the emperor: "The officials have a clear lesson. If there is no reward for the nobles and fields, the people will not benefit. How can they be willing to fight? Raising troops to train soldiers will only make the people worry and fear being caught by the government. The battlefield. Are such soldiers really better than recruits?"

These words completely broke Zhao Xu's defenses.With a sullen face, he nodded slowly: "It's a little inappropriate to lose your armor."

For the Baojia Law, what Zhao Xu valued most was its effectiveness in securing the people and preventing chaos. He had no intention of using Baoding to fight in the first place.However, no one has ever said it so clearly before, directly denouncing the harm of conscription.Now when I hear the talk of rewarding nobles for military merits, and even soldiers in feudal towns, I am full of resistance, how can I agree?

The tide is gone.Seeing the emperor's expression, Wang Anshi knew that the Baojia Law must be changed, and his heart sank.But he still didn't want to give up, and immediately said: "Even if you don't conscript, Baojia can still keep the people safe. Establishing a family to form a security, practicing martial arts can cut off bandits and robbers, so that the people can live in peace, and show all benevolence by detecting traitors."

These words are very suitable for Zhao Xu, but after thinking about it, he turned to Zhang Zai and said, "Zhang Qing's memorial has something to say, this method can't protect the village, too?"

Zhang Zai replied neither humble nor overbearing: "I have said this. Five hundred households in Baojia are one big Baojia, almost a village. If you travel all over the prefectures and counties, there will be wealthy households with armed forces everywhere. If this generation oppresses the village, Disasters in states and counties, and how to suppress them? Lianbao is not impossible, but military training is absolutely impossible. If you don’t turn military training into rewards and punishments, those who catch thieves will be rewarded, and those who protect them will be punished. go get it."

As soon as his words fell, Wang Anshi said in a deep voice: "It's easy to say, but nowadays there are insufficient guards in various places, and it is even more difficult to resist soldiers and bandits. If not, why are there bandits everywhere?"

"Then increase troops in counties and counties." Zhang Zai said.

"Where do the soldiers come from? How much money will they spend on food?" Wang Anshi didn't think this was a good idea.

"There are redundant soldiers in the army, and we have to find ways to arrange them. If there are elderly or disabled people, as long as they are of good character, they can be sent back to the village to help the government rectify the place. In this way, military expenses can be saved, and the village can be stabilized. Wouldn't it be the best of both worlds?" Zhang Zai had already thought of a countermeasure.

Wang Anshi's Baojia Law did not include the disarmament of the army, because he was afraid that the lazy and arrogant soldiers in the army would suddenly disarm, which would cause disaster to the village.However, what is the use of raising these people for nothing?It is impossible to fight and it costs money. It is better to select some useful people and disperse them among the people in batches.As long as the arrangements are made properly and they are given official land, in order to protect their own interests, they can be of some use, which is better than wasting money.

When Zhao Xu heard this, his eyes lit up: "This method seems to be feasible!"

Now there are more than 140 million imperial troops. If some unusable ones can be abolished, the money and food saved will be an astonishing figure.However, if useful veterans are placed among the people, they only need to spend a little salary to calm down the place.No matter how you think about it, it is a safe and cost-effective deal!

Wang Anshi was silent for a moment, then suddenly said: "If you don't train the people, but also have to lay off redundant troops, how will you deal with the enemy in the future?"

He established the Baojia Law, and his ultimate goal was to hide soldiers from the people and resist Xixia and Liao.Now that everything is in chaos, what will we do in future wars?

"Naturally, we must be diligent in training troops, set up a new army in the border county, and lead the army with a fixed general. Only when the soldiers recognize the general and the general knows the soldier can they have combat power. The border county can also train volunteers to help the army fight. There are relatives What the Lord said, cancel the punishment of tattooing, and let the soldiers have courage and shame before they can fight against the enemy!" These are all methods that Zhang Zai has thought about for a long time, and he asked Cai Ting to implement them on Jingyuan Road.

After the Chanyuan Alliance, the frontier troops dared not practice for fear of the Liao Kingdom's resurgence of troops, so how could they still have combat power?Furthermore, tattoos on everyone's face are like thieves, who is willing to sacrifice their lives for the court?Back then, a good general like Di Qing, an official privy envoy, was squeezed out of the court by the deputy envoy Wen Yanbo, and finally died of depression.

How can an army without dignity and courage face the enemy?

These are the continuation of the law of soldiers and generals.At this moment, even Wang Anshi was a little speechless.Zhang Zai opposed the new law he formulated, but the method of military training he proposed coincided with his ideas.And I only got it on the file, and the other party was indeed in the border area and saw it with his own eyes.In terms of implementation, I am afraid that even he is not as good as him.

Zhao Xu is already Longyan Dayue: "This method of training soldiers should be implemented immediately! The Chongwen Academy is still inferior. Zhang Qing might as well be transferred to the Privy Council to take charge of this matter."

This was the second time the emperor wanted to promote him, but this time, Zhang Zai did not refuse, and accepted the order gladly.

Seeing the appearance of the two monarchs and ministers getting along, Wang Anshi's expression sank.It seems that in the restructuring of the military, the Division of the Three Divisions can no longer intervene.In this round, he lost, and the defeat was terrible.

When the two left the hall and walked down the corridor one after the other, Wang Anshi suddenly stopped and said to Zhang Zai, "Why did Zihou change his mind?"

What he did before does not seem to be fake.He should also uphold the golden mean, and even if he has a different opinion, he will not easily express it.Although Wang Anshi deeply hated him for cherishing his life and unwilling to use it for himself, he did not expect his position to change so quickly, as if he had changed a different person, and suddenly became radical.

Looking at Wang Anshi, Zhang Zai sighed softly: "Why should you care about the root cause? The lower officials just cherish the people in the world and don't want to make them suffer from military service."

Will his Baojia law make the people suffer from military service?Wang Anshi gritted his teeth secretly: "If the Baojia law is broken, will your method of admonition be implemented smoothly?"

"That's a new law, and there will be people who will object to it." Zhang Zai said calmly, "It's just that the officials believe that this reformed method will be better than the original one. If the people are disabled, how can the country be rich and the army strong? Why don't you ask yourself, Mr. What is it that bothers you?"

The man's eyes were clear, neither the arrogance of victory nor the joy of being appreciated by the emperor, just as calm as ever.It seems that he has made up his mind to shoulder heavy responsibilities.At this moment, even Wang Anshi was in a daze.What is his resentment, his anger, his unwillingness to do?Is it just because the new law has been changed beyond recognition?No, maybe the offended authority, the stolen gaze was the main cause of his anger.He was more afraid than others that the emperor would suddenly change his mind and give up his ambition of making the country rich and the army strong. If he could not get a foothold in front of the emperor and insist on implementing the new law, how could he inspire the country?

But this person in front of him is different from other opponents.He didn't talk about the laws of his ancestors, he didn't boast and talk, and he didn't quote scriptures.He just talked about his decades of experience in Bian County, and even proposed a new law that even he couldn't object to.Such people are indeed dissidents, but are they enemies?

However, Zhang Zai didn't wait for him to answer, he just cupped his hands and turned away.Looking at the back with a steady pace, which seemed to be rejuvenated, Wang Anshi was silent for a long time, and finally slowly raised his feet, walking along the same road to the distance.

The author has something to say: The Baojia Law is basically the most failed of the new laws. It only harms and disturbs the people, and has no benefit.Wang Anshi took the conscription too much for granted, and this idea was not recognized by Shenzong from the beginning to the end.But on the contrary, the Art of War is one of the most useful items in the new law. Even after the old party came to power, this law continued to be implemented, and it did enhance the combat power of the Song army.And this general's art of war came from Cai Ting, and it probably has something to do with Zhang Zai.

Compared with being Mr. Hengqu and leaving four sentences that will last forever, it is better to stay in the court at that time and curb the words of the obstinate gentleman.In fact, in the court at that time, there were more than one scholar-bureaucrat who had a clear understanding of the country's illness, and there were quite a few outstanding talents who were willing to reform.Being close to a gentleman and being far from a villain will not lead to an unmanageable situation in the end.