Datang: Integrate three times the combat power of Lv Bu at the beginning

Li Shimin is even more open-minded, and it is not uncommon for him to invite the princes to eat and drink.

After all, it is better to have fun alone than to have fun together...

"Pharmacist, where is Datang's defense line in western borders now? After Aisha returned to Persia, there are two outcomes. One is to agree with Datang to establish a military base in Persia, or to join forces with Western countries to jointly defend Datang. After all, The reputation of the Shenwei Army has already been spread, whether they believe it or not, there is always hostility."

"Chengqian has laid down so many territories for Datang, we old guys can't be confused about our errands."

What Li Shimin said was very friendly, without showing any trace of imperial majesty, just like a few old friends chatting about homework.

Li Jing replied: "Don't worry, Your Majesty, the general has already started to deal with this matter. Ever since His Royal Highness wiped out the Western Turks, Zhang Xiong has led the Gaochang Army to continuously expand the territory westward."

"The many small grassland tribes that were attached to the Turks before surrendered without a fight, and they were all merged into the Tang Dynasty. The preparations for the Anxi Protectorate's Mansion have also reached the final stage."

"At the end of the day, the general intends to reorganize the Yizhou Army, the Gaochang Army and the soldiers of the nomadic tribes, and then mix them together to form the Anxi Garrison Army and the Anxi Mansion Army. The number of the Anxi Garrison Army is about 12. The number of Anxi government troops is about [-]."

"The main task of the Anxi Garrison Army is to guard the border towns and border gates in the western border. The main task of the Anxi Army is to patrol the area west of Yizhou."

Li Jing, as Minister of the Ministry of War, Generalissimo of the world's soldiers and horses, can handle these things with ease.

Li Shimin chewed on the pastry, thinking about what Li Jing said.

Then he turned his head to look at the princes, "What do you think about the establishment of the Anxi Protectorate, the reorganization of the Anxi Frontier Army and the Anxi Prefecture Army mentioned by the pharmacist?"

Hearing this, Li Shimin's purse bag, Household Minister Liu Zhenghui couldn't help frowning.

"Your Majesty, in recent years, the military expansion of the Tang Dynasty has been too fast, and the number of soldiers has expanded from 20 to nearly 80. This is not counting the patrol battalions in the cities of the Tang Dynasty. If it is added together, it may be close to a million. "

"The military establishments of Tuyuhun, Goguryeo, and Tubo have not yet been consolidated into our Tang Dynasty. Such a large number of soldiers has caused the problem of redundant troops to be very serious."

"Moreover, after His Royal Highness reformed the military system, whether it's soldiers' salaries, treatment or food, the standards are all set extremely high, and the military expenditures of the Ministry of Finance are doubling every year."

"If it weren't for the fact that the Tang government treasury has been filled in recent years, our family would have been emptied long ago."

As soon as Liu Zhenghui said this, everyone fell into deep thought.

The problem of redundant troops is not a trivial matter for Datang. It is an unsolvable problem faced by the expansion of the army during wartime.

After all, when the war started, it would be considered good to be able to recruit soldiers, so there was no need to care about the age and physical fitness of the soldiers.

When the war subsided, the army continued to expand and there was a problem of redundant troops.

Today, there are more than 700 prefectures in the Tang Dynasty, all of which are led by the Twelve Guards and the Sixth East Palace.

It also stipulates that in the place where the government is established, the people have the obligation to serve as soldiers.

The age of service is from 60 to [-] years old. People who are recruited to serve as government soldiers work in agriculture on weekdays and coaches in slack farming. They prepare their own weapons and food when they are recruited.

This is actually a military service system that combines soldiers and farmers.

Those recruited to serve in the military will regularly stay in the capital or guard the border.

Going out in wartime, and the battle is over, that is, "the soldiers are scattered in the government and will return to the court."

But this kind of military system can no longer adapt to the development speed of Datang.

This is why Li Chengqian tried his best to reform the military system.

Silence.

Fang Xuanling opened the mouth and said: "The old minister once discussed with His Royal Highness the issue of redundant soldiers and redundant officials. Regarding the issue of redundant soldiers, His Royal Highness said this."

"Nowadays, the salaries of soldiers in the Tang Dynasty are already very high. Every year, a large number of middle-aged men sign up to join the army. There is no need for compulsory military service for men of the right age."

"Moreover, the output of crops in the Tang Dynasty is doubling every year. Soldiers are not required to farm, and the salaries paid by soldiers can also maintain the daily expenses of the wives and children at home."

"His Royal Highness also said that we should streamline the existing army, reduce the age of veterans over 50, lower the age for recruiting soldiers, and improve the quality requirements for enlisting in the army. Tang's overall military strength."

Everyone listened to Fang Xuanling's words and thought carefully.

These words of Li Chengqian have subversive significance for Datang's military reform.

The unity of soldiers and farmers has been passed down since ancient times.

Why some ancient armies had very low combat effectiveness was directly related to low productivity.

If soldiers train on weekdays, they will consume a lot of physical strength. The more physical strength they consume, the greater their appetite and the more food and grass they will consume.

But in ancient times, there was so much food and grass. It would be good for soldiers to have enough food on weekdays. How could there be extra food and grass for their training.

Therefore, many troops simply do not train on weekdays.

And they have to farm when they are busy.

Originally, the yield per mu of grain was low. If the soldiers did not participate in farming, there would not be enough grain to eat.

In an age of low productivity, many things cannot be achieved just by talking about them.

Often, if the head of a family is arrested, it is not uncommon for the family to starve to death.

In times of famine, it is not uncommon for thousands of miles of barren land to be starved to death.

However, the appearance of Li Chengqian slowly changed the current situation of the Tang Dynasty. From agriculture to commerce, from politics to military affairs, earth-shaking changes took place little by little.

Li Shimin took a sip of herbal tea, then turned to look at Li Jing, "Pharmacist, you are Minister of the Ministry of War, what do you think about this matter?"

Li Jing responded: "The problem of redundant troops really needs to be solved. His Royal Highness has already given a general direction for rectification. The rest of the side issues should be discussed with everyone in the Ministry of War. It is estimated that the redundant troops should be resolved before the end of the year." Soldiers question."

"The problem of redundant troops is solved, which should save a lot of military expenses."

Liu Zhenghui interrupted suddenly: "Even so, I still feel that the Tang Dynasty has invested too much in military expenditures. Your Majesty, I suggest that the military expenditure should be reduced."

Liu Zhenghui didn't mean to find fault. He controls Datang's finances, so he can't just consider military expenses.

Chapter 481 Ask Li Chengqian for Help

After listening to Liu Zhenghui's words, Li Shimin frowned.

Li Jing retorted, "It's absolutely impossible, Master Liu."

"Military development is the foundation of the country and the cornerstone of our Tang Dynasty's development and growth. Originally, the military expenditure was small, but that was because the previous allocation of military expenditure was unreasonable, not because the current military expenditure is large."

"The soldiers are ready to sacrifice their lives for the country and the people at any time, and most of the soldiers have families, which are the life-saving money of the brothers. If you want to cut the life-saving money of the brothers, then I definitely disagree. I, Li Jing, are the first objection."

The more Li Jing said, the more excited he became.

He has dedicated his whole life to the development of Tang's and military careers. If the general fee is reduced for him, he will fight desperately with Liu Zhenghui.

"That's right, that's right..." Cheng Yaojin put down half a piece of pastry in his hand, and interjected: "Master Liu, I, Old Cheng, won't agree to you saying this. Do you know how hard it is for the soldiers of the three armies? How can you cut military expenses?" , you are asking for the lives of the soldiers of the three armies."

"They gave their lives to the Tang Dynasty and the common people, how could the court treat them like this."

As soon as Liu Zhenghui said this, there was a huge gap between the reactions of civil servants and generals.

"General Li, General Cheng, that's not what they said. After all, there is only so much silver in the treasury. Military expenses need to be invested, but other aspects also need to be spent."

"If all the money originally invested in other areas is allocated as military expenses, it will not be conducive to the balanced development of Datang's national power."

"Didn't His Royal Highness often say that the development of a country requires balance." Liu Zhenghui explained.

Fiscal revenue is fundamental to support the development of a country. If there is no money, everything is just talk on paper. This is an eternal truth.

Li Shimin asked: "Political Council, can our annual tax revenue support Datang's various expenses?"

Liu Zhenghui shook his head, and said in a deep voice, "No, there will probably be [-]% of the gap that cannot be met by taxes, and this [-]% is embezzled from the national treasury."

"Thirty percent..." Li Shimin muttered, frowning.

Li Jing and Cheng Yaojin also fell silent.

Thirty percent of the financial deficit is like a bottomless pit for the entire Tang Dynasty. The thirty percent of the money cannot be squeezed out so easily.

The silver tael represented by this [-]% is definitely an astronomical figure.

Facing a [-]% financial deficit, everyone frowned.

After all, no one is willing to reduce financial expenditures. No matter what kind of expenditures are spent, they are all for the development of Datang.

a little while...

Li Shimin looked up to the side, and said, "Chen Lin, go and call Cheng Qian, we still need to listen to his opinion on this matter..."

When Li Chengqian was mentioned, everyone was in high spirits.

This matter can only be resolved with the God of Wealth of the Tang Dynasty.

After all, a large part of Datang's tax revenue now comes from Qinghuo Trading Company, or other industries invested by Qinghuo Trading Company.

"It's Your Majesty, I'll go right now."

Chen Lin responded with a salute, turned and walked towards the East Palace.

On the faces of Li Shimin and the other princes, there was a bit of confusion in joy, which was very ugly.

The good news is that Li Chengqian must have a way to solve this problem.

What is bothering them is that they need to move Li Chengqian out to solve this problem.

moment……

Li Chengqian came from the East Palace, walked up to Li Shimin and saluted, "Father, what are you talking about with your son?"

Li Shimin looked at the big boy with a happy expression on his face, "Chengqian, take your seat quickly, we good fellows really encountered a problem."

Now Li Shimin's attitude towards Li Chengqian is not as arrogant as before, and he treats him like a friend.

"Hehe..." Li Chengqian said with a light smile, "Royal Father, it's okay to say what's up, the servants who can do it will definitely do their best."

Although he didn't know what it was, Li Chengqian's self-confidence was still revealed.

The several princes looked at Li Chengqian and felt very happy. There is really nothing in this world that Li Chengqian can't solve.

No matter what kind of difficulties you face, you always look calm and confident.

Li Shimin turned his head and said, "Zhenghui, tell Chengqian about the current problems encountered by the household department."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"His Royal Highness, it's like this..."

Liu Zhenghui talked eloquently, and narrated to Li Chengqian the issues they discussed just now.

When hearing the figure of [-]% shortfall, as everyone imagined, Li Chengqian did not show any confusion because of it.

Li Chengqian said: "Father, what you and the other adults are worried about is, if this continues, will the Tang treasury be emptied slowly?"

"That's right." Li Shimin nodded hurriedly and said, "According to the current speed of Datang's business development, at least in ten years, this [-]% deficit will have to eat up the treasury, but the money in the treasury is only enough for five years. As long as there are no accidents."

"Chengqian, do you know how much money was spent on improving the treatment of soldiers, popularizing academies, opening medical schools and so on? That is an inestimable figure."

"I know that you are doing it for the development of the Tang Dynasty and for the improvement of the people's living standards in the Tang Dynasty, but you must also consider the bearing capacity of the treasury and do what you can."

"From this point of view, we must cut some expenses."

I heard this.

Li Chengqian shook his head, "Money is never saved, it is earned."

In fact, after they captured Fusang, they had obtained a huge silver vein.

But they can't mine endlessly. If they are made into silver ingots, they will be directly thrown into the market on a large scale, which will cause inflation and increase prices. This is what Li Chengqian does not want to see.

The amount of these silver coins invested each year needs to be considered, but it certainly cannot add to the [-]% financial deficit.

"Then think of a way to make money. The economic lifeline of the Tang Dynasty is in the hands of your Qinghuo Trading Company, and I can't do anything about it."

Speaking of this, Li Shimin played foolishly.

All the princes looked at it and shook their heads and smiled wryly, but they knew that Li Shimin really had no choice.

Datang's rapid development will inevitably require a solid economic foundation.

Just like the Western powers, after the Industrial Revolution and the great voyages, they frantically plundered the wealth of the world, and used these bloody money to carry out primitive accumulation of capital to develop their own national strength.

Although Li Chengqian would use some means, he would never be so vicious. Of course, this was only aimed at some ethnic groups.

"The money Erchen can pay..."

Li Chengqian responded lightly.

Hearing this, Li Shimin straightened his body, "What are you talking about? You are responsible for [-]% of the financial deficit? Don't lie to me, kid."

"One word from a gentleman, four horses are hard to chase..." Li Chengqian responded: "However, there must be conditions."

Chapter 482 Betting or not?