Sky Curtain: My Great Qin must have an aircraft carrier!

Through the previous explanation, you should understand that the problem of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period lay with the soldiers, not the generals.

Here we will use the teacher's "On Contradiction" to explain Emperor Taizu of Song's approach to the issue.

In addressing the soldiers' problems, he chose to shift the focus away from the real issues.

Soldiers represent the collective interest, but each individual within that collective also has personal interests.

In particular, soldiers are divided into the old, weak, sick, and disabled, as well as elite and fierce soldiers, and their pursuit of interests is naturally different.

Emperor Taizu of Song established the Imperial Guard, selected elite soldiers and generals and improved their treatment, and then reassigned the elderly, weak, sick and disabled.

The remaining soldiers retained their positions. Although they were dissatisfied, the court had spared them food, preventing them from rebelling on the spot.

As for the elite soldiers, I am already excellent, so it is only right that I receive better treatment than them.

Why should those weaker than me receive the same treatment as me? Therefore, the elite soldiers also support the new regulations.

By setting examples, soldiers from other areas will know that they will receive better treatment here.

After the elite troops were concentrated under his command, Emperor Taizu of Song once again improved the soldiers' treatment.

The best among the imperial guards could not only be promoted and ennobled, but their descendants could also benefit from their good deeds.

Faced with such temptation, which of the world's elite soldiers could resist?

The military commanders knew that this was undermining their foundation.

But they couldn't object, and even if they did, their soldiers wouldn't care what they thought.

We need to make progress; if you dare to utter another word, we'll kill you.

These men were among the most formidable fighters, and the military officers dared not provoke them, so they had no choice but to agree.

At this point, Emperor Taizu of Song had essentially gained control of all the elite troops in the country.

Now, if Zhao Kuangyin invites his military generals for a meal and drinks, would the generals dare to refuse?

"sharp!"

Lu Li sincerely admired and felt the wisdom of the ancients.

Although doing so would offend some people, elite soldiers would take the initiative to suppress those discontented weak soldiers in order to maintain their status.

Even if the military generals see through it, so what?

Without soldiers, it's just a toothless tiger, completely at Zhao Kuangyin's mercy.

Anyone who dares to challenge this system is going against the soldiers.

Only by controlling the most elite military force in the land could Zhao Kuangyin begin to reform the bureaucracy and rebuild order.

If you invite a military officer to have drinks and a meal to discuss retirement, who would dare refuse?

The phrase "releasing military power over a cup of wine" is simple, but behind it lies Zhao Kuangyin's years of hard work.

"Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant!"

Li Shimin, Li Jing, Bai Qi, Han Xin, and others all praised Zhao Kuangyin's actions.

They were all generals who led troops into battle, so they naturally knew how difficult it was to manage soldiers.

Zhao Kuangyin's strategy of dividing and winning over people, addressing the issue from a human perspective, was far more sophisticated than simple killing.

Liu Che felt as if he had found a kindred spirit and slapped his thigh in agreement.

"Isn't this my own decree of grace?"

They are essentially the same: shifting the contradictions and dividing them into separate groups.

He forced the feudal lords to divide the land among their sons, whether they were legitimate sons or illegitimate sons, everyone received a share.

Even if the feudal lords were unwilling, their sons would be the first to object.

This is a typical example of shifting the conflict inward.

Many people also criticize Zhao Kuangyin for emphasizing civil affairs over military affairs, which led to the Song Dynasty's weakness and vulnerability to attack for hundreds of years.

This argument is detached from the historical context of the time and is easy to make without considering the circumstances.

Let's not forget what kind of people the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms were like.

Military generals have lost all morals and principles; they rebel and kill as easily as eating and drinking; and whoever has the strongest army becomes emperor.

In that environment, would you allow Zhao Kuangyin to continue to heavily rely on military generals and let them hold great power to govern the country?

Sooner or later, the Song Dynasty would follow in the footsteps of its predecessors and become the Six Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms.

Conquering the world requires military generals, but governing the world requires civil officials.

Zhao Kuangyin knew the consequences of heavily relying on civil officials, but he had no choice, you know?

No matter how much trouble civil officials cause, it is still much better than military generals who frequently massacre cities and change dynasties.

Moreover, given Zhao Kuangyin's abilities, he could have easily led a large army north to unify the country when the time was right.

Unfortunately, fate played a cruel joke on Zhao Kuangyin, who fell on the road to the Northern Expedition.

After his death, the Song Dynasty never again produced a wise and capable ruler who could achieve unification.

Perhaps Emperor Taizu of Song, Zhao Guangyi, had a chance, but unification was highly unlikely.

Zhao Kuangyin stood silently in the center of the training ground, the north wind blowing his robes.

"...Did they also fall on the road to the Northern Expedition?"

He muttered to himself, his voice somewhat hoarse.

In the end, he passed away with regrets, just like his elder brother Chai Rong.

Just as Zhao Kuangyin was grieving, he suddenly saw Zhao Guangyi's name, and his sorrow vanished instantly.

Why was Zhao Guangyi chosen to succeed him after his own death?

After a moment's thought, Zhao Kuangyin roughly guessed the truth.

His sudden death left him no time to arrange his affairs, allowing Zhao Guangyi to seize the throne.

That makes sense—makes sense my ass!

Zhao Kuangyin addressed the commander of the guards behind him with a calm and unwavering voice.

"Go and invite the Prince of Jin here. I have something to ask him."

……

The road from the Prince of Jin's residence to the imperial palace training ground felt like an eternity to Zhao Guangyi.

He was escorted by two armored soldiers, and he tried his best to remain calm on the surface, but he was panicking inside.

The heavens have just made it clear that they will succeed to the throne.

Is my brother angry because of this?

Oh no, the eldest brother is going to settle scores with him!

Zhao Guangyi was immediately drenched in sweat; he knew all too well his elder brother's abilities.

With a single dragon-coiled staff, one can conquer the world, slaying generals and seizing flags as easily as eating and drinking.

If his elder brother wanted to kill him, he wouldn't even need to use two moves.

Zhao Guangyi walked shakily into the training ground, and his legs trembled when he saw the figure with his back to him.

"Big brother, let me explain..."

Zhao Guangyi's mind was in complete chaos, and he desperately tried to salvage the situation.

"Explanation? What's there to explain?"

Zhao Kuangyin finally turned around, revealing a genuine smile. "Everyone heard it! The heavens bear witness! My Great Song Emperor Taizong is Zhao Guangyi!"

"All those humiliating things that happened afterward, like losing and having to pay compensation, were all done by his faction! They have absolutely nothing to do with me!"

"What do you mean by 'cowardly' or 'cowardly'? It's definitely because your bloodline is weak that my Great Song Dynasty has become so feeble!"

Zhao Guangyi was stunned on the spot and didn't react for a moment.

What's going on?

Not only him, but also the guards and eunuchs in the palace were dumbfounded.

He looked like he was about to kill someone just a moment ago, how come he suddenly became happy?

Zhao Kuangyin ignored all of this, feeling only refreshed and venting his frustration.

Tianmu kept saying that the Song Dynasty was no good, that its territory was small and its military strength was weak, and he was burning with anger inside.

They thought it was one of their unworthy descendants who had squandered their ancestors' legacy.

If you want to take your anger out on someone, you can't find a specific person to blame.

Now the truth is out: the root of the problem was the second son!

Seeing his elder brother's beaming expression, Zhao Guangyi tentatively asked:

"So, big brother, you're not angry anymore?"

"Who told you I'm not angry anymore? Come and take this punch!"

"Aww—"

Zhao Kuangyin punched Zhao Guangyi squarely in the eye socket, and then began to punch and kick him.

He was certainly not angry because Zhao Guangyi became emperor.

He himself had risen through the ranks during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, and knew all too well what it meant to live a precarious life.

The practice of succession from brother to brother is simply a matter of preserving the family business, and it's perfectly normal.

His former superior, Guo Wei, was the same; he had no son of his own and passed the throne to his adopted son, Chai Rong.

Zhao Kuangyin is venting now, releasing the pent-up frustration he's accumulated over the past few days!

"Serves you right for being such a spineless coward! I'll teach you to be such a wimp!"

"You've ruined my reputation for posterity!"

In an instant, fists and feet clashed on the training ground, creating a fierce and swift atmosphere.

Zhao Kuangyin beat and scolded at the same time, becoming happier and more comfortable with each beating and scolding.

It turns out that having someone to help you pass the buck is such a joyful thing!