Chapter 523: Chapter 254 Internal Reform
One million and ninety thousand silver taels a year, to be honest, was already equivalent to the sum of the annual taxes of two or three poor prefectures under the Chu State, such as Wuling.
This expenditure was indeed considerable.
If it could be saved, it would indeed make the finances more substantial.
Moreover, the point raised by Sun Siwen was indeed a problem.
The local county soldiers responsible for maintaining security and the battlefield soldiers receiving the same treatment and pay was indeed unjust.
Because the responsibilities and risks faced by both sides were different.
The former only needed to suppress bandits in the local area and fight for local security, while the latter had to confront the front lines and compete with other nations on the battlefield. Could the responsibilities and risks be the same?
Even the strengths of the county soldiers and the battlefield soldiers were different.
The former were selected and eliminated from the battlefield soldiers, with inherently weaker strength and less training. The latter, however, were chosen from the best, with daily small exercises and large exercises every three days, making them inherently different in quality.
So, in summary, the problem Sun Siwen pointed out was indeed significant and needed to be addressed.
Actually, the pay for county soldiers and battlefield soldiers being the same was a historical problem.
The story began when Lu Yuan, with his weak strength, took up his post in Wugang County. In order to help his friend take up his post successfully and eliminate rebellions in the area, he had to recruit a group of new soldiers at the same pay level as the battlefield soldiers to go to their posts together.
Later, when he had a firm foothold in Wugang County and even Shaoyang Prefecture, the situation improved a lot.
However, it was at this time that the Poison Sect rebelled.
A rebellion affecting the entire Dongting region suddenly plunged Shaoyang Prefecture into crisis.
At that time, the county soldiers established by Lu Yuan in Shaoyang Prefecture had to confront the Miao people and even the local fleeing bandits.
The responsibilities and pressures they bore were almost indistinguishable from those of the battlefield soldiers.
Later, until the establishment of the Changsha State and even before the end of the Northern Expedition, the local county soldiers had to bear responsibilities that were almost the same as those of the battlefield soldiers.
At that time, it was reasonable and even justifiable for the county soldiers to receive the same salary as the battlefield soldiers.
However, now that the system had changed, the responsibilities of the local and battlefield soldiers were separated and the obligations borne by both were different.
Moreover, in all probability, Chu State would no longer use county soldiers as battlefield soldiers in the future.
In this case, it would be unreasonable to continue paying them high salaries.
That represented the taxes of two or three poor prefectures.
So much money used to support a group of weak soldiers – it was heartbreaking even to think about it.
So after some consideration, Lu Yuan finally nodded and said, “Alright, you guys can come up with a plan, and I’ll have the Military Department implement gradual reforms.”
Hearing this, Sun Siwen immediately said, “Your Majesty, rest assured, within half a month at most, I will present a proposal.”
Lu Yuan waved his hand, “So be it.”
Distinguishing the salaries of local and battlefield soldiers was a major innovation, no less significant than military reform.
It could be foreseen that the county soldiers who had their salaries and benefits reduced would inevitably cause a lot of disturbance, and even perhaps rebellion.
But no matter how difficult, no matter how significant the impact, he still had to carry it out.
Otherwise, a local security force would receive the same treatment as the battlefield soldiers.
The nine Forbidden Army units and 180,000 soldiers under his command, who saw you guys hiding in the rear receiving the same treatment as them, would they not harbor thoughts?
Oh, so hiding in the rear and enjoying peace can still get such a high salary.
Then why should I risk my life fighting on the front line?
This kind of mentality was bound to arise.
At this time, with the separation of county and battlefield soldiers happening just over a year ago, both sides that had been carrying the same responsibilities might not yet have any differences.
However, as time went on, once the distinctions between the two had emerged, this idea would definitely arise in the minds of the battlefield soldiers.
Over time, this would inevitably lead to unrest in the military and unwillingness to fight.
Faced with this issue of undermining the foundations of the country, he now had to firmly suppress it at the root since someone had already raised it, and Lu Yuan had also discovered it.
After the discussion with the two Prime Ministers, the problem of war-time military expenditure was not solved. Instead, a major problem in the military system of the Chu State was discovered, necessitating another military reform.
Under these circumstances, Chu’s troops could not move lightly before the reform was completed and internal stability was achieved.
Moreover, with military funding becoming a problem, Lu Yuan completely gave up the idea of sending troops to Da Changhe Country.
As for whether to take advantage of the situation to get some benefits, take some advantage, and accept a few vassal states?
After some consideration, he eventually decided against it.
Well then.
In his heart, Lu Yuan still had some thoughts towards Da Changhe Country.
At this time, in their country, the court and the rebel army confronted each other, with both sides’ strength and soldiers being almost equal. The situation was even more severe than during the Da Yue rebellion.
At least at that time, the Da Yue court had five Grandmasters and six to seven hundred thousand soldiers.
Meanwhile, the rebel forces in the local area only had two Grandmasters, four to five hundred thousand soldiers, and at most, one Jinghai Country.
The gap in strength between the two sides was quite significant, with Da Yue having an absolute advantage.
However, this advantage was not evident in the court of Da Changhe Country today.
So the question arises.
At the time, the Da Yue court, with its absolute advantage, spent nine years and sacrificed nearly half of its territory to suppress the domestic rebellion and repel the covetous intentions of foreign countries