Generals of the Great Song Dynasty.

Summary

The Battle of Youzhou has brought immense prestige to Zhao Zhen and strengthened the power of military generals. Three years later, Wang Ning An leveraged the Jiaozi case to overthrow two officials, almost completely driving the old faction out of the two courts. This was all made possible by the victory at Youzhou. Zhao Zhen and Wang Ning An understood that continuous victories were necessary to elevate their prestige and smoothly promote reforms. They believed that expanding territory and reforming the system were inseparable. Wang Ning An proposed implementing the equal land tax law from Xizhou, which would bring economic benefits to the region. He calculated that distributing pastures to the people would gain a hundred thousand strong soldiers and hundreds of thousands of warhorses. He also suggested developing wool spinning and purchasing wool from the Hexi region, which would increase profits. Zhao Zhen was impressed with Wang Ning An's plan and praised him as the "golden abacus" of the Great Song. He realized that expanding territory while causing hardship to the people was the greatest reason for civil officials to oppose expansion. If expansion yielded profits, who would dare to object? The chapter also describes the aftermath of the battle, where half of Youzhou was reduced to rubble, and many soldiers were wounded or killed. Zhao Zhen visited the military hospital and was deeply moved by the sacrifices of the soldiers. He promised to take care of them and ensure they had a worry-free life. Zhao Zhen was also moved by the simple wish of ordinary civilians and soldiers for peace and prosperity. He said, "The ruler and the scholars share the world, the scholars have failed the ruler's heart. The people have not failed the country, the soldiers have not failed the ruler, the ruler should share the world with the people!" He wanted this sentence to be told to the crown prince and every emperor of the Song Dynasty, to become a law that would last forever.

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