Chapter 20: The Retired Emperor Has Returned

"For the long-term peace and stability of our Great Song, our nation must establish an army that answers the call whenever summoned, fights whenever deployed, and wins every battle!" Zhao Huan addressed the assembled ministers.

All the ministers immediately knelt in unison, proclaiming loudly, "Your Majesty is wise!"

Wise indeed—how could it be otherwise? This was the slogan of a powerful army from the future. Now, with the wisdom of over a thousand years ahead of his time, Zhao Huan stood before this group of Song Dynasty elites and naturally surpassed them all.

"I have drafted some straightforward regulations and intend to reform our military. Circulate them among yourselves, consider their contents, and share your thoughts. If there are no objections, we will implement these measures as written," Zhao Huan said, handing a stack of documents to Li Gang.

Li Gang took the papers, read them carefully, and then passed them to Zong Ze.

Each man read in turn. When they finished, the ministers looked at Zhao Huan with astonishment, unable to fathom how he had conceived such novel ideas.

First, those soldiers unwilling to remain in the army would be dismissed. At the rank of Commander in each unit, a new position called Political Officer would be established, equal in rank to Commander, whose main duty would be the ideological education of the troops, instilling in them the honor of serving the nation.

Second, the regional troops would be disbanded, leaving only the Imperial Guards. Local governments would be forbidden from raising private armies; all forces would be managed by the Palace Guards Directorate and dispatched by the Privy Council.

Third, and so on...

With grand ambition, Zhao Huan laid out a total of twenty-three clauses—later known as the "Twenty-Three Articles of the Song Army."

After reading, the ministers found themselves momentarily at a loss.

"Your Majesty, do you mean that henceforth, every boy, upon reaching the age of sixteen, must undergo training in the army?" Li Gang asked.

Zhao Huan nodded. "The Jurchens of Jin number only tens of thousands, and yet they have routed our Song army of several hundred thousand. Have you never considered why? The Jurchens are a nation of soldiers, while our own men—soldiers are not truly soldiers, unable to fight; civilians are not truly civilians, unable to farm in peace. Instituting conscription is to ensure a solid foundation of manpower for the Song. Should war erupt, our millions of young men will take up their blades, and we shall field a million-strong force!"

"Well said!" Yue Fei, unable to contain himself, burst out with excitement.

All eyes turned to Yue Fei. Realizing his outburst, he quickly collected himself and said, "Your Majesty is far-sighted! With these reforms, the Song will also become a nation where all can serve as soldiers. Then no country will dare to bully us again."

Zhao Huan was pleased by Yue Fei's praise, smiling broadly. "Now, everyone, share your thoughts—are there any aspects that require further supplement?"

Zong Ze considered for a moment and asked, "Your Majesty, what is the role of this Political Officer?"

Zhao Huan explained, "Why do so many deserters appear on our battlefields? Much of it stems from a lack of ideological conviction and understanding of honor and shame. The Political Officer's duty is to oversee the army's ideological work. As the saying goes, the highest form of warfare is to attack the enemy's strategy; the lowest is to attack their cities. Only by uniting the minds of our troops can we forge true strength."

Coming from a later era, Zhao Huan understood the power of indoctrination all too well. From childhood, he had been taught to love his country, so traitorous desertions were rare. In contrast, in the Song Dynasty, it was all too common for officers to abandon their posts and flee.

The ministers present were dumbfounded. Was this truly the same Crown Prince Zhao Huan they had known? Had he not always been timid and unambitious? How had he, upon ascending the throne, suddenly become so insightful, devising such advanced and innovative reforms?

"Your Majesty, your wisdom is boundless. I have no objection to this reform," Li Gang was the first to state.

The remaining officials followed suit, expressing their agreement.

Zhao Huan clapped his hands. "Very well! Since that is the case, let us implement these policies to the letter. I have but one demand: these regulations must be executed without compromise. If anyone dares to water them down as before, do not plead on their behalf—whoever they are, they will face military justice!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!" the ministers responded in unison.

"Next, I will announce appointments: Li Gang as Chief Councillor of the Privy Council, Zhao Ding as Commander of the Palace Guards, Han Shizhong as Deputy Commander…" Zhao Huan continued, distributing honors and responsibilities.

Those named knelt in joy to accept their commissions.

"In addition," Zhao Huan added, "I am forming a special forces unit—the Flying Plume Army—with Yue Fei as its commander."

Standing at the rear of the assembly, Yue Fei had always felt out of place among these seasoned men due to his youth and inexperience. Hearing the appointments, he could not help but feel a twinge of disappointment, for though he knew himself still young, he harbored hopes for advancement. Now, upon receiving Zhao Huan's nomination, he was overjoyed and quickly knelt to give thanks.

This military reform marked the true beginning of the Song army's transformation from weakness to strength. After the regulations were issued, half the Song troops were discharged, but those who remained were all genuine warriors, and the army's fighting strength was scarcely diminished.

This also explains, in part, why when the Jin army invaded again, it was decisively routed by the Song—a story for another time.

Meanwhile, Emperor Emeritus Zhao Ji was making his escape. His flight was swift, and in no time he reached Zhenjiang, where he learned the Jin forces had already retreated.

Delighted, Zhao Ji felt as if wings had sprouted on his heart, eager to return to Kaifeng. As an emperor accustomed to comfort, he had never endured such hardship, and upon arriving in Zhenjiang, found the local officials indifferent toward their retired sovereign—a further vexation. All the more, he yearned to hurry back to Kaifeng.

Ten days later, Zhao Ji and Zhao Huan met once more in Kaifeng Prefecture.

Walking along the bustling streets of Kaifeng, Zhao Ji peered out at the crowds from his carriage, sensing that the city had somehow changed. Yet, he could not quite say what had changed.

"Cai Jing, do you not feel that Kaifeng is no longer the city it once was?" Zhao Ji asked his attendant.

Cai Jing, ever perceptive, understood his meaning at once. After some thought, he replied, "Your Majesty, in my opinion, it would be better for you to go to Luoyang and recruit troops, in case the Jin army attacks again."