Chapter 416 Millions of dead souls are looking at you!
Chapter 416 Millions of dead souls are looking at you!
After the opening ceremony of Zhending Military Academy, Wang Lin ordered generals at the Generalissimo's Mansion.
Of course it is a form.
This was used to declare his control over the soldiers and horses of the Song Dynasty.
In the court hall, Wang Lin was wearing a royal robe and a purple gold crown, with a serious look on his face.
The Eastern Army was led by Yue Fei, followed by Han Shizhong, and the other generals stood on the left side.
The generals of the Western Army, led by Zhongshi Dao, Liu Yanqing, stood in two squads on the right.
Wang Lin looked around the generals with majestic eyes.
He has been in charge of the army for a long time, and his power has grown day by day. In addition, the aura of the system has been released. He sat there, not saying a word, but he was not angry or powerful.
In front of Wang Lin's desk is a roster of officers of the Western Military Command and above.
As for the Eastern Army, all its generals are his direct descendants, and they were promoted by one hand, so they are naturally familiar with them.
Wang Lin quietly looked at Master Zhongdao standing on his right.
This man is white-haired and nearly seventy years old. His face is densely wrinkled, but his back is straight and he is in good spirits.
He has a calm demeanor and is worthy of a famous general.
He was also a student of the great Confucian Zhang Zai.
Wang Lin smiled slightly and said, "Mr. Mr. Zhong."
Master Zhong's expression remained unchanged as he left the class and cupped his hands and said: "The general is here!"
Wang Lin said calmly: "This time the Jin soldiers invaded, Mr. Lao Zhong led the elite Western Army to defend Taiyuan and blocked the Jin army from attacking on the west route. It can be said that he made a great contribution."
"The original intention of the imperial court was to consider that Mr. Zhong was old and could reward his merits by naming him a king with a different surname. Later, he was transferred to the capital, with the right to know the affairs of the Privy Council, and to assist Prime Minister Li in handling the affairs of the court."
"However, I believe that the Zhong family's army has guarded the border for the country for hundreds of years. Although Mr. Zhong is old, he is still an honest man and can still ride and kill the enemy. Now that the country is facing a national crisis, the old Xianggong should lead the army to guard the border for the country.
From beginning to end.”
Having said this, Wang Lin paused slightly.
Zhong Shidao said with a calm face: "Your Majesty, I am very grateful. Since I am a general, I should sacrifice my life for the country and never regret it. Although I am old, my ambition is not diminished. I will lead the army to serve the country and be loyal to the country."
Wang Lin nodded slowly: "My old husband is indeed loyal, and the sun can show it."
Wang Lin affirmed and praised the achievements of Master Zhong and the Zhong family, which made the Zhong family suspicious.
What does this mean?
Behind Zhong Shidao, Zhong Hao, Zhong Xi, and Zhong Zhongwei frowned even more, and their thoughts flashed.
While they were thinking about it, they heard Wang Lin's voice suddenly change: "Please tell me, Mr. Zhong, there are thirty-six generals under the command of the Western Army, including commanders, deputy commanders, and generals with commanders and above, and those who are in place today are the ones who should do it."
, but there were only twenty-nine people, and the remaining seven people could not disobey for some unknown reason?"
"Are you treating my commander's military orders as if they were worn out shoes?"
Master Zhong's expression suddenly changed.
He pondered for a moment and said: "If I tell you, the prince, all the generals of the Western Army are already here. As for the seven missing people that the prince said, they are not disobedient, but have died and pledged their lives to the country."
When the generals of the Western Army heard this, their hearts thumped.
Wang Lin suddenly talked about the five vacant people, which obviously had deep meaning.
Wang Lin smiled calmly, casually opened the roster, and read: "Song Binglan, Doctor Yiwei, from the fifth rank, commander of the Western Army, and the defense envoy of Xianzhou. In the first year of Zhenghe, he died of illness in his jurisdiction.
Zhong Lan was the Supervisor of the Military and Horse Command of Taiyuan and the controlling official. In the second year of Zhenghe, he died of illness in Taiyuan.
For a long time, he served as an envoy to the regiment of Analyzing Prefecture and became an official in charge of Tongtong. In the second year of Daguan, he died for his country in the war with Xixia..."
Wang Lin came slowly, and when he said this, he stared at Master Zhong with sharp eyes and said: "Old Mr. Zhong, do you still need me to continue to follow the script?"
Zhong Shidao looked gloomy and was silent for a long time before he raised his hands and said, "What the prince said is true."
At this time, the faces of the children of the Zhong family became ugly.
The atmosphere in the hall became extremely depressed and tense.
Liu Yanqing sighed secretly and thought: King Yan will not let go of the Zhong family. The new official will burn the Zhong family to death in the first of three fires after taking office!
Although the Northern Song Dynasty valued literature over military affairs, military generals were paid very high salaries.
Wang Lin once read an article in his previous life that Yue Fei's annual salary was as high as RMB 5.86 million (equivalent).
If calculated into additional income such as land rent and court rewards, Yue Fei's total annual salary exceeds 10 million.
According to "History of the Song Dynasty Official Records", the first rank includes Shangshuling, Zhongshuling, Shizhong, Taiwei, Taishi, Taifu, Taibao, Shaoshi, Shaofu and Shaobao. Their annual salary is 1,440 taels.
silver.
Starting from the first rank, they are ministers, ministers, ministers, and ministers, which we usually call prime ministers. Their annual salary is 3,600 taels of silver.
The five deceased people Wang Lin mentioned now were fifth-grade officials, and their annual salary was about 660 taels of silver, which is equivalent to more than 2.8 million yuan in modern RMB.
This is just the annual salary.
In addition to their annual salary, officials in the Song Dynasty also received in-kind subsidies such as millet, silk and cotton, tea, wine, cooking materials, salary, mugwort, charcoal, salt, and even fodder for horses.
Basically half and half.
In December of the first year of Jiayou's reign, Bao Zheng was appointed as the Quanzhi of Kaifeng Prefecture. Kaifeng was the capital of the Northern Song Dynasty. Quanzhi of Kaifeng Prefecture was a deputy position. However, because Yin did not often serve as the Kaifeng Prefecture's pastor, Bao Zheng was the de facto leader of Kaifeng.
"There is a Bao Qingtian in Kaifeng" refers to the period when Bao Zhengquan knew about Kaifeng Mansion.
At that time, Bao Zheng's salary, including minister's money, job income, etc., amounted to approximately 20,856 taels of silver.
In addition, Bao Zheng also received 2180 shi of rice, 180 shi of wheat, 10 bolts of damask, 34 bolts of silk, 2 bolts of Luo, 100 taels of cotton, 15 pounds of charcoal, 240 bundles of firewood, 480 bundles of hay...
Why is Bao Zheng not afraid of local tyrants and evil gentry? Because he is much richer than ordinary rich people. He has money in his pocket and speaks tough.
If you calculate it this way, the cost to the Northern Song Dynasty court for a commander-level general was not cheap, but too expensive.
So, the nine people mentioned above have been dead for many years, but they are still on the books and have been receiving royal salary and military pay for many years. Where has such a huge amount of money gone?
Wang Lin suddenly stood up and shouted angrily: "Zhongshidao, among the nine generals mentioned above, the early ones died more than ten years ago, and the latest ones also died several years ago. However, the names are still in the register, and the court's salary and salary are
Never stopped for a day!
You are all leaders, so you can calculate how big a sum this is!
I am here to ask you, where have the salaries and military pay issued by the imperial court gone to these nine people for more than ten years?"
Wang Lin's voice and look were both stern.
Master Zhong's face was ashen, and the corners of his mouth twitched slightly.
He never expected that Wang Lin would choose this moment to launch a fierce attack on himself and the Zhong family, using empty wages as an entry point.
In the hall, the generals of the Western Army were as silent as cicadas.
They felt a little uneasy in their hearts, guessing that Wang Lin would not give up.
Wang Lin sneered and said: "This is a military general, and a high-ranking military general. So, in the Western Army, are there any places for officers at all levels below the command to take advantage of their salary?"
"The Western Army is said to have an army of 300,000 men. According to information obtained from the Ministry of Household Affairs, the Ministry of War and the Privy Council, in the past twenty years, the imperial court has been distributing the full amount of 300,000 Western Army's pay, silver and supplies. Among these 300,000 people,
How many vacancies are there?”
Wang Lin questioned him repeatedly, leaving Master Zhongdao speechless.
Wang Lin told the truth.
The biggest problem of the Western Army is that the top and bottom are eating empty pay and drinking soldiers' blood, and the wind is raging.
How can the Zhong family army be able to protect itself alone?
In fact, it is not uncommon for the children of the Zhong family to become rich because of this.
Zhong Shidao was very embarrassed. This veteran who had been in the army all his life was forced into an embarrassing situation by Wang Lin in front of everyone.
Not a trace of emotion was left behind.
Seeing that his father was forced to this point, Zhong Hao couldn't help but go out and defend himself: "Your Majesty, the above-mentioned nine military generals died for their country. Although the rosters are there and the court salaries are being paid, the court is very short of equipment and equipment for the Western Army.
, all the proceeds are used for military equipment, no one is greedy for personal gain!"
Wang Lin looked at Zhong Hao with sharp and cold eyes: "Who are you?"
"The last general, Zhong Hao, has been appointed commander of the army." Zhong Hao said proudly.
Wang Lin said: "It turns out that you are the eldest son of Mr. Zhong, and you are also known as Mr. Xiaoxiaozhong. According to what you said, it is because the imperial court owed the Western Army's supplies, so you had to falsely report military pay?"
Zhong Hao gritted his teeth and said: "It's not a false report, it's just a matter of necessity!"
Wang Lin smiled calmly and said: "What a situation you have to have!"
"The Zhong family is in Luoyang, which is known as half the city. At least 30% of the mansions in the city are owned by the Zhong family's children. How many hectares of fertile land outside the city are owned by the Zhong family's children?
Not to mention others, just as far as you Zhonghao is concerned, you have three mansions, two gardens, dozens of shops, and countless arable land under your name in the capital, Luoyang, Taiyuan, and Jiangnan... You are so rich, even Jiangnan salt merchants have
So why don't you still have the nerve to intercede and not line your own pockets?
Where did your billions of assets come from?!"
Zhong Hao was scolded by Wang Lin and his face turned red.
Wang Lin slowly stood up and said sarcastically: "The Ruzhong family keeps saying that they are loyal to the country and have made extraordinary achievements in guarding the border for hundreds of years, but why don't you say that without the support of the imperial court and the blood of the soldiers of the Western Army,
How did your family get so rich?!"
If Wang Lin wants to attack the Zhong family, how can he not be prepared?
With the breadth of information and detection capabilities of the Tiger God Guard, it is not difficult to investigate the Zhong family to the core.
Master Zhong's complexion turned from livid to pale.
Wang Lin's words tore off the Zhong family's mask of loyalty to the country.
It is true that they are loyal and brave, and they do do this, but this does not mean that they do not drink the blood of soldiers and are not greedy for military pay.
The other generals of the Western Army also felt guilty and bowed their heads in silence.
After all, none of them are poor.
Basically, in their hometowns, they are all rich and wealthy.
"In these years, the national fortunes have been difficult, the national treasury is empty, and the people are living in dire straits. You, the greedy army, have paid with your blood and sweat for the people! Since the first year of Zhenghe, Henan, Hebei, Shandong, and Hedong have suffered from severe droughts for consecutive years, and millions of people have died of starvation.
!
But the wealth of the people and the anointing of the people have enriched you so-called good generals in the army. The souls of millions of people who died are looking at you, Zhong Shidao, Zhong Hao, can you sleep at night?"
Zhong Shidao was silent for a long time and sighed. Finally he couldn't bear it any longer. He lowered his head and knelt down on the ground, saying: "The general is guilty, please punish me!"
Zhong Hao also knelt down angrily, but said nothing.
The generals of the Western Army looked at each other, their eyes almost focused on Zhongshi Dao, who was kneeling down.
Zhong Shidao is a founder of the Western Army. How has he ever been so... humiliated?!