The strong winds across the grasslands constantly blew, and traces of coldness signaled the imminent arrival of the next winter.
Niu Ben naturally understood the thoughts of Lu Fei and the other generals. His visit this time was precisely to resolve this matter.
As a veteran general of the Great Yu Empire, he was well aware that soldiers would commit various violations of law during wartime, and this situation would have a very detrimental impact on the occupied cities.
In the battle reports sent to him this past year, there was a growing trend of incidents involving soldiers bullying local virtuous women.
Regarding this matter, he had initially taken an indifferent attitude, because in his view, the absence of widespread rape and looting by the army was sufficient proof that it was a disciplined army, and the mistakes committed by a few soldiers were not a big deal.
However, when the battle report was sent to Xiao Ming, Xiao Ming was very worried about this matter, so he received the order to comfort the troops.
This time, his visit was partly to supervise the battle, and partly to comfort the troops.
After defeating the allied forces of the three princes, Lu Fei and the other generals led their soldiers in continuous operations, fighting city after city with extreme difficulty.
Now, with Juyong Pass taken, the war in Liang was finally over, but the war was far from over. Chang'an City was still in Prince Zhao's hands, and there were many more battles to come.
Moreover, Liang itself bordered Zhao. With Liang destroyed, Prince Zhao would certainly prevent them from continuing westward.
In such long-term warfare, soldiers constantly facing life and death easily lost control and violated military discipline.
At first, he had a vague understanding of comforting the troops, but after Xiao Ming explained it, he suddenly realized.
According to Xiao Ming, what soldiers needed was not just their meager monthly pay; their selfless fighting against the enemy was more for honor and the nation's recognition.
This "comforting the troops" seemed like an optional matter, but its actual implementation would bring unexpected results to the army, even alleviating the dissatisfaction arising from the soldiers' monotonous lives.
Simply put, it was to let the soldiers know that while they were fighting on the front lines, the nation had not forgotten them, and deeply appreciated their contributions to the nation.
Thinking of this, a smile appeared in Niu Ben's eyes. He had never heard of such a theory, but he had to admit that Xiao Ming's words touched his heart.
After this battle, "comforting the troops" would not only become one of the army's regular activities, but more policies aimed at improving the status of soldiers would also be introduced.
Although he had been severely scolded by Xiao Ming in court for delaying the war, he was very happy on his way here this time.
Because he could see that Xiao Ming intended to raise the status of the army, and this was unprecedented in the Great Yu Empire. Previous emperors had always emphasized civil officials over military ones.
The repeated failures in battles against the barbarians and these policies that displeased the army had always caused dissatisfaction among the military generals. This was one of the reasons why the generals were unwilling to fight with their lives.
Lu Fei, despite being scolded, still wore a mischievous grin. He said to Niu Ben, "Grand General, your concern for the soldiers truly moves us. But will His Imperial Majesty not find out about this?"
"This matter was ordered by His Imperial Majesty himself," Niu Ben did not conceal. "If you want to be grateful, then be grateful to His Imperial Majesty."
"His Imperial Majesty!" Lu Fei's eyes widened. He said incredulously, "His Imperial Majesty has always been strict with the army. Why would he order this?"
"Hmph, His Imperial Majesty is indeed extremely strict in governing the army, but His Imperial Majesty has also been constantly thinking about you, saying that your fighting on the front lines is arduous, that many soldiers sacrifice themselves and face death at any moment, and that he cannot personally go to the battlefield but can only find ways to amuse the soldiers." Niu Ben repeated Xiao Ming's words.
Niu Ben's heart warmed upon hearing this, and his eyes reddened. These days, from Qingzhou to Yunzhou, and from Yunzhou to Liang, they had fought all the way, feeling as if they were doing nothing but fighting, gradually growing numb each day, like scarecrows.
But Niu Ben's words suddenly made them feel that all the hardships they endured were worth it.
"Alright, hurry up and get to it, while the war has temporarily ceased." Lu Fei's expression made Niu Ben agree more with what Xiao Ming said.
Just this simple order moved a man like Lu Fei so much.
"Yes, General!" Niu Ben chuckled and immediately ran off.
Ye Qingyun and the other generals were also overjoyed. The days of marching and fighting were very boring. If not for the military historian strictly controlling army discipline, they would have truly wanted to let the soldiers plunder.
And now, this good news suddenly made them abandon such thoughts.
As they were talking, the barbarian cavalry and slave soldiers outside Juyong Pass suddenly turned and retreated deep into the grasslands.
This all brought a sigh of relief to the generals; it seemed the barbarians were not preparing to attack the city.
"General, the barbarian troops have retreated. This Zheng Chengwen probably knows he can't take Juyong Pass," Ye Qingyun said.
Niu Ben nodded. He said, "That's good. If the barbarians had launched a large-scale attack at this time, it would have been troublesome. So, let's seize the opportunity while the barbarians and Japan are fighting to attack Chang'an and eliminate Prince Zhao."
Luo Hong and Luo Xin exchanged glances. Chang'an was their hometown, the place they yearned for. They were the generals most eager to attack Chang'an, as they still had some relatives there.
After giving the generals a reminder about the upcoming battles, Niu Ben instructed the city defenders not to relax, and only then did he descend the city wall with the generals.
...
Qingzhou.
The excitement brought by the steam locomotive lasted only three days. On the fourth day, during the morning court session, he was infuriated by the officials.
The matter that provoked his anger this time was precisely about the status of the military.
"Your Imperial Majesty, in every dynasty throughout history, have there not been countless instances of generals growing too powerful, accumulating personal armies, and rebelling against the court? In this humble subordinate's opinion, the status of the military has already increased considerably compared to before. Qingzhou has also erected a Hall of Heroes for fallen soldiers. Why, then, is it necessary to further increase the rights of soldiers?"
In the council hall, Fiji said loudly.
"This subject concurs," Pang Yukun also stepped forward at this moment. This policy proposed by Xiao Ming displeased some of the civil officials.
"This subject concurs!"
"This subject concurs!"
"..."
After Fiji and Pang Yukun, one civil official after another stepped forward. Yu Ming, Chao Jun, and other officials also stood up.
Looking at the officials who stood up one by one, Xiao Ming frowned. It was truly rare for Pang Yukun and Fiji to agree on something like this.
This showed the extent to which the Great Yu Empire valued civil over military. These officials, seeing Xiao Ming continuously raising the status of military personnel, finally could not sit still.
"Are you forcing me?"
Xiao Ming frowned deeply. During this time, he had intended to let these officials exercise their talents to assist him in managing the Great Yu Empire, which was awaiting revitalization after much neglect. Therefore, to avoid dampening their enthusiasm, he had accepted even some innocuous suggestions.
But at this moment, he suddenly realized a problem: since ancient times, imperial power and the bureaucracy have always had an inherent conflict, because strengthening imperial power would inevitably harm the interests of the bureaucracy.
He had been too compliant recently, and these officials seemed to have developed the illusion that he was another Xiao Wenxuan.