In the Jinling Lecture Hall, the golden fallen leaves slowly fall, stepping on it, rustling. Pavilions and pavilions, eaves and arches, simple and elegant, with blue sky and white clouds, there is a unique scene.

In the teaching building of the lecture hall, in the principal's office, Zhao Hong was sitting at the table, looking at the saber in front of him.

The exquisite cowhide scabbard, simple and elegant, pull out the sword, the cold light is shining, the air is cold, and it is a good blade at a glance.

This is also due to the good iron-smelting process of the iron factory, not to mention the high purity of the molten iron, the high-quality molten steel formed by frying iron, the sword is naturally extremely sharp.

Ten years of sharpening a sword, who has injustice?

With such a sharp blade on his body, he is so cool that he is scum, and he is simply terrible.

The total length of the sword is 40 cm, the length of the handle is 11 cm, and the width is 3 cm; The thickness of the handguard is 1 cm; The blade is 28 centimeters long, like an ordinary short knife.

The handle of the sword is made of wood chips and is wrapped in brass. There is a rectangular frame on one side of the sword handle, and the five words "Principal Zhao Hong's gift" are written vertically. On the other side of the sword, there are four words "loyal to the country".

One side of the sword body is engraved with 4 vertical typesetting words "for the country and the people"; The other side is engraved with 3 vertical typesetting characters of "military soul". The scabbard is a fine cowhide, the log wooden box is simple and unpretentious, and the words "Jinling Lecture Wutang Phase I" are engraved on the surface of the box.

This is a graduation saber awarded to the 600 students who graduated from the first phase of the "Jinling Lecture and Martial Arts Hall". Zhao Hong's practice of imitating the Whampoa Military Academy in later generations was also to encourage graduated officers to serve the country loyally and bravely kill the enemy.

"Headmaster, 600 graduates are only issued with 30 swords, will it be too few?"

Vice Principal Wei Liaoweng asked curiously.

His precious son Wei Jinyu finally graduated ahead of schedule, which was beyond his expectations. However, he also knew that with his son's achievements, it was estimated that he would not be able to mix this kind of short sword full of honor.

In comparison, Jindeok-so's son, Shinji-do, is even worse. Because of his average academic performance, Zhenzhidao will continue to study in the lecture hall until an academic year, or even longer, and pass the assessment before he can graduate.

"Vice Principal Wei, what do you think this is, a kitchen knife? You can also use him to chop vegetables for cooking, stewed vermicelli with pork and cabbage, and stew in a pot? ”

Zhao Hong raised his head and said solemnly.

"This short sword is issued only to the best soldiers. If one person sends a handful, won't it rot the street? ”

Wei Liaoweng's face turned red and he smiled.

"Your Majesty, this kind of graduation ceremony is really an eye-opener for the minister!"

Prime Minister Xue Ji also came to support the graduation ceremony.

"Martial arts, go to the national disaster together. Your Majesty, these graduating students are fierce and fierce, and within a year or two, they will be elite soldiers. It's daunting! ”

The military department Shangshu Xuanxuan sighed, and he didn't know if it was true or not.

"Xuanqing, did you scare your farm manure spray and crack your crotch?"

Zhao Hong laughed, remembered something, and asked Xuanxuan:

"Xuanqing, compared to the students of the Jinling Lecture Martial Arts Hall, how are the students of the Sailor Academy?"

He did not attend the opening ceremony of the Sailor Academy, nor did he teach in the Sailor Academy, and he did not know the quality of the students.

Speaking of which, you should go to the Sailor Academy and take a look at the current situation of the Navy by the way.

"Your Majesty, the students of the Sailor Academy are much younger, most of them are fifteen or sixteen years old, and they have not yet been determined. As for ability and knowledge, it naturally can't be compared with these elites of the martial arts hall. ”

Zhao Hong nodded, serious.

"Whether you believe it or not, as long as the Jinling Martial Arts Hall and the Sailor Academy persist in running it, and batches of officers continue to flow into the army, one day, you will see a different Great Song Border Army and a different Great Song Dynasty."

The first phase of the Jinling Lecture Martial Arts Hall included a group of the best military talents in the Southern Song Dynasty. Not to mention anything else, just Cao Youwen, Yu Jue, and Meng Heng have already gained a lot.

Coupled with Cao Youwan, Wang Jian, and Lu Wende, these fierce generals in history, he has the feeling that "all the world's talents are in the middle of the world".

As long as you treat these elites well and don't do anything, the future is promising.

"Your Majesty, just at my Great Song Dynasty's indestructible firearms, I was already so frightened that the crotch of the minister's pants cracked!"

Xuan Xuan echoed Zhao Hong and laughed at himself.

As the secretary of the military department, he naturally knows the minimum common sense. These heart-pounding firearms alone are enough to change the course of war.

"Firearms can certainly change the dynamics of war, but talent is the key to determining war. Could it be that the 70 million people of the Great Song Dynasty are united in one mind, but they can't reach the nomads who are only a million people? ”

Zhao Hong's face was solemn, and his eyes were cold.

"The purpose of war is to kill and injure the other side, so that the other side will lose the ability to resist. As long as my Great Song Dynasty regains the style of martial arts, there will be a steady stream of enthusiastic young people rushing to the national disaster. My Great Song Dynasty can shed blood and sacrifice millions of soldiers, Tatars, Jinren, any foreign invaders, do they dare? If they dared to do this, I am afraid they would have died a long time ago! ”

"What Your Majesty said is very true!"

The ministers bowed together, their expressions were respectful, I don't know if it was true or not, but there must be a lot of loss in their hearts.

According to the model of training officers in Jinling's martial arts hall, the officers are all protégés of the Son of Heaven, and the hidden danger of the division of the five dynasties of feudal towns does not seem to be easy to form. However, the emperor restored the command of the generals, and the power of the scholars and doctors was undoubtedly greatly weakened.

Of course, the responsibility is much lighter.

"Your Majesty, since the duration of study is one year, why don't you let the cadets end the semester and then be assigned to the army. Wouldn't the students learn more in this way? ”

The military department still can't help but be curious.

The Jin Song Dynasty ended the war, and there was no war on the side of the fortress. Even if the emperor wants to go on a northern expedition, he doesn't have to be in such a hurry.

"Xuanqing, do you think I don't want the students to graduate at the end of the semester? The situation is not up to people, and I can't help it. ”

Zhao Hong's eyes were full of helplessness.

"In the seven-year war of Song and Jin, the northwest frontier army suffered serious losses, and the defense of Shukou was in vain, so it was urgent to train a new army and reshape the northwest frontier defense. I am taking precautions, not on a whim or on a whim. More than a year later, less than two years, you will understand my painstaking efforts. ”

The Mongol army could move south at any time, and the first batch of Wutang students did not even have a "summer vacation", just to graduate early and cope with the war that would come at any time. The other routes could be slowed down, but the Tatar army was about to attack Western Xia, and he had no time for the officers to learn, so he could only do it quickly.

"Your Majesty, the ministers obey the order!"

Xuanxuan will be suspicious, but he can only obey the order.

The emperor deployed defenses in Shukou and strengthened the country's border defense, which is understandable, who dares to restrain it. It is better to prepare for everything than to do nothing at all.

"Your Majesty, the minister has something to say."

Xue Ji is also bold, not vomiting or unhappy.

Shi Miyuan was in power, but he didn't have the courage to give this direct advice.

"Xue Qing, to put it bluntly. As long as it is beneficial to my Great Song Dynasty government, it doesn't hurt to say it. ”

It is estimated that what Xue Ji wants to talk about is still talking about the martial arts students.

"Your Majesty, the old minister thinks that Meng Heng is a general of the border and is in charge of Jinghu North Road, which is also competent. Cao Youwen and Yu Jue had no experience in border army battles, so they were rashly promoted to be the commanders of the two major Rong Divisions in the northwest and presided over the border war, is it a bit too hasty? ”

Sure enough, Xue Ji and Cui You, like him, pointed the finger at the problem of the coach of the northwest border.

It seems that the ministers are cautious and not messing around.

"Your Majesty, the minister is also worried. His Majesty loves talents, so it is not too late to let Cao Youwen and Yu Jue serve as deputy marshals, temper them in the army for a few years, and then appoint them as commanders all the way. Rashly letting them command the border army is probably a bit inappropriate, and the army will not be at ease. ”

Wei Liaoweng, the squire of the military department, was also full of doubts.

"Cao Youwen and Yu Jue serve as the two road commanders, and there are a large number of battlefield veterans to assist them, what's wrong? Soldiers only know obedience and discipline, who dares to disobey? ”

Zhao Hong said categorically, his face changed.

The emperor's appointment is not satisfied, what is the use of such an arrogant general? In several foreign wars in the Southern Song Dynasty, it was not uncommon for generals to disobey military orders, delay fighters, and even die without help, which is staggering.

"Longxing Northern Expedition, border marshal Li Xianzhong and the main force of the Jin soldiers fought hard, and the deputy marshal Shao Hongyuan did not move, resulting in Li Xianzhong being outnumbered, Fu Li was defeated, and the Longxing Northern Expedition was defeated."

Zhao Hong continued, furious, saliva splashing.

"Kaixi Northern Expedition, the commander Guo Zuo saw that the city of Suzhou was about to be broken, and he was afraid that the credit would be robbed, so he ordered to release arrows to the soldiers of the loyal army who were fighting in Pancheng. Then, in order to escape for his life, he actually agreed to Jin Jun's request and kidnapped the fierce general Tian Junmai to Jin Junmai, causing him to be killed, and he escaped with his life. Later, in order to seek fornication, the imperial court actually murdered the prime minister Han Yanxuan and sent the first letter to the gold; Such a horrific thing has never been heard of for thousands of years, but it is not uncommon in my Great Song Dynasty. ”

Zhao Hong looked at the ministers, his face was pale, and his words were murderous.

"Shao Hongyuan and Guo Zhuo's matter is absolutely not allowed to happen again. Cao You heard that Yu Jue was a side commander, whoever dared to blow up the thorn, I would never spare it. Speaking of Lizhou West Road, there is the general Cheng Xin as the deputy commander, the fierce general Wang Jian as the commander of Chuzhou, and Ma Zhong, Ma Yi, Wang Shixin, these good generals in the northwest to assist, what are you worried about? Could it be that in the Northwest Frontier Army, there are your old cronies who want to be promoted? ”

Cao Youwen and Yu Jue are both famous generals who have proven themselves in history, that is, they want to let them start as soon as possible, instill what they have learned in Jinling Lecture and Martial Arts into the whole army, and create a new Great Song Dynasty border army.

"Your Majesty, the courtiers are loyal, and they can be seen every day!"

"Foolishness, Your Majesty!"

"Your Majesty's teachings, Your Majesty's holy judgment!"

How dare the ministers insist, and salute one after another. If you persist any longer, I am afraid that you will be included in the category of treachery.

Cui He was secretly amazed. Once the emperor decides, ten cows will not be able to pull back. This decisiveness alone is already rare.

"I know you're worried, but I'm not acting recklessly. Cao Youwen and Yu Jue excelled in their studies, and I also made a decision after careful consideration and careful consideration. If I want to train my troops, and train my troops according to the drill method of the martial arts hall, I can't use the old generals as commanders. Otherwise, there will be a difference between the top and bottom, and it will only train officers, but without military training, and the formation and training of the new army will be a joke. ”

Realizing that he was too tough, Zhao Hong's tone was much softer.

Everyone has their own opinions, and sometimes they have to do it as a last resort.

Everyone obeyed the order, but they didn't realize that Cao Youwen and Yu Yu were in command of the army, but they were not controlled by Wenchen, which was the root of their dispute.

Zhao Hong was rarely confused, and he didn't say anything.

He has already made it clear to Cui He, the envoy of the Sichuan system, that he should not hinder Yu Yu and Cao Youwen militarily. I am afraid that from the day these two people took office, the civil officials and doctors of the two roads in Lizhou could only be responsible for civil affairs, and thus withdrew from the historical stage of leading the army.

"Your Majesty, it's time to go out. Graduating students are waiting in the teaching room. ”

Wei Liaoweng coughed and said softly.

The first batch of 600 graduates will leave the school, with graduation ceremonies and sword presentation ceremonies.

"Zhongqing's family, let's go and meet the first batch of graduates of my Great Song Dynasty!"

Zhao Hong stood up, looking forward to it.

The "Soldier's Soul" short sword was awarded to express recognition of the officers and boost morale; Second, it also has the meaning of winning people's hearts and strengthening imperial power. The awarding of the "soldier's soul" dagger to outstanding cadets or generals who have made meritorious contributions can become a continuation of the tradition.