pappabearbooks Chapter 103 Time Waits for No One, Remedies After the Fact
Chapter 103 Time Waits for No One, Remedies After the Fact
A glint of light flashed in Yang Yan's eyes, and his foundation in the history department was rapidly activated at that moment.
He not only wanted to resolve the crisis, but also to take this opportunity to sell a brand-new military concept to the brilliant but increasingly suspicious founding emperor.
He picked up his wolf-hair brush, dipped it heavily in pine soot ink, and wrote with great flourish on the yellowed hemp paper.
This letter was addressed to Emperor Yang Jian.
We must start with "public-mindedness" and break the deadlock with "pragmatism".
Yang Yan took a deep breath and wrote quickly: "Your Majesty, I, your humble servant, acted recklessly on the drill ground today, presumptuously naming a soldier 'Changning.' Upon returning home, I was filled with fear and felt deeply guilty. However, besides pleading guilty, I have a heartfelt opinion concerning the very foundation of the nation, which I cannot help but vehemently present."
At this point, Yang Yan paused slightly. He knew that what he was about to say was a challenge to the "Fubing system," the very foundation of the Sui Dynasty.
But he must say that his "training" today only seems necessary if the problem is made serious enough.
"I. The dangers we see: The garrison is exhausted, and our military preparedness is worrisome..."
"Sun Chen's selection process was intended to select the elite soldiers. However, looking at the more than ten thousand soldiers, less than one in ten could withstand the feats of strength. Most soldiers were pale and weak, their commands unclear, and their formations disorganized. When asked about battle tactics and the essentials of scoutship, they were completely clueless. This is not the soldiers' fault, but rather a consequence of the 'soldier-farmer integration' system. They were scattered across the fields in peacetime, and their hasty conscription rendered them a mere rabble. Sun Chen dares to speak frankly: if these soldiers are to be the backbone of the nation, how will we defend against any uprisings? This is a hidden danger to the state, and seeing it chills me to the bone."
Yang Yan sneered inwardly as he read this passage.
What was Yang Jian most afraid of? He was most afraid of the instability of the Sui Dynasty. By devaluing the Fubing (a type of military force) to nothing, he was telling Yang Jian: "Grandpa, it's not that I want to form a private army, it's that the national army is too incompetent, I have to select some capable soldiers!"
Then, he shifted his focus and began to talk about the "Imperial Guard".
"Second, the perplexing question: Although the Imperial Guards are formidable, they cannot effectively defend all directions..."
"I, Sun Tzu, also know that the Imperial Guards of the capital are the most valiant in the land, their armor superb, each capable of taking on ten men. Yet, even the Imperial Guards are insufficient to protect the capital region; how can they be lightly deployed? Moreover, the empire's territory spans thousands of miles, with the Turks to the north, the barbarian threat to the south, and the western and eastern borders all requiring garrison duty. Relying solely on the rotating garrison troops and the Imperial Guards, which cannot be easily mobilized, seems insufficient and inadequate. As Sun Tzu said, 'The quality of an army is more important than its quantity.' Now, our Great Sui Dynasty is at its peak, its treasury overflowing, yet it seems to lack a sharp weapon—a weapon 'always ready in the camp, dedicated to warfare.'"
This is merely scratching Yang Jian's itch. The Imperial Guards are the emperor's lifeline and cannot be touched; the local militia are the foundation, but they are too bloated. So what to do about the gap in between?
"Thirdly, my presumptuous thoughts: I humbly request Your Majesty's judgment..."
"Sun Chen, in a fit of anger at the drill ground, uttered reckless words. Upon returning to his residence and reflecting deeply, while his actions were flawed, there might be some merit in his thinking. Our dynasty's military system is the foundation of our nation, and I, Sun Chen, would never dare to advocate abolishing it. However, could we emulate the ancient Han dynasty's 'Feathered Forest Guard' and 'Tiger Warriors,' perhaps by establishing several standing battalions in key border defense locations and important military strongholds? These battalions could receive dedicated training, year-round, focusing on offense and defense, to respond to unexpected battles and quell local rebellions. In this way, it would complement the military system, ensuring both the stability of the foundation and the forging of a sharp and elite force."
As Yang Yan wrote this, a fine layer of sweat had already seeped onto his forehead.
Finally, to wrap things up.
"I, your humble servant, am young and inexperienced, and my words are but a glimpse into the nature of the situation. My conduct at the drill ground today is already a grave offense, and I should not presume to discuss state affairs further. However, whenever I think of Your Majesty's grace and the apparent weakness of our military preparedness, I feel as if I are sitting on pins and needles. These words come from a public heart, without a trace of selfishness. I humbly beseech Your Majesty's wisdom to perceive my fearful and loyal heart. Your humble servant, Yang Yan, once again kowtows to plead guilty."
Putting down his pen, Yang Yan let out a long breath, looking at the still-wet ink on the memorial as if it were a talisman, or perhaps a death warrant.
He knew that writing this letter was risky.
His mention of "standing elite troops" subtly touched upon the core interests of the Guanzhong military aristocracy—the Fubing system was the cornerstone of their power.
But he knew even better that history had already proven that a purely militia system would quickly become exhausted after the period of dynastic expansion.
He merely presented the problems that Emperor Xuanzong of Tang would inevitably have to face during the Kaiyuan and Tianbao eras several decades in advance, in the most gentle way, to the Kaihuang Emperor.
This is not rebellion, but a kind of "prophetic" loyalty from thousands of years ago.
Yang Jian was the emperor, so he needed to "manage" things, but that wasn't enough. After all, the army was far too sensitive, so he needed to add another layer of protection for himself.
Empress Dugu Jialuo was also a grandmother; she was reasonable, but even more so, she was compassionate.
In this family, Dugu Jialuo's words sometimes carried more weight than imperial edicts.
Once this iron-fisted grandmother is appeased, even if Yang Jian is angry, half of his anger can be suppressed.
Yang Yan immediately spread out another sheet of gold-flecked stationery.
This time, he no longer put on airs, and deliberately wrote his handwriting in a slightly messy manner. In some key places, he even deliberately let his hand tremble a few times, leaving a few ink spots, to show his extreme "fear".
This letter is both a "family letter" to his grandmother and a "plea for help" to the Empress Dowager.
"Grandmother, may you be well. What I did today was utterly foolish and rebellious. I was burning with anxiety upon returning home, and my hands trembled as I wrote. I only feel that pleading my case to you, Grandmother, can alleviate even a fraction of my fear."
The story begins with a terrified child.
"Sun Chen volunteered to go to Lingnan because he had heard that the area was rife with malaria and the barbarian soldiers were fierce. Being young, Sun Chen was deeply afraid, fearing he would die far from home and no longer be able to enjoy the company of his grandparents. Therefore, he hastily trained his troops, hoping to save his life through rigorous training and intimidate the enemy with his reputation. Today, seeing the soldiers' enthusiasm on the training ground, he was momentarily overwhelmed by passion and forgot himself, uttering reckless words. Only after returning home and calming down, drenched in cold sweat, did he realize the grave mistake he had made!"
This is the truth, and also a sign of weakness. It's telling Empress Dugu: I don't want to rebel, I'm afraid of dying! Lingnan is so dangerous; it's not unreasonable for me to train more soldiers to save my life, is it?
Next, the meaning of the characters "Changning" will be explained.
"The name 'Changning' was bestowed upon me by my grandfather and grandmother; it is the glory upon which my life rests. My original intention was merely to ensure that the soldiers would be grateful for this favor and serve the imperial family to the death. Yet, due to my foolishness, I have almost tarnished the imperial grace and damaged the reputation of my grandfather and grandmother. This thought fills me with shame and I wish I could die."
That's where the brilliance lies.
I won't call them private soldiers; I'll say it's to honor the kindness of you two!
I keep mentioning "Changning" because I consider the title you bestowed upon me an honor, a talisman. What do you call that? You call it filial piety!
Finally, I cried for help.
"Lingnan is a long way, and I, Sun Chen, am going there alone. All I can rely on is the protection of my grandparents. Now that I have caused this trouble, I am filled with fear and anxiety, like a lost child. I humbly beg my grandmother to consider my youth and ignorance, and to speak on my behalf to my grandfather. I will certainly repent and never dare to be so arrogant again. I am writing this with tears streaming down my face, and I am at a loss for words."
After writing the last word, Yang Yan threw the pen aside and slumped back in his chair, feeling his back was soaked with sweat.
One letter is a "strategic essay" presented to the emperor, reasoning, stating the advantages and disadvantages, and showcasing talent; the other is a "self-criticism" presented to the elders, expressing sympathy, weakness, and coquetry.
He adopted a two-pronged approach: to eliminate the threat of "private soldiers" and to use this opportunity to show the two emperors that Yang Yan was not just a bookish scholar, but a "promising talent" with vision, courage, and an extreme attachment to imperial power.
"Someone come here!"
The study door was pushed open, and Xiao Zhao hurriedly entered.
Yang Yan sealed the two folded letters and handed them over with a solemn expression.
"Immediately arrange for trusted confidants to deliver this memorial to the Secretariat before the palace gates are locked, requesting that it be forwarded to the Emperor; this letter must also be delivered to the Empress's bedchamber, requesting that it be forwarded to Her Majesty the Empress."
"Tell them it's an extremely urgent matter; even if they have to kneel and die at the palace gates, they must be sent in!"
Seeing Yang Yan's stern expression, Xiao Zhao dared not ask any more questions. She took the letter with both hands and turned to disappear into the night.
Yang Yan stood up, walked to the window, and pushed open the window.
A cool night breeze swept over us, dispelling the stuffiness inside the room.
He gazed in the direction of the palace, its majestic splendor resembling a lurking beast in the night, its lights dazzling yet unfathomable.