Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne

Chapter 633: Chapter 314 Zhao Yao’s Proposal_3

Speaking of the military exam, Zhao Yao thought of another matter.

"Father, have you ever considered establishing a military academy?"

"Military academy?" The emperor heard the term for the first time, slightly raised his eyebrows, and asked, "Are you referring to an academy for soldiers?"

"Yes, you see, scholars have specialized academies to study, but there are no specialized academies to teach people how to become qualified soldiers."

"Once they’re in the military camp, they naturally know how to be soldiers." The emperor didn’t think that being a soldier required a specialized academy for training.

"Father, aren’t the soldiers in the military camp of varying quality?" Zhao Yao thought the emperor’s idea was incorrect, "Father, didn’t you and Uncle Song back then also learn how to fight by following Grandfather and the others? When Grandfather fought in battles, didn’t he learn by crossing the river and feeling the stones on his own? I think Grandfather suffered many losses during battles back then. If someone had taught him how to fight, wouldn’t he have avoided some detours and suffered fewer losses?"

Upon hearing this, the emperor roughly understood the meaning of his younger son.

"Continue."

"Father, have you ever considered something?"

The emperor asked with a puzzled expression, "What is it?"

"Now that Great Zhou basically has no rebels, meaning the world is at peace, there’s not much need for soldiers to go to battle. Have you thought about how to properly settle the soldiers?"

The emperor had naturally thought of this and had discussed it with Song Dekang and the others.

"What do you mean?"

"Father, these soldiers have all made contributions to the founding of Great Zhou, especially like Uncle Song and others who have made significant meritorious contributions. When the world is at peace and military officers are no longer needed for battles, will their status in court decline, and the status of civil officials exceeds that of military officers? Over time, the military officers’ status becomes even lesser than that of civil officials, how do you think they will feel?"

Zhao Yao continued, "At that time, military officers will be suppressed by civil officials. Over time, do you think the military officers won’t feel aggrieved? After all, they were founding heroes who risked their lives for the Great Zhou."

This wasn’t something the emperor had considered. Hearing Zhao Yao’s words, it was indeed an issue.

"Father, the imperial examinations I propose today can select talents for Great Zhou, but it also has a problem."

Hearing this, the emperor quickly asked, "What problem?"

"That is, in the future, civil officials will become increasingly valued in the court, and the court will turn into a one-sided civil official dominance."

The emperor’s eyes sharpened, and his expression instantly became severe.

"My proposal to hold a military exam and establish a military academy also aims to allow military officers to continue to be valued so that they can compete with civil officials." Zhao Yao continued while biting his chopsticks, "If the court comes under the domination of civil officials, Father, you should be able to foresee the consequences."

The emperor could naturally imagine this and it wasn’t the result he wanted.

"My proposal to establish a military academy is to cultivate outstanding soldiers for Great Zhou." Zhao Yao had just thought of the proposal to establish a military academy, but the more he spoke, the more he felt that a military academy was necessary, "Great Zhou is peaceful domestically, but the borders are not; soldiers are still needed to guard the frontiers. Besides, Father, haven’t you thought about expanding Great Zhou’s territory?"

The emperor certainly had thought about it and was planning to implement it.

The national treasury was affluent, and the emperor planned to settle scores with the Xiongnu.

"Father, establishing a military academy to select soldiers is just as important as selecting officials." Zhao Yao earnestly persuaded, "Civil officials cannot be allowed to override military officers, or Great Zhou will repeat the mistakes of past dynasties. It is essential for civil and military officials to permanently balance each other, for the court to remain stable."

The emperor asked, "How should this military academy be established?"

"Father, aren’t there infantry, cavalry, sailors, and marines among the soldiers? You can specifically cultivate according to these categories..." Zhao Yao roughly explained to the emperor how to train students by establishing a military academy.

The emperor listened very attentively, nodding occasionally in agreement with Zhao Yao’s words.

Engrossed in serious discussion, the father and son forgot to dine. After talking for a while, they decided to skip the meal and had Sun Kui remove the dinner.

The discussion between Zhao Yao and the emperor regarding the military exam and the establishment of a military academy lasted until the hour of Hai.

After Zhao Yao left the East Warm Pavilion, the emperor did not immediately go to rest. Instead, he seriously considered the matters mentioned by his younger son.

At the same time, Prime Minister He, who also hadn’t slept, was pondering Zhao Yao’s proposal regarding the imperial examination.

After returning from the palace, Prime Minister He plunged into his study to research the imperial examination, skipping dinner. The more he studied, the more alarmed he became:

"His Highness the Tenth Prince is truly remarkable!"