bookcurios Chapter 256 Li Jiajun's Reform Conference
Chapter 256 Li Jiajun's Reform Conference
The following day, all the leaders of Li Jiajun, big and small, gathered in Tangyin County. The once empty and desolate county government hall was now bustling with activity. Although these leaders knew each other well, they usually could not gather together in such a unified manner due to their different responsibilities.
Yue Peng looked at Wang Changdao with a teasing expression and joked, "Old Wang, I heard you've added another beautiful young lady to your collection in that bustling city of Handan? Look at the faint scars on your face, could it be the marks left by our jealous sister-in-law?"
Upon hearing this, the atmosphere in the hall immediately became subtle. Everyone's eyes were focused on Wang Changdao. Even a man with a skin thicker than a city wall couldn't help but feel a little uncomfortable. His cheeks flushed slightly, and even his smile seemed a bit stiff.
Wang Changdao chuckled, a sly glint in his eyes, and muttered under his breath, "Didn't a wise man in ancient times say that food and sex are the instincts of men? If I, Wang Changdao, take a concubine and enjoy the bliss of having multiple wives, who will be offended? Yue Peng, you little brat, your mouth is like a leaky sieve, spilling everything out. Watch out, one day I'll teach you a lesson you won't forget."
Just as the guests were enveloped in a burst of laughter and joy, Li Zhen and Bu Liang slowly strolled out from the back hall, like two gentle breezes that had inadvertently drifted into this sea of happiness.
With a gentle smile on his lips, Li Zhen glanced curiously at everyone and asked softly, "What amusing thing has made you all laugh so heartily? Why don't we share this joy and immerse ourselves in this happiness together?"
Wang Changdao reacted quickly, grabbing Yue Peng's arm and smiling as he turned to Li Zhen, saying casually, "It's alright, it's alright, it's just a few kids playing around and making fun of me."
As everyone took their seats, the meeting room gradually quieted down. Li Zhen raised his hand at the opportune moment, waved gently, and signaled everyone to quiet down, officially beginning today's meeting.
He stood on the high platform at the very front of the hall, his voice steady and powerful, seemingly able to penetrate the hearts of everyone present: "You may all be wondering why we are gathered here today. In fact, the topic of today's meeting is straightforward and profound—reform!"
As Li Zhen's words fell softly, an eerie silence instantly descended upon the entire hall, as if even the air itself had frozen. Everyone's hearts were on edge, silently pondering the deeper meaning behind his words.
The Li family army is currently strong and well-equipped, with unstoppable momentum. Recently, they have repeatedly achieved remarkable feats, thwarting the fierce offensives of the Jin and Song armies. Each victory adds a significant chapter to their empire. The successive falls of Handan, Puyang, and Hebi have undoubtedly greatly expanded the Li family army's sphere of influence, bringing their prestige to unprecedented heights.
However, it was precisely at this moment of unparalleled glory that Li Zhen raised the issue of reform, like a stone thrown into a calm lake, stirring up ripples and making people wonder: why choose such an unknown and challenging path at the peak of victory? Everyone's heart was filled with speculation and expectation, and the atmosphere in the hall became subtle and tense, as if a storm was about to break. And the prelude to all of this was slowly drawn open by Li Zhen's simple yet resounding words.
Wang Changdao asked in a loud and unrestrained tone, "Hehehe... Chief, are you going to recruit soldiers again this time?"
Li Zhen glanced at Wang Changdao, a smile playing on his lips, and said slowly, "This time it's different. Not only will we not conscript soldiers, but we're also going to downsize and reduce the fighting strength of the Li family army."
The leaders present instantly exchanged whispers, each calculating their own options. Each commanded a territory, their small groups bound by a deep, complex web of kinship. The order to disarm them struck like a sudden gust of cold wind, sending a chill down their spines. No one was willing to part with the warriors under their command; the bond of affection and loyalty transcended simple orders and obedience.
Li Zhen's voice was calm and firm, piercing through the confusion and bewilderment of everyone present: "I understand that every brother has doubts and concerns in his heart, but for the future of the Li Family Army, for us to stand firm in this world, the reforms at hand are imperative and must be carried out swiftly and decisively."
This transformation is not merely a reduction in personnel, but a reshaping and enhancement of combat effectiveness. We aim to forge the Li family army into an invincible sword, not a disorganized rabble. Therefore, the military will implement a hierarchical system, ensuring that every unit and every soldier can shine in their most suitable position.
The battles with the Jin army served as a mirror, revealing numerous hidden flaws in the Li family army. Recently, in our hasty conscription to expand our military strength, we have resulted in uneven soldier quality, and our combat effectiveness and morale are like a flickering candle in the wind. If this trend is allowed to continue, the Li family army's glory may repeat the mistakes of the Song army, becoming a laughingstock in the eyes of others, seen as weak and easily bullied.
We do not want, nor can we allow, such a future to come. Therefore, no matter how rugged the road ahead, the wheels of reform must roll forward, crushing all obstacles, solely to safeguard our shared beliefs and glory.
His words resonated deeply, and the leaders below, regardless of rank, fell silent instantly, for they knew that Li Zhen's words were true. During the days of fierce fighting against the Jin army, many officers had indeed come to report that the battlefield was cruel and merciless, and many new recruits, upon first experiencing the flames of war, could not bear the torment and fled without even engaging in combat.
Despite the strict orders in the army that deserters should be killed on the spot, this series of events still dealt a heavy blow to the morale of Li's army, severely damaging its strength.
Li Zhen said softly, "Yesterday, Mr. Bu Liang and I carefully planned and drafted a set of rules, which I brought today to discuss this important matter with you all. I hope you can all express your opinions and work together to make this a great success."
After speaking, Mr. Bad slowly took out a piece of paper from his sleeve. It was covered with densely packed reform items that the two of them had discussed in depth the day before, and the words revealed signs of deep thought.
The primary task was to reshape the rank and subordinate structure of Li's army, aiming to reduce its over-reliance on Li Zhen personally. Under such changes, the actions of Li's army would no longer depend on Li Zhen's instructions in everything, which was especially important on the battlefield amidst the fierce fighting and the ever-changing situation.
In the past, the commander, who was respectfully called Principal Chiang, preferred to remotely control his army in this way. He even went so far as to sit in his office far from the smoke of battle and try to precisely command the actions of the machine gunners on the front line with just a telephone.
This approach was tantamount to turning actual combat into an empty sand table exercise. Chiang Kai-shek's directives effectively turned generals at all levels into bystanders, merely giving orders without taking action, thus hollowing out their power and responsibility for battlefield decision-making. This reform aims to avoid repeating past mistakes, ensuring that every member of Li's army can respond swiftly and make independent decisions at critical moments, allowing every fluctuation in the battle situation to be flexibly and accurately captured and addressed.