Peach Blossoms in Chang'an

Chapter 116: The Way to Long-term Peace and Stability

Hu Bugui gently embraced Wu Tao in his arms and whispered in her ear: "Taoer, it's time for us to go back. Chang'an still needs us." Wu Tao understood that the tranquility at the border was only temporary and the real challenge was still ahead.

After returning to Chang'an, Hu Bugui was officially canonized as the crown prince and gained greater power. He and Wu Tao did not indulge in the joy of victory, but began to implement their reform plan without stopping.

The first is military reform. Hu Bugui knew that a strong army was the cornerstone of national stability. He improved the treatment of soldiers, improved their living conditions, and personally participated in training to set an example and boost morale. He also introduced advanced weapons and tactics brought by Wu Tao to modernize the army.

"It is not enough for an army to rely solely on brute force," Hu Bugui told the assembled generals at a military meeting. "We must learn new tactics and master new weapons to be invincible in future wars."

Wu Tao turned her attention to talent cultivation. She proposed to Hu Bugui the idea of establishing a military academy, aiming to cultivate more outstanding military talents and inject fresh blood into the army.

"Your Highness, we cannot just focus on the present, we must also look to the future," Wu Tao said seriously, "Establishing a military academy will allow us to have a steady stream of outstanding generals, which is the way to long-term stability."

Hu Bugui agreed with Wu Tao's idea. He allocated funds from the national treasury, selected a site on the outskirts of the city, and personally participated in the planning and construction of the academy. He hoped that this academy could become a cradle for cultivating military talents and provide pillars for the future of the Tang Dynasty.

The news shocked the government and the public. Some old officials thought it was a waste of money and labor, and wrote to oppose it. Hu Bugui withstood the pressure, rejected all objections, and insisted on promoting the construction of the college. He knew that the reform would inevitably affect the interests of some people, but he would not back down.

"Everything we do is for the future of the Tang Dynasty," Hu Bugui said firmly, "I believe that history will prove that we are right."

Thanks to the efforts of Hu Bugui and Wu Tao, the military academy finally broke ground. Looking at the bustling construction scene in front of them, they were filled with hope. They believed that this academy would train countless outstanding generals for the Tang army, and they would continue to fight side by side to strive for the realization of their ideals.

A general who has experienced many battles on the battlefield is also on his way to Chang'an. He will start a new journey in this academy...

Under the towering gate of Chang'an, a dusty general rode in. He was General Zhao, who had guarded the border for many years. Now he took off his armor, with all his glory and scars, and accepted Hu Bugui's appointment to become the first dean of the Military Academy.

General Zhao was strict in military discipline and had very strict requirements for the students. He shared his many years of experience in the battlefield with the students, and demonstrated everything from basic queue training to complex formation drills in person, meticulously. Under his leadership, the students not only improved their military skills, but also honed their will and cultivated a spirit of teamwork.

"Archers, aim at the target, three points in a straight line!" On the training ground, General Zhao's voice was loud and powerful. The trainees were sweating profusely under the scorching sun, but no one complained or was tired. There was a firm light flashing in their eyes, which was the expectation for the future and the determination to defend the country.

In addition to military training, Wu Tao also set about reforming the army's logistics support system. She knew that strong logistics support was an important support for the army's combat effectiveness. She drew on the concepts of modern logistics management and established a complete material storage and transportation system to ensure that the army could get timely supplies under any circumstances.

"When the army goes to war, food and grass come first. We must not only ensure that the soldiers are well fed and clothed, but also that they have no worries." Wu Tao said at a meeting. Although her words were gentle, they were full of power and won unanimous approval from the officials present.

In order to encourage folk inventors to provide more advanced weapons and equipment for the army, Hu Bugui and Wu Tao also formulated a series of preferential policies. They set up special institutions to collect and evaluate folk inventions and give inventors generous rewards and honors.

"There are many talented people among the people, and there are many skilled craftsmen. What we need to do is to provide them with a platform to display their talents and let them contribute to the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty." Wu Tao said to the Minister of Works who came to visit.

The news spread and immediately caused a sensation among the people. A young blacksmith named Li Ming, who had been curious about various mechanical devices since he was a child, saw hope in Wu Tao's words and also saw the possibility of realizing his long-cherished dream...

Li Ming, a young man who made a living as a blacksmith outside Chang'an, had an almost obsessive passion for various mechanical devices since he was a child. The corners of his house were filled with various strange parts, which were the results of his day-to-day attempts and improvements. When the news of "encouraging folk inventions" reached him, a blazing fire ignited in Li Ming's heart. He put down the hammer in his hand and resolutely knocked on the door of the Ministry of Industry with the results of his years of research.

The officials of the Ministry of Industry initially paid no attention to this plain-dressed young man, but when Li Ming passionately explained his invention and demonstrated it, everyone was deeply shocked. It was a cleverly designed crossbow cannon, which was different from traditional crossbows in that it could fire crossbow arrows to a longer distance, with greater power and higher accuracy.

When the news reached Wu Tao, she immediately realized the great value of this invention. She personally met with Li Ming and encouraged him to continue to improve it. With Wu Tao's support, Li Ming got sufficient funds and the assistance of the best craftsmen. He worked day and night to continuously improve the design of the crossbow. Finally, a new crossbow that could attack from a long distance and was extremely powerful was born.

The successful development of the new crossbow greatly enhanced the army's offensive power and also made Hu Bugui and Wu Tao's reform plan a big step forward. However, the road to reform was not smooth. Some conservative officials were dissatisfied with Hu Bugui and Wu Tao's approach, believing that these reform measures violated the ancestral system and were shaking the foundation of the country.

"Your Highness, Princess, we are not questioning your intentions, but military reform has always been a matter of great caution since ancient times. Now that you are carrying out drastic reforms, where do you put the rules of our ancestors? If something goes wrong, who can take the responsibility?" At a court meeting, an old minister stood up and said in a heavy tone.

His words resonated with many officials. For a time, voices of opposition rose one after another, and the atmosphere in the court became solemn. Facing these doubts, Hu Bugui and Wu Tao knew very well that the reform touched the interests of some people and would inevitably be opposed by them. However, they also understood that reform was imperative. If the Tang Dynasty wanted to remain invincible in the future chaos, it must have a strong army as a support. Chapter 116 Ambition

Hu Bugui and Wu Tao were not shaken by the voices of opposition. They knew that the road to reform would be full of thorns, but they also understood that only by breaking the old and establishing the new could the Tang Dynasty be rejuvenated.

"What you have said is something that the king and the princess have considered." Hu Bugui said in a steady tone, his eyes sweeping across the crowd firmly, "However, although the laws of our ancestors are good, they are not set in stone. Now that our Tang borders have been repeatedly invaded, our troops are insufficient, and our equipment is backward, do we still have to remain complacent and watch our country fall?"

Wu Tao went on to say: "The new crossbow developed by Li Ming has a longer range and greater power. Isn't this a strong proof of the improvement of our military's strength? The reform is to make the Tang Dynasty stronger, to let the people live and work in peace and contentment, and to let the flag of the Tang Dynasty fly forever!"

Wu Tao's words were sonorous and powerful, and all the officials present were moved. They saw the determination of Hu Bugui and Wu Tao, and also saw the hope brought by the reform.

In the days that followed, Hu Bugui and Wu Tao withstood the pressure and vigorously implemented their reform plan. They established a new military training system, introduced advanced weapons and equipment, and vigorously promoted talented young generals.

Thanks to their efforts, the Tang army took on a new look. The soldiers were well-trained and in high spirits, and the introduction of new weapons greatly improved their combat effectiveness. Reports of victory were heard from the border, and the once rampant enemy bandits were defeated one by one, and the Tang border once again returned to peace.

The results of the reform were obvious to all, and those who once questioned it gradually subsided. In the court, more and more officials began to support Hu Bugui and Wu Tao, and they saw the hope of the revival of the Tang Dynasty.

However, just when the reform plan was beginning to show results, an anonymous letter appeared on Hu Bugui's desk again. The letter contained only a few short sentences: "Be careful of the Prime Minister, he does not really support the reform, your every move is under his surveillance, remember, remember!"

Hu Bugui held the letter in his hand, frowning. He knew that the reforms would affect the interests of some people and would inevitably lead to their jealousy. But the information revealed in the letter made him feel a little uneasy. The prime minister was a powerful figure in the court, a veteran in the court. Would he really plot against him in secret?