Damn it, I'm in the garbage book I wrote

Chapter 753 Young Master Zhang is no pushover
A group of brutes tried to act tough in front of Old Zhang, but that tactic wouldn't work. He had his own killer moves.

"I wouldn't call it giving you guidance, but you all know that I grew up with your Commander Xia since childhood, and I know him best. As I said before, they trust you. If they didn't, they wouldn't have allowed you to garrison this territory. You generals should understand this."

The generals below naturally knew that those who could stay at the main camp to guard their hometowns were definitely elites and trusted confidants. If it weren't for their high level of loyalty, even the Emperor himself wouldn't dare to leave a group of elite soldiers stationed at his home.

So they are well aware of this.

"However, he did not allow you to go out with him to fight, and there are only two reasons for this. Firstly, of course, someone needs to guard the home, and secondly, it might hurt your feelings if word got out."

"Please speak freely, Zhang Xiang."

Old Zhang raised an eyebrow, thinking to himself that these people had finally fallen for his trick. He then smiled and said, "That's because your manners are lacking."

These words enraged the generals below, who all took a step forward in unison, their imposing manner quite astonishing: "Is what Prime Minister Zhang said true?!"

"Really!" Old Zhang slammed his fist on the table. "What? Are you all going to kill me? Get out of here!"

The general's men paused but dared not advance further, while Old Zhang leaned back in his chair: "Look at you all! Where's your discipline? Where's your conviction?! Hmm? You've only been in office for a few years, and you've already reverted to your old ways? Have you forgotten what you were like back then?"

"It's none of your business to lecture us!"

Old Zhang grabbed the teacup beside him and threw it at him: "Step forward!"

The general who spoke was still somewhat arrogant, and Old Zhang frowned slightly: "I'm not here to advise you, I'm here to tell you something. The path is right in front of you. You can go, go and coerce Xia Daosheng into making you achieve merit, but whether he will yield to your coercion is his business. You've violated every major taboo in the military. Since it's not my place to say this, then leave now, and I'll see what your final fate is."

Old Zhang pointed at the general below and said, "You have even forgotten why you are fighting. I will write to him about the situation here. Yes, I can't control you, but some of you were once graduates of my Yuzhang Academy. Let me tell you, you have gone astray. Alright, since you don't want to listen, then hand over your military tokens and orders, and then take your men to force Xia Daosheng to abdicate."

The men below, who had been so arrogant just moments before, now dared not step forward. They had previously relied on their trusted confidants to think that causing a ruckus was no big deal, but now that Zhang Xiang had spoken, they had become clear-headed. Such a thing was absolutely forbidden in the military camp. If they really left the camp without permission, given Xia Lin's personality, their fate would be self-evident.

"The political commissar, step forward," Old Zhang gestured.

Some of the generals took a step forward, and Old Zhang nodded: "You few are dismissed on the spot, and the rest of you are all suspended from your duties pending investigation."

The generals were clearly taken aback, but Old Zhang frowned and said, "I understand your thoughts and ideas, but your methods won't work in the military. So, dismissal and suspension are necessary. Do you understand what I mean? Don't think I can't deal with you."

After saying that, Old Zhang clapped his hands, and then the messenger outside suddenly shouted, "Dismissed!"

The soldiers outside were initially confused, but they obediently dispersed and returned to their camp. Suddenly, these generals, who had relied on their soldiers, were left with nothing.

"You're definitely going to be in big trouble. As for how to deal with you, that's none of my business. But you're too green to cause trouble under my nose. When your commander and I were stirring up trouble in the capital, you were carrying heavy loads for twenty miles every day." After saying that, Old Zhang took out the token of the Jiangnan General Camp from his pocket: "Do you recognize this?"

As soon as he finished speaking, all the generals knelt down on one knee. Old Zhang continued, "You are not young men anymore, and your faces are all covered with beards. Next time you do something impulsive, you must think twice before you act." "Prime Minister Zhang... we just want to give our soldiers some opportunities. They haven't had a chance for many years. Who is willing to stay here and be a lazy bum for the rest of their life?"

After listening, Old Zhang laughed, crossed his arms, and pondered for a moment: "Your loyalty is not a problem, I don't doubt that. It's just that your thinking is flawed. Go back and wait, okay?"

"As Zhang Xiang commands."

The generals who were relieved of their duties left one after another. Old Zhang sat there watching their backs disappear into the distance. He had discussed this issue with Xia Lin when he was in Luoyang. This was a problem that was bound to happen, and it was an unsolvable problem. If the soldiers' morale was high, they would definitely not be content with mediocrity. If their morale was low, they would definitely lack combat effectiveness. The only way to make the soldiers both content with mediocrity and combat effective was to find something for them to do.

The entire Great Wei is currently engaged in war mobilization, yet these generals who guard the borders have not been put to use. How could they not harbor resentment? It's fortunate that they are extremely loyal; otherwise, they would have truly mutinied on the spot and given everyone a taste of their own medicine.

After thinking it over for a while, Lao Zhang immediately told Xia Lin what had happened and let Xia Lin decide how to handle it.

"Go, by urgent dispatch."

Old Zhang stood at the entrance of the barracks, looking at the soldiers patrolling ahead, his expression turning serious.

In just one day, the urgent message was delivered to Xia Lin in Ningbo Prefecture. After reading it, Xia Lin's expression was very solemn, but after thinking for a moment, he simply replied with four words: "Please do as you see fit."

After replying to the letter, he told Emperor Jingtai about it. Emperor Jingtai raised an eyebrow slightly and said, "Didn't you say they were absolutely reliable?"

"Isn't this reliable? Any other place would have already mutinied." Xia Lin stroked his chin, his eyes darting around a few times. "I'll let Old Zhang handle it himself, what do you think?"

“He…he’s definitely right. I’d like to see how he handles it.”

Xia Lin laughed: "I can probably guess."

As expected, when Lao Zhang received the reply, a smile immediately appeared on his face. He tossed the letter aside and immediately began drafting a brand-new military system.

While he was writing this, a letter to the central command arrived. After explaining the situation, he immediately received a completely new numbering system.

He was doing all of this simultaneously, with everything under his control, so his efficiency was extremely high, even surpassing the understanding of this era.

"Your decision is in."

After Lao Zhang summoned the generals and political commissars again, seeing their anxious and dejected expressions, and thinking about what he was going to do later, he couldn't help but laugh.

"You have all been dismissed from your posts for serious violations of military discipline." Old Zhang raised his head and looked around: "Anyone who disagrees? You can speak up now."

(End of this chapter)