Do You Know?: I, the Little Cabinet Elder, Regent of the World.

Chapter 104: Let me examine the Holy Grandson?
"Xihe Road is a newly expanded territory. What kind of support do you need?" Zhao Zhen asked.

This expansion of territory was unprecedented in the century-long reign of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

As the emperor, he was the biggest beneficiary.

This deserves to be recorded in great detail in history books.

To put it bluntly, based on his achievements in expanding the territory, he could even be compared with Emperor Taizong in terms of accomplishments.

Today, matters concerning territorial governance and territorial stability are being addressed.

He would support anything that wasn't particularly excessive.

It's particularly excessive, but it's not that it can't be supported.

In short, we will spare no effort for the sake of achievement!

Jiang Zhao was startled.

It is extremely rare for the emperor to directly ask his ministers for "support."

“A separate quota will be granted to Enke.”

Without hesitation, Jiang Zhao stated his request.

“There are almost no Han Chinese in Xihe Road. In order to stabilize the territory, in addition to Sinicizing the Tibetans, we also need to have some Han Chinese move there.”

"Among them, the most important thing is to get scholars to come. If we don't give them a certain number of places in the imperial examinations, we will definitely not be able to retain them."

In this era, scholars are all elites.

The only way to gather people together and prevent population loss is through the allure of "reading."

Population is an indispensable part of maintaining a stable border region.

Currently, the majority of people living in Xihe Road are Tibetans and Western Xia people.

If you want people to move from Shaanxi Road and Hedong Road to Xihe Road, you have to promote the idea of ​​"superior educational resources".

The frontier is harsh and cold, but that also means less competitive pressure.

Having a fixed number of scientific expedition slots is a huge advantage.

Some less capable candidates, hoping for even a sliver of hope of passing the imperial examination, would naturally move to Xihe Road with their families.

These scholars who passed the imperial examinations were themselves a rare resource.

Gradually, Xihe Road will be able to develop.

"Approximately how much?" Zhao Zhen pondered for a moment before asking.

The number of places for Enke is quite unexpected.

However, it's actually acceptable.

Compared to the imperial examinations held in spring, granting a separate quota for Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest level of the imperial examinations) did not affect the competition among candidates from other regions.

Of course, if any candidate is dissatisfied, they may be relocated to the frontier.

"Twenty," Jiang Zhao gave a fair figure.

In one spring imperial examination, three to four hundred scholars were selected, representing thirteen different routes.

The average number of people recruited along the way was around thirty.

Twenty, this number is below the average.

“Alright.” Zhao Zhen nodded.

Certain policy support is absolutely necessary.

"I propose to reduce redundant troops and streamline the military system."

Jiang Zhao explained, "With the expansion of the frontier, there was a shortage of people farming. Some old, weak, sick, and disabled soldiers were appropriately rewarded with land and their military status was reduced."

“That’s acceptable,” Zhao Zhen nodded.

Excess soldiers have always been a major problem in the military.

Military spending has been substantial over the years.

However, there must be a reason for disarmament.

Soldiers should be laid off, and some compensation should be given, and production arrangements should be made appropriately.

Otherwise, if too many soldiers are dismissed and gathered together, and a brilliant idea emerges, it could lead to a rebellion.

Xihe Road is sparsely populated, and granting land as a reward would be a perfect solution to this problem.

This is a good thing!

"I need to appropriately transfer some of the newly appointed scholars to maintain the operation of the border political situation."

Xihe Prefecture has seven states, each with at least five or six counties, totaling thirty or forty counties.

If you include the accompanying minor officials and clerks, the number would be at least over a thousand.

Such a number of officials could only be filled by those who had passed the imperial examinations or were selected for the provincial examinations.

"Alright." Zhao Zhen nodded.

With newly expanded territory, everything must be rebuilt, and the necessary support must be provided.

"That's all for now," Jiang Zhao said respectfully.

In fact, besides these, there are some implicit forms of support.

Such as personnel adjustments and changes in government offices.

However, this is all supported by default and doesn't need to be explicitly stated.

"You have not failed me, and I will not fail you either." Zhao Zhen nodded slowly and patted the spirited young man.

"Your Majesty, I am terrified." Jiang Zhao was startled and quickly bowed.

Just then, the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial announced, "Your Majesty, several princes request an audience."

son?

Jiang Zhao raised his eyebrows.

The title "Young Master" is undoubtedly quite common in the outside world. However, those whom even the palace officials address as "Young Master" are probably only a few sons of the imperial family.

In other words, what a wonderful grandson!

Zhao Zhen waved his hand, signaling Jiang Zhao to stand up.

He is old!

In recent years, he has been able to clearly perceive that his energy is getting worse and worse.

If nothing unexpected happens, Jiang Zhao will be the last capable minister he selects.

Generally speaking, everyone treats the first and last time with a little special consideration.

"Let them all come in!"

In less than ten breaths, five young people walked in.

Zhao Shiyi, son of the King of Yan.

Zhao Shiqian, son of the Prince of Yong.

Zhao Zhong was the son of Zhao Zong'e.

Zhao Congshi's son, Zhao Shicheng.

Zhao Zongquan's son, Zhao Ceying.

They are all definitely the grandchildren of saints.

The group entered, behaving reservedly, but clearly not strangers.

Clearly, they had all frequented the Imperial Study.

The eunuch presented the memorial at the opportune moment, and had several people pass it around to observe the situation.

"This is Jiang Zhao, the Pacification Commissioner whom I have mentioned many times," Zhao Zhen said, waving his hand and introducing Jiang Zhao.

The group of people felt a chill and quickly bowed.

Expanding territories—he was truly a renowned minister whose legacy will be remembered for generations.

In fact, all of them had met Jiang Zhao.

At that time, when members of the imperial family came to the capital, Jiang Zhao was in charge of receiving them.

Polite, warm, and courteous.

As the proposers of the secret succession law, the group clearly knew of Jiang Zhao.

However, since it was in the Imperial Study, they dared not make any announcements without permission.

The group bowed, and Jiang Zhao quickly returned the bow with his hands clasped.

These people could all be future emperors!

"The matter of the frontier concerns the very foundation of the nation. You are all eldest sons, and you may all inherit the throne in the future." After exchanging glances, Zhao Zhen said in a deep voice, "Do you have the courage to go to the frontier and live there for a period of time?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Zhao was suddenly surprised.

With just this one sentence, he understood what Zhao Zhen meant by "You have not failed me, and I will not fail you."

For Emperor Zhao Zhen, Jiang Zhao's expansion of territory was already a testament to his loyalty to the emperor.

Now, naturally, "the emperor will not fail his subjects."

Zhao Zhen said that several of his sons might inherit the throne. For these sons, it would be a matter of their fathers ascending the throne, with the eldest son being made crown prince, thus inheriting the throne.

Little did he know that once the "good grandson" theory came out, Zhao Zhen simply stopped thinking about establishing a crown prince.

The Crown Prince is the new emperor!

Once all the heirs have gone to the frontier, as long as he manages the relationships well...

Whoever ascended the throne was familiar with him.

Jiang Zhaowei lowered her head.

This can be considered a version of his proposed secret succession law and the "good grandson" theory.

Several people nodded in unison.

Regardless of what they thought, the emperor had already spoken, and there was no room for compromise.

"Jiang Qing."

Zhao Zhen looked intently at the young man he had just selected: "Give these members of the imperial clan any official position of the seventh or eighth rank to give them some experience."

Zhao Zhen turned to look at his "good grandsons" and said, "Once you enter the border region, write a letter to the capital once a month, telling us what you have done and what you have learned."

“Jiang Qing writes one copy per quarter and submits it privately,” Zhao Zhen added.

"Your Majesty, I am filled with trepidation." Jiang Zhao quickly bowed.

This posture clearly indicated that he was to be inspected by several members of the imperial clan.

How... how else can this be investigated?

Of course, in just a moment, Jiang Zhao had some ideas in his mind.

First of all, you should definitely praise them, but you should praise them from different aspects depending on their personalities.

However, praising someone is also a skill.

On the one hand, you should praise people.

On the one hand, it is also necessary to understand the emperor's intentions so that the emperor can choose a satisfactory successor based on the words of praise.

The members of the imperial clan looked at each other in bewilderment.

However, everyone has a gut feeling.

This matter is probably related to the older generation's decision on choosing an heir.

Otherwise, there's absolutely no need to go to such lengths.

You must behave well.

(End of this chapter)