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

Chapter 261 Start with the eldest son!

Bianjing, the Imperial Study.

Documents and books, displayed in thousands of volumes.

Emperor Zhao Ceying paced back and forth, occasionally glancing at the famous Lantern Festival painting "Qing Yu An: Yuan Xi" or looking at a map of the border region, seemingly deep in thought.

Grand Master Jiang Zhao held a cup of honey water, taking sips from time to time, looking calm and composed.

Gu Tingye and Wang Shao entered the palace one after the other, both focused on reading documents and sitting respectfully with their hands clasped.

About the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.

After reading the document, Gu Tingye and Wang Shao exchanged a glance, both showing understanding.

Your Majesty, every word and action reflects the divine authority and grace!
Your Excellency, every word and action you take is a matter of governance and national policy!
Now that the Emperor and the Grand Chancellor have reached an agreement, the implications of which are quite clear.

Military reform is currently a national policy of a unique level!
"call!"

Gu Tingye took a deep breath, stood up decisively, bowed solemnly, and stated: "If we want to achieve our goals, military reform is indispensable."

"In my opinion, military reform is imperative!"

"Military reform is a crucial national defense policy." Wang Shao stood up and bowed, expressing his stance without hesitation: "In the past, the old system had many constraints, resulting in poor soldier training and inaccurate food and fodder distribution. In the long run, it may have been difficult to defend against foreign aggression."

If we implement reforms now, clarifying responsibilities, providing generous pay, and refining tactics, our soldiers will surely be unstoppable.

"I humbly beseech Your Majesty to grant me your assistance, and I will serve you with utmost loyalty!"

Gu Tingye and Wang Shao were two different figures. Gu Tingye was a representative of the founding military families and had considerable influence among military nobles. Wang Shao was a representative of the emerging military generals and had considerable influence among "unofficial" and "non-military noble" military generals.

"it is good!"

"Military reform is a matter of great importance, and it requires the concerted efforts of both the emperor and his ministers. In the future, when the reform is successfully completed, I will certainly reward you handsomely."

Zhao Ceying nodded repeatedly, quite satisfied with their decisive attitude.

Of course, Zhao Ceying had actually anticipated the two men's statements, so he wasn't too surprised.

Firstly, both Gu Tingye and Wang Shao were knowledgeable in military and political affairs.

Given their experience and background, it's impossible that they were unaware of the malpractices within the military. Given the rare opportunity for military reform, they would naturally support it.

Secondly, Gu Tingye and Wang Shao do not consume soldiers' blood.

The three decrees for military reform are the division of powers and responsibilities, the clarification of soldiers' roles, and the reform of military pay.

Among them, the clarification of soldiers and the reform of military pay are both related to the blood of soldiers.

Clarifying and counting the number of soldiers can prevent people from falsely reporting their military status and unjustly exploiting soldiers.

Of course, this is also in preparation for "military downsizing." Once the military reform is implemented, the old, weak, sick, and disabled will inevitably retire from the military.

Military pay reform, which abolishes the power of generals to distribute military pay, can prevent people from arbitrarily deducting military pay and depriving "real people" of the benefits provided by the imperial court.

Both of these major reforms involved the bloodshed of soldiers.

The implementation of troop numbers and the fact that generals had no authority to distribute military pay meant that military aristocrats could no longer profit from the soldiers' salaries, thus damaging their core interests.

However, this will not affect Gu Tingye and Wang Shao.

Neither of them were people who relied on soldiers' blood.

With the emperor's favor at its peak, the two were not short of money from exploiting soldiers.

As representatives of the new generation of military generals, the two are about to enter the Privy Council and take power, with bright futures ahead of them. They will not easily give others any leverage over them.

Thirdly, Gu Tingye and Wang Shao are closely associated with Jiang Zhao.

Jiang Zhao advocated military reform, and the two had no choice but to support him.

"Do you have any doubts about these decrees?" Jiang Zhaoping asked calmly.

Support is an attitude, but it doesn't mean that the two of them have no doubts.

Of course, this is also to allow the two to convey a more comprehensive message to the outside world.

There were two main purposes in specifically summoning Gu Tingye and Wang Shao to the palace:
First, have the two individuals express their support and act as the main force in taking the lead in military reform.

Once the military reforms are successful, even if it's by force, the government will still appoint the two to the Privy Council to take power.

Second, have the two of them spread "rumors" to the outside world.

Military reform differs from bureaucratic reform and economic reform.

The difference between the two is that those who suffer losses from military reform still have troops at their disposal!
Those who are primarily harmed by reforms in governance and the economy can only feel powerless rage even if they are dissatisfied.

Without armed forces, they can only exert pressure through public opinion by relying on their words.

However, public opinion pressure is practically meaningless if the authorities don't care.

Therefore, it is never too late to judge supporters and opponents through reform policies.

Military reform is different.

Even if the "rotation system" is implemented, which leads to soldiers not knowing their generals and generals not knowing their soldiers, one fact remains unavoidable—military generals do indeed have troops under their command!

Even if the possibility of rebellion is very low, military generals do have troops under their command.

In particular, many members of the Imperial Guards were sons of noble families.

The presence of troops dictates that military reform must be more detailed and cautious. Before the reform even begins, it is necessary to distinguish between supporters and opponents to a certain extent, and to allow supporters to hold military power in order to prevent unrest.

Therefore, it is necessary to release some "rumors" in advance.

Rumors can give military and noble families some time to prepare and thus distinguish between two groups of people.

Those who actively pursue military reform, and those who passively pursue military reform.

doubt?

Gu Tingye and Wang Shao exchanged a glance and both fell into deep thought.

After a moment of contemplation, Gu Tingye raised his hand in a salute and slowly said, "Your Majesty, Grand Master, eight or nine out of ten noble families have lived off military pay."

"Now that the military is undergoing reforms, the practice of drawing military pay in the past can probably not be investigated too deeply."

"It's natural."

Jiang Zhao nodded and waved his hand, saying, "Regarding the matter of embezzling military funds, we can let bygones be bygones."

Forgive and forget; this has always been Jiang Zhao's style.

Investigating the past is too extensive and does nothing to bring any benefit other than causing widespread panic.

Of course, the so-called "forgive and forget" only applies to the matter of embezzling military funds, just as the forgiveness of civil officials is limited to corruption.

If someone has committed a serious crime, they should be executed!

“If military commanders train troops but have no authority to reward or punish, it will be difficult for them to establish their authority,” Wang Shao said hesitantly.

When it comes to training troops, it's inevitable that a group of troublemakers will be selected to establish authority.

It would be a bad thing if even rewards and punishments couldn't be carried out freely.

"Rewards, punishments, promotions, and demotions can all be submitted to the higher authorities in writing," Jiang Zhao said calmly.

Apart from the fact that military pay must be centralized under the Ministry of War, the other powers of reward and punishment, as well as promotion and demotion, are subject to considerable discretion.

Especially the power of promotion and demotion—can't it be used to appoint or dismiss, or even to recommend?

Wang Shao understood and nodded, then asked, "I wonder what method is used to investigate the soldiers?"

“The Imperial Censor was appointed as the Imperial Commissioner to enter the military camp to verify the number of soldiers and collect relevant information about them.”

"if……"

Afterwards, the two raised a number of questions.

About the time it takes to burn an incense stick.

"I'm waiting to retire."

Gu Tingye and Wang Shao bowed in unison and strode out.

Only Zhao Ceying and Jiang Zhao remained in the study.

Jiang Zhao picked up the document and pondered, "Military reform involves soldiers, which is no small matter. In order to prevent some petty people from resorting to desperate measures, I believe that a trustworthy border army should be transferred from the frontier."

"In this way, even if there is a rebellion, it can be suppressed immediately."

As he spoke, Jiang Zhao looked at Zhao Ceying.

To everyone's surprise, Zhao Ceying was actually in a daze!

Staring blankly at the frontier map, Zhao Ceying was completely absorbed in it.

"The Emperor?"

Jiang Zhao raised an eyebrow and gently reminded him.

A call brought Zhao Ceying back to her senses.

"Jiang Qing, the military reforms are over. I am going to launch a northern expedition against the Liao Kingdom to subdue the barbarians!" Zhao Ceying said solemnly.

Jiang Zhao raised an eyebrow, unsurprised.

From the moment he started working on the four prefectures of Yan and Yun, Zhao Ceying would glance at the geomantic map every now and then.

A heart that occasionally escapes the capital, running to the frontier, to the Yan and Yun regions!

It can't be held back anymore!

Under Zhao Ceying's expectant gaze, Jiang Zhao hesitated for a moment, then nodded and said:

"it is good."

Military reform!

Military pay reform!

This news spread throughout the military and noble families in just five or six incense sticks' time.

The main hall of the Ningyuan Marquis's residence.

At the head of the table, Gu Tingye raised his teacup and took two small sips.

Below him, to the left and right, were seats with about ten chairs. But clearly, there were too many visitors and not enough seats.

Even standing is a bit difficult.

This is not surprising.

After all, receiving military pay was extremely important for military families and noble families, and it was the main source of income for the vast majority of them.

Military families are closely intertwined, with frequent intermarriages among them. They are all blood relatives, so even if a noble son falls on hard times, it is not difficult for him to obtain a minor official position of the eighth or ninth rank.

Starting from the eighth or ninth rank, after several decades of hard work, one can eventually reach around the sixth rank.

A sixth-rank military officer, if it's a substantive position, would have at least two thousand soldiers under his command.

With over two thousand people, it means that they could receive salaries for about five or six hundred people who were not actually employed, as well as the salaries of some "real" people that were deducted from their pay.

With five or six hundred soldiers, it's not difficult to easily amass several thousand or even tens of thousands of coins in a year.

Thousands or tens of thousands of strings of cash!

This is no small amount.

Many impoverished military and noble families only spent a few thousand to tens of thousands of strings of cash a year on living expenses.

In other words, the soldier's bloodline is the foundation of his life for the whole year!
Military reforms: the Grand Chancellor casually announced the abolition of exploiting soldiers with a single sentence. How could anyone not be anxious?
The Duke of Yingguo's Mansion, the Duke of Ganguo's Mansion, the Duke of Lingguo's Mansion, the Marquis of Yongyi's Mansion, the Marquis of Xiangyang's Mansion, the Earl of Yongchang's Mansion, the Earl of Dongchang's Mansion, and the Earl of Zhongqin's Mansion.
With a quick glance, Gu Tingye secretly raised an eyebrow.

Among them were military families with real power and those with nominal positions.

Almost all the military families qualified for hereditary succession, numbering around a hundred households, came to attend.

With hundreds of people gathered together, it was inevitably a bit noisy.

at this time
"Erlang, I heard that the higher-ups are going to reform the military, is that true?"

A shout drew the attention of many people.

Gan Ning, the eldest son of the Duke of Gan!
One of Gu Tingye's cronies.

Back then, Gu Tingye had not yet met Jiang Da Xiang Gong, and his life trajectory had not yet changed. He had a period of dissolute and extravagant life.

Gan Ning was one of Gu Tingye's dozens of cronies.

One thing that cannot be denied is that social circles exist in different tiers.

Even among the sons of military and noble families, there are differences in quality.

The outstanding sons of noble families mingled in small circles, while the spoiled sons of noble families mingled in small circles as well.

Before he gained power, Gu Tingye was notorious and naturally associated with the circle of playboys.

A group of people who do nothing productive; they either drink, frequent prostitutes, or harass respectable women.

These are truly fair-weather friends!
Of course, times have changed. Gu Tingye, with the help of a benefactor, has become a renowned and powerful figure, as for Gan Ning.
His father, the Duke of Gan, held military power for more than ten years and was known for his arrogance, but he was also quite prestigious.

With his father's protection, Gan Ning was a well-known playboy.

Gu Tingye slightly raised his eyelids.

He's already cleaned up his act and left the scene long ago!
"The higher-ups want to implement military reforms, requiring military officers to train troops for extended periods and abolishing the rotation system. However, the power to reward and punish, promote and demote, and distribute military pay for military officers will also be centralized."

Gu Tingye said calmly.

With just one sentence, a hundred or so people were all shocked.

"How can this right to distribute military salaries be revoked?"

"The officials are muddle-headed!"

In my opinion, Jiang Zichuan is truly a treacherous and despicable man!

"If you don't pay the soldiers, are you going to starve?"

"I can't live like this anymore!"

For a time, there was constant noise.

After about a hundred breaths, the noise gradually subsided.

"This..." Yuan Wenchun, the eldest son of the Earl of Zhongqin, stepped forward and asked doubtfully, "Lord Gu, if we accidentally miscalculated the number of soldiers in the past, would the higher-ups investigate?"

careless?
Gu Tingye did not delve into the matter and replied calmly, "Your Majesty is merciful; past acts of embezzlement of military funds can be forgiven."

"Is it merely a matter of letting bygones be bygones for the embezzlement?" Gan Ning, the eldest son of the Duke of Gan, asked hastily.

Ok?
Gu Tingye looked over with some surprise.

Besides embezzling military funds, Gan Ning also committed a serious crime that could lead to his punishment.
"For embezzling military funds, this matter can be overlooked."

"Is that so?" Gan Ning nodded, his eyes darting away.

Gu Tingye glanced at it and added, "In addition, the Emperor plans to allow military and noble families to mine the Shijian Silver Mountain, with a 70/30 split."

"Iwami Ginzan?"

The hundred or so people looked at each other and began to whisper among themselves.

It's no secret that Iwami Ginzan is rich in silver mines.

After all, it was because of this achievement that Gu Tingye once surpassed the other two commanders and ranked first under the deputy privy councilor.

only……

“Silver mining is certainly lucrative, but if it can cover the losses from military pay, why would the court need to reform the military?”

The man appeared to be around twenty-eight or twenty-nine years old; he was Luo Yi, the second son of the Duke of Ling.

He is the "strategist" and also the idea king among the spoiled brats.

"In my opinion, this is nothing more than giving a slap and then a treat."

"Given the imperial court's wealth, is a mere amount of military pay really absolutely necessary?"

His analysis was logical and well-reasoned, which garnered the approval of many.

Gu Tingye looked over and shook his head inwardly.

Clever trick!
"Military reform is an inevitable trend..."

……

The imperial court is about to implement military reforms!
For civil officials, the impact of this news was almost imperceptible.

But for military generals, this little bit of news was like a thunderbolt from a clear sky, causing a huge uproar!
……

Fanlou, private room.

There were about ten people gathered together.

Among them were Gan Ning, the eldest son of the Duke of Gan, and Luo Yi, the second son of the Duke of Ling.

The remaining few were all a group of people who had grown up together since childhood, and they were all well-known playboys.

"Past offenses will not be punished, but only if military funds are embezzled."

Gan Ning frowned deeply: "According to Marquis Ningyuan, the court is conducting an investigation by appointing censors as imperial envoys."

“Civil officials are not afraid of military generals. Given the nature of the censors, they have already investigated the number of soldiers, so they certainly won’t mind investigating grievances to make a political achievement.”

Gan Ning pointed at the group:

"Old Liu has taken more than 30 innocent women as his concubines, and then killed them after sleeping with them."

"Old Zhao, in full view of everyone, brutally murdered more than ten soldiers, almost causing a mutiny."

"Old Luo, you must have sold quite a few weapons and armories to the Western Xia and Liao Kingdoms, right?"

"Old Qin, you raped the wives of two adjutants, and in front of them..."

……

Gan Ning called out names one by one, and nearly ten people looked extremely grim.

As notorious playboys with powerful backers, they all held some official positions and had done their fair share of bad deeds.

For civil officials, military generals were considered mere mortals, with no real status whatsoever.

But for soldiers and ordinary people, the纨绔子弟 (sons of wealthy and powerful families) were undoubtedly comparable to emperors.

These charges are at least capital offenses, and they are not the same as political mistakes.

If it's a political mistake, and you voluntarily beg for forgiveness, you might be able to retire peacefully.

This is just like how the Grand Chancellor forgave Chen Xiang, the Salt and Iron Commissioner; it was a matter of a single sentence.

However, for crimes that are not politically motivated, the same sentence applies even if the defendant pleads guilty.

In particular, Gan Ning and Luo Yi were both experts in arms dealing.

The two men, relying on the fact that Gan Ning's father, the Duke of Gan, was a frontier general, had never made a mistake.

If this is discovered, it will at least result in the confiscation of their property and the extermination of their entire family.

"What can we do?" Qin Yan, the second son of the Marquis of Dongchang, asked with concern.

The remaining few people also looked quite grim.

What else can we do?

What can we do?
But we can't just wait to die, can we?
Just then, Luo Yi, the idea king, slowly said, "The opposition to military reform is not just a little bit strong."

"If the military reform is forced to be canceled, we will naturally be safe and sound."

"Cancel?" Qin Yan was taken aback, then said with a sigh, "It's useless. Even a run on the bank by tea merchants had no effect whatsoever."

"That's because the tea merchant chose the wrong target!"

Luo Yi, looking as if he knew exactly what was going on, said, "The tea merchants are dealing with banks, which means the imperial court."

“But government decrees actually originate from a single individual. Even if there is to be a target, it should be the one who issues and implements the decree.”

"Either start with the imperial envoy, or start with the Grand Chancellor!"

……

(End of this chapter)