Chapter 629: Perfection

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…

From the first month of the fifteenth year of Chongzhen, strange rumors about Wang Dou appeared again in various places around the capital region, and slowly spread to the rest of the Great Ming.

However, unlike the last storm, the content of these rumors could be said to speak entirely well of Wang Dou, only the praise was too excessive, even to the point of extreme flattery.

The rumors lifted Wang Dou to the heavens and trampled the rest of the Great Ming into the mud.

In the content, it seemed that besides Wang Dou, all other military men were good-for-nothings. The only righteous army of the Great Ming was the Jingbian Army. The only one who could win battles was Marquis Yongning, Wang Dou. Looking across the dynasty's several hundred years, in terms of battle ability, it seemed only the Exalted Emperor, the Great Founder, could compare.

In the content, it seemed that besides Wang Dou, other civil officials were likewise good-for-nothings, and the worst among good-for-nothings. Not to mention anything else, which local magistrate could achieve the Eastern Route's paradise? As civil officials, not to mention fighting wars, you cannot even match a military man in governance — are you not ashamed?

Such a hero, desired by the people's hearts, complete in both civil and martial talent, filled with the aura of an emperor — as long as he was willing, taking the realm would be as easy as turning over his hand.

Of course, Marquis Yongning was surely loyal to the Great Ming. Did you not see him seizing treacherous merchants, vigorously raiding homes and collecting grain, all to strengthen the dynasty's power?

The rumors spread everywhere, faintly mixed with all kinds of delightful and widely relished flashy snippets…

Such as: when Wang Dou was born, someone saw purple qi swirling around his residence, immortal music and dragon chants faintly appearing in the sky. When his son Wang Zheng was born, likewise myriad rays of rosy light, strange fragrance filling the city. Even more, people wildly spread that a strange beast suddenly appeared in the Sanggan River, speaking human words, stepping into the void and departing, auspicious clouds blossoming under its feet, suspected to be a qilin…

The rumors full of praise for Wang Dou faintly brimmed with extremely malicious intent. In ancient dynasties, what did rulers fear most? It was subjects currying favor and buying hearts, becoming the focus of all hopes.

The Great Ming ruler and ministers had long harbored suspicion and rifts toward Wang Dou. Especially after Wang Dou seized the treacherous merchants, many Great Ming officials and generals grew even more vigilant toward Wang Dou to the extreme.

Such an example by Wang Dou must not be allowed to start. If everyone imitated it, what would the multitude do?

Especially if the Emperor's heart was moved, what then? Should they let him fall into the water like the Zhengde Emperor?

The greater Wang Dou's power grew, the more fear grew in everyone's hearts. Though the officials smiled and greeted him on the surface, inwardly they had grown increasingly distant. Once these rumors emerged, they directly struck deep into many people's hearts, and the same was true for the Chongzhen Emperor.

Sometimes, he also asked himself: I have ruled for over a decade, enjoying the taxes of ten thousand li, yet within the realm refugees never cease, the common people wander destitute. Can a sovereign of ten thousand chariots truly not compare to a local warlord?

Why is it that within Wang Dou's domain everyone has clothes to wear and food to eat, yet I cannot achieve this? As an emperor, can I truly not compare to a subject?

As the rumors floated about, the capital region seemed shrouded in a strange atmosphere. The officials exchanged glances, their expressions also strange. Of course, with the recent lesson learned, they all refrained from commenting, and even less participated. Only some ignorant fools relished the gossip with keen pleasure.

New rumors targeting Wang Dou emerged again. The Great Ming ruler and ministers dared not be negligent. The Chongzhen Emperor immediately ordered the Embroidered Uniform Guard to investigate strictly.

Yet this time, the rumors seemed to have no identifiable instigator, or the instigator had withdrawn immediately, merely exploiting humanity's deep-rooted vice of enjoying spreading hearsay.

As the saying goes, good deeds never leave the door, bad news travels a thousand li. Everyone loves gossip. On this point, many men are no different from village gossips. One common trait: stupid!

So after investigating back and forth, the Embroidered Uniform Guard could uncover nothing substantial. They arrested some gossiping women and gossiping men, yet still could not stop the spread of these rumors.

Regarding the content of the rumors, the Great Ming ruler and ministers made no comment. The court was also silent. Only after a long while did some censors finally come forward to impeach Wang Dou, charging him with currying favor and buying hearts, harboring great schemes, tearfully pleading in blood to behead the traitor Wang to rectify the court's discipline.

Their impeachment stirred no reaction. The Chongzhen Emperor silently had them beaten to death by the rod. The colleagues and families of these censors also silently collected the corpses.

At some unknown moment, like a gentle breeze passing, the rumors vanished like smoke and scattered clouds.

Only afterward, the court's cold wariness and suspicion toward Wang Dou could be sensed by many observant people…

…

The content of the rumors naturally reached Wang Dou's ears quickly. He said nothing.

Only Gao Shiyin raged furiously: "Again, again! These villains, truly their traitorous hearts never die."

Wen Fangliang sighed: "The wise cease at wisdom. Pity that in this world, the fools are always the majority."

…

The eighth day of the first month, fifteenth year of Chongzhen.

Unlike before, when every New Year Wang Dou would be busy visiting various superiors to pay respects, his status was now different. Aside from writing a few congratulatory memorials to the court, he simply sat at home, waiting for others to come pay him New Year respects.

However, since returning to the Eastern Route, even during rest days, Wang Dou had taken time to plan the affairs of the Shogunate. Now filling the role of a Regional Commander of a garrison, the previous structure for just one route naturally had to be adjusted accordingly, once again confirming institutions and chief officers, expanding or adding.

Regarding this matter, everyone in the Eastern Route, high and low, was likewise extremely enthusiastic. Many even hoped Marquis Yongning would expand the army.

Of course, Wang Dou was famously a hands-off boss, often only proposing a line of thought, then letting the various Shogunate officers perfect it themselves, beautifully calling it delegating power to subordinates, not using those he doubted, not doubting those he used.

In truth, he also had self-awareness. In farming, he could not match Zhang Gui. In commercial ability, he could not match Tian Chang. So the position most suited to him was only one: leader.

Of course, letting subordinates do all the work, Wang Dou was also fully justified. If he had to do everything himself, what use were subordinates? What kind of leader would that be?

An unintentional planting of willows grew into shade. The officials and generals unanimously praised the Grand General for fully trusting his subordinates and fully delegating power to them.

The eighth day, Marquis Yongning's residence.

Within the spacious great hall, civil officials and military officers gathered in full attendance. All the Shogunate's officers and generals were assembled here.

This was a fiery, passion-filled group. The hope of the Great Ming rested upon them.

Footsteps sounded. Wang Dou, in a python robe, accompanied by Zhong Diaoyang and some guards, strode in with the gait of a dragon and the step of a tiger.

"Paying respects to the Grand General!"

Everyone roared.

"Rise."

Wang Dou went to his seat and sat down, smiling: "The New Year has passed. All you brothers have rested enough. It is time to rouse your spirits and begin work."

Everyone laughed heartily.

They divided into military officers and civil officers, seated on two sides, clearly distinct.

Of course, at this time, the Shogunate's Personnel Hall's Chief Clerk Feng Dachang was already gone, replaced by the newly appointed Chief Clerk Zhong Zhengxian.

Just before the New Year, the Pacification Office had already issued the sentences for Feng Dachang and the others. Most were capital crimes, and Feng Dachang was among them.

Wang Dou exercised his power of pardon, sparing Feng Dachang, Tao Shi, Zhong Rong's daughter and son-in-law, Hong Qiu, Ji Zhongkun, and others from death. However, they were exiled beyond the frontier, needing to painstakingly accumulate merit points to atone for their crimes. Shortly after the New Year, they had already set out.

Wang Dou's maternal uncle Zhong Zhengxian, though having many flaws, stood firm on major principles and was quite capable. In recommending the worthy, one does not avoid kin, so Wang Dou naturally promoted and employed him.

In the Great Ming at this time, clan members serving as officials and generals was considered quite normal. Of course, they all had to be assessed and promoted according to the system. On this point, Wang Dou would not show favoritism.

At this moment, Zhong Zhengxian sat in his seat, stroking his glossy black beard, with an air of high spirits. These years, he had been living younger and younger.

Wang Dou sat firmly, looked at everyone's expectant expressions, smiled slightly, and said: "Chief Clerk Zhong."

Zhong Zhengxian hurriedly stood up and said: "Yes, Grand General."

He stood respectfully straight. In Shogunate deliberations, and in the military, there was only superior and inferior, no uncle and nephew.

A guard came over, took the stack of documents from his hands, and handed them to Wang Dou.

Looking at the documents in his hands, Wang Dou surveyed the assembly: "In the twelfth year of Chongzhen, our Eastern Route established the Mufu, set regulations, delineated duties and responsibilities, and established rules and standards. After the Mufu was established, through the efforts of all of you and the concerted cooperation of every colleague, the achievements of our Eastern Route are evident for all to see!"

He continued: "Of course, all things are constantly evolving and must advance with the times. Now that this Marquis has been appointed Regional Commander of Xuanzhen, I will soon proceed to the garrison city. Our territory and authority will both expand greatly, so all of you must rise upward together with me."

The assembly burst into laughter once more, and the atmosphere in the hall grew even more fervent.

As for the novel terms that frequently emerged from the Grand General's mouth, everyone had long since grown accustomed to them.

After a brief pause, Wang Dou flipped through the documents in his hands: "The Mufu originally established eight departments: the Staff Department, the Training Department, the Intelligence Department, the Pacification Department, the Logistics Department, the Finance Department, the Civil Affairs Department, and the Education Department. As matters now stand, the existing departments can no longer meet the needs of our Xuanzhen command and must be expanded."

He said: "After deliberation, on the foundation of the original eight departments, we shall further establish the Naturalization Department, the Personnel Department, the Constabulary Department, the Censorate Department, the Judiciary Department, the Medical and Health Department... and various other departments. The original departments will also undergo slight adjustments..."

In Wang Dou's plan, the Mufu was broadly divided into military and civil categories, adding the Personnel Department to manage civil affairs and personnel, the Constabulary Department akin to a future police bureau, the Censorate and Judiciary Departments akin to a procuratorate and court, and the Medical and Health Department akin to a health bureau.

At present, many areas of the Eastern Route were largely governed by military law, which was naturally excessively harsh. For the slightest infraction, one would be beaten with the army rod or even executed, keeping the hearts of many commoners perpetually taut. Steel held too long is prone to snap — Wang Dou naturally understood this principle.

The existing baojia constable system also had considerable drawbacks. The establishment of a police-like system was very necessary. Once the three departments were set up, the army would concentrate solely on fighting wars and would not meddle in these civil matters.

This was also a step in Wang Dou's effort to perfect the civil official system under his governance. Civil administration is one of China's greatest contributions to the world. Only with a complete and comprehensive civil administration can the governance of a nation or a region move toward stability and enlightenment.

Even in later ages, any civilized, prosperous, and developed nation is governed by civil officials.

Nations ruled by military men generally give the impression of chaos, danger, insecurity, poverty, backwardness, and so forth. History also offers lessons: the Western Roman Empire, the Great Tang of China, and others were all destroyed by military men disrupting governance.

Therefore, in many matters, soldiers must not be overly involved.

Of course, drawing lessons from this, Wang Dou could not allow the kind of civil exaltation and military debasement seen in the Great Ming. He would maintain a balance, letting soldiers do soldiers' work and scholars do scholars' work, allowing neither side to dominate alone.

However, living in chaotic times, the military's authority would certainly be somewhat greater. In this era of surging waves and grandeur, there would be many occasions to use force in the future. Perhaps, for a very long time, under Wang Dou's command, the authority of military men would greatly exceed that of civil officials.

Militarism would create a monster both greedy and terrifying. Perhaps the only path is to channel calamity outward.

After all, it is always better for foreigners to die than for Chinese to die. To die in battle is always better than to die wretchedly from internal strife. (To be continued.)