Chapter 610: The Military Police Inspectorate

This could reduce resistance to future military reforms, which made Zhu Youxiao have to think it over.

But there was one tricky point in this matter—how exactly to strike the right balance?

The military was different from the civilian side. In fact, on the civilian side, Zhu Youxiao had already compromised; all he needed to do was check how much land they had, not where their land came from.

The money of these people in the localities was basically obtained through extortion and plunder. If it were really dug up, there would be no end to it. The entire Ming Dynasty had been like this for over two hundred years; even if he wanted to overturn these old accounts, there was no way to do so.

But the military side was different. Although it had also been passed down for so many years, many things could still be traced. They were official institutions, and since they involved hereditary military households, problems were easy to uncover.

Under such circumstances, issuing an edict to audit the land, along with investigating corruption, and thoroughly turning over the estate land matters again and again for careful examination—if it were just a surface-level check, that would be easy enough, just clearing out some pests. But if everything were dug up and examined, it might become troublesome.

Zhu Youxiao was silent for a long while, then raised his head and looked at Chen Sihai, asking, "What are the thoughts over at the Office of Transmission? How do they plan to investigate?"

Hearing this, Chen Sihai knew His Majesty was tempted. This made Chen Sihai breathe a sigh of relief.

In the Ming Dynasty, everyone knew that His Majesty was very strict in his management of the military, and he placed great importance on military power, not easily letting anyone get their hands on it. This time, His Majesty's agreement was a good start.

Although Chen Sihai thought this way, in reality, Zhu Youxiao was unlikely to let them get involved in this matter. Even if an investigation were to be conducted, personnel would have to be drawn from the Staff Office to do it; otherwise, it would create trouble.

The Office of Transmission had a deterrent effect on civil officials, but not such a strong deterrent on the military.

On the contrary, those people in the Staff Office had a very great deterrent effect on the military. Many of them were themselves of noble descent, with great power and prestige in their families, making things much more convenient to handle.

The military's disciplinary and supervisory departments should not be mixed together with those of the civil officials.

Chen Sihai quickly said, "Your servant was thinking of auditing the lands of those military commanders, and then re-surveying and registering the military farmland of the various guard stations across the regions. If any cases involving land annexation or corruption come up in the process, they should all be dealt with severely."

After speaking, Chen Sihai did not speak again. He was afraid His Majesty would not support it.

Zhu Youxiao thought for a moment, then nodded and said, "This idea is very good. Do as you have suggested. This matter cannot be led by the Office of Transmission—let the people from the Staff Office handle it."

The Staff Office also had disciplinary and supervisory departments; the original Embroidered Uniform Guard was one. It was only that later the Embroidered Uniform Guard gradually shifted its functions, causing it to lose much of its authority over the military.

This time, Zhu Youxiao planned to establish a department similar to a Military Police Inspectorate within the Staff Office, to have them conduct a thorough investigation.

"Your servant understands." Chen Sihai quickly agreed.

Zhu Youxiao did not put him in charge, but Chen Sihai felt no resentment in his heart—on the contrary, he breathed a sigh of relief.

The Office of Transmission's power was already great enough. If it were to extend its reach into the military, it would be easy for something to go wrong. Now that the Staff Office was handling it, Chen Sihai's pressure was much reduced.

If it were not out of loyalty to the court and the belief that this matter truly ought to be done, Chen Sihai would not have come forward with this proposal at all.

As it stood now, the Emperor had indeed not disappointed him.

"Go handle this matter." Zhu Youxiao waved his hand and said, "Don't let Us down."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Chen Sihai quickly acknowledged and said, "Your servant takes his leave."

With that, Chen Sihai turned and walked out.

After Chen Sihai left, Zhu Youxiao prepared to go out for a stroll.

His good mood was gone.

In Kunning Palace, Empress Zhang looked at Noble Consort Yuan and Noble Consort Tian before her, a smile on her face as she said, "Both younger sisters, please sit down. There are some matters I wish to discuss with you."

Noble Consort Yuan and Noble Consort Tian were both somewhat uneasy, not knowing what Empress Zhang was being so serious about.

The two had entered the palace together with Empress Zhang, had both been conferred the rank of Imperial Noble Consort, and had both borne children for Zhu Youxiao, so their positions in the palace were very secure.

But they still felt somewhat intimidated facing Empress Zhang. It was simply that in recent years Empress Zhang's power and influence in the palace had grown heavier and heavier, leaving them no choice but to feel this way.

Moreover, she had the eldest legitimate son, who barring any accidents would be the future Emperor. Although their own children would also be enfeoffed as princes, they still could not afford to offend her—and moreover, they would need to beg her to assign their children decent territories.

Under such circumstances, life was not easy. Now that Empress Zhang had put on such a posture, it was impossible for Noble Consort Yuan and Noble Consort Tian not to be worried.

Empress Zhang also looked at the two before her, a somewhat strange expression on her face.

Although they had all entered the palace together, after all these years, the two of them seemed to have not changed at all. It was she herself who, having more worries to deal with in the palace, felt she had aged somewhat.

In reality, none of the three were old. Empress Zhang feeling this way was just her own perception.

But indeed, Empress Zhang was much busier, with more worries on her mind, and she looked somewhat more weary overall.

Looking at Noble Consort Yuan's long legs, Empress Zhang felt envious. To be honest, the Emperor was very fond of Noble Consort Yuan's pair of long legs.

Then she looked at Noble Consort Tian's figure—after giving birth, it had become even more striking.

Empress Zhang suddenly had a somewhat bad premonition—that having them accompany the Emperor out seemed not quite appropriate. But she had already finished speaking with the Emperor, and at this point she could not back out.

Calming her mood, Empress Zhang looked at the two and said, "His Majesty is going out of the palace this time. You two already know about this, right?"

The two nodded and said, "We heard a bit of news."

The two were still somewhat confused.

This was not the first time the Emperor had left the palace; in recent years he was always running outside. But what did this matter have to do with the two of them? Could it be that she wanted them to go along and dissuade him?

That was simply impossible—who could dissuade the Emperor?

The two of them even less so.

"His Majesty has no one to attend to him when he goes out, and I feel that is not good. The places His Majesty went to before were all bitter and cold lands, and even when he went to Jiangnan, it was to handle affairs. He never had anyone attending him by his side, so His Majesty could only find someone at random upon arriving at his destination. That is not good. First, they are unfamiliar; second, the personnel may not be reliable."

"This time, His Majesty is going out mainly to tour the mountains and waters, so I was thinking of arranging for you two to accompany him. Along the way, you can attend to His Majesty, and also cultivate some affection. These years in the palace have been hard on you two as well. I am indebted to you, so this time I will let you go, and you can spend more time with His Majesty."

Noble Consort Yuan and Noble Consort Tian were both stunned. They had not expected Empress Zhang to be talking about this—having the two of them accompany the Emperor out of the palace, and from the sound of it, to tour the mountains and waters.

This was a wonderful opportunity—they had not expected it to fall to them.

As the saying goes, once you enter a noble household, it is as deep as the sea—let alone the gates of this very palace?

After entering, no one had ever thought of going back out. Now not only could they go out, they could even tour the realm of the Great Ming—what a wonderful thing!

And they would be accompanying the Emperor as well—wouldn't the journey be very interesting?

A flash of joy passed through the eyes of both Noble Consort Yuan and Noble Consort Tian.

Seeing this, Empress Zhang felt helpless.

She was truly a bit jealous, and also wanted to go out and tour the mountains and waters with the Emperor—ideally just herself and the Emperor alone. But there was no way; she could not get away.

Under such circumstances, she could only let the two of them go.

The two did not speak, and Empress Zhang frowned as she asked, "What's the matter? Are you two unwilling to go? If there's anything, just say it—I will make the decision for you."

The two quickly shook their heads.

Consort Yuan said, "We're willing to go, the two of us are willing to go!"

"Alright, then go back and prepare. Pack your things properly, then go ask His Majesty what can be taken and what cannot. Get ready by then." Empress Zhang waved her hand and said.

"Then we sisters will take our leave." The two answered together, and seeing Empress Zhang nod, they stepped back and departed.

After the two had left, Empress Zhang stood up and looked helplessly at their retreating figures.

This time those two had gotten a great bargain, and since she couldn't follow along herself, she felt rather awful about it inside.

Looking around, Empress Zhang said, "Come, let's go to the Qianqing Palace."

This time she couldn't accompany him, but instead let those two go along. So during the time before His Majesty left, His Majesty would be hers alone.

From the time they returned from Liaodong until now, although His Majesty had spent many days with her, he also had to attend to others. Not to mention those two Mongol sisters — the time she got to claim had already been relatively little.

Now Consort Yuan and Consort Tian were going to accompany His Majesty out, and the Mongol sisters were already pregnant. So this time, before His Majesty left, he would be entirely hers.

Zhu Youxiao had no idea what Empress Zhang was thinking. If he did, he would definitely fall ill.

Seeing the Empress arrive, Zhu Youxiao said with a smile, "What's this? There's killing intent on your face — has something happened? Is there someone in this deep palace who dares to make you angry?"

"I'm not angry." Empress Zhang wore a smile on her face as she reached out and took Zhu Youxiao's hand.

Zhu Youxiao didn't believe that at all.

The two of them had been husband and wife for so many years — how could he not know her thoughts?

The smile on her face looked perfectly normal, but the killing intent in her eyes simply couldn't be hidden. Having no idea what the matter was, Zhu Youxiao immediately resolved to say nothing.

Do whatever you want — I'm just not going to speak. If you can hold it in, then hold it in; otherwise, you'll have to tell me eventually.

As it turned out, Zhu Youxiao guessed wrong. Women often don't like to talk about things. They prefer to be direct, to act directly.

Empress Zhang simply moved into the Qianqing Palace.

And then — warm nights of bliss behind the hibiscus bed-curtains, and the sovereign from that day on held no more morning court.