Chapter 1397: Civil and Martial Pursued in Tandem

"Father!" Crown Prince Liu Yang entered the hall and bowed in salute.

Emperor Liu seemed to be increasingly fond of lying flat. He reclined sideways on a comfortable soft chair, while a beautiful palace maid massaged his legs with her soft little hands. In his own hands, he held a scroll of the *Kaibao Compendium* and was reading it.

Hearing the voice, he put down the scroll, shifted his gaze to Liu Yang, revealed a trace of a gentle smile on his face, and pointed with his hand, saying: "Sit!"

"Yes!"

Liu Yang had not come in regular court attire this time, but rather in full military dress. Set off by a golden helmet, gleaming armor, and a black robe, he looked dashing and spirited. Of course, what Liu Yang displayed more was an air of nobility and majesty. He had been ordered to inspect the restoration work of the imperial army in the capital, and had just come down from the troops, returning from reviewing the soldiers.

"Withdraw!" Emperor Liu waved his hand toward the palace maid, crossed his legs, and asked Liu Yang: "How goes the imperial army?"

Upon the question, Liu Yang remained as respectful and modest as ever, and replied: "Everything has returned to normal. External troops have been successively transferred into the capital to replenish the ranks, and all vacancies in the various armies have been filled. Under the arrangements of the army commanders, daily training is proceeding in an orderly manner. Military morale is stable, soldierly spirit is high, and most of the officers and men who have returned from the expedition have also recovered from the fatigue of the northern campaign..."

"It's been this long—if they still hadn't recovered, I would be holding the relevant officials and commanders accountable!" Emperor Liu said lightly.

These words made Liu Yang's expression freeze for a moment. He accompanied it with a smile, saying: "In your son's observation, the officials and commanders have been very diligent and have not been remiss. Especially the frontier generals newly transferred into the imperial army—they have rich experience in leading troops and are skilled in managing soldiers. They deserve encouragement and commendation!"

After this round of reorganization, the Great Han's imperial army had also undergone tremendous changes, mainly reflected in the turnover of personnel. From top to bottom, nearly half of the senior generals had been sent out to the provinces, replaced by outstanding military talents from various regions. Over ten thousand imperial troops were stationed in Liaodong for tempering. The cavalry and infantry casualties from the northern expedition were also replenished with picked elites selected from north and south. At the same time, a large number of meritorious officers with shallow seniority were promoted to shoulder more important responsibilities.

And so, another renewal and replacement of the imperial army was completed. Its significance was perhaps not as great as in the early years—after all, by now the court's control over the military was still very firm. It was merely a measure to further deepen influence and control. Of course, the army should not be a stagnant pool either; it needed the vitality of circulation.

"There should be quite a few new faces in the army now, right?" Emperor Liu said in a tone of emotion.

Liu Yang found it somewhat difficult to grasp Emperor Liu's state of mind. Hearing the sigh, he could only say: "This also shows that talent in the Great Han's military is gushing forth. More and more rising stars are emerging, serving the state and devoting themselves loyally to the Great Han! The Great Han's army remains a first-rate strong force, awe-inspiring across the four seas, looking down upon all directions..."

"Enough! Enough!" Emperor Liu waved his hand repeatedly and smiled at Liu Yang: "These words—you're getting smoother and smoother at saying them!"

Liu Yang's expression turned awkward, and he gave an embarrassed smile: "Your son was merely speaking from the heart!"

"Between us father and son, there's no need for such formalities and flattery!" Emperor Liu shook his head, pondered for a moment, and said: "It's been a long time since I last went among the troops!"

"If you would deign to condescend and inspect them, it would surely stir the hearts of the generals and the morale of the soldiers!" Liu Yang, sensing the intent in Emperor Liu's tone, immediately expressed.

"Before I knew it, the third month is already half over!" Emperor Liu's interest was roused, and he sat up, saying: "I want to go hunting! Issue an edict—from the various armies stationed in the capital, select the finest to accompany me on the hunt, to compete in martial skills and discuss military affairs. I also want to see with my own eyes the results of their training!"

"Yes!" Liu Yang replied: "Where does Father wish to hunt?"

"No need to go far! Just to the northern suburbs, at the foot of Mang Mountain!" Emperor Liu said, smacking his lips: "When it comes to hunting grounds, nothing beats the northern grasslands—open wilderness and deep forests, galloping freely across them!"

Hunting was merely a means—a way to draw close to the officers and soldiers and display imperial authority. Speaking of it, even Emperor Liu himself could feel his own change. Over the past twenty-plus years, military construction had always been the focus of his work. Control over the army was always placed first, and the loyalty of the officers and men was always watched.

In the early days, Emperor Liu knew every single person in the army—especially the imperial army, the core military force of the Great Han—from the highest marshals down to the Chief Inspectors and Army Commanders. He constantly communicated with them. He had impressions of most of the battalion commanders, and could even call some by name.

But now, below the various armies of the Three Bureaus, those who could still be remembered by Emperor Liu were as rare as phoenix feathers and qilin horns... This was perhaps the most obvious difference between the past and the present.

After a moment's thought, Emperor Liu asked Liu Yang: "Over the years, there has been no shortage of officials and generals submitting memorials requesting the reopening of the military examinations to select military talent. I have never agreed, because I have always believed that generals and officers are forged in battle—they need the tempering of the battlefield. It's not enough to merely compare military strategy and test physical prowess."

"You intend to reopen the military examinations?" Liu Yang, catching the hint, immediately asked.

Emperor Liu nodded: "In the past, the realm was in chaos and wars were frequent. The Great Han was not lacking in wars either, and the military did indeed temper out a large number of outstanding generals and officers. But now, the realm is increasingly at peace—even the northern Liao has been crushed by the Great Han.

In the future, I dare not say all will be peaceful, but the overall situation of the state is tending toward stability. In times of peace, how to cultivate the Great Han's military talents and generals is something that requires much more careful thought!

Perhaps I was too stubborn in the past. This way of thinking truly needs to change. At the very least, the officers and soldiers of the Great Han should be given a channel for advancement. The military examination is not necessarily a bad choice!

Previously, I established the Fengchen Camp to select young elites, also to train military officers for the army. It's just a pity it never became a standing institution. Perhaps these people should also be given an opportunity to win merit and rank!"

Hearing Emperor Liu say this, Liu Yang thought for a moment before saying: "Since the Great Han has civil examinations, it should also have military examinations. In this way, yin and yang complement each other, and civil and martial are both emphasized!"

"Discuss this matter with the ministers of the Hall of State Affairs, the Bureau of Military Affairs, the Ministry of War, and other departments—first produce a set of regulations!" Emperor Liu instructed: "Military affairs are different from civil affairs; they cannot be treated the same. We must take a long-term view and ensure sustainability. I do not wish for it to degenerate into mere formality in the future.

What I want to select are true military talents. It's not just about putting forward a set of examination and selection procedures—we must also consider how to manage and how to cultivate them after selection. That is what matters most!

The civil examination's jinshi system, with its period of observation and study in government, has been implemented for many years and is already mature. It can serve as a model!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Yang silently committed Emperor Liu's thoughts and spirit regarding the military examination to memory, then clasped his hands and replied: "I obey your command!"

Looking at his crown prince, Emperor Liu's attitude could not have been more affectionate. As for Liu Yang, what made him most satisfied was nothing other than this kind of steady, composed character. Though somewhat slow, he was not pedantic. He was neither hasty nor impatient, and could keep his composure in all matters—this was also a very valuable quality.

"Also, regarding the metropolitan examination—I've thought it over carefully, and it cannot be delayed any longer!" Emperor Liu continued: "The northern campaign certainly affected every aspect, especially the various circuits of the northern Central Plains, but that is no reason to delay the imperial examinations. Selecting talent for the state cannot be casually shelved!"

Because of last year's northern campaign, the court's main energy had been focused on war-related matters, which led to the normal imperial examinations in the north being delayed. According to the system of a metropolitan examination every three years, this spring should have seen scholars from all directions gathering in the capital to compete in the same examination hall. But because preparations were insufficient, the central government made a decision to postpone it by one year, moving the metropolitan examination to the tenth year of Kaibao.

"If Father wishes to restart the metropolitan examination, I fear it would be too hasty and difficult to handle properly. Moreover, the central government has already made its decision, and you previously approved it as well. Should we not first discuss changing course with the ministers of the Hall of State Affairs?" Liu Yang considered a while longer before replying.

Seeing his cautious manner, Emperor Liu smiled and said: "For the court's examinations, besides the regular examinations, there are also the grace examinations and special decreed examinations. If the regular examination can't be met, then open a grace examination and issue an edict for a special examination. Wait until autumn—there are still several months. The court has already recovered, and that should be enough time for both the central government and the localities to prepare fully!

In the early years, the court's selection of talent through examinations was mostly done by opening grace examinations. Even Wang Qiwu, this chancellor, entered officialdom through this very method!"

Only then did Liu Yang realize with sudden clarity. He said respectfully: "Father bestows such great favor—the talented scholars of the realm will surely be overjoyed and filled with gratitude..."