Chapter 959: Prince Yan in the Capital, Military Reform

"Compared to ten years ago, the Eastern Capital truly presents a completely new appearance!" Emerging from the Imperial City, lightly urging his sturdy steed as he walked through the streets of the Eastern Capital, Zhao Kuangzan could not help but sigh at the sight of the bustling prosperity all around him.

"Your Highness, the Eastern Capital is indeed vast and prosperous, but since returning to Kaifeng, do you really need to express such sentiments every single day..." Several guards followed beside him, led by a man named Zhao Xian, a household retainer who had served him for many years. Hearing this again, he could not help but speak up.

Zhao Kuangzan paid no mind to his discourtesy, instead smiling: "Back then, I wandered through the Central Plains and Guanzhong, and I also spent some time in Kaifeng. The city at that time was cramped and oppressive, its atmosphere gloomy and dark. How could it compare to now—a million citizens, a thousand sails converging, ten thousand merchants gathering. What you see is its prosperity and flourishing; what I see is the empire's vigor and the dynasty's eternal fortune!"

Just as Liu Chengyou was returning to court in triumph, the Prince of Yan, Zhao Kuangzan, also set out to return to the capital—this was something the two had reached a consensus on long ago. Zhao Kuangzan brought his entire family south, exhausting his private possessions, transferring all his lands and properties in Youyan, as if bidding a complete farewell to the region. This was quite tactful of him.

"Your Highness, the court summoned you back without saying how they'll arrange things. A dignified Prince of Yan can't just be put out to pasture like this, can he? Moreover, in this Han-Liao war, we rendered no small merit—how is it the court still hasn't shown any recognition!" Zhao Xian grumbled again.

Hearing this, Zhao Kuangzan chuckled lightly: "What, are you thinking about your own merits and seeking an official post?"

Zhao Xian hurriedly shook his head and replied: "This humble one has followed Your Highness for many years and is already accustomed to it. A lifetime of serving and being loyal to Your Highness is more than enough!"

Those words were pleasing to hear, but Zhao Kuangzan's expression turned somewhat serious: "Kaifeng is, after all, not Youzhou. From now on, words like that must not be spoken again, whether in public or in private. You must watch your mouth."

After the admonishment, Zhao Kuangzan revealed a hint of a smile again: "Besides, although the court has yet to make specific arrangements for me, allowing me to participate in court assemblies and council discussions, deliberating on state affairs alongside those ministers and grand councilors—what more could I be dissatisfied with? As for the matter of rewarding merit, when has the Son of Heaven and the court ever slighted those with achievements?"

Seeing that Zhao Kuangzan took things in stride, Zhao Xian did not dare rashly offer other opinions, but instead asked: "Your Highness, shall we return directly to the residence now?"

Like many who held high positions and great power outside the capital, Zhao Kuangzan also had a separate residence in the Eastern Capital. Moreover, during the expansion of Kaifeng, Liu Chengyou had specially arranged for him to receive a new residence of extremely vast grounds—one could say the seat had been kept vacant and waiting for him for a long time.

"No need to rush back—accompany me for a stroll through the markets!" Zhao Kuangzan smiled; "The Eastern Capital's hundred trades are thriving, and the mercantile atmosphere is rich. If I truly end up idle in the future, maintaining the household's expenses will require some income..."

"Speaking of which, this humble one does have a matter to report to Your Highness!" Hearing Zhao Kuangzan say this, Zhao Xian suddenly spoke up.

"Speak!" Zhao Kuangzan appeared nonchalant.

"He Fuyin, an old acquaintance of the princely household, wishes to request an audience with Your Highness!" Zhao Xian reported: "Will Your Highness see him?"

"He Fuyin!" Zhao Kuangzan raised an eyebrow and said: "I hear he's quite the famous wealthy merchant in the Eastern Capital!"

Zhao Xian replied: "Indeed! This man is truly a capable businessman with good foresight. His enterprises now span many sectors, with merchant caravans in every circuit under heaven, and he maintains good relations with many officials in the Eastern Capital. I hear that during this northern expedition, much of the government's supplies were purchased from him, earning him no small profit..."

"A mere errand-runner under my father back then, yet he's managed to carve out a place for himself in the Eastern Capital—he truly is a talent!" Zhao Kuangzan said flatly: "When he submitted his card seeking an audience, did he state his purpose?"

Zhao Xian said: "Without the support of the Prince of Yan's household, how could he have had the opportunity to rise back then? He is, after all, of Your Highness's household servant origins. Now that Your Highness has returned to the capital, he naturally should pay his respects and report on the state of the enterprises under his management! This humble one believes that if Your Highness wishes to build up enterprises, you could start with He Fuyin—would that not be far more convenient!"

From Zhao Xian's words, it was clear he was prepared to treat He Fuyin as a fat pig to be slaughtered. However, Zhao Kuangzan pondered for a moment, then smiled: "No need—hearts are prone to change!"

Zhao Xian did not understand: "Is Your Highness afraid he might refuse to offer tribute?"

At this moment, a glimmer of wisdom shone in Zhao Kuangzan's eyes, and he said calmly: "As you said, this He Fuyin has a great reputation and is too deeply entangled with the government. When a merchant reaches such a level, it may not necessarily be a good thing!"

Some matters were not something someone of Zhao Xian's level could see clearly. And although Zhao Kuangzan had only recently arrived in the Eastern Capital, he still had some understanding of the court's situation. The most pressing problem at present was that financial resources were insufficient while expenditures remained great.

Moreover, the Emperor had recently discussed tax issues in court, particularly using commercial taxes as a talking point, expressing his views on the matter. Hearing the strings and understanding the melody, Zhao Kuangzan understood Liu Chengyou's meaning—commerce in the Eastern Capital was gradually flourishing, and the court had previously mostly encouraged it, providing a lenient environment. But leniency did not mean indulgence. In the great development of the Eastern Capital, some undesirable results had emerged that needed to be addressed, and merchants also needed to be restrained...

No matter how beautifully or reasonably the words were phrased, they could not conceal the butcher's knife the Emperor was preparing to raise against the fat. Connecting these thoughts to He Fuyin's matter, Zhao Kuangzan naturally leaned toward a conservative stance.

Although the basic national administrative policy had been set, in the process of transitioning from great activism to non-interference and entering a period of recuperation, the entire court was bustling with activity. After the Emperor returned to the capital, the atmosphere in the city suddenly shifted, as if some invisible pressure was spurring on all the officials and functionaries above and below.

Throughout the latter half of the fifth month, the Eastern Capital court had two major matters. The first was the deliberation of merits from the northern expedition—evaluating achievements, conferring honors, granting rewards, and providing compensation, all carried out with extremely high efficiency under the Emperor's supervision. By the time of the victory banquet, the memorial on military merit rewards had already received the Emperor's approval.

The second was the further reorganization and reform of the national military system and the internal and external armies. After this great rectification, the Great Han's army formally formed a nationwide military system with the palace guards, imperial army, frontier army, and regional commands as the main forces, supplemented by militia and tribal troops.

The palace guard system was primarily responsible for defending the Imperial City and the Palace City, safeguarding imperial authority. Its main forces were the Inner Palace Army, the Konghe Army, and the Fengchen Battalion, with a strength of five thousand, drawing recruits from all of the Great Han's armies.

The imperial army remained the Great Han's primary force—the most powerful instrument of violence for maintaining central authority and ensuring national stability. However, in this reorganization, many of the previously cumbersome military designations and unit numbers were abolished, with further streamlining and adjustment.

In addition to the Palace Command and the Imperial Guard Command, a new Patrol Inspectorate was established, collectively known as the Three Bureaus, jointly garrisoning the two capitals and their environs, as well as strategically vital locations. The Palace Command oversaw the Longqi, Xiaodi, and Tieqi armies; the Imperial Guard Command oversaw the Longjie, Husheng, and Fengguo armies; while the Patrol Inspectorate was reorganized from the former Xingjie and Wujie armies. As could be told from its name, the Patrol Inspectorate bore greater responsibility for maintaining public order, but in status, it was a notch below the Palace Command and the Imperial Guard Command.

While making the Three Bureaus check each other, the reorganization further stripped generals of their authority over troop deployment, using the Bureau of Military Affairs to counterbalance the Three Bureaus, and imposing more detailed and stringent regulations to constrain them.

Moreover, the command structures of the three imperial army bureaus were further reduced. For example, in the Imperial Guard Command, the positions of Cavalry Chief Commander and Infantry Chief Commander under the commander and deputy commander were abolished. From now on, the command hierarchy would consist of ten levels: Imperial Guard Commander—Imperial Guard Deputy Commander—Imperial Guard Chief Inspector—Army Chief General—Brigade General—Battalion General—Company General—Hundred-man Captain—Squad Leader—Section Leader.

The Palace Command was set up in the same manner. As for the Patrol Inspectorate, because it bore the primary responsibility for public security, its structure was somewhat more complex, with deputy positions established at every level above Company General.

After this round of rectification, the three imperial army bureaus became more balanced, more unified, and more orderly.

The reorganization of the frontier army built upon the previous foundation with more rational arrangements, focusing mainly on the rotation garrison system, forming rotations among the imperial army, frontier army, and regional commands. The Emperor was especially considerate of the soldiers' hardships in garrison duty—of course, he was also afraid of problems arising in the frontier army.

As for the militia, they served as the reserve force of the Great Han's army, with emphasis on training during the agricultural off-season. The tribal troops were also a supplement to the Great Han's military system. The Great Han's army was filled with soldiers of various ethnicities who had been deeply sinicized. Among the Guanxi tribal cavalry who participated in the northern expedition, three thousand had wept and pleaded to serve the Great Han, and they too were included in the reorganization.

With ruler and ministers working together, the new military system was constructed, and what remained was simply filling it with personnel. For many generals, it was also an activity of dividing the cake, awaited with eager anticipation.

For Liu Chengyou, it was also a challenge of balancing merit and seniority. However, although it was complex and fraught with concerns, it was not enough to trouble him—such matters were already second nature to him.