Chapter 160

The disaster relief efforts proceeded exceptionally smoothly under Wang Hao's direction.

The Wang Family's huge fleet, fully loaded with grain purchased from the Jianghuai region, sailed upstream along the Yangtze River, continuously transporting supplies to Jingnan and Sichuan.

On every grain transport barge, two flags were planted on each side of the hull: one bearing the Wang Family's "Wang" character, the other the Prince Jin's mansion's "Jin" character, with a supervisor stationed beneath each flag.

The Wang Family's supervisors were mostly capable personnel transferred from intelligence work, with sharp eyes and familiarity with grain transport procedures; the Prince Jin's mansion's supervisors were military veterans, wearing long knives at their waists, exuding an austere, lethal aura.

During the day, the two together counted the grain sacks in the hold, verifying quantities and weights; at night they took turns guarding the vessel, able to spot even a small bag of rice hidden by a boatman on the spot.

Anyone caught tampering with the grain or levying extra layers along the route, once discovered, would be executed on the spot without interrogation.

Under such high pressure, those corrupt officials who used to pluck feathers from passing geese became as honest as quails.

The grain was safely delivered to the disaster area, and then, according to Wang Hao's budget table precise down to the units digit, officials of the Prince Jin's mansion personally distributed it to each disaster victim's hands.

In just two months, a massive disaster that could have swept half the country was quietly resolved.

The news returned to Kaifeng, shocking the court and the populace.

"Have you heard? The disaster in Sichuan has been quelled! Not a single person starved to death!"

"Yes! Prince Jin is truly a living bodhisattva! And that Wang Family's Wang Hao, I hear, is a mathematical genius; any accounts he handles are calculated with perfect clarity!"

"The Wang Family? You mean the Jiangnan Wang Family? They actually lent money to our court for disaster relief? Their benevolence is unmatched!"

For a time, the prestige of Guo Rong and the Wang Family reached its peak among the people.

Guo Wei, in the imperial palace, listening to reports relayed from below, felt a mixture of emotions.

What pleased him was that his son (adopted), for the first time independently handling state affairs, had done so splendidly.

What worried him was that the Wang Family's influence, through this disaster relief, had openly permeated the Da Zhou governmental system; although no one held office in the court, the Da Zhou populace already felt deep gratitude toward the Wang Family.

He felt as if he had invited a wolf into his house.

But now that things have come to this, he can do nothing else but hope that the Wang Family truly has no intention of seizing the Zhongyuan throne.

After all, the Wang Family helped him solve a huge problem, and from beginning to end their performance has been flawless, leaving no fault to find.

……

Inside the Prince Jin's mansion.

Guo Rong was playing a game of chess with Wang Hao.

"Sir, for this disaster relief, you deserve the chief merit." Guo Rong placed a stone, speaking sincerely.

"Your Highness flatters me." Wang Hao smiled, "I am merely a commoner who contributed a bit of clumsy mathematical skill. What truly made the disaster victims grateful is Your Highness's benevolent heart and the court's grace."

He cleverly attributed all the merit to Guo Rong and Guo Wei.

This humble attitude made Guo Rong very comfortable.

"Sir, there's no need for modesty." Guo Rong looked at him, then shifted tone: "Although the disaster relief is settled, my post as Kaifeng Prefecture magistrate still bears a major worry; I'd like to ask you to counsel me."

"Your Highness, please speak."

"It concerns military pay." Guo Rong's brows furrowed: "Our Da Zhou, founded on martial strength, stations tens of thousands of Imperial Guards inside and outside the capital; this military expenditure is the court's largest burden."

"Even if the burden is heavy, that's tolerable. What truly troubles me is the entrenched malpractice of 'empty pay' in the military, repeatedly banned yet persisting."

"A unit's roster clearly lists only a hundred men, yet the commander may report one hundred twenty; the extra twenty's pay goes straight into his own pocket."

"From commanders to directors to the generals of the Palace Front Command, they layer on deductions and false reporting; of the huge military funds the court allocates each year, less than seventy percent actually reaches ordinary soldiers."

"This is not merely a money issue." Guo Rong's tone grew grave: "It undermines the very foundation of our Da Zhou! Soldiers not receiving full pay accumulate resentment; when trouble arises, how can we expect them to lay down their lives for the country?"

"After my father ascended the throne, he also made great efforts to rectify this. He executed several generals who embezzled military pay, yet the effect remained insignificant. Once the wind passed, subordinates still obeyed outwardly while defying inwardly."

"Sir, you excel at calculation and are skilled in finance. Do you have any good strategy for this malady?"

Having said that, Guo Rong looked at Wang Hao with eager anticipation.

The Wang Family lacks neither money nor a weak background; they would not be intimidated by military leaders' influence, yet they dare not take on this matter.

Because this would involve moving the cheese of all generals in the entire Da Zhou army.

One misstep would invite disaster upon oneself.

Wang Hao listened, then fell into deep thought for a long time.

He knew that, according to his education, there were many ways to solve this, but removing the military leaders' obstruction to it would be difficult!

Compared to this, disaster relief was merely an appetizer.

However, only by intervening in military affairs does one truly Era Name Transition into Guo Rong's inner circle.

"Your Highness." Wang Hao spoke, his voice calm: "If we want to eradicate this root cause, relying solely on audits and executions won't work."

"Oh? Why?"

"Because the law does not punish the many." Wang Hao pointed out sharply: "Embezzling military pay has become a habit; from top to bottom, everyone partakes. If you execute a commander today, tomorrow a new one will appear, using more covert means to graft. You can't possibly kill all the generals, can you?"

Guo Rong nodded, deeply agreeing.

"Then, according to your view, what should be done?"

"If you want a horse to run, you must give it grass to eat." A glint of precision flashed in Wang Hao's eyes: "Blocking is inferior to guiding. Rather than trying every way to plug their corrupt loopholes, it's better to give them an open, legitimate path to prosperity and wealth."

"An open, legitimate path to prosperity and wealth?" Guo Rong was stunned.

"Exactly, Your Highness; please allow me a few days to ponder—I already have some clues regarding this matter!" Wang Hao nodded, then spoke.

"Good!" Guo Rong had merely wanted to vent his grievances, but never expecting him to actually have a solution, he hastily agreed.

Two days later, Wang Hao requested an audience; upon entering the study, he directly took from his bosom a small booklet he had prepared earlier and handed it over.

On the cover of the booklet were four large characters: 《Military Merit Ledger》.

"This is..." Guo Rong took the booklet dubiously and opened it.

The contents inside made his eyes light up.

This small booklet elaborately expounded a brand-new system concerning the recording of soldiers' merits and their rewards.

The core of this system is 'quantification'.

It quantifies every action of a soldier in the military into scores.

For example, on the battlefield, beheading a first‑rank enemy scores ten points; capturing an enemy soldier scores five points; and during a siege, the first to mount the city wall scores one hundred points!

In peacetime, attending drills with perfect attendance earns one point; placing in the top ten in a martial contest earns five points; even having one's quarters judged tidy enough to be named a model soldier can earn half a point.

All points are recorded in a ledger, with a dedicated clerk in charge.

These points are of great use.

【65> They can not only be exchanged directly for money and land,

They can not only be directly exchanged for money and land.

but more importantly, they are directly tied to a soldier's promotion!

To rise from a common soldier to corporal requires one hundred points; to become a captain requires five hundred!

Everything is decided by military merit.

It thoroughly abolishes the old corrupt system where promotion depended on connections and bribes.

"This… this idea is truly fantastical!" Guo Rong exclaimed, slamming the table in admiration.

He immediately grasped how formidable this system was.

It amounts to giving every low‑rank soldier a visible, tangible path upward!

As long as you work hard and are willing to fight, you can rise above the rest!

Thus, who would still quibble over the petty trifles that were deducted?

Everyone's thoughts will be directed toward how to accumulate military merit and how to kill the enemy and earn distinction!

This not only greatly boosts the army's combat power, but also eradicates at its root the old clique‑forming habit of relying on seniority and connections.

It will make every soldier loyal to the system itself, and thus to the monarch who instituted it!

"Your talent, sir, rivals that of Zhang Liang and Xiao He!" Guo Rong excitedly seized Wang Hao's hand, "If this plan can be implemented, our Great Zhou army will be completely renewed and invincible in battle!"

"Your Highness flatters me." Wang Hao's face remained calm, "However, though the plan is good, its implementation will likely meet strong resistance."

"Those senior officers accustomed to drawing false pay and selling offices will surely regard this plan as a thorn in their flesh and a splinter in their eye; they may not dare oppose it openly, but they will surely use every means to obstruct and undermine it."

A faint cold smile flickered across Guo Rong's face.

"Sir, rest assured. I'll handle this." His tone turned icy, "I, Guo Rong, am not a killer by nature, but whoever dares block the path of our Great Zhou's strong army will have his head cut off!"

He looked at Wang Hao and said, word by word, "Effective today, I appoint you as my Prince Jin's Assistant Officer of the Bureau of Military Affairs, concurrently heading the 'Military Merit Accounting Office'! You will be responsible for implementing this 'military merit ledger' system within the Kaifeng Imperial Guards."

"I give you a royal decree! From the Supreme Commander of the Palace Guard down to the ordinary soldier, anyone who refuses to cooperate you may deal with directly!"

Wang Hao's heart leapt—this authority was truly immense; the Supreme Commander of the Palace Guard was an elder who had followed Guo Wei and Guo Rong, some even being Guo Wei's senior!

He knew that from this moment on he had truly entered the inner circle of this future emperor.

He bowed deeply to Guo Rong.

"Your servant, Wang Hao, receives the order!"