Chapter 224: The Opportunity for Institutional Reform

The night is very deep.

Inside Zhang Yunxiu's study, the lamp is still lit. He knits his brows and focuses his mind, leaning over the desk to take up his brush and write: "Since the Great Ancestor founded the nation, the Wei Suo Army has existed for over two hundred years. Amidst the changes of affairs and the shifting of the seas into mulberry fields, it is long since not what it once was.

In the beginning, the Great Ancestor's intent was for the military and the people to be one, self-sufficient, guarding the frontiers without consuming a single grain of rice from the imperial court."

"Yet, in the Wei Suo of today, the common people flee, and for every ten soldiers in a guard post, not even one remains. The fields are mostly usurped by military officers and local power-holders; those meant to protect the home and defend the nation have actually been reduced to the private property of a few. If this is allowed to continue, in less than a hundred years, will the Great Ming still have an army capable of fighting?!"

Writing to this point, Zhang Yunxiu's arm grows sore, and fine beads of sweat emerge on his forehead.

He flexes his wrists and continues writing: "Your subject requests the abolition of the Military Household status. Divide the Military Household lands among the soldiers within the households, then select the elite and strong among them to be organized into a New Army to guard the frontiers."

After finishing, Zhang Yunxiu puts down his brush and lets out a long, heavy sigh.

Looking at what he has written, he cannot help but feel nervous in his heart.

The Military Household system has existed for nearly two hundred years, and many capable people have long since seen its drawbacks; thus, a large portion of the Nine Frontiers already employs the Recruitment System.

In other words, the Great Ming's military system is a coexistence of the Wei Suo Army and the Recruitment System.

But why, having seen the flaws of the Wei Suo System, has no one gone to reform it? Zhang Yunxiu guesses there are mainly two reasons: First, this is a system set by the Great Ancestor Zhu Yuanzhang, which makes it an Ancestral System. Who would dare to change an Ancestral System, let alone whether they could change it for the better?

Just the single charge of violating the Ancestral System would be enough for those censor officials to engage in a war of words for years.

Moreover, if this matter is changed well, it does not necessarily mean there is merit. If it is not changed well, it is not just the crime of violating the Ancestral System, but also the added charge of incompetence.

Second.

Poverty.

The Great Ming previously could not afford to support so many troops.

A Military Household, as the name implies, serves as a soldier in wartime and a farmer in peacetime.

How wonderful—they can fight, they can farm, and they can pay taxes to the state—the taxes on Military Household land are even much higher than those of ordinary commoners.

Reforming these Military Households is not only costly and laborious, but the officials in the imperial court also gain no benefits from it.

Consequently, even if someone sees the evils of the Military Households, they play deaf and dumb, whitewashing the peace while the music and singing never cease.

Now, it is different.

Thinking of the current situation, Zhang Yunxiu grins.

Now the imperial court holds the power of coinage, and by relying on a massive trade surplus, it is absorbing silver from the entire world just like a whale swallowing water.

With money, one's backbone naturally becomes stiff.

This is also the reason why Zhang Yunxiu has the courage to set about reforming the Military Households.

If this matter succeeds, that would truly be a permanent solution.

The more he thinks, the more excited he becomes. With his mind racing, Zhang Yunxiu puts the memorial back on the desk and rises to walk out of the study.

At this moment, the bright moon hangs high, and the clear moonlight descends like thin gauze, spreading over the bamboo forest and the accumulated water in the courtyard.

The ground beneath the courtyard is as clear as accumulated water.

What night is without a moon, what night is without bamboo and cypress? Thinking of the great task he is to undertake in the future, Zhang Yunxiu's heart surges. He straightens his chest, sniffs the fragrance of the tender bamboo, and disappears into the night, draped in the bright moonlight.

Early the next morning.

Zhang Yunxiu does not present the memorial directly, but comes to see Shen Yongmao first. The two meet in the main hall, exchange brief pleasantries, and Zhang Yunxiu takes out the memorial and hands it to Shen Yongmao.

Watching Zhang Yunxiu's eager expression, Shen Yongmao knows this is nothing good.

He lowers his head to look at the title.

"Memorial Requesting the Abolition of Military Households."

"Cough, cough." Shen Yongmao is choked until his cheeks turn red, then he lifts his head as if struck by lightning, looks at Zhang Yunxiu, and asks with difficulty: "Brother Zhang, this is a matter that could pierce the heavens; why would you do this?"

"If I said for the Great Ming, for the sake of the common people of the world, would you believe me?" Zhang Yunxiu says unhurriedly.

Shen Yongmao nods, but he dares not get involved in this memorial. Your family has a vast estate, and you have the Emperor and Li Taihou as your backers; if the matter fails, at most you will be reprimanded or demoted.

If I were to dare get involved, I would surely be used as a scapegoat.

"Brother Zhang, it is not that I want to pour cold water on you, but this matter cannot succeed."

"Why?"

"Things that smash people's rice bowls—do you think others will be happy?" Shen Yongmao smiles; he knows the content without looking. "If you reform the Military Households, you will inevitably audit the numbers. If the numbers are audited, how will those military officers collect Empty Pay?"

"Not to mention the distant ones, just in the Twelve Regiment Camps of the capital, do you know how many Marquises and Counts rely on Empty Quotas to eat?"

Cutting off someone's path to wealth is like killing their parents.

If Zhang Yunxiu dares to audit the Empty Quotas, he will inevitably face retaliation from the military officials. Of course, most civil officials will not offer a helping hand, at most giving this Imperial Censor some verbal encouragement.

Having a basin of cold water poured on him before he has even begun, one can imagine Zhang Yunxiu's mood.

He smiles bitterly, shakes his head, and sighs: "The military preparedness of our nation has rotted to this extent. These nobles, who have received the nation's grace for generations, do not think of repaying the country, but instead rack their brains, clinging to the imperial court to suck its blood. It is truly pathetic and lamentable."

Shen Yongmao does not pick up on this, but instead bows and offers congratulations: "Speaking of which, I have yet to congratulate you, the newly appointed Assistant Censor-in-Chief. As a Fourth-Rank Official, your future glory will be incomparable to the past!"

"What kind of happy event is this."

"How can a promotion not be a happy event?"

"Brother Shen, if you consider me a friend, you must help me with this." Ignoring Shen Yongmao's flattery, Zhang Yunxiu brings the topic back, staring at him with burning eyes.

Shen Yongmao plays dumb: "How can I help? You should be taking this matter to the Ministry of War. For me, a Bureau Director in the Ministry of Personnel, to interfere in this would not be in accordance with ritual."

"As for Grand Secretary Shen..." Zhang Yunxiu stops at the point.

Sure enough, it is still aimed at his own father.

As the son of the Senior Grand Secretary and a Director in the Bureau of Appointments of the Ministry of Personnel, his status is self-evident. If it were someone else coming to him like this, he could easily laugh it off and cover the matter up.

But this person is Zhang Yunxiu.

The sea ports of Tianjin and Songjiang, the power of coinage—which of these has not made the Emperor and him wealthy beyond measure? If one were to speak of status in the Emperor's heart, Shen Shixing, the Senior Grand Secretary, might truly not be as important as Zhang Yunxiu.

Therefore, when Zhang Yunxiu brings it to his lips, he feels somewhat hesitant.

It is not good to refuse, and it is not good to agree.

Fortunately, Shen Yongmao is also a master of tai chi. He calmly opens the memorial to look, then hands it back to Zhang Yunxiu: "Brother Zhang's action is for the country and the people; it is truly a model for scholars of our generation."

"I will relay this matter to my father; I ask that Brother Zhang wait patiently."

"Many thanks, Brother Shen."

That evening.

Shen Yongmao hurried off duty and went straight to the old residence to find his father. He walked into the living room with quick steps, only to see his father wearing a black casual robe inside, eyes slightly closed, half-leaning on a Grand Tutor chair.

His graying beard flowed down from his chin, reaching his abdomen.

Shen Yongmao walked into the living room cautiously, then softly called out, "Father."

Shen Shixing's face, covered in age spots, twitched, and he slowly opened his eyes. Seeing that his son had arrived, he waved his hand, signaling him to sit down: "What is it?"

"Father, Zhang Yunxiu came to find me today," Shen Yongmao replied.

"Oh? What earth-shattering big event is he trying to do now?" Shen Shixing asked nonchalantly.

"Abolish the Wei Suo System and train a New Army."

"Pfft!"

Shen Shixing spat out the tea he had just sipped, looked at his son in astonishment, and confirmed, "You mean to say, he, he wants to change the Great Ancestor's Wei Suo System?" "Yes." Shen Yongmao nodded, stunned for a moment, then added, "He also wants me to ask for your opinion; it looks like he intends for you to be at the top, to give him support."

Shen Shixing was so angry his cheeks flushed red and his beard stood on end.

This kind of thing that would make ten thousand people hold a grudge, and he still wanted him to take the lead? Not a chance!

Of course, he would not refuse directly either.

Having been an official for many years, he was well-versed in the ways of the bureaucracy, which was nothing more than the word "drag." This matter was of great importance, so it would have to be discussed for a year or two, then reported, and after being reported, discussed for a few more years.

Back and forth, several years would pass.

It was not impossible that he could drag it out until Zhang Yunxiu forgot about this matter.

"In this way, go reply to him, just say that this matter is of great importance and requires the Cabinet Ministers in the Grand Secretariat to discuss it first before anything else."

"Your son obeys."

Zhang Residence.

A gentle spring breeze swept by, and only then did Zhang Yunxiu's restless mood find some peace. He stood in his own small pavilion, holding onto a pavilion pillar, gazing at the night sky, his mind involuntarily bringing up Shen Yongmao's guarantee.

Half a month had already passed; Shen Yongmao said they needed to discuss it, so how could they have discussed it for half a month and still not have reached a conclusion?

This father and son were truly two slippery characters.

During this period, he had not just been waiting idly at home.

He had told the Emperor about this Memorial, but as soon as the Emperor heard it would cost a large sum of money, he shook his head repeatedly, feeling the matter was too risky.

The Emperor was his backer; with the Emperor not agreeing, he really felt a bit uneasy.

Just as he was thinking, a burst of light, hurried footsteps suddenly came from behind.

A familiar, faint fragrance drifted into his nostrils with the breeze.

Zhang Yunxiu turned his head to look, and Zheng Xi'er was walking toward him with a smile, carrying a food box.

Today she was wearing a fitting snow-white swan velvet dress, wearing simple, light makeup, and the amber Wish-fulfilling Hairpin on her cloud-like hair emitted a bright luster.

Walking into the small pavilion, Zheng Xi'er opened the food box, took out pastries from inside, and placed them gently on the stone table.

Zhang Yunxiu turned and sat down, asking, "Are the children asleep?"

"They are asleep." Zheng Xi'er smiled lightly, two beautiful dimples appearing on her fair cheeks.

Just this alone made Zhang Yunxiu feel a stir in his heart. He feigned picking up a piece of pastry to taste and asked nonchalantly about the business in the capital and Songjiang Prefecture.

Zheng Xi'er answered one by one; in total, it amounted to a profit of five hundred thousand a year.

This did not even count what Zhang Yunxiu had plundered from Woguo and the fleets sent overseas.

"Husband, our family already has so much money, and you have become a high official, what more do you want?" After finishing, Zheng Xi'er blinked her apricot eyes and sat astride Zhang Yunxiu's lap in one motion.

The two had their faces pressed together, almost able to hear each other's heartbeats.

"Did Ruoxi tell you to come?" Zhang Yunxiu asked calmly.

A trace of panic clearly flashed across Zheng Xi'er's face, but it quickly dissipated.

She gave a charming smile, twisted her hot, delicate body, and acted coquettishly: "How could Sister tell me to come? I came secretly on my own."

"Xi'er."

"Mm."

Looking at the obedient and gentle Zheng Xi'er, Zhang Yunxiu asked, "Do you know what I like most about you?"

"Like what?" Zheng Xi'er looked nervous.

"I like that you are clever, I like that you understand the big picture and know when to advance or retreat."

Hearing this, Zheng Xi'er vaguely felt that Zhang Yunxiu was "stabbing" at her, so her charming little face turned pale for a moment. She opened her mouth to explain, but Zhang Yunxiu interrupted her, saying, "I know, both you and Ruoxi are doing this for my own good."

"But for some things, I must try; otherwise, wouldn't I have come to this world in vain?"

Zheng Xi'er did not understand these things; she only wanted to spend a peaceful life with the man before her.

Seeing his wife's cautious appearance, Zhang Yunxiu smiled and pinched her cheek, saying softly, "But don't worry, I am not some saint; if the matter is truly impossible, I won't force my way through it."

"I still have you, I still have Ruoxi, and I still have this whole family."

Zheng Xi'er's little face flushed red.

So her husband understood everything, and knew everything.

It was a waste that she and Sister Ruoxi had been living in fear, truly worried that her husband would act foolishly and do something earth-shattering and heaven-defying.

Now that the misunderstanding was resolved, the stone in Zheng Xi'er's heart fell to the ground, and being held in his arms, wicked thoughts suddenly surged in her heart.

"Go to my room," Zheng Xi'er said, biting her hair, her eyes as alluring as silk.

Zhang Yunxiu smiled, hooked his arm around Zheng Xi'er's waist, and turned to leave.

Around the fourth watch.

Zhang Yunxiu and Zheng Xi'er were sleeping soundly when they were suddenly awakened by a burst of hurried footsteps outside the door. He rubbed his eyes, looked at the light outside the door, and shouted, "What is it?"

Han San's urgent voice followed: "Young Master, Young Master, something terrible has happened. A major incident has occurred over in Woguo."

"Toyotomi Hideyoshi has led his army in a surprise attack on Li Rusong's forces; Li Rusong cannot hold them off and is now planning to abandon Silver Mountain."

Zhang Yunxiu broke out in a cold sweat, hurriedly finding his clothes to put on, not forgetting to say to the worried-looking Zheng Xi'er, "You get some good rest."

Having said that, he walked out of the room.

Outside the door, Han San approached, covered in sweat.

"Young Master."

"Let's go to the study to talk."

The two moved to the study.

Once seated, Zhang Yunxiu went straight to the point: "When did all this happen?"

"According to the messenger, it was at least six days ago," Han San said, his face full of worry. "This time, all the bandits on the island of Woguo have united, an army of nearly two hundred thousand."

"Even if General Li were a god descended to earth, it would be difficult for him to hold them off."

Zhang Yunxiu also understood the danger, so he hurriedly ordered: "Like this, have the East Sea Fleet, the South Sea Fleet, and the twenty thousand men all enter Woguo to provide support."

"Zhao Dalong's East Sea Fleet has already gone. The South Sea Fleet is too far away to help, and at the same time, it must guard against the Franks, so it cannot be moved easily," Han San hurriedly explained.

Hearing this, Zhang Yunxiu fell silent and did not speak.

The Japanese pirates' movements were truly too fast; he had originally intended to finish reforming the Coastal Defense Army before conquering Japan. Who would have expected Toyotomi Hideyoshi to strike first, catching him off guard.

But very quickly, Zhang Yunxiu realized.

This was an excellent opportunity, an opportunity to make those civil officials and military generals realize that a powerful army could bring immense benefits in the struggle for world hegemony.

He had to use benefits to drive them to carry out the reforms.

"Send word to Li Rusong that he must preserve his strength. If Silver Mountain cannot be held, then retreat to Kyushu Island and wait for reinforcements."

"Yes!"

(End of this chapter)