Chapter 112: Policy Proposal Book, the rallying power of a single phrase

"What policy proposal book?"

"It actually made you write so much?"

Yuwen Hu was startled, staring at the thick stack in Chen Yan's hand, and asked suspiciously.

It was as thick as three or four books.

No wonder he always felt that this brat's chest was bulging just now...

So there really was something there; it wasn't an illusion!

"Just a little bit of reform regarding the palace soldiers..."

Chen Yan smiled indifferently, placed the "policy proposal book" on the desk, pushed it in front of Yuwen Hu, and said meaningfully, "As well as strengthening the palace soldiers' further loyalty to Great Zhou!"

As a former workhorse beside a big shot, his professionalism in writing work reports was naturally beyond reproach.

"Oh?"

Yuwen Hu immediately became interested, picked up the "policy proposal book" to flip through it, frowned slightly, and asked suspiciously, "Martyrs' Cemetery?"

"What is this thing?"

"What is its purpose?"

This was an extremely unfamiliar term, one that Yuwen Hu had never even heard of.

But the more this was the case, the more interested he became in this thing.

Chen Yan smiled lightly, phrased his words slightly, and explained, "The Martyrs' Cemetery is a place to commemorate and offer sacrifices to soldiers who fought for the country and sacrificed heroically on the battlefield; it is a place to offer incense and a resting place for them!"

"Their parents, relatives, and children can come here to cherish their great achievements and remember the huge sacrifices they made for Great Zhou, the Court, and the common people!"

Yuwen Hu's expression became extremely serious, and he shouted toward the door, "Someone, bring a seat and tea!"

"Yes."

The guarding personal guard responded, quickly brought hot tea, and handed it to Chen Yan.

"A Yan, continue!"

"Speak in more detail..."

Yuwen Hu flipped through the "policy proposal book" without missing a word and continued.

With a further understanding of this "Martyrs' Cemetery," Yuwen Hu deeply realized that what this brat said about "strengthening the palace soldiers' further loyalty to Great Zhou"...

Was absolutely not a joke, nor was he bragging!

It was truly possible to achieve.

Chen Yan recalled that era under the red flag and said, "The Martyrs' Cemetery can serve as a symbol of a national spiritual totem..."

"It can evoke the common people's sense of identity, belonging, and pride in the country and the nation!"

"Holding sacrificial ceremonies and the like at the Martyrs' Cemetery can unite national strength, enhance the soldiers and people's identification with Great Zhou, and burst forth with stronger combat power!"

People of this era might not quite understand.

But Chen Yan, whose soul did not belong to this era, had seen and witnessed it with his own eyes...

He clearly knew just how terrifying the rallying power of the phrase "See you at the Martyrs' Cemetery" was!

"Hmm."

Yuwen Hu nodded, his eyes deep, and said in a low voice, "According to what you say, the palace soldiers who go out to fight will be even more fearless of death!"

Just from this brief description, this Grand Chancellor who held power could foresee that daring-to-fight-and-kill combat power...

With the bond of the Martyrs' Cemetery, it solved not just the fighting, but also the recruitment of soldiers.

It meant an endless stream of strong young men throwing themselves into the ranks to protect the home and country, and expand the territory!

"Grand Chancellor has great insight!" Chen Yan cupped his fists and flattered.

"Then this policy proposal book of yours is the detailed step-by-step advancement?" Yuwen Hu seemed to have thought of something and began to flip backward.

As expected, it was indeed various plans for construction, management, and propaganda.

He finally understood why it was such a thick stack...

"Exactly."

"As long as it is spread out quickly, and given time, the palace soldiers of our Great Zhou will surely take on a brand new look!"

Chen Yan took a deep breath and imagined.

Regarding military reform and the replacement of weapons and equipment, those were actually secondary...

The key was the gradual transformation of faith!

No one knew the gold content of the "Three Bay Military Soul" better than he did.

"Good, very good!"

Yuwen Hu reviewed the "policy proposal book" at an extremely fast speed, nodded repeatedly, and praised, "You really have written this in great detail!"

Besides writing the operational methods, this "policy proposal book" also detailed how to improve the treatment of those who died in battle, enhance their posthumous fame, praise their deeds, treat their families well, and improve their social status...

Just by executing this whole set of combination punches, it would be of great benefit to both the state and the military.

It could even consolidate his status and weaken the Pillar States' influence on the palace soldiers...

"Serving the Grand Chancellor, I dare not be anything but devoted!" Chen Yan's mouth curled into an arc, and he said solemnly.

Naturally, Chen Yan had to be devoted.

The more firmly his backer sat, the more endless the glory and wealth he, this hound, would enjoy!

"Good brat, you can always bring me different surprises!"

Yuwen Hu closed the "policy proposal book," pointed at Chen Yan, full of gratification, and laughed heartily.

A Tang's good son, his supreme treasure.

Chen Yan seemed to have thought of something and specifically reminded, "Grand Chancellor, the core key to this strategy lies in making the palace soldiers proud to enter the Martyrs' Cemetery!"

After the two discussed for another half hour in the study, Chen Yan took his leave and returned to the mansion.

Yuwen Hu leaned against the back of his chair, watched his departing back, and laughed, "My thousand-mile steed is truly extraordinary!"

Having said that, his gaze began to blur, and he muttered, "A Tang, you say, how far can A Yan eventually go..."

After Yuwen Hu pondered for a long while, he slowly withdrew his thoughts and sent someone overnight to summon the miserable workhorse Yuwen Heng to discuss important matters.

One day later.

Chang'an.

On the main street.

"Big Brother, your attire is truly dapper; you look just like a dandy in Chang'an City!"

Li Tan, who came to meet up, circled around Chen Yan and teased with great interest.

What met the eyes was a cicada-wing silk crown on his head, the texture light and thin like smoke, faintly revealing the carefully groomed hair bun underneath, and the white jade hairpin binding the hair was warm and moist yet revealed a chill.

Two slender silk ribbons hung down from the crown, swaying lightly with his movements, adding a touch of romantic charm for no reason.

He wore an ivory-white Hangzhou silk long gown, the fabric soft and smooth, shimmering with a gentle luster in the sunlight, and the collar and cuffs were embroidered with exquisite scroll patterns in ink-colored silk thread, appearing low-key but actually hiding clever thoughts.

He wore a treasure-blue sleeveless jacket on the outside, woven from top-grade Shu brocade, with complex Ruyi cloud patterns embroidered in gold thread; with every gesture, the gold thread shimmered, exuding an imposing air of nobility.

He played with a Xiangfei bamboo fan in his hand, on which a Spring Palace painting was drawn, the brushwork delicate and the colors bright.

The whole person was just like a refined scoundrel wearing the skin of a literati, but hiding endless dissolute thoughts inside.

"That's right."

Chen Yan held his head high, pinched the Xiangfei bamboo fan, and said smugly, "I called Tao Yunshi over to put this together piece by piece!"

As the Heir of the Marquis of Pingyang, the leader of the dandies in Chang'an City, he was put to good use.

Li Tan hooked Chen Yan's shoulder, winked, and teased, "Big Brother, you aren't really planning to take us to the streets to forcibly seize common women, are you?"

"Or go to bully the market?"

As he spoke, he pointed to Yuwen Ze, who was dressed similarly nearby.

"It's much more interesting than that!"

Chen Yan raised his eyebrows, nudged Li Tan with his elbow, and said mysteriously, "You'll understand when you get there..."

"Tsk!"

"Still selling suspense..."

Li Tan smacked his lips, but did not ask further, and followed along with full anticipation.

Half an hour later.

The group stopped in front of Wangchuan Gambling Hall.

"Brother, why did you bring us to this gambling hall during your working hours?"

Yuwen Ze looked at the gambling hall where people came and went, frowned slightly, and worried, "If Father finds out about this, leaving duty without authorization and..."

"No matter!"

Chen Yan raised his hand and pressed it lightly, enunciating every word, "We are gambling on orders!"

"Aha?!" Yuwen Ze was stunned.

"See these silver notes in my hand?"

Chen Yan, unhurried, took out a stack of 1,000-tael silver notes from his bosom, totaling 30,000 taels, and laughed, "Today's mission is to lose them all!" ===== CHAPTER 113 =====

Chen Yan, unhurried, fished a stack of thousand-tael silver notes from his robes—a total of thirty thousand taels—and laughed, "Today's mission is to lose every last one of them!"