Chapter 154: Loyal to the monarch and serving the country, Hou Yuzhao

Zhu Yijun looked at Yu Maoxue's begging appearance and felt it was a bit funny. Actually, Yu Maoxue editing Zhang Juzheng was a fashion in the Southern Yamen, or rather a rhetoric. It was really impossible to find a point to attack the political decrees, so he went for the lower three paths. This kind of thing couldn't be put on the table. The more you forbid it, the more the people think it's true.

Because Zhang Juzheng and Empress Dowager Li had an affair, Empress Dowager Li drove away Gao Gong, so Zhang Juzheng could control the lectures, could slightly give military power to military generals, could be as stable as Mount Tai in the position of Grand Secretary, could use the Examination Law to harass officials, and could enrich the country and strengthen the army.

This kind of editing, the court's disposal was bound hand and foot, and could only pretend not to know, letting the wind of public opinion spread.

And then using Qi Jiguang as Zhang Juzheng's subordinate as an entry point for attack, everything seemed reasonable.

In the tenth year of Wanli, Qi Jiguang was transferred away from Jizhou to Guangzhou. In the thirteenth year of Wanli, he was dismissed and returned to his hometown. In the sixteenth year of Wanli, he died of illness at home. In the tenth year of Wanli, the Wanli Emperor lost the sharpest knife Zhang Juzheng left for the little Emperor. After that, the Wanli Emperor lost the ability to flip the table.

And now Zhu Yijun can toss the officials so much, scolding, scolding, and public interrogation, actually because he has the ability to flip the table, and can wield the axe and halberd to solve problems with the criticism of weapons.

The Great Ming Capital Battalion is the ballast stone for the stability of the Great Ming court situation.

If Qi Jiguang hadn't been transferred to Jizhou to train ten thousand strong troops, just one hundred li outside the capital, would Gao Gong have been so willing to leave when he was dismissed?

Without Qi Jiguang training the Capital Battalion in the capital, even if it was only ten thousand strong troops, would Wang Chonggu have sold his life for the court so honestly, just wanting to make money?

The answers are all no.

Zhu Yijun looked around and still didn't wait for anyone to rescue Yu Maoxue, so he opened his mouth and said, "No one to rescue? If you want to rescue him, say it now. I will give the court officials a quarter of an hour. If you don't rescue him now, anyone who mentions the Yu Maoxue case in the future will be put into the Jiekuyuan as a party."

"Yu Maoxue is sentenced to death, at least until the twelfth month of Great Ming. These two months, I give time to the officials outside. If you can't say one, two, or three to rescue him, you will be sentenced as a party in the future."

Don't talk about what has been done, don't remonstrate about what has been done, don't blame what has passed—these are the words in the Analects. If you still clamor after the matter, then you will be treated as a party.

"Zhang Han! Say something!" Yu Maoxue was pressed by the scouts, stretching his body, his eyes red, looking at Minister of Personnel Zhang Han, and shouted angrily.

"You, you, you, stop talking nonsense! This is the Imperial Gate, where the world's divine vessel is! Stop biting people indiscriminately!" Zhang Han was anxious and pointed at Yu Maoxue, scolding sharply, "I am only acquainted with you. You committed such a monstrous crime, what does it have to do with me?"

"Your Majesty, Yu Maoxue has no submissive heart. This matter has absolutely nothing to do with me. I have never slandered the Grand Secretary and the Holy Mother. He is muddled himself and insists on biting me. I am afraid of falsely accusing the good, which will hurt the harmony of heaven and earth!"

Zhang Han's words are very interesting. Actually, he is admitting that Yu Maoxue's five-point memorial before was instructed by him. That is within the scope of party struggle. Party struggle is a life-and-death struggle. You Zhang Juzheng raised Zhang Chucheng and Wang Xiyuan, so didn't Zhang Han have his own claws?

But Zhang Han really didn't instruct Yu Maoxue to edit the Grand Secretary and the Empress Dowager.

Zhang Juzheng's Examination Law and the method of pasting names and filling in life books indeed infringed on the Ministry of Personnel's affairs. Zhang Han didn't think there was anything wrong with his tilting with Zhang Juzheng. It was Zhang Juzheng who kept stripping the Ministry of Personnel's affairs. As the Minister of Personnel, couldn't Zhang Han resist?

Yu Maoxue himself colluded with He Xinyin, so that was not instructed by Zhang Han.

Yu Maoxue never thought that the Emperor would actually put this matter on the table, and this immediately left only a dead end.

Zhu Yijun didn't pay attention to Zhang Han, but looked at the water clock, waited for a long time, waved his hand, and signaled to take him down.

"Next, Liu Tai." Zhu Yijun looked at Zhang Juzheng's student Liu Tai, his face changed, and said, "Take off his waist tag. What kind of thing is worthy of hanging the waist tag of the Quanchu Society!"

The scouts reached out and took away Liu Tai's waist tag.

Liu Tai was pressed by the scouts to be interrogated. He struggled and shouted loudly, "Your Majesty, I deserve to die, I deserve to die! I plead guilty, no need to interrogate, I only ask for a quick death!"

Liu Tai was afraid. He was really afraid. He was afraid that his dirty things would be made public, leaving a bad name for ten thousand years, and being scolded by people, so he only asked for a quick death.

Zhu Yijun sneered and said, "You want a quick death, so you get a quick death? Is this world up to you? I am the Son of Heaven, and I don't dare to say I have the power of life and death. If the minister doesn't make a mistake, can I still have nothing to do and find trouble for you?"

"You want to die, it's still early. The scouts finish the interrogation, send it to the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Justice verifies it and sends it to the Grand Court of Revision, the Grand Court of Revision reviews it, and sends it to the Central Secretariat. The death penalty requires three repetitions, and repeated investigations to prevent unjust, false, and wrong cases. You think you want to die, so you die? There is still a wait. The taste of waiting for death is probably not good."

"Thanks to the Scout Commander."

Zhao Mengyou picked up the case file again and said, "You went to Liaodong to inspect, and arranged for your father Liu Zhenlong and younger brother Liu Guowei to be grain merchants for opening the market. Is there such a thing?"

"Yes." Liu Tai knelt on the ground, shivered violently, and said, "Scout Commander, don't ask, don't ask, I plead guilty."

Zhao Mengyou continued to ask, "The court purchased grain for Liaodong, and you used your position to purchase all the grain affairs of Liaodong to your father and younger brother. Is there such a thing? Replacing good with inferior, replacing good with stale, mixing in earth and stone, to seek violent profit. Is there such a thing?"

"Liu Tai?"

Liu Tai knelt on the ground without saying a word, just not answering.

"You think if you don't speak, the case can't be handled?" Zhao Mengyou showed a cruel smile and said, "Bring witnesses, material evidence, and written evidence."

To handle such a big thing, it must have gone through many people. The scouts handle cases, and they don't handle any headless cases. Everything is documented, and everything can be checked. Since he dared to stand at the Imperial Gate and point fingers at the civil officials, there would absolutely be no mistakes.

Witnesses, material evidence, and written evidence were all present, and Liu Tai could not quibble.

Zhao Mengyou continued, "You colluded with the Hu people, and conspired with the Fifth Great Camp of the Khalkha unit, Chaohua, to burn the grain of Tieling, Liaodong, Fushun, Jinzhou, Guangning, Ningyuan, and Liaoning. Is there such a thing?"

"Not speaking? Bring witnesses, material evidence, and written evidence."

The ironclad evidence was like a mountain, and Liu Tai could not quibble. Many people participated in this case. As long as a thread was pulled out, a large piece could be pulled out.

"It's all Zhang Siwei. Zhang Siwei instructed the sinful minister to do such evil things. I regret listening to his shaking lips and drumming tongue!" Liu Tai gritted his teeth and looked at Zhang Siwei, saying angrily.

Zhang Siwei stood out calmly and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, please allow me to explain, and confront Liu Tai. If I am guilty, the national law is hard to tolerate."

"Liu Tai, why do you say it was my instruction? Slandering me?"

"The day I left the capital for Liaodong, you came to the post station to see me off. It was that day you instructed me!" Liu Tai clenched his fists and said, "Still dare to confront!"

"My family's retainers were at my side that day, and your servants were there too. There were over a dozen people present at the time; how can you be allowed to spout nonsense?" Zhang Siwei said quite indifferently: "I saw you off? I went to Jizhou, and you insisted on coming up to me at the post station, saying you wanted to seek advice. Where does this talk of seeing you off come from?"

"And! When did I instruct you? What did I say at the time? I said the northwest is rotten, it's not a cold of three feet in one day. Northwest Regional Commander and Vice Regional Commander, more than ten died in battle, Liaodong Regional Commander died in battle, the country has no victory, the world is uneasy. Is this what I said?"

"Yes." Liu Tai shivered violently. He suddenly realized that Zhang Siwei was really too insidious!

"Then you say I instructed you, what is the reason?" Zhang Siwei sneered and said, "You heard me talk about the rottenness of the northwest, your greed arose, and you did so many evil things yourself. Why do you want to bite me?"

"Your Majesty, please see clearly."

This is Zhang Siwei. When something happens, he is clean, as pure as a white lotus that does not stain from the mud.

Zhao Mengyou actually wanted to handle this case to Zhang Siwei's head, but finally didn't find evidence. To be precise, Zhang Siwei knew what Liu Tai was doing, but was not the mastermind.

The only thing Zhang Siwei had to do with this case was that Zhang Siwei shared the successful experience of the northwest with Liu Tai. Of course, when he said it, it was a look of grief and indignation, warning Liu Tai that the national law is there, don't knowingly commit crimes, otherwise the axe and halberd will be added to the body, and it will be too late to regret.

But Zhang Siwei's words hooked out the restless heart in Liu Tai's heart.

The matter was done by Liu Tai, and Zhang Siwei did not participate in it, so he could not be sentenced.

Zhu Yijun was also too lazy to pay attention to Zhang Siwei. Zhao Mengyou, as the Scout Commander, actually hinted many times that if the Emperor didn't like Zhang Siwei, Zhao Mengyou could fabricate some crimes to ensure Zhang Siwei couldn't escape, but Zhu Yijun didn't agree. The scouts handle unjust, false, and wrong cases. Once this head is opened, it is the initiator, which will cause endless harm.

"Is there anyone who wants to rescue Liu Tai? I will give the court officials a quarter of an hour." Zhu Yijun asked quite calmly.

The court was quiet. Colluding with the Hu people, no matter when, is a death penalty that cannot be escaped. During the Jiajing reign, Grand Secretary Xia Yan, Datong Regional Commander, and Xianning Earl Qiu Luan heavily bribed Altan Khan, and finally the dignified Grand Secretary was beheaded in the West Market.

Liu Tai colluded with Chaohua of the Fifth Great Camp of the Khalkha unit, which meant that Liu Tai's father, Liu Tai's younger brother, and Liu Tai would all be sentenced to death.

"Since no one is pleading, take him down, investigate and supplement before sentencing." Zhu Yijun waved his hand, signaling to take the second suspect down.

This was the first and second censor official sentenced to beheading. Zhu Yijun indeed hurt the ears and eyes, but they lost the duty of ears and eyes, and used their power to seek profit for themselves. Is this still an ear and eye official?

Fu Yingzhen knelt on the ground, somewhat confused, looked left and right, and bowed, saying, "Sinful minister deserves to die."

The first two suspects started with the death penalty. Liu Tai's father and younger brother were also sentenced. Fu Yingzhen only felt despair, feeling that he was afraid he couldn't escape.

Zhu Yijun looked at Fu Yingzhen, shook his head, and said, "Your case has been investigated clearly. It's just corruption, not enough to die. Fine 1,200 silver, hand it to the Ministry of Revenue tomorrow, and send it home by post."

"Ah?" Fu Yingzhen raised his head blankly, looking at the Emperor, full of doubts. The first two people were all nailed to the death penalty, and when it was his turn, he could leave?

"Don't want to go back, want to go to the Jiekuyuan?" Zhu Yijun asked unhappily.

"Sinful minister kowtows to thank Your Majesty for your holy grace!" Fu Yingzhen hurriedly kowtowed and then left happily.

Fu Yingzhen impeached Zhang Juzheng, which was a disciple impeaching his teacher, something that hadn't happened in two hundred years. But since the matter's principal Zhang Juzheng didn't pursue it, there was no follow-up. It was because Fu Yingzhen was involved in corruption that he was thrown into the Heavenly Prison for a few months to investigate the problem. After the investigation was clear, Fu Yingzhen was allowed to leave.

The censor officials had been rescuing these three people, Yu Maoxue, Liu Tai, and Fu Yingzhen. If you say they were rescued, Yu Maoxue and Liu Tai were sentenced, and no one dared to argue. If you say they weren't rescued, then Fu Yingzhen was happy and could be sent home by post. Isn't this rescuing one?

Court officials are very good at stirring up the water, and Zhu Yijun is also very good at this move. No matter what, the history books will have to explain why Yu Maoxue and Liu Tai were sentenced to death, while Fu Yingzhen could roll home.

You must know that Fu Yingzhen was the one who took the lead in impeaching the master.

Zhu Yijun's hand touched the memorial, opened his mouth, and asked, "Is Lin Xiechun, the compiler of the Hanlin Academy, here?"

"I am here." Lin Xiechun felt bitter in his heart. So many people submitted memorials, why was he the only one taken out to be scolded first! This is unfair.

Zhu Yijun held the memorial and said, "You submitted a memorial saying that the court raising the Capital Battalion is useless and wastes national use, and it should be disbanded. Then I ask you, if Altan Khan and Tuman Khan break through the pass again and invade the capital, how to deal with it? I go to Altan Khan and Tuman Khan to kowtow, saying hurry up and withdraw, I promise you, enfeoff you as king, and give you tribute?"

Lin Xiechun was silent for a long time and said, "Your Majesty, I think the solidity of the country lies in virtue, not in danger."

"The kings of old resided in the nine-fold palace and controlled the four seas. Within and beyond the seas, none did not turn toward them, and their commands were obeyed. This was for no other reason than virtue. Since the sage kings of the Three Dynasties, there has never been a system that remained unchanged for a hundred years. What is valued in those who inherit it is the ability to understand the spirit of the system's laws without being bound by the past. The affairs of the world cannot be without flaws; where there are flaws, one cannot but change and adapt. Changing and adapting while not losing the original intent—this is what it means to be a good guardian of the law."

"Today, the Capital Battalion is extremely expensive. Disbanding the Capital Battalion can be called..."

Zhu Yijun could naturally understand what Lin Xiechun was forcing. It meant that the weight of the world is virtue. If you have virtue, you have everything. Don't scare people by holding a knife every day!

He reached out and interrupted Lin Xiechun's spellcasting, asking, "Stop, I am asking you, Altan Khan and Tuman Khan have arrived outside Xizhimen, without the Capital Battalion, how to deal with it? I go to the Hu camp and beg them?"

Lin Xiechun bowed his head and said: "Your subject believes that local militia defense can make lawless elements disappear. If there is a war, an edict can be issued to summon the world to defend the throne."

Zhu Yijun understood Lin Xiechun's proposal and nodded repeatedly, saying, "I understand. It's like the Northern Song Dynasty. Then the Jin soldiers arrived at Bianliang City, the Emperor was captured. Your meaning is that I will also go north to hunt? Or like the middle and late Tang Dynasty, with warlords everywhere, and I have nothing to do but flee everywhere."

"The Yingzong Emperor went north to hunt and finally returned. You guess it was because the Oirat had a submissive heart, or because the Oirat fought to the Great Ming capital and had to return the Yingzong Emperor? Your words are simply ridiculous."

"Your meaning is that during the Yingzong Emperor's time, in the Tianshun years, disbanding the Capital Battalion was the benevolent monarch and the virtuous monarch?"

"I don't mean that." Lin Xiechun's forehead suddenly rose a layer of cold sweat, and he hurriedly said.

Zhu Yijun spread his hands and asked, "Then what do you mean?"

"Our Great Ming has not disbanded the Capital Battalion. During the Yingzong Emperor's Southern Palace restoration, the Capital Battalion was disbanded. Later, forced by the situation, it was established again. This basic historical fact, you don't know, then there is no need to discuss more."

"Lin Compiler, do you read history books?" Zhu Yijun asked a soul-searching question.

Lin Xiechun said helplessly, "I don't read history."

"No wonder you don't know." Zhu Yijun suddenly realized that it was because he didn't read history that such a cognitive gap appeared.

There is a very strong historical trend in Great Ming's wind of public opinion, which is that you only need to read the Four Books and Five Classics well, and everything in the world can be accomplished.

This social phenomenon was named by later generations as the application of history by Neo-Confucianism and Mind-Learning, which is to understand history with the principles of Neo-Confucianism or Mind-Learning, or simply not read history at all. Anyway, the imperial examination doesn't test it.

The Four Books and Five Classics are completely enough.

By the Jiajing reign, those who could read the official history were rare, and even the Hanlin couldn't read the full compilation. They only needed to learn the Four Books and Five Classics. Why read history books?

At this time, Liang Menglong, who was still supervising the army in Danning Guard, felt the emotion of this phenomenon, specially organized history books, and compiled a "History Summary," which was also compiled at Zhang Juzheng's request, mainly for the little Emperor to use as teaching material. The little Emperor was definitely going to read history. As an imperial teacher, Zhang Juzheng attached great importance to the Emperor's education.

Wan Shihe heard the Emperor ask this sentence, and his heart was full of mixed feelings. When he first became the Minister of Rites, he was also scolded by the Emperor, almost to the point of suicide. Especially regarding the historical problems of the Jiajing and Longqing years, Wan Shihe really didn't know, and was cited by the little Emperor to quote classics, referring to historical cases, and was beaten fiercely.

"I will copy a copy of the 'History Summary' for Compiler Lin, and read it carefully, sigh." Zhu Yijun shook his head repeatedly. Lin Xiechun was a Hanlin and participated in the compilation of the Veritable Records of Ming Muzong and Ming Shizong. Not reading history, or the wind of public opinion that doesn't need to read history, is imaginable.

"I obey the holy instruction." Lin Xiechun knelt on the ground to see the ceremony. He didn't even know that during the Tianshun years of the Yingzong Emperor, the Capital Battalion was disbanded, and later, forced by the situation, it was established again. He didn't even know this basic historical fact, so there was no need to discuss more.

Zhu Yijun's hand touched the next memorial and asked, "Is Censor Zhou Liangyin here?"

"I am here." Zhou Liangyin hurried to the hall from outside the hall, bowed, and said, "I am here."

Zhu Yijun looked at the memorial and nodded quite affirmatively, saying, "You submitted a memorial saying that the Marquis of Qian'an and the Earl of Ningyuan are fighting beyond the frontier, and it is difficult to refer to their merits, and there is a suspicion of killing good people to impersonate merits. It is indeed so. Then you dozen censors who submitted memorials together, go to Danning Guard together, go out of the pass from Xifeng Pass, to Guangning Guard, and then from Guangning Guard to Pinglu Fortress, and take a look."

"Count the heads one by one, and then submit them for me to see."

Zhou Liangyin swallowed his throat and said, "Your Majesty's meaning is to let me go to the border to inspect?"

Zhu Yijun nodded and said, "Yes, you censors are suspicious, so go and see for yourself. It can be considered a result, right? Teacher, let the Wenyuan Pavilion draft the decree, and set off today."

"Your Majesty, spare my life!" Zhou Liangyin was so scared that he knelt on the ground and begged for mercy. That is Danning Guard, that is beyond the frontier, everywhere are horse bandits and Northern Hu. If you walk, you will be intercepted!

What Zhou Liangyin feared more was that he questioned Qi Jiguang and Li Chengliang. Regarding Qi Jiguang's character, Zhou Liangyin trusted him very much, but Li Chengliang was a reckless person. He attacked Li Chengliang in the court. When he arrived at Li Chengliang's territory, it was not certain what Li Chengliang would do!

Zhou Liangyin pondered for a while. The fate of their dozen censors was probably being carried away by bears, killed by Northern Hu, plundered by horse bandits, and the cart overturned into a ditch. Li Chengliang could definitely do such things, and then submit a report expressing regret.

Beyond the frontier is like this, it is relatively dangerous.

"You said this, you question, you don't go to see, do you want me to go to see? Teacher, can they set off to patrol the border today?" Zhu Yijun looked at Zhang Juzheng and asked.

Zhang Juzheng said concisely, "Yes."

"Hmm, then go." Zhu Yijun looked at Zhou Liangyin and said with a smile, "Minister Zhou, you must take good care of yourself! It has snowed beyond the frontier, the road is slippery, be very careful!"

Zhang Juzheng bowed and said, "Your Majesty, should I take them to see?" Tan Lun heard this and stood out, saying, just right Tan Lun wanted to go to Danning Guard to see, and brought a few censors by his side.

Zhu Yijun agreed to Tan Lun going to play beyond the frontier. It would be fine if he could come back before the New Year. He nodded and said, "Trouble the Tan Sima. Zhou Liangyin, why don't you thank the Tan Sima?"

"Thank you, Tan Sima." Zhou Liangyin bowed again, still feeling numb in his scalp, and said, "I obey the decree."

Zhu Yijun looked at the next memorial and said, "Is the Senior Assistant Minister of the Six Ministries, Hou Yuzhao, here?"

"I am here." Hou Yuzhao stood out and bowed, saying, he was the Senior Assistant Minister of the Six Ministries, the head of one of the six ministries, naturally he could be in the Imperial Gate.

"This memorial of Minister Hou is good! Very good!" Zhu Yijun read the memorial again and nodded repeatedly, saying, "Minister Hou is truly a model of loyalty to the monarch and serving the country. Zhang the Scout, grant a fine spun warm coat, the kind with lapels and unicorn patterns. Take one."

"Ah?" Hou Yuzhao said blankly, "I have no merit, why grant clothes?"

Hou Yuzhao was stupid. He thought the Emperor praised him for saying it well, and was using irony, but it seemed the Emperor was really happy with his memorial. The unicorn pattern as a granted clothing was often granted to fourth or fifth-rank officials. Although Hou Yuzhao was only a seventh-rank official, he was in the Six Ministries, with low rank and great power.

Hou Yuzhao didn't understand how he was going against the censor officials again!

Hou Yuzhao's memorial, the first half was all wheel-rolling words, following the three generations, cultivating benevolence and virtue, etc., but in the middle of the memorial, the tone changed, and Hou Yuzhao began to question the head-count merit of this battle. He was not questioning the number, but questioning the unfairness of the head-count merit.

Zhu Yijun read the memorial and liked it more and more, saying with a smile, "Qi Commander has already mentioned it many times, saying this head-count merit is inappropriate."

"So every team of ten people has a special fire hand responsible for heads. Often when the battle is over, the fire hand is still cutting heads. This head is very difficult to cut, otherwise there wouldn't be a tiger-head guillotine. Qi Commander's infantry battalion divides this head-count merit equally, everyone has it, gunners account for thirty percent, artillerymen account for thirty percent, short soldiers and long soldiers account for thirty percent, and fire hands account for ten percent. Even so, the infantry battalion still has things to fight for."

"Head-count merit is not good, so your memorial is good!"

"You submitted a memorial saying, divide military merit into five grades, make merit plates according to grades, give rewards according to grades, and list the four items of breaking the formation, attacking the city, seizing boats, and recruiting surrender as special items for discussion, and those who are given merit plates for military soldiers will all be marked with the word merit on the plate."

"What does the Tan Sima think?" Zhu Yijun handed Hou Yuzhao's memorial to Feng Bao, and Feng Bao passed it to the Tan Sima Tan Lun.

Tan Lun's eyes lit up after reading it, and he said quite solemnly, "Your Majesty, the Senior Assistant Minister of the Six Ministries, Hou Yuzhao, is loyal to the monarch and serves the country!"

Requesting monthly tickets, Aowu!!!!!!

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 155 =====

"This memorial from Marquis Hou is good! Very good indeed!" Zhu Yijun read the memorial carefully again and nodded repeatedly, saying: "Marquis Hou is truly a model of loyalty to the country. Eunuch Zhang, bestow a fine-spun cloak, the kind with a front-opening and qilin patterns. Go get one."

"Ah?" Hou Yuzhao said sluggishly: "Your subject has not performed a single meritorious deed; where does this talk of a bestowed garment come from?"

Hou Yuzhao was stunned. He had thought His Majesty was being sarcastic and pointing at the mulberry to curse the locust tree when praising his memorial, but it seemed His Majesty was genuinely happy with it. Qilin patterns as bestowed garments were usually awarded to officials of the fourth or fifth rank. Although Hou Yuzhao was only a seventh-rank official, he was in the Six Ministries; his rank was low, but his power was great.

Hou Yuzhao did not understand why, for no reason, he was going against the grain of the censorate officials again!

This time, he had carefully weighed his words, and the content was no different from other officials; why did it make His Majesty so happy?

The first half of Hou Yuzhao's memorial was full of circular talk, clichés about following the Three Dynasties and cultivating benevolence and virtue. But in the middle of the memorial, the tone shifted, and Hou Yuzhao began to question the battle merits based on severed heads. He was not questioning the quantity, but the fairness of the head-count merit system.

The more Zhu Yijun read the memorial, the more he liked it. He smiled and said: "General Qi has already mentioned many times that this head-count merit system is inappropriate."

"So for every squad of ten, there is a designated 'head-cutter' responsible for the heads. Often, when the battle is over, the head-cutter is still busy cutting heads. It is very difficult to cut off a person's head, which is why the tiger-head guillotine exists. General Qi's infantry battalion divides this head-count merit equally among everyone: musketeers get thirty percent, artillerymen get thirty percent, short-range and long-range soldiers get thirty percent, and head-cutters get ten percent. Even with this division, the infantry battalion still has disputes over merits."

"The head-count merit system is bad, so your memorial is good!"

"You proposed in your memorial to divide military merit into five grades, to create merit plaques according to the grades, and to reward them according to the grades. Breaking formations, attacking cities, seizing boats, and accepting surrenders are to be discussed as four separate categories of extraordinary merit. Those who are given merit plaques for soldiers are to have the specific merit noted on the plaque."

"What does the Grand Tan Sima think?" Zhu Yijun handed Hou Yuzhao's memorial to Feng Bao, and Feng Bao passed it to Grand Tan Sima Tan Lun.

Tan Lun's eyes lit up after reading it, and he said quite solemnly: "Your Majesty, Supervising Secretary Hou is loyal to the throne and the country!"

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(End of this chapter)