Chapter 539: line with translation of chapter title

Chen Wuji gave out an essay prompt, and as a result Chang Jingxuan immediately gave Chen Wuji an answer.

"The Colonel's current situation, if I may speak bluntly, is actually rather…… awkward." Chang Jingxuan said frankly.

Nan Jun differs from the border armies; it follows the provincial troop system. In a prefecture, the Negotiation Colonel should be supreme, but the Colonel has already expanded to tens of thousands of troops, and if we continue this method, coordination between upper and lower will be difficult, and problems will inevitably arise in the long run.

I don't know if the Colonel understands the Military Governor abolished by our dynasty, but the Colonel's best option now is to run military and political affairs under two systems: govern civil affairs with the old system, and command the army with the Military Governor.

Chen Wuji nodded; this is exactly the core of his consideration for reform.

Leading twenty thousand troops as the Negotiation Colonel is already the limit.

Currently, about half of the new recruits have not yet been incorporated; otherwise, they would be overwhelmed all at once.

"It seems that some things, in the end, converge by different paths." Chen Wuji opened the cabinet and took out the Great Seal of the Military Governor that the Emperor had just sent him, saying, "This is the Yin Shu of the Regional Inspector Commander that His Majesty the Emperor sent someone to deliver to me just a few days ago, ordering me to oversee all military and political affairs in Nan Jun."

As soon as this item was produced, several people in the room jumped up as if springs had been pressed beneath them, and even the most composed Chang Jingxuan strained his neck, trying to make out the characters on it.

"Colonel, are you not rebelling?" Chang Jingxuan muttered.

Chen Wuji sighed, "You may consider it rebellion; given the situation in Nan Jun, even if I placed the Emperor's edict on my forehead, how many people would actually acknowledge it?"

"Otherwise, why would I, upon receiving this Yin Shu, not openly claim legitimacy but instead hide it in the cabinet? Because it's useless. Lu Ping'an will not voluntarily yield his position; I must fight my way into Qingzhou City."

"Once I break in, whether or not I have this thing, don't you all have to acknowledge me as the Nan Jun Jinglue Shi? Although this title differs from the one the Emperor gave me, the authority is roughly the same, right?"

The things the Emperor gave, Chen Wuji will certainly use.

Under the current circumstances, acting in the name of the Court makes things easier; if he eventually leads troops into Zhongyuan to contend for the pinnacle of power, he can still earn the reputation of removing a corrupt ruler and march to the foot of the Huangcheng.

How to execute this set of combined punches, Boss Cao had already provided a very detailed practical example.

Learning from Sun Baiwan wouldn't suffice; if not for the Yangtze River as a natural barrier, he would have already been beaten to a pulp.

Yuan Qi's voice trembled slightly as he excitedly said, "Colonel, since this is His Majesty the Emperor's edict, you… you must bring it out and tell the world; keeping it hidden is inappropriate."

"Old Yuan still doesn't understand what I mean." Chen Wuji shook his head. "How did I, Chen Wuji, get to where I am? What status does our Chen clan have? With my background, now holding Hezhou, yet producing a Great Seal of the Military Governor—do you think those who know will accept it, or mock me?"

"They surely think I, Chen Wuji, have lost my mind, actually appointing myself a Military Governor."

"But in fact, it is His Majesty the Emperor who has lost his mind; he not only gave me this Regional Inspector Commander who oversees military and political affairs, but even the Brigade Commander rank I held when I was a minor officer was also his appointment."

"So this thing should still be hidden; wait until I reach Qingzhou, then step on Lu Ping'an's head and bring it out. I don't want to hear someone from afar shouting wildly, saying I don't know the immensity of heaven and earth."

Chen Wuji sighed deeply, and the gazes of Yuan Qi and the others instantly changed.

In fact, they had already decided to pledge loyalty to Chen Wuji when they entered Qinzhi Hall, and in their eyes they still did so regarding him as a rebel.

But at this moment, their eyes held something akin to heroic fervor.

Seeing their demeanor, Chen Wuji understood that the Dayu Dynasty had not yet reached the point where the people's hearts were completely lost and the state was on the verge of disintegration.

However, it is probably not far off; people like Chang Jingxuan and Xu Zhang, who live among rocks to cultivate their lives, have begun to pledge loyalty to him as a rebel, and the Qi Flow of the Dayu Dynasty is clearly sliding toward its lowest ebb.

"Chang Jingxuan, continue with your plan." Chen Wuji waved his hand and said.

"His Majesty appointed me as Military Governor, and now you suggest I run the troops using this Military Governor system; that's a perfect match, so let's finalize this military system today."

"Ah!" Chang Jingxuan composed himself, organized his thoughts, and continued: "In the Former Dynasty, the deputy commander and the military adjutant served as subordinate officers to the Military Governor; I suggest retaining these two positions, but we must weaken their authority to prevent them from becoming too powerful."

"Retain the military adjutant, responsible for participating in military affairs and commanding military operations, to be filled by Chen Bushi." Chen Wuji simply decided on all the personnel at once.

Chang Jingxuan continued: "Next, the judge, secretary, and staff officer—handling finances, documents, and deliberations—my humble opinion is that all three can be retained, and they are crucial."

Chen Wuji rubbed his forehead, "These three positions are indeed important; let me think about who should fill them…"

After considering everyone around him, Chen Wuji actually couldn't think of a suitable candidate.

He looked up at Chang Jingxuan and Yuan Dingcheng, and Chen Wuji rubbed his forehead.

Although promoting them this quickly seems somewhat inappropriate, there really is no one else available.

The only redeeming point is that the judge, secretary, and staff officer all come from the Military Governor's headquarters, so appointing them is fitting.

"Chang Jingxuan as staff officer, Yuan Dingcheng as secretary, Chen Luozi as judge." Chen Wuji pondered for a while and ultimately decided thus, placing the most important finances in the hands of his own people, while the secretary and staff officer can be replaced if needed.

Several people present were directly shocked by Chen Wuji's hasty attitude.

Just a couple of moments ago, Chen Wuji was still saying they would be promoted later, but in an instant they were promoted.

Moreover, they were immediately appointed as the core officials of the headquarters: secretary and judge.

Is that appropriate?

"Sir, selecting officials this way lacks steadiness!" Chang Jingxuan said, steeling himself.

Chen Wuji waved his hand, "Promoting you to secretary and judge for military affairs is quite reasonable; who asked you two to just happen to be in the right place at the right time!"

Chang Jingxuan, Yuan Dingcheng: …

What a fortunate coincidence.

This is practically more thrilling than finding money on the street.

Chen Wuji is a Military Governor appointed by the Court; this post wasn't self-awarded.

They actually became core members of the headquarters under the first Military Governor of Da Yu, just like that.

And this happened within less than an hour of entering the Government Office.

No one would believe it if spoken aloud.

"Continue, continue!" Chen Wuji urged.

Chang Jingxuan's mouth twitched slightly; he quickly thanked Chen Wuji, then continued: "Next is the commander-in-chief of all troops, a post of immense authority—the Army and Horse Commander; I suggest reducing its power. Alternatively, following the old system, we could divide this post into titled commanders."

"Using titled commanders, I like that!" Chen Wuji said.

He is a traditional person; he greatly likes the Han-era titled generals and titled commanders, which sound more imposing than the Army and Horse Commander, and shouting them out carries greater deterrence.