Chapter 298

Although the Retired Emperor showed a bit of reluctance on his face, he still decided to prioritize the overall situation.

We need to ensure we don't add extra. Let's produce: "Although the Retired Emperor showed a bit of reluctance on his face, he still decided to prioritize the overall situation!" That seems fine.

Although the Retired Emperor showed a bit of reluctance on his face, he still decided to prioritize the overall situation.

Jia Jing is now extremely important; if we could get his assistance, restoring the throne would be easily accomplished.

Jia Jing is now extremely important; if we could get his assistance, restoring the throne would be easily accomplished.

Hearing this, the Prince of Yi furrowed his brows slightly and asked doubtfully:

Translation: "Prince Yi heard this, frowned slightly, and asked:" We need to keep the questioning tone. "Prince Yi heard this, his brows slightly furrowed, and he asked:" We'll produce: "Prince Yi heard this, his brows slightly furrowed, and he asked:"

"Given Jia Zi Jie's current power, status, and that person's influence, it seems unlikely we could win him over."

Translation: "\"Given Jia Zi Jie's current power, status, and that person's trust, trying to win him over is probably impossible, right? \"" We'll produce: "\"Given Jia Zi Jie's current power, status, and that person's trust, trying to win him over is probably impossible, right? \""

The Retired Emperor smiled faintly and said confidently:

Translation: "The Retired Emperor smiled slightly and said firmly:" We'll produce: "The Retired Emperor smiled slightly and said firmly:"

"There's no one in the world who cannot be won over; it's just a matter of whether we can find his weakness and offer a tempting incentive."

Translation: "\"There's no one in the world who cannot be won over; it's just a matter of whether we can find his weakness and offer a stake that moves his heart. \"" We'll produce: "\"There's no one in the world who cannot be won over; it's just a matter of whether we can find his weakness and offer a stake that moves his heart. \""

"What does Father Emperor mean?" the Prince of Yi asked.

Translation: "\"What does Father Emperor mean? \" Prince Yi asked." We'll produce: "\"What does Father Emperor mean? \" Prince Yi asked."

"My meaning is simple! Offer him an inducement he cannot refuse."

Translation: "\"My meaning is simple! Offer him a stake he cannot refuse. \"" We'll produce: "\"My meaning is simple! Offer him a stake he cannot refuse. \""

"A princely rank, senior general of the first rank, the privilege to establish an office, the Nine Bestowals, the position of the Three Dukes, and so on—as long as he is willing to stand with us, everything can be negotiated!"

"A princely rank, senior general of the first rank, the privilege to establish an office, the Nine Bestowals, the position of the Three Dukes, and so on—as long as he is willing to stand with us, everything can be negotiated!"

"We can also approach his entourage; even if we cannot win him over, we can sow discord among his people."

Translation: "\"We can also start from his entourage; even if we cannot win him over, we can divide the people around him. \"" We'll produce: "\"We can also start from his entourage; even if we cannot win him over, we can divide the people around him. \""

"That Marquis of Weining and his relatives on his estate—as long as the people around him are willing to turn to us, even if we cannot change his mind, we can still create a rift between him and Emperor Jing Sheng."

"That Marquis of Weining and his relatives on his estate—as long as the people around him are willing to turn to us, even if we cannot change his mind, we can still achieve the effect of driving a wedge between him and Emperor Jing Sheng."

…………

Translation: Just ellipsis. We'll output: "…………" (same). Probably keep as is.

When Jia Jing left the palace, the afternoon sun was already slanting westward.

Translation: "When Jia Jing left the palace, the afternoon sun had already slanted west." We'll produce: "When Jia Jing left the palace, the afternoon sun had already slanted west."

Emperor Jing Sheng pulled him aside and talked at length, covering court and military affairs, naturally focusing on how to revive the Han state's fortunes.

Translation: "Emperor Jing Sheng pulled him aside and talked a lot, covering court military and political affairs; the topic naturally revolved around how to revive the Da Han Empire's fortunes." We'll produce: "Emperor Jing Sheng pulled him aside and talked a lot, covering court military and political affairs; the topic naturally revolved around how to revive the Da Han Empire's fortunes."

They talked with great enjoyment; had it not been for considering that Jia Jing had just returned, Emperor Jing Sheng would have had him stay overnight in the palace, sleeping side by side.

Translation: "The two chatted with great enjoyment; had it not been for considering that Jia Jing had just returned, Emperor Jing Sheng would have kept him to spend the night in the palace, intending to sleep side by side." We'll produce: "The two chatted with great enjoyment; had it not been for considering that Jia Jing had just returned, Emperor Jing Sheng would have kept him to spend the night in the palace, intending to sleep side by side."

As Jia Jing exited the palace gate with a composed demeanor, his armor had been replaced by a python robe, with a jade belt tied around his waist.

Translation: "When Jia Jing walked out of the palace gate with a calm expression, his armor had already been changed into a python robe, with a jade belt tied around his waist." We'll produce: "When Jia Jing walked out of the palace gate with a calm expression, his armor had already been changed into a python robe, with a jade belt tied around his waist."

According to Han dress regulations, a duke of the state should wear the flying fish robe, while the python robe is reserved for princes.

Translation: "According to the Da Han Empire's dress code, a duke should wear the flying fish robe, while the python robe is exclusive to princes." We'll produce: "According to the Da Han Empire's dress code, a duke should wear the flying fish robe, while the python robe is exclusive to princes."

However, when Emperor Jing Sheng ennobled Jia Jing as a first-rank Jing State Duke, he specially granted him the python robe and jade belt to highlight his honor and military merit.

Translation: "However, when Jia Jing was ennobled by Emperor Jing Sheng as a First‑Class Duke of Jing State, he was specially granted a python robe and jade belt to display his favor and military merit." We'll produce: "However, when Jia Jing was ennobled by Emperor Jing Sheng as a First‑Class Duke of Jing State, he was specially granted a python robe and jade belt to display his favor and military merit."

The python robe, as the most precious attire officials under the emperor can wear, also comes in upper and lower grades.

Translation: "As the most precious garment officials under the emperor can wear, the python robe also comes in upper and lower grades." We'll produce: "As the most precious garment officials under the emperor can wear, the python robe also comes in upper and lower grades."

The upper grade is the seated python, with the dragon's head facing forward, its body coiled as if sitting, presenting a frontal posture, also called "upright python" or "coiled python."

Translation: "The upper grade is the coiled python, with the python's head facing forward, its body coiled as if sitting, presenting a frontal posture; it is also called the 'upright python' or 'coiled python'." We'll produce: "The upper grade is the coiled python, with the python's head facing forward, its body coiled as if sitting, presenting a frontal posture; it is also called the 'upright python' or 'coiled python'."

This form symbolizes supreme honor and is the highest-grade bestowed robe pattern in the Han dynasty.

Translation: "This form symbolizes supreme honor and is the highest‑grade bestowed robe pattern of the Da Han Empire." We'll produce: "This form symbolizes supreme honor and is the highest‑grade bestowed robe pattern of the Da Han Empire."

It is usually granted only to princes, imperial sons, and powerful ministers who dominate the court, such as the State-Protecting Minister among civil officials and the senior general of the first rank among military officials.

Translation: "It is usually granted only to princes, imperial sons, and high‑ranking officials who wield great power at court—for example, the State‑Protecting Minister among civil officials, and the Senior General of the First Rank among military merit holders." We'll produce: "It is usually granted only to princes, imperial sons, and high‑ranking officials who wield great power at court—for example, the State‑Protecting Minister among civil officials, and the Senior General of the First Rank among military merit holders."

The Han Canon on Carriages and Attire also records: "Bestowed python robes are hard for civil and military officials of higher rank to obtain… the seated python faces forward, making it especially precious."

Translation: "The Han Canon on Carriage and Attire also records: 'Bestowed python robes are not easily obtained by civil and military officials of superior rank……the coiled python faces forward, especially precious.'" We'll produce: "The Han Canon on Carriage and Attire also records: 'Bestowed python robes are not easily obtained by civil and military officials of superior rank……the coiled python faces forward, especially precious.'"

The lower grade is the marching python, with the dragon's body in motion, moving sideways, also called "walking python" or "ascending python."

Translation: "The lower grade is the marching python, with the python's body in a moving state, proceeding sideways; it is also called the 'walking python' or 'ascending python'." We'll produce: "The lower grade is the marching python, with the python's body in a moving state, proceeding sideways; it is also called the 'walking python' or 'ascending python'."

Its rank is lower than the seated python, and it is mostly used for junior princes and top civil and military officials at court.

Translation: "Its rank is lower than the coiled python, and it is mostly used for princes of lower rank and the top civil and military officials at court." We'll produce: "Its rank is lower than the coiled python, and it is mostly used for princes of lower rank and the top civil and military officials at court."

For example, civil officials of the first rank as the Three Dukes, or military officials holding the rare title of second-rank general; the Prince of Nan'an and the Prince of Bei Jing wear robes with the marching python pattern.

Translation: "For example, civil officials of the First Rank, Three Dukes, or military officials of the Second Rank with the rare title of Grand General; take the Prince of Nan'an and the Prince of Bei Jing—they wear robes patterned with the marching python." We'll produce: "For example, civil officials of the First Rank, Three Dukes, or military officials of the Second Rank with the rare title of Grand General; take the Prince of Nan'an and the Prince of Bei Jing—they wear robes patterned with the marching python."

In the robe's layout, the seated python is usually placed on the front chest and back center, emphasizing solemnity.

Translation: "In the robe's layout, the coiled python is mostly placed on the front chest and central back, emphasizing a solemn feeling;" We'll produce: "In the robe's layout, the coiled python is mostly placed on the front chest and central back, emphasizing a solemn feeling;"

The marching python commonly appears on the cuffs and knee bands, expressing dynamic beauty.

Translation: "while the marching python commonly appears on cuffs and knee bands, demonstrating dynamic beauty." We'll produce: "while the marching python commonly appears on cuffs and knee bands, demonstrating dynamic beauty."

Jia Jing's python robe at this time is an exceptional grace bestowed by Emperor Jing Sheng, thus it is the marching python.

Translation: "And Jia Jing's python robe at this time is an exceptional grant from Emperor Jing Sheng, so it is the marching python." We'll produce: "And Jia Jing's python robe at this time is an exceptional grant from Emperor Jing Sheng, so it is the marching python."

After Jia Jing left the palace gate, he immediately saw the Vermilion Bird's personal troops waiting outside for a long time.

Translation: "After Jia Jing walked out of the palace gate, he immediately saw the personal troops of Zhu Que who had been waiting outside for a long time." We'll produce: "After Jia Jing walked out of the palace gate, he immediately saw the personal troops of Zhu Que who had been waiting outside for a long time."

He joined his own personal guards and household officers, traveling in silence until they were about two or three li from the palace gate.

Translation: "Having gathered his own personal troops and family generals, they proceeded in silence until they were two or three li from the palace gate," We'll produce: "Having gathered his own personal troops and family generals, they proceeded in silence until they were two or three li from the palace gate,"

Only then did Jia Jing rein in his horse and speak to the Vermilion Bird:

Translation: "only then did Jia Jing rein in his horse and proceed slowly, speaking to Zhu Que:" We'll produce: "only then did Jia Jing rein in his horse and proceed slowly, speaking to Zhu Que:"

"You did well this time; Jia Zhen has already been stripped of his title by imperial decree and exiled to Qiongzhou."

Translation: "\"You did well this time; Jia Zhen has already been stripped of his title by imperial decree and exiled to Qiongzhou. \"" We'll produce: "\"You did well this time; Jia Zhen has already been stripped of his title by imperial decree and exiled to Qiongzhou. \""

"Although Wang Ziteng did not receive a heavy punishment, the Emperor's intention is also to remove him from office and have him reflect in seclusion."

Translation: "\"Although Wang Ziteng did not receive heavy punishment, the Emperor's intention is also to remove him from office, let him retire, and reflect in seclusion. \"" We'll produce: "\"Although Wang Ziteng did not receive heavy punishment, the Emperor's intention is also to remove him from office, let him retire, and reflect in seclusion. \""

"It is all due to the Duke's foresight and planning; we subordinates merely follow orders." The Vermilion Bird slightly turned sideways and bowed with clasped hands.

Translation: "\"Everything is according to the Duke's early plans; he strategizes behind the scenes, and we subordinates merely follow orders. \" Zhu Que slightly turned sideways and clasped his hands." We'll produce: "\"Everything is according to the Duke's early plans; he strategizes behind the scenes, and we subordinates merely follow orders. \" Zhu Que slightly turned sideways and clasped his hands."

Jia Jing nodded and said:

Translation: "Jia Jing nodded and said:" We'll produce: "Jia Jing nodded and said:"

"You need to start overseeing the retraining of the Twelve Regiment Camp; I have already recommended you and Ma Guo to serve as deputy commanders of the Twelve Regiment Camp."

Translation: "\"The retraining of the Twelve Regiment Camp—you need to start working on it; I have already recommended you and Ma Guo to become Deputy Military Commissioner of the Twelve Regiment Camp. \"" We'll produce: "\"The retraining of the Twelve Regiment Camp—you need to start working on it; I have already recommended you and Ma Guo to become Deputy Military Commissioner of the Twelve Regiment Camp. \""

"You should proceed according to the training plan of the Bashang Great Camp, enforcing strict discipline and strengthening training,"

Translation: "\"You should proceed according to the Bashang Daying's military reform plan, strictly enforcing discipline and strengthening training, \"" We'll produce: "\"You should proceed according to the Bashang Daying's military reform plan, strictly enforcing discipline and strengthening training, \""

"Furthermore, disperse the over twenty thousand troops brought back from the Northwest among the various regiments as core strength, making sure we maintain absolute control over these 180,000 troops!"

"Furthermore, disperse the over twenty thousand troops brought back from the Northwest among the various regiments as core strength, making sure we maintain absolute control over these 180,000 troops!"

"The court is becoming increasingly tumultuous; the Emperor intends to strictly regulate officialdom, and at that time countless schemers will stir up trouble—we must make this force our most solid and reliable strength in hand!"

"The court is becoming increasingly tumultuous; the Emperor intends to strictly regulate officialdom, and at that time countless schemers will stir up trouble—we must make this force our most solid and reliable strength in hand!"

Jia Jing does not intend to personally oversee the retraining of the Twelve Regiment Camp, given the experience of the Northwestern Army and the Bashang Great Camp,

Translation: "Jia Jing does not intend to personally oversee the retraining of the Twelve Regiment Camp, since the Northwest Army and Bashang Daying have the relevant experience," We'll produce: "Jia Jing does not intend to personally oversee the retraining of the Twelve Regiment Camp, since the Northwest Army and Bashang Daying have the relevant experience,"

the Vermilion Bird, Ma Guocheng, and others can fully handle it on their own, putting this force in good order!

Translation: "Zhu Que, Ma Guocheng, and others can fully handle it on their own, getting this force into good shape!" We'll produce: "Zhu Que, Ma Guocheng, and others can fully handle it on their own, getting this force into good shape!"

His only concern is to select good commanders for these twelve regiments, ensuring absolute control over the force!

Translation: "All he needs to watch is selecting good commanders for these twelve regiments, ensuring absolute control over this force!" We'll produce: "All he needs to watch is selecting good commanders for these twelve regiments, ensuring absolute control over this force!"

And, when needed, to carry out a major purge of the capital regiment's officers, so that the Twelve Regiment Camp leaves no voice other than his own.

Translation: "And when necessary, he will carry out a major purge of the Jingying officers, so that the Twelve Regiment Camp will have no voice other than his own." We'll produce: "And when necessary, he will carry out a major purge of the Jingying officers, so that the Twelve Regiment Camp will have no voice other than his own."

The Vermilion Bird bowed with clasped hands and said:

Translation: "Zhu Que clasped his hands and said:" We'll produce: "Zhu Que clasped his hands and said:"

"Duke, rest assured! With the foundation of the Bashang Great Army, the Twelve Regiment Camp can finish retraining in at most two months, becoming an elite fighting force!"

"Duke, rest assured! With the foundation of the Bashang Great Army, the Twelve Regiment Camp can finish retraining in at most two months, becoming an elite fighting force!"

Jia Jing gave a light chuckle, his gaze falling on the familiar streets of Shenjing City, and said:

Translation: "Jia Jing gave a light laugh, his gaze falling on the familiar streets of Shenjing City, and said:" We'll produce: "Jia Jing gave a light laugh, his gaze falling on the familiar streets of Shenjing City, and said:"

"If you encounter something thorny and difficult, come find me; for ordinary matters, you can decide on your own!"

"If you encounter something thorny and difficult, come find me; for ordinary matters, you can decide on your own!"

"The Emperor intends for me to reform court military affairs; my main focus going forward will be on organizing the military merit of Shenjing City."

Translation: "\"The Emperor intends for me to reform court military affairs; my main focus going forward will be on organizing the military merit of Shenjing City. \"" We'll produce: "\"The Emperor intends for me to reform court military affairs; my main focus going forward will be on organizing the military merit of Shenjing City. \""

"Have the Embroidered Uniform Guard gather information on the hereditary nobility and military merit of Shenjing City; I, the Duke, need to know the details!"

"Have the Embroidered Uniform Guard gather information on the hereditary nobility and military merit of Shenjing City; I, the Duke, need to know the details!"

Regarding the reform of military affairs and military merit, Emperor Jing Sheng has just discussed it with Jia Jing, and they already have a preliminary plan.

Translation: "Regarding the reform of military affairs and military merit, Emperor Jing Sheng had just discussed it with Jia Jing, and they already had a preliminary plan." We'll produce: "Regarding the reform of military affairs and military merit, Emperor Jing Sheng had just discussed it with Jia Jing, and they already had a preliminary plan."

The problems with Han military affairs lie not in any one person or faction, but in systemic decay.

Translation: "The problems with the Da Han Empire's military affairs lie not in any one person or faction, but in systemic corruption." We'll produce: "The problems with the Da Han Empire's military affairs lie not in any one person or faction, but in systemic corruption."

Specifically, it is the vacant posts, withheld pay, and privatization of troops following the collapse of the Han garrison system, plus the issue of parasitic hereditary military units across the empire draining resources.

Translation: "Specifically, it is the vacancies, withheld pay, and privatization of troops resulting from the collapse of the Da Han Empire's Guard Post system, plus the problem of parasitic armies of hereditary military merit sucking resources across the realm." We'll produce: "Specifically, it is the vacancies, withheld pay, and privatization of troops resulting from the collapse of the Da Han Empire's Guard Post system, plus the problem of parasitic armies of hereditary military merit sucking resources across the realm."

According to the analysis of Emperor Jing Sheng and Jia Jing, the Han military currently has three main problems:

Translation: "According to the analysis of Emperor Jing Sheng and Jia Jing, the Da Han Empire's military affairs currently have three main problems:" We'll produce: "According to the analysis of Emperor Jing Sheng and Jia Jing, the Da Han Empire's military affairs currently have three main problems:"

First, the hereditary nobles and dukes of Shenjing City who hold military posts mostly occupy sinecure positions, living off empty salaries, drawing double pay, and colluding with garrison officers above and below.

Translation: "First, within Shenjing City, the hereditary nobility's dukes and marquises' military merit—most hold sinecure positions, living off vacancies, drawing double salaries, and colluding with Guard Post officials above and below." We'll produce: "First, within Shenjing City, the hereditary nobility's dukes and marquises' military merit—most hold sinecure positions, living off vacancies, drawing double salaries, and colluding with Guard Post officials above and below."

Second, the local garrison system is corrupt: military officers have seized vast amounts of garrison farmland, soldier households have fled—only one in ten remains—and officers greedily consume empty salaries.

Translation: "Second, the local Guard Post system is corrupt: military officials have seized vast amounts of the Guard Post's farmlands, military households have fled—only one in ten remains—and military officials greedily consume vacancies." We'll produce: "Second, the local Guard Post system is corrupt: military officials have seized vast amounts of the Guard Post's farmlands, military households have fled—only one in ten remains—and military officials greedily consume vacancies."

Third, the nine frontier strongholds, while still possessing some combat strength, suffer from commanders privatizing troops, the prevalence of household retainer systems, causing many border troops to recognize only their commander rather than the court.

Translation: "Third, the Nine Frontiers Strongholds, although they still possess some combat strength, suffer from severe privatization of generals' troops, the prevalence of the household retainer system, causing many border troops to not recognize the court and only obey their own commanders." We'll produce: "Third, the Nine Frontiers Strongholds, although they still possess some combat strength, suffer from severe privatization of generals' troops, the prevalence of the household retainer system, causing many border troops to not recognize the court and only obey their own commanders."

Among these three problems, the nine frontier strongholds, being the core of Han military strength, should not be lightly altered; they can be temporarily postponed, first stabilized then treated, using supervisory armies to check and gradually reclaim authority.

Translation: "Among these three problems, the Nine Frontiers Strongholds, as the core of the Da Han Empire's military strength, should not be lightly disturbed; they can be temporarily postponed, first stabilized then treated, using a supervisory army to check and balance, gradually recentralizing authority." We'll produce: "Among these three problems, the Nine Frontiers Strongholds, as the core of the Da Han Empire's military strength, should not be lightly disturbed; they can be temporarily postponed, first stabilized then treated, using a supervisory army to check and balance, gradually recentralizing authority."

The garrison system involves too broad a scope and is deeply entrenched, so it should be approached gradually, not hastily; we need to first pick one or two provinces as pilot sites, streamline personnel, and reorganize the garrisons—this is not an urgent priority.

Translation: "The Guard Post system is too extensive and deeply entrenched to be reversed quickly; it should be approached gradually, not hastily—first select one or two provinces as pilot sites to implement, streamline personnel, and reorganize the Guard Posts, which is also not an urgent matter." We'll produce: "The Guard Post system is too extensive and deeply entrenched to be reversed quickly; it should be approached gradually, not hastily—first select one or two provinces as pilot sites to implement, streamline personnel, and reorganize the Guard Posts, which is also not an urgent matter."

Therefore, Jia Jing and Jing Sheng Di finally decided to first target the hereditary nobles and military merit of Shenjing City and the garrison posts' farmlands near the capital region.

The reason for such a decisive decision is, first, to support the New Policies' promotion of land inspection.

Second, it is because the hereditary nobles and military merit holders of Shenjing City are the source of corruption among all military merit holders and generals.

Cleansing them thoroughly will not only deter the whole world, but also reduce resistance for later rectifying the Guard Posts and frontier garrisons.

Of course,

Most importantly, these hereditary nobles and military merit holders of Shenjing City mostly hold titles, empty offices and honorary ranks, have influence but lack military authority.

Targeting them involves a small scope of attack, weak resistance, and the lowest risk.

Pick the soft persimmons first; pursuing stability is always the primary demand of those in power!