Chapter 452: Three Military Orders!

In the Qian Qing Gong,

After Empress Zhou Huang Hou departs, Emperor Jing Sheng Di looks toward the young man opposite him and says:

"Zi Jie! Now the General Administration of Military Affairs has been established; from now on you'll have to worry more about military matters!"

"I repeat: I will not restrain you; I will fully trust you. Go ahead and act freely; if any problem arises, I will cover for you!"

These words are not new, and each time Emperor Jing Sheng Di follows through, so saying them now feels smooth and confident!

Jia Jing lifts his head, meets Emperor Jing Sheng Di's gaze with a firm look, and declares loudly:

"I am but a mediocre servant, yet Your Majesty has selected me, not deeming me dull, treating me like a nephew, teaching me patiently, your grace as heavy as a mountain; how could I not repay you with my very blood and flesh!"

"I also repeat: I will be the sword in Your Majesty's hand, sweeping away all rebels, clearing all entrenched evils; this resolve is unwavering, unchanged for my life!"

Emperor Jing Sheng Di hears this, feels a warm surge within, looks at the young man's ever‑sincere, admiring eyes, and nods.

After a moment of silence, he asks:

"The military reform involves countless old veteran generals' interests; this matter is far more difficult than the New Policies. Zi Jie, where do you intend to start?"

During this period, Emperor Jing Sheng Di has repeatedly discussed the military restructuring process with Jia Jing.

Roughly, first to reform the Shenjing military merits, then the Guard Post system, and finally the border generals—a stepwise process from easy to hard.

Jia Jing's expression steadies, and he says:

"This time, the matters of the Shanguo Duke's manor and the Pingyuan Marquis's manor are perilous, yet a rare opportunity. I intend to use these two families as pretexts to employ thunderous measures!"

Since Emperor Jing Sheng Di has now tasked him with overseeing the reform and granted such authority, he clearly sees an opportunity, hoping Jia Jing will act decisively, using an iron fist to cut away the lingering old ailments of the realm's troops.

"Oh?" Emperor Jing Sheng Di says, his eyes blazing at Jia Jing, and asks in a clear voice:

"How will you employ thunderous measures?"

Sure enough, Zi Jie understood his meaning; the young man in the Twelfth Brigade, with a speed faster than the ear can cover, immediately either executed or dismissed the rotten old units in Jingying.

The harsh punishment of over a hundred officers was so forceful yet caused not a hint of upheaval or turmoil—no splash at all!

Compared with Wang Ziteng's past restructuring of Jingying, it is worlds apart!

Thus the young man, returning from a great victory in the northwest, commands immense prestige and influence over the troops!

Now the Twelfth Brigade's soldiers are fully under control; the new army of 180,000 strong lies in wait. What are they waiting for before vigorously restructuring and implementing reform?

Previously Emperor Jing Sheng Di always felt the reforms should not be rushed, but now he thinks he has been overly cautious, lacking understanding of the young man's martial strength, capability, and prestige.

Jia Jing's expression remains calm, and he says:

"I believe the first step is to use the already condemned Shanguo Duke's manor and Pingyuan Marquis's manor as a breakthrough, following the vine to the fruit, and with lightning speed completely eradicate the illegal seizure of military lands and households by the Shenjing nobles in the capital region, settle illegal nobles in Shenjing, and establish an unchallengeable iron law of reform for the whole realm!"

"Today the General Administration of Military Affairs has been officially established; upon my appointment, I will promptly issue the Three Military Orders."

"First Military Order: All Guard Posts, the Ministry of War, and the Five Military Governor's Office in the capital region must, within a deadline, report all registered personnel, lands, and armaments for verification."

"Simultaneously, the Imperial City Office will conduct a thorough investigation of the implicated Shenjing nobles of the Shanguo Duke's manor and Pingyuan Marquis's manor, reclaim all seized farmland, and recover overdue land taxes."

"Then, using the Shi Guangzhu and Jiang Zi Ning cases as a breakthrough, issue the second 'Limited‑Time Military Land Return Order' to other Shenjing nobles in the capital."

"Within fifteen days, they must voluntarily report all seized farmland and privately conscripted military households and return them. Those who report voluntarily are exempt from prosecution; those who conceal and are later proven will have their homes confiscated and titles stripped!"

"Finally, issue the 'Jingjing Guard Post Military Order': Guard Posts in the provinces of Shuntian, Baoding, Hejian, etc., must within one month report troop numbers, farmland, and armament status."

"According to the court's allocation system, each level of officers shall receive their allotted share; any excess or seized portions shall be confiscated!"

"It also explicitly states: any officer who voluntarily reports vacancies or returns farmland is exempt from punishment; any who conceal and fail to return, once discovered, if the vacancy exceeds 30% and the seizure over a thousand mu, will be dismissed and imprisoned; if vacancy exceeds 50% and seizure over three thousand mu, their entire household will be seized and they will be executed."

Jia Jing intends to clear both the Shenjing nobles and the Jingjing Guard Post system, completing a comprehensive investigation and rectification of both.

This action serves first to accumulate experience for nationwide promotion and to initially establish the authority of the General Administration of Military Affairs.

Second, it uses these people's heads and blood to intimidate all generals and officers, demonstrating the court's resolve for reform.

Third, the reclaimed farmland and recovered illicit funds will serve as 'sweeteners' to show ordinary soldiers the benefits of reform.

Simultaneously, reorganize the Guard Posts surrounding the capital region, recruit more new soldiers for land allocation, further increasing the court's directly controlled forces in the capital area.