Chapter 453: Jia Jing: The Emperor Seems Even Harder Than I?

Jing Sheng Di, upon hearing the three imperial edicts, saw gravity in his eyes, thought for a moment, and then said slowly:

"As Zi Jie wrote in his earlier notes, reforms are not a banquet, not an essay, not painting or embroidery; they cannot be elegant, leisurely, refined, or gentle and modest."

"Reform is a revolt, a violent action where a newly formed collective of military interests overthrows the old, decayed military interest collective!"

"After the reports from Jiangnan, the factional pressure on the throne, and the assassinations, my mind has become increasingly clear."

"Reform touches countless interests; it cannot be achieved merely by smooth talk. It involves not only military reform but also New Policies, and it is impossible to accomplish without drawing a blade!"

The risks in these three edicts—Jing Sheng Di has been emperor for ten years; how could he not know?

As the saying goes, cutting off someone's livelihood is like killing one's parents!

But Jia Jing's three edicts are not merely cutting off livelihoods,

They directly target the lives, titles, ranks, and estates of countless Shenjing military heroes and Guard Post officers!

It is no exaggeration to say that once these three edicts are issued, the military officials throughout the capital region will instantly be in uproar,

and may directly trigger Guard Post officers' mutinies, riots, and reckless ventures.

And if Jia Jing issues these three edicts at once, he will instantly offend almost all military officials in the capital region, becoming a thorn in countless eyes.

Jing Sheng Di could not help but sigh inwardly, truly worthy of the dream‑fulfilled wise minister; such selfless dedication to the nation is rare in the Da Han Empire!

Only such pure individuals can make him confidently entrust the entire court's military affairs!

Jia Jing said:

"Your Majesty's wisdom is unparalleled! I am certain that once these three edicts are issued, the Shenjing military heroes and generals will swiftly split into three camps."

"Those who heavily occupy military lands, take empty quotas, and frequently break laws will spare no means to resist—by bribing for impeachment, inciting mutiny, or even stirring soldiers to revolt."

"Those with limited occupation of lands or empty quotas will bide, not confront directly, but 'drag', outwardly obey while secretly defying, and report on everything."

"They will use bureaucratic red tape to slow military reform, while watching the situation and waiting for the court to change its mind; this group should be the largest."

"Those who rarely break rules may secretly align with the court, voluntarily report returns; the shrewd will seize this chance to become the new line of Jing Sheng military heroes of the Da Han!"

"During this period, my task is to ready troops, gather intelligence, and when the moment arrives, lead a massive force with thunderous speed to crush the resolute resistors and punish them according to law."

"At the same time, set up a few exemplary cases of voluntary cooperation—either promote or reward them—to create a stark contrast and break the psychological defenses of the many onlookers."

"Furthermore, for minor offenses, impose lighter penalties, even grant a reprieve."

"Thus we can swiftly assert authority and reorganize without driving everyone into opposition, causing chaos in the capital region and harming innocent civilians."

This is a massive purge of Shenjing military heroes and capital region Guard Post officers; the decisive killing and thunderous force are merely means, the goal is to reshape the Da Han military system.

Henceforth the Da Han army will be ever‑changing and intricately complex.

Jia Jing's clarity now is to give Jing Sheng Di a precaution, so he knows a mutiny or riot may follow and is mentally prepared.

Jing Sheng Di pondered for a moment and sighed:

"Zi Jie, this method is both swift as thunder and carefully staged, both decisive against corrupt officials and merciful to the people, balancing firmness and softness, aligning with heaven and human hearts; it is firm, insightful, and truly advancing!"

He paused, then said resolutely:

"You already have a clear plan; do what must be done, act boldly without any hesitation."

"I appoint you as Grand Minister of State, entrusting you with the reorganization of all military affairs of the realm—that is, the state and my own safety are now yours! I will fully support you from the palace!"

"Only, remember one thing…"

Jia Jing's face hardened, and he said:

"Please, Your Majesty, give your command!"

Jing Sheng Di's expression grew cold, a glint in his eyes, and he spoke slowly, word by word:

"Military reform concerns the nation's revival; those who must die shall die, those who must be arrested shall be arrested. We must purge the old corruption without any leniency!"

Jia Jing was startled; he had feared his harsh methods would overwhelm Jing Sheng Di, and thought the emperor was pre‑emptively giving him mental preparation.

Unexpectedly, the emperor was instead worried that Jia Jing would hesitate and spare his hand!

Seeing Jia Jing frozen, Jing Sheng Di's eyes showed a hint of emotion as he said gravely:

"Zi Jie! The investigation memorials you submitted on the over a hundred Guard Posts in Shuntian Prefecture, Baoding Prefecture, Hejian Prefecture, Zhending Prefecture, and Yongping Prefecture—I have read every word from beginning to end!"

"The court's Guard Post system has been a hollow shell for a century, its root cause being the occupation of military lands by the capital's nobles and Guard Post officers."

"Military lands have become their private estates, and military households their tenant farms; this is not an isolated case but a widespread phenomenon."

"As you wrote, the average desertion rate among Guard Posts near the capital region has risen to seventy, even eighty percent, because the officers treat military households as slaves, seize lands, exploit mercilessly, and bully arbitrarily."

"This has produced countless tragedies of 'selling wives and children' and 'dying of hunger or cold.' Like the scene of the destitute old woman's family in Liangxiang Camp and the queue of people selling themselves at the Plain Marquis's gate to pay debts—I've watched it over and over, my heart breaks!"

"Even the remaining court soldiers have become private troops and household staff of the officers; they have no loyalty to the court and no discipline at all."

"Harassing civilians and looting property is commonplace, so the people around Shenjing fear the 'official soldiers' even more than bandits."

"In such a dire situation, it would not be an overstatement to call the military affairs around the capital region a completely rotten empty framework."

"Actually… I was never entirely unaware of this. The reason the False Qing army managed to reach the foot of Shen City several times was precisely because they were on the brink of collapse, utterly corrupt and incompetent."

"Therefore, in my view, the overhaul of the capital region's military affairs must be a thorough liquidation, a swift cut through the tangled mess, and require ruthless resolve to eradicate these chronic ailments."

Jia Jing personally inspected the Guard Posts surrounding Shenjing.

A month earlier, he also dispatched his own soldiers as an investigation team, fully surveying each Guard Post, compiling the findings into a volume, and reporting them faithfully to Jing Sheng Di.

Now it seems these findings have deeply pierced Jing Sheng Di's heart, driving him to such bitter hatred that he urges Jia Jing not to be lenient!

Just, such a comparison made Jia Jing involuntarily feel somewhat strange in his heart—Jing Sheng Di... seemed to be even more hardline on reform than his own hardline faction!