Chapter 148

"Bastard!"

"Being so arrogant and domineering, what is the difference between this and a traitor!

The old man must impeach them..."

Zou Yunchuan scolded endlessly.

Just had an argument at the military meeting, and originally had a stomach full of fire.

Immediately after, news came that the Yangzhou Camp and Huai'an Camp were going to act alone, not giving him, the Provincial Governor, any face at all.

If it were an ordinary military general, he would have ordered people to take them long ago.

If forced, killing to establish authority was not impossible.

The situation now is different.

The Yangzhou Camp and Huai'an Camp are not only the most capable among the reinforcements, but the two Assistant Regional Commanders are also the biggest figures among the military generals.

Since ancient times, there have been those who kill chickens to warn monkeys, but there are no tigers to warn chickens.

Daring to discuss at the deliberation meeting was clearly wanting to express dissatisfaction with him, the Provincial Governor, in this way.

"Since you know about this, why didn't you report it on the spot?"

Zou Yunchuan's question directly stunned the few people who reported the secret.

To show loyalty, they reported it for the first time after the meeting ended.

It is a pity that this performance not only didn't receive praise but instead provoked anger.

"Provincial Governor, in such a solemn occasion just now, it was inconvenient for us to speak!"

Xie Chenghan said helplessly.

Reporting secrets also needs to distinguish occasions; if it were really exposed on the spot, the scene would be even more awkward.

Not only did it slap the faces of the three giants, but if Li Mu and Jing Yifeng were thick-skinned, and directly bit back, whether anyone would dare to testify for him was hard to say.

At least for the generals of Fujian and Jiangxi, offending him, the Guangdong Regional Military Commissioner, is more cost-effective than offending the two Jing and Li.

For some people, as long as the thing didn't happen, it is equivalent to not existing.

If it weren't for serving in Guangdong and having to rely on the Provincial Governor's office, he wouldn't want to do this offensive thing.

"What are you stunned for? Hurry up and chase the people back. Without my order, it is forbidden for any unit to act without authorization!"

Zou Yunchuan said unhappily.

Civil officials master logistics, and not being able to control military generals is a very shameful thing. This will make the imperial court doubt his ability.

The low-standard reception at the pier before was the warning he gave.

The problem was that the current Great Dayu was already financially hollow.

Except for the naive youths who were easily swindled, no one else believed their political ideals were actionable.

Even Yin and Zuo themselves, after years of silence, knew how absurd their political slogans were.

However, as leaders of the Pure Stream, they could not slap their own faces.

The boasts they made in their youth could not be taken back now, so they could only bite the bullet and keep blowing them.

Human nature is complex; even knowing their political ideals were unfeasible, many people still loved to listen.

The gentry sponsored their funds not because they hoped all their political ideals would be realized, but because realizing just one would allow them to recoup their investment.

As the parties involved, Yin and Zuo had long since run out of retreat.

Either abandon their previous ideals and become the laughingstock of the literati, or follow this path to the end and continue to serve as leaders of the Pure Stream.

As long as they could hold real power, all problems would cease to be problems.

"Brother Zuo means to topple the eunuchs?"

Yin Zhiming said thoughtfully.

Beyond promoting political ideals, the substantive political action of the Pure Stream group was to topple the eunuchs.

From the imperial court to the provinces, everyone was full of interest in bringing down the Eunuch Party.

It was as if once the Eunuch Party was finished, the world would be well-governed and enter the Confucian Great Unity society.

For Yin and Zuo, the most suitable choice to intervene in court affairs was to topple the Eunuch Party.

Not only was it politically correct within the Pure Stream faction, but the Eunuch Party, having lost imperial support, was also the softest target.

Among the eight regents in the court, Zuo Guangen had the most problems. He had taken the blame for the Tianyuan Emperor countless times and had long since stunk up the streets among the gentry.

It was right to pin any crime on him; no one cared about the truth anyway. All bad things were done by the Eunuch Party—that was always correct.

"Brother Yin, why ask when you already know?

Besides toppling the eunuchs, do we have a better excuse to head north?"

As Zuo Hongjiang's words landed, both men revealed smiles.

Entering the capital under the banner of toppling the eunuchs, there would be no lack of supporters from the provinces to the court.

Taihe Hall.

Sitting high on the dragon throne, watching the officials argue endlessly, Ji Ji Zhao Shun had a massive headache.

In the Great Dayu Dynasty, the late Emperor was a controversial figure.

He had pulled Great Dayu back from the brink of collapse, but the measures he took were not exactly glorious.

When the late Emperor was alive, he held absolute power and was decisive in killing; no one dared to act out of turn.

Now that he was dead, when it came time to pass judgment, the controversy erupted.

Although the auxiliary ministers had differing opinions, they at least gave face and did not rate the late Emperor poorly.

The hundred officials were different; they were a mixed bag.

Scholars loved irony most and deliberately came up with temple names and posthumous titles that sounded good but were full of irony.

For example: "Gaozong, the Martial Emperor," "Wuzong, the Literary Emperor"...

(Note: Temple names are unique within a dynasty; posthumous titles can be repeated, usually by changing a character in the middle.)

They didn't match at all; the main point was irony.

It was clear that the reforms pushed by the late Emperor had truly offended many people.

"Enough!"

"You've been arguing for three days without a result; how long do you intend to drag this out!

Since you cannot choose, then I shall choose.

The temple name shall be Xiao Sect, the posthumous title shall use the character 'Jing,' the full title: 'Emperor Gongren Kangding Jing'!"

Ji Ji Zhao Shun exploded on the spot.

To prevent the ministers from finding fault, he had carefully reviewed the merits and demerits of his elder brother's reign.

Fortunately, the Tianyuan Emperor had been somewhat capable and accomplished many real things during his reign, so there was no need to force gilding.

"His Majesty is wise!"

Zuo Guangen was the first to echo.

To gain the Emperor's favor, he was the first among the regents to defect to the new monarch.

Unfortunately, Ji Ji Zhao Shun really couldn't bring himself to like this eunuch who had actively defected.

At a glance, he was a sycophant, lacking the bearing of a virtuous minister.

For Ji Ji Zhao Shun, who aspired to be a famous monarch, he had to draw close to virtuous ministers and distance himself from villains.

Compared to the unprincipled Zuo Guangen, the other seven auxiliary ministers, who were neither cold nor hot, were more respected by him.

"Since no one objects, then it is settled!"

Seeing that he had gained the approval of some ministers, Ji Ji Zhao Shun decisively chose to cut the Gordian knot.

This was an experience he had learned since ascending the throne.

Hoping to gain the support of all ministers was impossible.

Since his ascension, whether it was big or small matters, the hundred officials in the court had never unified their stance.

Generally speaking, as long as more than half supported it, it was considered the will of the people.

Usually, as long as five regents reached a consensus, it was considered passed.

The opinions of the Emperor and the officials only played a key role when the regents were split four to four.

As Emperor, Ji Ji Zhao Shun certainly did not want to accept this situation.

So, on some minor issues, he was constantly trying to make his own voice heard.

Today was the first time he had made a decision on a major issue.

To ensure it passed smoothly, he compromised between the inner court and the outer court, hoping to gain more supporters.

Everything was as he expected; the auxiliary ministers gave face and did not speak out to refute him.

With a good start, Ji Ji Zhao Shun was more confident about governing personally.

According to custom, once the mourning period ended, he would officially ascend the throne.

Once this year passed, he could change the era name and enter a new age.

Then came the grand wedding, the investiture of the Empress, and finally the stage of personal rule.

If everything went smoothly, by this time next year, he could govern personally.

A mere year, using the regents as a transition, was something he could accept.

Nanjingcheng.

News of the Emperor's passing arrived, the whole country entered a mourning period, and various entertainment venues closed their doors.

The bustling streets became desolate.

The most miserable were those holding weddings; upon receiving the news, they immediately changed their wedding attire into mourning clothes.

The more official the family, the more importance they placed on mourning.

Under the auspices of the Six Ministries of Nanjing, many officials gathered to perform sacrifices in the direction of the capital.

Mingling in the crowd, Li Mu found that his popularity had improved significantly.

The civil officials who used to disdain military generals now greeted him enthusiastically when they saw him.

If the timing hadn't been wrong, he reckoned the invitations he received could fill a room.

The charm of power is just that mysterious.

The boundary between civil and military had already been broken after becoming regents.

Although the Tianyuan Emperor had divided the duties of the regents before his death, that was only a entrustment to the new monarch.

In the eyes of the outside world, Great Dayu had now entered the era of the Eight Regents.

Of the eight regents, Li Mu's "connected person" label became increasingly obvious.

The most direct impact was that the execution efficiency of the transfer orders issued by the Ministry of War became much faster.

The progress of the great shipbuilding undertaking also became much smoother.

To speed up efficiency, the Nanjing Ministry of Works even transferred skilled craftsmen from other shipyards.

The consumables needed by the shipyard also received priority supply.

The military pay promised by the Nanzhili Provincial Governor's office appeared without any embezzlement for the first time in history.

Li Mu accepted all the goodwill sent by everyone.

In less than half a month, his network of connections had spread directly to the various offices in Nanjing.

"My Lady, we cannot stay in Nanjing; let us set off for Yangzhou immediately!"

Hearing Li Mu's words, Jing Yaqing rolled her eyes.

That they couldn't stay was a lie; it was mainly because the business was done and the connections had been expanded.

If they continued to stay here, people would come knocking to ask for favors.

Calling each other brothers one moment and turning against each other the next was definitely not an option.

But helping people with favors was not easy either.

The situation in the capital was unclear; making any promises at this time was not the act of a wise man.

The best choice was to leave quickly and return to Yangzhou to avoid the limelight.

If they were smart people, they would naturally understand his meaning and not come knocking at such a time.

"Rest assured, my husband.

Everything has long been packed, the ships have been waiting at the pier for a long time, and we can depart at any time.

In the current situation, there is nothing worth visiting in Nanjing, so it's better to go back early.

We haven't received a letter from home for ten days, and I don't know how things are in the capital."

Hearing his wife's grumbling, Li Mu didn't know what to say.

From Nanjing to the capital, it was over two thousand li; ten days wasn't even enough time for a letter to be delivered.

Five-hundred-li urgent letters were a communication method used only when major changes occurred.

Letters from home in ordinary times were still arranged to be sent slowly by grain boats, according to the characteristics of the era.

"Rest assured, the new monarch has already ascended the throne.

Even if there are some ripples, there won't be any major trouble.

Even if there are risks, they are other people's risks.

As for our noble families, as long as we don't get involved in the political disputes of the court, there won't be any big problems."

Li Mu said to comfort her.

Judging from the current situation, the status of the Jing and Li families in the court was still very stable.

Being able to obtain the position of regent proved that the two families still stood at the center of power in this round of political reshuffling.

With the new monarch ascending the throne, what was needed most was stability.

If the Emperor wanted to stir up trouble, he would have to wait until his position was stable.

As regents, the political risks of the Jing and Li families were mainly concentrated when the Emperor governed personally.

Li Mu was not very worried about these things.

His father-in-law and uncle were both veterans in the court, and their political means were far more skillful than his.

If they really sensed danger, they could just step down.

Political liquidation basically won't happen.

When civil officials fell, they would likely liquidate their factions to make room for newcomers.

Military generals were hereditary; the army was either noble families or military clans.

One move affects the whole situation.

It was fine for the Emperor to kill a few civil officials, but if he killed a few military generals for no reason, big trouble would ensue.

This was the price of governing the military with civil officials; having suppressed military generals politically, one naturally had to appease them in other aspects.

The rise of the retainer system provided the best guarantee for the personal safety of military generals.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 139 =====

Zhao Laosan said in a panic.

Great Dayu has ruled this land for more than two hundred years, and the influence has long been deeply rooted, which is by no means something that can be eliminated by one uprising.

Even though the Bai Lian Sect occupies most of Guangxi, everyone's heart is still full of fear for the imperial court.

Before the subordinates could act, the roaring sound of artillery fire had already begun to sound.

The originally lazy rebel army soon fell into chaos.

"Don't be chaotic!

Don't be chaotic!

Artillery, hurry up and fight back!

......"

Zhao Laosan shouted hard.

How could the sound of artillery fire awaken everyone's deep fear of the imperial court; the more he shouted, the more chaotic the soldiers became.

(End of chapter)