Chapter 251: Self-Inflicted (Continued)

From a macro perspective, the vast and sensitive reforms underway in Guanzhong—namely the reorganization of the Western Army and the land survey and allocation—were unlikely to encounter major obstacles or difficulties.

Because, as many insightful people thought, at this moment the favorable conditions were too numerous... the devastation within Guanzhong after several Jin Jun sweeps, the reestablished prestige of the Zhao Song dynasty and the Son of Heaven after the great victory, and the absolute control over military force and unwavering determination for reform held by the Son of Heaven stationed in Chang'an, almost ensured from every angle the smooth progress of reforms that would be unimaginable and deeply entrenched in normal times.

This was a special dividend of extraordinary times and circumstances, much like how establishing systems at the start of a dynasty always seemed easy, or how special measures taken to save lives during great disasters and famines were always relatively straightforward.

However, as the saying goes, without long-term concerns, one will have immediate worries.

After Yaoshan, Zhao Jiu had finally resolved the most fundamental crisis of survival, putting the state on a normal footing and stirring his desire to act, but from the perspective of a time traveler with a "bird's-eye view," the road ahead was destined to be long and arduous, requiring sufficient mental preparation to face many things.

No problems in Guanzhong did not mean no problems elsewhere; no problems now did not mean no problems in the future. The temporary dividends of war could not be treated as the norm; instead, the opportunity should be used to establish political mechanisms to deal with normal difficulties.

As for politics, once that word was mentioned, the first and inevitable issue was personnel... Zhao Jiu dared not hope that all the people under heaven would be like Yao and Shun, so he had to settle for ensuring that government decrees were unimpeded. To achieve that, the selection of chief ministers was of paramount importance.

Lü Haowen was promoted to Duke Minister, Wang Boyan died for the country, and Xu Jingheng had already requested resignation. This meant that, following the political traditions of the previous few years, the Secretariat had one chief and one deputy chief minister positions vacant, and the chief position of the Bureau of Military Affairs was also empty.

Three out of four positions vacant seemed like a lot, but considering the crowd of commissioners who were already half a step away from being chief ministers—such as Yuwen Xuzhong in Guanzhong, Lü Yihao in the southeast, Liu Ji in Jingxiang, plus the former Duke Minister Li Gang Li Boji, who had left the court for two years but still wielded deep influence, and the current de facto leader of Li Boji's faction in court, Censor-in-Chief Li Guang, as well as Zhao Jiu's core confidants like Zhang Jun in Bashu, Hu Yin in Shanbei, and Liu Ziyu, Deputy Commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs—everyone seemed to have a hope, a clear case of too many monks and too little gruel.

Not only that, but considering that Xu Jingheng had returned to Henan to handle military colony land allocation and his resignation was not yet public knowledge, everyone only saw two positions, making the competition even fiercer.

However, perhaps precisely because of this, Zhao Jiu could clearly sense the increased activity of many relevant personnel, which in turn energized the entire bureaucratic system.

Zhang Jun, as the Transport Commissioner for the five circuits of Bashu, personally requested to go to the Qinfeng Circuit Military Command to handle related land survey matters.

The pacification campaign against the rebellions of Zhong Xiang at Dongting Lake and the Wuling region was scheduled for after autumn, but Liu Ji had already eagerly proposed related routes of advance and logistical arrangements.

Lü Yihao was even more direct. These days, his memorials were constantly being transmitted between Dongjing and Chang'an. This southeastern commissioner successively proposed streamlining the army, supporting education, and simplifying administration... for example, taking advantage of the great victory to expel some poorly performing units and generals from the Imperial Guard; also, comprehensively overhauling the Three Hall System (the system of the Imperial Academy, prefectural schools, and county schools), fully institutionalizing related entrance exams, student benefits, and the final palace examination; and formally following up and inspecting all official appointments since the Jingkang era, implementing rotation and circulation of officials in remote areas...

He even proactively suggested that the various complex commissioner systems of the special period should be terminated, and that the Military Commissioners, Pacification Commissioners, and Transport Commissioners concurrently overseeing multiple circuits should all be abolished, restoring the old system.

His aggressive posture could be clearly felt even a thousand li away, as if he already considered himself a central chief minister. And because none of these matters were unrelated to the state's foundations, it shook the entire court and countryside.

For a time, from Yangzhou to Dongjing, and from Dongjing to Chang'an, messengers traveled back and forth incessantly, and both civil and military officials were uneasy.

However, Zhao Jiu did not keep these people waiting long. Almost every time a memorial from Lü Yihao arrived in Chang'an, he would promptly reply without hesitation, and almost every reply made the most unequivocal statement—Zhao the Sovereign unconditionally supported these proposals and demanded full cooperation from Dongjing.

Moreover, after the matter of institutionalizing the Three Hall System and the large-scale follow-up inspection of officials were sent to the Secretariat, and after the Western Army was roughly reorganized into the Imperial Guard Rear Army, during the autumn harvest, Zhao Jiu simply issued a direct decree. Taking advantage of the upcoming land allocation, he proactively and further downsized the Imperial Guard army through an imperial edict... The Imperial Guard originally had over two hundred thousand troops, and with the formal incorporation of the Western Army this time and the additional establishment of the Imperial Guard Cavalry, a total force limit of only two hundred thousand was set, resulting in large-scale reductions across all units.

Among them, Han Shizhong's Imperial Guard Left Army was reduced to a thirty-thousand-man establishment; Zhang Jun's Imperial Guard Right Army was reduced to a twenty-five-thousand-man establishment; the Imperial Guard Central Army, including Li Yanxian's, Wang Yan's, Wang De's units, and the newly incorporated former Imperial Guard Rear Army units, retained a total of only fifty thousand men; the Imperial Guard Vanguard Army, Yue Fei's unit, became a thirty-five-thousand-man establishment; the Rear Army, Wu Jie's unit, was a thirty-thousand-man establishment; the Cavalry Army, Qu Duan's unit, was a fifteen-thousand-man establishment; and the Navy, Zhang Rong's unit, was a fifteen-thousand-man establishment.

Not only that, the appointments and dismissals of many generals were also decided directly by imperial edict, without any hesitation.

For example, the Xin brothers, who had deep seniority, no issues with loyalty or righteousness, and had long followed the imperial court, were considered Zhao Jiu's trusted troops. But their competence was simply too poor. Therefore, this time only Xin Yanzong was transferred from the Imperial Guard Rear Army to become a Commander of the Imperial Guard Central Army. The remaining brothers were all dismissed and transferred to local prefectural armies.

Wang Yan was similar, and his ability might even be beyond reproach, but the man was truly petty. As a commander, he even resented his own subordinates. This time, he was also directly transferred to a civil post, becoming the Grand Coordinator of the Qinfeng Circuit. In contrast, Li Qiong, who had performed outstandingly in this battle and was good at uniting colleagues, was promoted to Right Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guard Central Army, and together with Left Deputy Commander Wang De, effectively managed the various units of the Imperial Guard Central Army for Zhao Jiu. It is worth mentioning that Fan Yihong, a former subordinate of Wang Yan who had performed meritoriously in defending Sishui Pass, also took advantage of this adjustment to rise, becoming a formal Commander of the Imperial Guard Central Army.

Also, officers from the former Wang Xie faction in the Western Army were further purged through this adjustment. The last remaining Han Commander saw the writing on the wall and voluntarily resigned, transferring to a local post. However, Guo Hao, the son of Guo Cheng, was allowed to enter the Imperial Guard as a Commander in the Rear Army to appease public sentiment.

After all this fuss, there was plenty of resentment and grievances everywhere, but facing the decisive Zhao the Sovereign and the trembling Lü Yihao, few dared to cause trouble.

However, just because the lower levels didn't cause trouble didn't mean Zhao Jiu could be so rigid as a sovereign. Therefore, with the autumn harvest over, the Mid-Autumn Festival approaching, and land allocation begun, Zhao Jiu specially held a banquet in Chang'an, inviting Han Shizhong and his subordinates, who had been staying in Chang'an, the various units of the Imperial Guard Central Army, Li Yanxian's unit from Shanzhou, and the various units of the Imperial Guard Rear Army under Wu Jie, to attend. It was clearly intended as a final observation of sentiment.

"Han Shizhong isn't angry?"

Inside the old Chang'an palace, Zhao Jiu, who had gathered a group of close ministers, couldn't help but be curious. "His troops were reduced by a third, and he isn't angry?"

"Let Your Majesty know," Hu Yin replied solemnly. "I went to ask. The Prince of Yan'an's general meaning was that this time, it wasn't just his establishment that was reduced by a third; all other units were the same. Your Majesty's action was for the greater good, not targeting anyone. Although he was unwilling, he wasn't angry. Not only that, he said that making Xin Xingzong, Xin Yongzong, and Xin Qizong all scram was an act of supreme justice..."

Zhao Jiu was silent for a moment, rarely feeling puzzled. Was Han Shizhong's public spirit greater than his private interest, or was his private interest greater than his public spirit?

But regardless, as long as he didn't cause trouble, this matter was half resolved.

After all, Han Liangchen was universally recognized as the foremost military official under heaven, and this position was not only promoted by Zhao Jiu but also earned by his timing, seniority, and military achievements... in other words, it was indeed earned by Han Shizhong himself with his life, and everyone, above and below, inside and outside, recognized it.

Just look at his battlefield performance—even the dead Loushi acknowledged it!

Even if the lower ranks had grievances, if they couldn't get past Han Shizhong, they wouldn't amount to anything.

"What about the others?" Zhao Jiu relaxed and continued to press. "Did Wu Jie and those people say that I was acting too hastily?"

"No," Hu Yin shook his head repeatedly. "The places Your Majesty asked me to inquire about were all fine. Even Qu Duan said some strange things, but he was complaining that Your Majesty hadn't streamlined the various Imperial Guard armies enough..."

Zhao Jiu was even more speechless, but he saw through Qu Duan's intentions clearly—once the twenty-thousand-man limit for the Imperial Guard was set, if others weren't reduced, where would Qu Da's Imperial Guard Cavalry quota come from?

Hu Yin said no more, and Zhao Jiu looked again at Yang Yizhong, who was standing at the side.

Yang Yizhong understood and immediately stepped forward with a bow: "Your Majesty, all the Commanders of the various Imperial Guard units have submitted secret memorials, none missing..."

Zhao Jiu nodded again, somewhat relieved. After a moment's thought, he looked at Zhang Jun, who had been wanting to speak but hadn't had the chance, standing beside him. The latter had just returned from the Qinfeng Circuit.

"Your Majesty, please speak, and your servant will do his utmost." Zhang Jun, who had darkened considerably in recent days, immediately cupped his hands.

"You will preside over this evening's banquet," Zhao Jiu said with a smile.

Zhang Jun was overjoyed but then cautiously asked, "Dare I ask Your Majesty, wouldn't it be more appropriate for Chancellor Yuwen to handle such matters?"

"It's fine," Zhao Jiu continued smiling. "I have recently discussed it with Chancellor Yuwen, and we both feel that Guanzhong is different from the southern regions. For a certain period in the future, the front line in Shanbei will still face the Jin Jun directly, while the rear is devastated and needs rest and recuperation. It requires a steady chancellor to continue overseeing it... So Chancellor Yuwen will remain in Chang'an for a while longer; there's no rush."

Zhang Jun seemed to understand and nodded repeatedly and heavily.

Now, Yuwen Xuzhong staying in Chang'an obviously had no causal relationship with presiding over a banquet, but Zhao the Sovereign's words at this moment were particularly subtle... If Yuwen Xuzhong wasn't leaving and therefore wouldn't preside over the banquet, then who was leaving?

And what would they do after leaving?

That was unknown.

But regardless, although Chancellor Xu Jingheng had seriously warned Zhao the Sovereign against using Lü Yihao, this sovereign had still largely adopted many of Lü Yihao's policies. And Hu Yin, standing solemnly beside the sovereign, had previously held an ambiguous attitude toward Zhang Jun becoming a chief minister, yet Zhang Jun had still received what was almost an explicit political promise from this sovereign.

On the Mid-Autumn Festival, the banquet went smoothly. Zhao Jiu appeared with the attending Imperial Consort Wu and immediately announced that those who had performed outstandingly in the Battle of Yaoshan, if they had children of appropriate age, would be admitted to county schools, prefectural schools, or the Imperial Academy according to their merits. Among the land allocation, "righteous people" who had returned large amounts of land, following the precedent of redeeming Hebei refugees, would also be granted quotas for county schools, prefectural schools, or the Imperial Academy.

At the same time, starting next year, normal examinations between the three levels of schools would be fully restored, and the palace examination would be reinstated.

Not only that, those who had died in the great battle, if their families still existed, would also receive land allocations. If their clan was depleted and only orphans remained, the land would be managed personally by Zhao the Sovereign, and the orphans would also be taken back to Dongjing by Zhao the Sovereign after the land allocation, to be settled and raised.

This was a public, massive act of "bestowing favor." After the announcement, the military, local officials, civil officials, and military officers all beamed, greatly diluting the serious atmosphere brought by the previous land allocation and troop reorganization.

Of course, there was still an unexpected incident. After drinking too much, a gap in the pre-investigation emerged. Wang Yan, the Grand Coordinator of the Qinfeng Circuit, tearfully complained to Zhao the Sovereign about his grievances... He was worried that leaving the army like this, combined with the special nature of the Eight-Character Army, would lead people to misunderstand that he had been too eager for military power, as if he had done something improper.

Zhao Jiu had no choice but to soothe him as best he could, roughly saying that since he was proficient in both civil and military affairs, it was fitting for him to become a civil official. Perhaps if he did well in the future, he could even become a chief minister—that was pure nonsense.

But the attitude still had to be shown.

And you know, aside from Wang Yan, unlike the previous grand banquet for commanders and officers, this time it was indeed much more harmonious. It showed that these fellows were all bullies who feared the tough.

And so, Zhao the Sovereign's Mid-Autumn Festival banquet served as a conclusion to the Guanzhong affairs. Next, ignoring the repeated urgings from Dongjing—where, it was said, a Goryeo envoy had returned, Nianhan had strangely moved south to Great Ming Prefecture, arrangements for the southern pacification campaign were being made, the Empress Dowager and various Yangzhou dignitaries demanded an official return to Dongjing, and Imperial Consort Pan was "showing more and more" while "missing more and more," among other matters—he forcibly remained in Chang'an until the land allocation was formally completed in form, before leading the army eastward.

However, before leaving, the final arrangements for Guanzhong were finally made. Yuwen Xuzhong was to remain in Chang'an, Hu Yin became the Transport Commissioner for the five circuits of Guanzhong, Han Shizhong's Imperial Guard Left Army was to be relocated to Chang'an to oversee all military affairs in Guanzhong, and Wu Jie was to garrison Fangzhou to respond to Shanbei and Wanyan Huanü in Yan'an Prefecture...

At the same time, Zhao Jiu formally dismissed Zhang Jun from his position as Transport Commissioner for the five circuits of Bashu, transferring him to the Hanlin Academy as an Academician. However, he appointed Xiao Lin Academician as the Grand Coordinator of the Chengdu Fu Circuit, and Liu Ziyu as the Grand Coordinator of the Lizhou Circuit.

However, it must be mentioned that a person who had previously been overlooked unexpectedly received unprecedented promotion. Zhao Kai, formerly Zhang Jun's financial confidant, had his authority expanded directly from the five circuits of Bashu to the entire Guanshan region due to his outstanding performance—this financial expert's current assignment was Transport Judge of the nine circuits of Guanshan and Bashu, concurrently Supervisor-in-Chief of Tea and Salt Affairs for the nine circuits, and concurrently Supervisor of Border Horse Purchasing and Pasturage Affairs.

At the same time, he was additionally granted a purple robe and permitted to use military couriers to transmit secret memorials directly to the imperial presence... West of Tongguan, this man was effectively subject only to Yuwen Xuzhong's orders.

Regarding this, some said it was due to Zhang Jun's recommendation, while others said it was the Emperor conducting a pilot for the nation's fiscal reform. If Zhao Kai performed well, he might not be unable to enter the imperial presence directly, rise rapidly, become Minister of Revenue, oversee the nation's finances, or even have the opportunity to become a Grand Councilor.

But regardless, in the crisp autumn air of September, while Han Shizhong moved his household to Huaixi and Qu Duan remained in Guanshan waiting to purchase horses, the Emperor led the Imperial Guard Central Army and countless other attendants in a grand procession, formally returning east to the capital. Apart from offering sacrifices to Wang Boyan at the ruins of the abandoned capital en route, there were no additional stops.

In mid-September, when the Emperor reached the territory of Zhengzhou, the previous day's official gazette's front-page headline was still writing nonsense like "The fighting is fierce, but Dongjing has not wavered for a single day toward the Emperor" and "The Emperor is about to arrive at his capital." The next day, however, a very brief special supplement was suddenly issued.

The supplement contained only five short items of information:

First, Xu Jingheng, who had been handling matters of converting military garrison fields to private land in the Henan region, had actually long been suffering from illness. As soon as the Emperor turned back, he was forced to resign at Zhengzhou. The Emperor personally tried to retain him but failed, and had already agreed to Xu Jingheng's honorable retirement.

Moreover, the Emperor had already issued a clear decree, ordering the Hanlin Academicians to deliberate on Xu Jingheng's rewards and the treatment of a prince for his honorable retirement. At the same time, they were also deliberating on restoring the treatment of Li Gang, Li Boji.

Second, the Empress Dowager and the imperial clan would continue to guard Yangzhou unchanged.

Third, Hanlin Academician Zhang Jun, based on his military merits in Guanshan, was promoted to Commissioner of Military Affairs, formally becoming a Grand Councilor of the Western Administration.

Fourth, Yue Fei, Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Guard Forward Army, had already led his troops south ahead of schedule, before the Imperial Guard Central Army reached Henan, to suppress the rebellion of Zhong Xiang.

Fifth, based on the memorial of Lu Yihao, the Grand Councilor of the Southeast, the full authority of the two Grand Councilors of the Southeast and Jingxiang was abolished.

Among them, Lu Yihao, Grand Councilor of the Southeast, was transferred to be Grand Coordinator of the Liangzhe Circuit, while Liu Ji, Grand Councilor of Jingxiang, was to enter the capital to become Vice Grand Councilor of the Central Administration as soon as Yue Fei's troops arrived.

Furthermore, Zhao Ding, Transport Commissioner of the two Huainan circuits, was summoned to the capital and appointed Grand Councilor of the Central Administration, to jointly assist Grand Councilor Lu Haowen in overseeing court governance.

So it really was Zhao Ding! In the end, the Emperor's heart for appointing the worthy had overcome his heart for appointing the close!

About to enter Dongjing, Mo Qixie, Palace Censor, crumpled the paper and sighed, finding it not at all surprising, because he had long thought that, regardless of circumstances, the court needed people who could get things done.

PS: Thanks to classmates Ningjingzhige, Linghutaizhong (speechless), and Moluoke for their patronage and becoming allies. That makes one hundred and eight heroes.

Let me explain one more thing: I really am not feeling well today... My stomach is terribly uncomfortable. Sitting here, acid keeps rising up to the point of discomfort.