Chapter 892: Altar

"Besides this, education cannot be limited to Yanzhou. This batch of key colleges will not only be in Yanzhou but also in the capitals of other provinces. The Education Department must allocate resources reasonably to establish these colleges." Facing his officials, he gave further instructions.

In his view, talent is the core competitive strength of a country.

This reform in education was intended to replicate the educational system from Public School to college in Yanzhou across the entire Great Song Dynasty.

Only in this way could the Great Song Dynasty cultivate more talent.

"Regarding the post stations, starting from today, they will be renamed the Post and Telecommunications Department, responsible for the sending and receiving of wired telegraphs as well as mail delivery," Zhao Xu continued.

Originally, he had wanted to abolish the national post stations and build a new system.

But the post stations were indeed the livelihood of millions of canal workers, and he feared causing chaos.

It was better to let the station masters and station attendants learn new things and return to their posts.

"As for electricity, we need to establish an Electric Power Department to coordinate the power construction of the Great Song. For maritime trade, we will establish a General Administration of Customs, responsible for inspecting goods and strictly preventing smuggling. For water conservancy, we will establish a Water Conservancy Department; for taxation, we will establish a General Administration of Taxation..." Zhao Xu listed them one by one.

He only spoke of the departments that the Great Song Dynasty urgently needed to establish at present; when there was a need to use petroleum in the future, he would also establish a Petroleum Department and so on.

After speaking about government affairs, he then went on to talk about military matters.

"Based on the current situation, this Prince intends to divide the army into five parts. First, the Prince's Personal Army will be renamed the Central Army, responsible for defending Yanzhou while supporting wars in other directions. The Ningjin Army will be renamed the Black Tortoise Army, responsible for military affairs in the North Territory. The Qin Army will be renamed the White Tiger Army, responsible for military affairs in the West. Beyond these three armies, we will also establish the Vermilion Bird Army to defend Jiangnan, and the Azure Dragon Army to defend the eastern coast. Except for the Central Army, which will have an establishment of 150,000, the other four armies will each have an establishment of 100,000." Zhao Xu looked toward Yang Feng.

His intention was to maintain the standing army of the Great Song Dynasty at the number of 550,000.

After all, this army of 550,000 had to defend the entire Great Song Dynasty, and in the future, it would also be responsible for foreign wars and controlling the colonies they captured.

Therefore, this number was actually not large.

One must know that before the Great Song Dynasty fell into chaos, the Imperial Guard and the Shizu Army combined totaled over two million.

As for using names like Black Tortoise and Vermilion Bird, it was not that he was suffering from a bout of "middle school syndrome."

Rather, these names symbolized directions.

For example, Black Tortoise represents the North, Vermilion Bird represents the South, White Tiger represents the West, and Azure Dragon represents the East.

By adding a Central Army, he was effectively dividing the Great Song Dynasty into five military regions.

"Yes, Your Highness." Upon hearing this, Yang Feng's face showed joy.

For any general, soldiers under one's command are naturally the more the better.

Zhao Xu nodded, "The position of Minister of War has been vacant for a long time. Today, you shall merge the Staff Department into the Ministry of War, and you will serve as the Minister of War."

The current Ministry of War was merely an empty shell, without any power.

He was returning part of the power back to the Ministry of War.

But even so, the Ministry of War would no longer have the great power it once had; it would only be responsible for miscellaneous tasks such as equipment procurement for the army, the transport of grain and fodder, and the payment of military salaries.

The Five Armies would still be under his direct command, and below him would be the General's Mansion commanded by Chang Wei.

It would be specifically responsible for fighting wars.

"Thank you, Your Highness." Yang Feng was stunned for a moment, then bowed again.

With the Great Song Dynasty unified, Yan Wang had also set everything on the right track.

After discussing some more matters regarding government and military affairs, Zhao Xu announced the end of the morning court session and returned to the Prince's Mansion.

At this time, Yang Susu had already prepared a sumptuous dinner for him and was waiting for his return.

When husband and wife met, it was naturally a time of affection, whispering of lovesickness and speaking of tender feelings.

They snuggled together all night until dawn.

Zhao Xu got up and went to the study.

The many reform measures he announced in the court yesterday were only general.

He feared that Liu Fu and the others would not be able to sort out these modern state organizational structures.

Thus, he simply wrote out a chart of the Great Song Imperial Court's institutions.

The chart contained all the current imperial institutions of the Great Song, including the newly added ones, and also detailed the functions of each institution below it to avoid unclear divisions of authority and confusion among the various agencies.

It took him an entire day to complete this chart, after which he ordered someone to deliver it to Liu Fu.

Upon receiving the chart, Liu Fu suddenly saw the light; he immediately summoned the officials and, according to the contents of the chart, carried out a comprehensive institutional reform of the Great Song.

……

Beidi Khan Court.

While the Great Song Dynasty was vigorously carrying out development and reform.

Mule Hongzhen was standing in front of the altar.

Behind him was Wulanba, and behind Wulanba were the kings of the seven royal tents.

Ivan and Qiefusi stood to one side, watching.

Drawing the Dagger from his waist, Mule Hongzhen sliced his own palm, and fresh blood flowed out, dripping into the Wine Jar held by a soldier.

Afterward, the soldier carried the Wine Jar to each king, pouring the blood-red White Wine into their bowls.

The 300,000-strong Beidi army had been wiped out, Tiemuta had died in battle, and Ashuer had lost a leg.

When these reports arrived, he was so overcome with urgent rage that he spat out a mouthful of blood and fainted on the spot.

After recuperating for several days, he finally recovered from his weakness.

But the bone-deep hatred gnawed at his heart like a poisonous snake.

As long as he did not kill Yan Wang, the pain made it difficult for him to sleep.

Sitting in his tent and thinking for three days and three nights, he summoned Wulanba and the seven kings.

He resolved to swear an oath before the altar to the Eternal Heaven to exact the most cruel revenge upon Yan Wang!