Chapter 1024: Reforming Governance (Part Two)

Zhu Qiyu thought for a moment and said: "I think their arguments all have merit—placing military land and troop rations under the Ministry of War's control would indeed harm the management and development of military colonies, but the army is riddled with corruption, drawing pay for nonexistent soldiers, and seizing farmland; if this continues, how will Great Ming ever recruit elite troops and capable generals?"

Pan Yun: "Corruption is never judged by civil or military status, but by the integrity of governance; if governance is clean, both civil and military officials are honest; if governance is corrupt, no honest official can appear on the imperial court, regardless of their branch."

Zhu Qiyu pondered: "Does the State Preceptor mean that to curb military corruption, we need only reform governance?"

Pan Yun: "If you hand over the authority over military land from the Five Military Commissions to the Ministry of War because of military corruption, who will you hand it to when the Ministry of War becomes corrupt?"

Zhu Qiyu's gaze shifted slightly.

Pan Yun spoke with solemn gravity: "Better to strengthen oversight—local governance must prioritize the people, the army must prioritize its soldiers. I seek to address the root cause: policies should ensure soldiers in the army feel secure and strong, so they can fulfill their duty to protect home and country. That is a good policy."

Zhu Qiyu's heart stirred slightly.

Military corruption is severe, but the Five Military Commissions represent the army's status and interests within the imperial court; if all authority over military land and rations were truly transferred to the Ministry of War, would soldiers untouched by corruption truly be satisfied?

The Emperor pondered all night, and at the next morning's court session, he rejected the proposal; he then summoned the Grand Secretaries and senior ministers of all departments to the Imperial Study to deliberate on how to supervise the army's practice of drawing pay for nonexistent soldiers and seizing farmland;

and how the imperial court must strengthen governance, promoting integrity and upright conduct in office.

By the time the court officials left the Imperial Study, the sun stood directly overhead—it was past noon.

Fortunately, the Emperor had invited them to lunch, or they would have been faint from hunger.

Yu Qian considered for a moment and headed straight for the Imperial Astronomical Bureau; on the way, he met Chen Huai, who had just left the same meeting.

The two exchanged a glance and said nothing, walking in silence to the gates of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau.

Almost as soon as they stopped, a young Daoist acolyte stepped out: "Commandant Chen, the State Preceptor requests your presence."

Then to Yu Qian: "Master Yu, please wait a moment."

Chen Huai and Yu Qian exchanged another glance, then followed the acolyte inside.

Pan Yun was eating lunch; seeing him, she immediately waved him over, as if inviting a friend to join a casual meal: "Commandant Chen, come quickly—I haven't finished yet, join me for a bit more."

Pan Yun handed him chopsticks and scooped a full bowl of rice into his hands: "I didn't expect your meeting to end so late—I was thinking I'd wait and have lunch with you when you arrived."

Chen Huai had indeed not eaten his fill; naturally, he had to maintain composure before the Emperor, but he wasn't starving.

Chen Huai took the bowl and chopsticks, glanced at the dishes on the table, and began eating heartily.

The two ate loudly, crunching away, then set down their bowls and chopsticks simultaneously.

Pan Yun wiped her mouth and said: "Ask your questions."

Chen Huai said: "I've come to thank the State Preceptor for speaking up on behalf of the Five Military Commissions."

Pan Yun: "I spoke for the million military households and for Great Ming—if control of military land passes to the Ministry of War, military households will face even greater restrictions, risking a revival of the Song dynasty's tragedy of civil dominance over military affairs; but…"

Pan Yun paused, then said: "Chen Huai, our Great Ming's military system has always relied on military land; if military households lose their land, Great Ming will lose its reliable source of soldiers, and our borders will become perilous."

Pan Yun: "I hope the Five Military Commissions never forget their duty."

Chen Huai's face turned solemn; he rose and bowed in response. After Pan Yun waved him off, he bowed deeply and withdrew.

He needed to consult his old comrades—this purge of military corruption demanded that the Five Military Commissions cleanse their ranks of corrupt officials.

Chen Huai hurried out the door and nearly collided with Yu Qian, who stood before it, hands behind his back, gazing up at the osmanthus tree; his steps slowed slightly.

Yu Qian heard the footsteps and turned his head.

The two merely exchanged a silent glance; Chen Huai nodded to Yu Qian and left.