The military reform conference has come to an end. The general direction has been determined. The specific details will be implemented slowly. Of course, there will naturally be various resistances during the implementation process. The Xiang army that was first abolished is weak. In addition, They are dispersed in various places. It is relatively easy to dismantle them. But it is not that simple to reorganize the 70,000 forbidden troops who are concentrated together.
I have always believed that a good start is half the battle. The start of this military reform is several times better than I originally expected. It is rare for the four theaters to stand in one place. They all agree. This is I don't have to worry about any changes at the border.
After returning to the palace of Funing, Quan Jiu and I had a quick bite and then fell asleep early. The past two days had indeed exhausted me. My mind was spinning. Even I, the so-called guardian emperor who is destined to do so, was tired. Too much to bear.
Prime Minister's Mansion. Night.
Jia Sidao calmly told Liao Yingzhong about the general meeting and the process of his interview with Xie Daoqing: "Yingzhong, this is the general situation."
After hearing this, Liao Yingzhong sighed and said: "I didn't expect that Lu Wende, who should be the most reliable, would fall to the side of His Majesty the Emperor."
"Well, I originally planned to let Lu Wende and others oppose the military reform on the grounds of border instability. Even if there are two factions of different opinions in the border army, coupled with the opposing Lin'an Forbidden Army, even if there is no chance of winning, they should not fall into this trap. We are at a disadvantage. It is because of the betrayal of Lu Wende, Xia Gui and others that disrupted my plan. It actually caused the four major political envoys to all support the military reform. Hey, maybe this is the so-called providence."
"God's will. Master. Why is this?"
"I just learned about it. On the night before the military reform meeting, that is, on the night of September 8th, Lu Xin, the son of Lu Wende, led people to cause trouble in Tongle Building. They were defeated by the guards in the building. Later, Lu Wende went to rescue the people in person. But he drank tea inside for nearly an hour. The one who could keep us, General Lu, to drink tea must be Mr. Huyan, the owner of Tongle Building, that is, Zhao He. I once warned my friends in Beijing not to stay in the same room. Lelou and Shifeng Commercial Bank were causing trouble. They did not tell Mr. Lu Wende, the envoy of Xiangfan who was out of town. But it was Lu Wende's son who made the mistake. And the time was such a coincidence. Yingzhong, do you think this is God's will? "
The more contact she had with His Majesty the Emperor, the more Liao Ying felt in her heart that the Emperor was a god. Subconsciously, a kind of respect and even fear arose in her heart. However, Jia Sidao was her benefactor after all. Considering Liao Yingzhong's character. How could there be betrayal? Liao Yingzhong didn't answer. She didn't know how to answer.
Jia Sidao saw that Liao Yingzhong was silent. Then he said: "Yingzhong, what do you think I should do next?"
Liao Yingzhong thought for a while and said: "Grand Master, my subordinates think there are two ways. I just don't know whether to talk about it or not."
Jia Sidao smiled: "Yingzhong, how come you have become a mother-in-law? If you have anything to say, just say it."
"Grand Master, through this military reform meeting, it can be seen that the current situation in the court is no longer a tripartite situation of imperial power, queen power, and prime minister power. The imperial power and queen power are combined, and their power obviously exceeds the prime minister power. So. Yingzhong believes that the Grand Master should obey His Majesty's will for the time being and give in for the time being. We will see the opportunity later. His Majesty the Emperor will definitely retain the Grand Master's position as the head of the hundred officials for the sake of the Grand Master's support of His Majesty on the throne; the other is According to the wishes of the Queen Mother, I will leave the officialdom of the imperial court completely so that I can enjoy my old age in peace."
Jia Sidao frowned and said, "Isn't there a third way?"
Liao Yingzhong hesitated for a moment. Finally, she shook her head and said, "Go back to Grand Master. No more."
Jia Sidao's face was calm. He got up and walked back and forth in the room. Then he said slowly: "Yingzhong, tell me, if. If I let the Imperial Army enter Lin'an and force the palace, what percentage will be calculated?"
"Forced into the palace."
"That's right. It's about forcing the palace. Although all the border troops are on the side, water from afar can't quench the thirst nearby. There are as many as 70,000 imperial troops outside Lin'an City. That's enough."
Liao Yingzhong said in a panic: "Grand Master, no."
"Why not?"
"Forcing someone to have a wife is tantamount to treason."
"What if I take the name of Qing Junzi?"
"Grand Master, think twice. The current atmosphere is not suitable. This will only lead to resentment from the people and the anger of the officials. It is counterproductive."
"Yingzhong, don't say this. You just need to tell me how much you think is right."
"Grand Master, although my subordinates are not familiar with military matters, Grand Master, please forgive me for speaking frankly. I think it is not possible."
"Why."
"Grand Master, although you are currently in charge of the Imperial Army, mobilizing the army requires a joint decree between Your Majesty and the Privy Council. Mobilizing the Imperial Army only after the Privy Council issues a document is itself a crime of treason. This is one of them; although Fan Wenhu is the leader of the Imperial Army. He has the highest military position, but his prestige is not enough to convince the public. If he sends troops privately when the tiger talisman is not complete, he will easily be questioned or even refuted by other generals. This is the second one; the forbidden army is close at hand. Although he can enter the city quickly, it is also easy to advance in advance. The news is leaked. I believe that Your Majesty must have many informants in the Forbidden Army. As long as the imperial city is closed and those informants make a big deal, the middle and lower-level generals in the Forbidden Army will probably turn back. This is the third point. Judging from the above three points, my subordinates think that the success rate is extremely low."
Jia Sidao sat back on the Imperial Master's chair and said, "Yingzhong's words have some truth to them. I'll think about it again."
"Grand Master, Your Majesty and the late Emperor have completely different behavior styles. It is said that those who know the current affairs are heroes. I would like to advise Grand Master to think twice before taking action. This is not a trivial matter after all. If you make a careless step, you may fall into the abyss and be doomed." Liao Yingzhong, who had always been calm, became excited later on.
Of course Jia Sidao knew in his heart that Liao Yingzhong had good intentions. If there is anyone in the world that he trusts, that person must be Liao Yingzhong, not his children or relatives.
"Master Prime Minister," Jia Xuan reported inside. "Master Weng, the two Masters Fan are outside asking for a meeting."
"Let them come in. By the way, Jia Xuan, go to Yanfu Temple and see if Master Liangzhen has returned."
"now."
"Yes. Right now."
"Yes, Prime Minister. I will go there right now."
After Weng Yinglong and others entered the room, they saluted and said, "I have seen the Grand Master."
Jia Sidao's tone was calm: "Well, we are all here. Sit down."
"Brother Liao, you were the one who got there first again," Fan Wenhu said.
"Haha. Liao's residence is closest to the Prime Minister's Mansion. It's very convenient."
"Brother Liao, you must think of countermeasures for the brothers this time." Fan Wenhu continued.
Liao Yingzhong looked a little embarrassed: "Brother Fan, this matter should be discussed in the long term. Let's all come together. Liao alone is too weak to do anything."
"Brother Liao, don't hide your secrets. Everyone knows that you are resourceful. You need to make an idea for me this time."
"Brother Fan, Liao will do his best."
"Brother, I'll thank you in advance." Fan Wenhu said with his hands clasped in fists.
As the deputy capital commander in front of the palace, Fan Wenhu has the highest military rank in the Forbidden Army. The Forbidden Army is the first to bear the brunt of this military reform. Of course, Fan Wenhu is on pins and needles.
"Brother Fan, according to the military reform policy set by His Majesty, our court will have six major military regions and the Imperial Guard Army. The four northern regions are all adapted from the original war zones. Only the Lin'an War Zone and the Guangnan War Zone are newly established. Brother Fan, why don't you fight for these two As for the position of envoy under the military district system, of course, the commander of the Royal Forest Army does not need to consider it. There is no hope."
Fan Wenhu thought carefully about Liao Yingzhong's suggestion. After a while, he said: "Brother Liao, good advice."
"That's right." Jia Sidao said suddenly. "Wen Hu, you are trying to get the position of the military commander in the Guangnan Theater. Wen Huan, both of you are members of the Zhao Fu Military Academy. You should have some say. Based on my guess. .The Lin'an Theater Commander Zhao Yu will use his people. But there is still hope for Wenhu in the Guangnan Theater. No matter what, having a place in the war zone is not considered a total annihilation of the army."
Although Fan Wenhu looks rough on the surface, he is quite delicate in his heart. Things are going to change in the military. His Majesty the Emperor will take over all the power. He belongs to the Prime Minister's party. Obviously he is not liked by the imperial power. If he can be sent abroad, he will become a territory. A high official, even in a remote area, is better than being a victim of the dispute between the two parties in the court. Fan Wenhu thought of this and hurriedly responded: "Grand Master, then I will try to get the post of institutional envoy of the Guangnan War Zone. "
"Yes. The Privy Council fully supports it. Wen Huan and the Ministry of War will also support it."
"Grand Master, half of the Ministry of War will support it. However, the Guangnan War Zone is located on the southern border and is overgrown with grass. Wenhu. You have to think carefully."
"Brother, don't worry. The Grand Master is right. I have no hope in the Lin'an War Zone and the Royal Forest Army. Brother, I should fight for the rights of this land no matter what. Even if it is a retreat in the future. As for the hard work, there is nothing I can do." Fan Wen Tiger said with a look of death.
Fan Wenhuan sighed. Seeing Jia Sidao's nonchalant expression, he asked, "Grand Master, what are your plans for the military reform?"
"Plan." Jia Sidao seemed a little angry and asked, "Wen Huan, what do you think I should do?"
"This..." Fan Wenhuan was stunned for a while. He didn't know how to answer.
Seeing this, Liao Yingzhong hurriedly came to the rescue and said: "Master Fan, this matter must be considered by Grand Master Haosheng. This is not a child's play."
"Yes. Brother Liao."
Jia Sidao's calmness on the surface still cannot hide his inner anxiety. These people usually just follow the trend. They always want to get ahead at critical moments. Alas, this group of people can't be counted on. How can they have any good plans? .Always like to ask here and there. It’s really annoying.
Liao Yingzhong said: "Everyone, this matter is related to everyone. Everyone should also express their own opinions. Whether it makes sense or not, I will give it to the Grand Master for reference."
Weng Yinglong said: "Brother Liao is right. His Majesty has just established the Government Affairs Council. Now he has also created a Military Affairs Council. It is obvious that he wants to monopolize military and political power. If this continues, my life will not be easy."
"What suggestions does Brother Weng have?"
Weng Yinglong said honestly: "I, Weng Yinglong, have always followed the advice of the Grand Master. When it comes to suggestions, I'd better listen to Brother Liao's advice."
Jia Sidao said "hum" without saying anything.
Liao Yingzhong knew that this matter was difficult. The opponent was the current emperor. Even a resourceful man like himself did not have any good methods. What about people like Weng and Fan. The development of the matter ultimately depends on the attitude of Master Jia. The rest are side details. .It's not important. Liao Yingzhong said: "Master, it's getting late. It's time for me to say goodbye."
After everyone left, Jia Sidao sat alone on the Taishi chair and began to think deeply.
According to Liao Yingzhong, there is almost no chance of forcing the palace. So the only option is to give in. The prime minister power that he has built up with decades of hard work must return to the imperial power. Fight. Is it useful to just fight? If not, give in. .Will you be willing to give in? Two different voices in Jia Sidao's heart are constantly intertwined. Sometimes the struggle takes the upper hand, and sometimes giving in fills his mind.
Suddenly, Jia Sidao's mind became confused and seemed out of control.