After the rebirth, the queen took the Meiqiang tragedy script

Chapter 264 Reform
"After the promulgation of the 'Edict of Military Governors,' it did save the court a lot of money and enriched the national treasury. However, the power of the military governors in each prefecture grew rapidly, and they soon became local tyrants. It was not until the Xingrui era, when the case of the Prince of Beidu colluding with the enemy occurred in Yunzhou, that the court introduced a new law, which reduced the rank of the military governors and divided their power. The conscription of soldiers required the approval of the prefect, and the mobilization of troops required the approval of the emperor and the cabinet."

Ye Qinghuai stopped and shook his head, saying, "But in my opinion, this is only a temporary solution."

"Emperor Yanzhao originally intended for the prefects and military governors to check and balance each other, so that the court could divide and rule them. But now it seems that this strategy has not worked, at least in Yunzhou, Qizhou and Yizhou."

Upon hearing this, Wang Lisong's expression darkened.

The prefects and military governors of Yunzhou and Yizhou had excellent relations and were both loyalists. Qizhou, on the other hand, was the territory of Prince Yu, and all officials, high and low, followed his lead. Unfortunately, these three prefectures were the gateways to the Great Jing Dynasty, and were constantly at war, making them important military strongholds.

The emperor knew the situation in these three prefectures, Wang Lisong knew it, and all discerning people inside and outside the court could see it clearly.

"At present, it seems that the nine provinces are at peace and the provincial governors are under the control of the imperial court. But in fact, it is maintained by the imperial court's money, the relatively chaotic world, and Gu Shihai's popularity. If any of these three factors change, the military governor could become a hidden danger to the Great Jing."

Wang Lisong was somewhat taken aback and said, "Your Majesty thought that Grand Secretary Gu's reputation in the army was so significant."

Ye Qinghuai frowned and nodded, saying, "After Emperor Xingrui weakened the power of the military governors, there has always been a saying in the court that the court should use civil officials to rule the military generals, and that it is better to pursue a civil career than to practice martial arts. Our Great Jing was conquered on horseback, and since its founding, it has always valued martial arts. Before the Yanzhao era, there were many military households, and even the only non-royal prince, the Prince of Beidu, was enfeoffed for his military achievements. After the implementation of the Xingrui New Law, the treatment of military families in various prefectures plummeted, and they naturally harbored a lot of resentment that was difficult to quell. Until Gu Shihai entered the cabinet, in just three years, the military governors regained the authority to mobilize troops. Although there were restrictions on the number of troops, it was still an opening. The management of military expenses was also largely transferred to the military governors, and even some powers of the Ministry of Works were allocated to them. With power and money in their hands, the military salaries and status of the local military men have improved to some extent."

"In the eyes of these people, their good days are all thanks to Grand Secretary Gu. But has the Grand Secretary ever considered that if Gu Shihai were to pass away one day, would the military governors of the various prefectures still be as obedient to the court as they are now?"

After she finished speaking, she looked up at Wang Lisong. The old man also looked at her with a hint of awe in his eyes. He understood the last sentence of the emperor: "Gu Shihai is gone."

Wang Lisong pondered for a moment and said, “Your Majesty, military power has always been difficult to obtain. It is easy for the court to delegate power, but it is not easy to take it back. During the Xingrui era, if it were not for the major case of the Prince of Beidu, which led the court to investigate and confiscate the property of several military governors, the new laws would probably have been difficult to implement.”

Ye Qinghuai did not back down. She said, "Isn't there an opportunity right now?"

Wang Lisong immediately understood and said, "Your Majesty wants to use Yile's case..."

As he continued, he hesitated. In the end, Yile's case wasn't that big. If handled well, it would only result in replacing the military governor of Yizhou, and it was unlikely to cause any major upheaval.

"I intend to use this case to dismiss the military governor of Yizhou and replace him with Lu Yanchen, and imprison Gu Haiwang in order to force Gu Shihai to rebel. Once Gu Shihai is executed, I will reform the system of prefectural commanders, abolish the military governor system, and establish a commandery for every 10,000 men in a battalion, and return the power to mobilize troops to the court."

Ye Qinghuai lowered her eyes, paused, but her expression remained firm: "I will take control of the troops in the prefectures." Silence fell over the room after she finished speaking.

Wang Lisong's face showed a series of expressions: shock, sudden realization, admiration, and worry. He looked at Ye Qinghuai somewhat rudely, unable to look away for a long time.

After a long pause, Wang Lisong asked softly, "When did Your Majesty make such a decision?"

“It’s been some time,” Ye Qinghuai thought to himself. “It’s been almost half a year, but I haven’t been able to think of a suitable opportunity.”

"Has Your Majesty shared this idea with anyone else?"

Ye Qinghuai hesitated for a moment, but finally told Wang Lisong frankly: "This matter was initially brought up to me by Lu Yanchen after he discovered some problems and malpractices in the local areas and the army. I have been corresponding with him these days to discuss this matter, and we need his help, so he is fully aware of it. Apart from him, I have not mentioned it to anyone else; the Grand Master of Ceremonies was the first. This is a matter of great importance. If it were to spread, not only would the court and the cabinet be shaken, but the provincial governors would also be in a state of panic. I understand."

After listening, Wang Lisong seemed relieved and nodded slightly.

“If a camp is formed with 10,000 men, smaller places like Yuezhou and Leizhou would have two commanders, while larger places like Yunzhou and Yizhou would have five or six commanders. This would allow them to check and balance each other, and even if someone had a change of heart, it wouldn’t have too much of an impact and could lead to regional separatism.”

Ye Qinghuai chimed in, “Exactly. Besides, I also have my own selfish motives. The court needs a reason to give newcomers a chance. The current military governors have reached their positions either because they were promoted by the late emperor or because of the favor of Gu Shihai. No matter how good I am to them, can I be better than the person who promoted them to the first rank? I need to use people, and specifically, generals and border generals who hold significant military power. These people must be people I have personally promoted. Only those people who have shown me kindness are likely to be useful.”

Wang Lisong had previously worried that the emperor's actions were merely a youthful impulse, but now it seemed that the emperor was thinking far ahead than he had imagined. He understood seven or eight tenths of the reason Ye Qinghuai had summoned him today, so he confirmed with the emperor, "Although Your Majesty said you were discussing this matter with an old minister, you have already made up your mind. This matter is inevitable, isn't it?"

Ye Qinghuai nodded, his eyes shining even brighter: "Yes. If the military system is not reformed, it will not only be a hidden danger to the court, but the newly implemented land reclamation system and the extra funds and grain that the court has managed to squeeze out this year for the Ministry of War will probably not be transformed into the fighting power of the three armies. Instead, it will just give some people another opportunity to line their own pockets."

Looking at Ye Qinghuai, Wang Lisong's admiration and respect were even greater. Although he was over sixty, his eyes were not as cloudy as those of an ordinary old man; they always seemed to have a clear glimmer.

Ye Qinghuai watched as tears gradually welled up in those clear eyes.

She was taken aback and asked, at a loss for words, "What's wrong with the Chancellor?"

Wang Lisong realized his lapse in composure, lowered his head, and calmed himself down. He clasped his hands and bowed deeply, saying, "This old man wishes to thank Heaven for bestowing upon the Great Jing a good emperor."