The First Great Ancestor of the Five Dynasties

Chapter 483 Troubles in the Army Reorganization
Kaifeng government office.

Chai Rongzheng led a group of officials to take stock of Kaifeng Prefecture's household registration, population, land, tax payment status, warehouse balances and other tedious matters in the past three years.

The huge main hall was filled with tables and desks, stacks of tall account books were piled up, papers were flying all over the sky, and dozens of people worked hard.

Chai Rong sat in the governor's chair and looked through the compiled account books, becoming more and more annoyed as he read them.

Some of these account books are polluted and damaged, some records are unclear and incomplete, and some numbers vary widely, and traces of fraud can be seen at a glance.

Chai Rong was furious and shouted: "What a bunch of mediocre people! You should really be sent to the north to serve as arrow targets for the Khitan people by the Hutuo River!"

All the government officials were trembling with fear and did not dare to say anything.

"There is a doctor of arithmetic in the Imperial College who teaches a new counting method called 'Arabic numerals'. You should immediately take my name and invite a doctor of arithmetic who is familiar with this method to come back and learn it while re-keeping accounts!
I will give you one month to reorganize all the accounts of Kaifeng Mansion for the past three years. I will check again after one month. If there are still loopholes like this, don't blame me for being ruthless!

When the time comes, I will pack up all the belongings, say goodbye to my little family, and go to the Hutuo River to guard the border! "

Chai Rong left angrily, leaving behind a group of mourning government officials.

When he returned to the Hou Yamen duty room, Chai Rong was still angry, and He Hui very sensibly offered chrysanthemum tea to calm down the fire.

"It would be great if Zhu Xiu was here. Why should I hire a doctor of arithmetic? It was he who passed the Arabic numerals to the Imperial College."

Chai Rong shook his head, missing Zhu Xiu very much at this moment.

If Zhu Xiu were here, the mess of Kaifeng Mansion would just be thrown to him.

He Hui asked curiously: "Junhou, what are 'Arabic numerals'?"

It was quite difficult for He Hui to pronounce it, and he found this name particularly difficult to pronounce.

Chai Rong walked to the table, picked up a pen and wrote down a few symbols on the paper: "This is the new counting method created by Zhu Xiu. This is the writing method of one, two, and three."

He Hui said in surprise: "It's really much simpler than the previous writing method."

Chai Rong smiled and said: "Of course, if the government adopts this counting method in the future, the calculation will be much simpler and faster."

After a pause, Chai Rong shook his head again and said: "It's just that the name was not chosen well, it's too difficult to pronounce. However, Zhu Xiu said that this kind of number was not invented by him, but was invented by the people of Tianzhu and was taken to distant Europe by the Arabs. After improvement, it was spread back to Tianzhu and spread from the Western Regions to the Central Plains."

He Hui opened his eyes wide and was confused, as if he was listening to a book from heaven.

He knows about Tianzhu, but he has never heard of Arabian Europe!

He Hui swallowed, feeling some inexplicable awe for Zhu Xiusheng in his heart.

There seemed to be nothing in the world that that boy didn't know.

Chai Rong said with a smile: "I also learned from Zhu Xiu's introduction that the world is far wider than we imagined. Beyond the Chinese state, there is a vast land that we have never set foot in! Even east of the East China Sea, thousands of Thousands of miles away, there is a continent wider than Kyushu!"

Chai Rong's eyes were full of longing and desire. If given the chance, he really wanted to lead the cavalry of Great Zhou to conquer these new worlds outside of Kyushu!
Just as he was talking, some soldiers came to report that Zhao Kuangyin, Li Jixun and a group of commanders of the forbidden army in front of the palace came to the government office to ask to see him.

In the hall, Chai Rong saw a group of generals with unhappy faces.

Needless to say, Zhao Kuangyin and Li Jixun were both old acquaintances, and Zhao Kuangyin was still his old subordinate when he was the military envoy of the Tianxiong Army.

Li Jixun has followed the official family for many years and has a close friendship with him.

Most of the others were promoted and recommended by him to serve in the Imperial Guard in front of the palace.

"What are you guys doing?" Chai Rong asked doubtfully.

After the ceremony, everyone elected Zhao Kuangyin and Li Jixun to speak as representatives.

Zhao Kuangyin was the first to clasp his fists: "The imperial army in front of the palace has made large-scale personnel changes. Don't you know about it?"

Chai Rong said in surprise: "When did this happen? I don't know! I've been working in Kaifeng Mansion these past few days and haven't even returned home."

Li Jixun said in a deep voice: "In the name of the official will, the imperial guards ordered a comprehensive rectification of the imperial army in front of the palace. All of us were transferred from the position of commander of the army and went to work in various government agencies.

Although his rank remained unchanged, he lost military power and became a marginal figure in the imperial army. "

Chai Rong was shocked and angry: "Is this really happening?"

Zhao Kuangyin smiled bitterly and said: "I would never dare to deceive the Lord. I had no choice but to come to ask the Lord to make the decision."

"We were all promoted by the princes and lords. Some made military exploits when they raised troops in Yedu, and some followed the officials to fight the Khitan people in Hebei without any fault. Why should we be transferred?"

"It's unfair to check everything, please be the master!"

All the generals bowed down and cried.

Chai Rong stood up, his face as dark as water: "Everyone, please get up quickly! You guys go back first. I'll ask you for more information before I make a decision!"

Everyone looked at each other and Zhao Kuangyin said: "Comrades, since the Lord has said so, he will definitely make the decision for us! You might as well go back first and wait for the news with peace of mind. Don't cause trouble and cause trouble to the Lord!"

Then everyone bowed and left one by one.

After appeasing Li Jixun, Chai Rong asked him to leave first, leaving Zhao Kuangyin alone.

"What do you think about the forbidden army in front of the palace?" Chai Rong asked.

Zhao Kuangyin said sternly: "The official issued an order to rectify the Forbidden Army, and all inspections were in charge of rectifying the army. There is nothing wrong with it. It's just that he changed positions and installed cronies without asking for reasons and indiscriminately. It's really a bit of nonsense!"

Chai Rong stared at him closely and said in a deep voice: "The Xinlingfang case made the officials worried about the imperial guards in front of the palace, so Li Chongjin was asked to start rectifying it.

In your opinion, are the various squads and armies of the Forbidden Army in front of the palace worthy of trust? "

Zhao Kuangyin's heart skipped a beat, and he immediately understood the deeper meaning of Chai Rong's words. He knelt down on one knee and clasped his fists, saying, "Are you worried that the imperial army in front of the palace has been secretly controlled by Wang Jun? You even think that even the last general has taken refuge in Wang Jun?"

Chai Rong sat still, his eyes like daggers: "Then tell yourself, how loyal is your Zhao family?"

Zhao Kuangyin gritted his teeth and said: "The general knows that the Xinlingfang case that day made the prince suspicious of the general! The general dares to swear to heaven that the general and the Zhao family are loyal to Zhou Dynasty, the officials, and the prince. No hesitation!"

Zhao Kuangyin suddenly pulled out the dagger from his leggings, severely cut his left palm, raised his fist high, and blood flowed down his wrist.

"If I ever betray the Zhou Dynasty or the emperor in this life, I will definitely die! It is rare for me, the Zhao family, to die a good death!"

Chai Rong looked at the blood on his hands and sighed: "You have been with me for many years. It's not that I don't trust you. It's just that Wang Jun's disaster has become too big to be eliminated. The country will be destroyed. We have to be careful again and again! Get up!"

Chai Rong helped him stand up and told He Hui, who was standing outside the hall, "Go and get some medicine." He Hui came back soon, and Chai Rong bandaged his palm himself, regardless of Zhao Kuangyin's obstruction.

"Don't blame Li Chong when he comes in. The black guy is not targeting you, but he is afraid that Wang Jun's manpower will be difficult to remove, so he thinks of a way to change the blood of the imperial army in front of the palace.

I will talk to him personally about this matter and I will definitely give you a proper explanation. "Chai Rong said with relief.

Zhao Kuangyin bowed down again gratefully, but was stopped by Chai Rong.

After hesitating for a moment, Zhao Kuangyin said in a low voice: "May I ask your lord, when will the Forbidden Army in front of the palace officially establish the Military Secretary Yamen? What is the relationship between the guards and the Military Secretary in the future?"

Chai Rong smiled slightly and said softly: "In the future, the Palace Commander will lead the Palace Army, and the Guard Division will lead the Guard Army. Both of them will be the highest imperial guards in our Great Zhou Dynasty and will command the military offices. They will not be subordinate to each other, but will stand side by side!"

Zhao Kuangyin suddenly said: "The officials want the two forbidden armies to restrain each other."

Chai Rong said indifferently: "It's good that you know about this matter, don't say anything. The Dianqian Division is still under preparation and will not announce its establishment in a short time."

Zhao Kuangyin was a smart man, and he immediately understood that the formal establishment of the Palace Division should be officially announced to the world after Chai Rong ascended the throne as a major decree for the new emperor to reform military and political affairs!
Zhao Kuangyin was keenly aware that in the future, in the Imperial Guard system of the Great Zhou Dynasty, the status of the Dianqian Division might be faintly higher than that of the Guard Division.

Without much thought, Zhao Kuangyin clasped his fists and said: "The general wants to stay in the imperial army in front of the palace, even if he just serves as a military case supervisor! If there is any trouble in the army in front of the palace, the general will report it to the king as soon as possible!"

Chai Rong smiled with satisfaction. What he liked most about Zhao Kuangyin was that he had a delicate and alert mind and was good at understanding things. He could understand many things without having to explain them clearly.

The Palace Front Division has not yet been formally established, and Li Chongjin temporarily acts as the commander-in-chief as the inspector of the inner capital.

This is a brand new force of the Forbidden Army, and Chai Rong needs his confidants among them.

Chai Rong whispered a few words in his ear, and Zhao Kuangyin nodded heavily.

"I hope you and Zhu Xiu won't have any conflicts because of the Xinlingfang case. You two are both people I rely on. We won't say we are close, but we must learn to work together to help each other!"

Chai Rong spoke earnestly and earnestly.

Zhao Kuangyin smiled and said: "Don't worry, Lord. The general and Zhu Xiu have known each other for many years and have a deep friendship. There will never be any estrangement due to a small misunderstanding."

"That's fine."

After talking for a while, Zhao Kuangyin said goodbye and left.

Chai Rong walked around in the duty room, thought for a while, and said to He Hui: "Go and find out where Li Chongjin is. I'll leave to see him right away!"

After the meeting, He Hui came back to report that Li Chongjin had returned to the mansion. Chai Rong put on his fur robe and rode to the county government's mansion.

~~~~
The first thing Li Chongjin did when he returned home was to rush to the back house to meet his wife Dong Waner and help her go for a walk in the garden to bask in the sun.

Dong Waner had a big belly and a heavy body. She felt tired after walking around, so Li Chongjin carefully helped her back to her room to rest.

His wife was about to give birth, so Li Chongjin specially invited two imperial doctors from the Imperial Medical Office to live in the mansion, and also found a well-known Wen Po in Kaifeng City, plus ten servants with experience in childbirth, to form a large team of expectant mothers to serve Dong Waner.

The imperial doctor and Po Wen checked the body and reported to Li Chongjin in detail.

The black man listened carefully, even more carefully than he did when he went to court to listen to officials' speeches.

Dong Waner leaned on the bed, caressing her pregnant belly, with a happy smile on her plump face.

When they left, only the couple were left in the bedroom. Li Chongjin lay down beside the bed, held his wife's hand tightly, and said happily: "Just now, the imperial doctor and Po Wen said that mother and son are healthy, so I just want you to wait with peace of mind."

Dong Waner nodded lightly and stroked her pregnant belly: "I'm afraid she's just a girl."

Li Chongjin said anxiously: "Mrs. Wen said that your stomach looks like a son!"

Dong Waner pursed her lips and said, "If it's my daughter, what about you?"

Li Chongjin scratched his head, "It's okay to have a daughter. I'll give birth to a son next time! But the name I prepared won't be used. The little girl can't also be called Xuan Ba."

Dong Waner hit him angrily: "I still hope it's a son! If it's a daughter, she'll be as dark as you, she'll be so ugly!"

Li Chongjin listened close to his wife's belly and said hehe, "I can marry my daughter no matter how ugly she is! I made an agreement with Zhu Xiu that if she gives birth to a daughter, she will marry his son in the future!"

Dong Wan'er covered her mouth and giggled: "Master Zhu and Mrs. Fu Er are both handsome people, and their sons will definitely be suave in the future, I'm afraid they won't look down on your daughter."

"How dare he!" Li Chongjin's eyes widened, "He will be tied up to be my son-in-law!"

"Dong dong dong~" The door knocked, and Li Chongjin shouted impatiently, "Who is it?"

The steward's voice sounded outside: "Master Qi, Junhou Chai is here and wants to see you!"

"I know! Ask him to wait in the front hall!" Li Chongjin muttered, suddenly took a sip of Dong Waner, and ran out of the bedroom having fun, making his beloved wife angry.

As soon as they passed the corner of the corridor, aide Zhai Shouxun blocked the way: "I dare to ask, Sir, but Chai Junhou is visiting?"

Li Chongjin looked at him strangely: "Yeah, what?"

Zhai Shouxun smiled slightly: "I know that the king's visit is not good! Can I be allowed to accompany the prince to see the guests, and I will wait beside you and say nothing."

Li Chongjin looked suspicious, thought for a while and said, "If you want to go, just go together! Remember not to talk randomly, my cousin is a man of rules and etiquette, and you are of low status and have no right to speak."

"You can save me, don't worry, my lord." Zhai Shouxun cupped his hands and followed Li Chongjin to the front hall.

~~~
"Hahaha~ Cousin, why do you have time to come to me today? I heard that you did a good job in Kaifeng Mansion, and the officials even issued a decree to praise you."

In the front hall, Li Chongjin hugged Chai Rong affectionately. The two of them sat down across the tea table regardless of host or guest.

Zhai Shouxun served tea and poured water and stood silently on one side, carefully observing Chai Rong's face.

After joking for a while, Chai Rong said seriously: "I'm here today. I have something serious to discuss with you."

Li Chongjin said carelessly: "If you have anything to do, just say it!"

Chai Rong considered his words carefully and said, "I heard that you have reorganized the imperial army in front of the palace according to the official orders, and that the positions of a large number of generals have changed?"

"This is true!" Li Chongjin put down the tea cup, "I'm telling you, after checking, I found out that this old boy Wang Jun stuffed a lot of people into the imperial army in front of the palace! I dug out a lot of them! His grandma's, What does this sissy want?”

Chai Rong smiled and said: "You were able to clear out a group of people with ulterior motives from the forbidden army in front of the palace. This is a good thing and it is also your credit. If you organize the army well, the officials will definitely reward you!"

After a pause, Chai Rong continued: "However, the scope of the impact is too wide, and some innocent people will inevitably be implicated, such as Zhao Kuangyin, Li Jixun and others."

(End of this chapter)