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Chapter 1281: Getting Ready 4
"..." But Hong Tao did not correct the homework immediately. Instead, he looked around at everyone.

"I think that according to the Ming Dynasty law, if a person commits a serious crime, his entire family should be exiled to hard labor. The shipowner, the captain, and the sailors' relatives should be temporarily detained in one place and receive the goods based on the receipt. If the goods are not delivered, they should be publicly executed by the local court to serve as a warning to others!"

Seeing this, the staff knew that the emperor was still not satisfied, so they lowered their heads and thought hard. Soon, a voice sounded, adding another point to the astronaut's plan.

"Well, it's a good idea that makes sense. What's your name and what's your current position?" This answer was a little beyond Hong Tao's expectations, because not only was it a means but it was also within the rules, which was more advanced.

"Student Mahua Teng, seventh term of the Imperial Academy Staff Department, currently serving as a fifth-class confidential official at the General Staff!"

The staff officers who had the opportunity to enter the Hall of Mental Cultivation to discuss matters were already middle-level backbones in the General Staff, but they should never expect their names to be remembered. Not being remembered was normal and did not constitute disrespect.

The emperor knew astronomy, geography, and both Chinese and foreign knowledge, but he was not good at people's names. Except for a few who were very familiar to him, he did not know the names of many officials at the vice-minister level and often had to ask them in person.

"...Then I will let you handle the matter of renting ships from various countries! Astronaut, if Staff Officer Ma completes the task on time, he will be promoted to the second rank!" Hearing this name, Hong Tao almost laughed out loud.

Obviously, this confidential staff officer was also an orphan who grew up in the Sea House Department, so he must have come up with his own name. But at that time, since I didn't see him and didn't know his temperament, I just wrote it casually. I didn't expect that the real person lived up to his name, with a lot of bad intentions, but a righteous face.

But no matter what his name is, if you answer correctly and complete the task, you will be rewarded. The high-ranking officials of the imperial military are also in need of such bad guys. It is not enough to just know how to fight, and it is not enough to just know how to harm people. Only those who are proficient in both are great talents!
"Student obeys!" When Mahua Teng heard that he had a chance to be promoted to the second rank, he couldn't suppress his joy, and the corners of his mouth began to curl up when he saluted. In order not to be rude in front of the king, he quickly saluted, turned around and walked out quickly.

The rank of third-class confidential staff officer doesn't sound that high, there are two ranks above it, and in fact, the astronaut and Tan Mingming are only first-class confidential staff officers. This plan was originally an emergency measure to squeeze the General Staff into the Imperial Conference and be on an equal footing with the six ministries and nine ministers, but it has continued like this.

"Your Majesty, do you want to appoint a fleet for the expedition?"

Having solved the supply problem for the landing battle, the astronauts felt relieved. As long as there were enough ships, it didn't matter if half of them sank. But Tan Mingming still had one thing he needed to understand, and it was just as important as the supply problem.

"..."Sure enough, after hearing Tan Mingming's question, all the staff officers turned their eyes to the emperor. Even Wang Chengen beside him raised his eyelids without saying a word.

"...Keep your heart at ease. This time I will stay in the capital and not go anywhere. But I have to say something in advance. You should make good friends with the generals who will participate in the war. If you make mistakes while fighting with me, you may be forgiven. Without me on the scene to command, you will have to bear all the responsibilities by yourselves. There will be no mercy. Take care of yourself!"

Hong Tao also understood this look, it was because he was afraid that he would have to lead the army again. But even though he understood it, he still felt unhappy.

I have never lost a battle under my command, why should I be so feared! If you don't make me happy, then no one else can be happy!
Of course, the decision not to lead the army in person had nothing to do with fighting spirit. This time, almost all the navy and army of the empire were dispatched, from Enniao Port to the Middle East and then to eastern Russia, and also to the west coast of America at sea. It was no longer a two-front war, but a multi-front war. If there was a problem internally, it would be too late to mobilize and fix the leak. So I had to stay at the center, not to say to command everything, but to rely on my reputation to keep an eye on the family and prevent some unconscious people from taking the opportunity to cause trouble. No courtiers could replace me in this regard, so I had to do it myself.

"I have never had such a delusion. Your Majesty is the God of War of the Ming Dynasty. These scoundrels are not worth mentioning. Why use a butcher knife to kill a chicken?"

When the emperor promised that he would not go to the front, everyone in the room could feel relieved even with their eyes closed. But the proper attitude was important, and the astronauts immediately started to finish the work, and they had to pat their hands twice to feel at ease, whether it was useful or not.

“Stop talking about useless things. I have sent the Ministry of Rites to Bukhara, Kazakhstan, Persia, Korea, Japan and other countries. On the one hand, it is to clarify the situation and let them take sides. On the other hand, it is also to send a message to the Europeans so that they will retreat when they see difficulties.

But it is useless to rely on the Ministry of Rites to talk alone, the army must also give a clear signal. Don't be afraid of leaking the news, on the contrary, the bigger the noise, the better.

By the way, using the excuse that war is about to break out, order each military commander to clean up all those who are not obedient in their jurisdiction. No need to follow the Ming Dynasty law, just follow the wartime military regulations. The Advisory Office will bring the list later, and search for the names, and it is best not to miss any one! "

When it comes to flattering someone comfortably and without leaving any trace, the astronaut is still far from that level. Any eighth-rank official can do it better than him, so Hong Tao didn't plan to listen any further.

But the spirit of the meeting was not fully conveyed. What was discussed before were all about the combat aspects, but war is never limited to the front line and logistics. Often while there is a battle in the front, there are also undercurrents in the rear.

In order to avoid this, the most direct way is to use the army to carry out a large-scale purge. This method should not be used lightly in peacetime, as it will cause widespread panic. But in wartime, there is no need to worry. People can be arrested on the charge of disturbing the morale of the army, and they can be executed without even having to be tried in court.

Who are these so-called restless elements? Generally speaking, they are people who are dissatisfied with the ethnic assimilation policy and have shown it.

Over the years, Hong Tao has basically not used any tough measures on the issue of assimilation. He usually relies on the temptation of interests and policy guidance. Overall, the effect is good. At least there has been no large-scale resistance.

But this was just a facade, designed to create the illusion of tolerance among the people, but in private, the emperor never relaxed for a single day. Since the days of the Statistics Department, they had been secretly investigating and collecting intelligence on such people, and together with the Jinyiwei and the Dongchang, they had a clearer goal after so many years.

This great war between the East and the West for resources and control is the best time to close the net, to kill two birds with one stone, to eliminate external enemies and internal hidden dangers without attracting too much attention, thus killing two birds with one stone.

In this way, after the war, all opponents with a little energy will disappear from both outside and inside. Not only can the new world order be smoothly promoted, but the speed of national assimilation will also surely be accelerated, and both internal and external cultivation will be achieved!

(End of this chapter)