Daming: I can’t kill such a greedy prince-in-law?

Wang Qian sneered, with a bit of disdain in his tone: "Brother Zhang, you worry too much. Military affairs are complicated, and it is normal to have some problems. As long as we do it secretly, who can find out about us? Besides, the ministers of the Huaixi Party in the court will not sit idly by. As long as we join forces, Ouyang Lun will definitely be defeated!"

Li Cheng nodded, a hint of ruthlessness flashed in his eyes: "Brother Wang is right! Our Huaixi Party has been operating in the court for many years, how can Ouyang Lun easily shake it? Since he dares to attack us, don't blame us for being rude!"

Seeing the two men so determined, Zhang Yuan nodded and whispered, "In that case, let's act separately. Brother Li, you have a high prestige in the army, you can secretly contact some generals and let them cooperate with our plan. Brother Wang, you have a wide network of contacts in the court, you can contact other ministers and put pressure on His Majesty together. I will be responsible for doing some tricks on logistics to make Ouyang Lun anxious!"

Wang Qian nodded with satisfaction and patted Zhang Yuan on the shoulder: "Brother Zhang is indeed very thoughtful. As long as the three of us work together, Ouyang Lun will definitely be defeated!"

Li Cheng sneered, a hint of viciousness flashed in his eyes: "Ouyang Lun, you insulted my Huaixi Party today, I will make you pay the price one day!"

"Although General Lan Yu has been dismissed, we are still in the military cabinet. Ouyang Lun can't call the shots!"

After the three of them finished their discussion, Le Hehe left.
In the military cabinet meeting room, the flickering candlelight illuminated the solemn face of Emperor Zhu Biao.

At this moment, only Ouyang Lun and Emperor Zhu Biao were left.

He sat in the main seat, frowning slightly, staring at Ouyang Lun opposite him with a sharp gaze. Ouyang Lun looked calm, holding a scroll of memorials in his hand, and his tone was firm and steady.

"Brother-in-law, how exactly will the assessment of military cabinet officials you just mentioned be carried out?" Zhu Biao spoke slowly, with a hint of doubt in his voice, "I see that those officials are quite unconvinced. Could it be that one assessment can change the entire military cabinet?"

Ouyang Lun bowed slightly and answered respectfully: "Your Majesty, the purpose of my proposal for the assessment is to eliminate a group of people. Although these officials in the military cabinet are all meritorious officials, they are not young anymore and their thinking is rigid. If you don't train some new people, Your Majesty will be left with no one to use in the future!"

Zhu Biao's eyes flashed with thought when he heard this. He tapped the table lightly and said thoughtfully, "You mean, replace the old with the new?"

"That's right." Ouyang Lun nodded and continued, "This time, I plan to expand the assessment to the entire Ming army. Anyone with a hundred households or above can participate. On one hand, there will be elimination, and on the other hand, there will be promotion, replacing the old with the new! Only in this way can our Ming army have a future."

Zhu Biao nodded slightly, his eyes gradually brightened. He understood Ouyang Lun's deep meaning. The rejuvenation of the military cadres can not only inject fresh blood, but also stimulate the vitality and innovation of the army. Young generals are quick-thinking, dare to break the old rules, and can better adapt to the ever-changing battlefield situation. Although the old generals are experienced, they are inevitably stuck in the old ways and find it difficult to cope with new challenges.

"Young generals are full of vigor and courage, and they are exactly what our Ming army needs." Zhu Biao said slowly, with a hint of praise in his tone, "If we can select a group of talented young generals through the assessment, it will not only improve the combat effectiveness of the army, but also inject new ideas into future military strategies."

Seeing Zhu Biao's approval, Ouyang Lun felt relieved and continued, "Your Majesty is wise. Young generals can not only charge into battle on the battlefield, but also come up with new strategic ideas in the military cabinet. Their joining will make our Ming army more flexible and adaptable, and we will be able to deal with enemies from all directions with ease."

In the meeting room of the military cabinet, the candlelight flickered slightly, reflecting Zhu Biao's thoughtful face. He gently stroked the teacup in his hand, his eyes fell on Ouyang Lun, and his tone was somewhat tentative: "Brother-in-law, I know your idea is good, but... Huaixi children are everywhere in the army. As far as I know, at least 80% of them are Huaixi children. Even if there are some parasites among them, there are also some who are truly powerful. If there are some of them who pass the assessment and are excellent, how do you plan to arrange it, brother-in-law?"

Ouyang Lun heard this with a calm expression, and answered without hesitation: "Since they have the ability, of course we should use them and let them contribute to the country!"

Zhu Biao raised his eyebrows slightly, with a hint of amusement in his eyes: "Brother-in-law, don't you care that they are from the Huaixi Party?"

Ouyang Lun chuckled, his tone firm and calm: "Your Majesty, I am selecting talents for the Ming Dynasty, not for myself. As long as he is working for the Ming Dynasty and does not violate the laws of the Ming Dynasty, why shouldn't I use him?"

After hearing this, Zhu Biao's eyes flashed with approval, and he said with a smile: "Brother-in-law has a broad mind, I admire him!"

Ouyang Lun waved his hand, with a meaningful smile on his face: "Don't give me that. I'm a petty person. If anyone dares to cause trouble for me, I will definitely make them regret it."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Biao couldn't help but burst into laughter, pointing at Ouyang Lun and saying, "You, you are still the same! But I like your straightforwardness."

Ouyang Lun also laughed, but soon restrained his expression and said seriously: "Your Majesty, although I have some selfish motives, the overall situation is more important. Whether it is the Huaixi disciples or other factions, as long as they can serve the Ming Dynasty, I am willing to give them a chance. But if someone takes advantage of this to stir up trouble, I will never show mercy."

Zhu Biao nodded and said with a smile: "After talking with you, my brother-in-law, I now understand why my father directly named you to replace Lan Yu as the military advisor and cabinet general!"

In the meeting room of the military cabinet, the candlelight flickered, reflecting Ouyang Lun's slightly meaningful smile. He leaned forward slightly, looking directly at Emperor Zhu Biao, and said with a hint of ridicule: "Your Majesty, you are wrong again!"

Zhu Biao was stunned, frowned slightly, and asked doubtfully: "I was wrong? What was wrong?"

Ouyang Lun chuckled and said slowly: "The reason why the Supreme Emperor wants me to replace Lan Yu as the general of the military cabinet is not because of what I just said. What I just said may have played a certain role, but it did not play a decisive role."

Zhu Biao heard this, a trace of confusion flashed in his eyes, and asked: "Why do you say that, brother-in-law?"

Ouyang Lun looked calm and continued, "Your Majesty, if it is just what I just said, there are many people in the Ming Dynasty who can do it. For example, Feng Sheng, Fu Youde, Geng Bingwen, etc. They are the best candidates. Your Majesty, do you think what I said is right?"

Zhu Biao pondered for a moment and nodded: "Yes, what my brother-in-law said is true."

Ouyang Lun smiled slightly, with a hint of deep meaning in his eyes: "However, His Majesty directly appointed me, and did not give me any chance to refuse! Your Majesty knows why?"

Zhu Biao shook his head, with a bit of helplessness in his tone: "I don't know. To be honest, I'm still thinking about this. Brother-in-law, you are obviously busy enough, and now you have to take care of the military cabinet. Brother-in-law, you must take care of yourself!" Ouyang Lun waved his hand and smiled: "I'm fine. I understand what the emperor means. He just wants me to be more decisive with my sword!"

Zhu Biao heard this, a flash of realization flashed in his eyes, and then he smiled bitterly and said, "I see. The emperor is impressed by your brother-in-law's decisiveness and courage, and hopes that you can rectify the military cabinet with thunderous means and eliminate the accumulated malpractices."

Ouyang Lun nodded, his tone firm: "That's right. The emperor knows that the military cabinet is in a state of deep trouble and must be dealt with quickly. Although I am not talented, I am willing to do my part for the Ming Dynasty."

But in my heart, the old man Zhu Yuanzhang clearly wants to squeeze me dry! If being an emperor wasn't too tiring, I would have learned from Zhao Kuangyin long ago.

Zhu Biao took a deep breath, with a hint of gratitude in his eyes: "Thank you for your hard work, brother-in-law. With you here, I feel more at ease."

Ouyang Lun smiled slightly, and said in a relaxed tone: "Your Majesty, rest assured, this sword of mine will definitely carve out a bright road for the Ming Dynasty."

Under the candlelight, the two figures were stretched out to be slender, as if foreshadowing that the Ming Dynasty was about to usher in a new change.

Zhu Biao nodded, his eyes revealing a hint of deep meaning: "I feel relieved with your words. What the Ming Dynasty needs are capable ministers and generals, not those who form cliques and pursue personal interests. This assessment must be strict and fair, so that truly talented people can stand out."

Ouyang Lun bowed solemnly and said solemnly: "I understand, and I will definitely live up to your majesty's trust."

Whether it is the Huaixi disciples or other factions, as long as they care about the world, they will have the opportunity to display their ambitions on this land. And those who have evil intentions will eventually be eliminated in this torrent.

Zhu Biao's tone was full of inquiry: "Brother-in-law, you haven't told me the specific content of this military cabinet official assessment?"

Ouyang Lun smiled slightly, and calmly replied, "Your Majesty, I have drawn up a detailed assessment plan, which is mainly divided into three parts: practical test, essay, and physical fitness test."

Zhu Yuanzhang raised his eyebrows slightly, obviously quite interested in this novel assessment method: "Oh? Tell me in detail."

Ouyang Lun nodded and began to explain: "First, the administrative test, the full name of which is the 'Administrative Professional Competency Test', mainly examines the officials' basic abilities such as logical thinking, judgment and reasoning, and mathematical analysis. The questions include mathematical operations, graphic reasoning, data analysis, etc., and are designed to screen out officials with quick thinking and quick response."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded slightly, motioning him to continue.

"Secondly, the essay part examines the officials' ability to govern the country and their writing skills. The questions will revolve around the current military, political, economic and other practical problems of the Ming Dynasty, requiring officials to propose practical solutions and write them down. This part aims to select talents with strategic vision and the ability to stand on their own."

A glimmer of approval flashed in Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes, and he obviously approved of this part of the assessment.

"Finally, we have the physical fitness test." Ouyang Lun said firmly, "Military cabinet officials do not have to fight in person, but they must have a strong physique and a strong will. The test content includes long-distance running, horseback archery, and marching with loads, etc., to ensure that officials are capable of handling heavy military tasks."

After listening to this, Zhu Yuanzhang clapped his hands and laughed, "Great! This is a brilliant plan, brother-in-law! Officials selected in this way will surely inject new vitality into the Ming army."

Ouyang Lun smiled slightly and continued, "Your Majesty, this kind of assessment method has three major advantages."

"Oh? What are the three major benefits?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked interestedly.

"First, it is fair and just." Ouyang Lun said solemnly, "The assessment content is open and transparent, and all participants are treated equally, avoiding personal relationships and factional disputes, ensuring that truly talented people stand out."

"Second, comprehensive selection." He continued, "The civil service exam tests basic abilities, the essay tests strategic thinking, and the physical fitness test ensures the physique and will of the officials. The combination of the three can comprehensively evaluate the comprehensive qualities of officials and avoid the promotion of partial talents or mediocre people."

"Third, it will motivate people to make progress." Ouyang Lun said firmly, "Through the assessment, officials will realize their own shortcomings and take the initiative to learn and improve themselves. In the long run, the overall quality of our Ming army will be greatly improved."

“I learned it!
Zhu Biao nodded, his eyes flashing with determination: "In this case, this matter will be handed over to you. Be sure to be fair and just, select truly talented young generals, and lay the foundation for the future of our Ming army."

Ouyang Lun bowed solemnly and said solemnly: "I will definitely live up to your majesty's trust!"

When the news that the military cabinet was about to conduct an assessment spread, the entire Ming army was in an uproar. Especially those young officials, non-Huaixi Party members, and many grassroots officers, all felt excited and looking forward to it. The news was like a spring breeze, blowing away the dullness and depression that had long shrouded the army, and many people rekindled hope in their hearts.

In a corner of the military camp, several young centurions gathered together, their faces filled with excitement. One of them patted his companion on the shoulder and said excitedly: "Have you heard? This assessment is open to centurions and above! This is our chance!" Another nodded repeatedly, his eyes sparkling: "Yes! I always thought that the people at the top got there through connections, and no matter how hard we worked, it was useless. Now, as long as you have the ability, you will have a chance to stand out!"

On the other side, several middle-level officers who were not members of the Huaixi Party were also whispering. A captain in his thirties clapped his hands and laughed, "Lord Ouyang's move is really brilliant! The assessment is open and transparent, and it depends on ability. Let's see if those people from the Huaixi Party dare to be arrogant!" A man next to him echoed, "That's right! We have been suppressed for too long in these years, and finally we see a glimmer of hope. Lord Ouyang is worthy of being the general appointed by the emperor, and he is decisive in doing things!"

Although the grassroots soldiers could not directly participate in the assessment, they were also encouraged by the news. An old soldier sat outside the tent and said to the young soldier beside him: "This assessment system is great! In the past, people like us without backgrounds could hardly make a breakthrough no matter how hard we worked. Now, as long as we have the ability, we have the opportunity to climb up. Lord Ouyang's move really takes ordinary people like us into consideration!" The young soldier clenched his fists, his eyes full of longing: "Master, I will definitely work hard to practice martial arts and strive to participate in the next assessment!" (End of this chapter)