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

Outside the meeting room of the military cabinet, several young officials gathered together and discussed the content of the assessment in a low voice. One person said excitedly: "I heard that the assessment is divided into three parts: practical test, essay and physical fitness. This is a comprehensive assessment! The military strategies we learned in our daily life can finally come in handy!" Another person nodded in agreement: "Yes! I always felt that the people above didn't understand our ideas. Now with the essay, we can also present our own opinions directly. Lord Ouyang's move is really brilliant!"

Even some officials who were disappointed with the future of the army were rekindled with hope because of this news. A commander who was over 40 years old stood at the window, looking at the military camp in the distance, and muttered to himself: "I thought this was the end of my life, but I didn't expect there would be such an opportunity. Lord Ouyang's move really gives me hope!"

The entire army, whether young officials, non-Huaixi Party members, or grassroots officers, were all excited about this assessment. They discussed and looked forward to it, as if they saw a fairer and more vibrant Ming army waving to them. All of this originated from Ouyang Lun's "sharp knife", which cut off the accumulated problems and opened the road to hope.

Ouyang Lun, the general and son-in-law of the Ming Dynasty's Military Cabinet, promulgated an unprecedented assessment system, which shocked the entire military community.

When the news spread, all generals above the rank of centurion could participate in the assessment regardless of their background.

The assessment manual clearly stated: Those with excellent performance will be given important positions. This news was like a spring breeze, blowing away the haze that had long been solidified in the military due to their origins and backgrounds, especially those low-level generals who came from humble origins and had no backgrounds, and unprecedented hope was ignited in their hearts.

In a small military camp at the border, Captain Zhang Yuan was sitting around a fire with several of his colleagues, holding tightly in his hands the assessment manual that had just been delivered. His fingers were trembling slightly, and his eyes were flashing with excitement that was difficult to conceal. Zhang Yuan was born in a poor family, his father was an ordinary farmer, he relied on his martial arts and years of fighting to be promoted to a centurion, but for many years he was unable to make any further progress. Now, this assessment system has given him hope. He whispered to his colleagues beside him: "The move by the Prince Consort really gave us, the children of poor families, a way out! As long as we can stand out in the assessment, we will also have the opportunity to lead thousands of troops and no longer be looked down upon!"

Another captain, Li Yong, was so excited that his face turned red. He slapped his thigh and said in a loud voice: "Brothers, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! We always fight for our lives in training and fighting. But those children of aristocratic families, relying on the protection of their ancestors, can easily climb over our heads. Now, the prince consort said that it doesn't matter what your background is, only your ability will count! We children of poor families finally have a chance to make a name for ourselves!" His words were full of longing for the future, as if he had already seen himself standing on a high platform to receive rewards.

In another military camp, Captain Wang Hu was sitting alone in his tent, holding a long sword in his hand, with a determined look. He was born in an ordinary military family and practiced martial arts since childhood, but because no one in the family supported him, he had been hovering at the position of captain for many years. After learning about the assessment, he was filled with fighting spirit. He whispered to himself: "The move by the Prince Consort is to give us who have no backing a way out. As long as I can prove my strength in the assessment, I will have the opportunity to win glory for my family and serve the Ming Dynasty!" After that, he clenched the long sword in his hand, and a trace of determination flashed in his eyes.

The excitement and excitement of these low-ranking generals is not only because they see the hope of promotion, but also because they feel the advent of fairness and justice. For a long time, military promotions have often depended on birth and background, and many talented children from poor families have been buried because no one has promoted them. Now, Ouyang Lun's assessment system has broken this shackles and given them a chance to stand out with their real talents and knowledge.

The benefits of the assessment system to these low-level generals such as the centurions are obvious. First, it breaks the restrictions of origin and background, giving everyone the opportunity to be promoted based on their strength. This fair competition environment has greatly stimulated the fighting spirit and enthusiasm of low-level generals. Secondly, the assessment system provides a platform for those talents who have been buried for a long time to show themselves, so that outstanding talents in the army can be discovered and reused, thereby improving the combat effectiveness of the entire army. Finally, this system also enhances the cohesion of the army. Seeing hope, low-level generals will naturally be more loyal to the court and willing to serve the Ming Dynasty.

In short, Ouyang Lun's assessment system not only opened a door to success for the children of poor families, but also injected new vitality into the army of the Ming Dynasty. The excitement and excitement of these low-level generals is the best response to this system. They believe that as long as they rely on their own efforts, they will eventually be able to stand out in the assessment, realize their ambitions, and contribute their own strength to the Ming Dynasty.

In sharp contrast to the excitement and excitement of the low-ranking generals who came from humble backgrounds and had no backing, the Huaixi children were angry and dissatisfied. The Huaixi children have always prided themselves on their prominent families and strong backgrounds. Many high-ranking generals in the army are from the Huaixi lineage. They are used to being promoted and reused easily with the protection of their ancestors and the power of their families. However, Ouyang Lun's assessment system was like a heavy hammer, smashing their long-standing sense of superiority.

In a luxurious mansion where the Huaixi children gathered, several young generals were sitting together with gloomy faces. One of them was named Li Chengze, a direct descendant of the Huaixi Li family. He was promoted to a thousand households at a young age. He was usually majestic and arrogant. At this moment, he frowned and spoke with resentment: "What is Ouyang Lun trying to do? He actually came up with such an assessment system! Doesn't he know that we Huaixi children have always had the final say in the army? Now, even those peasants can come and sit on an equal footing with us! How can this be disgraceful?"

Another Huaixi disciple, Wang Jingxuan, sneered and took over the conversation: "Humph, Ouyang Lun is just relying on his status as the son-in-law and the trust of His Majesty to be so unscrupulous. He wants to completely destroy the status of us Huaixi disciples in the army! What do you mean by 'regardless of origin, only ability matters'? It sounds very high-sounding, but what ability can those mud-legged people have? They are just some crude warriors!"

Zhao Wenbo, who was sitting next to him, sighed, with a bit of helplessness in his tone: "That being said, Ouyang Lun is now so powerful that even His Majesty listens to him. If we openly oppose it, I'm afraid we will get into trouble. In my opinion, we should be patient for the time being and find a way to deal with it privately. Although this assessment system is not in our favor, there may be room for change."

Upon hearing this, Li Chengze slammed the table and said angrily: "Be patient? How can I be patient! Are we just going to watch those peasants climb over our heads? We, the Huaixi people, have been generals for generations. How can we bear this humiliation!" His voice was full of unwillingness and anger, as if he had already seen a future in which his position would be lost.

Wang Jingxuan waved his hand, signaling Li Chengze to calm down, and then lowered his voice and said, "Brother Chengze, please be patient. Although Ouyang Lun is powerful, we Huaixi disciples are not pushovers. He created this assessment system just to promote some poor disciples to check and balance us. But who in the army is not a Huaixi disciple? No matter how powerful Ouyang Lun is, he can't cover the sky with one hand. We just need to operate secretly and let those peasants have some "accidents" in the assessment, and we can naturally maintain our position." Zhao Wenbo nodded and agreed, "Brother Jingxuan is right. We Huaixi disciples are deeply rooted in the army, how can Ouyang Lun shake them overnight? As long as we work together secretly, this assessment system will be nothing but a formality. As for those peasants, let them be happy for a few days. When the assessment is over, they will naturally understand who has the final say in the army!"

Although these Huaixi disciples were full of dissatisfaction and resentment, they also knew that Ouyang Lun's current power and position were extraordinary. If they openly opposed him, they would only bring disaster upon themselves. Therefore, they could only grumble in private, plot secretly, and try to protect their own interests through various means. However, Ouyang Lun's assessment system was like an unstoppable torrent, quietly changing the pattern of the army. The arrogance and prejudice of the Huaixi disciples might eventually disintegrate under the impact of this system.

In a secret mansion in the capital, several senior officials from Huaixi were sitting around a carved mahogany table, looking solemn. These people were all important figures in the army, some had held important positions for many years, and some were patriarchs of Huaixi families, holding great power.

He is the second most powerful figure in the Huaixi Party after Li Shanchang and Lan Yu.

They are usually very powerful and their words are law, but at this moment they are worried about Ouyang Lun's assessment system.

The man sitting in the main seat was an old man in his fifties named Li Wenyuan, the patriarch of the Huaixi Li family and a senior commander in the army. He frowned, holding a cup of tea in his hand, but he hesitated to drink it. He just said slowly: "Everyone, Ouyang Lun's move is obviously to shake the foundation of our Huaixi children in the army. Once this assessment system is implemented, those children from poor families will take the opportunity to rise. In the long run, the status of our Huaixi lineage may be difficult to maintain."

Sitting on the left of Li Wenyuan was a burly middle-aged man named Wang Zhenshan, a representative of the Huaixi Wang family and the current vice minister of the Ministry of War. He snorted coldly, with a bit of disdain in his tone: "Ouyang Lun is just relying on his status as a son-in-law to be so unscrupulous. He thinks that he can shake the status of our Huaixi children with a piece of assessment system? It's just a foolish dream! Who in the army is not ours? No matter how powerful Ouyang Lun is, he can't cover the sky with one hand!"

Another official, Zhao Mingde, is the patriarch of the Huaixi Zhao family and the current deputy governor. He stroked his beard, pondered for a moment and said, "Brother Zhenshan, although that is true, we cannot be careless. Ouyang Lun is now deeply trusted by His Majesty and is in great power. If we openly oppose it, I am afraid it will backfire. In my opinion, we might as well take a long-term view and operate secretly to make this assessment system meaningless."

Li Wenyuan nodded and agreed, "Brother Mingde is right. We Huaixi disciples have been in the army for many years and are deeply rooted. How can Ouyang Lun shake us overnight? However, just in case, we still have to make some preparations." When he said this, he swept his eyes over the people present and his tone became serious: "First, we have to make sure that there are our people among the examiners. In this way, those poor disciples will find it difficult to stand out in the assessment no matter how capable they are."

Wang Zhenshan heard this, a hint of viciousness flashed in his eyes, and he whispered: "Brother Wenyuan, don't worry, I have already arranged the examiners. The Ministry of War and several key positions in the army are all our people. As long as they make a little move, those mud legs will never pass the test!"

Zhao Mingde went on to say, "In addition to this, we also need to spread some news in the army to discourage those poor students from taking the exam. For example, we can spread the word that the exam is extremely harsh and even life-threatening. In this way, those poor students will naturally be afraid and will not dare to take the exam easily."

Li Wenyuan smiled slightly and nodded approvingly: "Brother Mingde, this is a great plan. However, we still have to prepare for the worst. If there are really poor students who stand out in the assessment, we must have a countermeasure. For example, after they are promoted, we can arrange some dangerous tasks for them to die 'accidentally'. In this way, we can eliminate hidden dangers and deter others."

Wang Zhenshan sneered, "Brother Wenyuan is indeed a man of foresight. Even if those peasants pass the test by chance, they can never gain a foothold in the territory of our Huaixi disciples! Everyone in the army is ours. If they know what's good for them, they should stay in their positions. If they dare to make any unusual moves, don't blame us for being ruthless!"

Zhao Mingde sighed, with a bit of helplessness in his tone: "That being said, we have to be careful. Ouyang Lun is not a pushover. Since he dared to implement this assessment system, he must have made some preparations. If we make too big a move, it might alert him. Therefore, everything must be done in secret, and we must not let him catch us."

Li Wenyuan nodded and said in a deep voice: "Brother Mingde is right. We Huaixi disciples have been in the army for many years, and we must not let it be ruined because of a moment of carelessness. Everyone, although this assessment system is coming with great force, as long as we work together and operate secretly, we will definitely be able to maintain our position. As for those mud legs, let them be happy for a few days. When the assessment is over, they will naturally understand who has the final say in the army!"

At this time, Zhao Mingde reminded: "Everyone, should we report this matter to the old prime minister and General Lan Yu? If we act on our own, it may be dangerous." (End of this chapter)