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

Li Shanchang then explained the strategy again. After hearing it, Lan Yu agreed, "What the old prime minister said is very true. Our Huaixi Party has a deep foundation in the army. As long as we are united, Ouyang Lun will not be able to do anything to us. However, we still need to be wary of those poor children taking the opportunity to rise up. In my opinion, in addition to doing some tricks in the assessment, we must also strengthen control in the army to ensure that even if those mud legs pass the assessment, they will not be able to truly grasp the real power."

Li Shanchang nodded and said, "Lan Yu is right. However, this matter must be carried out in secret, and Ouyang Lun must not be caught. After you go back, you must restrain your younger generations and do not act rashly. All actions must be under unified command."

Everyone responded in unison: "We will follow the orders of the old prime minister!"

Li Shanchang stood up, glanced at everyone, and said firmly: "Everyone, although this assessment system is coming with great momentum, as long as our Huaixi Party is united, we will not be afraid of any challenge. After you go back, you must act according to the plan and don't slack off in the slightest."

Everyone saluted again, then left the Duke of Korea's mansion and went their separate ways.

As night fell, the streets of the capital were still brightly lit, but behind the prosperity, an undercurrent was surging. The core figures of the Huaixi Party had already begun their counterattack plan. It was still unknown whether Ouyang Lun's assessment system could be successfully implemented.

In the early morning, before the sun rose, the huge training ground was already crowded with people. The military cabinet assessment presided over by Ouyang Lun officially began today. From high-ranking officials in the military cabinet to ordinary centurions in the army, everyone had to participate in this assessment. Flags fluttered around the training ground, and a solemn atmosphere enveloped everyone. The assessment has not yet begun. All candidates must first undergo strict registration and identity verification. Anyone with a false identity or illiterate will be directly dismissed from office and disqualified from the assessment.

At the entrance to the training ground, dozens of long tables were lined up in a row. At each table sat several clerks in official uniforms, holding pens and ink with solemn expressions. The examinees lined up one by one and slowly moved forward. Some in the line looked calm and confident, while others looked solemn, with beads of sweat oozing from their foreheads, obviously feeling uneasy.

The registration process was extremely meticulous. Each candidate had to show their identity document, which detailed their name, place of origin, official position, military merit, and other information. The clerks carefully checked each identity document, occasionally looking up to check whether the person in front of them matched the description in the document. If they found traces of alteration on the document, or if the person's appearance did not match the description, the guards would immediately come forward, take the person aside, and interrogate him strictly.

"Name?" A clerk asked in a stern voice without even looking up.

"Li Cheng, centurion, is affiliated with the North Camp." A burly officer answered in a deep voice.

The clerk flipped open the thick roster, ran his fingertips over the densely packed names, finally stopped at a certain place, nodded, "The identity is correct, next one."

After the identity verification, the examinees also had to pass a literacy test. On the table was a copy of "Wu Jing Zong Yao", and each examinee had to randomly open a page and read a paragraph. If they read haltingly or simply could not read a single word, they would be stripped of their official position on the spot and expelled from the training ground.

"Read this paragraph." The clerk pointed to a passage on the page.

A young centurion took the book, glanced at it, and read aloud: "Warfare is the art of deception. Therefore, if you are capable, pretend you are incapable; if you are going to use it, pretend you are not going to use it..." His voice was loud and every word was clear. The clerk nodded slightly, indicating that he could pass.

However, not everyone was so lucky. An officer in his forties took the book and stared at the pages for a long time, veins popping out on his forehead, but he was unable to speak. The clerk frowned and said coldly: "If you can't read a single word, you will be dismissed from your post and disqualified from the examination!" Before he finished speaking, two guards came forward and took the officer away from the training ground.

Due to the large number of people taking the test, similar venues were opened in various places. The training ground in the capital was just one of them. Other places such as Jinling, Luoyang, Chengdu, etc. also carried out the same registration and verification work at the same time. Each venue strictly followed Ouyang Lun's orders and no omissions were allowed.

The registration and verification lasted for two full hours, and only ended when the sun was high in the sky. On the training ground, candidates who passed the verification lined up neatly, waiting for the next test. Those who failed the verification were expelled from the training ground and left sadly. The air was filled with tension and solemnity, and everyone understood that the real test had just begun.

Zhu Biao sat in the meeting room of the East Palace, holding a report that had just been submitted, his brows furrowed and his eyes solemn. The report recorded in detail the results of the registration and verification of the military cabinet assessment: more than 300 officials from various places were dismissed and disqualified for assessment due to false identities, forged documents, illiteracy, etc. This number was far beyond his expectations.

"More than 300 people..." Zhu Biao muttered in a low voice, tapping his fingers unconsciously on the table, with complicated emotions surging in his heart. Although he knew that the army had been plagued by problems for a long time, he never thought that the problem was so serious. Among these officials, there were some generals who had made great achievements on the battlefield, and many were children of aristocratic families who had served in the army for generations. Now, these people were expelled from the barracks because of false identities or illiteracy, which was really sad.

"Mr. Ouyang, what do you think about this matter?" Zhu Biao raised his head and looked at Ouyang Lun who was standing beside him, with a hint of heaviness in his tone.

Ouyang Lun looked solemn, and answered with his hands clasped in a bow: "Your Highness, although the results of this inspection are shocking, they also expose the long-standing problems in the army. Those with false identities are mostly people who impersonate others or forge documents; those who are illiterate are mostly people who rely on connections or bribes to get to the top. If these people are not cleared out in time, it will definitely affect the combat effectiveness and discipline of the army."

Zhu Biao nodded, pondered for a moment, and then said, "That being said, there are many generals among these people who have made contributions to the court. If they are all dismissed, it may cause unrest in the army. Moreover, some of them may not have deliberately forged the facts, but because they did not have the opportunity to learn to read when they joined the army in their early years, they are now implicated."

Ouyang Lun nodded slightly, his tone firm: "Your Highness is right. But military discipline cannot be abolished. If we condone these malpractices because of old friendships, I am afraid it will encourage unhealthy trends. I think these officials can be dealt with in different categories: those who falsify their identities and impersonate others must be severely punished to serve as a warning to others; those who are dismissed for illiteracy can be given a chance to learn to read within a certain period of time, and they can be reinstated after passing the assessment."

After hearing this, Zhu Biao's eyes flashed with approval: "What Ouyang Qing said is very good. This can not only maintain military discipline, but also give those officials who have real talents but were dismissed because of illiteracy a chance. It can be said to be the best of both worlds."

He paused and added: "In addition, for those officials who were dismissed for identity fraud, we must also find out whether there are people behind them who are instigating or protecting them. If there are, we must investigate thoroughly and will not tolerate it."

Ouyang Lun bowed and replied, "Your Highness is wise. I will immediately make arrangements to ensure that this matter is properly handled."

Zhu Biao stood up, walked to the window, looked at the towering palace wall in the distance, and said in a deep tone: "The accumulated problems in the army have not occurred overnight. Although this inspection has exposed many problems, it also provides us with an opportunity to rectify military discipline. Ouyang Qing, this matter is of great importance. We must handle it with caution and must not make any mistakes." Ouyang Lun nodded solemnly: "I understand, and I will live up to your trust."

Zhu Biao turned around, his eyes firm: "Okay, I'll leave this matter to you. If there is any progress, please report to me at any time."

"Brother-in-law." Zhu Biao suddenly spoke, his voice low and with a hint of worry, "If the emperor knew about this, it would probably cause a bloody storm. The emperor has always hated corruption in the army. If he knew that more than 300 officials were involved in identity fraud and illiteracy, he would probably order them all to be executed as a warning to others."

Ouyang Lun frowned when he heard this, and after a moment's silence, he replied, "Your Majesty is right. The Emperor is a man of strong character, and hates deception and corruption the most. If this matter is not handled properly, it may indeed lead to a big prison, with rivers of blood flowing. However, the military has been plagued for a long time, and if we keep it secret, it may encourage unhealthy trends, which will be more detrimental to the court in the long run."

Zhu Biao sighed, put down his teacup, and rubbed his temples. "That's right. I don't want to see my father killing people in a rage, nor do I want the accumulated evils in the army to continue to spread. Ouyang Qing, do you have a plan to achieve both goals?"

Ouyang Lun bowed slightly and said in a steady tone: "Your Highness, I think this matter can be handled in two steps. First, we can slightly modify the report, appropriately downplay the severity of the problem, and at the same time emphasize that we have taken severe measures to clean up most of the problematic officials. In this way, even if His Majesty knows, he will not be too angry."

Zhu Biao nodded, motioning for him to continue.

"Secondly," Ouyang Lun continued, "we can propose a long-term plan to rectify military discipline in our report, such as setting up a special supervisory agency to regularly assess and inspect military officials, and at the same time increase investment in military education to ensure that every officer can read and understand. In this way, we can show your majesty our determination to solve the problem and prevent similar problems from happening again."

After hearing this, Zhu Biao's eyes flashed with approval: "Brother-in-law is indeed far-sighted. This strategy can not only appease my father, but also fundamentally solve the problem. It can be said to kill two birds with one stone."

He paused, then asked with some concern: "However, my father is very shrewd. If he finds out that we are deliberately downplaying the problem, he will probably be even more furious. This matter is quite risky. Is my brother-in-law confident?"

Ouyang Lun looked determined, and he answered with his hands clasped, "Your Majesty, rest assured. I will list in detail the measures we have taken in my report, and emphasize that these measures have begun to produce results. Although the Emperor is strict, he is also very perceptive and will surely understand our good intentions."

Zhu Biao pondered for a moment, and finally nodded: "Okay, I will do as you say. However, Mr. Ouyang, this matter is of great importance, so you must act with caution. If there is any disturbance, report it to me immediately."

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

Zhu Biao stood up, walked to the window, looked at the dark night sky in the distance, and said in a deep tone: "The accumulated problems in the army are not a one-day thing. Although this rectification is for the long-term stability of the court, it is inevitable that it will affect the interests of some people. Brother-in-law, the burden on your shoulders is not light."

Ouyang Lun walked up to Zhu Biao and whispered, "Your Majesty has the world in your heart. I will do my best to assist Your Majesty in completing this important task."

Zhu Biao turned around, patted Ouyang Lun on the shoulder, and showed a rare smile: "With my brother-in-law here, I feel at ease."

The two smiled at each other. Although they didn't say much, they understood each other tacitly. The night wind blew, the candlelight flickered, and although the atmosphere in the East Palace was solemn, it also revealed a sense of determination and hope.

As the court announced the results of the investigation, there was an uproar among the people. The people hated these unqualified officials so much that they talked about them in the streets, alleys, teahouses and taverns. Farmers working in the fields and merchants in the market all talked about it with great relish, and their words were full of indignation and sarcasm.

“Have you heard? Some of those officials can’t even write their own names! What a joke!” An old farmer with a weather-beaten face squatted on the edge of the field, holding a grass stem in his hand, his tone full of disdain.

"That's right!" A middle-aged man next to him took over the conversation and said angrily, "These people usually bully the people and act arrogantly. I didn't expect them to be a bunch of idiots! They can't even read, and they dare to be officials? They really bring shame to the court!"

At the market, an old woman selling vegetables was arranging the vegetables on her stall while whispering to the customer beside her: "I heard that some officials' documents are fake, and even their identities are impostors! How can we expect such people to serve the people?"

"Humph, these people should have been investigated long ago!" A customer took over the conversation with a hint of satisfaction in his tone, "The court has really done a great thing this time! Pull out these parasites and see if they dare to oppress the people again!"

In the teahouse, several scholars sat around a table and discussed more intensely. A young scholar slammed the table and said angrily: "The court should select officials based on their talents, but now these ignorant people are allowed to mix in. It is really sad! Although this inspection is gratifying, it also exposes the shortcomings of the court's official selection system!"

Another older scholar nodded and said in a deep voice: "Yes, although this matter is outrageous, it also gives the court an opportunity to rectify the administration of officials. I hope Your Majesty can take this opportunity to thoroughly clean up the officialdom and restore a clean and honest world!"

On the streets, people were talking about this, expressing hatred for the unqualified officials and praise for the court's actions. A peddler carrying a load on his shoulder walked down the street and said loudly to the passers-by beside him: "These officials usually eat the people's food and wear the people's clothes, but they don't work for the people, but instead oppress us! Now that they have been found out, they really deserve it!"

"Yes!" a passerby echoed, "The court is really happy this time! I hope they can conduct more investigations in the future and clean up all these bad apples!" (End of this chapter)