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

"Since you have a plan, you can go ahead and do it." Li Shanchang nodded slightly, with a hint of seriousness in his tone: "However, we must be careful in this matter. Ouyang Lun is a very shrewd person. If he notices our actions, it will probably cause greater trouble. Therefore, we must act in secret and must not let him catch us."

"Understood!" Everyone responded in unison, with a hint of ruthlessness in their eyes.

Li Shanchang stood up slowly, his eyes flashing with a hint of depth: "Everyone, although this crisis is serious, as long as we unite as one, there may be a chance to turn the situation around. The Huaixi Party has been operating in the court for many years, how can it be easily overthrown by Ouyang Lun?"

"Your Excellency the Duke is wise!" everyone responded in unison, with determination written all over their faces.

As the officials of the Huaixi Party conspired, the undercurrent in the court became more and more turbulent. Although Ouyang Lun's reorganization plan was approved by His Majesty, its implementation was not smooth. The old members of the Huaixi Party in the army began to create resistance in secret, trying to prevent the reorganization plan from going smoothly.

However, Ouyang Lun was no ordinary man. He had long anticipated that the Huaixi Party would take action, so he had already made preparations to deal with it. He sent his confidants to secretly monitor the Huaixi Party's every move to ensure that the reorganization plan could be implemented smoothly.

Winter of the twenty-fifth year of Hongwu.

In the twelfth lunar month in the city of Jinling, the tiles are covered with silver snow and the red eaves are hung with ice, but this cannot conceal the prosperity and vitality of the city.

On the banks of the Qinhuai River in the early morning, smoke from the morning market rises up. The owner of the wonton stall opens the steamer, and white mist filled with the aroma of meat spreads, attracting early porters and peddlers to stop.

On the river, black-sailed boats loaded with fresh fish slowly approached the shore, and the fishmongers shouted loudly: "Freshly out of the water shad, three cents a pound!" Several women with vegetable baskets gathered around to bargain, and their laughter mixed with the morning bells drifted in the mist.

Outside the weaving workshop in the east of the city, the sound of looms never stops day and night.

Since the imperial court implemented the new policy of "exemption of tax for craftsmen", the weavers have been very motivated. The new jacquard machines are running day and night, and rolls of brocade and Hangzhou satin are delivered to the imperial merchant warehouse like water. The shop owner, Lao Zhao, holds the account book in his pocket and says to his clerk with a smile: "The tax silver paid this year is 30% more than last year. The boss said that each person will get an extra 2 taels of bonus at the end of the year!"

Silk shops, teahouses and restaurants are lined up on West Market Street.

Western Hu merchants led camels, loaded with spices and colored glass, and hawked them on the street; several children chased and played while holding candied haws.
He almost bumped into a scholar in a scholar's robe. The scholar didn't get angry, but straightened the child's cotton hat and took out a few copper coins from his sleeve: "Go buy some hot buns, be careful not to fall."

Since the imperial court established many schools, even ordinary people in the streets could learn a few words.

At noon, in front of the Drum Tower, the government posted this year's grain price notice: "Per stone of polished japonica rice costs six cents of silver Daming currency, and wheat costs five cents." The old farmer watching rubbed his chapped hands and grinned, "In the early years of the Hongwu period, one stone of rice cost one tael and two cents! Now that taxes are lighter, the granaries are piled to the brim. These are truly peaceful times!" The old man selling charcoal nearby nodded in agreement, "Isn't it? My son is an apprentice at the Ordnance Bureau. His monthly salary is enough to buy half a pig. My wife even bought me a piece of new cloth to make a coat the day before yesterday..."

On the official road in the north of the city, a team of post horses galloped past, their hooves splashing up the snow. In the tea stalls beside the road, merchants held hot tea and talked about it: "Have you heard? The Beijing-Ping Railway is about to be completed! In the future, it will only take two days to travel from Jinling to Beijing by train!" "Wow, isn't that faster than the 800-mile express? In the future, when we sell goods to the north, we don't have to worry about bandits robbing us!" Everyone was amazed, and some savvy merchants had already begun to plan to buy and sell warehouses along the line.

In the evening, the lantern market outside the imperial city gradually lights up. Peach lanterns and revolving lanterns made of colorful silk hang high above the gates, and vendors sell New Year paintings, paper-cuts, and firecrackers. A young couple holding their baby are choosing door gods. The wife points to the portrait of Qin Shubao and says coquettishly, "I want this one! Prince Consort Ouyang once said during a military lecture that Qin Qiong is unparalleled in loyalty and righteousness. Putting this on the door will definitely keep you safe!" The husband laughs and counts out the copper coins.

Inside the Forbidden City, Zhu Yuanzhang stood on a corner tower and looked out at the lights of thousands of houses. The lights on both sides of the Qinhuai River were as bright as day.

The sound of music and singing drifted faintly into the palace walls.

Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang stroked his beard and smiled, saying to his attendant Zhu Biao: "Ten years ago at this time, the streets were not so lively. People feel at ease when they have oil and water in their pots."

Zhu Biao bowed and replied, "Father, your majesty is wise. Now that the granaries are full, people know etiquette. Yesterday, I saw a report from the Ministry of Justice that the number of murders in the country this year is 30% lower than last year."

"Good! Great!" Zhu Yuanzhang laughed.

The cold wind blows across the golden tiles, but it cannot extinguish the vigorous vitality of this imperial capital.

Under the snow curtain, the city of Jinling is taking firm steps towards another new year of the Hongwu era.

With the successful completion of the military cabinet's comprehensive reorganization and assessment of the Ming army, the entire empire's military and political system was completely renewed, and its effectiveness was so remarkable that it far exceeded everyone's expectations.

The reorganized Ming army completely broke the shackles of the old guard system.

The private armies of local tyrants were brought under the unified deployment of the central government, and generals at all levels had to pass strict assessment by the military cabinet before they could take up their posts.

The Ming Dynasty's military cabinet completely broke with the old system and followed the "new military system" proposed by Ouyang Lun, reorganizing the traditional garrison troops into three major systems: the army, navy, and air force. With firearms as the core and equipped with new equipment, the combat capability was completely renewed.

The army was reorganized into five field armies, with mechanized infantry divisions, artillery brigades, armored cavalry regiments, and an independent Shenji Battalion was established, specializing in flintlock rifles, field artillery and the new "Thunderbolt Rocket".

During the large-scale military exercises on the northern border, the army used coordinated infantry and artillery tactics to break through three simulated castles in one day. After watching the battle, the Mongolian tribes sent envoys to ask for peace overnight.

The navy is centered around three ocean-going fleets, with the main battleships all clad in iron armor and equipped with heavy red-haired cannons and new-style "Fire Dragons Out of Water."

During the East China Sea Fleet's exercise off Zhoushan, it used intensive artillery fire to sink target ships and intimidate the Japanese pirates. The South China Sea Fleet sailed as far as Luzon, and when the Western countries saw the huge ships entering the city, they all submitted their allegiance.

As for the Air Force, it has always been a secret and no one knows about it except internal personnel.

The first batch of students from the Military Academy also became the backbone of the army.

These young officers were not only proficient in firearms and military tactics, but also took "martial virtue" as their guiding principle under the influence of Ouyang Lun's idea of ​​"loyalty to the emperor and serving the country". The corrupt atmosphere that the old Huaixi troops had entrenched in was swept away, and even some old generals privately lamented: "Nowadays, promotions are based entirely on military merit and performance, and no one dares to judge by family background!"

The transformation of the military is like a huge rock falling into water, causing ripples.

Under the spur of the Military Cabinet's policy of "briefing every five days and assessment every ten days", officials from the six ministries followed suit in imitating its rigorous style.

In order to clarify the land area of ​​the whole country, officials of the Ministry of Revenue worked all night and completed the revision of the fish scale book that had been accumulated since the early years of Hongwu in just three months; when the Ministry of Works supervised the water conservancy, the assistant minister personally went to the river to supervise the construction, and the original two-year project was shortened to nine months. Even the Ministry of Rites, which had always been lazy, revised the examination system of prefecture and county academies overnight because of Ouyang Lun's words "If the education is not effective, the chief official will be held accountable."

When Zhu Yuanzhang was reading the memorial in Fengtian Hall, he smiled at Zhu Biao, which was rare, and said: "These sour scholars have now become a bit more efficient as clerks!"

Zhu Biao also responded with a smile: "Ouyang Lun's use of military system to promote the administration of officials is indeed an unexpected surprise." As the twelfth month of the lunar calendar is approaching, court affairs are becoming increasingly heavy.

There are mountains of matters to be dealt with, such as annual tax settlement in various places, rotation of frontier garrisons, and preparations for next year's imperial examinations.

But what concerned the emperor most was the daily report by Minister of Works Shan Anren on the completion of the Beijing-Pingcheng Railway.

This steel network running through the north and south began construction in the 22nd year of Hongwu. It cost countless silver and money and mobilized hundreds of thousands of laborers. Now it has finally reached the final moment.

On the 20th day of the twelfth lunar month in the 25th year of Hongwu, a grand court meeting was held in Fengtian Hall. Outside the hall, the wind was cold and the charcoal fire was blazing inside the hall. All officials stood in awe. Zhu Yuanzhang sat high on the dragon throne, Zhu Biao stood beside him, and Ouyang Lun stood at the head of the military officers, looking indifferent.

Just as the various departments finished their reports and were about to leave the court, Li Shanchang, the Duke of Korea, suddenly stepped out, holding a memorial in his hand, and said in a loud voice: "This old minister has something to report!" The entire court held its breath. Since the Huaixi Party suffered a series of setbacks, Li Shanchang had not been so aggressive in the court for a long time.

Zhu Yuanzhang narrowed his eyes slightly and said calmly: "Speak."

Li Shanchang bowed and then unfolded his memorial: "I impeach the military cabinet general Ouyang Lun for squandering the national treasury in the name of military reorganization, causing military expenditure to soar by more than three times!" As soon as these words came out, the whole court was in an uproar. Huaixi Party officials echoed: "I second the motion!" "Your Majesty, please investigate thoroughly!"

Li Shanchang took out an account book from his sleeve: "In the 24th year of Hongwu, the national military expenditure was 4.8 million taels of silver; this year, the army alone spent 6 million taels of silver!" He said in a sharp tone: "Although the new army is known to be elite, the border wars have not increased, but the military expenditure has doubled out of thin air. There may be suspicion of corruption!"

Zhu Yuanzhang frowned and turned to Ouyang Lun: "Mr. Ouyang, how do you explain this?"

Ouyang Lun stepped out calmly and said, "Your Majesty, military expenditures have indeed increased, but there has been no waste." He signaled the Minister of Finance Yu Xin to present the detailed list, "Please review the military expenditures for your Majesty."

Just as Zhu Yuanzhang was looking through the account books, Qi Tai suddenly stepped out and said, "I want to impeach Ouyang Lun for falsely reporting military expenses!" He held up a stack of documents and said, "For the same flintlock rifle, the private sector offered 15 taels, but the Ordnance Bureau wanted 22 taels!"

The atmosphere in the hall suddenly became tense. Zhu Yuanzhang's face was as gloomy as iron, and he tapped the dragon table heavily with his fingers: "Ouyang Lun! How do you explain this?"

Ouyang Lun was not in a hurry and took out a secret report from his pocket: "The seven workshops investigated by Lord Qi are all owned by merchants from Huaixi, and they are related to the manager of Duke Li's mansion." His voice suddenly turned cold: "The rate of firearm explosion in these workshops is as high as 30%!"

Zhu Yuanzhang was furious and threw the secret letter on the table. Ouyang Lun continued: "Although the flintlock rifles produced by the Armory cost seven taels, the rate of explosion is less than one percent." He took out the test records and said: "This is the signature of the craftsman of each rifle and the test firing data."

Zhu Biao added: "I have personally tested the new firearms, and they are indeed several times better."

Zhu Yuanzhang slammed the table and laughed: "Great! Although military expenditure has increased, the border troubles have been greatly reduced, it's worth it!" Then he shouted sternly: "Qi Tai will be demoted three levels! Li Shanchang will be fined one year's salary!"

Just as the debate over military spending in the court was about to subside, Ouyang Lun suddenly pulled out a blue account book from his sleeve and presented it with both hands: "Your Majesty, I have another one to report."

Zhu Yuanzhang raised his eyebrows and said, "Tell me."

Ouyang Lun spoke slowly but with thunderous words: "I recently checked the military accounts and found that some generals in the three camps colluded with the quartermasters to falsely report the number of soldiers and withhold military pay. The silver involved was as high as 800,000 taels."

"What?!" Zhu Yuanzhang slammed the table and stood up, causing the teacups on the dragon table to jingle. The old emperor's eyes widened, veins popping out on his forehead: "Who is so bold?!"

All the officials in the hall were suddenly silent. The Huaixi Party officials who were whispering just now were now pale-faced, and some even unconsciously took a half step back.

Ouyang Lun unfolded the account book, and his voice was clearly audible: "The deputy commander of the Shenji Battalion, Zhao Desheng, falsely reported a force of 300 soldiers and embezzled 900 taels of military pay each month; the commander of the Fifth Battalion, Wang Bao, conspired with the quartermaster to purchase inferior weapons and pocketed the difference; the Three Thousand Battalion..."

As the names and the stolen money were made public, Zhu Yuanzhang's face became more and more ugly. When he heard that "Zhang Yongnian, the deputy commander of the navy, embezzled money for shipbuilding," the old emperor finally flew into a rage: "Come here! Catch all these parasites for me!"

Jinyiwei Commander Ji Gang immediately stepped out and said, "I obey your order!"

The Minister of War said in a trembling voice: "Your Majesty, most of these generals are..." He glanced at Li Shanchang and dared not say anything more.

Zhu Yuanzhang sneered: "They are all the old soldiers from Huaixi, right?" He turned to Li Shanchang and said, "Li Shanchang! Are these the soldiers you brought with you?!"

Li Shanchang fell to his knees and said, "I really don't know."

"Don't know?" Zhu Yuanzhang laughed in anger: "When you impeached the military expenditure just now, didn't you check it very clearly? How come you don't know that your own people are corrupt?!"

Ouyang Lun added at the right time: "Your Majesty, this case also involves several ministers in the court." He took out another list from his sleeve: "This is the list of officials who accepted bribes"

"Enough!" Zhu Yuanzhang grabbed the list, glanced at it for a moment, and suddenly threw it to the ground: "Ji Gang! Immediately bring people to search the mansions of these parasites! Anyone involved in the case will be severely punished!"

"I obey your command!" Jiang Li took the order and left. Amid the clanging of armor, several generals who were named collapsed to the ground.

Ouyang Lun continued, "Your Majesty, I suggest setting up a special investigation team to be jointly investigated by the Censorate, the Ministry of Justice, and the Imperial Guards."

"Approved!" Zhu Yuanzhang said firmly: "This case must be investigated thoroughly, no matter who is involved, no leniency will be shown!" As he said this, he looked at Li Shanchang meaningfully.

Ouyang Lun suddenly stepped out of the crowd and said, "Your Majesty, I have a suggestion."

Zhu Yuanzhang was still angry and frowned, saying, "Go ahead."

Ouyang Lun spoke slowly and calmly, but the court officials pricked up their ears: "Although Qi Tai made a serious mistake, he is a successful candidate in the imperial examination and is proficient in mathematics. Now that the Beijing-Pingcheng Railway is in need of people, why not let him go to Baoding Prefecture to be a station manager and make up for his crime with meritorious service."

There was an uproar in the hall. Several old officials of the Hanlin Academy took a deep breath - this was even more cruel than dismissal! A dignified assistant minister of the Ministry of War, a second-rank official, was actually going to be demoted to manage a railway station?
“Ouyang Lun!” Qi Tai suddenly stood up, his official hat tilted when he stood up, “Are you trying to humiliate me?!” (End of this chapter)