spend time

The emperor has adopted an attitude of letting bygones be bygones, and has not demanded the return of the excess military expenditures. He only requires that the various armies replenish their forces in the coming year.

Who has the nerve to say he can’t do it?

General Zuo was the first to express his opinion: "Your Majesty, please rest assured. After today, I will immediately recruit new soldiers. One year later, I will show Your Majesty the full complement of 50,000 elite soldiers."

General Sima, General Song and General Bao were unwilling to be left behind and said, "Your Majesty, please give me one year as well."

"After I return, I will immediately recruit new soldiers to fill the vacancies. We will also train more to train a team of elite soldiers."

Jiang Shaohua nodded in approval: "Okay. Let's take one year. After one year, I will personally inspect several armies in the capital. At that time, there will be martial arts competitions for each army. The specific martial arts plan will be discussed and listed by the Ministry of War."

"Whoever wins first place in the martial arts performance will be handsomely rewarded!"

All the generals bowed their hands and agreed generously.

The issue of several military units in the capital drawing empty salaries was thus easily dealt with.

As for the specific situation of the garrisons in various places, we will have to wait for the guards to return to the capital to report.

There is no need to rush this matter, just wait and see.

Jiang Shaohua summoned Minister Ding and Minister Wang to the palace and entrusted them with the task of preparing the military performance plan. As the acting minister, Minister Ding accepted the order first.

Minister Wang was firmly suppressed by Minister Ding, and he was unhappy. However, he was repeatedly criticized by the emperor, so he dared not show his emotions and followed suit.

Jiang Shaohua glanced at Minister Wang's face and said, "Minister Wang, I know you have always been dissatisfied."

"In terms of your ability to do your job, you are not inferior to Minister Ding. In fact, you are better. In your opinion, Minister Ding can be the acting minister in charge of the Ministry of War because I favor my own people."

"You are right to think so. After I ascend the throne, the ministers I want to use must be of the same mind as me. If they harbor resentment and dissatisfaction in their hearts, complain in private, and incite others to be dissatisfied with me from time to time, I will not use such ministers no matter how capable they are."

Minister Wang: “…”

If words could be turned into weapons, the emperor's words would be like an arrow flying towards us, hitting us right in the throat.

Minister Wang's face was embarrassed, red and then pale, pale and then red again, and after a long while he managed to squeeze out a sentence: "I dare not!"

Jiang Shaohua sneered: "You dare not oppose me openly, but you keep complaining in private. I didn't go out of my way to inquire, but some people took the initiative to report back."

"I would like to advise Minister Wang to focus more on his work. Only if you do your job well, you will be qualified to stand in the Showa Hall and talk to me."

"Also, Minister Ding's term of office as acting minister will be three years at most and one year at least. The position of Minister of War will be his. As the Left Vice Minister of War, you must assist Minister Ding with all your strength. If you cannot do your job well or are unwilling to do it, there are many officials willing to serve as the Left Vice Minister of War."

"Did you understand what I said?"

Minister Wang was so beaten that he lost all his temper and continued to nod with his head down.

Isn't it? The court lacks everything. Not to mention other things, there are a lot of people in the Ministry of War who covet the position of the Minister of War. The one who came to the emperor to complain privately must be one of them.

There is one carrot in one hole. If his carrot is taken away, there will naturally be other carrots to fill its place.

Minister Ding was kind-hearted and did not take advantage of the situation to add insult to injury. He even pleaded for Minister Wang: "Your Majesty, please calm down. Minister Wang is a little impatient and speaks his mind. In fact, he has always been respectful to the emperor and has never disobeyed him."

Jiang Shaohua pulled the corner of his mouth: "I heard that when Minister Wang complained privately, he didn't curse me the most, but you, Minister Ding. You are kind and don't bear grudges at all. You are still here to plead for him."

Minister Ding smiled generously: "I am ten years older than Minister Wang, and I joined the Ministry of War a few years earlier. Other than that, there is really no way I am better than Minister Wang." "It is understandable that Minister Wang is dissatisfied with me. If it were me, I would also be dissatisfied and angry."

"Since I am the Minister of War, I should have the cultivation and tolerance of a minister. I will not take this little verbal dispute to heart."

Jiang Shaohua smiled and praised: "Minister Ding is indeed well-mannered."

Minister Wang could hardly even raise his head.

The more generous and tolerant Minister Ding appears, the more he appears to be narrow-minded and petty.

Fortunately, today was neither a big nor a small court meeting, and the only people standing in the Zhaohe Hall were Chen Changshi and Wang Zhongshuling. Otherwise, he would have lost face today and would never be able to raise his head again.

The emperor's voice came over: "Okay, there's nothing else to do, you two can leave after receiving your tasks!"

Minister Ding and Minister Wang bowed and left together.

Chen Changshi stroked his beard and smiled meaningfully: "After this, Minister Wang should behave himself."

Today, the Emperor and Minister Ding have teamed up to squeeze Minister Wang so much that he almost has no place to stand.

Jiang Shaohua raised his eyebrows and smiled leisurely: "That depends on whether Minister Wang can change his mind."

……

After Minister Wang left the palace, he remained silent all the way without saying a word.

Minister Ding was sitting in the same carriage, and he did not say a word. After arriving at the Ministry of War, Minister Ding called everyone over, explained the tasks assigned by the emperor, and asked everyone to write a petition. Then they would gather their ideas and compile a memorial.

Under normal circumstances, Minister Wang would definitely jump out and nitpick on Minister Ding's arrangements and make some suggestions or opinions.

Minister Wang was unusually quiet today. He accepted the order with a bow and went back to the signing room to get busy.

The military officials were not used to it and made faces in private: "It's really strange, why didn't Minister Wang argue today?"

"The sun is rising from the west."

"I would not accept it either. Minister Wang is more concerned about and better at all matters in the Ministry of War. Moreover, he is the Left Minister, with the support of Prime Minister Wang. As a result, as soon as the princess ascended the throne, she immediately pushed Minister Ding to be the Minister. How could Minister Wang feel happy?"

"Oh, don't say anything. The two ministers are fighting each other, and we are standing aside to watch the fun. We will applaud whoever wins."

These gossips would always quietly reach the ears of Minister Ding and Minister Wang.

The Ministry of War is so small that officials say they are neutral regardless of faction, but that is all nonsense. If someone is gossiping here, they will go there to complain.

Minister Ding listened calmly and said, "That's all. I understand. Leave now!"

When the official came to Wang Shilang's side, he was frightened by Wang Shilang's dark face and said, "Go back. When you are doing your job next time, don't gossip like a gossipy woman."

The gossiping official left in disgrace.

Minister Wang held the pen with a complicated expression, and remained silent for a long time before he started writing again. (End of this chapter)