Dream of the Red Chamber: I can upgrade my entries!

Chapter 79: Exchange of Interests, Re-establishment of the Three Great Camps of the Capital!

"I heard that you brought back 12 men this time, and they are being trained according to the three major camps of the capital during the Ming Dynasty."

Emperor Yongping stood with his hands behind his back, facing Jia Yan directly, a cryptic expression on his face.

"Does Your Majesty find this inappropriate?"

With a slight smile, Jia Yan said calmly, "The Battle of Datong is just the beginning, not the end."

"The barbarians in the surrounding areas are fierce and ruthless, and they are always thinking about encroaching on the fertile land of the Central Plains. Without a strong army, how can we protect our homes and defend our country?"

"The Twelfth Battalion is stationed in the capital, as majestic as Mount Tai, unmoving. The entire city of the nine border regions is affected by its movement."

"A mobile force that is always on standby is like adding wings to a tiger for the nation."

"Your talent and strategy are truly unparalleled in the world."

Emperor Yongping glanced at him and said in a deep voice, "But is this world still the world of the Great Qian?"

As soon as the words fell, the Hall of Mental Cultivation fell silent. The faint sound of breathing could be heard clearly. The conversation between the Supreme Emperor of the Great Qian Dynasty and the Marquis of the Great Qian Dynasty touched upon the deepest aspects of the dynasty, and their heartstrings were being plucked.

"What do you mean, Your Majesty?"

Jia Yan asked in return.

"During the reign of Emperor Taizu, the national tax revenue was approximately 2400 million taels."

"In the nineteenth year of the Shunzhi reign, the national tax revenue was about 4000 million taels. Now it is less than 2000 million taels a year. The national treasury is empty. Even rats don't want to crawl into it. Without the silver you sent back from Datong, I, the emperor, would be living worse than an ordinary rich man."

"According to the approval of the Ministry of Revenue in the fifth year of Yongping, the population of the country was about 3000 million households, or at least 9000 million people. Our dynasty implements the 'polonary tax system,' which alone probably costs tens of millions of taels of silver. How can the finances be so tight and the income not cover the expenditure?"

“Inheriting the garrison system of the Ming Dynasty, the garrisons under the Ministry of War were spread across the two capitals and thirteen provinces, numbering about 500, equivalent to 270 million troops, yet they were in a situation where there were no troops available. This is ridiculous.”

As Emperor Yongping spoke, he couldn't help but reveal a self-deprecating smile.

His reign as emperor was not much better than that of Chongzhen. Even a skilled cook cannot cook without rice. The financial loopholes of the dynasty constantly threatened the emperor's rule. The deficit from the retired emperor's six trips to the south alone was an insurmountable problem.

"Of the nation's population, one-third resides in Jiangnan. If Jiangnan is not at peace, how can there be any prosperity?"

Jia Yan's casual remark was like a bolt from the blue, resounding throughout the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Of the two capitals and thirteen provinces, Southern Zhili alone accounted for ten million households, demonstrating its importance. The Qianlong Emperor inherited the Ming dynasty's policy of preferential treatment for scholars, exempting them from taxes. As a result, many officials and gentry seized land and engaged in horse racing, making it impossible to collect taxes from Southern Zhili. This was the biggest drawback.

'Whoosh!'

A chilling glint flashed in Emperor Yongping's eyes. He knew what he meant, and Jia Yan understood.

"Redundant officials, redundant soldiers, and redundant expenses."

"The three main reasons for the Song Dynasty's weakness are present in every dynasty."

"To solve long-standing problems, finance is one aspect, and the military is another; neither can be neglected."

Jia Yan then added a few more words.

"You do know."

Emperor Yongping took a deep look at the young man before him, his tense nerves relaxing slightly. He then changed the subject: "To resolve the garrison system, we must have a strong army capable of protecting the entire country. I am willing to use the three major camps in the capital as a pilot project. Do you have any suggestions?"

"The border troops should not be moved lightly, and there are not many capable soldiers in the capital. This northern expedition has already tempered a batch of elite soldiers."

"The Earl of Xichuan, Feng Tang, is calm and composed, and is suitable to lead the Five Armies Camp, commanding 40,000 infantrymen. The Earl of Shouxiang, Li Chuan, is unparalleled in bravery and is suitable to lead the Three Thousand Camp, commanding 50,000 cavalrymen. The Earl of Zhubei, Wei Jingyuan, is quick-witted and flexible in his use of troops, and is suitable to lead the Divine Machine Camp, commanding 30,000 firearms soldiers."

“The Earl of Dingyuan, Qi Zhengze; the Earl of Zhongzhen, Qin Xiuyuan; the Earl of Anxi, Li Xiao; the Viscount of Xiangyang, Qi Jianhui; the Viscount of Pingyuan, Jiang Zining; and the Viscount of Dingcheng, Xie Jing, were assigned to their respective camps.”

“My uncle Jia She has the demeanor of a leader of the Rongguo Kingdom. He is skilled in martial arts and military strategy and is capable of commanding the three major camps in the capital.”

'Jia She!'

Emperor Yongping frowned and said in a deep voice, "Can you persuade him?"

As early as when he first ascended the throne, he wanted to win over the Jia family for his own use. He valued Jia Jing and Jia She, one a scholar and the other a warrior, as outstanding members of the founding line. They had served as the Crown Prince's right-hand men and suppressed the Eighth Prince's faction.

If Jia She were willing to take charge of the Beijing Garrison, then the entire garrison would be under the control of the founding lineage, thus standing on equal footing with the Twelve Battalions controlled by the Yuan dynasty lineage. This would undoubtedly be a great thing for him.

"I'll convince him."

Facing Emperor Yongping's suspicious gaze, Jia Yan remained calm and composed. "Guards!"

Emperor Yongping remained silent for a while before shouting.

"His Majesty."

Su Peisheng, the chief eunuch of the Qianqing Palace, immediately came in from outside the hall and listened respectfully.

"Draft an imperial edict!"

"The nation has elite troops who quelled the calamity of war in times of crisis. Releasing them back to the countryside would be a waste of their talent. Therefore, we should establish three major camps in the capital as mobile forces."

"In accordance with the precedent set before the Ming Dynasty, the military governor of the Beijing Garrison was a second-rank official, and the commanders of the three major garrisons were second-rank officials."

"General Jia She is appointed as the Military Governor of the Capital Garrison; Earl Feng Tang of Xichuan, Earl Li Chuan of Shouxiang, and Earl Wei Jingyuan of Zhubei are appointed as the Commanders of the Capital Garrison; Earl Qi Zhengze of Dingyuan, Earl Qin Xiuyuan of Zhongzhen, Earl Li Xiao of Anxi, Viscount Qi Jianhui of Xiangyang, Viscount Jiang Zining of Pingyuan, and Viscount Xie Jing of Dingcheng are appointed as the Assistant Commanders of the Capital Garrison."

"The Northern Expeditionary Army and all units of the Beijing Garrison were incorporated into the three major camps of the capital, and the Imperial Treasury allocated three million taels of silver as military funds."

"Marquis Wu, Jia Yan, was promoted to the rank of First-Rank General of the Cavalry, and was given overall command of the establishment and management of the three major military camps in the capital."

Emperor Yongping issued the edict in an orderly manner.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Jia Yan readily agreed.

From this moment on, the emperor and the founding nobles exchanged interests, and the two sides officially stood on the same side.

"It's getting late."

"If I keep you here any longer, I'm afraid the old matriarch of the Jia family will not agree."

"You go back first."

With a wave of his hand, Emperor Yongping issued an order to dismiss the guests.

"Yes."

Jia Yan ignored him and swaggered away from the Qianqing Palace.

Only after Jia Yan's figure disappeared into the night did a thin, middle-aged man sitting in a wheelchair slowly appear behind the screen at the imperial desk.

"What do you think, sir?"

Emperor Yongping asked without turning his head.

The Zhou Li (Rites of Zhou), in the section on Spring Official and the Dian Rui (the official in charge of auspicious objects), states: "The jade tablet is used to facilitate movement and to eliminate evil."

"Your Majesty's actions today perfectly align with the harmony between ruler and subject. The son of the Jia family has acted as the vanguard for the king, quelling the rebellion and ushering in an era of peace and prosperity throughout the land."

"I congratulate His Majesty, and I congratulate the Great Qian Dynasty!"

Wu Sidao exclaimed in admiration.

"Does the gentleman think he has the look of a hawk or the gaze of a wolf?"

With a deep gaze, Emperor Yongping asked inexplicably.

"Your Majesty is not Emperor Wu of Wei, nor can he become Sima Yi."

"Heaven above, with its bright and virtuous rule, will not stand on the side of a traitor."

Wu Sidao's voice echoed softly.

"Ah."

"Then so be it."

Emperor Yongping frowned and said calmly.

Six years on the throne are not as good as three months. The stagnant court has seen the emergence of a catfish, and now he has to let this catfish stir up the storm.

Only in this way can his governing ambitions be fully realized, all ills be eliminated, and a foundation for the Great Qian Dynasty to be established for all ages.

(End of this chapter)