Dream of the Red Chamber: Start by gaining Zhao Yun's martial prowess, and be ennobled in a sin

Although the retired emperor showed some reluctance on the surface, he still decided to prioritize the overall situation!

Jia Jing is far too important now. If we can get his help, the restoration will be a piece of cake!

Upon hearing this, the Prince of Yi frowned slightly and asked in confusion:

"Given Jia Zijie's current power, status, and the trust that person places in him, it seems unlikely that we can win him over, right?"

The Emperor Emeritus smiled slightly and said confidently:

"There's no one in the world we can't win over; it's just a matter of whether we can find their weakness and offer them something that will entice them!"

"What does Father mean?" Prince Yi asked.

"My meaning is simple! Offer him a bargaining chip he can't refuse."

"A princely title, a first-rank general, the privilege of establishing one's own residence, the Nine Bestowments, the position of one of the Three Dukes—anything is negotiable as long as he's willing to stand on our side!"

"We can also start by working on those around him. Even if we can't win him over, we can sow discord among the people around him."

"That Marquis of Weining and his relatives, as long as those around him are willing to side with us, even if we can't change his mind, we can still sow discord between him and Jing Sheng..."

…………

When Jia Jing came out of the palace, the afternoon sun was already setting in the west.

Emperor Jingsheng talked to him at length, covering both military and political affairs, with the main theme naturally revolving around how to revitalize the Han Dynasty.

The two had a very pleasant conversation, and if it weren't for the fact that it was Jia Jing's first day back, Emperor Jingsheng would have even considered letting Jia Jing stay overnight in the palace so they could sleep side by side.

When Jia Jing walked out of the palace gate with a calm expression, he had changed his armor into a python robe and a jade belt around his waist.

According to the Han Dynasty's clothing system, dukes should wear flying fish robes, while python robes were exclusive to kings.

However, when Jia Jing was granted the title of First-Class Duke of Jing by Emperor Jingsheng, he was specially bestowed with a python robe and jade belt to highlight his honor and military achievements.

The python robe was the most precious garment that officials below the emperor could wear, and it was also divided into upper and lower ranks.

The uppermost one is the seated python, with its head facing forward and its body coiled up as if sitting, presenting a frontal posture, also known as the "positive python" or "coiled python".

This design symbolizes supreme honor and was the highest-ranking pattern on bestowed clothing during the Han Dynasty.

It was usually bestowed only upon princes and imperial sons, as well as powerful ministers who held great influence in the court, such as the Assistant Minister of State among civil officials, and the First-Rank General among military officials.

The "Treatise on Carriages and Clothing" in the Han Dian also states: "The bestowal of a python robe is not easily obtained by civil or military officials of higher ranks... When sitting on a python robe, one should face directly, which is especially valuable."

The lower one is called the walking python, which moves in a swimming manner and walks sideways. It is also known as the "walking python" or "ascending python".

Its rank is lower than that of the "Sitting Python" (坐蟒), and it is mostly used for princes of the next rank and top civil and military officials in the court.

For example, civil officials of the first rank (equivalent to the Three Dukes) or military officials of the second rank (equivalent to the rare title of Grand General). For instance, the Prince of Nan'an and the Prince of Beijing wore robes with python patterns.

In terms of clothing design, the seated python robe is usually positioned on the front chest or the center of the back, emphasizing a sense of solemnity.

The "walking python" pattern is commonly found on the sleeves and knees, showcasing a dynamic aesthetic.

Jia Jing's python robe at this time was an extraordinary gift from Emperor Jingsheng, hence the name "walking python robe".

After Jia Jing stepped out of the palace gate, he immediately saw Zhu Que's personal guards, who had been waiting outside the palace for a long time.

He gathered his personal guards and retainers, and they walked in silence until they were two or three miles from the palace gates.

Jia Jingcai reined in his horse and slowed it down, then spoke to Zhuque:

"You did well this time. His Majesty has already decreed that Jia Zhen be stripped of his title and exiled to Qiongzhou."

"Although Prince Teng was not severely punished, His Majesty's intention was still to dismiss him from his post and have him reflect on his actions behind closed doors."

"It was all thanks to Your Excellency's foresight and strategic planning; I was merely following orders," Zhuque said, turning slightly to the side and bowing.

Jia Jing nodded and said:

"You need to start over the reorganization of the Twelfth Battalion. I have already recommended you and Ma Guo to be the deputy commanders of the Twelfth Battalion."

"You shall proceed according to the military reorganization strategy of the Ba Shang camp: strictly enforce military discipline and intensify training."

"Furthermore, distribute the more than 20,000 troops brought back from the Northwest into various regiments and battalions to serve as the backbone force. We must ensure absolute control over these 180,000 troops!"

"The political situation in the court is becoming increasingly turbulent. His Majesty intends to strictly regulate officialdom, and countless treacherous individuals will inevitably stir up trouble. We must ensure that this army becomes the most solid and reliable force in our hands!"

Jia Jing did not intend to personally oversee the training of the 12th Regiment Battalion, as he had the experience of training troops from the Northwest Army and the Ba Shang Camp.

Zhuque, Ma Guocheng, and others are fully capable of independently managing and organizing this army!

His only concern was to select the right commanders for these twelve regiments to ensure absolute control over the troops!

And when necessary, to carry out a major purge of the officers and soldiers of the Beijing garrison, so that the 12th Regiment would be completely devoid of any voices other than his.

Zhuque cupped his hands and said:

"Rest assured, my lord! With the foundation laid by the Ba Shang army, the twelve battalions will be fully trained and transformed into an elite fighting force within two months at most!"

Jia Jing chuckled softly, his gaze falling on the familiar streets of the capital city, and said:

"If you encounter any difficult or complicated matters, come to me. For minor issues, you can make your own decisions!"

"His Majesty intends for me to reform the court's military affairs, and I will focus my main efforts on reorganizing the military forces in the capital."

"Have the Embroidered Uniform Guard gather intelligence on Wu Xun, the hereditary nobleman of Shenjing. I need to be aware of his situation!"

Emperor Jingsheng had just discussed the reforms of military affairs and military merits with Jia Jing, and the two had already come up with preliminary plans.

The corruption of the Han military was not due to any one person or faction, but to systemic decay.

Specifically, this refers to the issues of vacancies, withholding of military pay, privatization of the army, and the widespread hereditary military officers who parasitize and exploit the army after the collapse of the Han Dynasty's garrison system.

According to Emperor Jingsheng and Jia Jing's analysis, there are three main problems with the military affairs of the Han Dynasty at present:

One group consists of hereditary dukes, marquises, and military officers within the capital city. These titles are mostly nominal, and they make a living by drawing salaries without actually holding them, receiving double pay, and colluding with local military officers in the garrisons.

Secondly, the local garrison system was corrupt, with military officers encroaching on large amounts of farmland in the garrisons, leading to the desertion of military households and the loss of almost all of them. The military officers were also seriously corrupt and embezzled funds.

Thirdly, there are the nine important border towns. Although they still have a certain fighting capacity, the generals have become private soldiers, and the system of personal guards is prevalent, which has led to many border troops not knowing the court but only recognizing their commander.

Of these three issues, the nine border towns, as the core of the Han Dynasty's military strength, should not be acted upon lightly. They should be put on hold for now, stabilized first, and then dealt with later. The military supervisors should be used to check and balance power, and power should be gradually consolidated.

The garrison system involves too many issues and is deeply entrenched. It is better to proceed slowly than hastily. It is necessary to select one or two provinces for pilot implementation first. Reducing redundant personnel and reorganizing the garrisons are not urgent tasks.

Therefore, Jia Jing and Emperor Jingsheng ultimately decided to first target the hereditary nobles and military officers in Shenjing City and the military farms in the garrisons near the capital.

The reason for this decision was, firstly, to support the new policy's progress on land surveying.

Secondly, the hereditary nobles and military officers of the capital city were the source of corruption among all military officers and generals in the land.

Cleansing them out would not only serve as a deterrent to the world, but also reduce resistance to the subsequent reorganization of garrisons and border towns.

of course,

Most importantly, these hereditary nobles and military officers in the capital city mostly had titles, honorary positions, and influence, but no military power.

Targeting them minimizes the scope of the attack, reduces their resistance, and carries the lowest risk.

Those in power always prioritize stability, picking on the weakest targets first.