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

"If the evidence is conclusive, no matter who he is, arrest him first, confiscate his property, then punish him according to the law, make an example of him to warn others, and show no mercy."

"Actually, when I was the commander of Datong Town, I did the same thing. I investigated several lieutenant generals in the army who were not actually employed and were also involved in smuggling."

"They relied on being members of the clan of the eight major Shanxi merchants and having powerful backers in the imperial court to ask someone to intercede on their behalf."

"I didn't even let him in the door, I just tied him up and handed him over to the authorities. Later, I was transferred to a sinecure, and thinking about it, that was partly because I had offended someone in this incident."

"Simply making an example of one to warn a hundred is not enough; we also need to strengthen the system and plug the loopholes at the source."

"When paying wages each month, the commander-in-chief must personally count the troops and collect the pay by head count; no one is allowed to collect it on their behalf."

"At the same time, a reporting and supervision system will be established, and soldiers can report secrets. Once the report is verified, half of the reward will be given."

"The reason why embezzling positions without actually performing them is mainly because the imperial court has been beset by internal and external troubles in recent years, and has become lax in its management of officers and soldiers, to the point that no one is in charge or investigating."

"As long as the imperial court is determined to rectify the situation and uses incorruptible and prestigious individuals to discipline the army, the atmosphere will naturally improve over time."

Shi Ding had clearly given this question serious thought, and his answer was comprehensive and insightful.

Jia Jing nodded secretly; he was satisfied with Shi Ding's answer.

It not only discussed the drawbacks of military affairs and the corruption of the garrison system, but also provided solutions from both the perspectives of iron-fisted measures and institutional reforms.

They're not just empty talkers; they have ideas and are capable of getting things done!

Moreover, Jia Jing had been observing Shi Ding's expression and eyes, and found that he did not have a shifty look in his eyes or speak evasively. On the contrary, his voice was loud and clear, and he seemed quite indignant.

It's clear that this was a heartfelt statement, not empty words or a way to fool people!

Jia Jing remained silent for a moment, then picked up his teacup, took a sip, and without saying anything, continued to ask expressionlessly:

"There are still many hereditary noble sons in the Twelfth Regiment, and their relationships are very complex."

"If they ask you to pull strings or demand favors, especially those from the founding generation of the dynasty with military merit, what would you do?"

Shi Ding's forehead was beaded with sweat; this question was not easy to answer.

Jia Jing's special emphasis on the founding military achievements was clearly a pointed remark.

Compared to the previous problem of rampant corruption, this problem of favoritism and back-door dealings is the norm and chronic problem among the military officers of the Han Dynasty!

After all, in this life, who doesn't have a few relatives and friends, a few clansmen and old friends? And who doesn't have a wife, children and elderly parents?

It can be said that as long as the world is still governed by people and based on human relationships, this matter can never be completely eradicated!

Even now, when he himself comes to Jia Jing to seek an official position, it may in a sense be a case of someone with connections using back channels!

Are we to make someone with connections investigate other people with connections?

That would be rather absurd!

Shi Ding thought about it carefully before hesitatingly saying:

"The founding generation of military officers have been living a life of luxury in the capital for too long. Most of them have been weakened by wine and women, and very few of them are still capable of serving."

"So I think, whether it's a case of connections or backdoors, if I were to handle it, there would only be one standard."

"It's about whether you have real skills and can win battles. Those who can win battles will stay; those who can't, no matter whose relatives they are or whose connections they have, will be replaced."

"If anyone relies on their powerful connections to disobey orders and disregard military discipline, then don't blame me for being ruthless."

"So, whether someone has connections or not doesn't matter. As long as they can endure hardship and have real skills, a few years of battlefield experience can forge even a piece of scrap iron into fine steel!"

"The key to being a commander is to uphold the bottom line, enforce strict military discipline, and be good at recognizing and appointing capable people. If someone is truly capable and one of our own, there's no need to deliberately distance ourselves from or use them!"

As Shi Ding finished speaking, his voice lowered, clearly indicating that he considered himself one of their own, the truly capable ones!

Jia Jing remained silent for a moment, then asked:

"So, you're saying that you can give opportunities to your own people based on personal relationships, but you can't break the law or act without principle? Then who are your own people?"

Shi Ding's answer was quite honest, without making a sweeping statement that he would never show favoritism or ignore personal relationships!

In reality, it was impossible to be completely selfless in a feudal society like the Han Dynasty. This was not a problem with people, but rather a problem with the imperial society.

Even the emperor has to consider personal relationships, let alone his ministers!

Even in modern society, how many people can be completely selfless?

Such things can only be avoided to some extent as civilization and technology continue to advance.

Shi Ding was taken aback, then immediately replied:

"Your Excellency's summary is spot on! As for who are our own people? Naturally, they are those brave individuals willing to follow you and fight for our Han Dynasty!"

Shi Ding didn't mention the founding line of military merit here, which clearly shows that he realized something.

Jia Jing frowned, then suddenly asked:

"I heard that during the years you held a sinecure, the Prince of Nan'an considered transferring you to the southeast to lead troops, but you declined?"

Shi Ding's expression froze slightly. He straightened his back and said coldly:

"That dog Huo Zhaoming... he's got no good intentions! He's corrupted the spirit of the founding generation of military heroes!"

"If it weren't for the fact that the founding generals like Xian Rongguo were killed in Liaodong by the retired emperor, he wouldn't have had the chance to become a general!"

"When I was impeached as the chief of the Datong government, I asked him to put forward a memorial in my defense, out of consideration for our shared lineage as founding fathers."

"Not only did he not help me himself, but he also secretly instructed his old relatives and friends from the Qi State Duke's Mansion and the Zhi State Duke's Mansion to stand by and watch, which left me isolated and without support and stripped me of my military power."

"Later, he pretended to want to transfer me to the southeast to be the commander-in-chief, but he didn't really want to help me."

"Instead, they want to win me over and subdue the four great families, thereby consolidating the military achievements of the founding lineage, becoming the new head of the founding lineage, and replacing the position that originally belonged to the Jia family!"

"Actually... if he's truly capable, I might be willing to acknowledge his abilities!"

"But his fighting skills are mediocre, even worse than mine; he's just good at opportunism and scheming."

"Most of the victories he won in the southeast and southwest were achieved by secretly sending silver or killing innocent people to claim credit."

"In the southwest, there was a chieftain tribe that lost power due to tribal struggles. They migrated with their entire tribe and came to surrender to our Han Dynasty, hoping to live a peaceful life."

"Huo Zhaoming actually ordered the imperial army to charge and kill these unarmed surrendered people, beheading more than 4,700 and looting their wealth."

"Afterwards, instead of enforcing strict military discipline, they fabricated a story and reported it to the court as a 'great victory.'"

"This has led to numerous rebellions in the Yunnan-Guizhou region over the years, which have yet to be completely quelled."

"He himself secretly embezzled soldiers' wages, seized military farmland, engaged in smuggling, and even repeatedly allowed his troops to plunder and abuse civilian women."

"Several families of my founding lineage have gone astray under his influence. How could I possibly agree to be recruited by such a person!"

"To say that my founding lineage has continued for nearly a century, it has indeed produced quite a few wicked and unworthy individuals, which have truly disgraced the reputation of our ancestors and perhaps should be punished..."

Shi Ding's last words carried a hint of probing.

Jia Jing lowered his eyes and remained silent for a moment.

The hall was so quiet that the only sound was the faint crackling of the incense burning in the Boshan censer.

Sunlight shone on the gold bricks, and the conspicuous band of light had moved to Jia Jing's feet, making his boots appear white.

Shi Ding stood in the hall, his back still straight, but his hands were placed on his thighs, his knuckles turning white from gripping them so tightly.