Chapter Thirty-Nine: Checking for Leaks and Making Up for Deficiencies

  The Chongzhen Emperor saw Wen Tianren looking like he wanted to say something but hesitated, so he asked: "Love minister, is there anything you want to talk about?"

  "Your Majesty, I have observed Mr. Zhong's plan and it is truly unprecedented. The system of supervision and the objects of supervision are vastly different from those of previous dynasties. In my opinion, if our great Ming dynasty were to implement this plan, it would indeed be able to reform the current military's shortcomings." Wen Ti-ren folded up the memorial and spoke in a clear and loud voice.

  The Chongzhen Emperor nodded: "I also mean this."

  "However, Your Majesty, this strategy does not clearly state where the military officials will come from. They must be able to be incorruptible and impartial, yet also teach soldiers loyalty and patriotism, but most soldiers are rough and unrefined people who require excellent eloquence to persuade. If one army is easy to convince, then if we expand it, where will the source of these military officials come from?"

  The words of Wen Tianxiang made Emperor Chongzhen nod his head repeatedly, no mistake, such a requirement is indeed very high.

  Wen Ti Ren's words were not yet finished: "The military officer follows the army and moves, the conditions are harsh, and this also restricts the selection of military officers. If we do not implement such a selection strategy, then this strategy will become empty talk on paper, which is regrettable."

  The Chongzhen Emperor was very much in agreement with Wen Tiren's views, and previously he had not thought of this idea as good, but the difficulty of implementation was high. After thinking about it, he said to Wen Tiren: "I will now invite Mr. Zhong over, and we will discuss together whether there is a feasible method, otherwise, abandoning this method would be a pity."

  "Your Majesty, I think that if it is convenient, would you please summon the Minister of War, Sun Chengzong, to come and discuss this together? There are two reasons for this: firstly, this matter concerns the reform of the national military system, and the Minister of War should participate; secondly, Minister Sun has been leading troops in battles for many years and is very familiar with military affairs, which can help fill in gaps and check for deficiencies." Wen Tiren said with a bow.

  The contents of this memorial, the Chongzhen Emperor intended to keep confidential, did not want it to spread before it was promulgated, especially since it involved the military. If something were to happen at that time, it would be a big deal. However, as for Sun Chengzong, whether it was Mr. Zhong's recommendation or his performance over this period of time, he was very satisfied with himself. Moreover, Wen Tiren's words also made sense, so he agreed to his proposal. He let Wang Chengen go and notify Sun Chengzong and Zhong Jinwei to come to the main hall to discuss military reform.

  When Zhong Jinwei received the notification, he was both a little nervous and excited. After all, in his previous life, he was just a project manager for software development. Although he often saw national presidents and premiers on TV, now he had to face them in person and have a serious discussion about state affairs. What excited him was that in his previous life, if he were to set up a stall to experience life, he would still be chased away by city administrators. But now, he was going to discuss national strategies with the country's leaders. In the future, even if he wanted to experience life again, would ancient city administrators dare to chase him?

  Zhong Jinwei went to the away game, that was a ministerial meeting, so Aqi couldn't accompany him. He helped Zhong Jinwei tidy up his clothes and reminded him of some details before letting him go.

  When Zhong Jingwei arrived at the main hall, Sun Chenzong had not yet arrived. Seeing that the three people inside were all familiar to him - Emperor Chongzhen, Wang Chengen and Wen Tiren - his tense mood relaxed a bit.

  Wen Ti Ren looked at Zhong Jin Wei who was slowly walking in, a bit haggard but still spirited, and his build seemed to have thinned out quite a bit compared to the last time he saw him.

  Zhong Jinwei also walked in, sizing up Wen Tiiren, but felt that he was still the same, not changing at all. Now should be his career rising period, spring breeze got intention, of course, will not get old.

  After the ceremony was over, Emperor Chongzhen knew that Zhong Jingwei had not fully recovered and specially set up a seat on the left lower side of Wen Tianren for him to sit.

  "Mr. Zhong, Wen Qing has already reviewed your two memorials." The Chongzhen Emperor waited for Zhong Jingwei to sit down before speaking to the point.

  Oh, this old fellow doesn't know how he's looking at it. Things that have been verified by later generations through practice shouldn't be a problem, right? Zhong Jinwei thought to himself.

  The Chongzhen Emperor stopped here and looked at Zhong Xingwei's expression, sensing his expectation. He couldn't help but feel a little playful: "Do you know how Wen Qing evaluated him?"

  Zhong Jinwei turned his head to look at Wen Ti-ren, but he couldn't find any useful information on Wen's face. Helplessly, Zhong turned back to Emperor Chongzhen and said: "Your Majesty, I believe what you have said is not wrong, Lord Wen should be roughly the same as what Your Majesty has seen?"

  Speechless, when did Zhong Jinwei become so eloquent? Emperor Chongzhen didn't expect that Zhong Jinwei would bind himself up. Fortunately, Wen Qing's opinion was similar to his own, otherwise, wouldn't it be embarrassing for Wen Qing?

  The Chongzhen Emperor nodded to Zhong Xingwei and said, "Mr. Wen's method of punctuation marks can be promoted, I agree, let him handle this matter."

  Zhong Jinwei smiled silently upon hearing this, none of them were old stubborn people, not bad, pleasant cooperation.

  "As for the strategy of military reform, Wen Gong has something to say." The Chongzhen Emperor neither said it was good nor bad, but just nodded at Zhong Xian and let Wen Tianren speak, while he himself listened quietly.

  "This strategy is indeed extremely brilliant and unexpected, with the effect of curing the current military's stubborn disease."

  Seeing Zhong Junwei's triumphant smile, Wen Tiiren turned around: "However, this strategy has an unspoken aspect that makes it mere words of Zhao Kuo, armchair strategizing only."

  "What, how is that possible?" Zhong Jinwei didn't believe it: "How can that be? Tell me about it." As soon as he finished speaking, he felt himself getting too impatient. Since the other person had said so, they must have a reason. So he changed his tone and said: "Please enlighten me, Lord Wen." Zhong Jinwei stood up after finishing speaking, imitating the ancients by clasping his hands together in respect and making a bow.

  The child can be taught, Wen Ti Ren nodded slightly in his heart: "Can the core of this strategy be an independent military officer?"

  Yes.

  "But then the requirements for military officials are very high, where can they come from to take on this role?"

  "Of course it's Party School!" Zhong Jinwei said without hesitation.

  What? Neither Emperor Chongzhen nor Wen Tiren understood. Just as they were about to ask, an imperial attendant came in to report: Sun Chenzong, the Minister of War, had arrived for an audience.

  Let Sun Chengzong come in first then.

  Sun Chenzong had just returned, citing the upcoming New Year as a reason, and conveyed the edict to eliminate the weak and retain the strong, reducing the King's Guard Army. Then he received news that Emperor Chongzhen had urgent matters to discuss, so he hurried over.

  Upon entering the main hall, apart from Emperor Chongzhen, there was also Wen Tiren, the Minister of Rites. This was somewhat unexpected - did this matter still have something to do with the Ministry of Rites? Wang Chengen was automatically ignored by him. Then he saw a young man wearing a foreigner's clothes sitting there, which was even more unexpected. Who was this person and how could they have such an honor in front of the Emperor?

  He was given a seat after making his bow to Emperor Chongzhen and sat on one side of Zhong Xiang, at the front.

  Chongzhen Emperor and Sun Chengzong sat down after a while, then the emperor smiled and said to him: "Master Sun, do you know who is sitting behind you?"

  Sun Chengzong turned his head again to confirm that it was indeed Zhong Jinwei with a smile, but still didn't recognize him. He shook his head and replied, "I don't know."

  "He's related to you, isn't he?" The Chongzhen Emperor didn't manage to trick Zhong Jinwei, but now he's taking it out on Old Sun, looks like he's in a good mood.

  Sun Chengzong didn't even look at him this time, and directly said: "Your Majesty, this person seems to be a monk who has just returned to secular life and joined the Eastern Depot. I don't know this person."

  If it were Wēn Tǐrén, he would definitely not say it so directly. Old Sun is just too straightforward!

  Sun Chengzong did not guess, and Emperor Chongzhen's purpose was achieved. He chuckled and said, "He is the one who saved my life before, Master Sun must have heard of him, he is also the one who recommended Master Sun to me."

  The lifesaver, rumored to be a god among the people, Sun Chengzong had heard something about it, but didn't expect it to be the person in front of him. Moreover, he didn't expect that it was he who recommended himself, giving himself another chance to come out again. Staying at home to raise children and enjoy old age is not his true intention.

  Zhong Zhengjun had been sizing him up since Sun Chengzong walked in, a thin, white-bearded old man with a lot of spirit, wearing a large red robe, looking quite dignified, speaking loudly, full of energy, walking slightly knock-kneed but very stable.

  Listening to Sun Chengzong talk about himself, I couldn't help but touch my own hair. In my previous life, I had a flat head, and now that several months have passed without getting a haircut, it has grown quite a bit. But compared to people in ancient times, the difference is still huge, no wonder I was misunderstood.

  "There are two strategies proposed by Mr. Zhong, one is about punctuation marks, which has little to do with Master Sun, and I have already asked Wen Qing to handle this matter; the reason for summoning Master Sun this time is for the second strategy, military reform." The Chongzhen Emperor continued.

  This person is so young, what kind of innovative military strategy can he offer? Sun Chongzong was somewhat skeptical.

  Chongzhen Emperor looked at Sun Chenzong's expression and knew that he didn't quite believe that Zhong Xiang could come up with any good ideas.

  "Master Sun, don't underestimate Mr. Zhong, first take a look at what he actually said." The Chongzhen Emperor said and let Wen Tianren hand the memorial to Sun Chengzong.

  Sun Chenzong basically had the same reaction as Wen Tianren before, and also saw the problems that Wen Tianren saw. Moreover, he went further and pointed out some additional issues beyond what Wen Tianren had previously mentioned. He memorialized to Emperor Chongzhen: "Your Majesty, I would like to add one more point: after the military supply officer is made independent, how will they be promoted, and by what means? Furthermore, in an army with two commanders, how will orders be issued to the entire army?"

  Chongzhen Emperor nodded, indeed a veteran of many battles, able to see further.

  Now that opinions have been put forward, how to solve them depends on the person who proposed the idea.

  Just now when I heard the opinions, Zhong Jinwei referred to the future and had an idea. Seeing everyone looking at him, he didn't panic and said: "The opinions just mentioned are what I didn't make clear before, let me supplement them."

  These were difficult problems, and the people present didn't have a good solution for the time being. At this point, Zhong Jinwei said that he had not made it clear before, but there was a method, and everyone's attention was focused on him, wanting to hear what he had to say.

  Been busy with things since early morning, no time to go online and update. Sorry for the delay today!