With such a tragedy happening before them, how could they dare to get angry? They really thought the imperial court’s sword was not sharp.

In this chaotic world, order is just empty talk. The imperial court can of course act as brutally as it wants. The Han Dynasty relocated the powerful and reaped their wealth without asking for their consent.

The same principle applies now. Under such circumstances, the children of aristocratic families can only behave themselves, and even the joy of passing the imperial examination has been diluted a lot.

Among last year’s Jinshi, those from aristocratic families are still editing books in the Jixian Hall, while many Jinshi who participated in government affairs have stood out.

In addition to the Jinshi, there were also many Juren and Xiucai who had outstanding political achievements and were promoted and rewarded.

Of course, there are also things like “Yang Xian governing Yang” involved, but that’s no problem. The Bad Guys will find out once they investigate. The Jinyiwei spies are far inferior to the Bad Guys.

If there were any such examples, the person would be skinned and stuffed with straw, and would be banned from taking the imperial examinations within five generations.

If you have the ability, try it.

It’s bullshit that you can’t kill the scholars and officials, you are the ones who will be killed. You can’t be killed even if you have committed a crime, and you can’t be given special leniency, at least that’s the case now.

Su Ming would not spoil them into bad habits. No matter what happens in the future, he will first list a few examples. In the future, he will make a set of “Ancestral Instructions of the Tang Dynasty” no matter what.

As for “fine traditions” like the “Xuanwu Gate Inheritance Law”, forget it, they are not good habits.

The emergence of new Jinshi added more joy to the already festive first month of the year, and the military examination also came to an end, with many talents emerging. Although they looked ordinary, they had extraordinary physiques and talents and were all the makings of powerful generals.

The civil and military scholars were named together and paraded through the streets. This scene made many warriors envious. Soldiers like them had never experienced such a scene except when they won a battle.

More importantly, they are on the same level as civil servants. If nothing else, this alone is enough to make them excited.

In this era, military men are certainly prominent, but sometimes they also envy the civil officials who can guide the country and plan strategies.

The equality of civil and military power is a hard line drawn by Su Ming. With this benchmark, the civil and military power of the court will not be too unbalanced in the future. At the very least, even if the Battle of Tumu Fort occurs, the court will have successors.

The imperial examination came to an end here. Su Ming did not arrange for the new successful candidates to become officials. Instead, he sent them to the county government to observe government affairs and learn how to govern an area.

In the future, these people will be transferred to prefectures and counties to serve as officials and govern a region, while those who have outstanding political achievements among the previous Jinshi will be promoted as an exception and transferred to Bashu to strengthen their influence and control over the local area.

At the very least, with these experiences, they won’t be completely in the dark about grassroots affairs when they get out there and be easily fooled.

……

At the border of Youzhou, in the camp, the envoys sent by the imperial court to the border of Youzhou also had a formal meeting with the Khitans. The two sides slowly negotiated the taxation of mutual trade, and argued fiercely.

Zhang Zifan also handed over his position smoothly, and then rushed to Luoyang without stopping.

At the same time, inside the bedroom of the Mobei royal court, Queen Shulido of Yingtian looked at the letter in her hand, her beautiful face full of complex expressions.

Chapter 279: Li Duo’s Thoughts

This was a letter written to her by Su Ming, who was far away in Luoyang. It was not written to Yelu Abaoji, but specifically to her. However, the content of the letter made Shulido feel mixed emotions.

In the letter, Su Ming invited Yelu Honggu to visit the Central Plains. His intention to win him over was self-evident. Now in the Khitan royal family, the next heir is Yelu Bei, followed by Yelu Deguang. One of them is the eldest son, and the other holds military power and is very powerful. The youngest, Yelu Honggu, is not good enough.

He lacked talent, could not convince the people, and had little power, so there was no possibility for him to become the Khitan emperor. If he became the Khitan emperor, it would not be a good thing for the Khitan.

But for the Central Plains, it is a great thing. If a soldier is incompetent, the generals will be incompetent. The ability of an emperor will greatly affect the future of the country.

“The emperor of the Central Plains is indeed a man of deep thoughts. He actually noticed Honggu.” Shulü Ping walked to the candlestick and lit the letter. She watched it turn completely into ashes before she muttered to herself.

Even Yelu Abaoji didn’t see what she was thinking. He thought he was just doting on Yelu Honggu too much, but the emperor far away in the Central Plains actually saw through her ambitions and thoughts.

For a moment, she inexplicably developed a fear of him, but then she thought that the current Emperor of Central Plains should be about to fight with Li Siyuan, and the court’s current strength might not be enough. She should wait until he gets past Li Siyuan before negotiating terms with her.

If he knew the situation well, he could help this good son-in-law.

After thinking about it, Shulü Ping immediately sent someone to call Yelu Honggu to the palace.

“Mother is fine.”

Yelu Honggu is a fair-skinned boy. Although he is less than eighteen years old, he is strong and sturdy, with a straight nose and cold eyes, which makes him look fierce.

“Honggu, are you out hunting again today?” Seeing her young son’s heroic face, a hint of doting flashed in Shulido’s eyes.

“Mother, we have hunted a lot of Jurchen savages these days. These guys hid in the woods and attacked the tribal herdsmen. It’s a good opportunity for me to teach them a lesson.” Yelu Honggu had a smile on his face, as if he was showing off to the adults after doing something he had done.

“The Jurchen barbarians are nothing to worry about. You are already so old, it’s time to go out and gain some experience.” After saying that, she walked up to Yelu Honggu and touched his head. “Where do you want to go?”

Yelu Honggu did not dodge, feeling the warmth of his mother’s hand, and said with a smile, “Mother, I heard that there are many rare items in the Central Plains. I want to go to the Central Plains to take a look.”

“If my sister marries over there, she will be all alone and have no one to talk to. If the emperor of Central Plains dares to bully her, I will whip him with a horsewhip.” As he said this, he made a whipping gesture.

“Look at what you can do. He is the emperor of Central Plains, a person of the same status as your father. How can you whip him just because you say so? Don’t let your father hear this, otherwise he will scold you again.” Although Shulido blamed, her tone was still gentle.

“Since you want to go to the Central Plains, then mother will arrange for you to go there as an envoy next year. Help us comfort your sister and meet the Emperor of the Central Plains.”

“The emperor of the Central Plains is only a few years older than you, but he is already the emperor. This time you go there, learn from him and see that your elder and second brothers are already capable of standing on their own when they were your age. Hong Gu, you can’t play around anymore.”

There is one species that everyone in the world hates, and that is other people’s children.

Especially since Yelu Honggu is only in his teens, at the rebellious age of adolescence, he immediately showed an impatient look when he heard Shuliduo mention his elder and second brothers.

“Okay, I get it. I won’t let you down. Just wait and see.”

“Well, don’t go hunting this year. Train with your father’s men. Grassland men should hunt the best prey. A few Jurchen savages are nothing. There are more fertile grasslands and territories in the west, as well as countless cattle and sheep.”

“As long as we take that place, we Khitan will be truly invincible in the world.” Now Khitan only occupies most of the grassland, while the Western Regions and Qinghai Lake in the west are still under the control of Zubu. Although their power is not as strong as Khitan, they should not be underestimated.

Yelu Abaoji suffered heavy losses and failed several times in the Central Plains, and now he is even more cautious. The strategic focus of the Khitan has long been shifted to the grassland, and the annexation of the Eastern Dan Kingdom is the best evidence and result.

At this time, Yelu Honggu was young and energetic, and was immediately inspired by Shuliduo to have the idea of ​​​​not admitting defeat. If the eldest brother and the second brother can do it, then I can do it too.

Seeing his high morale, Shuliduo showed a gratified smile on her face.

Compared with Yelu Bei and Yelu Deguang, Yelu Honggu suffered from the disadvantage that he was too young and lacked experience and ability.

Historically, Yelu Abaoji had died suddenly. In order to give her youngest son a chance to take the throne, Shuliduo had to support Yelu Deguang, whom she did not like, to take the throne.

Instead, the successor designated by Yelü Abaoji was forced out of Khitan and exiled to the Central Plains by her.

After finally waiting for Yelu Deguang to die, the Khitan ministers jointly recommended Yelu Bei’s son to the throne. Yelu Honggu became a complete tragedy. After a final struggle, he was defeated and even Shuliduo’s old face was rubbed on the ground.

Now, history has taken a turn. Yelu Abaoji is not dead. As long as Yelu Honggu grows up, he may have a chance. This opportunity lies in the war between Khitan and Central Plains.

Thinking of this, Shuliduo pursed her red lips and thought of the letter Su Ming sent her.

……

Luoyang, the imperial city.

After the imperial examination, the only thing left for the court to do was to sweep the Central Plains.

War not only tests the capabilities of the army, but also tests the mobilization capabilities and logistics system of the court. Now it is just a small fight. When the real war breaks out and lasts for many years, that will be the real challenge.

So, for Su Ming, training soldiers is one aspect, and establishing a logistics system is another aspect.

Times have changed. Not every general is like Huo Qubing, who can conquer and eat wherever he wants. Looking back at the history of China a few years ago, there were not many generals who could achieve the goal of conquering the Wolf and the Dead.

If an ordinary general left Yanmen Pass, he would probably not be able to find even the shadow of the grassland people, let alone their army. Li Guang got lost every time he went out of the pass, and even with Zhang Qian he could not find the enemy.

When fighting against grassland forces, the most difficult thing is not a head-on fight but finding their army. The grassland cavalry comes like the wind and can travel a hundred miles a day, but the vast grassland is endless and it is difficult to even distinguish the direction, let alone find these people.

So, there is only one Huo Qubing.

Just as the court’s logistics system was established, it was discovered that some officials were reselling military supplies and passing off inferior goods as good ones.

Chapter 280 The teacher returns to the court

Naturally, Su Ming would not turn a blind eye to something like this.

In the Qianqiu Palace, Su Ming stood with his hands behind his back, staring coldly at the important officials present, “Investigate, investigate thoroughly, reselling military supplies, passing inferior goods off as good ones, you are tired of living, right?”

“If I find these people, I will exterminate their entire clans, draw their bodies into pieces, and hang their heads on the city wall for passersby to see. The army is the foundation of the court. If you dare to take advantage of the military funds, you are digging up the roots of the court.”

This time, Su Ming was rarely angry. No matter in which dynasty, corrupt officials were hateful.

Fortunately, he discovered it early this time. If he had to wait until he fought a big battle with the Khitan and there were problems with military supplies in the rear, he would be out of reach and unable to take care of it. By then, the morale of the soldiers would have been damaged, which would most likely affect the situation of the war.

Moreover, Li Cunxu’s harsh treatment of soldiers caused many mutinies, which gave the Bad People an opportunity to take advantage. If you are interested, you can check it out.

The soldiers of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms were not easy to serve. They were not like the later Song Dynasty and Ming Dynasty, who withheld military pay, exploited the soldiers and ate the soldiers’ salaries without doing anything. In that era, the soldiers would cause trouble if their emotions were provoked at the slightest dissatisfaction.

Similarly, these soldiers are very good at fighting as long as their needs are met.

“Your Majesty, please calm down. The Dali Temple has already sent people to investigate. The incident has already happened, and the court will do its best to make amends.” The empress stood up to explain and expressed her position.

“Your Majesty, please calm down. I will definitely investigate this matter to the end. As for the military logistics, it would be best if the court issued a charter and laid out the rules in advance to prevent future generations from making the same mistake again.”

Su Ming stepped down from the throne and came in front of the ministers. “Li Cunxu’s previous experience is a lesson for you. I hope you will take this matter to heart. From now on, the military logistics will be managed by a separate department from the Ministry of Revenue, with dedicated personnel to coordinate with the Privy Council.”

Is this about dividing the power of the Ministry of Households?

This thought suddenly arose in everyone’s mind.

The six ministries seem to cover everything, but sometimes their powers are unclear and they are often understaffed. However, if separate departments are set up, they will be idle for a long time, but these departments are very deadly and have a lot to do with each other.

“You all go down.”

“Wei Chen resigns!”

After the ministers left, Su Ming’s expression relaxed. He had been on the throne for so long, but he had always been lukewarm. Although he had made big moves, he looked kind and rarely got angry. The court officials could not figure out his temper.

Su Ming’s anger this time was intentional. In fact, he was not surprised at all by the corruption of officials, but he could not tolerate it when these people affected the army.

He had to let all the civil and military officials in the court know where his bottom line was and draw an invisible line for them.

With the assistance of the Bad People, the Dali Temple quickly found out the whole story. The cause of the incident was that the generals in the imperial guards colluded with logistics officials to resell military supplies, which caused dissatisfaction among the grassroots soldiers.

Three days later, these people were taken to the vegetable market and torn into pieces. Their families were also sent to the execution ground, without a single one spared.

After this incident, everyone in the court understood one thing: the army was the emperor’s taboo and no one could fall behind.

……

A month later, the imperial guards returned to the capital.

After more than two months of fighting, the areas surrounding the Heluo Plain were completely connected, and the forces in various parts of the old Liang were also frightened and dared not have any more small ideas.

Taking advantage of the residual power of the war, Su Ming sent out officials who had been trained in the imperial examinations to completely control Bianzhou. Bianliang was the top priority. This water transport node was too important. Once this place was threatened, there would soon be shortages of supplies in various parts of the north.

The refugees that Meng Po had collected that year were also brought back to Luoyang. Su Ming originally set the number at 5,000, but later Yuan Tiangang thought the number was too small and directly expanded it to 20,000.

Yuan Tiangang did not hold back and told him everything about this force.

These refugees were relatively young, and had recovered somewhat after being trained by the bad guys, but they were still not qualified to be part of the imperial guards.

Su Ming simply threw these people into the newly established military academy, together with the Juren and Jinshi who passed the military examination.

It is impossible for all these 20,000 people to stay, and a group of them will definitely be eliminated later. However, that is a matter for the future. The court is not short of money now, and he is too lazy to be stingy.

“Li Wentong, Shi Jingtang, Guo Wei, Liu Zhiyuan, Huangfu Yu, An Shenqi, Fu Yanchao, Fu Yanrao, Fu Yanqing, Fu Yanlun…”