Chapter 1 Classifications

If one were to divide people into two categories, there would be many ways to do so: men and women, good people and bad people, or, more directly and superficially, handsome and ugly people...

But for those within the palace walls, their division of the world boils down to only one:

People inside the palace, people outside the palace.

Eunuchs and maids also have their own lives; it’s not as if they are always trembling with fear as outsiders imagine. But compared to those outside, they have an extra layer of caution in their hearts.

There are many rules in the palace. With so many rules, people easily become like caged quails.

Sometimes, speaking loudly or running around carelessly can be a sin.

But there are exceptions to everything. When the news of the great victory at Wangjiang reached the palace, the eunuchs and maids began to cheer and spread the exciting news.

They are essentially dogs raised by the royal family, but dogs know how to understand their master's thoughts, knowing when it is appropriate to act cute and make a fuss. At that time, the master will not find you noisy but will find you endearing.

In fact, the Crown Prince feels that he is the same as them, living here, seemingly with fine clothes and delicacies, but ultimately just a dog at his father's feet.

Everything depends on performance.

The Crown Prince headed straight for the imperial study with his entourage. Since the news had already reached the eunuchs and maids in the palace, it was clear that his father already knew.

He was not going to report the news or offer congratulations; rather, as the heir to the throne, he was rightfully there when such a big event occurred.

Being his father's Crown Prince is much easier than being the Crown Prince of most emperors in history.

Because his father often lacks the sentimentality of a father, which includes the "jealousy" and "precaution" that emperors usually have towards their heirs.

But his father is too majestic, so in front of him, the Crown Prince always feels a pressure like a mountain bearing down on him.

Even though he has already entered the Eastern Palace (Crown Prince's residence), he still feels like a firefly compared to the sun.

"Oh, Your Highness the Crown Prince, you've arrived."

"Eunuch Wei."

"His Majesty is discussing matters with several ministers. Please, Your Highness."

At this time, it was normal for the Crown Prince to enter. Wei Zhonghe could become the number one eunuch because he had this kind of insight. If he had to ask his master about everything, his master would inevitably find it annoying.

The Crown Prince entered the imperial study, and the ministers, led by Zhao Jiulang, saluted the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince stepped back half a step and returned the salute with a slight bow.

The Yan Emperor nodded and said, "Grant him a seat."

"Thank you, Father Emperor."

After everyone sat down again, Zhao Jiulang looked at the Crown Prince, then stood up and continued, "Your Majesty, now that we have won a great victory at Wangjiang, the war should be coming to an end soon."

At this time, Xu Guanghuai, the Minister of Revenue, asked, "What about the Chu people?"

Zhao Jiulang, hearing this, did not rush to answer but looked at Mao Mingcai, the new Minister of War, who was present.

Mao Mingcai spoke, "Elder Xu is unaware that at Wangjiang, the barbarians were on the outside, and the Chu army firmly defended Jade Plate City on the inside. It was because the two sides were still and mobile, forming a mutually supporting position, that they were able to resist the Tian Shi (Heavenly Teacher) of our Great Yan for so long.

"Now that the barbarians have been greatly defeated, the mutually supporting position at Wangjiang has clearly been broken. Even if the tens of thousands of Green Luan troops can continue to defend Jade Plate City, it will be difficult for them to cause any more trouble."

Xu Guanghuai immediately nodded and said, "I understand now. Thank you for the clarification."

Mao Mingcai immediately responded, "Elder Xu is too kind."

The atmosphere in the Yan court is still very good because the Emperor sets an example by not interfering with the front-line generals. Therefore, his ministers do not think of themselves as know-it-alls but understand the principle that each profession has its own expertise.

The Yan Emperor said, "Wu Jing's use of troops has always been characterized by stillness until action, and then a swift and decisive strike. Now that the main force of the barbarians has been defeated in the Battle of Wangjiang, the war in the Three Jin regions should be coming to an end soon."

As soon as he finished speaking, all the ministers and the Crown Prince stood up together.

"Your subjects (your son) congratulate Great Yan and congratulate Your Majesty (Father Emperor)!"

"Sit down, everyone. Now, it's about time to discuss how to properly handle the Three Jin regions next. Since it is territory that has been conquered, it must be held firmly in our own hands."

"Your Majesty, this old minister does not understand military affairs, but I still believe that after the war in the Jin region ends, we should allow the people to rest and recuperate."

The Minister of Revenue, who is in charge of the Great Yan's finances, naturally knows that after several major wars in recent years, the imperial treasury has become somewhat strained.

Not to mention fighting wars, even the dispatch of troops on a scale of ten thousand or more requires a considerable amount of money.

In recent years, the Great Yan has seen many troop movements involving a hundred thousand, two hundred thousand, or even three hundred thousand or more soldiers.

Even though the suppression of the aristocratic clans filled the treasury at once, the country's money cannot withstand such extravagance.

Those who manage finances have always disliked sitting idle and consuming resources, preferring a steady and continuous flow.

Although the Zhenbei (Pacifying the North) Marquis's mansion took the initiative to relinquish half of the Zhenbei Army's establishment, the imperial court also transferred the Imperial Guards there. At the same time, the amount of money and supplies that the Zhenbei Marquis's mansion needs to be provided with each year has not decreased at all.

The taxation and development of the Jin region are still in the planning stages. The Three Jin regions have experienced too much war in recent years. It is not realistic to expect them to provide enough supplies to support the country at this time.

Xu Guanghuai is, of course, aware that saying "rest and recuperate" to the current Emperor is definitely not a pleasing thing to do, but as the Minister of Revenue, this is what he must and should do.

The Yan Emperor did not show any anger about this but simply left Xu Guangcai hanging there, turned to look at Zhao Jiulang, who touched his nose and deliberately did not take up the Yan Emperor's meaning.

The Yan Emperor shook his head and looked at the Crown Prince, who was sitting there with his back straight, and said, "Crown Prince, what do you think about how to bring the Three Jin regions under control?"

This is not a test because, as the heir to the throne, you must have your own plans on this matter. Whether you are asked or not, you must have your own ideas.

The Crown Prince immediately stood up, pondered slightly, and said, "Father Emperor, the Three Jin regions have experienced many wars in recent years. This son believes that what Elder Xu said is indeed reasonable: we should allow the people to rest and recuperate."

The Yan Emperor patiently leaned back slightly in his chair, raised his hand, and said, "Be more specific."

"Yes, Father Emperor. Governing a region and shepherding its people, for the imperial court, there are only two words."

"Which two words?"

Xu Guanghuai began to play the straight man.

Since people have previously agreed with you, you must naturally reciprocate now.

The Yan court is certainly iron-blooded, and His Majesty is not the kind of person who does not punish the scholar-officials, but on the other hand, the kind of chaotic infighting in the Yan court is actually much smaller than in other countries.

For example, His Majesty does not care about Crown Prince factions at all and has even entrusted the Crown Prince to preside over this year's imperial examination.

Therefore, it is not a taboo for ministers to be closer to the Crown Prince.

"Only 'Wen' (Civil) and 'Wu' (Military)."

The Crown Prince then walked to the map of the Three Jin regions hanging on the west side of the imperial study.

These days, because there is a war going on there, the map of the Three Jin regions is hanging in the imperial study.

Although the Yan Emperor will not interfere with the Jingnan (Pacifying the South) Marquis on the front lines, as an emperor, it is impossible for him not to care about the front-line situation.

The Crown Prince pointed to the locations of Li Tian City and Qu He City.

"Father Emperor, in this son's opinion, the real hubs of the Three Jin regions lie in three cities and three passes.

"The three cities are Qu He City, Li Tian City, and Yingdu City. The three passes are Nanmen Pass (South Gate Pass), Zhennan Pass (Suppressing the South Pass), and Xuehai Pass (Snow Sea Pass)."

Nanmen Pass is where the Zhenbei Marquis and Jingnan Marquis led their troops into Jin in the past, and the Jin Emperor opened the city gates himself. Outside Nanmen Pass is a collection of small countries bordering the Qian, Chu, and Jin states.

Zhennan Pass was originally built by the Situ family, specifically to deal with the Chu state. It cannot be called a strategic pass, because the Situ family did not border the Chu state in the first place. However, as the Chu state continued to expand, it eventually bordered it. In recent years, small frictions and battles have frequently occurred on the border between the two sides, so this Zhennan Pass has been given a deeper meaning.

"The first thing I will talk about is these three passes. Father Emperor, there are many small countries outside Nanmen Pass. In the past, the Zhenbei Marquis and Jingnan Marquis led their troops through this place, but the Wenren family did not receive any news. This is enough to show how complex the situation is between these small countries.

"This place should be guarded by a general with meticulous thinking. First, to guard the southern gateway to the Jin region, and second, to use the strategy of dividing and disintegrating these small countries.

"With the example of the Yu clan in the past and the Prince Cheng after, our Great Yan is already very sincere to these nobles and relatives of the country. After several years of operation, we can achieve the effect of subduing others without fighting.

"Zhennan Pass should now be in the hands of the Chu people. This son suggests that when the war comes to an end, we should take the opportunity to take back Zhennan Pass without leaving any loose ends and appoint a stable and experienced general to guard it and beware of the Chu people.

"As for this Xuehai Pass, it is the most important of the three passes and is of great importance. The barbarians of the snowy plains must have suffered a great loss of vitality after this battle, but the snowy plains are bitterly cold and vast, and the barbarians will never give up their ambition to invade southward again.

"Therefore, at Xuehai Pass, we should appoint a brave and skilled general to guard it. The way our Great Yan has dealt with the barbarians over the years should be used as an example to weaken the barbarians."

Speaking to this point, the Crown Prince paused and continued, "With the three passes in hand, the gates to the Jin region will be in the hands of our Great Yan. Next, these three cities are the key to governing the Jin region.

"Qu He City, Li Tian City, and the subordinate prefectures and counties of these two cities should change their previous established systems and adopt the method of combining civil and military affairs."

Hearing this, many of the ministers present nodded slightly, obviously agreeing.

Previously, entrusting various places to military leaders to guard was a last resort. After all, for newly occupied territories, the main focus should be on maintaining stability, and there was also the need to worry about the remnants of the Helian and Wenren families making repeated attempts. Moreover, the military leaders stationed in the army concurrently managing local affairs can also alleviate the pressure on the imperial court to transport money and supplies.

But now that we intend to govern properly and incorporate the new Jin region into the territory of Great Yan, we naturally need to assign civil officials.

Some words are not so convenient for these ministers to say, because Yan is different from Qian. Civil officials do not have the upper hand over military generals.

Civil and military co-governance is equivalent to dividing the power of military generals. These words are most appropriate for the Crown Prince to say.

Immediately afterward, the Crown Prince turned to face the Yan Emperor again.

"Regarding this co-governance of civil and military affairs, this son has another idea. I would also like to ask Father Emperor to correct me."

"Speak."

"This son believes that if we want to achieve the governance of the Jin region as quickly as possible, the civil affairs aspect should be done with new methods.

"From the prefects down to the magistrates and registrars, each should be assigned two officials: one official from Yan, as the main official, and another official from Jin, as the assistant.

"Absorbing Jin people as officials and clerks can quickly stabilize the Jin region, and starting next year, the imperial examinations at all levels in the Jin region should be the same as in Great Yan.

"Next year's Spring Examination, Jin scholars can be recommended by local elders and officials, granted the same status as successful candidates, and participate in the Spring Examination. The list will be divided into two lists to ensure the number of Jin scholars recorded."

If General Zheng were in the imperial study at this time, he would probably be extremely shocked by the Crown Prince's policy and even couldn't help but applaud and praise him.

Because General Zheng is familiar with these measures, and in the history he is familiar with, they have been verified.

The former is the policy of the Manchus after entering the customs, and the latter is the northern and southern lists during the Ming Dynasty.

To put it bluntly, it is to distribute the cake and absorb the talents, clans, and aristocratic families of the Jin region into the Yan ruling system, giving these people channels for upward mobility.

As long as they are comfortable, then they will help you appease the vast majority of ordinary Jin people below, and then everyone will be comfortable.

There is another extremely critical reason why the Qin Dynasty perished in the second generation, that is, Qin's rule over the Six Kingdoms was still too superficial. A group of local officials were Qin people, and another Qin army was stationed nearby, which was considered to be occupied and ruled. In fact, the officials below were all remnants of the Six Kingdoms.

It's just that the Qin Dynasty was the first unified dynasty, and because of its shortcomings, later dynasties were able to learn from it and improve.

But it must be said that the Crown Prince's knowledge is really impressive;

The seed of the Ji family is truly excellent.

"At the same time, in terms of military generals, we should establish auxiliary troops in the Jin region. The auxiliary troops from the old Helian family territory can go to Xuehai Pass, and the troops under Prince Cheng's command can be transferred to Nanmen Pass. Even the Northern Feng Prefecture, if it can quickly restore the Three Jin knights..."

The Yan Emperor spoke at this time, "The matter of military generals will be discussed after the Jingnan Marquis's memorial arrives."

"Yes, Father Emperor, this son was presumptuous."

The Crown Prince bowed.

"No, what you said just now was very good." The Yan Emperor paused and continued, "But the matter of military affairs is very important and should be the mainstay."

If something goes wrong with the garrison, then everything that was done so beautifully before will be just a flower in the mirror or the moon in the water.

Most importantly, after a great battle, when it is time to divide the cake, the imperial court needs its own cake, and the generals who won the victory also need to fight for a share for their subordinates.

Even if the Jingnan Marquis himself does not want it, he also needs to fight for a promotion space for the various generals under his command.

If you chill the hearts of the literati, they will at most write some sour poems or notes to annoy you.

But for these soldiers who have risked their lives in battle, if they are not properly settled, there will really be big problems.

The Yan Emperor is a monarch with great ambitions. He naturally understands that if he wants the Yan soldiers to continue to maintain their enthusiasm for external expansion, he must let them truly enjoy the dividends of external expansion.

Most importantly, the Jingnan Army is already somewhat estranged from the imperial court. If there are any mistakes in the awards, then the problem will be really big.

In a word, the settlement of military generals must be based on Tian Wujing's requirements.

"Crown Prince, you should discuss the allocation of civil officials in Li Tian City and Qu He City with the Prime Minister and submit a joint memorial to Us after you have discussed it."

Zhao Jiulang immediately stood up and bowed in agreement with the Crown Prince.

Finally, the Yan Emperor waved his hand and said, "As for the Jingnan Marquis's mansion, move it to Yingdu on the right."

This is also the proper meaning. Of the Three Jin regions, only the area east of Wangjiang has not been pacified. The threat of the barbarians and the Chu people continues, and only with the Jingnan Marquis sitting in Yingdu can the imperial court truly feel at ease.

Most importantly, what if something goes wrong again someday? What if Tian Wujing is far away again, and what if sending someone to announce the decree does not work?

The imperial court has already lost face once, and there is no reason to dig a hole for itself again.

Now, the pattern of Great Yan is that the Zhenbei Marquis guards the west, and the Jingnan Marquis guards the east.

The barbarians have been peaceful in recent years, but no one dares to take it lightly. Once the barbarians are in chaos and really invade, the damage they will cause is definitely not comparable to that of the barbarians.

At this time, Zhao Jiulang stood up again and said, "Your Majesty, this subject believes that it is inappropriate for the Jingnan Marquis to move to Yingdu."

"Oh?"

The Yan Emperor was slightly surprised.

The other ministers, including the Crown Prince, all became solemn.

In fact, everyone knows in their hearts that this seems to be the Prime Minister refuting and questioning His Majesty's meaning, but in reality, it may be two people singing a duet.

Zhao Jiulang can be among the top officials in the court, on the one hand, because he does have the talent to govern the country, and on the other hand, he will do whatever His Majesty asks him to do.

But now that the national strength of Great Yan is increasing, no one will spread sour words saying that Zhao Jiulang is a paper Prime Minister.

Zhao Jiulang said, "Your Majesty, Yingdu is Prince Cheng's fiefdom. If the Jingnan Marquis enters Yingdu, it will violate the rules..."

The meaning is, does the Jingnan Marquis need to salute Prince Cheng Situ Yu in Yingdu?

Salute?

What a joke.

Everyone present understood in their hearts.

Whether the Jingnan Marquis would salute Situ Yu, in reality, it would be more like Situ Yu kneeling to the Jingnan Marquis. In fact, Situ Yu, as Prince Cheng, did kneel to the Jingnan Marquis.

But why bring it up specifically?

Xu Guanghuai turned his gaze to the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince hesitated slightly.

Xu Guanghuai's gaze did not move.

Zhao Jiulang also remained silent.

Only then did the Crown Prince stand up, take the initiative to kneel down, and said sincerely, "Father Emperor, this son is recommending without avoiding relatives, purely speaking with a fair heart;

"The Jingnan Marquis has repeatedly performed meritorious service for the country, destroying Jin and driving out the barbarians, opening up territory for Great Yan!

"The Zhenbei Marquis has guarded the Northern Feng Prefecture for generations, defending our Great Yan against the barbarians. His centuries of merit are as high as the sky!

"This son dares to ask, to bestow the title of Prince on the Zhenbei Marquis and the Jingnan Marquis!"

One is his future father-in-law, and the other is his own uncle. He is truly recommending without avoiding relatives.

The Yan Emperor silently surveyed everyone in the imperial study.

At that moment, all the ministers stood up and knelt down, saying in unison, "Your subjects dare to ask, to bestow the title of Prince on the Zhenbei Marquis and the Jingnan Marquis!"

——————

Thanks to taiwuwux, p_d, and reader 1138723893397028864 for becoming the 93rd, 94th, and 95th alliance leaders of *The Descent of Magic*!

There is currently a fan event for Si Niang where you can receive badges.

Thank you for your rewards, recommendations, and monthly votes. There will be another chapter tonight.