plumnovel Chapter 80: Then there's no need to worry.
Chapter 80: Then there's no need to worry.
Liu Shan had already set the tone for this election, and the three of them began to secretly consider the suitable candidates they had.
There are quite a few people who can meet the first few conditions, but the last one narrows the scope considerably.
Qiao Zhou and Li Yan were not very familiar with the graduation theses of the first batch of martial arts graduates, and they were unsure whether any of their own people were among them.
"Your Majesty, I have a question."
To be on the safe side, Qiao Zhou wanted to relax the selection criteria a bit.
"If we are only bound by the form of the article, we will hardly be able to convince the public."
"What insightful opinion does Doctor Qiao have?"
"I believe that the people of the South are fierce and untamed. Most of the graduates of the martial arts training program do not have the ability to train soldiers. It is unfair for them to win based solely on their literary skills. There is much dissatisfaction in the court."
"Physician Qiao's reminder is excellent. The Wudang Flying Army is newly established, and the most important thing is training and military discipline. An army without discipline is like a disorganized rabble and can hardly become a weapon of the nation. Therefore, any general with the ability to train troops can also join."
At this moment, Zhuge Liang slowly spoke, saying, "Your Majesty's method is excellent. The court openly seeks out talented individuals and selects the best for employment. This can avoid unnecessary disputes and also help the country acquire talented people."
Qiao Zhou and Li Yan both found it strange.
Liao Hua was the candidate chosen by the Jingzhou faction, but Zhuge Liang never recommended him to Liu Shan, not even saying a good word about him.
Is he plotting something again?
"Now that the selection has been decided, I will personally issue an edict at tomorrow's court assembly, and all those who meet the requirements may participate."
Liu Shan paused for a moment, then added, "Furthermore, the academies in each prefecture and county should be established as soon as possible after the spring of next year, so that the court can select talents from across the country."
The three men cupped their hands and said, "As you command!"
After finishing his business, Liu Shan hurriedly went to the inner palace.
Zhang had been eagerly waiting outside the threshold for some time.
"Your Majesty, has the selection of the person been decided?"
Liu Shan did not answer, but instead asked with a smile, "In Yun'er's opinion, who should I choose?"
Lady Zhang rolled her eyes at Liu Shan and complained, "Your Majesty is asking a question you already know the answer to. The empress and concubines are not allowed to interfere in politics; this is an ancestral precept."
"This is just casual conversation between you and me, it doesn't violate any ancestral teachings."
Lady Zhang thought for a moment and said, "I dare not speak for others, but the person recommended by Prime Minister Zhuge must be a capable person. Your Majesty should choose the person recommended by Prime Minister Zhuge."
Liu Shan shook his head slightly, smiling without saying a word.
Zhang didn't seem too surprised by this, and after thinking for a moment, said, "Could it be that His Majesty already has a suitable candidate in mind?"
Liu Shan led Zhang Shi back home by the hand.
"This army was formed by local ethnic minorities in Nanzhong. In the end, they were all locals of Yizhou. In order to avoid them from becoming too powerful, the commander of the army could not be a member of a prominent family in Yizhou."
Born into a military family, Zhang knew all too well how formidable the coordination and combat power of his personal guards were on the battlefield.
In chaotic times, whoever has a large army can become a powerful warlord who controls a region.
Not to mention that these are five thousand elite troops.
"The Prime Minister's original intention in forming this army was to relocate these savage people away from their homeland and eliminate the potential for unrest in the south. Therefore, not only could the local powerful clans not lead it, but the aristocratic families closely associated with them could not serve as leaders either."
Zhang opened her small mouth in surprise.
Therefore, it is highly unlikely that the person in charge of the troops was from a prominent family in Yizhou.
"Since the powerful families of Yizhou cannot lead, it is likely that other powerful families are also incapable. Therefore, Your Majesty will have no choice but to select from among the commoners."
Liu Shan gently scratched Zhang's nose with his hand.
"So clever."
Lady Zhang slightly flinched, feigning reluctance as she said, "Since Prime Minister Zhuge is aware of the advantages and disadvantages, why does the person he recommends not suit His Majesty's taste?"
"It's not that it doesn't suit my taste, but that the Prime Minister did it intentionally. Military power has always been something that many parties are vying for. If the Prime Minister himself recommends someone, he will definitely be ostracized and suppressed by others."
"Think about it, if you can't have something, shouldn't the other person also be unable to have it? That's balance."
Zhang nodded thoughtfully.
"Those from humble backgrounds have no foundation in the court. Even if they rely on powerful figures, they can only be pawns in the end. If His Majesty appoints these people, all factions will just think that as long as they are not his opponents, it's fine."
This time, Liu Shan gently tapped Zhang's little head with his finger, his eyes full of affection.
"Your Majesty, the Imperial Palace has prepared hot water for you to bathe in and soothe your travel-worn state."
Zhang lowered her head slightly, and Liu Shan could vaguely see two faint blushes rising on her cheeks.
"good!"
Liu Shan gently embraced Zhang's slender waist and was about to walk into the inner hall when a servant announced their arrival from outside.
"Your Majesty, the Grand Minister of Agriculture Meng Guang, the Supervisor of Agriculture Yang Min, and the Supervisor of Agriculture Lü Yi have matters to discuss with Your Majesty."
Upon hearing this, the two turned around, a fleeting look of disappointment crossing their faces.
A moment later, Lady Zhang gently straightened Liu Shan's collar and said softly, "Your Majesty, state affairs are of utmost importance, please go."
Liu Shan gave a knowing smile, then quickly left, leaving Zhang Shi standing there with her lips pursed.
After returning home, Li Yan sat in his study, rubbing his eyes.
The door was gently pushed open, and a man who looked very much like Li Yan, but was much younger, walked in.
"Father, you're back!"
Li Yan didn't open his eyes, but simply gave a soft "hmm," and the young man stood straight beside him.
After a while, Li Yan regained some of his energy and slowly opened his eyes.
This attempt to enter the palace to meet the emperor resulted in a heavy loss.
Not only did Liu Shan discover that his subordinates were embezzling, but his own garrison was also investigated by officials sent by the court. Moreover, the military power he sought for his son was nowhere to be found.
"Feng'er, I remember your graduation thesis at the Imperial Academy was about military training and command?"
Li Feng was taken aback, then the corners of his mouth turned up slightly.
"Father, the article I wrote is titled 'Ten Essentials of Military Training'..."
Just as Li Feng was proudly introducing his thesis, Li Yan interrupted him impatiently, saying, "If it's about military training, that's enough."
Disappointed at being interrupted, Li Feng suppressed his excitement and remained standing still like a wooden stake.
"I just met with His Majesty. He said that the court will openly seek talented people for military command, with both 'written tests' and 'interviews.' The most capable will be appointed. Are you aware of this?"
Li Feng nodded and said, "I learned about it at the academy. The so-called 'written test' is just an exam, roughly the same as the exams at the academy. The 'interview' is a face-to-face meeting with the examiner, where abilities are assessed through conversation and observation."
Li Yan sneered, clearly showing some disdain.
"You're always going on about these convoluted things. Since you already know that, you must be confident, right?"
Li Feng nodded firmly.
As for the written test, he had been well-versed in military strategy since childhood, so the test questions were naturally no challenge for him.
As for the interview, Li Feng had been by Li Yan's side since childhood and was used to big occasions, so it was naturally no problem for him.
Li Yan looked up at Li Feng, his expression slightly relaxed.
"You're lucky to have met all the requirements for this election. You must secure this military power and not embarrass your father."
"By the way, whose graduation thesis in the academy is a practice test? Think about it carefully, perhaps one of them will be your rival."
Following this suggestion, Li Feng thought for a moment and said, "Father, as far as I know, there aren't many people who wrote graduation theses about military training, but one person's thesis received an A grade from the chief examiner."
Li Yan raised an eyebrow and whispered, "Who is in the Class A category?"
"Wang Ping, the elite guard in the advanced class!"
Tooth Gate General?
Logically speaking, there are generals of this rank everywhere in Chengdu, so Li Yan might not remember them.
But he had heard of the name Wang Ping before.
Isn't that Wang Ping, the Wei general who surrendered and could barely read ten characters?
If it's him, then there's no need to worry.