Daming: At the start of the showdown, Lao Zhu was stunned

Chapter 938: The Grandson's Military Supervisor
Zhu Biao was persuaded. He had already tasted the sweetness of the power of newspaper public opinion. If he could use the military supervisor to control the public opinion in the army, so as to make the soldiers in the army aware and forge the military spirit, it would be a good way for him to solve the worries of the Ming Dynasty in the future.

But after thinking about it, Zhu Biao was in a dilemma again: "But storytelling and singing opera are low-class occupations. Most of the military supervisors in my Ming army are scholars. How can anyone be willing to do this? Why is this so?"

Zhu Su waved his hand and said domineeringly: "How difficult is this? The capable ones will be promoted, and the mediocre ones will be demoted. Those who can't do anything will be dismissed. I just told my brother that there should be no distinction between civil and military officials in the army, and the position of military supervisor should not be regarded as a civilian position."

"In my opinion, the court should set up a new office in the Five Military Commandery to specifically manage the military supervisors."

"Haha, setting up a new office in the army will involve a lot of people. Without the achievements and prestige, it will be difficult to do it." Zhu Biao laughed. "But you are right."

"The capable will be promoted, and the mediocre will be demoted. This is not the time to be timid when it comes to matters of national importance."

Zhu Biao seemed to have considered the pros and cons, and his face became extremely firm. "If it is beneficial to the country, it doesn't matter if it is taking food from the tiger's mouth." His face was a bit domineering, similar to that of the old Zhu, and he said, "Just do as you say, fifth brother. I will report to the emperor and first add this new type of military supervisor to the army. If it is effective, then follow this example and promote it to the upper and lower guards."

"Since this is what my fifth brother is planning, do you have a suitable candidate?" Zhu Biao said.

"Yes." Zhu Su thought for a moment and said, "In my opinion, Fang Xiaoru and Xie Jin can take on this task."

"Fang Xiaoru had been in charge of the newspaper for a long time and was well versed in public opinion. Xie Jin was a man of broad knowledge and also dabbled in opera and vernacular novels."

"Besides, the two are also literati. Using them to replace the military supervisors will not easily attract the attention of the court officials. Moreover, they do not have their original positions. If a military supervisory office is added in the future, there is no need to worry about them having any connection with the civil officials."

Zhu Su said. The main reason why he made such a recommendation was that although Xie Jin and Fang Xiaoru were both highly talented, if they were allowed to participate in politics through the civil servant path, one of them would be inflexible and the other would be arrogant because of his talent, and they were really not suitable for handling government affairs.

Both of them were obsessed with being officials and wanted to make progress. They were also his students and were loyal to him. If he kept suppressing them and not letting them make progress, it would be too inhumane. But if he let them become officials, it would be inevitable that they would do bad things with good intentions, or simply cause some big trouble.

Zhu Su originally wanted to advise Zhu to send them to compile the "Hongwu Encyclopedia". However, Zhu's rule in the Ming Dynasty was deeply rooted, and there was no need or intention to compile a shocking book to consolidate the imperial power and win the hearts of scholars.

It would be better to let them concentrate on doing these jobs related to entertainment, politics and education. After all, through his own words and deeds, disciples like Fang Xiaoru and Xie Jin, who are close to him, have seen the power of public opinion on this opera and will not discriminate against these jobs. And if they can find a job in the new government, it can also comfort them for feeling that their talents are not being recognized.

Zhu Biao had also dealt with Fang Xiaoru and Xie Jin, and he had great confidence in the abilities of these two talented men. But after thinking carefully, he shook his head and said, "It's not appropriate. If we want to set up a new office in the Five Military Commandery to supervise the army, if there is no person of weight and experience in this office, I'm afraid that many generals and dukes in the Commandery will definitely reject it."

"Well... Jiao Fang and Jie can serve as military supervisors, but we should find a suitable candidate with a high enough position to be the chief officer of the military supervisory post."

"In the future, when the Five Military Governor's Office adds a military supervisor, we can use this person as the leader to gain a firm foothold..."

Zhu Su thought about it and realized that what Zhu Biao said was right. If Fang and Jie were allowed to join the Five Military Commandery to set up an office, I'm afraid that before the office is even opened, these two scholars will be directly squeezed out to death by a group of rough men. It's okay to let them do things, but it's better for them to have someone to take charge of them... So Zhu Su said, "Brother is really thoughtful."

"I wonder who you have in mind for the position of commander, big brother? He must have a high enough position and be able to be a good military supervisor... Such a person is not easy to find."

"I already have a candidate in mind..." Zhu Biao suddenly smiled, tilted his head back, and drank the glass of wine that he had held in his hand for a long time.

……

"Let our great grandson be the military supervisor?" Inside the Jinshen Hall, Old Zhu stared with wide eyes at the brothers Zhu Biao and Zhu Su standing below the stairs, his tone full of astonishment.

"No, it definitely won't work." Old Zhu said. "I think we can give the military supervision reform method you two proposed a try."

"But letting our eldest grandson be the military supervisor... this is really too risky."

"Our eldest grandson is only a few years old. Swords and guns are merciless on the battlefield...The eldest grandson is your son, and he will be the foundation of our Ming Dynasty in the future. Biao'er, how can you bear to let him go?" Old Zhu said to Zhu Biao.

"Father, if you want to reform the military system through military supervision, you must select someone who is qualified and loyal to the Ming Dynasty to take charge of this matter." Zhu Biao did not hesitate because of what Old Zhu said. On the contrary, his face was full of determination. He stepped forward and persuaded Old Zhu. "It's okay for my son to do this, but my son is still in charge of all matters in the cabinet."

"Xiong Ying is already sixteen years old, it is time for him to contribute to the Ming Dynasty."

"How can I, the heir of the Ming Dynasty, stay in the deep palace forever? The Ming Dynasty is now a military-based country. In the future, we will expand our territory. We need a powerful leader who has prestige in the army."

"My son is incompetent and has no talent for leading an army. He can only be the gatekeeper of the Ming Dynasty. But I have several brothers to help me. My second, third, fourth, and fifth brothers are all talented generals of the Ming Dynasty."

"But when it comes to a generation of heroes, if they have no military experience, how can they intimidate the generals?"

"When my father was over ten years old, he had already experienced all the sufferings in the world. Why can't Xiongying experience it... Could it be that my father hopes that the expansion of our Ming Dynasty will end in three generations?"

"There aren't many major wars in the Ming Dynasty right now. Being a military supervisor is the safest option, and it will help Xiong Ying win the hearts of the troops."

Old Zhu was silent. He now knew how big the world was, and the threats that the Ming Dynasty might face in the future. Naturally, he also hoped that the Ming Dynasty could conquer more territory while the government was clean and the army was strong in the early days. Zhu Xiongying had the heroic spirit of his grandfather, but if he continued to enjoy wealth and honor, who knew if he would become Zhongyong, who was "brilliant when young, but not necessarily good when grown up".

As an emperor, he naturally hoped that the Ming monarchs would be brave and powerful from generation to generation, and that Zhu Xiongying could become a heroic ruler like him and ensure the prosperity of the Ming Dynasty for three generations... But as a grandfather, he was unwilling to let his most beloved grandson take risks.

(End of this chapter)