I was compiling the daily records during the Wanli reign

The 17th day of the first lunar month, early morning.

Shen Nian and his party rode their horses along the official road to Xuanfu Town.

Xuanfu Town itself is not large, but the entire town of Xuanfu is quite large.

The town oversees nineteen military garrisons, including Xuanfu, Wanquan, Huailai, Weizhou, Bao'an, Huaian, and Yongning.

It controls an area spanning over a thousand li from east to west, with more than seventy passes and fortresses.

The government army was estimated at 150,000 men, while the total number of military households was about 600,000. However, due to desertion among military households, the number of military households was decreasing.

There are also civilian households, merchants, and migrants in the town, but their numbers are very small and can be almost ignored compared to the military households.

Currently, the highest military and political official in Xuanfu Town is Dong Daheng, the Right Vice Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate and Governor of Xuanfu and Datong.

Dong Daheng was to be appointed governor of both Xuanfu and Datong, focusing on supervision, provisions, and personnel, while also controlling the general.

The supreme military commander of Xuanfu, namely the Xuanfu General, was Ma Jin, from the Ma family, a family of military generals.

Ma Jin's father was Ma Lu, a military officer in Datong during the Jiajing era. His younger brother, Ma Gui, is well-known for his resistance against Japanese pirates and is currently the commander-in-chief of Ningxia.

Ma Jin's overall abilities are not as good as his younger brother Ma Gui's.

He served as the commander-in-chief of Xuanfu for only two years. His predecessor was Ma Fang, a famous general whose reputation resounded throughout the border and grasslands.

During the Jiajing and Longqing reigns, Ma Fang was known as Grand Tutor Ma by the Mongol tribes for his repeated victories and skill in defeating larger forces with smaller ones. Emperor Jiajing also praised him, saying, "No one is braver than Ma Fang."

Unfortunately, Ma Fang returned to his hometown due to illness in the seventh year of the Wanli reign and passed away at the age of sixty-four.

Shen Nian learned that Ma Jin's prestige in Xuanfu Town is not high at present, and the "Ma family-ization" is somewhat serious.

……

It's approaching noon.

Just as Shen Nian and his party were about to arrive at Xuanfu Town in about an hour, a guard in charge of the outpost rode up from the front.

Shen Nian and the others quickly pulled on the reins and stopped.

"Your Excellency, the officials of Xuanfu Town know that Your Excellency is about to arrive and have all gathered in front of Anding Gate to welcome you. I have informed them that Your Excellency does not like a grand welcome from the locals, but none of them want to leave. Governor Dong Dutang of Xuanfu and Datong wrote a letter to Your Excellency to explain!"

After saying this, the guard handed the letter to Shen Nian.

Shen Nian tore open the envelope, unfolded the letter, read it carefully, and couldn't help but smile. Then she said, "Let them welcome us if they want to!"

Zhang Jingxiu, who was standing to the side, was taken aback.

Shen Nian has always been a person who sticks to her principles, but I didn't expect her to compromise after reading a letter.

"Your Excellency, you have always disliked empty formalities and have even forbidden local officials from welcoming or seeing you off. How can we compromise? Perhaps I should go ahead and, on your orders, inform them!"

Zhang Jingxiu thought this was an attempt by the officials of Xuanfu Town to give Shen Nian a hard time.

They didn't follow Shen Nian's wishes, but rather the prevailing atmosphere in officialdom. The guards dared not speak out, but Zhang Jingxiu did.

Shen Nian smiled slightly and handed the letter to Zhang Jingxiu.

"Siwen, take a look at this letter first. Their reasons leave me no choice but to agree!"

Zhang Jingxiu began to read the letter carefully.

The governor of Xuanda, Dong Daheng, said that Shen Nian was appointed as the chief censor and inspected the border, which represented the Censorate. His welcoming of Shen Nian was not a formality, but rather a gesture of friendship between his own people. Moreover, Shen Nian's preparations were very simple. Therefore, it was normal for him to stand at the city gate to greet him, and it would not affect his normal official duties.

However, Ma Jin, the commander-in-chief of Xuanfu, argued with him that it was only normal for him to go to welcome Shen Nian, who was inspecting military affairs as the Minister of War, on behalf of the Zhenshuo General's Mansion (i.e., the commander-in-chief's mansion). He also said that his preparations were very simple and that he could directly bring Shen Nian to the Zhenshuo General's Mansion for the handover of official business.

Then, Shi Gong, the eunuch in charge of the Xuanda Shanxi garrison, and Liu Fengnian, the imperial inspector of Xuanda, who had specially come from Datong Town to represent the emperor on his inspection tour, said that Shen Nian was an imperial envoy representing the emperor and that they had to be the ones to welcome him. Their preparations were very simple, consisting of only the two of them.

As a result, none of the people could convince the others, so they all came to greet them, making the scene rather grand.

After reading it, Zhang Jingxiu pursed his lips and said, "Your Excellency, are these people at odds?"

Shen Nian smiled and nodded.

"Their main purpose in coming to greet me was not to flatter me, but to show me their discord and that none of them could do anything to the others. In this way, the court would have more confidence that they could do their jobs well!"

Zhang Jingxiu was taken aback at first, then he understood.

The four official positions of Governor of Xuanfu and Datong, Commander-in-Chief of Xuanfu, Censor-in-Chief of Xuanfu and Datong, and Eunuch in charge of the garrison in Xuanfu, Datong and Shanxi were actually mutually supervising and restraining.

The governor of Xuanda actually represented the Censorate, the commander-in-chief of Xuanfu represented Xuanfu, and the imperial inspector of Xuanda represented both the Censorate and the emperor, because he could speak directly to the emperor. As for the garrison eunuch, he was the emperor's eyes and ears.

If they got along harmoniously, it would make the court feel risky. Therefore, they used Shen Nian's promotion to show their discord.

What appears to be discord is actually a demonstration of their professionalism.

This is what the imperial court wants to see.

"There are so many intricacies involved here, I've learned a lot!" Zhang Jingxiu muttered to himself.

Immediately, the group rode their horses towards Xuanfu Town.

……

More than an hour later.

Shen Nian and his group arrived at the front of Xuanfu Town, at the East Gate, in front of the Anding Gate. (Xuanfu Town, as shown in the picture)
A host of officials, including the Governor of Xuanfu and Datong, Dong Daheng, the General of Xuanfu, Ma Jin, the Deputy General, Dong Yiyuan, the Eunuch in charge of the Xuanfu and Datong garrison in Shanxi, Shi Gong, and the Censor of Xuanfu and Datong, Liu Fengnian, greeted them outside the city gate.

Apart from meeting Liu Fengnian, the Imperial Inspector of Xuanda (both Imperial Inspectors held a one-year term), Shen Nian had never met anyone else.

However, they are easily distinguishable by their official robes.

"Greetings, Grand Secretary Shen!" The officials bowed and then reported their positions and names one by one.

Shen Nian smiled and nodded to each of them.

After exchanging pleasantries, just as the officials of Xuanfu Town felt it was time to welcome Shen Nian into the city, Shen Nian looked at everyone and said with a smile, "Gentlemen, since everyone is here, let's have a small meeting here."

The officials of Xuanfu Town were all taken aback.

They knew that Shen Nian was decisive and efficient, but they didn't expect to hold a meeting at the city gate in the howling wind.

This has a bit of a self-serving, fame-seeking mentality to it.

“Grand Secretary Shen, the first month of the lunar calendar is not yet over, the weather is cold and the wind is strong. We have already prepared the carriages. Why don’t we go to the Governor’s Office and wash up first, have a cup of hot tea, and then begin our meeting?” suggested Dong Daheng, the Governor of Xuanda.

Standing nearby, Ma Jin, the General of Xuanfu, added, "Lord Dong, Grand Secretary Shen is here to inspect military affairs in the northern border. Shouldn't he be attending the meeting at the Zhenshuo General's Mansion?"

Based on the rank Shen Nian held, he could reside either in the Zhenshuo General's Mansion or the Governor's Censorate.

Shen Nian waved his hand.

"Gentlemen, please don't argue! I'll finish this meeting in just a few words. This isn't about seeking fame or recognition; it's just that after I've finished, everyone can go about their business. I also want to wash up, have some soup noodles, and lie down for a while!"

Shen Nian was simply trying to save time, doing whatever was most convenient.

Immediately, Shen Nian straightened her chest and raised her voice.

"First, after entering Xuanfu Town, I will stay at the Zhenshuo General's Mansion, because the main purpose of this trip is to inspect military affairs."

"Secondly, there is no need for a banquet tonight, nor is a simple meal necessary. I will not eat with you, nor do you need to prepare any documents. I will not read them. After you all return, think carefully about what problems exist in Xuanfu that need to be solved. After sorting out the problems, polish them into the most concise draft in your mind. We will hold a meeting to discuss them in the front hall of the Zhenshuo General's Mansion early the day after tomorrow!"

"Finally, I want to tell everyone that I came to Xuanfu Town not to find fault, but to solve problems for Xuanfu Town on His Majesty's orders!"

These words immediately dispelled the anxiety in the hearts of the officials in Xuanfu Town.

They were afraid that Shen Nian would cause trouble.

Once the inspection is taken to a more serious level, problems will definitely be discovered.

As the Minister of War, Shen Nian had the power to decide their promotion or dismissal, so they had to be careful.

Shen Nian knew that some military officers in Xuanfu Town were abusing their power for personal gain, but such matters were under the jurisdiction of the governor and the imperial censor. Shen Nian did not need to nitpick over every little thing.

"General Ma, please have someone lead the way to our lodgings!"

"Your humble servant obeys!" Ma Jin said excitedly.

Then, Shen Nian cupped his hands towards the officials and said, "Gentlemen, see you the day after tomorrow morning!" The officials of Xuanfu hurriedly returned the cupped hands to Shen Nian.

A moment later, Shen Nian got into the carriage and headed towards the Zhenshuo General's Mansion.

As the Xuanda governor Dong Daheng watched the departing carriage, he murmured to himself, "No wonder he was able to enter the cabinet at the age of thirty-one. With just a few words, he made us all prepare according to his ideas!"

After Shen Nian arrived at her residence in the Zhenshuo General's Mansion.

He first washed up and ate a hot meal, then read the intelligence information gathered by his undercover agents in the room.

He doesn't read the official documents from Xuanfu because he can't see the problems or even the truth in them.

……

The next morning.

After having breakfast, Shen Nian took Zhang Jingxiu in a carriage and drove around Xuanfu Town.

Xuanfu was once the fiefdom of Prince Gu, a member of the Ming imperial family.

Although the Prince of Gu was later given a different fief, many traces of the Prince of Gu's residence can still be found in Xuanfu Town, such as Shanggu Academy and Guqian Road.

After passing through the offices of the Guerrilla General's Mansion, Xuanfu Right Guard, and Tuanying Guerrilla Office, the carriage arrived at the area where military households lived together.

Then Shen Nian and Zhang Jingxiu got off the carriage and strolled on the street.

Zhang Jingxiu followed behind Shen Nian and said, "Your Excellency, is our task today to investigate public opinion and privately inquire about the people's evaluation of the officials in Xuanfu Town?"

Shen Nian smiled helplessly, feeling that Zhang Juzheng did not seem to teach Zhang Jingxiu any skills of being an official at home, but only hoped that he would be an ordinary official.

"Don't be so tense! If you ask the common people about their opinion of officials, they will hardly be able to give you an answer, because they only deal with clerks and petty officials!"

"When we arrive in a new place, we don't need to ask around. We just need to quietly observe and feel the atmosphere. If the market is bustling, and most people on the street have smiles on their faces, and in the cheap restaurants and taverns, people are discussing trivial matters, then it proves that people are doing alright. If the market is deserted, and people are walking briskly, then there's probably something wrong with this place..."

"Don't think too much today. I brought you out here just to experience the local food and customs of Xuanfu Town, and then in the afternoon we'll go to the Guanyue Temple to pray for peace!"

“Okay!” Zhang Jingxiu said with a smile.

Shen Nian brought him not only experience as an official, but also an optimistic and positive spirit.

Zhang Jingxiu was well aware of the heavy burden on Shen Nian's shoulders and how many things he needed to handle and explain every day. But Shen Nian always managed to find joy in his busy schedule, making people feel that he was relaxed and at ease, and also making those who followed him feel relaxed and at ease.

This was completely different from the feeling his father, Zhang Juzheng, gave him.

While Shen Nian and Zhang Jingxiu strolled around Xuanfu Town, the officials of Xuanfu Town were racking their brains to think about the problem.

Most people prepare two sets of questions: one set of fake questions and one set of real questions.

If Shen Nian's meeting tomorrow is just a formality, then they will all politely raise a few harmless, superficial questions to get by without hurting feelings; if Shen Nian is very serious and can solve real problems, then they will raise real and difficult issues.

……

Early the next morning, at the Zhenshuo General's Mansion.

Pre-conference chamber.

All the chief officials of Xuanfu Town were present, numbering about thirty.

Shen Nian sat behind the main seat, looked at the Imperial Guards in front of the gate, and said loudly, "Close the gate! We're having a closed-door meeting today!"

The officials were aware of the closed-door meeting.

So-called closed-door meetings.

They simply don't take notes, don't report the meeting content and details, and end up only producing a simple official briefing.

These meetings encourage officials to speak freely, tell their true feelings, and resolve problems on the spot.

Shen Nian looked at everyone and said, "Gentlemen, the purpose of today's closed-door meeting is to allow everyone to speak frankly and collectively, without reservation. What I can resolve, we will resolve immediately; what I cannot resolve, I will report to the court and provide you with a result later!"

After saying that, Shen Nian looked at everyone.

The front hall immediately fell silent, and some military officers even lowered their heads, seemingly unwilling to be the first to take the lead.

Shen Nian looked down at Dong Daheng, the governor of Xuanda, and said directly, "Dong Dutang, why don't you set an example?"

Dong Daheng thought for a moment, then stood up.

"Your Excellency, let me go first!"

"Currently, the most serious problem facing Xuanfu Town, and even the entire nine towns of the Northern Border, is the desertion of military households!"

"In the past two years alone, Xuanfu Town has lost nearly 30,000 military households and soldiers, more than in previous years. The reason for this is that after the prosperity of commerce, many people prefer to engage in commerce rather than become military households. In addition, Jizhou and Liaodong have recruited a lot of soldiers, showing a strong tendency to replace the garrison military household system. I would like to know what the court plans to do. Will the military household system be abolished in the future and replaced entirely by a recruitment system? If the garrison military household system is retained, how can we prevent military households from deserting?"

After Dong Daheng finished speaking, many military officers raised their heads.

Everyone is very concerned about this issue.

Shen Nian thought for a moment and said, "I can give everyone a definite answer: the garrison system will not be replaced by the conscription system within the next five years. As for whether it will be replaced after ten years, that depends on how much military funding the court can provide!"

The advantage of the garrison military household system was that it combined farming and military service, allowing the army to be self-sufficient. In addition, the hereditary nature of military households ensured a stable source of soldiers.

However, its shortcomings are also obvious.

Because military households serve as soldiers for life, they gradually become military slaves, giving more than they receive, and coupled with their unwillingness to train, their combat effectiveness is extremely poor.

The advantages of the conscription system are its high degree of voluntariness, recruitment from farmers, refugees, and military households, high pay, organization by battalion, and the fact that soldiers and officers have subordinates, resulting in strong combat effectiveness.

The drawbacks are: the army's pay depends entirely on the imperial treasury, making it prone to privatization and carrying a relatively high risk of mutiny.

Based on the current rate of growth in the court's fiscal revenue, it is impossible to abolish the garrison system within five years, nor is it necessary to recruit too many soldiers or increase military expenditures excessively.

That's why Shen Nian said that.

Shen Nian continued, "To prevent military households from deserting, I believe the solution is not severe punishment or collective punishment, but rather to formulate a series of preferential policies for military households. For example, ensuring full pay, reducing miscellaneous duties, allowing each family to provide one soldier, permitting other male members to participate in the imperial examinations or engage in commerce, and allowing elderly soldiers to retire and move around normally..."

Upon hearing these words, the faces of many generals turned grim.

They also wanted to treat the military households well, but only if the households were already doing well enough. Since their lives were not good enough at the moment, they could only make the lower-ranking military households work like cattle and horses.

Treating military households well would harm their interests and even prevent them from fulfilling the tasks assigned to them by the imperial court.

At this moment, a principle that Shen Nian had always adhered to came to mind: it is better to make the officials suffer than the common people suffer.

Shen Nian continued, "I know that these methods are sacrificing the interests of you and many military officers, and the land survey and settlement in the past two years have already caused huge losses to some military officers. However, this is the trend. The court needs those who have achieved basic sustenance to help those who are still suffering from hunger and cold!"

"Hearing this, you might think that I'm about to make things difficult for officials again for the sake of the people!"

"It is not that I have a grudge against officials, but some officials exploit the people too severely. After returning to the capital, I will discuss with the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Works to formulate a strategy that will allow military households on the border, where there is no fighting, to participate in more profitable activities such as making agricultural tools and implements, in addition to farming. We will also encourage more merchants and scholars to settle down and work in peace on the border, increase the income of each town, and ensure that everyone can have enough to eat and eat well. In this way, military households will not have to leave their homes!"

"Of course, the court's strategies alone are not enough; everyone needs to actively promote and implement them!"

Shen Nian's words eased the furrowed brows of the many military officers.

In fact, the cabinet had long been studying the military household system and the conscription system.

If there are many wars, the preference will definitely be towards a conscription system, but currently it is clearly better to have both systems running in parallel.

"Furthermore, I need to remind some officials who are too selfish, accustomed to exploiting the people and seizing public property, that when the major reforms in the military arrive, these people will definitely not have a good end. I hope everyone will take heed if they are not selfish and correct their mistakes if they are!"

Upon hearing this, all the officials in the hall perked up.

If someone else had said this, people might not have believed it, but Shen Nian's words meant that a major reorganization in the military was bound to happen soon.

Because everyone knows that Shen Nian is the leader of the new government reforms after Zhang Juzheng.

Shen Nian said this to remind everyone to stop now, as wealth and status are still possible. If they continue to be too greedy, they will either end up in prison or, in severe cases, lose their reputation and their lives.

This reminder is invaluable.

“Next question!” Shen Nian said, looking down.

Shen Nian's answer to the first question showed her sincerity; now everyone should open up. (End of Chapter)