Water Margin: The opening scene involves assassinating Emperor Huizong of Song and forcibly taking L

"The position of marshal can only be held temporarily by the emperor, princes, or princes of the blood."

"And the Protectorate General's Office..."

"And then there's the matter of military rank and position..."

The eighteen students listened attentively.

Some people seemed very excited; although they had served in the military for many years, this was the first time they had learned about the entirety of the Ming Dynasty's military system.

Some people were slightly disappointed, and some even felt sleepy while listening.

They came to learn military strategy, but all they found were various institutions, official positions, and systems, which they couldn't possibly remember all at once.

This lesson lasted a full hour, and it became increasingly detailed towards the end.

Zhang Tang put down the chalk, clapped his hands, and said, "Today, His Majesty the Emperor is personally inspecting the military academy. We invite His Majesty to give a speech to the students!"

"Clap clap clap!"

The students perked up and immediately sat up straight, clapping their hands.

Zhao Yuan walked up to the podium and, without saying anything fancy, pointed to one of the students and asked, "What's your name? What was your previous position?"

The student immediately stood up: "Your Majesty, my name is Li Fu, I am from Hebei, and I used to be a cavalry captain in the Eight-Character Army."

"The official designation of the Eight-Character Army is the Seventh Division of the Ming Dynasty Field Army."

"In last year's great battle, I killed and captured twenty-three Jin soldiers and also captured a Jurchen general!"

Zhao Yuan praised, "Your military achievements are outstanding; no wonder you were selected to attend military academy. How did you learn to read?"

Li Fu replied, "My family used to be wealthy in Hebei, but when the Jurchen invaders came, our family was destroyed and we all died."

"I joined General Wang (Wang Yan) and went with him to kill the Jin bandits. At first, I wasn't good at fighting, so I could only serve as a recruit."

"Later, I pestered my fellow villagers to teach me how to ride a horse. I practiced hard every day and was selected when the Eight-Character Army formed its cavalry."

"What do you think is the use of learning all this today?" Zhao Yuan asked.

Chapter 3522 The Emperor's Examination

Li Fu's answer was very concise: "A high-level perspective."

Zhao Yuan praised, "That's a brilliant remark; you've grasped the essence of this lesson."

Zhang Xian suddenly interjected, "Your Majesty, could Captain Li be transferred to southern Sichuan after graduation?"

Zhao Yuan asked with a smile, "You've taken a liking to it?"

Zhang Xian said, "He has the talent of a great general. It's a pity he just enrolled this year and will have to wait two more years to graduate."

Zhao Yuan then asked Li Fu, "How old are you this year?"

Li Fu replied, "I joined the army at fifteen, and I'm twenty this year!"

Zhao Yuan was even more satisfied and then asked the other students one by one.

He soon discovered that these eighteen students had each killed or captured more than twenty enemies during the war to destroy the Jin dynasty last year.

Even though many of their victories were achieved in pursuit battles, they were still quite remarkable, with some even killing or capturing more than fifty enemies.

The students were very excited when they spoke with the emperor.

Moreover, the emperor did not test the students on today's lesson, which made them even more grateful—they couldn't remember so much!

Immediately afterwards, Zhao Yuan went to see his son.

Prince Zhao Kang of Yu was running with a heavy load, wearing armor and with sandbags tied to his legs. He was so tired that he was panting like a dog with his tongue hanging out.

Zhao Kang dared not stop, nor was he embarrassed to stop.

Because the instructor had already given him special treatment, he secretly reduced the weight of his sandbags and armor.

He knew about it, and at first he was a little unhappy, but soon he was extremely grateful to the instructor.

After finishing my run, I took a short rest.

These military academy students, who had never fought in a war, were so exhausted that they collapsed and didn't even have time to pay their respects to the emperor.

"Everyone stand up!"

Zhao Yuan said to the instructor, "After training, you must not sit down immediately, as this could lead to sudden death."

"Let them walk slowly and rest once their breathing has stabilized."

Then, he turned to Zhang Tang and said, "This should be written into the military training manual."

"Yes!" Zhang Tang and the instructor quickly replied.

...

After the ceremony of presenting the captives, two ministers retired and returned to their hometowns.

First, there was Cabinet Secretary Xiao Chu, who was plagued by illness last year and frequently took leave to rest.

First, there was Zhao Yu, the Minister of War. Although he was capable, he was able to become the founding minister largely because of his value in the united front.

He was a member of the Zhao Song imperial family and had also led troops in battle, maintaining good relationships with many military generals of the former Song dynasty.

Now that the Jin dynasty has been destroyed and they are old, this is a good opportunity for them to retire.

In the future, when history books discuss the merits of conquering a country, they can mention them a few times.

After three requests and three refusals, Zhao Yuan finally agreed to their retirement in early summer.

Xiao Chu was granted the title of Grand Tutor, and Zhao Yu was granted the title of Grand Protector; both returned to their hometowns with the status of one of the Three Dukes.

They received such courtesy because they were all working quietly behind the scenes.

Xiao Chu is usually very low-key and doesn't seem to have a strong presence.

But only cabinet members knew that this man wielded immense influence.

Even when the prime minister was unsure about something, he would first consult Xiao Chu before submitting a draft to the emperor.

Zhao Yu was practically invisible. Firstly, his status as a member of the Zhao Song imperial family was awkward, and secondly, Zhao Yuan had long held military and political power, all of which resulted in the Minister of War having no say.

However, Zhao Yu always did his job conscientiously, and his hard work was involved in every major battle.

"Why don't you stay in Luoyang and spend your remaining years in peace?" Zhao Yuan urged.

Xiao Chu shook his head: "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty."

"I was in good health two years ago, but last year I was plagued by illness and I don't know how much longer I can live."

"The saying goes, 'Fallen leaves return to their roots,' so it's best to die in one's hometown."

Chapter 3523 Live a Few More Years

Zhao Yuan sighed, "Alas, even with the capital being moved this year, you still refuse the mansion bestowed upon you, sir."

"Now that you are retiring and returning to your hometown, please feel free to make any requests you may have."

Xiao Chu said, "I have no wife or children, what would I do with this mansion?"

“After I returned to my hometown, I was taken care of by the younger members of my clan, and they also took care of my affairs after my death.”

"If Your Majesty truly wishes to bestow a reward, you may grant me two thousand strings of cash to build an academy in my hometown."

"I may live a few more years, and it would be good for me to serve as the headmaster of the academy and impart knowledge."

Zhao Yuan immediately agreed: "Then let's build an academy, and I will personally inscribe the plaque for the main gate."

"Old minister retire!"

Xiao Chu stood up and bowed, and the eunuch beside him quickly helped him up.

Zhao Yuan supported Xiao Chu's other arm and personally escorted him to the door, then helped him into the carriage.

Immediately afterwards, Zhao Yuan received Zhao Yu.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Zhao Yuan said, "Old sir, you've suffered these past few years. I've been holding onto military and political power all this time, and the Minister of War hasn't acted like a minister at all."

Zhao Yu cupped his hands and said, "I have no merit or virtue, and to be able to serve as the Minister of War of the Great Ming is already an extra favor from Your Majesty and the Emperor Emeritus."

Zhao Yuan said, "Sir, your home is in Kaifeng. With the relocation of the capital, many residences have become vacant."

"I will give you the best of the best pieces; please do not refuse."

Zhao Yu replied, "This old minister does not wish for a new residence; the former dynasty's residence is already large enough."

"This old minister dares to ask for a place for his grandson to study at the Imperial Academy."

"This matter is truly difficult to speak of. None of my unworthy descendants are suited for the imperial examinations."

"The fact that my two sons were able to become officials was entirely due to the favor of the previous dynasty, and they were able to continue their official positions when the new dynasty was first established."

"My grandsons can barely pass the imperial examinations and become scholars..."

"Granted." Zhao Yuan nodded in approval.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Zhao Yu quickly stood up and bowed.

There are quotas for Imperial Academy students to become Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) every year, but for someone like Zhao Yu's grandson, it would probably be very difficult to graduate.

However, as long as students reach a certain number of years and complete the required credits, they can also find other paths.

They were either sent out as minor officials or technical officials, or as high-ranking clerks.

Although his future prospects are limited, he should be able to reach the eighth or ninth rank without any problem.

With Xiao Chu and Zhao Yu retiring at the same time, Vice Chancellor Liu Jian became an eyesore.

Among the cabinet ministers, Liu Jian is the oldest, and he is already seventy-two years old this year.

But this guy is very healthy and rarely even catches a cold or fever.

He had no intention of retiring and remained in the cabinet, unwilling to leave.

Moreover, he is exceptionally honest and incorruptible. Following the last nationwide anti-corruption campaign, Liu Jian is now even more strict in disciplining his family.

They even drove away the gatekeeper's servant because the gatekeeper accepted gifts.

Whether at home or out, Liu Jian always dresses simply.

Although the emperor bestowed a residence upon him, he always lived in the official residence and did not even return to his private residence on holidays.

In the past two years, I have also started to focus on health, going to bed early and waking up early, and abstaining from alcohol.

Such conduct earned him a widespread reputation, making him a synonym for integrity and selflessness.

The message was crystal clear: he was only one step away from becoming prime minister; he could take over once he outlived Zhai Ruwen!

As for Liu Jian, he doesn't need any material things; being prime minister for a few days is enough.

Indeed, he was willing to give up even the power of the prime minister; all he valued was the position of prime minister.

At another grand court assembly, Zhao Yuan announced the changes in the cabinet ministers.

The cabinet list is as follows: Zhai Ruwen, Liu Jian, Zhao Quan, Zhang Shuye, Li Hanzhang, Qian Chen, and Zhang Tang.

Chapter 3524 Minister of War

The announcement of the new cabinet members was already known to the core power circle, while officials below the fourth rank were quite surprised.

Because Zhang Tang's position was awkward, he initially served as the third-in-command in the Privy Council, then was transferred to the Ministry of War as the second-in-command, and then concurrently served as the second-in-command in the Privy Council.

He seems to have little experience in governing a region, and has only led troops in battle twice. Now he also serves as the vice principal of the Luoyang Military Academy.

How did someone like that suddenly get into the cabinet?

But upon closer examination, it makes perfect sense.

He was a true meritorious official who helped the emperor rise to power. Zhang Tang had already been by the emperor's side when the emperor was still an official in Puzhou.

He then followed the emperor to Jinzhou and Lizhou, and joined the army after the uprising and capture of Hanzhong. During the defense of Hanzhong, he also served as the emperor's deputy.

Zhang Tang was among the first five people to be granted the title of Marquis!

However, the civil officials had some concerns.

Zhong Shidao and Zhang Shuye, representing the military, successively entered the cabinet. The former actively sought to align himself with civil officials, while the latter was directly a civil official by origin.