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Jin Shuai looked at Cao Ping with gentle eyes and an encouraging smile on his face, and asked softly, "Cao Ping, let me ask you directly, putting aside all external factors, do you really want to be with Princess Fukang?"

Upon hearing this question, Cao Ping's originally resolute face flashed with a hint of panic. He lowered his head slightly, his eyes darting around, and he began to stammer, "I...I..." At this moment, he seemed to have reverted to that naive young man, somewhat at a loss when faced with the emotions deep within his heart.

Seeing this, Jin Shuai frowned slightly and pretended to scold, "Look at you, so fussy. Where did your iron-blooded military spirit go? Speak your mind!"

Cao Ping took a deep breath, as if gathering his courage, raised his head, looked firmly at Jin Shuai, and said loudly, "I do! I truly love the princess and want to be with her. But..." He hesitated, speechless, unsure how to express his concerns.

Jin Shuai smiled with satisfaction, patted Cao Ping on the shoulder, and said, "If you're willing, that's fine. As long as you've made up your mind, leave the rest to me." His voice was steady and powerful, as if giving Cao Ping a reassurance.

Upon hearing this, Cao Ping's eyes lit up with joy, and he excitedly said, "Thank you, Commander! I, Cao Ping, will never forget your great kindness!" At this moment, his heart was filled with gratitude for Marshal Jin, as if he could see the hope of being with Princess Fukang.

Jin Shuai's smile faded, his expression turning serious. He said earnestly, "Don't be too happy yet. As the saying goes, you have to give to receive. This method might require sacrifices from you and Princess Fukang. You need to be fully prepared. Sometimes, to achieve a goal, you have to pay a price. Can you accept that?" Jin Shuai stared intently at Cao Ping, a hint of scrutiny in his eyes.

Upon hearing this, Cao Ping's expression hardened, and without hesitation, he straightened his back and said loudly, "Yes! I am willing to pay any price!" His eyes were firm and resolute, and he was already prepared to face any difficulties.

Marshal Jin nodded and continued, "You will go to the training camp soon to receive naval training and command instruction. After the New Year, we will launch a long-range expedition to Korea. This will be a tough battle, but it will also be your chance to prove yourself, and a crucial step in resolving your issues with the princess. You must give it your all, understand?" Marshal Jin's words were full of authority and high expectations.

Cao Ping replied solemnly, "Understood! Please rest assured, Commander, I will certainly live up to your expectations!" At this moment, he was filled with both anticipation for the upcoming battles and a firm commitment to executing Commander Jin's arrangements, and he was ready to meet any challenge.

Jin Shuai looked at Cao Ping with concern in his eyes and said gently, "Yes, yes, you've had a long and tiring journey. Go back and rest for a couple of days, spend time with your family, and enjoy this rare reunion. Also, tell your father in advance about going to the training camp and the expedition to Goryeo across the sea, so they're prepared and won't worry too much if they find out suddenly." Jin Shuai's words were like a gentle breeze, showing both the care of a superior and the thoughtful consideration of an elder.

Cao Ping understood immediately, nodded emphatically, and replied with a "Yes, sir." Then, standing tall and straight, he respectfully gave a standard military salute before turning and leaving. His steps were firm and powerful, exuding the competence and composure unique to soldiers.

After Cao Ping left, Commander Jin pondered for a moment, then summoned Yue Ru and whispered, "Go and inform Princess Fukang to come to the Jin residence. Tell her I have something important to discuss." Yue Ru accepted the order and hurried away with light steps.

Time slipped by unnoticed, and before they knew it, it was noon. Princess Fukang, dressed in a pale pink silk dress, the hem fluttering gently in the breeze, arrived like a delicate peach blossom in spring. Her face radiated uncontainable joy, and her eyes sparkled with a bright light, as if holding a sky full of stars. All this was because she had received news that her beloved "fairy brother," Cao Ping, had returned.

Arriving at the exquisite pavilion in the garden, Princess Fukang stepped in gracefully and sat down elegantly. Before she could even catch her breath, she eagerly asked, "Lord Zhiyong, why did you come to see me so urgently? Is there some good news you have brought?" Her voice was clear and melodious, like the cheerful chirping of birds in the forest, and her words were full of anticipation.

Looking at Princess Fukang's hopeful expression, Jin Shuai smiled slightly, but then said with a hint of seriousness, "Hehe, don't be too happy yet. Cao Ping has indeed returned, and I've asked him about the two of you. He clearly stated that he's willing to be with you. However, you should know in your heart where the obstacles between you truly lie. So, I want to ask you seriously now, in order to be with Cao Ping, are you willing to give up your princess status and all the privileges associated with it?" Jin Shuai's gaze was gentle yet profound as he quietly observed Princess Fukang, trying to discern her truest thoughts.

Princess Fukang spoke almost without hesitation, her eyes as firm as a rock, and said without a second thought, "I am willing! As long as I can be with Brother Ping, even if I have to endure a thousand hardships and ten thousand difficulties, I will never back down. Status and treatment are not as important to me as Brother Ping." Her words were resounding, revealing a resolute determination to disregard everything for love.

Jin Shuai nodded slightly, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes, but still said cautiously, "You don't need to give me an answer so quickly. After all, this is a major event concerning your entire life. You can go back and think about it carefully for a few days. Moreover, this matter requires time to process; it can't be accomplished overnight. After you go back, you might as well calm down and carefully weigh the pros and cons." Jin Shuai was well aware of the complexity of this matter and hoped that Princess Fukang could make a decision after careful consideration.

After Princess Fukang left, Marshal Jin pondered alone in the garden for a while. He knew that what he was about to do was of great significance, not only concerning the future direction of the country, but also closely related to the development of many other affairs. Having made up his mind, he picked up the carefully prepared memorial on the separation of military and political affairs and walked solemnly toward the Imperial Study in the palace.

Throughout the journey, General Jin walked steadily, repeatedly reviewing the key points of the memorial in his mind, as well as the reasons he might need to explain to the Emperor later. Upon arriving at the palace, after going through the necessary notification procedures, guards led General Jin into the Imperial Study.

Upon entering the imperial study, Jin Shuai immediately spotted Zhao Zhen seated behind his desk. He bowed respectfully, then stepped forward and presented the memorial to Zhao Zhen with both hands. Zhao Zhen looked up, his gaze lingering on Jin Shuai for a moment, his eyes filled with scrutiny and expectation, before slowly taking the memorial, carefully opening it, and beginning to read it meticulously. Seeing this, a nearby eunuch quickly brought a chair and gently placed it beside Jin Shuai, inviting him to sit down.

After Jin Shuai took his seat, he quietly awaited Zhao Zhen's reaction. Half an hour passed silently. In this tranquil atmosphere, the only sound was the soft rustling of the papers as Zhao Zhen turned the pages of the memorial. Finally, Zhao Zhen slowly closed the memorial, leaned back slightly in his chair, let out a long sigh, and asked with a hint of doubt on his face, "Xi Ge'er, I still find your idea of ​​separating military and political affairs somewhat difficult to understand. Please explain the intricacies of this to me in detail."

Jin Shuai pondered to himself, it was normal for the Emperor to have difficulty grasping such an unprecedented concept at first; it would be truly strange if he understood it immediately. With a respectful and gentle smile, he spoke methodically, “Your Majesty, this separation of military and political affairs is actually the construction of a complete and systematic management model. Simply put, it means letting professionals do what they are good at. The army should focus on protecting the country and maintaining border security, without participating in domestic national-level decision-making. This institutional arrangement can actually bring many significant benefits.” Jin Shuai paused, his gaze steady as he looked at Zhao Zhen, preparing to explain the advantages and disadvantages in detail.

1. Preventing military dictatorship and military interference in politics: This is the most crucial and fundamental benefit of separating the military and the government. By isolating the military from the political decision-making system, the risk of the military seizing power by force or directly interfering in political affairs can be fundamentally avoided. This isolation mechanism acts as a solid barrier, effectively safeguarding the purity of the national political ecosystem, ensuring a smooth transfer of power and the normal operation of democratic decision-making, and preventing the country from falling into chaos and turmoil caused by military intervention.

2. Maintaining National Unity and Civilian Stability: When the military focuses all its energy on national defense and foreign security, it avoids becoming embroiled in the complex factional struggles within the court. This effectively prevents the military from splitting due to differing stances and avoids it becoming a tool for political factions to vie for power. This not only helps maintain the unity and stability of the military itself, but more importantly, it greatly reduces the possibility of domestic factional conflicts, military mutinies, or even civil war arising from the military's involvement in court disputes, thus laying a solid foundation for long-term national stability and civilian harmony.

3. Protecting the Rights of the People: When the military intervened in politics, oppressive rule often followed closely, and the lives of ordinary people were frequently shrouded in fear and repression. After the separation of military and political power, the responsibility for maintaining domestic security was primarily entrusted to civilian law enforcement agencies such as the local military. This arrangement made daily security management more professional and stable. The military was only deployed to assist in extreme and necessary situations. This orderly division of labor effectively built a solid protective barrier for the people, powerfully guaranteeing their basic freedoms and protecting them from unwarranted military interference and infringement, allowing them to live and work in peace and stability.

4. Enhancing Military Effectiveness: The separation of military and civilian administration provides the military with the opportunity to focus on its core missions, allowing it to dedicate itself fully to critical matters such as national defense, training, preparedness, and combat. Freed from the distractions and constraints of court infighting, the military, like an eagle breaking free of its restraints, can single-mindedly improve its combat capabilities. Under this system, civilian officials are responsible for meticulously formulating defense policies, rigorously approving budgets, and rationally allocating resources, providing solid strategic planning and material support for the military's development; while the military focuses on efficiently executing missions, translating strategic concepts into practical actions through professional expertise and combat capabilities. This clear and efficient division of labor, like precisely operating gears, works in tandem to significantly improve the overall efficiency of the defense system, forging an impregnable national security defense line.

5. Strengthening the Foundation of Military Loyalty: Within the institutional framework of separating military and political affairs, the military's oath of loyalty is clearly directed towards the nation, not towards any particular high-ranking official, local leader, or specific faction within the military. This clear positioning acts like a bright lighthouse, guiding the military's loyalty and ensuring its purity and steadfastness. It guarantees that the military always stands on the side of the nation and its people, becoming a mainstay in safeguarding national sovereignty, security, and stability. Regardless of the complexity of the situation, it remains committed to its mission, unswayed by personal or small-group interests, and safeguards the long-term stability and security of the nation.

6. Building Harmonious Military-Civilian Relations: The separation of military and political power clearly defines the military's role in the public eye—a staunch defender of national security, not a participant in any particular political force. This clear positioning, like a gentle spring rain, nourishes the emotional bond between the military and the people, helping to establish a lofty and sacred image of the military in the public's mind, thereby winning the people's sincere trust and respect. At the same time, the military's non-involvement in the political sphere greatly reduces the possibility of public hostility towards the military due to political differences. In this way, a positive interactive relationship of mutual trust and support is formed between the military and the people, like fish and water closely connected, jointly contributing to the country's prosperity, development, harmony, and stability.

In summary, the core essence of the separation of military and political power lies in institutionalizing military forces within the national governance system, ensuring that the military, under the dual guidance of national leaders and the constitutional framework, becomes a solid cornerstone for safeguarding national sovereignty and upholding constitutional order. This system, through a clear division of responsibilities between the military and political authorities, constructs a stable national governance structure—the civil service focuses on people's livelihood, economic development, and social governance, while the military focuses on border defense and national security. Both perform their respective duties without overstepping boundaries, yet closely cooperate and form a united force when facing major challenges such as natural disasters and emergencies. This mutually restraining and complementary power allocation model, like a finely tuned gear in national governance, fundamentally guarantees the stability of the regime and long-term social stability, laying a solid foundation for the country's sustainable development and the inheritance of civilization.

Upon hearing General Jin's detailed explanation of the benefits of separating military and political affairs, Emperor Zhao Zhen was overjoyed. His face beamed with satisfaction and admiration, and he nodded repeatedly, saying, "Excellent! Wise and courageous General, you have truly presented another beneficial national policy for our Great Song Dynasty! If this policy can be implemented, it will surely allow our Great Song Dynasty to take another step forward on the road to long-term stability. My mind is made up, I approve! Tomorrow in court, this matter will be discussed in detail." Zhao Zhen's voice was loud and firm, revealing his high approval and high expectations for General Jin's suggestion.

Seeing that Zhao Zhen readily accepted the offer, Jin Shuai thought to himself, "How can we talk about personal matters without presenting something substantial?" With a perfectly measured smile, Jin Shuai said respectfully yet warmly, "Your Majesty, it is my duty to offer sound advice to the Song Dynasty. Now that we have finished discussing official business, I have a personal matter I would like to discuss with you." Jin Shuai skillfully steered the conversation to another topic.