At the tender age of eight, he was hastily dragged out and made emperor!

The saying "A new emperor, a new court" holds true. When old and new rulers change, a reshuffling begins. Only when the reshuffling is complete, and those who can sit at the table meet the expectations of the new ruler, can order be maintained and checks and balances be ensured, can the power transition be considered truly complete.

For a newly appointed leader, the most important thing is to control the overall situation. Only by doing so can they realize their goals and plans. Otherwise, if the things they want to do touch upon some core interests and no one does them, how can their authority and power be demonstrated? This highlights the importance of having their own people.

Ultimately, it takes people to do the work.

One is someone you know well, the other is someone whose heart you don't know. If you were in that situation, regardless of your position or what you were doing, the vast majority of people would choose the former over the latter.

After all, it's controllable!

As the fourth emperor of Dayu, Chu Ling's biggest weakness is that he has no ministers in his former residence. If he wants to take power, he can't just issue an edict to announce to the world that he has taken power and that anyone who dares to disobey the decree will be executed on the spot!

If things were really that simple, Chu Ling wouldn't need to choose the right time to break the deadlock and build up momentum little by little; he could simply keep issuing imperial edicts.

Therefore, if Chu Ling wants to seize power and rule personally, in addition to increasing his age to ensure his safety, he also needs to decide whether to intervene based on the situation, thereby gaining benefits while constantly screening batches of people to see who is suitable to be recruited into the Imperial Party!

Since there are no ministers from the prince's residence, then let's unite the ministers of the emperor's faction!

Once the number of ministers in the Emperor's faction reaches a point where they can influence the court and the world, Chu Ling's age will become irrelevant. At the opportune moment, Chu Ling can assume personal rule ahead of schedule!

If Chu Ling hasn't taken power by the time he turns eighteen, then he shouldn't even think about ruling in his own right. As an emperor, he should have the righteousness and the support of the people. If he can't even handle this kind of thing, then how can he think about ruling in his own right?

Isn't that the biggest joke?

Xiao Jing came to Shanglin Garden on the orders of the three empresses to instruct the new emperor and answer his questions. This allowed Chu Ling to see many mysteries, so Chu Ling decided to do something.

In reading and in governing, there is Xiao Jing.

What about military strategy and military affairs?

The Empress Dowager has not yet involved Chu Ling. In the past, Chu Ling would not have easily gotten involved in these matters, but things are different now.

Chu Ling is about to start testing again.

On some occasions, in front of many people, Chu Ling began to learn about military strategy from Han Qing and Sun Bin. As an emperor, he did not need to personally lead troops into battle. If he personally led the troops every time, what use would he have for military generals?

But not using it doesn't mean you don't know it.

This is essentially the same principle as having a sword in one's hand versus not having a sword in one's hand.

If an emperor doesn't even understand what war is, wouldn't that encourage his generals and officers to develop ambitions?

"Your Majesty, the first batch of orphans has arrived at Shanglin Garden."

Li Zhong bowed as he entered the main hall and respectfully bowed to Chu Ling, who was reading a military book.

"how many?"

Chu Ling put down the military treatise and looked at Li Zhongdao.

"Three thousand seven hundred and nineteen people!"

Li Zhongru said truthfully.

"Go and have a look."

Chu Ling stood up and said.

I thought that the Empress Dowager would obstruct the matter of raising the orphan, and even if he was to be raised, he could not be sent to Shanglin Garden, as this would create a lot of uncertainty.

To Chu Ling's surprise, the orphan was actually sent to Shanglin Garden.

Chu Ling was unaware that this matter had caused quite a stir in both the Yu Palace and the outer court, and had even been used as a bargaining chip.

When it comes to profit, there is nothing in this world that cannot be traded.

Unaware of this, Chu Ling led the on-duty guards away from Shanglin Palace to the place that was taking in these orphans.

Shanglin Garden was very large, with many building complexes built there.

Resettling a group of orphans was nothing to Shanglinyuan.

"Everyone line up."

"I want to go home, boohoo~"

"Take off all your clothes!"

"Hurry up!"

A certain place in Shanglin Garden.

A team composed of officials from various departments under the jurisdiction of Shanglin Garden was scattered throughout this area filled with orphans. However, upon arriving in this unfamiliar environment, these orphans felt more fear and confusion than anything else.

Among these orphans, the oldest is only a teenager and the youngest is three or four years old; without exception, they are all boys.

Zhao Guan, the supervisor of Shanglin, stood looking at the chaotic procession before him, but his mood was not good. These orphans were all too thin and weak. Even those who were older and had grown taller still had dark skin and were as thin as a rake.

Zhao Guan dared not think further. If they had not been taken to Shanglin Garden to be cared for, how many of these orphans would have survived to adulthood?

Ok.

It means adulthood.

For children from lower-class families, there is no concept of coming-of-age ceremony. When they grow up, they simply grow up, and no special coming-of-age ceremony is held for them.

"Da da~"

The chaotic sound of horses' hooves drifted from afar, causing Zhao Guan to regain his composure. He knew that once the news of the orphan being sent to Shanglin Garden reached the emperor, the new ruler would surely come.

The cavalry was getting closer and closer.

Zhao Guan led a group of people to greet the emperor.

"Your Majesty, we servants pay our respects!"

"Your humble servants pay their respects to Your Majesty!"

Chu Ling, who had arrived on horseback, ignored the crowd gathered before him. After reining in his horse, he looked at the chaotic group of people gathered in front of him.

But what he saw before him had a huge impact on him.

"How did they all become so thin?"

"Yes, the military pay issued by our Great Yu is enough for even the lowest-ranking soldiers to feed and drink their families."

"It's obvious he's never had a full meal; he doesn't have an ounce of extra flesh on his body."

"It shouldn't be."

Many of the noble sons who came with Chu Ling expressed their surprise and doubt when they saw the procession ahead, as this was something they could not understand.

"The military pay issued by Dayu is enough for a family to eat and drink."

Amidst these surprised and doubtful voices, Chu Ling said with a wistful expression, "But that's calculated based on a family of three. It's not only enough to eat and drink, but also enough to make a living. How many of these soldiers have families to support, including parents, siblings, wives and children? And that's only if they have an only child. If they have more children, do you think that little bit of military pay will be enough?"

Sun Ben, Zong Zhi, Chang Feng, Li Bin, Dong Hong, Shangguan Xiu, and the others looked at each other with different expressions.

This was something they hadn't considered.

We need to promote the system of providing for the elderly and needy in the future.

While everyone was lost in thought, Chu Ling, who was riding a horse, frowned. If he couldn't even handle the aftermath of the army's situation properly, then even if he came to power and ruled in his own right, it would all be meaningless if some people's hearts were completely chilled.

After all, no matter how well the governance is done, if a major change occurs and the army no longer trusts the central government but instead outwardly complies but inwardly defies it, Chu Ling finds it hard to imagine what will happen.

This is not something that can be solved simply by providing shelter in the Shanglin Garden.

This requires a sound system of social welfare.

"The upbringing of orphans is a crucial matter that must be prioritized going forward; it cannot be limited to military training." Looking at the bewildered eyes of the orphans, some even younger than himself, Chu Ling made a silent vow: "If this matter is successfully implemented, we must impose high-pressure surveillance on this system. Anyone who dares to harbor any ill intentions in this regard will be dealt with in one word: death!!"

However, Chu Ling also understood that it needed to be accomplished gradually; nothing in this world can be achieved overnight. But Chu Ling was confident that he could make it happen.

Without him.

It is thanks to this group of orphans who came to Shanglin Garden for care, and the continuous stream of orphans that follow. As long as some of them become successful and influential, this matter will definitely be accomplished.

Imperial Guards!!

Thinking of all this, Chu Ling resolved to bestow a sacred title upon these orphans. He needed to give this group a sense of unity, even if it was difficult to accomplish!