Zhang Weixian did not disturb his son and let Zhang Zhiji think quietly.
After a while, Zhang Zhiji's eyes grew brighter and brighter. He then clapped his hands suddenly, turned to look at his father and said, "Your Majesty is testing the ministers of the military and sending a signal to the outside world."
Gently stroking his beard, Zhang Weixian nodded in satisfaction and asked with a smile, "What signal do you think His Majesty is sending?"
"His Majesty wants to tell everyone that he wants to make use of the General Staff Office and choose a capable person!" Zhang Zhiji said excitedly.
"That's right." Zhang Weixian nodded with satisfaction, looking like a teachable child.
Zhang Weixian then said with a smile, "Anyone can see that the General Staff Office is weakening the power of the cabinet. Even the Military Law Office alone is weakening power, not to mention anything else."
"In the past, when military personnel broke the law, it was investigated by civilian officials, tried by the Ministry of Justice and the Supreme Court, and handled by the Ministry of War. But now it has been transferred to the Military Court. What does this mean?"
"This means that civilian control over the military is being relaxed, and His Majesty is loosening the reins on the military. In this situation, His Majesty needs someone to step forward and integrate the military for him."
"An integrated military is what Your Majesty wants. This is also the purpose of Your Majesty establishing the General Staff Office, and it is also the criterion for selecting the Chief of Staff."
At this point, Zhang Weixian smiled and said, "Now you understand what your father is going to do, right?"
"I understand." Zhang Zhiji nodded and said, "First, this person must cut himself off from the nobles and relatives of the nobles, and it would be best if his reputation and popularity were completely ruined. He can unify the military, but he cannot form a clique or a faction for personal gain."
"That's why Your Majesty placed Duke Chengguo in the General Staff Office. It's a backup plan. If no one else can satisfy Your Majesty, Your Majesty will choose Duke Chengguo."
"Although Duke Chengguo has great ambitions but little talent, and is a coward, he has already managed to sever ties with the nobles and their relatives. Your Majesty appreciates this, and if there is truly no other choice, Your Majesty will let him take the position."
"That's right." Zhang Weixian smiled and nodded. "If Yuan Keli could cut himself off from the civil service, then this position might be his. But there's one thing I'm sure of: Yuan Keli doesn't have the courage."
"But is it worth doing this?" Zhang Zhiji said hesitantly.
“You!”
Zhang Weixian nodded at his son and said, "You should take a long-term view. Do you think that if I don't do this, His Majesty won't touch the nobles and relatives of the nobles?"
"That's impossible. Your Majesty will not let these people go. Collecting the estate tax is just the beginning. At this point, if anyone still clings to the glory of their ancestors, their final fate will not be good."
"Especially those noble relatives, who have a bad reputation and have made no contributions to the court. Do you really think Your Majesty can't do it?"
"At this moment, only change can help. If we stubbornly defend ourselves, we will just be like meat on the chopping block, ready to be cut as you please."
"Then why did father let Duke Dingguo do this?" Zhang Zhiji looked at Zhang Weixian and asked slowly.
"You need help to get things done. Another crucial point is that wanting to do something is one thing, being able to do it is another. Your Majesty is looking for someone who not only wants to do it and dares to do it, but also has to be able to do it. I can make Duke Dingguo obey, so naturally I can make others obey me in the future."
"I see." Zhang Zhiji nodded, then said with wide eyes, "Your Majesty didn't promote Duke Dingguo and even ignored Duke Wei. Is this the reason? Or are these two people just targets set up by Your Majesty?"
Glancing at his son with appreciation, Zhang Weixian smiled and said, "That hits the nail on the head. Only that fool, Duke Ding, would think this is a small matter. If they don't make a big move this time, their family will be the first to fall. What could be more serious than the overthrow of a duke? By then, countless people will be implicated."
"Will Your Majesty really do this?" Zhang Zhiji said hesitantly, "Isn't this a big deal?"
Glancing at his son, Zhang Weixian smiled and said, "You don't understand. You have to look at things from different angles. If it really comes to a certain point, a Duke is nothing. Prince Fu has already made a move, so what else is missing?"
Zhang Zhiji sat on the chair and didn't come back to his senses for a long time.
Zhang Weixian didn't say anything, but just looked at his son quietly, waiting for him to recover from the shock.
After a long while, Zhang Weixian continued, "This is the general trend. Your Majesty is pushing it. You either integrate into it or be crushed to death."
"Do you think those old guys in the cabinet know nothing? Why is it that the establishment of a General Staff Office, such a big thing, hasn't caused any waves at all? Do you really think those old guys can't see anything?"
"It's not that they can't see it, they're just pretending not to. Because every one of them knows in their hearts that His Majesty must do this. Anyone who objects will go home. There's no room for negotiation."
"Your Majesty has also employed quite a few civilians in the General Staff this time. Do you understand what this means? If the nobles and relatives of the nobles fail to live up to their expectations, Your Majesty will have civilians take charge of the General Staff. If we lose even the foundation we have in the military, what's the point of keeping us around?"
Hearing his father say this, Zhang Zhiji was suddenly shocked, nodded slowly and said, "Yes, it is indeed useless."
"Your Majesty, aren't you afraid that the General Staff and the Cabinet will collude with each other?" Zhang Zhiji asked doubtfully.
"Have you ever seen a businessman who makes money? He's addicted to making money. Even though he has enough money to last him several lifetimes, he still wants to make more."
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