Facing Zhu Zhongyan's question, Zhao Lin smiled slightly and said, "Since I am training you, the military power naturally belongs to you."
"We don't think so." Zhu Zhongyan said directly, "You trained them all. They only know you and not us. How could the military power be in our hands?"
Zhao Lin still smiled faintly: "If it is in the hands of students, then it is in the hands of adults, right?"
Without waiting for Zhu Zhongyan to question him, Zhao Lin continued, "Eunuch Party isn't a good word. Everyone is afraid of it, isn't it?"
Zhu Zhongyan was silent for a moment, then suddenly burst into laughter.
"Hahaha... Good, you're very good. Indeed, everyone fears you like a snake or scorpion. Since you are willing to work for us, we won't bother with the details. But you must remember that everything we give you is given by His Majesty. If you dare to rebel, we will be the first to not let you go."
Zhao Lin then smiled and said, "Don't worry, my lord. Our dynasty is at its peak, and no one is stupid enough to rebel."
If it comes to the end of the dynasty, when people are living in poverty, wars break out everywhere, and internal and external troubles come together, don't blame me.
Are kings, princes, generals and ministers born into different species?
Of course, this is what Zhao Lin really thinks.
However, Zhao Lin doesn't plan to do that unless it reaches that point.
He was already very tired in his previous life. In his new life, he just wanted to be an ordinary rich man, playing games with his dozen concubines, and occasionally going out to bring warmth. Isn't it better than risking his whole family to death?
Zhu Zhongyan was very satisfied with Zhao Lin's performance.
First, Zhao Lin said that the eunuch party had a terrible reputation and no one was willing to join it unless they had no other choice. If Zhao Lin joined the eunuch party, it would be equivalent to cutting himself off from the ministers. If Zhao Lin dared to betray, without Zhu Zhongyan's protection, the ministers would definitely not let him die well.
Secondly, it would be great if Zhao Lin could really train troops that Zhu Zhongyan could control.
Political power comes from the barrel of a gun, whether in the past or in this life.
Zhu Zhongyan said, "Three thousand soldiers! You can train three thousand soldiers, but you'll have to raise the military pay and rations yourself. The only thing we can give you is this legitimate title. We'll advise His Majesty later. Qingzhou has seen numerous civil uprisings recently, so just in case, Qingzhou Prefecture needs to raise three thousand soldiers on its own for defense."
Zhao Lin was overjoyed: "In that case, thank you very much, sir."
With this legitimate name, Zhao Lin could recruit soldiers without any scruples.
Although it is not harmonious for a provincial governor to form his own army, as long as there is an imperial edict, all orders are not a problem.
This is also the reason why Zhao Lin and Zhu Zhongyan talked about this.
Otherwise he would just train his troops secretly.
"Don't be so quick to thank me. This is conditional." Zhu Zhongyan stared at Zhao Lin and said, "I don't require you to be the top scholar, but you must be a Jinshi. Only then can we continue. Otherwise, it's as if you haven't been here today."
Zhao Lin nodded and said, "Student understands."
After agreeing on the terms, the two began to talk about other things, such as poetry, songs, and the way to govern the country. Zhao Lin was surprised to find that Zhu Zhongyan was very good at poetry and other things. If he were not a eunuch, he would definitely become a great scholar.
But it makes sense. Zhu Zhongyan was the emperor's playmate. He read along when the emperor was studying, and he was very hardworking. Naturally, he was no worse than those ministers.
Zhu Zhongyan was also very surprised by Zhao Lin's extensive knowledge. At such a young age, his understanding of certain things surprised even this old official and made him admire him very much.
In short, the two had a very pleasant conversation.
"The student is leaving."
They chatted until dark, and Zhao Lin politely declined Zhu Zhongyan's invitation to stay for dinner and got up to leave.
"Godfather, is he reliable? What if he is an undercover sent by Li Chengqian and his men? Wouldn't it be dangerous to let him lead 3,000 soldiers?" Anquan came over and asked.
Zhu Zhongyan said calmly, "We have to be on guard against this. Go make the arrangements and get a few people in there."
When Zhao Lin returned home, Yun Zhiyi hurried over to take his clothes and asked the maids and servants to bring up the food.
After Zhao Lin finished his meal, he went to the study and told Su Di about his meeting with Zhu Zhongyan.
"Three thousand soldiers? He actually allowed you to train three thousand soldiers?" Sudi was surprised. "Although three thousand soldiers are not many, military power has always been very sensitive. If you do this, be careful of those censors impeaching you."
Zhao Lin said disapprovingly, "Haven't there been enough people impeaching me these days? One more thing isn't much, and one less thing isn't much either. Besides, Zhu Zhongyan said he would get the imperial edict, so we'll just act according to it. No matter how much they dislike it, it's useless."
Sudi said, "Just don't worry about it. Three thousand soldiers."
Sudi rubbed his hands excitedly: "Qingzhou soldiers and Qingzhou horses are very famous. I have to make them into cavalry to satisfy my curiosity. I have to make them into cavalry."
Zhao Lin laughed and said, "Three thousand cavalrymen is not a small number. How much does it cost to feed the men and horses?"
Su Di waved his hand and said, "Don't worry about the money. My family has already said that as long as I can pass the imperial examination, they will help me smuggle goods for free. Although we can't compare to Zhao Jingzhou, we can still make a few hundred thousand taels of silver every year."
"Okay! I feel relieved when you say that." Zhao Lin said.
"But there is a condition." Sudi changed the subject and said.
Zhao Lin said: "Just tell me."
Sudi said, "You must take me with you when you go to Qingzhou to take up your post."
Zhao Lin said, "I couldn't ask for more. I'm sorry to have to trouble you."
Sudi waved his hand and said, "If I don't become the top scholar, I won't get a good position even if I pass the imperial examination. Why don't I go with you and try my luck? You are the prefect after all, so you should at least give me an official position, right?"
Zhao Lin laughed heartily: "If I became the prefect, you would be the co-prefect."
The prefect was a fourth-rank official, the associate prefect was a fifth-rank official, and the prefect's assistant official was second only to the prefect.
Su Di rubbed his hands excitedly and said, "The wind in the capital is too strong, it's not easy to survive. When we get to Qingzhou, you and I will join forces. Who can stand against us? Let alone a small Qingzhou, even if we become a governor, a governor-general, or even an emperor... well, a title of nobility or a prime minister, it won't be a problem."
Zhao Lin pretended not to hear Sudi's almost wrong words and said, "That's right, if we brothers join forces, no one can defeat us."
the next day.
Zhao Lin came to the Shengjing government office and told Li Xingye about the deal with Zhu Zhongyan.
Of course, his purpose of going to Qingzhou was not to collude with Zhu Zhongyan, but because he saw that Qingzhou had suffered from the flood and the people were living in dire straits. In addition, the collection of flowers and stones was a tax, and he was afraid that the people's lives would become even more difficult and that it would trigger a civil unrest, so he had to go there personally to keep an eye on it.
Li Xingye praised Zhao Lin highly and promised that if Zhao Lin passed the imperial examination, he would work with Zhu Zhongyan to make Zhao Lin the prefect of Qingzhou.
Although it was somewhat difficult for a newly-minted Jinshi to become a prefect directly, it would not be difficult if Zhu Zhongyan and Li Xingye, the two people the emperor trusted most, spoke up at the same time.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com