The matter of Zhao Huan taking a concubine has been put on the agenda and is under the charge of the Minister of Personnel Wang Shiyong.
However, government affairs were extremely busy, and although the matter of taking a concubine was put on the agenda, Zhao Huan still suppressed it.
Although Zhao Huan was carefree, he was still clear-headed. These were turbulent times, and there were still many government affairs to attend to; the matter of taking a concubine could be discussed later.
First, reduce the bloated bureaucracy. Departments were bloated, with many empty positions receiving court salaries but doing nothing. Second, expand the military examination system. Select outstanding generals from across the country. Military examinations should also emphasize the civil service examination, especially military tactics. Third, strengthen military training for garrisons in various regions, especially cold weapon combat drills, most importantly training on how to deal with cavalry. Fourth, strengthen public opinion. Public opinion is always a powerful weapon for rulers. Zhao Huan spread rumors throughout the country that if the Jin soldiers invaded, they would commit arson, murder, looting, and other atrocities. This tactic proved highly effective in Zhao Huan's subsequent campaign against the Jin.
As for other actions that would affect the interests of princes, nobles, large landowners and merchants, such as preventing land annexation, reducing taxes, and increasing commercial taxes, Zhao Huan did not implement them.
Zhao Huan knew that he did not have the power to do so at present. Many officials in the court opposed him, and if he forced the new policy to be implemented, he was afraid that it would cause instability in the regime.
Only when he had a firm grasp on military power and the royal power was absolutely centralized did Zhao Huan dare to touch the interests of these princes and nobles.
Being an emperor in troubled times is a tough job. If Zhao Huan wanted to revive the Song Dynasty and eliminate corrupt policies, he had to reduce labor service and taxes, but this would weaken the army.
War is a money-burning machine. If Zhao Huan wanted to launch a war, he must have a sufficient economic foundation. The Song Dynasty was currently impoverished and weak, and the only option was to increase taxes, which would only lead to the people's suffering.
After much deliberation, Zhao Huan gritted his teeth and decided that a short pain was better than a long one. He would rectify the administration, increase taxes, and prepare for war!
Because Zhao Huan clearly realized that several powerful enemies in the surrounding areas must be eliminated in order for the Song Dynasty regime to be permanently stable.
The military examination included subjects such as horseback archery, foot archery, horizontal archery, horse spearing, weight-bearing, and wrestling. More importantly, the examination tested students' military strategy, such as the Art of War. Military strategy was prioritized over military skill. Many outstanding generals were selected from across the country, and Zhao Huan assigned them to key positions in the garrisons of various regions.
…
"It turns out to be Judge Zhan, nice to meet you!" Jiao Zifu hurriedly saluted. On the surface, he seemed more worldly-wise than anyone else.
Zhan Yunpeng said, "I've heard of Lord Jiao's name for a long time, but never had the chance to meet him. Now that I see him, I can see his reputation is well-deserved."
Jiao Zifu smiled and said, "It's all just empty reputation."
Zhan Yunpeng also had a smile on his face: "Everyone says that Lord Jiao is the king of this Xiongzhou, and his reputation is well-deserved!"
A fierce gleam crossed Jiao Zifu's face, and he said with a forced smile, "All land under heaven belongs to the king, and all the people in the world are his subjects. The world belongs to the emperor, so how can there be a king of a powerful state?"
Zhan Yunpeng laughed heartily: "The world naturally belongs to the emperor. I'm talking about Lord Jiao, as the highest official in Xiongzhou, who really helps the emperor solve his problems."
Jiao Zifu said coldly, "Humph! It's the duty of a minister to share the emperor's worries. There's no need for the Lord of Justice to remind him."
Zhan Yunpeng gave a thumbs-up. "Excellent! The Transport Commissioner is truly loyal and brave. However, Jiao Mang, the nephew of Lord Jiao, robbed property and injured civilians in broad daylight. What crime do you think he should be punished for?"
At this time, the servants of the Jiao Mansion seemed to intentionally or unintentionally surround Zhan Yunpeng and his group. Fang Rucheng looked around and subconsciously took a step back. Zhan Yunpeng did not move, but just smiled.
Jiao Zifu looked unkind: "Master Zhan, as the Supervisor of Criminal Justice, do you need to ask me what crime to charge?"
"Well, according to the Song Dynasty Criminal Code, Jiao Mang should be executed for robbing property."
Jiao Zifu stared at Zhan Yunpeng and asked, "Where is the property that Jiao Mang robbed?"
"The property has been returned."
Jiao Zifu looked up to the sky and laughed: "Since it has been returned, how can it be considered robbery?"
Zhan Yunpeng also laughed: "That's why I sent your nephew back. Someone come here!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the yamen runners came up with Jiao Mang, and the servants made way for them.
"Uncle Zhong!" Jiao Mang's hands were chained, and he struggled and shouted.
The bailiff loosened the chains and Jiao Mang rushed to Jiao Zifu.
Zhan Yunpeng clasped his fists and said, "Goodbye!" He led Fang Rucheng and two yamen runners out of Jiao's house. Jiao Zifu looked at his back and clenched his fists.
"Uncle Zhong, are we just going to let them go like this?" Jiao Mang was still not convinced.
"Do you still want to arrest them? Do you want to rebel?" Jiao Zifu asked back.
Jiao Mang lowered his head and dared not say anything more.
After leaving Jiao Mansion, Fang Rucheng followed Zhan Yunpeng and asked, "Master Zhan, why did you release Jiao Mang again?"
"This incident alone doesn't warrant the death penalty for Jiao Mang. Arresting him is just a warning to Jiao Zifu. I, Zhan Yunpeng, have come to Xiongzhou, and he won't let me go."
Fang Rucheng still didn't understand: "Wouldn't you be alerting the enemy by doing this?"
"How can we make a snake reveal its weakness without alerting it?"
Fang Rucheng touched his head, still thinking about the meaning of this sentence.
Inside the Jiao residence, Jiao Zifu frowned secretly. The emperor had sent people to Xiongzhou to prove that his days of tyranny in Xiongzhou were over.
"Mang'er, pass on the order. Suspend all smuggling transactions. The rest of you should also restrain yourself for the time being."
Jiao Mang stepped forward and said, "Master, if we stop smuggling, will the Jin Kingdom have any objections?"
Jiao Zifu slapped him on the head and said, "Your ass is on fire, and you still care about the Jin people? Can't you see that the emperor personally sent someone to Xiongzhou to investigate criminal matters. This proves that someone has reported us to the court and the emperor is suspicious of us."
Jiao Mang suddenly realized what was happening. He hurriedly said, "I'll go hide the saltpeter and quiver."
Jiao Zifu waved his hand and said, "Go quickly! Hide these prohibited items in the warehouse. No one is allowed to open it without my order!"
Jiao Mang ran away, and after a few steps he suddenly turned back and said, "Master, what if the Jin people ask about this? They've already paid a deposit."
Jiao Zifu's mouth twitched. "Deposit? Return it all to them, and tell the Jin people to bring criminal justice matters to Xiongzhou."
Jiao Mang was overjoyed: "Zhongfu means that we should use the Jin people to get rid of Zhan Yunpeng?"
Jiao Zifu chuckled and said: "We don't need to do anything, the Jin people will take care of him. You go and find out, and inform the Jin people where Zhan Tixing is camping, and let them..." As he said that, Jiao Zifu made a gesture of wiping his neck.
"Zhongfu, you killed an official appointed by the imperial court. What if the emperor blames you?"
"The Jin people killed him, what's it to us? When the time comes, we will say that the Jin people assassinated Master Zhan to stop us from smuggling horses. Even if the emperor becomes suspicious, he has no evidence, so what can he do to us? Haha..."
Jiao Mang gave a wicked smile and gave a thumbs-up: "High, really high!"
Jiao Zifu's expression changed, and he said sinisterly: "Go quickly!"
Jiao Mang ran away in a hurry. Jiao Zifu touched his beard and a satisfied smile appeared on his face.
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