"Does the lord mean that Jian Shuo is actually capable of taking action?"
Everyone started asking questions.
"Didn't that eunuch under Wang Chengen just say that Jian Shuo commands 5,000 Western Garden troops and also controls the Imperial Guards of the palace? He's already started making plans in earnest!"
Liu Wei chuckled, "Perhaps right now, a storm is already brewing in Luoyang!"
"Even if we assemble a large army and march on the capital now, by the time we reach Luoyang, Jian Shuo will have already been killed by He Jin!"
"My lord, are you so sure that Jian Shuo is incompetent?" Everyone was shocked.
"Jian Shuo has so little power, yet he thinks he can install the Prince of Chenliu on the throne by murdering He Jin. It's just wishful thinking."
Liu Wei waved his hand, his expression turning serious. "Gentlemen, we don't need to discuss this issue anymore!"
"My mind is made up; now is not the time to act!"
"With spring in full bloom and spring planting just around the corner, everyone should prioritize agricultural work!"
"An army marches on its stomach; if we want to enter the capital, we need to have a well-trained army and sufficient provisions!"
Yao Guangxiao's eyes darted around, and he touched his bald head: "Right, right, right! In the past five months, hundreds of thousands of acres of fertile land have been reclaimed in the Hetao region, and it's the perfect time for planting!"
"Prefects and officials, go back and urge all officials to personally go to the fields to guide agricultural work. If any of them slack off, I will dismiss them from their posts and send them to the northern desert to reclaim wasteland!"
Upon hearing this, the officials immediately tensed up and readily agreed.
However, Liu Wei said that they would only enter the capital after the army was well-trained and had sufficient food. Does that mean they would have to wait until after autumn?
Everyone was speculating.
However, these civil officials are not needed to go into battle; they will have to prepare provisions in the rear.
Therefore, after they dispersed, they gradually forgot about it amidst their busy government work.
After everyone else had left, Liu Wei left only Yao Guangxiao, Xun You, and Shen Lian.
Yao Guangxiao, who had been lazy in front of everyone, now had a sharp glint in his eyes and his face was full of excitement.
Xun You, however, looked solemn and was also very excited.
Liu Wei kept him and Yao Guangxiao behind, indicating that there were important military and political matters to arrange.
This arrangement will determine the future of two million people and 120,000 troops in the Hetao, Hexi and Youzhou regions!
"Great Monk, Wenruo, Commander Shen!"
Liu Wei's eyes shone brightly as he looked at the three people in front of him.
"My lord, we are here!"
"From this moment forward, I have decided to establish the Grand Council, which will oversee all military affairs of the General of Chariots and Cavalry and command all troops in various regions!"
As soon as Liu Wei finished speaking, the three men's eyes lit up.
"Military Affairs Office, my lord, this name is simply brilliant!" Yao Guangxiao clapped his hands and exclaimed in approval.
Xun You and Shen Lian nodded repeatedly.
"The Military Affairs Department will primarily handle military and political affairs at present, and will later incorporate civil affairs, trade, and foreign affairs!"
"The Grand Council is the command center, responsible for formulating overall strategies, reporting them to the Queen, and obtaining her approval for implementation."
Liu Wei then slowly said, "The three of you, the three Lieutenant Generals, Tian Kai of Youzhou, Liu Bei of Liaodong, and Tian Yu, will be permanent members of the Military Affairs Office!"
"The Grand Council was initially set up with nine people, with the abbot as the chief minister and the rest as assistants."
"For any matter in which a decision cannot be reached, a grain-based vote shall be held, with the minority abiding by the majority!"
"In addition to the nine main members, several more attendants will be assigned..."
"In the next few days, the three of you will first prepare for the formation, and coordinate and communicate with the troops in various locations!"
Liu Wei recounted the story in detail.
He planned to use the Grand Council as a prototype to meet the needs of the upcoming war, and later transform it into a cabinet system.
Liu Wei's knowledge of history is superficial; these historically existing institutions naturally have their advantages.
However, it is still necessary to adapt to the circumstances and the times, and to make improvements based on the current historical period and specific situation, so as to transform it into something that conforms to the actual situation.
Both the Grand Council and the Cabinet were intended to help Liu Wei plot to seize the Central Plains, take the throne, and become the founder of the Han Dynasty!
Yao Guangxiao and Xun You were both men of great talent, and Liu Wei's concise explanation made it clear that he had good intentions.
Liu Wei did not act arbitrarily; he delegated power.
However, he did not delegate power to Yao Guangxiao alone, thus creating a conflict between the power of the prime minister and the power of the king.
He also separated the power of the prime minister and the military into one collective!
The nine members of the Grand Council voted on any controversial matters in accordance with the principle of democratic centralism.
However, Liu Wei also has veto power, which allows him to approve or reject their decisions!
"My lord, the three of us will devise a strategy today and contact the troops in various places!" Yao Guangxiao said repeatedly.
"I have already recalled two thousand Xuanjia cavalry and five thousand cavalry battalions under the command of General Xue Rengui, who is in charge of breaking through the enemy lines, to Zhangye to await orders!"
"Commander Shen, besides Youzhou, Hetao, Hexi, Mobei, and the Western Regions, tell the Great Monk and Master Xun about the troop situation in other places!"
"I've now laid everything out for you. The Military Affairs Department can now begin its official operations!"
After Liu Wei finished speaking, he sat down and went to drink his tea.
"In the Jiuzhao Mountains of Guanzhong, Commandant Pei Yuanshao commands 5,000 soldiers!"
"At Shaohua Mountain in Guanzhong, there are 5,000 soldiers!"
"Fengyi County in Guanzhong has 3,000 soldiers!"
"Ten thousand soldiers and troops on the plains of Jizhou!"
"Mo County, Anping, Changshan in Jizhou..."
Shen Lian immediately revealed all the troops Liu Wei had secretly hidden throughout the Central Plains, and those who had been poaching other people's soldiers!
These troops were all kept in close contact with the Embroidered Uniform Guard, both overtly and covertly, and were thoroughly familiar with them.
What!
Yao Guangxiao was overjoyed. He never expected that Liu Wei's trip from Luoyang to Youzhou over the past five months had been a covert operation.
Upon this count, there were actually another 100,000 troops.
Moreover, these troops are all located in the heart of the Central Plains. With just a command, they can appear unexpectedly wherever they want to appear!
Xun You was utterly shocked.
This prince claims he has no interest in the throne, but little did he know he had secretly amassed a massive army.
"My lord, with so many troops still hidden, the grand plan can succeed!"
Subsequently, Yao Guangxiao and Xun You began to select personnel from the original staff of the Prince of Yunzhong's residence to handle affairs, formulate strategies, and establish the Military Affairs Office.
The General of the North's Office in Youzhou was abolished, and its personnel were transferred to the Military Affairs Office!
The administration of the Hetao, Henan, Hexi, Youzhou, and Western Regions regions was placed under the direct control of Yao Guangxiao, while the positions of Cai Yong, Cai Yan, Chen Qun, Wei Ji, Zhang Xun, and others remained unchanged.
As for the northern desert, it has always existed in name only, since Liu Wei's troops have never crossed the Yinshan Mountains.
The original Yunzhong Royal Palace has been transformed into Liu Wei's private institution.
Xiao Guizi was appointed as the chief steward of the Prince's mansion, responsible for the daily lives of Diao Chan, Liu Yifei, the five beauties of the Zhen family, Zou Ling, and other women.
Guo Luo and Yang Yi were appointed as external stewards, in charge of workshops in commerce, weaving, salt production, fishing, and coal mining, as well as the management of their fiefdoms.
Wang Fangyi was the commander of the imperial guards, not under the command of the Grand Council, and was responsible for Liu Wei's personal safety.
In this way, the military and government were separated, and Liu Wei's private residence was also separated.
The rights and responsibilities are relatively clear.
However, Yao Guangxiao, Xun You, and Shen Lian all knew that Liu Wei made this adjustment because he was always ready to march on Luoyang at any time!
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