Chapter 258: Discussing Politics and Formulating National Policies

When Xiao Yuming sent someone to rush Wei Yuan's letter to the capital, Wei Yuan's inner worries were not relieved.

On the contrary, I feel that there are so many things at stake and I don’t know where to act.

At the end of November of the sixth year of Jiayou's reign, Wei Yuan returned to the capital.

At this moment, Zhang Guifen had already received the news that Wei Yuan was returning to the capital today, so he invited Wei Shuyi and others early, planning to have a good time.

The entire Hou Mansion instantly seemed to be brand new. It was not only decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, but also laid out with a red carpet, just for the sake of celebration.

However, when Wei Shuyi and Ruyi arrived, there was no sign of Wei Yuan until noon.

Zhang Guifen had no choice but to send someone to inquire, only to learn that Wei Yuan had just arrived in the capital and was about to return home when the emperor called him over and said he wanted to discuss something.

In desperation, Zhang Guifen and others had no choice but to continue waiting.

During the days that Wei Yuan left, except for the impact of the conflict between the two parties, nothing major happened in the capital.

However, Wei Shuyi contracted colds twice in succession, and his body was a little weak. So far, he is still not feeling well and will cough a few times from time to time.

In the main hall of the Hou Mansion.

Zhang Guifen saw that her face was a bit ugly, so she couldn't help but said: "Sister, why don't you go and take a rest first?"

Wei Shu nodded, "That's fine. The officials have called me to discuss matters. I'm afraid I won't be able to come back for a while. You don't have to wait here. You can go your own way and come back later."

After that, he coughed a few more times.

Seeing this, Zhang Guifen asked, "Should we ask the imperial doctor to come and treat my eldest sister?"

Wei Shu shook his head and said, "It's just that the cold has not completely healed. How can I bother the imperial doctor to come here?"

For an honorable family like the Zhongyong Marquis Mansion, if someone in the family gets sick, they can ask the royal doctor to come for diagnosis and treatment.

Minglan said: "Not long ago, I invited a doctor in the city to diagnose and treat my mother. The doctor said that my mother's vitality was damaged when she gave birth to Brother Mu. In addition, she had not cultivated herself well, and her body was far weaker than ordinary people. She could only Take your time.”

Wei Shuyi glared at Minglan, then looked at Zhang Guifen, "Don't tell my little brother about this."

When she gave birth to Mu Ge, it was not as smooth as Zhang Guifen's second child. It would not be an exaggeration to say that she was just a hair away from life and death.

If Wei Yuan hadn't been well prepared, it would have been difficult for Wei Shuyi to survive the test even without Lin Sushuang's interference.

But even Wei Yuan didn't realize that after Wei Shuyi gave birth, the Sheng family left for the capital. Although Wei Shuyi stayed in Yangzhou for a while, he was still restless and couldn't rest, so the root cause of his illness fell.

Therefore, Wei Shuyi was worried that Wei Yuan might have the idea of ​​​​blaming the Sheng family after knowing this.

Although Sheng Hong treated her like a normal person, or Sheng Hong treated everyone like this.

But Minglan and Mu Geer are both named Sheng, not Wei.

Wei Shuyi was worried that if the Sheng and Wei families were in the same situation because of him, it would be more difficult for Mu Geer to do well when he grows up.

It has to be said that the eldest sister Wei Shuyi is still as good as before, always good at thinking about others before considering her own situation.

"There are also some high-quality ginseng and deer antlers in the house. I will take some with me when I leave."

"Minglan, you must take good care of your mother at home these days."

Zhang Guifen respected this eldest sister very much.

Because among the three Wei siblings, only the dignified and virtuous Wei Shu wanted to speak, and Wei Yuan would listen.

As usual, when Wei Ruyi spoke, Wei Yuan would always ignore her. After all, the siblings had been fighting since childhood, but both of them had been in awe of their eldest sister since childhood.

If there is something wrong with Wei Shu's intention, Zhang Guifen simply can't imagine what Wei Yuan's mentality will be then.

——

It is said that as soon as Wei Yuan returned to the capital and was about to go home to see his two sons, someone from the palace intercepted him.

It was said that Prime Minister Han, Prime Minister Wen, and Zhang Fu had gathered in the Xuanzheng Hall.

The officials also asked him to go, and the four of them discussed national policies together.

Nowadays, in the entire Zhou Dynasty, apart from the official family, these three people have the most prominent status.

After arriving at the Xuanzheng Hall, as usual, Wei Yuan sat aside and listened to the discussion between the three people.

"Reorganizing the 300,000-strong border army is a major matter. If we are not careful, what should we do if it causes a mutiny?"

"The reason why Prime Minister Han is worrying so much is just to integrate the border troops and make it easier to command."

"The reform of the army's establishment is still a small matter. The Marquis of Wei said that it is not only necessary to reorganize the organization, but also to dismantle the army and allow some elderly soldiers to return to their hometowns to work in agriculture;"

"Young adults must also be recruited locally, and there must be a year limit. All soldiers recruited can only stay in the army for about fifteen years. After fifteen years, the military departments of each local command will make unified arrangements to return to their hometowns to work in farming;"

"Also, the highest military officers and commanders in each state and county should be given a three-year term. When the term expires, they will be transferred to other states or promoted to other states after joint review by the Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of War, the Department of Front Affairs, and the Privy Council."

"Although it can prevent local officials from becoming corrupt and corrupt to a great extent, it is not conducive to deploying troops and generals to fight the enemy, right?"

"."

The last words were spoken by Wen Xiang.

The implication is that Wei Yuan's ideas and concepts are very good, but he is afraid that if he puts them into practice, things will backfire.

In fact, to be honest, if he hadn't been worried that Zhao Zhen would disagree with the military reform, Wei Yuan would not have proposed the idea of ​​a three-year term for the local governor.

Or let the commanders of the major forbidden armies be swapped.

Because this may affect Wei Yuan's layout to a certain extent.

For example, Zhong'e expressed his intention to rely on Weiyuan, and Zhong'e's strength came from the 'Zhong Family Army' stationed in Yanzhou.

So once the major local governors and military commanders are swapped, this will reduce Zhonge's power in disguise. Once Zhonge is affected, Wei Yuan's plans in Yanbian will naturally be affected.

But if he doesn't do this, Zhao Zhen is worried about delegating power to local governors and border generals.

Nowadays, Wei Yuan has no control over the wishes of the officials.

However, he can speak to the Ministry of War, and the Front Office is under his control. As long as Wu Kui, the newly appointed Privy Deputy envoy to the Privy Council, does not cause trouble, the so-called three-year term can be done.

In the Great Zhou Dynasty, there were endless cases of corruption and bribery among local officials. One of the biggest reasons was that some local officials knew that it would be difficult for them to be promoted throughout their lives.

I will die as an official here.

If a person stays in one place for a long time, he will always have some friends. These are strengths.

Either because of the influence of their friends or because they wanted to get something for themselves, some local officials gradually became local emperors.

The method proposed by Wei Yuan also made Han and Wen shine. If Yanbian is used as a pilot and can be implemented, not only the problem of redundant troops can be solved? I'm afraid even the complexity of redundant officials can be somewhat alleviated.

Zhao Zhen sat on the dragon chair and listened to everyone's discussion for a long time. Finally, he pretended to cough twice and slowly said:

"Wei Qing is already here. Let Wei Qing say a few words."

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone saw a figure sitting outside a screen in the main hall.

That figure is naturally Wei Yuan.

After hearing Zhao Zhen's voice, Wei Yuan, at the signal of Manager Zhu, moved the chair in front of the three of them, sat upright, and said seriously:

"Three ministers, we are traveling together in Yanbian. I have a lot of experience with you."

"The several military strongholds built by Prime Minister Han and Duke Fan Wenzheng are now like towns, and the garrison is peaceful."

"It's just that you two originally proposed to allow the border army officers and soldiers to settle down in the walled city, which made the soldiers and civilians in the walled city many women, young and old, and their combat effectiveness was worrying."

"It is certainly a good idea to allow soldiers and civilians to settle down in the walled city, but it is not a long-term solution. What I propose is to allow the soldiers to retire and return to their hometowns after their expiration of ten or fifteen years, and the court will uniformly arrange local work. , can avoid the situation of many young and old in the village.

"Also, the local governor has a three-year cycle. I just don't want the border army to have someone like An Lushan, and I also want Yanbian to have long-term peace and stability."

"As for the ideas of Prime Minister Han and Prime Minister Wen, I can guess a little bit. This strategy can be implemented, but I am afraid that the consequences are unknown. If it is successful in the Shaanxi Road area, it can be successfully implemented throughout the country. I wonder if Xianguan's guess is accurate? "

After hearing Wei Yuan's long speech, even Prime Minister Han and Prime Minister Wen nodded in unison.

"Ten to fifteen years is the time limit for joining the army and retiring from the army. It is not easy for the imperial court to train a soldier. He works in farming in his spare time, and wears armor and sword in war. This has been the case in all dynasties!"

"Three years is a period of time for one party to govern. Ten years may not produce results. How many local officials can make political achievements in a three-year period? If there is no political performance, who should be selected to serve in the court after the review of the Ministry of Civil Affairs? Come to serve?”

Although they appreciate Wei Yuan's method, if some problems cannot be solved, they would rather put this method aside temporarily.

Wei Yuan continued: "Recruit generals between the ages of eighteen and twenty, and retire when they are about thirty-five to forty. This period is when a man is at his most vigorous and passionate, and when he goes into battle to kill the enemy, it is like Chopping melons and vegetables.”

At this time, Zhang Fu suddenly said: "We, the people of the Zhou Dynasty, handed over all their youth and strength to the imperial court, but when the time limit came, you asked them to retire and leave the army. How could they not get what they wanted? They were all throwing their heads away. Those who serve the country with passion cannot do things so cruelly.”

Wei Yuan smiled and said: "Teacher, don't be upset. Didn't the students just say that the local military and political chiefs should arrange for retired soldiers to be treated favorably?"

"Furthermore, they have been training in the military for many years. Their physical strength is far better than ordinary people in their prime, but in their old age, they will definitely decline sharply."

"Teacher, I have been a general for many years. How many soldiers have I seen who can stay in the army and live a safe and sound life?"

"They have served the country for more than ten years, why should they have to work hard again? They should be given a chance to live a long life."

Zhang Fu and others fell silent one after another.

Wei Yuan added: "In addition, retired soldiers will be recorded until their sixtieth year. Before that, the soldier's armor and weapons inventory will be kept. If war breaks out again, veterans will be recruited first."

"After their sixtieth birthday, no matter whether the retired soldiers are in good health or not, if war breaks out, they will not be appointed as generals. They will only be allowed to take care of themselves at home and enjoy their old age."

"At the same time, all the weapons and armor in the inventory will be handed over to the weapons supervisor for maintenance and regeneration, and will be worn and used by new soldiers."

"The three hundred thousand border troops on the Shaanxi Road are divided into three armies. All officers and soldiers of each army are engraved with the army number and serial number under their armor. For example, for the Danglu Army, one is me. For example, for the Danglu Army, two, three, and four, That is, a soldier of a certain unit in the army."

"In this way, after the war is over, based on the remaining information such as armor, the names and hometowns of the fallen soldiers can be ensured, and pensions can be issued."

"If a retired soldier's son joins the army, he can inherit his father's serial number to show the family tradition."

After hearing this, Han Zhang and others understood that Wei Yuan had already thought through the military restructuring issue.

According to his method, we can expect the frontier soldiers to take on a new look.

In this way, the country's military strength will be greatly enhanced.

"This ten-year period can be decided in advance."

"Isn't it just that the three-year term is too short?"

Han Zhang asked.

Wei Yuan said: "My official made this suggestion just because I don't want to make the border generals bigger. I want the commanders of the various armies to be transferred to each other for three years. I am worried that there will be trouble on the border."

"The Korean Prime Minister is worried that once this law is promoted nationwide, it may cause dissatisfaction among many local governors."

"For this reason, in fact, a three-year term is just right. If an official does not make a new place look like a new place and make the people there live and work in peace and contentment within three years, it is enough to prove that this person has no ability to govern the country. To a certain extent, It can also put an end to lazy politics.”

Prime Minister Wen said thoughtfully: "According to your thinking, in order to achieve political achievements, the local governor will take drastic measures in the local area and implement various measures. When he is in office, he can certainly ensure the safety and prosperity of the people in the area."

"If he reaches the three-year period and a latecomer comes to power, in order to achieve political achievements within three years and overturn what his predecessors have done, he will also make his own policies to govern the people. In the end, he will be so tired that he is no longer a common people?"

Wei Yuan thought for a moment and said: "If overturning the previous strategies can make the area better, then we can naturally do something about it. If it is not as good as before, then this person will definitely not be an official for the sake of the world."

"Furthermore, the highest officials of each district can be asked to set up supervision departments to supervise officials in various places, and cooperate with the Imperial City Department to report the situation in the area in a timely manner to prevent this phenomenon from happening."

"The three-year period does not necessarily require great political achievements to prove one's ability. It is enough to see whether the local people are living well, whether they are well fed, and whether they are warmly dressed."

A good policy can make a place prosperous for a long time. Even if a new official takes office three years ago and sets fire to fire, he will never dare to use the policies that have made achievements before to make fire.

In doing so, one is digging one's own grave, and the other is checking for omissions and filling in the gaps. It would be embarrassing to find that no one has done a good job.

"The three-year term proposed by Prime Minister Han, Prime Minister Wen, and the lower officials is just a personal idea. It has not yet been perfected, and it has never been considered to be implemented nationwide. It only needs to prevent the border generals from taking the opportunity to expand and maintain stability on the border. ”

"As for what you said, that this law should be implemented throughout the country, I forgive my official for speaking frankly. This is not my responsibility. I will cause my two gentlemen to worry a lot."

Anyway, the personnel power that the generals exchanged between them seems to be in their own hands at present.

As long as Zhao Zhen can feel at ease, it is feasible to make some concessions.