In fact, the 150,000 soldiers from the three major camps were not considered elite. Although these 150,000 soldiers were all valorous and robust individuals drawn from various garrisons, they had been formed less than a year ago. The coordination among the soldiers was still not smooth, and they had not been tempered by battle, so how elite could they really be?
However, the Twenty-six Imperial Guards were indeed too corrupt. Factionalism and corruption were prevalent in the army, and ghost employees significantly plagued it. Officially, the records showed more than 200,000 men, but realistically, it might not even reach 150,000, including a large number of old soldiers trembling with white hair and young recruits who couldn’t even carry armor... The court relied on these 150,000 to defend the capital, but it seemed more likely that these soldiers were depending on the capital to protect them!
This situation relied entirely on the contrast provided by others!
Aside from Zhao Hong, Wang Jiangling also visited every few days. He talked about various matters of state affairs with Yang Ge, while both openly and secretly hoping Yang Ge would continue to ardently support the new policies.
Yang Ge had complex feelings about this man.
The new policies had been in place for over four years now.
Yang Ge felt that he understood this man quite well.
On one hand, this man was indeed capable. The new policies devised by him indeed targeted the vital weaknesses of the court. If implemented thoroughly, they might truly elevate Wei to new heights.
On the other hand, this man was indeed a benevolent and noble individual, intent on saving the world. The new policies he enacted were, in a sense, meant for the country and the people, betraying his own class...
However, this man’s disposition... was too straightforward, and his tactics somewhat lacking.
Emperor Xiping, Zhao Shu, had great confidence in him and entrusted him with the state affairs. Yet, Emperor Xiping was spectacularly killed right under his nose by a united front of civil and military officials, and he remained completely oblivious!
Emperor Zhaode, Zhao Hong, also deeply trusted him. After ascending to the throne, he still supported his new policies vigorously. Yet, he watched helplessly as the civil and military officials manipulated grain prices!
Don’t talk about how supervising the officials is the responsibility of the Three Departments of the Inner Court; as the Grand Secretary, he holds a position supreme among ministers. Although he bears no title of prime minister, he wields the influence of one.
You, Wang Jiangling, under the guise of serving the emperor, have managed the officials to the point where they collectively killed the old emperor and sidelined the young emperor. Do you dare say you are not responsible, harboring no guilt towards the trust placed by two emperors in you?
But how should he say these things to Wang Jiangling?
Should he tell Wang Jiangling, "If you want to be a renowned minister, you first need to be a powerful minister"?
These words, even if he could say them, Wang Jiangling surely would not believe him!
Eventually...
The words spoken openly and secretly by these ministers, Yang Ge merely listened with his ears and did not respond to them, letting them struggle on their own.
Frankly, the things they were doing, he could not guarantee he would do any better if he were in their place.
With power, what could be achieved, he could achieve without power.
The things he couldn’t do well now, he still wouldn’t be able to do well with power.
Rather than occupying a position and doing nothing, it was better to maintain the status quo; keeping some distance might provide a clearer view.
In a blink of an eye, half a month had passed.
This content is taken from freeweɓnovel.cѳm.
Reports from the Brocade Guard and Western Factory from the fourteen provinces showed that grain prices had significantly decreased everywhere.
Yang Ge, as agreed, led Fang Ke and others to ride out of the city and journey afar.
Only after the dust swallowed up over a hundred riders did the hearts of the civil and military officials, which had been in their throats, finally fall back into their chests: "We’ve survived, finally survived..."
"Resigning from office, from now on whoever wants this position can have it, I won’t serve anymore!"
"Can’t win, simply can’t win..."
"Zhao Shu, you’re ruthless!"
...
Southwest...
Yang Zaixian, with eight thousand remnants, was huddled on an unnamed large mountain. Below the mountain, thirty thousand imperial troops had surrounded the mountain for three days, and food supplies were about to run out.
As evening approached, Yang Zaixian, returning from patrolling the camps and holding his waist knife, walked into the military tent only to see a man in black sitting on one side of the tent, intently studying the hanging map above.
Upon seeing the man in black, Yang Zaixian paused for a few seconds, then greeted him with a smile and a bowing gesture, "It’s been a while since we met, I hope you’ve been well, Gold Envoy!"
The man in black turned around, smiling and returning the salute with a fist, "Uninvited, I hope General Yang won’t mind."
"Where would I mind!"
Yang Zaixian laughed heartily, "Having you come to this wilderness is an honor for me, how could I, Old Yang, be ungrateful... Someone, order the kitchen to slaughter a sheep..."
The man in black interrupted Yang Zaixian’s shout with a wave of his hand: "General Yang, no need to fuss, I am here today for a serious matter to discuss with the general, and will leave shortly."
Yang Zaixian removed the sword from his waist and placed it on the weapon rack above: "Eh, Gold Envoy, traveling from afar, you should give me a chance to extend the hospitality of a host!"
The man in black smiled and shook his head slightly: "Really, no trouble is needed, I still need to hurry elsewhere..."
Yang Zaixian, looking disappointed, reluctantly replied, "Then I must apologize for my discourtesy... Gold Envoy, did you risk coming here today because the Second Master has a message for me?"
"General Yang, quick-witted as ever, I admire!"
The man in black saluted with his hands and chuckled, and then, after casting another long glance at the map above the tent, he said meaningfully, "However, it seems... I may have come at an inopportune moment, the imperial court has underestimated General Yang!"
Rumors outside claimed that the imperial army had encircled and was close to defeating the coalition of local chieftains in the southwest.
But from the map depicting the strategic offensive and defensive positions, he could see that Yang Zaixian was not in the dire situation the outside world believed.
Yang Zaixian still had cards to play.