After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times

Chapter 1145 - 1127: Recognizing Strengths

Zhao Hanzhang said, "Starting from Yu State is because Yu State has been stable longer than the other provinces. The common people and the Soldiers trust the court more, and the entire Yu State is my inner circle. Once war breaks out again, with a single call of the arm we can summon enough Soldiers."

Qiao Jin’s heart stirred, and he asked, "So you mean these demobilized Soldiers won’t be sent back to their native places, but will stay where they are and become commoners?"

Zhao Hanzhang said, "If they wish to return home, we naturally cannot stop them. But given the current state of the realm, how many will really travel thousands of li back home?"

She said to the two of them, "Do a proper job of soothing them. Give them all the land that should be given, build well the houses that should be built for the Soldiers, and make sure the court’s tax‑exemption arrangements for them are put in place. Their neighbors on every side are all comrades‑in‑arms—how many will truly want to leave?"

Mi Ce couldn’t help saying, "Isn’t this still just the army doing garrison farming?"

Zhao Hanzhang said, "How is that the same? The land farmed by the army does not belong to the Soldiers, it belongs to the army, to the court. But once the Soldiers are returned to the people, the land allotted into their hands belongs to them. They must pay taxes to the court when they farm that land."

Mi Ce and Qiao Jin both felt a jolt in their hearts. They exchanged a glance and understood.

"This is something I am determined to do," Zhao Hanzhang said calmly. "Yu State is a place of stability, so we shall start from there first. Afterwards, the garrisons of all provinces are to follow its example."

Mi Ce clenched the paper in his hand, and in the end did not dare oppose her again. "Yes... will you cut two hundred thousand troops in one stroke?"

"No," Zhao Hanzhang said. "First release the Soldiers who are disabled and those over forty‑five. Once they are properly resettled, then we proceed with the second wave at my command."

Returning Soldiers to civilian life also consumes vast material resources. It naturally has to proceed step by step; one cannot cut two hundred thousand from a four hundred and eighty thousand‑strong army all at once.

In truth, on the matter of demobilization, what Zhao Hanzhang had let slip to the outside world was always only that the elderly Soldiers and the disabled would be released. She had not expected that...

Zhao Hanzhang’s gaze fell on Mi Ce, and she gave a slight smile. "General Mi, I will entrust the demobilization in Yu State to you. You understand military matters better than Governor Zhao, and I trust you as well."

So that Mi Ce would be able to command the various Prefectural Governors and Generals within Yu State, Zhao Hanzhang immediately promoted him to Vice Minister of the Ministry of War.

Sitting to the side, Zhao Shen slowly widened his eyes and looked at her.

Mi Ce had already been persuaded by Zhao Hanzhang. Now, being further promoted and put to important use, his emotions surged and grew complicated. He did not know whether Zhao Hanzhang truly trusted him, or whether she was using him as the one to stick his head out and take the flak.

But with the post delivered right to his mouth, Mi Ce could not possibly refuse. He immediately knelt and accepted the appointment.

Zhao Hanzhang nodded in satisfaction and had them withdraw.

Zhao Shen did not leave. He waited until they had stepped out of the great hall before turning to ask Zhao Hanzhang, "That Qiao Jin was clearly egged on by Mi Ce to come make trouble—how can you put him to use?"

Zhao Hanzhang took a sip of tea and said, "I had always thought Mi Ce had steadiness in excess and bravery in want, and was short on quick wits, so he could only hold and not attack. Seeing him again today, I realize I was shortsighted before and failed to see more of his strengths."

"He is clearly a wise General of military administration," Zhao Hanzhang said. "After your memorial was submitted, I kept pressing it down. Fewer than ten people in court know of this, all people I can trust. My instructions to release the disabled and elderly Soldiers are not at all out of bounds. With the war now pacified, this is all standard procedure. Yet he could deduce that I intend a large‑scale demobilization, and even stir up Qiao Jin, who happened to be in the capital reporting on his duties, to take the lead. With talent like this, would it not be a waste not to use him?"

Zhao Shen’s heart gave a start, and he asked, "How do you intend to use him?"

Zhao Hanzhang said, "He is steady and benevolent, more suited than you are now to be Minister of War."

Zhao Shen himself had never thought of becoming Minister of War. After all, his seniority was what it was. Though he felt he could handle the job, his prestige was insufficient, and in his heart he had his own candidate for Minister. "I thought you would choose General Beigong."

"Bingzhou cannot do without Beigong Chun," Zhao Hanzhang shook her head. "Moreover, General Beigong can manage the troops of a single province, but can hardly manage the troops of an entire realm."

Zhao Shen’s heart moved. "You originally had Zu Ti in mind?"

Zhao Hanzhang smiled at him. "Don’t imitate me in underestimating Mi Ce. Some people’s strengths do not lie in charging and killing on the front lines, nor in devising battlefield strategy, but in the administration of the army."

Zhao Shen said, "But to command the troops of the realm, mere skill at administration is not enough. Mi Ce’s ability falls far short of the Minister’s seat."

Zhao Hanzhang rose and said evenly, "Isn’t there still me?"

Zhao Shen choked for a moment, and understood. She did not want military power to slip from her grasp, so earlier she had never appointed a Minister of War. Now, the one she favors, Mi Ce, has only the ability to administer the army and lacks the capacity to command the troops of the realm. With a lift of her hand she can take back everything she gives.

Thinking of it this way, Beigong Chun would actually also be suitable. That man has a good heart and is truly simple‑minded; he is no match for Zhao Hanzhang’s maneuvering. But to keep such a fierce General at her side doing work he is not good at would be a terrible waste. Better to send him to Bingzhou to guard the frontier.

As for Zu Ti, his ability is great and broadly developed. If she made him Minister of War under the present circumstances, once she handed him the sweet candy and let him hold it for a few years, it would not necessarily be so easy to get it back just by reaching out her hand.

As for himself, his seniority was lacking, his prestige was lacking, and his ability... in truth, he felt his ability was quite decent, no worse than Zu Ti’s.

Zhao Shen secretly glanced at Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Hanzhang beckoned him. "Come, let’s go have a meal with Seventh Ancestor together?"

Zhao Shen stood up. "You’re short of money again?"

"What do you mean, I’m short of money again?" Zhao Hanzhang said. "Plainly it’s your Ministry of War that’s short of money. Doesn’t it cost money to send wounded and elderly Soldiers back to farming? Leaving aside the houses to be built, once land is allotted, don’t they need farm tools? They are either disabled or old and frail—don’t they need draught animals to help them?"

"And the wounded all need medicinal herbs for treatment. That’s all money too, and it’s not even mine that’s being spent," Zhao Hanzhang said. "It’s all business. Doing it for anyone is still doing it. One shouldn’t let fat water flow into outsiders’ fields."

Zhao Shen said, "Let’s hope Seventh Uncle thinks so in his heart as well."

He followed behind Zhao Hanzhang. "When do you plan to grant him the post of Minister? After he finishes demobilizing Yu State?"

Zhao Hanzhang said, "How long do you think demobilization in Yu State will take?"

Zhao Shen lowered his eyes and thought for a moment, then said, "At least three years."

"Yes, at least three years. To see initial results will take two. That span is not long if you call it long, and not short if you call it short. I’ve already pointed the road out to him. Whether he can walk to where I stand depends on his own ability."

She looked at Zhao Shen with a smiling gaze. "So if you’re unconvinced, you can strive to catch up."

Zhao Shen shook his head at once. "I’m not unconvinced. I think he’s quite good."

Zhao Hanzhang gave a light snort, knowing he was being lazy again. "Since you are both Assistant Minister of the Ministry of War, when you have time, go sit with Mi Ce. Pick out some of the praise I just spoke of him and tell him."

Zhao Shen said, "...If you want to win his heart, you can have Yunxin and the others do it. They can pass on words like that as well. Why must it be me who says them?"