Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 795: Prime Minister Extra Story (Part 1)

Left General Zuo is strict with his military discipline and exceedingly stern with his subordinates.

Furious, General Qin immediately felt his legs weaken and knelt down to admit his mistakes and beg for forgiveness: "I was wrong! I deserve death! Great General, take the whip and strike me to vent your anger! I dare not do it again in the future!"

Left General Zuo snorted coldly, took the whip, and heavily lashed him twice.

General Qin was in such pain that cold sweat dripped from his forehead, yet he did not even have the courage to cry out.

Left General Zuo threw the whip aside and said coldly, "The bad habits in the army from before must never be brought up again. The Zuo Family’s current assets are enough for several generations; there is no need to be greedy anymore. You’ve followed me for twenty years; the Qin Family does not lack silver now, does it?"

General Qin dared not speak, nodding repeatedly.

Left General Zuo continued in a deep voice, "My greatest wish is to destroy the Rourans and establish true merit. Anyone who dares to play tricks with the military budget, I will not be lenient!"

After speaking, Left General Zuo reached out to help his subordinate up, his voice softened, "The Emperor granted the military funds generously, but if you see the Emperor as an easy target, you’re gravely mistaken."

"The Ministry of Revenue has now established separate account books for all the armies. Every military expense is recorded clearly. It’s Ma Yuanwailang who personally kept the accounts. If the Heroic Guard Camp ends up a mess, how would I have any face to meet the Emperor in the palace?"

"Put away all those tricks and focus on your duties."

General Qin nodded vigorously.

Ever since receiving two whippings, General Qin indeed became much more upright. The military funds sent by the Ministry of Revenue were first used to console the families of fallen and injured soldiers. Previously, there were many layers of deductions, and it was considered good if the bereaved families received half. This time, the pension silver was distributed according to the list genuinely.

The families receiving the generous pension silver were so moved that some cried on the spot.

The soldiers of the Heroic Guard Camp were sincerely touched at heart.

To join the army is to receive military rations. The Emperor treated them kindly, so it was only natural for them to risk their lives for him. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

Now, the food in the Heroic Guard Camp was much better than before. Every two to three days, they could eat meat, and at other times, hot porridge and steamed buns were enough to fill their stomachs. Winter had not yet arrived, but thick military uniforms filled with thick cotton had already been issued, along with brand new shoes and socks.

The news of recruiting new soldiers for the Heroic Guard Camp went out and, soon, many men came to sign up.

Left General Zuo’s criteria for recruiting new soldiers were indeed not low. The first rule was that the family must have brothers or already have offspring to join the military camp.

The second rule was to give preference to young men from military families with skills. If they had no previous foundation, they must be strong and able to endure the hardships of military training.

The last and most crucial rule was that unruly individuals with rebellious dispositions were not wanted; absolute obedience to military orders was a must.

During the recruitment of new soldiers, Left General Zuo personally oversaw the situation, his gaze sharp. Those who slightly fell short of the requirements were all rejected.

General Qin couldn’t help but remark, "Great General’s conditions for recruiting new soldiers are too strict. The stone lock must weigh eighty catties; arm strength and eyesight must be good. After a few days, only about two hundred have been recruited. At this rate, when will we reach twenty thousand new soldiers?"

Left General Zuo replied coldly, "What’s the rush? A meal is eaten bite by bite, and tasks are done one by one. The Emperor hasn’t rushed us; why are you?"

General Qin sheepishly closed his mouth.

...

Jiang Shaohua indeed had no intention of urging.

Training soldiers is not an easy task. The elite troops of the Nanyang Guard Camp rely on the deep resources of the Nanyang Prince Mansion and cannot be replicated.

Even if the court allocated ample military funds to the Heroic Guard Camp, it wasn’t possible to supply every soldier with two horses and brand new armor and weapons. Left General Zuo has his own methods for training soldiers, and giving him trust and support was sufficient.

To truly see the results of training soldiers, it would take at least a year or two.

Time flew by, and November arrived.

Chief Historian Chen finally returned to the Capital City with a group of officials who had been sent on a disaster relief mission, receiving the same grand treatment as Left General Zuo when he returned victorious.

The Emperor led the officials to personally leave the city to welcome them.

Chief Historian Chen stepped down from the carriage and quickly stepped forward. Before he could bow in salute, the Empress already approached with a smile, holding Chief Historian Chen’s arm: "Chief Historian Chen, you’re finally back. I have looked forward to your return for so long."

Chief Historian Chen felt warmth in his heart and replied with a smile, "I, too, thought about the Emperor while busy outside."

In the past, when Jiang Shaohua served as the Nanyang County Princess, she would often go out to inspect, while Chief Historian Chen stayed behind at the Prince Mansion, with separations of half a year being common.

Now their identities and status were different. Jiang Shaohua, as the Emperor, had to stay in the palace and could not leave at will. It was Chief Historian Chen who had spent half a year outside on a mission.

Jiang Shaohua scrutinized Chief Historian Chen closely and sighed, "Chief Historian Chen, you have been laboring hard every day, and you have lost a lot of weight. You must rest and recuperate well now that you’ve returned."

Chief Historian Chen laughed and said, "I was thinking of returning to the court soon to serve the Emperor and share the burdens. Since the Emperor is so considerate of this old official, may I rest for a month?"

Jiang Shaohua laughed and replied, "Stay in the palace and rest as long as you need."

What rest? Not stopping even for a day at the mill.

Chief Historian Chen was long accustomed to this and naturally would not reveal the Emperor’s true intentions in front of other officials. He chuckled, saying, "Alright, I will go with the Emperor to the palace now."

Little did he know how envious the officials were as they watched.

It was not unheard of for the Emperor to leave the city to welcome victorious military generals returning to the Capital City. But for the Emperor to personally welcome a civil servant returning from a mission was unprecedented. It showed how deeply Chief Historian Chen was favored by the Emperor.

On top of that, the Emperor never let go of Chief Historian Chen’s arm, akin to how a younger generation might assist an elder.

This kind of imperial favor made people jealous, wishing they could take his place!

Jiang Shaohua then publicly announced, "Prime Minister Wang has resigned due to old age, leaving the position of Prime Minister vacant. I intend to appoint Chief Historian Chen as the Da Liang Chancellor."

Who could oppose this?

Who would dare to oppose this?

Minister Dong, Minister Yang, Minister Ding, and others swarmed around Da Liang’s Chancellor Chen to congratulate him.

Promoted extraordinarily, rising from a Fifth-rank Chief Historian to Da Liang Chancellor. No one accomplished this before, and it’s unlikely anyone will after.

Minister Zhang, who was somewhat discontented in his heart, instinctively looked around. Unfortunately, no one stepped forward to shout, "This does not conform to court rules."

Where was Imperial Censor Cao?

Minister Zhang finally found the most suitable candidate, continually giving Imperial Censor Cao meaningful glances.

Imperial Censor Cao pretended not to see them. He valued very much the Imperial Censor position he obtained after spending fifty thousand silver and making endless efforts. He cherished it dearly and wouldn’t want to ruin the Emperor’s mood and be directly thrown out of the court in such a situation.

Chief Historian Chen had been mentally prepared, but he didn’t expect the Empress to announce this news outside the city without waiting to return to the palace.

Surrounded by people, Chancellor Chen bowed to the Empress and said, "I will not fail the Emperor’s trust! I will devote all my efforts to Da Liang Dynasty and fulfill my duties as Da Liang Chancellor."