Cultivation Begins with Caring for Sister-in-law-Chapter 393: The Little Court

Most beauties are actually cultivated, Song Min had a good foundation, and when Chen Mo took her in, her complexion was still sallow.

With the improvement in living conditions over the past few years, her essence, qi, and spirit have all been revitalized. Besides Han Anniang, everyone else in the backyard are noble ladies, living together with them, her temperament has naturally been cultivated over time.

Song Min is now fifteen years old, with a strand of beautiful hair slightly fluttering, slender eyebrows, a pair of eyes clear and pure, a straight and charming nose, and slightly rosy cheeks. Her figure is petite and graceful.

Although in terms of looks she can’t compare with Liang Xue and the others, she can still be considered a small beauty in the making.

"I was sixteen when I married my husband, and Min’Er is already fifteen. Next year, she might be taken in by my husband," Yi Shiyin joked.

Song Min’s face turned red with embarrassment, though her heart was filled with anticipation.

...

Wuguan. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

In the study.

"Marquis, this is what I drafted according to your requirements, please take a look." Geng Songfu handed over a booklet to Chen Mo.

A few days ago, Geng Songfu felt that Chen Mo, who dominates the Qing, Yu, Lin, and Huai Four States, also allied with the Wu Family, and partnered with the Qiang Race in Xiliang and Yang Xian at the Shu Residence, has become a true hegemon.

Moreover, as the Marquis of Pingting County, Chen Mo has now been appointed as Grand Commandant, and has long since had the qualification to establish a residence.

But presently, Chen Mo’s group is indeed rather disorderly, like a makeshift troupe.

Therefore, Geng Songfu suggested that it might be time to set up a smaller court.

In this way, even if Chen Mo is not present, the Four States can maintain stable operations.

That is to say, the current Four States territory can be seen as a nation, naturally, it must be governed as such, so a functioning administrative body is essential.

The previously established setup is already falling behind the times.

For example, Han Wu, Zhang Kai, Hu Qiang.

Also, Su Wen, Su Wu, Su Qi, etc.

Although they are folks who followed Chen Mo from the beginning, their strength is merely that of Ninth-Grade Martial Artists, making them unable to occupy some key positions anymore.

Survival of the fittest.

While it may be cruel, any organization seeking growth has to proceed this way.

Of course, since Chen Mo isn’t an emperor yet, the small court cannot establish positions like Prime Minister or Imperial Censor.

In Geng Songfu’s booklet, the Prefect is set as the highest military and administrative officer of a state, assisted by the Capital Captain, responsible for conscripting, training, evaluating, maintaining order, leading troops to war, and even manufacturing and managing weapons.

Beneath are the County Magistrates, managing both military and civil affairs, with County Captains assisting in military matters and maintaining order.

The top commanders of the military’s Divine Courage, Divine Martial, Xianzhen, and Fish Scale Guards are all Captains of the Central Camp, below them are Ministers and Sima.

The Personal Guard Battalion is like the Imperial Guard of the Imperial Palace, led by Captains, responsible for guarding Chen Mo’s residence inside and out.

The Brave Cavalry Guard is the heavy cavalry, with a relatively small number, even after conquering Huai State, it currently only numbers about two thousand, thus can be directly appointed regular and Deputy Generals.

As for the Inspector Guard, it consists of even fewer people and is set apart, requiring special arrangements.

Geng Songfu, having come from the Court, has referenced many current official systems of the Great Song in this booklet.

After reviewing it, Chen Mo pointed out the issues: "It’s easy enough to talk about the County Magistrates below, but the Prefect has too much power; managing a state, the military and political affairs are best separated, also, the Captain is overseeing too much. Conscription and training are one thing, but also leading troops to war and manufacturing and managing weapons are too much, here at least two more positions should be set up.

You need to revise it, while the military system still works."

"Yes." Geng Songfu noted this down.

Chen Mo said, "Teacher, who do you think would be suitable to serve as Captain of the Central Camp for the Four Guards?"

"The Captains of the Central Camp are all holding high positions and will command troops in the future, so they should have strong abilities. Didn’t three Middle-Grade Martial Artists defect to you recently? I heard they all come from noble clans, have some background, and are literate, thus suitable for heavy responsibilities.

Moreover, Captain Cui has been with you for a while, and can also be considered for the Central Camp Captain role. Plus, General Zhao Liang, who directly defected, is also a Middle-Grade Martial Artist, suitable as well, providing a role model for defectors." Geng Songfu suggested.

Upon hearing this, Chen Mo made some considerations, then said, "Although Song Shiming, Deng Tian, and Luo Hai are all Middle-Grade Martial Artists, as newcomers, appointing them directly as Captains of the Central Camp makes it difficult for them to gain respect, and they lack experience. It’s better to first have veteran generals become Captains of the Central Camps, letting them serve as assisting Ministers or Simas, and wait till they establish themselves on the battlefield before appointing them to positions of merit."

"Okay."

The Minister is an assisting position, equivalent to a Deputy General.

...

Next, Chen Mo appointed Cui Shuang as Captain of the Central Camp of the Divine Brave Guard, Li Yunzhang as Captain of the Central Camp of the Divine Martial Guard, Zhao Liang as Captain of the Central Camp of the Xianzhen Battalion, and Nangong Xian as Captain of the Central Camp of the Fish Scale Guard.

Song Shiming was appointed as Minister of the Divine Martial Guard, Deng Tian as Minister of the Xianzhen Guard, and Luo Hai as Minister of the Fish Scale Guard.

As for the Minister of the Divine Brave Guard, Chen Mo plans to appoint Chang En upon his return.

Regarding the Brave Cavalry Guard, Shao Jinneng, originally from the cavalry, was appointed General, with Wei Qing and Wen Heng as Deputy Generals.

Sun Meng was appointed as Captain of the Personal Guard Battalion.

For salaries, Captains of the Central Camp were set at One Thousand Three Hundred Stones.

Ministers and Sima were set at One Thousand Stones.

Thus, the military’s foundation can be said to be forming.

Next, Chen Mo considered the candidates for Prefects and Capital Captains for the Four States.

For Huai State and Lin State, Chen Mo appointed Geng Songfu and Zuo Lianglun, but for the vacant Prefect positions of Yu and Qing States, Chen Mo was unsure whom to appoint.

In fact, Chen Mo could find someone from the Wu Family.

The Wu Family has been operating in Jiangdong for a millennium, so finding a talent suitable to manage a state is achievable.

Yet, Chen Mo doesn’t want to rely too much on the Wu Family, fearing future imbalance.

Chen Mo could only trouble Geng Songfu again. After all, he is a Second-Class Scholar, so introducing a scholar friend shouldn’t be difficult.

However, Geng Songfu seemed somewhat embarrassed, saying: "In the past, I offended influential figures, causing most of my friends to distance themselves from me, and later when I was demoted to serve at Wutai, remaining friends severed ties. Now it’s been so long, and I..."

Chen Mo waived his hand indicating it was alright.

Well, I will handle it myself for now.

Currently, all of Qingzhou’s people are in Yu State, which I’m overseeing...

Forget it, since Zuo Lianglun is in Yu State, let him be the Prefect of Yu State.

Anyway, I am returning to Lin State in a few days, so I’ll oversee Lin State for now.

...

Three days later, Geng Songfu delivered the revised military and political document to Chen Mo.

The Prefect manages the internal affairs of a state, separated from the military.

The Capital Captain assists in managing conscription, training, maintaining order, and provisions.

As for evaluations and inspections, they are assigned to the Inspector Guard.

Leading troops to war falls under military command,

While manufacturing and managing weapons are overseen by specialized officials.