Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 686: Background Check (Part 2)

"... The Heroic Guard Camp roster lists fifty thousand soldiers. The actual troop strength is around forty-one thousand. In other words, there is a twenty percent empty ration."

"When the military pay was being distributed, I was watching from the side, counting silently in my heart. I was worried the Left General would play tricks, making soldiers queue repeatedly to receive pay, so I made sure to remember the look of each squad leader. Fortunately, the Left General didn’t do that."

"So, this figure should be correct."

Qin Hu carefully reported, Jiang Shaohua chuckled, "I want to understand the details of each army, and the Left General also wants to use this opportunity to test me. There will inevitably be instances of taking empty rations, and every army has them, just varying in amount."

"He didn’t play tricks because he wants to see my reaction."

Qin Hu snorted coldly through his nose, "Does he really have a reason for taking empty rations? The Emperor should summon him to the palace and reprimand him harshly, dare he still contend with the Emperor!"

Jiang Shaohua said calmly, "Before I ascended the throne, I promised not to act against the major officials of the court for three years, and I must keep my word. Now the Dragon Throne isn’t even warm yet, and there’s no reason to turn on everyone over old accounts. Corruption in the officialdom has long been a norm, with all civil and military officials being a bunch of black crows. I can’t kill them all! By executing Doctor Wan as a warning, we must gradually change this unhealthy trend of corruption."

"Food must be eaten bite by bite, and tasks must be done one by one. Being hasty doesn’t eat hot tofu; governing the country is like cooking small delicacies, both vision and timing are important."

Qin Hu scratched his head, "I don’t understand these things; I only know how to wield a sword and kill. When the Emperor needs someone to charge and break through, I, Qin Hu, will be the first to go."

On the side, Meng Sanbao immediately chimed in, "I will do the same."

Jiang Shaohua was amused by the two confidants: "That is more than enough. By the way, Sanbao, you went to General Sima’s place. How much empty ration is there in the Divine Martial Camp?"

Meng Sanbao replied, "About the same as the Heroic Guard Camp, also a twenty percent empty ration."

The few armies in the Capital City are under the Emperor’s watch, so the main generals dare not and cannot be too excessive. It seems that the twenty percent military pay has become an abhorrent ’routine.’

Jiang Shaohua said, "You’ve worked hard overseeing the military pay distribution in the camps these days, go and have a good rest!"

After Qin Hu and Meng Sanbao stepped down, Jiang Shaohua summoned Chief Historian Chen and Wang Jin to inform them about the issue of the two-percent empty rations in the military camps.

Chief Historian Chen sneered, "These military generals, while drawing hefty salaries, also drink the soldiers’ blood. A whole two percent of empty rations have become routine. Each one is greedier than the last!"

Wang Jin’s position was somewhat awkward. Because among the generals Chief Historian Chen scolded, the Left General was at the forefront. But the Left General was a loyal dog under Prime Minister Wang. Prime Minister Wang hasn’t left the Prime Minister’s Mansion recently, and the Left General visits frequently.

The Emperor uses Wang Jin significantly, appeasing Prime Minister Wang and thereby stabilizing the Left General. Otherwise, the Left General would not be an easy soft persimmon to pinch. Killing civil officials was easy; with a decree, Doctor Wan’s head fell in no time, and his family was confiscated. The military generals had personal soldiers around them, gathering a large number of generals in the camps. One mishandled situation and the camp would riot.

Therefore, dealing with the affairs in the military camps is more challenging than suppressing the civil officials, and the sense of propriety is harder to grasp.

Wang Jin cleared his throat and said, "Minister dares to advise. The issue of drinking the soldiers’ blood and taking empty rations has indeed been a long-standing practice in the military. The Divine Martial Camp, Heroic Guard Camp, Imperial Army, and Brave Guard Camp are all around twenty percent. In the border army, there’s about thirty percent empty ration."

"As for the troops stationed in various places, this number could potentially be higher."

"These are long-standing issues, and the Emperor should not become distressed over them, harming the imperial body."

Jiang Shaohua was nearly six months pregnant, with her belly getting larger by the day. The loose Dragon Robe could no longer conceal it. For an ordinary woman, she would have been staying indoors for prenatal care. However, Jiang Shaohua still had to attend court daily to manage state affairs.

Wang Jin’s words reflected genuine concern. Chief Historian Chen glanced over unnoticeably, "Secretary Wang is right, the state is important, but the Emperor’s health is paramount. The entrenched problems in the military must be gradually solved. The Emperor must not risk the fetus over this."

Only Chief Historian Chen would dare to advise like this. The other ministers wouldn’t dare to speak up.

Jiang Shaohua wanted to say "I’m fine," but coincidentally, the child in her belly moved suddenly.

This intimate stirring made Jiang Shaohua frown slightly at first but then relax her brow, smiling, "I have noted all your words. Rest assured, I know how to prioritize."

...

At the small court meeting the next day, Jiang Shaohua first called out the Left General, "Left General, what do you have to say about the insufficient troop strength in the military camp?"

Left General: "..."

The Left General didn’t expect the Emperor to straightforwardly expose the empty rations issue in the camps; he felt somewhat embarrassed for a moment and had to step forward to explain, "In response to the Emperor, I have only been in charge of the Heroic Guard Camp for just over a year. The issue of insufficient troop strength is an old problem left over from before." 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Well, he directly shifted the blame onto General Wei, who had already died in battle.

Jiang Shaohua lightly responded, and then turned to General Sima, "So, the empty slots in the Divine Martial Camp are also the previous main general’s problem and have nothing to do with General Sima?"

General Sima: "..."

General Sima was not as confident as the Left General, and he lowered his head timidly to plead guilty, "It was I who did not manage the army strictly, resulting in many military officers falsely reporting troop strength. Over time, it has become what it is now. I am incompetent, please punish me, your Majesty!"

Jiang Shaohua neither agreed nor disagreed, her gaze resting on General Song’s face, "The shortfall in the Brave Camp is even greater; I suppose it’s due to many soldiers perishing during support missions to the border army."

General Song: "..."

His prepared words were spoken by the Emperor with a somewhat mocking tone. Even General Song, with his thick skin, felt a bit embarrassed, coughing once in acknowledgment.

Jiang Shaohua finally looked at General Bao with a mild gaze, "The Imperial Army is strong, but unfortunately, some were incited by Gao Shan Weixiong to become rebels and were all executed. Now the Imperial Army has the largest shortfall."

"This cannot be blamed on General Bao."

The trio of generals, scolded by the Emperor one after another, softened when it came to General Bao. This relative treatment certainly brought a sense of relief.

General Bao was filled with gratitude, "Thank you, your Majesty, for your compassion."

The Imperial Army had suffered significant losses, now left with only sixty percent of its former strength.

Jiang Shaohua said warmly, "This year’s military budget will be allocated according to last year’s figures, and next year, it will be the same. However, I want to see the full troop strength."

"One year should be enough time for each camp to recruit new soldiers and fill the gaps, right!"