From a macro perspective, the vast and sensitive reforms underway in Guanzhong, namely the reorganization of the Western Army and the land redistribution, are unlikely to encounter major obstacles or difficulties.

Because, as many insightful people have thought, there are too many favorable conditions at this moment... The devastation within Guanzhong caused by the Jin army's repeated sweeps, the re-establishment of the Zhao Song Dynasty and the Emperor's prestige after the great victory, and the Emperor's absolute control of military force and determination for reform in Chang'an, almost ensured the smooth progress of this unimaginable and deeply ingrained reform from all angles.

This is a special dividend in extraordinary times and circumstances, just like how it always seems easy to establish systems at the beginning of a dynasty, or like how special measures taken to save lives in years of great disasters are always relatively easy.

However, as the saying goes, he who does not think ahead will have immediate worries.

After Yaoshan, Zhao Jiu finally solved the most fundamental crisis of survival, allowing the country to return to normalcy and sparking the desire to get things done. But from his 'high-level' perspective as a time-traveler, the road ahead is destined to be long and arduous, and he needs to be prepared to face many challenges.

That Guanzhong has no problems does not mean that other regions will also have no problems; that there are no problems now does not mean that there will be no problems in the future. He cannot treat the temporary wartime dividends as the norm, but must seize the opportunity to establish a political mechanism to deal with normal difficulties.

As for politics, once that word is mentioned, the first and inevitable issue is personnel... Zhao Jiu does not dare to expect all the people of the world to be like Yao and Shun, so he must ensure that government orders are unimpeded. And to achieve this, the choice of the chief ministers is of paramount importance.

Lü Haowen's promotion to Public Minister, Wang Boyan's martyrdom, and Xu Jingheng's approved resignation mean that, according to the political traditions of the past few years, the Department of State Affairs has two vacant positions, one primary and one secondary, and the head of the Privy Council is also vacant.

Three out of four positions are vacant, which seems like a lot. But considering that there are already a bunch of semi-chief ministers below, such as Yuwen Xuzhong in Guanzhong, Lü Yihao in the Southeast, Liu Ji in Jingxiang, plus former Public Minister Li Gang Li Boji, who has been away from the court for two years but still has deep influence, and Li Boji's faction's current leader in the court, the Censor-in-Chief Li Guang, as well as Zhao Jiu's core group, including Zhang Jun in Sichuan, Hu Yin in northern Shaanxi, and Liu Ziyu, the Director of the Privy Council... it seems that everyone has a chance, making it a classic case of too many monks and too little gruel.

Moreover, considering that Xu Jingheng is currently back in Henan dealing with military settlements and land grants, and the news of his planned resignation has not yet been made public, everyone only sees two positions available, making the competition even more intense.

However, it seems precisely because of this that Zhao Jiu can clearly feel the activity of many relevant personnel, which in turn is driving the activity of the entire bureaucratic system.

Zhang Jun, as the Transportation Commissioner of the Five Routes of Sichuan, personally requested to go to Qinfeng Road to oversee the related land redistribution matters.

The suppression of the rebellions of Zhong Xiang in Dongting Lake and in the Wuling Mountains was scheduled for after the autumn harvest, but Liu Ji has already impatiently proposed relevant suppression routes and logistical arrangements.

Lü Yihao is even more direct. These days, his memorials are constantly being sent between Tokyo and Chang'an. This Southeastern Commissioner has successively proposed to refine the army, promote education, and simplify administration... For example, taking advantage of the great victory, kicking out some of the less capable troops and generals from the Imperial Army; and, for example, comprehensively reforming the Three Houses System (the system of the Imperial Academy, the State Schools, and the County Schools), fully institutionalizing the related entrance examinations and student treatment, as well as the final Palace Examination; and formally pursuing and examining all official appointments since the Jingkang Incident, and carrying out official transfers and circulation in remote areas...

He even took the initiative to propose that the various complex commissioner systems of the special period should be terminated, and the Commissioners for Pacification, the Commissioners for Suppression, and the Commissioners for Transportation and Commissioners for Border Defense concurrently holding multiple routes should be abolished, restoring the old system.

His aggressive momentum can be felt clearly even from a thousand miles away, as if he has already regarded himself as a chief minister of the central government. And because these matters are all related to the fundamentals of the country, they have shaken the court and the country even more.

For a time, from Yangzhou to Tokyo, and from Tokyo to Chang'an, messengers traveled back and forth incessantly, and both civil and military officials were uneasy.

However, Zhao Jiu did not keep these people waiting. Almost every memorial from Lü Yihao was sent to Chang'an, and he approved them without hesitation. And almost every approval made the clearest and most unambiguous statement - Zhao Jiu unconditionally supports these suggestions and requires full cooperation from Tokyo.

Even when the matter of institutionalizing the Three Houses System and conducting a large-scale pursuit and inspection of officials was sent to the Department of State Affairs, after the Western Army was roughly reorganized into the Imperial Rear Army, at the time of the autumn harvest, Zhao Jiu simply issued an edict, taking advantage of the upcoming land grant, and proactively and further streamlined the Imperial Army by means of a secret decree... The Imperial Army originally had more than 200,000 troops. With the formal incorporation of the Western Army this time, and the additional establishment of the Imperial Cavalry, it was still limited to a total force of only 200,000, resulting in large-scale cuts in all units.

Among them, Han Shizhong's Imperial Left Army was reduced to a force of 30,000; Zhang Jun's Imperial Right Army was reduced to a force of 25,000; the Imperial Central Army, including Li Yanxian's troops, Wang Yan's troops, Wang De's troops, and the newly incorporated former Imperial Rear Army units, only retained a total of 50,000 troops; Yue Fei's Imperial Forward Army also became a force of 35,000; Wu Jie's Rear Army was a force of 30,000; Qu Duan's Cavalry was a force of 15,000; and Zhang Rong's Navy was a force of 15,000.

Not only that, but the appointment and dismissal of many generals were also decided directly by secret decree, which can be described as without hesitation.

For example, the Xin brothers, who were very experienced, had no problems with loyalty and righteousness, and had been with Zhao Jiu for a long time, counting as his trusted troops. But because these brothers were really terrible, only Xin Yanzong was transferred from the Imperial Rear Army to become a commander of the Imperial Central Army, while the other brothers were all dismissed and transferred to local state armies.

Wang Yan was similar. Even if his ability was unquestionable, this guy was really petty. As a marshal, he even envied his own subordinates. This time, he was also directly transferred to a civil position, becoming the Commissioner for Border Defense of Qinfeng Road. In contrast, Li Qiong, who performed well in this battle and was good at uniting his colleagues, was able to rise to the position of Deputy Commander of the Imperial Central Army, and, along with Deputy Commander Wang De, effectively took charge of all units of the Imperial Central Army for Zhao Jiu. It is worth mentioning that Fan Yihong, a former subordinate of Wang Yan's who had contributed to defending Sisui Pass, also took advantage of the situation to rise to the position of a formal commander of the Imperial Central Army.

Also, the generals from Wang Xie's former Western Army were further purged during this adjustment. The last remaining Han surname commander, seeing the situation was not good, took the initiative to resign and transferred to a local position. But Guo Hao, the son of Guo Cheng, was allowed to enter the Imperial Army and become a commander of the Rear Army, in order to appease people.

After all the fuss, there were many complaints and grievances everywhere, but facing the decisive Zhao Jiu and the Lü Yihao, who made everyone's legs tremble, very few dared to cause trouble.

However, the fact that the people below were not making trouble did not mean that Zhao Jiu could be such a rigid emperor. Therefore, as the autumn harvest ended and the Mid-Autumn Festival approached, and the land grants had begun, Zhao Jiu specially hosted a banquet in Chang'an, inviting Han Shizhong and his subordinates, who had been in Chang'an all along, all units of the Imperial Central Army, Li Yanxian's troops in Shanzhou, and Wu Jie's troops in the Imperial Rear Army, to attend the banquet. It was clear that he wanted to make a final observation of their emotions.

"Han Shizhong isn't angry?"

In the old palace of Chang'an, Zhao Jiu, who had gathered a group of close officials, couldn't help but be curious. "His troops have been reduced by a third, and he's not angry?"

"Let Your Majesty know," Hu Yin said with a solemn expression. "This minister went to ask, and the Prince of Yan'an's meaning is roughly that, this time, not only were his troops reduced by a third, but the same was true for all other places. Your Majesty is doing this for the sake of the overall situation, not targeting anyone. Although he is unwilling, he is not angry. Moreover, letting the Xin Xingzong, Xin Yongzong, and Xin Qizong brothers all go is a great act of justice..."

Zhao Jiu was silent for a moment, and was rarely somewhat puzzled. Did Han Shizhong consider the public good more than his own interests, or vice versa?

But no matter what, if he doesn't cause trouble, this matter can be considered half over.

After all, Han Liangchen is the universally recognized head of the military officials in the world, and this position was not only promoted by Zhao Jiu, but also by fate, qualifications, military exploits... In other words, Han Shizhong really earned it with his life, and everyone, both above and below, inside and outside, all recognized it.

Just look at his performance on the battlefield, even the dead Lou Shi recognized it!

If the people below have grievances, they cannot pass Han Shizhong's test, and they will not be able to achieve anything.

"What about the others?" Zhao Jiu relaxed and continued to ask. "Did Wu Jie and the others say that I was acting too hastily?"

"No," Hu Yin shook his head repeatedly. "The places that Your Majesty asked this minister to ask are all fine. Even Qu Duan said a few strange words, but he complained that Your Majesty's streamlining of the Imperial Army was not enough..."

Zhao Jiu was even more speechless, but he understood Qu Duan's thoughts clearly - The 200,000-man establishment of the Imperial Army was drawn first, and if others weren't reduced, where would his Qu Da's quota for the Imperial Cavalry come from?

Hu Yin said nothing more, and Zhao Jiu looked again at Yang Yizhong, who was standing beside him.

Yang Yizhong understood and immediately stepped forward and cupped his hands: "Your Majesty, all the commanders of the Imperial Army have sent secret notes, no one has been left out..."

Zhao Jiu nodded again, but breathed a sigh of relief. After a moment of thought, he looked at Zhang Jun, who had been wanting to speak but had not had a chance, who had just returned from Qinfeng Road.

"Please speak, Your Majesty, this minister will do his best," Zhang Jun, who had become much darker in recent days, immediately cupped his hands.

"You will preside over this evening's banquet," Zhao Jiu said with a smile.

Zhang Jun was overjoyed for a moment, and then carefully said: "May I ask Your Majesty, wouldn't it be more appropriate for Prime Minister Yuwen to do this?"

"It doesn't matter," Zhao Jiu continued to smile. "I have discussed it with Prime Minister Yuwen recently, and we both feel that Guanzhong is different from the southern regions. In the future, for a certain period of time, northern Shaanxi will still directly face the Jin army, and the rear is devastated, and should be allowed to rest and recuperate. We should continue to use a prudent prime minister to continue to hold down the fort... So Prime Minister Yuwen will have to stay in Chang'an for a while, and there is no rush."

Zhang Jun nodded thoughtfully, again and again, heavily.

Moreover, Yuwen Xuzhong continuing to stay in Chang'an obviously had no causal relationship compared to hosting a banquet, but what Zhao Jiu said at this time was particularly subtle... Yuwen Xuzhong is not leaving, so he is not hosting the banquet, then who is leaving?

What will they do after they leave?

That is unknown.

But in any case, even though Xu Jingheng had seriously reminded Zhao Jiu not to use Lü Yihao, this emperor still largely adopted many of Lü Yihao's policies. And at this time, Hu Yin, who was standing solemnly beside the emperor, had previously held an ambiguous attitude towards Zhang Jun becoming the chief minister, but Zhang Jun still received this emperor's almost explicit political promise.

On the Mid-Autumn Festival, the banquet was successfully held. Zhao Jiu appeared with Consort Wu, and then announced on the spot that those who had made outstanding military achievements in the Battle of Yaoshan, and had children of appropriate age, would all be admitted to the county schools, state schools, and imperial academies based on their military achievements. Those 'righteous people' who returned more land during the land grants would also be granted county school, state school, and imperial academy places, following the example of redeeming refugees in Hebei.

At the same time, from next year, the normal examinations between the three levels of schools will be fully restored, and the Palace Examination will be restored.

Not only that, but those who died in battle during the previous war, if there were any survivors in their families, would also be granted land. And if the family clan was declining and there were only orphans, the land would be personally managed by him, Zhao Jiu, and the orphans would also be taken back to Tokyo by Zhao Jiu after the land grant, and all of them would be settled and raised.

This was a public and massive act of 'bestowal of grace'. After the announcement, the military, the local government, civil officials, and military generals all smiled, which really diluted a lot of the serious atmosphere brought about by the previous land grants and army reorganization.

Of course, there were still accidents. After drinking too much, Wang Yan, the Commissioner for Border Defense of Qinfeng Road, cried to Zhao Jiu about his grievances... He was worried that leaving the army like this, coupled with the special nature of the Eighth Character Army, would lead people to mistakenly believe that he was too eager to seize military power, as if he had done something inappropriate.

Zhao Jiu had no choice but to try his best to coax him, saying that he was both civil and military, and should become a civil official, and that if he did well in the future, he might even become the chief minister... This was nonsense.

But he still had to have the attitude.

And you know what, except for Wang Yan, this time was really much more harmonious than the last grand banquet for marshals and officers. It can be seen that these guys are all afraid of the tough and bully the weak.

In this way, Zhao Jiu held a grand Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, which was considered a conclusion to the affairs of Guanzhong. And then, regardless of the repeated urging from Tokyo... It is said that Korean envoys had returned, that Yanhan strangely went south to Daming Prefecture, that arrangements were being made for the southern suppression, that the Empress Dowager and the dignitaries in Yangzhou requested to officially return to Tokyo, and that Consort Pan's 'pregnancy was becoming more pronounced' while her 'longing was becoming more intense', and so on and so forth... He simply forced himself to stay in Chang'an until the land grants were completely over in form before leading the army back east.

However, before leaving, the final arrangements for Guanzhong were finally made: Yuwen Xuzhong would continue to hold down the fort in Chang'an, Hu Yin would be the Transportation Commissioner of the Five Routes of Guanzhong, Han Shizhong's Imperial Left Army would move to Chang'an, overseeing the military affairs of Guanzhong, and Wu Jie would be stationed in Fangzhou, responding to northern Shaanxi and facing Wanyan Huonv in Yan'an Prefecture...

At the same time, Zhao Jiu formally dismissed Zhang Jun from his position as the Transportation Commissioner of the Five Routes of Sichuan, transferred him to the Hanlin Academy, but appointed him as the Commissioner for Border Defense of Chengdu Prefecture, and Liu Ziyu as the Commissioner for Border Defense of Lizhou Road.

However, it must be mentioned that a previously overlooked person unexpectedly received unprecedented strong promotion. Zhao Kai, Zhang Jun's former financial confidant, because of his outstanding performance, had his authority simply expanded from the Five Routes of Sichuan to the entire Guanzhong - This financial expert's current errand was the Judge of Transportation for the Nine Routes of Guanshan-Sichuan, concurrently the Chief Controller of the Tea and Salt Affairs of the Nine Routes, and concurrently the Supervisor of Horse Purchasing and Animal Husbandry Affairs along the border.

At the same time, he was additionally granted a purple robe and allowed to use military horses to transmit secret notes, which would be directly presented to the Emperor... In the west of Tong Pass, he was seemingly only under the command of Yuwen Xuzhong.

Regarding this, some said that it was caused by Zhang Jun's recommendation, while others said that the Emperor was piloting the financial reform of the entire country. If Zhao Kai did well, he might be able to directly enter the Imperial Presence, rise rapidly, become the Minister of Revenue, oversee the national finances, and even have the opportunity to become a Prime Minister of the Department of State Affairs.

But in any case, in September, the autumn was crisp and refreshing. Han Shizhong moved to Huaixi, and Qu Duan stayed in Guanzhong waiting to buy horses. Zhao Jiu led the Imperial Central Army and countless other attendants, in a mighty manner, officially returned to the capital. Except for offering sacrifices to Prime Minister Wang at the ruins of the abandoned capital along the way, there were no extra stops.

In mid-September, the Emperor traveled to the territory of Zhengzhou. The day before, the front page headline of the Gazette was still writing nonsense such as "The war is fierce, Tokyo has not wavered in its support for the Emperor for a single day" and "The Emperor is about to arrive at his capital", but the next day, it suddenly issued an extremely short supplement.

The supplement contained only five brief messages:

First, Prime Minister Xu, who had been dealing with the conversion of military settlements into private fields in Henan, had actually been suffering from illness for a long time. As soon as the Emperor returned, he reluctantly resigned in Zhengzhou, and the Emperor, unable to persuade him to stay in person, had agreed to Prime Minister Xu's honorable retirement.

Moreover, the Emperor had already issued a clear decree, asking the Hanlin Academicians to discuss Prime Minister Xu's rewards and the royal title treatment for his honorable retirement, and to also discuss the matter of restoring Li Gang Li Boji's treatment.

Second, the Empress Dowager and the Imperial Clan would remain in Yangzhou unchanged.

Third, Hanlin Academician Zhang Jun was promoted to Privy Councilor for his military merits in Guanzhong, formally becoming a Prime Minister of the Western Prefecture.

Fourth, Yue Fei, the Commander of the Imperial Forward Army, had already led his troops south to quell the Rebellion of Zhong Xiang before the Imperial Central Army arrived in Henan.

Fifth, according to the memorial of Lü Yihao, the Commissioner for the Southeast, the full powers of the Commissioners for the Southeast and Jingxiang were revoked.

Among them, Lü Yihao, the Commissioner for the Southeast, was transferred to the Commissioner for Border Defense of Liangzhe Road, and Liu Ji, the Commissioner for Jingxiang, would enter Beijing to become the Deputy Prime Minister of the Department of State Affairs as soon as Yue Fei's troops arrived.

Zhao Ding was summoned to Beijing as the Transportation Commissioner of the Two Huainan Routes, and was appointed as the Prime Minister of the Department of State Affairs, assisting Public Minister Lü Haowen in overseeing the administration of the government.

As expected, it was Zhao Ding! The Emperor's heart for appointing the virtuous ultimately overcame his intention to appoint the close!

As he was about to enter Tokyo, the Palace Censor Wan Qixie sighed as he flipped through the paper, not feeling the slightest bit of surprise, because he had long thought that there must be someone in the court who would do things.

ps: Thank you to fellow students "The Song of Tranquility", "Cunning Fox Taizhong" (speechless), and "Fallen Knight" for their rewards on the Moe list. We already have one hundred and eight heroes.

I still want to explain a bit more. I'm really not feeling well today... My stomach is terribly uncomfortable, and sitting down for a while makes me feel acid reflux.