stonecrandall Chapter 939 Cao Shen received the same treatment as Xiao He, but his mission was more important!
Chapter 939 Cao Shen received the same treatment as Xiao He, but his mission was more important!
How many talented individuals and visionaries have been lost in history? While ability is certainly the cornerstone of a person's legacy, opportunity, luck, and even a touch of the times are all essential. How many talented ministers, destined for the throne, have died in the countryside due to lack of a mentor? How many capable officials have fallen by the wayside due to their unfavorable political stance? Only those who possess the right timing, location, and people can leave a lasting mark in the annals of history. Yet, many more capable individuals, like the stars in the night sky, shine brightly but, due to distance and the hustle and bustle of society, remain invisible to the world.
Gao Yao, with his vision beyond his time and the pragmatism of a ruler, deeply understood this. His talent pool could not be limited to those already renowned and meritorious officials. He needed fresh blood, practical individuals who were not divided by factions or constrained by established thinking.
Chen Ming, Hao Ji, Hu Jicai, and others were the "hidden gems" he had discovered through silent observation and covert research during his past campaigns and governance. They might not be eloquent or skilled in political maneuvering, but they possessed solid foundations and exceptional executive abilities in their respective fields. Placing them as assistant ministers not only ensured their talents were fully utilized, but also sent a strong signal to the entire bureaucracy: in this new dynasty, the path to high office would be open to all truly capable individuals.
After announcing the appointments of the principal officials at the six ministries and above, Gao Yao made a more symbolic decision: the appointment and dismissal of officials below the six ministries would be deliberated and finalized by the cabinet, with only his final approval. This move was a true imperial skill. On the one hand, it freed Gao Yao from the tedious personnel affairs, allowing him to focus on military and national affairs; on the other hand, it granted the cabinet true executive power, transforming it from an advisory body into a powerful one, enhancing its sense of responsibility and initiative.
At the same time, this is also a test. He will observe behind the scenes whether the cabinet led by Xiao He can uphold impartiality and continue his policy of employing people based on merit.
After completing the initial construction of the civil service system, Gao Yao finally turned his attention to the sharp sword he relied on to conquer the world - the group of military generals. The two most dazzling generals among them were undoubtedly Cao Shen and Han Xin.
"Cao Shen, promoted to the Second Assistant Minister of the Cabinet, First-Rank Duke of the Protectorate, Vice Minister of War, Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Guard, and rewarded with 300 slaves, 30,000 gold, and a mansion!"
Cao Shen stepped out of the group, kneeling to express his gratitude, his voice steady and resolute. This reward, seemingly similar to those bestowed upon Xiao He, Han Xin, and others, carried a weight of trust and confidence. Of all the various titles, the most central and crucial was that of "Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Guard."
The Imperial Guard is the shield of the capital, the armor of the emperor. It guards the heart of the empire and protects Gao Yao's own safety. The choice of its commander for this core, elite force is as crucial as, if not more so than, the commanders of the great generals on the campaigns. This commander must possess absolute loyalty, a calm disposition, and the ability to handle complex situations. Cao Shen, a veteran who has followed Gao Yao since his humble beginnings, known for his steady demeanor and strong sense of the bigger picture, is undoubtedly the perfect choice for this position.
Furthermore, Gao Yao's move had deeper implications. Xianyang was now situated on four sides, with the Chu army lurking to the east and the Wei army entrenched within. Handing the Imperial Guard to Cao Shen was no way of letting him enjoy a comfortable life. Quite the contrary. Once war broke out, the Imperial Guard, as their sharpest trump card, would inevitably be deployed in the most crucial battles.
This meant that Cao Shen was not marginalized by his presence at the center; instead, he commanded the empire's strongest force, ready to strike at any moment. This effectively meant Gao Yao entrusted his life and the army's core offensive power to Cao Shen. This trust dispelled any potential criticism of Cao Shen's "failure to travel to fight."
Gao Yao's voice rang out again, igniting the ambition of another talented general: "Han Xin, you are promoted to the rank of Deputy Minister of the Cabinet, First-rank Duke of the State, and General, commanding all the troops of the country. You are also rewarded with three hundred slaves, thirty thousand gold, and a mansion!"
Han Xin stepped forward and thanked him loudly, his expression filled with uncontrollable excitement. This appointment was also expected by everyone. "Grand General, commanding all the troops under heaven" gave him an unlimited stage to display his astonishing military talent.
Gao Yao's arrangement exemplifies the division of labor between generals and commanders. Cao Shen, like a rock, sat at the center, commanding the Imperial Guards and assisting the Ministry of War. He was responsible for the army's daily management, the selection of military officers, and logistical support, serving as the "internal manager" of the empire's defense system. Han Xin, like a sharp sword, commanded the campaigns, responsible for external expansion, formulating macro-strategies, and commanding large-scale military operations. He was the "vanguard" of the empire's expansion. The two, one internal and one external, one steady and one sharp, formed a perfect complement.
Even more remarkable, thanks to Gao Yao's deliberate cultivation and matchmaking, the relationship between Cao Shen and Han Xin had long transcended simple colleagues, establishing a deep friendship that served as both mentor and friend. Cao Shen's steadiness could moderate Han Xin's recklessness, while Han Xin's spiritedness could inspire Cao Shen to strive for continuous progress. This harmonious relationship between the general and the minister was Gao Yao's greatest joy, ensuring the harmonious and efficient operation of the military machine.
After arranging the positions of the remaining generals, Gao Yao did not indulge in the peaceful atmosphere of reward. He changed the subject and directed the court's agenda to a more challenging future.
"Alright, before arranging the rest of the generals, I must first announce the expansion of the armed forces in each region. The navy will maintain its current development for now, while the cavalry must be expanded as much as possible. Within three years, I require no fewer than 100,000 cavalry! I'll leave this matter to you, Cao Shen. Money is not a problem, but these 100,000 cavalry must be gathered for me and fully equipped! The rest of the departments will fully cooperate with you!"
"One hundred thousand cavalry!" This number resonated through the hall like thunder. Everyone understood the enormity of this goal. Previously, the Southern Border Army's weakest component was its cavalry, numbering no more than fifty thousand at best. After the war, perhaps fewer than thirty thousand were still capable of fighting. Where would the horses come from? Where would they be trained? How would the equipment be forged? How would the soldiers be selected? This wasn't just a matter of money; it involved a massive, systematic project involving animal husbandry, handicrafts, and the quality and training of the troops. The three-year deadline was incredibly tight.
Upon hearing this, Cao Shen's face instantly turned bitter, and he internally groaned. "Your Majesty, this..." He almost subconsciously wanted to plead his case. This was a truly "death" mission. The glory of success was enormous, but the risk of failure was equally terrifying. This was not a task that could be completed by simply basking in the glory of success, but rather a toil that required painstaking effort and constant hard work.