You want me to receive the envoy while deciding who the bride will be? Mur Xiao Yao smiled at her: Actually, you’ll select the bride. So for the next few days, you’re likely too busy to leave the city.
Shrugging helplessly, Ye Li said: I can imagine how this news would spread. Who in the capital wouldn’t want their daughters married into such a barbaric region? Tomorrow, people will surely be pounding on Dinning’s doors asking for an audience. The worst is that I cannot choose just one; whoever I pick, they’ll definitely get offended.
Is His Majesty just making enemies of the Ding family?
I don’t have to run around every day outside the city, but what do you think about this engagement? Mur Xiao Yao thought for a moment and said: His Majesty has already made subtle hints that Lady Hu’s daughter is the most suitable. The Empress Dowager favors Princess Honorable Splendor more; however, she no longer holds sway now. There are also candidates like Third Miss Li, Princess Shuncheng, and others.
They’re not very notable; North Rong people might not agree. Furrowing her brow, Ye Li said: So the final choice is likely between Princess Fragrant Beauty and Princess Honorable Splendor? Why didn’t His Majesty just issue an edict if he liked Fragrant Beauty?
Mur Xiao Yao smiled: He’s currently preoccupied with avoiding trouble; naturally, he hopes to leave such matters to us. I know you’re good friends with Lady Hu, so her name can be removed. Ye Li said: Of course, it must remain secret about their numbers and whereabouts. Their true strength and identities should also stay hidden.
If things go as planned, their existence will eventually become public knowledge; there’s no way to hide them. I hope they can serve openly like ordinary soldiers, rewarded for their achievements and promoted based on their abilities. The Black Cloud Cavalry is still understandable – after all, it's a formal army. However, the secret police profession is much more problematic.
Apart from a few who rise above it, most secret policemen spend their whole lives in the shadows with no proper titles or promotions. No honor, no friends, and even no chance to get married. By the time they retire at an old age, they’re usually too old anyway. This is why there have been no traitors from Dinning’s secret police; it speaks to how seriously ancient people took loyalty.
Lowering his head, Mur Xiao Yao pondered for a moment: Lady Consort never treated your bodyguards as secret policemen; An Yi went into the military and became known among secret policemen due to his talents. An Si was assigned to Western Ling, while you taught An Er and An San some duties here.
They have much more capability and intelligence than most people, but their whole lives are spent in darkness. I find it a waste of talent. And… hearts are hard to read; perhaps one day they will want to come out of the shadows?
If that happens, it could be even worse than having no secret police at all. So if they can serve me willingly and openly, I must take good care of them. Of course… anyone who betrays us won’t go unpunished!
Mur Xiao Yao thought deeply: Lady Consort’s words are indeed wise; but… you might not know that many families keep hidden forces, especially secret bodyguards whose knowledge is too extensive for control. In some cases, too much knowledge means the secret police are often eliminated.
Ye Li replied: Then why not give them military ranks or other statuses, and clear rewards and punishments? After a certain period, transfer them into the Black Cloud Cavalry or the Mur Family Army?
Mur Xiao Yao was intrigued: How did you envision this?
If these people’s training is satisfactory, they should serve until age thirty-five. At that point, they will be transferred to the Mur Family Army with the same rank. Of course, if they have other abilities and interests, we can consider other paths like civil service.
This is just a thought; I haven’t even trained them yet, so there’s plenty of time to consider it further.
Raising an eyebrow, Mur Xiao Yao said: I understand – you want to prepare the way for their futures?
Nodding seriously, Ye Li said: Once upon a time, I heard this: soldiers have already shed blood for the country; they shouldn’t be made to cry again. Retired veterans and injured soldiers often live hard lives as well. But now, I can’t worry about much. At least, I want to take care of my own people. Because once, she was a soldier too.
In her past life, the treatment was much better than now. In ancient times, being a soldier wasn’t considered a prestigious occupation – good men didn’t join the military and good iron wasn’t used for nails. Many joined out of necessity rather than choice.
Though I’m not sure where your ideas come from, I’ll certainly give them some thought. Mur Xiao Yao smiled at her in understanding as she reflected on these matters.