After resolving the issues with the Fourth Division of the Standing Army, Jinghang temporarily appointed Maki as the commander of the Fourth Division. For ninja officers at or above the rank of regiment leader involved in corruption or underworld activities, they were handed over to the Intelligence Department personnel stationed at the Yuexi Peninsula for detention and interrogation. The remaining lower-level ninjas were subjected to "study and rectification" on the spot. Jinghang himself, along with Yecang, Scorpion, and Guren, boarded the No. 001 warship back to Sunagakure.
Because immediately after the operation, he issued a summon for the "Village Representative Meeting." Such a significant event and action required a meeting to convey the spirit, especially since there were several important and targeted new policies to announce.
When Jinghang and his team returned to Sunagakure, they barely had time to eat before wave after wave of people came, mostly the village elders, trying to intercede. Their words were generally as follows:
"Oh, it's just a bit of embezzlement, isn't it? Just pay it back, we're all from the same village, why be so harsh?"
"That person shed blood and was injured for the village, it's just a few people from other villages being tied up, it's not a big deal, let them go."
"Jinghang, I'm telling you, that person's father saved your father's life on the battlefield, you can't be ungrateful..."
Such pleas made Jinghang extremely annoyed, so he simply locked the gate of his villa and moved with Tsunade and Kojingyan to the office dormitory of the Kazekage Building. At least there were guards at the Kazekage Building entrance, preventing random entry. He only showed up when the "Village Representative Meeting" officially convened.
Amidst the applause of the representatives, Jinghang walked onto the podium with a stern face. Clearing his throat, he began his speech.
"I believe everyone is aware of the recent events. It's truly shocking. In Sunagakure, including the Yuehu New District and Yuexi Peninsula, there are a total of thirty ministerial-level officials, and I had to dismiss five. There are sixty vice-ministerial-level officials, and I had to dismiss thirteen. Additionally, there was one division commander, one deputy commander, ten regimental commanders, and thirty-six regiment leaders from the Standing Army's Fourth Division. The number of involved ninjas is countless!
Look at these people, every one of them has notable achievements, every one of them is a pillar of the village, every one of them is my fellow countryman. Their downfall breaks my heart. Lord Sāmon entrusted the village to me, and it has turned into this. I am deeply grieved.
When I first took over, Lord Sāmon of the Second Generation was defeated by Amegakure. I thought Konohagakure was Sunagakure's greatest enemy. I traveled north and south, defeating White Fang at Lishi and breaking Danzo at Yuehu. I repelled Konohagakure's invasion.
Later, someone told me that poverty was Sunagakure's greatest enemy. I established the Yuehu New District, built the desert highway, formed the Hourglass Group, and developed the Yuexi Peninsula, greatly improving the village's finances.
Later still, someone said Iwagakure was Sunagakure's greatest enemy. I personally led the army and fought Ōnoki at the Crowing Plain, completely defeating him, held the Five Nations Talks, and secured nearly seven years of peace.
But now I see more clearly, Sunagakure's greatest internal threat is not outside, but within the village. It is within the Kazekage Hall! It is among these comrades who once bled with me.
I am guilty to the village, ashamed before our predecessors, ashamed before heaven and earth. I wish I could dismiss myself! And you, though you stand with dignity on the shore, are you truly clean? I know some of you are more corrupt than these people!
I advise you to turn your hearts and minds inside out, wash and tidy them!
I haven't closed my eyes for three days and nights, always thinking about what to say to everyone. During this time, many village elders have come to intercede, saying we're all family, all have shed blood for the village, why be so harsh, let it go. But today I tell you, this net must not be loosened! Today we dealt with over sixty officers and cadres to save more officials and cadres on the brink of the abyss!
If we rot a little, the bottom will rot a lot! If you all rot, Sunagakure is finished, leaving us with no place to die! Think about it, how many years has it been since Lord Sāmon of the Second Generation died in Amegakure! Forgotten! Those eyes that cannot close are watching you every day from the martyrs' cemetery!
Things rot before worms are born! For the eternal foundation of Sunagakure, I am determined to fight corruption to the end! I solemnly warn you, this is not just about punishment and deterrence, this is a struggle! A bloody struggle! A life-and-death struggle!
Don't think this anti-corruption action is like a passing wind, blowing over. I solemnly tell you again, such anti-corruption actions will become a norm, a habit, a discipline! If anyone stumbles on this issue, even the Sage of the Six Paths can't save them.
I've warned you in advance, hope you cherish yourselves and don't be foolish!
Now I announce that the Anti-Corruption Bureau will be directly led by the Kazekage, with the power to make immediate decisions. Within Sunagakure's jurisdiction, it can question anyone at any time, any place, for seventy-two hours, including myself, and everyone must cooperate unconditionally. All public officials in the village and the Standing Army must report their personal assets to the Anti-Corruption Bureau. No false reports or omissions are allowed, otherwise, it will be treated as embezzlement! I've finished speaking, who opposes?"
The scene was silent, Jinghang's words were powerful and decisive, who would dare to oppose at this moment.
Thus, the anti-corruption resolution was unanimously passed.
Next, Jinghang proposed two more resolutions.
The first was about issuing gambling licenses (legal gambling operation licenses) for the Yuexi Peninsula.
The gambling industry on the Yuexi Peninsula has thrived through six years of wild growth, but it is time to establish rules. Without rules, foreign capital will run rampant.
The resolution is to issue only twelve "gambling licenses" for the entire Yuexi Peninsula. Six have already been issued to casinos operated by Wind Country merchants led by Hirakami Kanzaburo, as these casinos have been relatively compliant over the years, and Sunagakure holds shares in them. It's natural to favor one's own industry.
For the remaining six, Jinghang decided on a two-step process: one is public auction, awarded to the highest bidder. Legal gambling operations, especially in mature markets like the Yuexi Peninsula, can't be given away for free.
That's not all; casinos obtaining "gambling licenses" must undergo evaluation and inspection by Sunagakure before officially operating, to prevent a repeat of the Fourth Division's aftermath. They must also undergo regular inspections by the Yuexi Peninsula Guard. If any illegal activities are found, the "gambling license" will be revoked, and all assets on the Yuexi Peninsula will be confiscated.
Other underground casinos and related money houses without "gambling licenses" will be considered illegal organizations and will be destroyed immediately upon discovery.
The second resolution concerns the Standing Army. Why was Rifeng Tian able to almost single-handedly turn an entire division into accomplices of foreign forces? Ultimately, it was due to a lack of oversight and checks.
How to ensure "the Party commands the gun." The great man already provided the answer in the 1927 "Sanwan Reorganization," just take it directly and copy it.
The Ministry of Military Affairs was directly abolished, replaced by the Command Headquarters, responsible for all matters of the Standing Army and Sunagakure's armed forces, directly managed by Kazekage Jinghang.
Power is divided into three: the General Staff, the Political Department, and the Equipment Department. One manages specific command and dispatch, one focuses on ideology, and one handles equipment and logistics. The three departments are equal and directly managed by the Command Headquarters, with clear division of labor and mutual checks.
Our army establishes "branches at the company level," while Jinghang establishes "branches at the regiment level." Starting from the regiment level, political commissars are appointed, setting a dual-command system to avoid a situation where one person dictates an entire army.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
Discover 10 Amazing Fanfics on My Patreon!Unlock 400+ Advance Chapters and Dive into the Story Early! 👉 [patreon.com/DarkGolds]