I, the Ming Dynasty, can still save me

Chapter 632 Abolition of the Six Ministries of Nanjing

Seeing everyone's confused looks, Ye Xianggao immediately explained.

"This happened last year. Your Majesty accidentally discovered that this kind of cowpox can prevent smallpox. He didn't care at first. He just asked the Taiyuan Hospital to try this method. Unexpectedly, the Taiyuan Hospital tested it and found that it had a miraculous effect.

His Majesty was overjoyed when he saw this, saying that everyone knew about the harm caused by smallpox, and the people in the world changed their minds when they heard about it, and they were helpless to do anything about it.If this method became popular in the world, I don’t know how many children and people would be saved.

So I was told that I would like to use internal funds and the Ministry of Household Affairs to fund the promotion for free in the capital.If it is really effective, then medical halls should be set up in various chief secretaries to be responsible for inoculating the people against smallpox. "

Even if everyone present did not know anything about smallpox, they knew how terrible it was.Now seeing the emperor's benevolent government, everyone naturally approves of it.

"This is a good thing, and I will definitely support it. Two of my nephews died of smallpox. Every time I think of this, I feel sad. It's just that smallpox has been around since ancient times. Every time I hear about it, my expression changes. This cowpox discovered by your majesty Does the method really work?"

At this time, Sun Shenxing no longer objected. His dissatisfaction with the emperor was only that he accepted Western learning.He was very satisfied with the actions of other emperors. Besides, he had a deep understanding of the horror of smallpox, so he naturally agreed with them all.

But he also expressed everyone's doubts, that is, is this method really useful?

Everyone also had doubts in their hearts. Now that Sun Shenxing had spoken out, they immediately looked at Ye Xianggao inquiringly.

"You can rest assured about this method. Mr. Sun Ge and Mr. Wang Ge can confirm that we were all present at the Taiyuan Hospital when the report was made. There is no way it can be faked."

"It's true. The method of vaccination has been around for a long time. This time it just turned human pox into cowpox. According to Yao Yingsu of the Taiyuan Hospital, cows can also get smallpox and get acne. It's just that the cow's constitution Unlike humans, they are not afraid of smallpox. Even if they get it, they will be fine. At most, they will just get pimples. Therefore, as long as cowpox is intersected with the human body, humans can also be protected from smallpox.

Moreover, Tai Hospital has been testing this method since May last year. They have been working on this method for most of last year and tried it on hundreds of people, and most of them were fine. "

Sun Chengzong also echoed the words. When he heard the Tai Hospital report at the beginning of this year, he still didn't believe it.So I went to the Imperial Hospital to check the situation in person, and found that it was indeed as safe as the imperial doctor said, so I believed it.

Seeing that Sun Chengzong nodded and acknowledged, Sun Shenxing and others immediately felt relieved.

"The merits are immeasurable. I immediately wrote to Your Majesty to implement this matter as soon as possible. First promote it in Shuntian Mansion. If the effect is good, then promote it nationwide. As long as the promotion is successful, I don't know how many lives will be saved."

Yang Lian also knew the dangers of smallpox. Seeing that cowpox was indeed effective and the emperor was willing to promote it, he naturally would not object.

"Your Majesty is so kind-hearted that you are so lucky to have discovered this method. I don't know how many people will be grateful for your Majesty's virtue. Your Majesty even wanted to set an example and be the first to be vaccinated against cowpox to set an example and dispel the doubts of the people.

It's just that if you promote it like this, you don't know how much it will cost. Plus other disaster relief, water conservancy and other expenses, the Ministry of Household Affairs can't help but spend it no matter how much money it has.Therefore, His Majesty has called Bi Ziyan, Wen Ru and others back to Beijing since the end of last year, fearing that there will be big moves soon. "

Hearing what Yang Lian said, Ye Xianggao immediately felt relieved. After all, as Sun Shenxing said, the promotion of cowpox is a major event that benefits the people. No one can oppose it, otherwise they will definitely attack in groups.

But then he brought up a topic that instantly attracted everyone's attention.As the chief minister of the Ming Dynasty's cabinet, if he can talk about big moves, it is definitely not a small matter.

Hearing Ye Xianggao mention him in his words, Yang Lian seemed to have guessed something in his heart.

"Since you have earned your royal salary, you should fulfill your duties as king. Since your majesty has appointed me as the minister of the Ministry of official affairs, I will manage the household department for your majesty, rectify the official administration, and make your majesty feel at ease."

Ye Xianggao smiled when he heard this and secretly thought that Yang Lian was thinking simply.However, the emperor had already given him instructions to let him speak out in advance, so now he didn't hide it anymore and shook his head directly:
"No, this is not as simple as rectifying the administration of officials, but His Majesty feels that the court is currently facing too many situations, and many things were not thought of at the beginning of the founding of the country, such as sea opening, customs duties, Western trade, commercial taxes, mining taxes, etc. .

Although the Six Ministries and Nine Ministers could handle such new situations, they had too few personnel and unclear powers, which resulted in many matters not being handled by dedicated personnel and requiring the establishment of new institutions.Therefore, His Majesty decided to reform the Six Ministries and Nine Ministers, add departments, and determine the ownership of affairs. "

"Reform the Six Ministries and Nine Ministers. The Six Ministries are the ancestral system established by Emperor Taizu. If we reform it rashly, it will definitely cause controversy."

As soon as Ye Xianggao said this, everyone was shocked, and Feng Sanwu, the imperial censor, immediately asked in confusion.

Although previous emperors also established additional departments, such as the Taxation Department of the Ministry of Household Affairs, the Huikao Office and other institutional settings.But these are all sporadic additions. This time the emperor actually wants to systematically reform the six ministries and nine ministers' departments. Isn't this span a bit big?

"No, the six ministries and nine ministers in Beijing are not abolished, only added and changed. In the past, each ministry had its own department and was responsible for its own affairs. But now you have also seen that the court is facing more and more things, and it is necessary to add and merge them Only some departments will do.”

Ye Xianggao's explanation immediately made everyone feel at ease.If it's just to add departments, then it's nothing.The more departments there are, the more officials there are. This makes everyone present feel a glimmer of opportunity.

However, there are also thoughtful people who are pondering Ye Xianggao's words and slowly discover some clues in them.

Ye Xianggao said that the six ministries and nine ministers in Beijing were just additions.Will the Nanjing Sixth Department be eliminated?Wei Dazhong, the minister of official affairs on the side, also thought for a while and couldn't help it anymore. He immediately asked Ye Xianggao about the matter.

However, Ye Xianggao did not reply immediately. Instead, he remained silent for a long time before slowly nodding his head and saying:

"Since the tax arrears in Nanzhili, the imperial court has been dissatisfied with the Nanjing Six Ministries. Most of the Six Ministries are busy with work. Although they are named Six Ministries, they are actually a place for leisure and cultivation. Therefore, His Majesty wants to eliminate the Nanjing Six Ministries."

Everyone was silent when they heard the words, feeling both surprised and somewhat calm in their hearts.

There is no other reason than that what Ye Xianggao said is right.

After Emperor Chengzu moved the capital to Beijing in the Ming Dynasty, it was considered to have implemented a two-capital system, with Beijing as the main capital and Nanjing as the remaining capital.However, compared with the two-capital system of previous dynasties, the two-capital system of the Ming Dynasty is more special.

This is because after the imperial court moved its capital to Beijing, Nanjing still retained a set of central institutions similar to those in Beijing for various reasons.

For example, the complete Six Ministries, the Metropolitan Procuratorate, the Fifth Military Governor's Office, the Hanlin Academy, the Imperial College, etc., the levels of officials are also the same as those in Beijing. To put it bluntly, the Nanjing Six Ministries are just the backup of the imperial court.

But the emperor is in Beijing after all, and the real decision-making power also comes from the six ministries and nine ministers in Beijing.The Six Ministries in Nanjing mainly manage the corresponding affairs of Southern Zhili. It cannot be said that they have no real power, but compared to Beijing, they are definitely far inferior.

Because of this, most of the yamen in Nanjing have empty posts and are very idle. Officials who serve are called "officials in hiding".Even after Wuzong, the Six Ministries in Nanjing mainly played two roles: providing care for the elderly and resettling demoted officials.

Generally, officials who were frustrated in Beijing official circles or failed in the struggle would be transferred to serve in the Six Ministries of Nanjing.Although this seemed to be a horizontal transfer, it was actually a demotion to Nanjing.Everyone present was from the Donglin Party, and everyone present had more or less tasted the feeling of being demoted to Nanjing.

"Although the Nanjing Six Ministries have little use, they were also determined by Emperors Chengzu and Renzong. If they are abolished rashly, I am afraid there will be controversy. Besides, the Nanjing Ministry of War, the Ministry of Rites, and the Ministry of Households still have high authority and heavy affairs. If they are rashly abolished, I am afraid it will cause chaos. Everything is in chaos in the South.”

Yang Lian thought for a moment, but still felt that the emperor had acted too hastily. Although the Six Ministries in Nanjing had very little power compared to the Six Ministries in Beijing, it had a great effect on the chief secretaries in the entire south.

For example, the Nanjing Ministry of Household Affairs is the most powerful department among the six ministries in Nanjing.

He is in charge of the salt industry and yellow books across the country, is responsible for the taxes of Southern Zhili, is responsible for the taxes of Zhejiang, Jiangxi and Huguang, as well as the salaries of various institutions in Nanjing.This is a very critical department. Now half of the country's taxes will be transported to Beijing through Nanzhili. All these must be coordinated and dispatched by the Nanzhili Ministry of Household Affairs.

Another example is the Nanjing Ministry of War, which is considered the second most powerful department.

The defense, post stations, boats, and war horses of Southern Zhili and surrounding provinces were all under the management of the Nanjing War Department.Of course, its most important duty is to manage coastal defense and Jiang defense, and even has the power to mobilize the troops of surrounding Nanzhili and other provinces.

Especially now that the Ming Dynasty is promoting maritime trade, and after Bi Ziyan built the Southern Zhili Navy last year, the entire Southern Zhili Navy is also under the control of the Nanjing War Department, and its status is even more important.

But as soon as these words came out, Ye Xianggao didn't take it seriously. It was obvious that he agreed with the emperor's proposal.

"The most powerful of the six ministries in Nanjing are the Ministry of Husbandry and the Ministry of War. However, since Bi Ziyan became the governor of Southern Zhili, he has weakened the power of the Nanjing Ministry of Husbandry and transferred the power of finance and salt industry to the Beijing Ministry of Husbandry. Nanjing Hubu The functions of the department have been greatly reduced, and now they are just in charge of the Yellow Book, which is nothing important.

The same is true for the Nanjing Military Department. There has been no war in South Zhili for a long time. The only one that can take action now is the South Zhili Navy. However, the court has its own arrangements for the South Zhili Navy, so there is no need to worry. "

Ye Xianggao's words did not convince Yang Lian. He hesitated and said:

"Although most of the Nanjing Six Ministries have no authority, all major and minor affairs in Southern Zhili are under the jurisdiction of the Nanjing Six Ministries. If the Nanjing Six Ministries are abolished, what will happen to all major and minor affairs in Southern Zhili? Who will be in charge?"

Ye Xianggao had already guessed that someone would ask such a question, and he smiled when he heard this, and then said slowly:

"There is nothing difficult about this. Just follow the example of other Chief Secretaries."

(End of this chapter)