I, the Ming Dynasty, can still save me

Chapter 651 The terrible six-part reform plan

"This is how we will deal with the matter of the Hongmao Yi first. Let me meet them after they arrive in Ming Dynasty."

Seeing that the matter had been decided, Zhu Youxiao said nothing more and immediately asked the Ministry of Rites to handle it.

Hong Maoyi was just a sideshow in the Wenhua Palace's imperial edict. Zhu Youxiao summoned them today mainly to discuss the six-part reform that had been agreed upon for a long time.

Zhu Youxiao has been preparing for this matter since the Jianlu annihilation last year. For this reason, he specially mobilized six candidates from the cabinet to pave the way for reform.

He originally wanted to wait until the prisoner presentation ceremony in March to finalize the matter, but things like the birth of Zhu Ciran and the movements of Horqin and other troops affected his energy.

Now that these matters are over, he has enough time and energy to deal with this matter.

"Well, I believe you all know the reason why I asked you to come here. It has been more than two hundred years since Taizu abolished the prime minister due to the Hu Weiyong case and transferred the power to the six ministries. Two hundred years have passed, and the current situation of the Ming Dynasty is different from that of the Ming Dynasty. There was a big difference in the past.

If we don’t talk about anything else, let’s just say that we are now opening a sea trade channel.Last year, sea trade tariff revenue was 160 million taels, and today it will only be more, not less.With so many tax sources, there are few full-time responsible persons in charge of the Ministry of Household Affairs.In addition, other incomes such as commercial tax, mining tax, etc. are increasing day by day, but there are few full-time responsible persons, and the list is endless. "

Listening to the emperor speaking like this, everyone present also felt the same.

Most of the people present were members of the Donglin Party. They held lectures at Donglin Academy at that time, and most of their remarks were aimed at criticizing the current ills.Among them, he put forward his opinions on matters such as sea opening and commercial taxation.At that time, some people wanted to reform the Sixth Department, but this proposal was indeed a bit big, and they did not dare to mention it casually.

Unexpectedly, the emperor proposed it himself, which was exactly what they wanted.But Zhu Youxiao's words were not over yet.I saw him looking around at everyone, and then slowly said:

"I am constantly updating my words every day. As the old saying goes: adapt to local conditions and adapt to the times. Now, apart from taxation, the Western countries have come to the west, the health system has been weakened, the Neo-Confucianism is weak, etc. There are many problems. Many problems have already arrived. The point where it can’t be done without changing.

I have been thinking about this issue since I came to the throne, but the war in Southwest and Liaodong is urgent, so I can only put it aside temporarily.Now that Southwest and Liaodong have revolted and been punished, Anyan in the world has also freed up my hands to deal with this matter. I don’t know what you dear friends think. "

Upon seeing this, the cabinet, military aircraft department, and ministers of the six ministries present immediately turned their attention to Ye Xianggao, the chief minister of the cabinet.They had already discussed this matter, and then they saw Ye Xianggao take out a question book from his sleeve and slowly said:
"What your Majesty said is true. Since February, in accordance with your Majesty's edict, I have been discussing this matter with the Cabinet, the Military Aircraft Department, and the Six Ministries and Nine Ministers. However, this matter is of great importance. The Cabinet has only collected the information from the Six Ministries, Nine Ministers and other yamen. Opinion on elimination, but will it be implemented? How will it be implemented? We have to wait for His Majesty’s decision.”

As he spoke, he raised the title book in his hand above his head. Seeing this, Wei Zhongxian, the majesty on stage, quickly took the title book and handed it to the emperor.

"Your Majesty, based on the cabinet's discussion with the Six Ministries, it was found that the Six Ministries now need to add many more departments. For example, the Ministry of Household Affairs originally had four ministries and 13 departments, which were in charge of national taxation. But since the customs duties were established the year before last, a Customs Department has been added.

But now the cabinet is discussing with the Ministry of Household Affairs and feels that in addition to adding a Customs Department, a Commercial Tax and Miscellaneous Tax Department should be added. In addition, the salt tax should be integrated and managed by another department under the Ministry of Household Affairs.

Others, such as the Ministry of Rites, have four Qing official divisions, including ritual system, temple sacrifices, host and guest, etc. However, now that they want to implement the reform of the Imperial College and promote "practical learning", they want to add a division to be responsible for the academic system and imperial examinations. The other ministries are all based on the situation. If there are any additions, please ask Your Majesty to take a look. "

After Ye Xianggao summarized the key points of their discussion, he stopped talking and waited for the emperor's request.

Zhu Youxiao was listening and looking at the question book, but the more he looked, the more he felt something was wrong and frowned.When everyone present saw the emperor's appearance, they knew that the emperor seemed dissatisfied with the result. "If the six ministries add departments, will they be added locally? I seem to have only seen the addition of six ministries, but I have not seen any departments abolished. Also, do Jiuqing and other departments need to be added?"

Zhu Youxiao looked at this question book and was very dissatisfied.Because in this title book, some new departments are added on the basis of the original six departments.

If we really do this, it will only make the six departments more bloated, and the efficiency of handling things will not be improved at all.

And as Zhu Youxiao said, the title book only added the six central ministries, but did not make any improvements to the nine central ministers and the chief secretaries and yamen.

If this is done, it will not only have no effect on administrative efficiency, but will actually hinder it.How could all this not make Zhu Youxiao angry? Ye Xianggao and others were obviously fooling him.

"Your Majesty, please calm down. There are many agencies in the six ministries and nine ministers of the imperial court and the local chief secretaries, and their affairs are complicated. Without on-the-ground understanding, there is no way to talk about whether to add or eliminate departments.

Therefore, I want to proceed step by step, first adding six subordinate departments, then adding corresponding departments at the local level, and then further reforming Jiuqing and other institutions, so as not to miss the overall situation. "

Seeing that the emperor was angry, Ye Xianggao quickly explained.This is not only his intention, but also the result of discussions between the cabinet and the six ministries.

After all, it is easiest to add six more departments, so that no one will be offended. You can also add more officials and arrange more people, and everyone will be happy to accept it.

But despite all his calculations, he failed to consider the emperor's attitude.

Zhu Youxiao is very dissatisfied now, even if what Ye Xianggao said makes sense.The reform of the six departments must be carried out step by step, and it may take at least two or three years, or at most seven or eight years.

But Zhu Youxiao could not accept this preliminary reform plan no matter what.

Although six additional departments will be added, will the previous ones remain unchanged?If this is the case, it will only make the six departments more bloated and will be of no use to the court.

Thinking of this, he looked at everyone present.After everyone present felt the emperor's gaze, they also lowered their heads and did not dare to speak.

"Your Majesty, this plan is just what we put forward after trying to figure out the Holy Will. There are many flaws in it. Please forgive me. If Your Majesty has the Holy Will, we will definitely follow it."

Listening to Ye Xianggao taking the blame, Zhu Youxiao sighed secretly.

These people are carefully selected by themselves, and their abilities are also seen in their own eyes. Many of them are determined to reform, and they are also aware of their determination.Therefore, he decided to give them another chance, clarify his attitude and opportunity again, and let them implement it well.

(End of this chapter)