I, the Ming Dynasty, can still save me

Chapter 8

After Xu Guangqi and others left, only Zhu Youxiao, Chief Assistant Fang Congzhe and others were left.

The early morning discussion made Zhu Youxiao's mouth dry. Fortunately, Wang An brought the tea prepared by someone in advance. Zhu Youxiao took a few sips and felt much better.

Fang Congzhe looked at Zhu Youxiao like this and couldn't help but said

"It is indeed a blessing for the Ming Dynasty that Your Majesty is so worried about state affairs. However, His Majesty is still young and works so hard, so he needs to pay more attention to his health."

Zhu Youxiao waved his hand and said he didn't care.

"I am young, so I naturally have to learn more and ask more questions. I must not disappoint everyone's expectations. It's just that today's performance is correct, which makes me deeply worried.

The emperor has been in power for many years, and many positions in the court have been vacant. For many years, there have been no replacements, and the personnel are ineffective and the efficiency is low. Xu Guangqi's military training is an example.What if everything is like this?”

Wanli ignored the affairs of the government. At the critical moment, there were a total shortage of three ministers and ten ministers in the northern and southern capitals; there were three governors, 66 chief envoys and inspectors, and 25 prefects in various places.

Emperor Wanli was exhausted at the top, hundreds of officials and factions were fighting at the bottom, and the government was completely idle.

Fang Congzhe has been the chief assistant for seven years. He understands this kind of thing very well and said with relief:

"Your Majesty, there is no need to worry. After the late emperor succeeded to the throne, he also selected more officials. Now most of the vacancies in the six departments in the capital have been filled, which is much better than when Shenzong was.

It's just that many officials are now busy with their affairs, love fame, and like to seek impeachment. This trend must not last long. Instead, they can issue strong orders, prohibit mutual criticism, and allow more supervision by the Metropolitan Procuratorate during the matter. "

Zhu Youxiao waved his hands dissatisfied. How could he be satisfied with such tame rhetoric? What was the use of issuing an edict? He also knew the character of officials in the Ming Dynasty. The more they were not allowed to do it, the more they would do it. If they were If the emperor scolded him, that would be better, it means he did the right thing.

For this kind of person who is idle all day long with nothing to do but impeachment, he actually has something in mind for a long time.

“What’s the use of impeachment? Empty talk will harm the country, but hard work will make it prosperous.

At that time, when Zhang Juzheng was defeated, there were more than hundreds of people impeached, including many who were hiding from the wind, which led to widespread criticism in the court and everyone was in danger. This trend cannot last long.

I think there is no use in issuing decrees to reprimand. I see that many people are constantly impeaching. The main reason is that they are overstaffed and do not do their own jobs well. They hope to be impeached all day long.

In this case, rather than leaving it to the supervision of Shizhong and the Metropolitan Procuratorate, it is better to supervise them to do their jobs well, assess them and form a system. "

Zhu Youxiao had already planned this so-called assessment system, which was to succeed in the examination.

The so-called examination law was originally set up by Zhang Juzheng. Zhang Juzheng suffered from officials' struggle for power and profit, fighting with each other and low efficiency, so he stipulated that the six ministries and the Metropolitan Procuratorate should set deadlines for their officials to handle and register them in three account books.

One copy was kept by the Sixth Ministry and the Metropolitan Procuratorate, another was sent to the Sixth Section, and the last one was submitted to the Cabinet;

The six ministries and the Metropolitan Procuratorate will register in the account books and conduct inspections on a monthly basis.

Each time a registration is completed, one must declare it truthfully, otherwise it will be punished;
The Sixth Section can also require the Sixth Department to report the implementation status every six months, and violators will be dealt with in a case-by-case basis;

Finally, the cabinet can also verify the audit work of the six departments.

This system has greatly improved the efficiency of the court's work, but the pressure on officials can't breathe. Sometimes they will try their best to oppress their subordinates in order to improve efficiency, which makes officials very afraid of this system. This is one of the reasons why officials don't like Zhang Juzheng.

But thinking about it, Zhu Youxiao couldn't propose the implementation, because if he implemented it forcefully, he would inevitably be opposed by the officials, so he had to let the people below propose it, and he would go along with the flow and agree. In this way, even if the implementation failed, there would be a scapegoat. Don't point the finger at yourself.

The emperor's words made Fang Congzhe think deeply.Assessment system, where did the idea of ​​the emperor come from.

The assessment system already existed, so he stood up and gave Zhu Youxiao some advice:
"Your Majesty, this dynasty has its own official assessment system, which is divided into Jingcha and Daji. Jingcha assesses Beijing officials every six years, and adopts "four grids" and "six rounds" as the standards for official promotion and demotion. Daji assesses foreign officials. Once every three years. How to conduct the assessment again, I’m afraid it will be too cumbersome.”

"I already knew about the Beijing-Inspection Plan, but I know that now the Beijing-Inspection Plan is probably not for the purpose of inspection, but has almost become a means for officials to attack each other. These two also need to be rectified, but we will talk about it later.

As for the new assessment, the Chief Assistant will go to the cabinet to discuss it, and they will just come up with a charter as soon as possible. "

Zhu Youxiao's tough attitude left Fang Congzhe with no choice. The imperial power of the Ming Dynasty was so strong that unless Zhang Juzheng, Yang Tinghe and the like, it would be difficult for others to compete.What's more, Fang Congzhe is good at "making peace" and is involved in impeachment.

He could only nod and obey.

"By the way, Mr. Fang Ge, I mentioned Zhang Juzheng before. I remember that my father admired Zhang Juzheng very much when he was in his mansion. After he succeeded to the throne, he wanted to rectify Zhang Juzheng's name, but suddenly the mountains collapsed, and the matter was shelved. I think Zhang Juzheng has indeed made great contributions to the dynasty, so I will let the cabinet discuss it, reconsider Zhang Juzheng's case, and rectify his name."

Fang Congzhe finally understood Zhu Youxiao's intention at this time. To rectify Zhang Juzheng's name, there was already a consensus between the DPRK and the Central Government, so why bother mentioning it. Now he specifically asked him to remind himself that the assessment system he had in mind was to restore Zhang Juzheng. The examination has become law.

Fang Congzhe couldn't help but feel that it was difficult to handle. The little emperor had been so enterprising after he succeeded to the throne. If he wanted to restore the examination method, wouldn't he be putting himself on the fire?When the news spreads, I am afraid that the Donglin Party will lash out at me again. If this happens, I, as the chief minister, may not end up well.

Zhu Youxiao also saw his thoughts and knew that this matter was extremely difficult.

"Don't worry, Chief Minister, I know that this matter is difficult to handle, so I specifically mentioned to you that there are many criticisms and impeachments against you in the court, so don't worry.

I know that the matter of "Red Pill" is caused by Li Kezhuo's ulterior motives and has nothing to do with you. I will not listen to lies and will stand on your side. "

Zhu Youxiao's words made Fang Conzhe feel relieved. In the "Red Pill" case, he recommended Li Kezhuo. If he was investigated, the consequences would be very serious, but the emperor wanted to protect him at this time.

However, he also knew that this was the exchange condition for the emperor to let him pass the law examination.But this also made him determined to say to Zhu Youxiao:

"Your Majesty, thank you for your understanding. As for the official assessment, I will ask the cabinet to discuss it and come up with a charter for your Majesty's review.

There is just one more thing. I have been serving as the chief minister of the cabinet for seven years since the Shenzong Dynasty. In recent years, I have become increasingly tired and unable to do anything. Now there are many talents in the court. After this matter is over, I want to abdicate in favor of talents and retire to my hometown. "

Not wanting Zhu You, the headmaster asked without looking:

"If my beloved leaves, then who should I use as the chief minister of the cabinet?"

"I believe that the cabinet minister Liu Yishui is wise in politics, decisive in nature, and has the courage to do his job. I think he is a suitable candidate for the chief minister of the cabinet."

Fang Congzhe came up with the words he had already thought of.

Zhu Youxiao also recognized Liu Yishen in his heart. Historically, it was true that he was his second chief assistant, so he did not exclude him.

"Liu Yishen is good. Then I'll wait for the chief minister's question book. Then the chief minister should go back to the cabinet. I'm tired too."

After Fang Congzhe left, Zhu Youxiao sat on the couch, closing his eyes and meditating. When he heard what Fang Congzhe said just now, Zhu Youxiao was not surprised at all. This was the second time Fang Congzhe applied for an official position. Historically, Fang Congzhe also succeeded to the throne. I will leave my job one month later, so I have already made preparations for this.

It's just that he wanted Fang Congzhe to give him one last bit of warmth before he left.Otherwise, the examination method focuses on efficiency and suppresses expression, which is most unacceptable to the Donglin Party members who value expression, and will inevitably hinder its implementation.

Therefore, it is most appropriate for the Zhejiang Party, which is an opponent of the Donglin Party, to implement this matter. I believe they will do their best.

(End of this chapter)