Chongzhen revived the Ming Dynasty

"Liu Lishun did a great job!"

"If all local officials were like him, that would be wonderful!"

Looking at Zhang Yixian's report, Zhu Youjian sighed.

Although he abolished the eunuchs stationed in the local areas, he granted them supervisory power.

Supervisory eunuchs who are qualified to attend meetings at all levels and review various official documents can understand the local situation if they are willing to put in the effort.

Zhang Yixian reported Liu Lishun's actions in detail.

Zhu Youjian felt at this moment that he had made the right decision to appoint him as the top scholar, and that this person had lived up to his trust.

If possible, Zhu Youjian wanted to leave him in Suzhou and Songjiang for a few more years to oversee the development of the new district.

With this thought in mind, Zhu Youjian summoned Yuan Keli and praised him highly:
"This disciple of the master is both diligent and capable."

"If I can complete my full term in the Suzhou-Songjiang New Area, the imperial court will definitely be able to stabilize the area."

"Sir, why don't you consider returning it next year?"

The implication was that Yuan Keli should hold on for another year and wait for Liu Lishun to return.

Yuan Keli understood the emperor's intention to persuade him to stay, but he was truly exhausted.

Following the selection of officials in February, the court was already engaged in open and covert struggles for the selection of officials in August.

In particular, the selection of officials in August this year coincides with the triennial reshuffle, which will involve major changes in both the imperial court and local officials, resulting in extremely fierce competition among them.

As a Grand Councilor, Yuan Keli was one of the most influential ministers in the emperor's court. His attitude could affect many positions, and people flocked to him seeking favors.

Unwilling to trouble himself with this matter, Yuan Keli expressed his desire to retire to the emperor. He hoped to retire in August of this year and return to his hometown to enjoy his remaining years.

However, Zhu Youjian did not want him to leave because he could not find a replacement.

Leaving aside the duties of the Privy Council, in the court structure shaped by Zhu Youjian, it was mainly divided into three factions:

The Donglin Party, remnants of the eunuch party, and the neutral faction.

The reason these three factions were able to coexist peacefully was not only because Zhu Youjian supported the imperial faction to suppress factional strife, but also because Yuan Keli was in the court.

When purging the eunuch faction, Zhu Youjian appointed Yuan Keli as the de facto chief minister.

When suppressing the Donglin Party, Zhu Youjian, under the pretext of a wartime state, allowed Yuan Keli to obtain the power of Grand Secretary Han Kuang.

It can be said that it was precisely because Yuan Keli was in charge that neither the eunuch faction nor the Donglin faction dared to cause trouble.

They knew that if they angered the emperor, their positions would likely be taken by the neutral faction.

Once Yuan Keli retired from office, this balance was broken.

Zhu Youjian could not find a new leader of the neutral faction to balance the court.

However, Yuan Keli also had his own ideas, and he said to the emperor:
"Your Majesty's grace has enabled me to preside over the Privy Council for the past few years, overseeing both domestic and foreign war affairs."

"I've been working non-stop for years now, and I'm completely exhausted."

"The imperial physicians of the Imperial Hospital said that my body can no longer support the heavy workload."

"If I were to serve another term, I fear I would die in office, which would be a disgrace to Your Majesty's virtue."

"Moreover, I am already seventy-one years old this year. According to Your Majesty's decree, one must retire at the age of seventy. I must retire this year due to the change of leadership."

After hearing these words, Zhu Youjian was at a loss for words to persuade him to stay.

After the implementation of the ministers' medical examination system, he had a basic understanding of the health conditions of each minister.

Yuan Keli is one of the oldest and poorest people in the court today.

Perhaps relieved of a burden after the Liaodong campaign, Yuan Keli fell ill and had to rest several times during the winter and spring of this year.

This was already a sign that he was about to die, so the Imperial Medical Academy advised that Yuan Keli should not be overworked.

Encouraging such a veteran minister to persevere, Zhu Youjian found himself unable to express what he wanted to say.

With a sigh, Zhu Youjian said:
"If you really retire, who in the court can replace you?"

Yuan Keli's spirits lifted; he knew the emperor was asking him for advice. After a moment's consideration, he said:

"Court ministers should be recommended by the court."

"With so many dedicated and hardworking ministers at your side, why should Your Majesty worry?"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Youjian chuckled and said:
"Sir, you know what kind of ministers the court has chosen."

"Letting them govern is fine; it won't cause much harm."

"But war is a matter of great importance to the nation, and we really cannot let them run rampant."

"Therefore, apart from the Cabinet and the State Council, the ministers of the other ministries will be nominated by the court ministers, and I will select from them."

"Sir, you are also a minister and can recommend a successor."

A few years ago, Yuan Keli would have refuted this claim and demanded that the emperor respect the court's recommendation.

However, after several years of cooperation, he had come to understand that although the current emperor had his own selfish motives, he was mostly acting in the public interest.

Moreover, the ministers each recommended one person for the court recommendation, and the process was carried out quite well, so he really couldn't find any reason to refute it.

However, to avoid suspicion, he still politely declined:
"Matters of state and military importance shall be decided by Your Majesty."

"Your Majesty may appoint which minister you deem suitable as a Privy Councilor."

Zhu Youjian insisted:
"I still hope that you will recommend someone to continue the current favorable situation."

"After you, who is capable of shouldering this great responsibility?"

Yuan Keli's favorite was Sun Chengzong. The two worked together seamlessly and won the Liaodong campaign.

However, Sun Chengzong's position had already been decided before the new year, and having already been granted the title of Marquis, it was impossible for him to hold the position of Minister.

Besides that, he didn't have any other good candidates. After thinking it over, he said:

"Chief of Staff Yang Sichang is resourceful and dedicated to his duties."

"The strategy for the Liaodong Campaign was perfected under his supervision."

"If he were to take charge of the Privy Council, he would surely be able to achieve victory in the war."

Zhu Youjian considered this candidate, but ultimately deemed him unsuitable:
“Yang Sichang is too inexperienced and is not suitable to be promoted to head of the Privy Council so suddenly.”

"Moreover, he needs to cultivate his magnanimity; a prime minister's belly must be able to hold a boat."

Yuan Keli thought about it and agreed. Yang Sichang was indeed somewhat narrow-minded and had poor relationships with many people. In addition, his qualifications were too shallow, and if he were to become the head of the Privy Council, there would be many opponents.

However, apart from him, the existing Privy Councilors are indeed not suitable to serve as the head of the Privy Council.

Not to mention the confirmed retirement of Logistics Minister Min Mengde, no one believed that Equipment Minister Bi Maokang, despite his significant contributions to firearms, was capable of taking charge of the Privy Council.

The Navy Department is currently weak, and it is impossible for Minister Yu Anxing to be directly promoted to head of the Privy Council.

Border Defense Minister Liu Zunxian is capable, but he didn't achieve great feats in the Liaodong campaign and might not be able to suppress the arrogant and fierce troops there. To become the Privy Councilor, he needs even greater achievements.

After considering all these options, Yuan Keli realized that it would indeed be difficult to select a new head of the Privy Council after his retirement.

He turned his gaze to the Ministry of War and said:
"Qin Shiwen, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, is diligent and organized in his work."

"He is capable of serving as the head of the Privy Council."

Zhu Youjian shook his head and said:

"Qin Shiwen's health is also poor, and he has already decided to retire."

"And Minister of War Xue Fengxiang will also retire this year."

"Right Vice Minister Xiong Mingyu..."

After a pause, Zhu Youjian said:
"He is too biased towards the Donglin Party and is not suitable for an important position."

He directly rejected the man, deeming him unsuitable for a position in the Ministry of War. Not even an important one; he didn't need someone so devoted to the Donglin Party who was incompetent.

This immediately put an end to Yuan Keli's idea of ​​recommending Li Banghua.

Even someone like Xiong Mingyu, who kept a low profile in court, was considered by the emperor to be too biased towards the Donglin Party. Li Banghua, a disciple of Zou Yuanbiao, was even less likely to be considered.

For a moment, Yuan Keli hesitated, unsure of who to recommend next.
-
Zhu Youjian waited for a while, and seeing that Yuan Keli did not speak, he then said:

"What about Zhu Xieyuan, the military governor of Annam?"

"Does the gentleman think he is capable of handling this task?"

When Yuan Keli heard the emperor ask this question, he knew that the emperor had already chosen Zhu Xieyuan, but he hesitated and said:

"Supervisor Zhu is capable of the job, but if he is put in charge of the Privy Council, will Supervisor Sun be dissatisfied?"

Both men were commanders-in-chief, and in terms of merit, Sun Chengzong was clearly more accomplished.

How would Sun Chengzong view the appointment of Zhu Xieyuan to head the Privy Council and be responsible for the nation's military affairs?
For this reason, Yuan Keli had not mentioned Zhu Xieyuan before, not wanting his old friend Sun Chengzong to know that he had recommended this person.

Now that the emperor has inquired, he has also raised his own questions.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Youjian sighed and said:
"Yes!"

"Zhu Xieyuan's achievements are still somewhat lacking. If he were to take charge of the Privy Council, Sun Chengzong and even the meritorious officials of Liaodong might be dissatisfied."

"I truly hope that you, sir, will persevere for another year, until Zhu Xieyuan has pacified Annam and even Southeast Asia, so that you can be transferred back to the court and complete your career as both a general and a prime minister."

"Sir, retiring this year is really inappropriate."

These words made Yuan Keli understand the emperor's thoughts and why the emperor wanted him to hold on for another year.

The war in Annam has just begun. Considering the overall situation of conquering Southeast Asia, Zhu Xieyuan should stay in the south for at least another year.

Otherwise, if they are hastily recalled, there is a risk of the war recurring.

Zhu Youjian hoped that Zhu Xieyuan would make great contributions and, based on his outstanding achievements, return to the court to take charge of the Privy Council.

Therefore, the time given to him to make meritorious contributions was crucial. He did not want Zhu Xieyuan to rush into making meritorious contributions and leave hidden dangers in Annam.

In particular, besides the head of the Privy Council, Zhu Youjian also needed someone to act as a leader of the neutral faction to balance the remnants of the Donglin Party and the eunuch party.

He said to Yuan Keli:

"I have always admired your impartiality and integrity."

"But there are some people in the court who are only concerned with their own factions."

"After you leave office, who can reconcile the political parties?"

This is a big problem, and it's even harder for Yuan Keli to respond.

Neither Zhu Xieyuan nor Yang Sichang could have his influence, even if they became the head of the Privy Council.

The leader of the neutral faction must be replaced.

Yuan Keli pondered for a moment and said:

"The Ministers of the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Works are both loyal to His Majesty."

"Your Majesty could make use of more such personnel during this year's reshuffle."

He believed that Bi Ziyan and Shang Zhouzu could be his successors.

However, even combined, those two people don't have his influence. Replacing the prime minister like he did is virtually impossible.

If the factional strife is intense, the scene of him and Bi Ziyan being forced to leave during the Tianqi era could very well be repeated.

Yuan Keli, unwilling to disrupt the favorable situation in the court, began to hesitate about retiring this year.
"Isn't it too hasty to retire at this time?"

"If factional strife reignites in the court, who will be able to suppress it?"

The thought that Han Kuang, supported by the Donglin Party, and Yang Jingchen, supported by the remnants of the eunuch party, were now fighting fiercely for the position of Grand Secretary filled him with unease.

Having already achieved his ambitions and attained great success, he didn't want to have this stain on his reputation in his old age.

If the successor is not chosen well, he cannot step down.
-
Zhu Youjian, seeing his expression, knew that his attitude had changed, and said with deep concern:

"This leadership transition is the first formal transition since the three-year term system was implemented."

"My biggest worry is that the outcome of the leadership transition will be unsatisfactory, and that the officials will attack each other everywhere, causing unrest in the court."

"Without a seasoned minister like you to keep things in order, I am truly uneasy!"

These words were spoken from the heart, demonstrating the importance attached to Yuan Keli.

Even knowing his place in the emperor's heart, he couldn't help but feel moved and blurted out:

"Your Majesty, rest assured, I will do my utmost to prevent chaos in the court."

Zhu Youjian was immediately moved and stood up, walked to Yuan Keli, and took his hand, saying:

"To devote oneself to the cause until death."

"Sir, you are my Zhuge Liang!"

They used Yuan Keli's words to put him on a pedestal, wanting to make him work himself to death.

Upon hearing the emperor's words, Yuan Keli opened his mouth as if to say that he did not mean it that way.

However, under the emperor's gaze, he could not possibly say that he did not wish to be Zhuge Liang.

All I could do was sigh and acquiesce.

Seeing him like this, Zhu Youjian happily helped him sit down on the embroidered stool and said:

"Rest assured, sir, I will not let you suffer like Zhuge Liang."

"Next, we can delegate tasks to others and train successors."

"The leadership transition will take place this August. Sir, you may submit your list of preferred candidates, and I will do my best to arrange it."

These words represent immense trust, practically allowing Yuan Keli to cultivate his own faction.

If he could serve for a few more years, a faction led by Yuan Shikai might emerge in the imperial court.

However, Yuan Keli's health was really not good, and he could not work for much longer.

For this reason, Zhu Youjian generously allowed him to train a successor.

At this time, among Yuan Keli's disciples, the one with the highest status was Lu Xiang-sheng, who was already serving as the governor of Liaodong.

Then there are Jiang Dejing, Ni Jiashan, and Ni Yuanlu, who are currently mid-level officials and may become Grand Secretaries and Nine Ministers in the future.

However, these people were all Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) in the second year of the Tianqi reign (1622), and were students of Yuan Keli. Their relationship could not be described as unclose, but they could not be considered successors to Yuan Keli's mantle.

The one who can truly carry on Yuan Keli's mantle is actually Liu Lishun.

This man was outspoken and dared to speak his mind. He was diligent and organized in his work. Although his position was not high enough, Zhu Youjian regarded him as his successor.

He hoped that Liu Lishun could become a minister like Yuan Keli in the future.

Now is the crucial moment for Liu Lishun to gain experience in the local areas and return to the imperial court. Zhu Youjian hopes that Yuan Keli will give him a boost and cultivate him into a high-ranking official.

It would be best to take him in as a disciple, acknowledge the master-disciple relationship, and clearly designate him as his successor.

Upon hearing the emperor's idea, Yuan Keli found himself unable to refuse.

The emperor was openly paving the way for him to secure a future for his family.

In particular, if the war in Annam were won during his term, he would have a high chance of being granted the title of duke in the future.

In order to establish his family's fiefdom, he also needed to cultivate successors in the imperial court.

Ultimately, persuaded by the emperor, Yuan Keli withdrew his plan to retire this year and decided to stay for another year. (End of Chapter)