Chongzhen revived the Ming Dynasty

Haidian District.

This is the location of the princes' residences, where many members of the royal family gathered.

Many princes who went overseas to establish their own fiefdoms temporarily left their members of the royal family here.

Compared to the wild and uncivilized overseas regions, the living conditions in the capital were naturally far superior. Many members of the imperial family who came here were unwilling to leave and did not want to go overseas.

Local officials dared not forcibly expel them, lest they cause trouble.

Some people even threatened the government, saying they would go into the city to cry out for justice if they weren't allowed to.

Because of the status of these members of the imperial family, and fearing to alarm the emperor's officials, they could only endure it.

However, this phenomenon changed after the conflict between people and land was identified as the primary contradiction at present.

Zhu Yicheng, from the Qing Dynasty, keenly sensed this.

Many members of the royal family who caused trouble have been arrested and forcibly expelled overseas.

It is said that the Imperial Clan Court is still drafting regulations stipulating that those who wish to retain their imperial clan status must go overseas.

In order to reduce forced emigration, the imperial court decided to prioritize the relocation of members of the imperial family.

Zhu Yicheng was deeply worried about this and didn't know what to do:
"The imperial court wants to drive us away, what should we do?"

"Qingfan's fiefdom is on Ice and Fire Island, which is frozen for more than half the year."

"I heard there might be a volcanic eruption. How can people live there?"

During a gathering with members of the imperial clan, Zhu Yicheng complained that he was very reluctant to go overseas.

He was even more reluctant to leave after finding a job in the university town near the Princes' Palace.

Most of the members of the imperial clan who gathered with him were in the same situation. They only held the nominal title of Fengguo Zhongwei. After the court lifted the ban on the imperial clan, they chose their own careers, and some of them were already living a very stable life here.

Now that the imperial court wants to forcibly expel them, these people naturally refuse.

However, some were willing to submit. Zhu Jingtong, who came from the Han vassal state, said:
"There's nothing wrong with getting a fiefdom overseas."

“We are all lieutenants of the State. If we go out in this generation, we can be granted hereditary knighthood, but the next generation will not have this opportunity.”

"Going out to sea now and enduring some hardship will leave a legacy for future generations."

The others looked at him with envy, saying in a envious tone:

"Your Han vassal state has truly chosen a good fiefdom; there are many places to cultivate."

"We're not doing so well; each fiefdom is worse than the last."

Even if one becomes a hereditary knight, one can only hunt on the fief.

After the Northeast Development Strategy was introduced, the Han Kingdom, which was adjacent to the Jinning Protectorate, gained development opportunities.

Since land reclamation is possible in Jinning, it's impossible that it's not possible in the neighboring Han Kingdom.

In many places, there is only a river separating the fields, so of course it is possible to farm.

Therefore, the new King of Han issued an order to allocate 1,000 mu of hereditary land on the riverbank plain to all members of the royal family who went to establish their own fiefdoms.

Even if their fiefdom consists of mountains and forests, they will still have a thousand acres of fertile land to maintain their family business.

Many members of the Korean royal family were attracted by this policy and planned to go there to reclaim wasteland.

Now, all the members of the imperial family in the capital envy Han Fan. They believe that Han Fan was the first to establish a fiefdom and gained a tremendous advantage.

The North Sea Island, where the King of Han resided, was even the envy of the regional kings.

The southern part of that island has an ice-free port, allowing for year-round navigation and trade with places like Jiangnan.

In this way, Han Fan's fleet not only did not need to find a place to spend the winter, but could also sail during the winter.

When the northern vassal states like Gangneung were frozen in winter and unable to sell timber, the timber and fur trade of the Han vassal state flourished. Last winter alone, they earned an unknown amount of money.

In particular, according to those who have been there, the winter temperature there is similar to that of Beijing, making it a very livable place.

Even Prince Qing sometimes stayed in Hanfan during the winter.

It can be said that Zhu Youjian set a very good example. The impact of the death of the old Prince Han has gradually dissipated.

Many people no longer doubt that the old King Han died of illness due to harsh conditions, but rather of natural causes.

The royal family of Han also actively went out, and many of them went to Beihai Island.

In particular, the new King Zhu Shao of Han had different ideas from the old King Zhu Shao. Although he was also unwilling to give Beihai Island to the royal family, he hoped that the capital of Han would develop as soon as possible and allow them to live there for a long time and run businesses on Beihai Island.

The allocation of easily cultivated riverside land followed the same idea. This land was designated as the property of the King of Han and distributed to members of the royal family for management.

Zhu Jingtong was attracted by this and planned to go to Han's fiefdom to take up his post.

Zhu Yicheng looked at him with envy, but had no such thoughts.

Because the territory of Gyeongbu was really cold, even further north than the northernmost part of Hanbu.

That place has no potential other than hunting.

Prince Qing could live comfortably by relying on the soldiers of the garrison to hunt and by selling furs, but he, an ordinary member of the imperial clan, did not have that resource.

Sometimes he even resented Prince Qing for not choosing a better place to establish his fiefdom.

This is also why he and many other members of the Qing royal family were unwilling to go to their fiefdoms; they were dissatisfied with the current Prince Qing.
-
Harboring resentment, Zhu Yicheng was about to leave when he suddenly heard a member of the imperial clan say:
"There is still a way out: we don't have to go to our fiefdom."

"Yesterday, the imperial court held a meeting and decided to establish the Directorate of the Imperial Secretariat."

"The Emperor felt that a way out should be given to members of the imperial clan, so he allowed them to serve as officials in the Secretariat."

"As long as you pass the training, you can become a secretary."

This news was quite unexpected, said Zhu Yicheng, who worked at the school:
"What secretary?"

"Is this the person in charge of the library?"

I really want to do this kind of work.

Zhu Jingtong of the Han vassal state, however, said:
"I've heard the news too; members of the imperial family are allowed to go."

"But not to become an official, but to become a clerk first."

"A secretary doesn't manage books; rather, they help their superior with tasks, much like a clerk or advisor."

He looked down on such a position, since once he took up his fief, he would be a hereditary knight, a true nobleman.

What kind of person is a clerk, especially one who has to serve his superior?

As Zhu Yicheng listened to these people's explanations, he gradually understood what was going on.

It turned out that the emperor intended to use members of the imperial clan to strengthen his control over officials, and sent them to serve alongside the officials.

After all, the loyalty of the imperial clan is naturally guaranteed, especially since the secretaries dispatched by the court have their salaries paid by the inner court.

If you do a good job as a secretary, you may become an official in the future.

This can also be considered a way to select talents, discovering some talented members of the imperial clan who failed the imperial examinations.

However, most members of the royal family are not interested, since they now have noble status as long as they go overseas.

What's the point of being a clerk? You even have to serve your superior.

However, Zhu Yicheng wouldn't look down on it, because he had no intention of going overseas at all.

Since that's the case, becoming an official is the best way out, and now he has that opportunity.

Having developed an interest, Zhu Yicheng inquired in detail:
How does a secretary get promoted to an official position?

"Was it due to the recommendation of the superior officer?"

The well-informed Zhu Jingtong said:

"The secretary chosen by the commander himself should naturally be recommended by him."

"However, if we members of the imperial clan are to serve as secretaries, they will definitely be sent by the Director of the Secretariat."

"How to get promoted to an official position depends on the position of the Grand Secretary."

Then, looking at Zhu Yicheng, he said:

"What, you don't actually want to be a secretary, do you?"

“Official positions are not hereditary; your next generation will have to climb up on their own.”

Zhu Yicheng disagreed, saying:
"If one can become a clerk without inheriting the position, does the Director of the Imperial Secretariat not want us?"

"Even being a lowly official in the Ming Dynasty who only knows how to eat and fight is better than hunting in overseas fiefdoms." This statement made many members of the imperial family's eyes light up, and they felt that Zhu Yicheng was right.

Given their status, the Grand Secretariat would not refuse them if they were willing to serve as secretaries.

This way, even if the next generation doesn't have a title, they will still have no problem making a living.

In fact, aside from having a less prestigious reputation than the nobility, their standard of living was even higher.

If you're lucky enough to associate with a high-ranking official, you might even gain more power than them.

Some capable secretaries, who are also willing to swallow their pride and serve others, have already begun to be tempted.

Even Zhu Jingtong felt that the prospects of being a secretary weren't bad, and one could even come from a family of secretaries. If one could rely on this position to live in the capital long-term, it would be even more comfortable than his current life.

This made him somewhat indignant, and he said:

"Don't even think about it. Your generation is royalty, but will the next generation be too?"

"His Majesty has said that the position of Lieutenant of Fengguo can be demoted in the future, and will no longer be inherited indefinitely."

This is one of the biggest changes in the policy towards the imperial clan. Previously, the lowest rank for members of the imperial clan was Fengguo Zhongwei, and once they reached this rank, they could not be demoted further. Their sons, grandsons, and so on, were all Fengguo Zhongwei, and the imperial clan also received a share.

It can be said that the large number of lieutenants in Fengguo is the main reason for Zonglu's ever-increasing rank.

Those feudal lords with large populations also had a large number of imperial stipends.

The current emperor has decided to change this policy, changing the title of Fengguo Lieutenant to a hereditary knighthood and replacing the salary with a fief.

Those who remain in the mainland will no longer be granted titles, and the unlimited inheritance of titles will be abolished.

Without titles, are the royal family still the royal family? They were all wondering.

Without their imperial clan status, what would they use to enter the Secretariat?

Just as some people began to waver, Zhu Yicheng said:
"What are you afraid of!"

"Why don't we just go and ask?"

"Don't forget what the Secretariat is; it's an office under the inner court and the cabinet."

"From now on, all the policies of the imperial court will be drafted and issued from here."

"As long as there are members of the imperial clan serving as officials in the Secretariat, can't things be changed?"

They called on members of the imperial clan to inquire about the matter, and even used the Central Secretariat to reform policies.

His reminder immediately brightened the eyes of these members of the royal family.

They only listened to Zhu Jingtong's description of secretaries as servants, forgetting the power that the Secretariat, as the connecting office between the inner and outer courts, possessed.

This is the drafter of the court's policies; from now on, all decisions of the inner court and the cabinet will be issued from the Secretariat.

Even if they theoretically lack the power to formulate policies, can't they still offer suggestions on minor matters?

As long as members of their clan occupy a position in the Secretariat, they will definitely have power in the future.

After Zhu Jingtong understood this, his expression changed slightly.

Because he realized that the emperor was not only giving the imperial clan a way out, but also giving them power.

Perhaps these overseas nobles will later make demands of the secretaries working in the Secretariat.

This made him abandon his idea of ​​serving others and go with Zhu Yicheng and the others to inquire.
-
The office of the Secretariat outside the palace was located outside the newly opened Dongyang Gate of the Imperial City, near the Eastern Depot.

When Zhu Yicheng and the others passed by the Eastern Depot, their hearts skipped a beat, and they thought of many rumors about the Eastern Depot.

Someone whispered:

"If the Secretariat and the Eastern Depot are placed together, does that mean the secretary has to pass messages to the Eastern Depot?"

Many members of the royal family share this view, but most don't care:
"No matter how domineering the Eastern Depot is, it can't bully the imperial family."

"They want information, just send it to them."

They weren't worried at all about things that offended civil officials.

Ultimately, they are not civil servants. Even if they become secretaries to civil servants, they are not of the same mind as the civil servant group.

Upon reaching the gates of the Secretariat, these people clamored to apply for the positions. The gatekeepers couldn't stop them and hurriedly reported them inside.

Wang Chengen happened to be working at the Secretariat, setting up internal departments, when he heard that a group of members of the imperial clan had come to apply for positions, so he hurriedly went out to greet them.

As instructed by the emperor, the secretaries of the Secretariat were mainly selected from hereditary officials, eunuchs, and members of the imperial family. The emperor desired to employ loyal and capable individuals.

Even though he knew that members of the royal family were difficult to manage, he had no choice but to accept them.

Thinking of the emperor's attitude towards the imperial clan, Wang Chengen walked up to these members of the clan and rebuked them:

"What are you yelling about?"

Do you know where this place is?

"It is the location of the Imperial Secretariat."

Are you here for a job interview looking like this?

"If you want to cause trouble, go overseas!"

His ruthless attitude immediately stunned these people.

Let them know that the Grand Secretary in front of them doesn't care about their status at all.

Even if they share the same ancestor as the emperor, they are not as close to the emperor as this person in front of them.

At this moment, some people's talents began to shine. Zhu Yicheng stepped forward and said:

“Eunuch Wang, we are not causing trouble, we are just inquiring about policies.”

"If our clansmen serve as secretaries in the Secretariat, will the next generation also be able to hold that position?"

"If possible, we are willing to continue working in the Secretariat."

Wang Chengen had never thought of this before, and his expression froze.

Because he never expected that, with the Zhongshu Jian (the Secretariat) just established, some people were already planning to hold hereditary official positions in this government office.

If possible... if possible...

He also wanted to arrange for a member of the Wang family to serve as a hereditary official in the Secretariat.

This is different from eunuchs, whose profession can be passed down.

The power of the Secretariat was no less than that of any other ministry.

Having considered this way out, Wang Chengen said with a gentle expression:

"what's your name?"

"From which domain did they originate?"

"These people who were granted the title of imperial clansmen will be demoted to ordinary people in the future."

"To become a secretary in the Secretariat, one must at least be a scholar."

The members of the royal family present were in an uproar, and some were about to shout.

Zhu Yicheng then said:
"Please, sir, have mercy and give us a solution."

"We are willing to serve in the Secretariat, but we will lose our hereditary titles. We hope that our family will have a position in the Secretariat for generations to come."

Knowing that Wang Chengen was a close advisor to the emperor, he must have a way to help them.

Wang Chengen nodded in satisfaction and pointed out:

"Since you have this idea, why don't you write a memorial to the throne?"

“Our Zhongshujian (Secret Secretariat) can receive secret memorials with silver seals and can also secretly send memorials into the palace. We can help you send the memorials in.”

Let them use this channel to give their opinions directly to the emperor.

Zhu Yicheng and the others were overjoyed, knowing that according to Wang Chengen's words, their memorials would surely reach the Emperor.

At that time, the emperor would have to take care of the imperial family out of consideration for his reputation.

Not to mention that they were genuinely willing to serve the emperor, and the emperor would not possibly push them away.

So these people borrowed paper and pen directly from the Secretariat and jointly wrote a memorial to Wang Chengen.

Wang Chengen instructed them to revise the memorial several times, and after contacting other eunuchs, he finally took the memorial to the emperor. (End of Chapter)