Chongzhen revived the Ming Dynasty

Weiwei Temple.

Upon learning of the emperor's decision, the officials of the Imperial Guard felt a sense of crisis.

They submitted a memorial together with the Tax Police Corps, and as a result, the Tax Police Corps obtained equity investment, while the Imperial Guards did not.

This left them both puzzled and deeply aware of the potential crisis.

"It shouldn't be!"

"His Majesty attaches great importance to law enforcement authority and has consistently supported the Imperial Guard."

"Why is it that the Imperial Guard is not allowed to invest, but only the Tax Police Corps is allowed to participate?"

Liu Qiao muttered to himself about this, not understanding the emperor's intentions.

Others pondered it and were also somewhat puzzled.

They invited Gui Zhuang to come and let this scholar analyze the situation carefully.

Gui Zhuang was perfectly at home in the Weiwei Temple.

There are many scholars in the Imperial Guard, but most of them are sons of officials from hereditary families and are not the same kind of people as true literati. Only Gui Zhuang truly understands things from the perspective of a literati.

Therefore, his opinion served as a reference for the officials of the Imperial Guard.

In particular, he was on good terms with Gu Yanwu and got along well with many civilian military officers. He was very well-informed and knew some secrets.

Gui Zhuang happened to know the doubts of these people, and said with a smile:
"Has the Emperor forbidden the Imperial Guard from investing, and restricted your investment as well?"

"Officials of the fifth rank and above in various government departments are allowed to purchase shares. Are you prohibited from doing so?"

Liu Qiao thought for a moment, and after confirming that he was not forbidden, said:

"It is not prohibited."

“But our individual shareholdings are not as powerful as the Weiwei Temple’s overall shareholdings.”

With various government departments holding shares, individuals have less say in debt-manufacturing companies than government departments.

Unless one holds a very high official position that can overshadow the entire government office.

Liu Qiao wielded considerable power, but his position in the imperial court was only equivalent to that of a vice minister.

Not to mention that he was an anomaly in officialdom, being a non-Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) who was ostracized by civil officials.

Even if he invests in a debt-ridden company, he won't gain any say in the matter.

Gui Zhuang understood the difference, of course, but he knew that this was the emperor's intention, and he said:

“When I was talking with Brother Gu, he told me that the Emperor did not allow the Eagle Flying Army to operate businesses.”

"It is said that field troops are not allowed to have military property, are not allowed to be self-sufficient, and are not allowed to provide services for a fee."

"This is to prevent warlordism; the imperial court must control military spending and logistics."

"The same applies to the Imperial Guard; the imperial court must control your funds and logistics."

"If you are self-sufficient through debt corporations, what can be used to constrain you?"

Liu Qiao was speechless, never expecting this reason.

He acknowledged that the Imperial Guard had great power, but was the emperor's restriction on it too much?
He never believed that the Imperial Guard could become a warlord; it simply didn't have the power to do so.

But Gui Zhuang said:
"It's impossible now, but it might not be in the future."

"When fighting, the field army is the strongest, but after decades of peace, they may not be as good as the police."

"Don't forget, strictly speaking, the Eagle Flying Army also belongs to the Imperial Guard, and it comes from the Patrol Corps."

"Therefore, the Imperial Guard Temple, as a government office, could not possibly generate revenue."

"But you individuals can obtain benefits within the legal scope."

“I suggest you cooperate with the Tax Police Corps and each select a debtor company to invest in.”

"In order to gain the support of the Imperial Guard, the Tax Police Corps will definitely guarantee your profits."

The Tax Police Corps is closely related to taxation; any matter involving compulsory taxation must be approved by them.

Therefore, the Tax Police Corps also received special policies, allowing them to hold a 10% stake in each debtor company and send directors to supervise them.

In return, they would help debtor companies train debt auditors and send tax auditors to their locations, granting them investigative powers related to debt and taxation.

If there are matters that tax audits and debt audits cannot handle, the Tax Police Corps can dispatch armed personnel to carry them out after obtaining approval.

In essence, they are the backers of the debt companies, controlling their military power.

This is why the tax police have stopped causing trouble; they can still profit from the establishment of debt companies.

Liu Qiao felt resentful about the emperor's arrangement:

"Why can't the Imperial Guard be a shareholder, but the Tax Police Corps can?"

"Isn't His Majesty worried that the Tax Police Corps will become warlord-like and have to support itself?"

Gui Zhuang laughed heartily, making Liu Qiao blush slightly.

He thrived in the Imperial Guard, but gradually revealed his true nature and became unrestrained.

Seeing that Liu Qiao's expression was not good, Gui Zhuang explained:

"The tax police force only has light weapons, how much heavy equipment could they possibly have?"

"Furthermore, most of the sons of officials who join the Tax Police Corps are in it for the money."

"They must be bored to become warlords, and no one can lead them."

Speaking of this, Gui Zhuang asked Liu Qiao:
"Have you heard of the theory of long-lived and short-lived species, Commandant?"

"Once this theory is proposed, how many sons of officials do you think will follow him in rebellion?"

Liu Qiao himself was a hereditary official and had heard of this theory that led the Ministry of Justice to make new suggestions.

After thinking it over, he said:
"Officials of the hereditary class are all destined for longevity, pursuing wealth and status for generations."

“As long as the emperor does not strip them of their official positions, no one will rebel.”

They believed that it was simply impossible for the officials to rebel.

Since the founding of the Ming Dynasty, there has never been any news of hereditary officials of the military garrisons rebelling.

Unless it's a barbarian chieftain's garrison like the Jianzhou Three Guards, normal hereditary officials in garrisons would never rebel.

This was a very successful military system, more successful than any other dynasty in history.

Gui Zhuang had heard from Gu Yanwu about the emperor's evaluation of the garrison system and also knew about the emperor's attitude towards the hereditary officials of the garrisons.

After the theory of immortality was proposed, he understood it even more deeply and exclaimed:
"Yes!"

"With a hereditary future, who would bother to rebel?"

"Unless the emperor abolishes hereditary official positions, or the hereditary officials lose their future prospects, they will not be able to fill the substantive vacancies."

"Have we reached that point yet?"

Liu Qiao shook his head, believing that it hadn't come to that point yet.

Although the emperor demoted the hereditary officials by three ranks, he did not reduce their powers at all.

In the past, the rank of a sixth-grade centurion sounded high, but in reality, he might be sent to patrol the streets.

Now, a sixth-rank centurion can at least become a ninth-rank garrison commander. Although the rank is lower, the power is greater, and they can decide the fate of many people in their jurisdiction.

Moreover, as long as one accumulates seniority, one can be promoted without any obstacles before reaching the sixth rank.

With such a promising future, who would bother to rebel?

After a change of dynasty, who can be sure that the new dynasty will retain hereditary official positions?

Anyone who understands this point will wholeheartedly support the Ming Dynasty and strike down anyone who threatens the court.

As far as Liu Qiao knew, after the theory of immortality spread, the sons of hereditary officials in the Imperial Guard became more enthusiastic about capturing rebels.

Unless one day the hereditary official's future is ruined and he is completely unable to fill the vacancy.

Seeing that he understood, Gui Zhuang continued:
"The tax police force is mainly composed of sons of officials; they would never become warlords."

"Even if someone wanted to take the position, they couldn't convince so many sons of high-ranking officials to lead this military force."

"That's why the Emperor trusts them and lets them make money freely." "If anyone in our Imperial Guard wants to make money, Commander Liu can also send them to the Tax Police Headquarters."

This explanation earned the approval of Liu Qiao and others.

Because the tax police were indeed mostly corrupt, they took advantage of the special policies granted by the emperor to share the profits from cracking down on tax evasion.

If you want to make money, this is indeed a good place. Liu Qiao plans to send some people who are good at collecting money at the Imperial Guard Temple there.

However, some people have doubts. Wu Mengming said:
"Isn't our Imperial Guard mainly composed of sons of hereditary officials?"

"Why is His Majesty worried?"

Gui Zhuang glanced at him and said calmly:
"Because the emperor lacked confidence, he maintained control of the Imperial Guard."

"You all know about the predicament that the Imperial Guard has been in lately, right?"

"It's not just the Ministry of Justice that's vying for power with you; it's all the outer court departments."

"If they win, who will become the head of the Imperial Guard?"

These words expressed everyone's concerns.

Because during this period, the Imperial Guard Temple was indeed facing more than just the power struggle within the Ministry of Justice.

Police teams that cooperate with other government departments have all been targeted to varying degrees.

If it weren't for the fact that the focus of attention from both the government and the public was on the leadership transition, their work at the Imperial Guard would probably have stalled.

Liu Qiao and others were worried about this, fearing that the emperor would not be able to withstand it and would allow civil officials to take up positions in the Imperial Guard.

Then they would be criminals in the Imperial Guard, and all the sons of hereditary officials would resent them.

Hearing Gui Zhuang say that even the emperor lacked confidence, they became even more nervous and asked:
"You mean, the Emperor might abandon the Imperial Guard?"

Gui Zhuang nodded and said:
"The current emperor will not give up, but who knows how long the next emperor will be able to hold out?"

"Therefore, the Emperor must restrict the Imperial Guard, so that this government office cannot become independent and has no potential to become a warlord."

"Forget about expanding your financial power; first, figure out how to maintain the power of the Imperial Guard."

"If you can't even hold onto your current power, what right do you have to fight for it?"

These words were rather harsh, and Liu Qiao and the others felt ashamed upon hearing them.

Indeed, the Imperial Guard is still at risk of losing power, so what right does it have to compete for financial power?

Liu Qiao suppressed his displeasure and asked:
"Please advise me, Mr. Gui, how should the Imperial Guard break this deadlock?"

Gui Zhuang smiled without saying a word, and Liu Qiao knew he was negotiating terms.

The other party was never from the Imperial Guard; they were just using this place as a stepping stone.

After thinking it over, he said:

"I have some connection with Wang, the head of the Secretariat."

"This government office is newly established, and Chief Secretary Wang needs capable people to help him."

"If you are willing, I can recommend you to Manager Wang."

"With your current rank and qualifications, you are more than qualified to be a spokesperson for the Secretariat."

"In the future, he may be recommended by the King and specially granted the title of Yuanshi."

One of the conditions he offered to recruit Guizhuang was that he be granted the special privilege of being a scholar.

However, there were simply too many talented people in the outer court, and the Imperial Guard was an anomaly in the officialdom.

Gui Zhuang had little chance of being recommended here, so he decided to recommend him to the Directorate of the Imperial Secretariat.

Upon hearing this condition, Gui Zhuang's eyes lit up, realizing that he was one step closer to becoming emperor.

If he gains the emperor's attention at the Imperial Secretariat, it's not unimaginable that he could be promoted as quickly as Gu Yanwu in the future.

He immediately smiled broadly and said:
"Then thank you very much, Commandant Liu!"

"Actually, it's not difficult for the Imperial Guard to consolidate its power; it's just that you're not proactive enough."

"Don't forget, the Imperial Guard Temple belongs to the Embroidered Uniform Guard, which is actually an inner court office."

"Don't think that just because you've become one of the Nine Minor Ministers of the Outer Court, you're part of the Outer Court government."

“The civil officials in the outer court simply do not accept it; you should understand that now.”

These words startled Liu Qiao and the others, and cold sweat broke out on their brows.

Gui Zhuang pointed out that they hadn't yet realized that they had already regarded the Imperial Guard as an outer court office.

That's why they take friction with other government departments so seriously; they really don't need to care too much about it.

Which inner court department would care about the attitude of the outer court?

Their power and status were not determined by the outer court ministers.

Startled awake, Liu Qiao wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and realized he had made a grave mistake:

It was always the emperor who decided that he would concurrently serve as the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice.

He humbly sought advice from Gui Zhuang:
"Mr. Gui is right!"

"The Imperial Guard Temple was actually an inner court office."

"What should the Imperial Guards do now? Should they follow the instructions of the inner court?"

Gui Zhuang shook his head and said:
"Then you're wrong again!"

Why did the Emperor suppress the Eastern Depot when he was reorganizing the Embroidered Uniform Guard?

"Isn't it because you've become subordinates of the Eastern Depot?"

"What you need to do is follow the Emperor's instructions in everything."

"As long as the Emperor is willing to protect it, no one can touch the Imperial Guard."

"What the Imperial Guards are required to do is to be absolutely loyal to the Emperor and not to have the slightest disloyalty."

As he spoke, he looked at Liu Qiao and the others with a hint of amusement, feeling that these people were all somewhat reserved in their loyalty to the emperor.

This is also why he didn't think highly of the Imperial Guard and wanted to take advantage of the recommendation to become the Director of the Imperial Secretariat.

The emperor used the Imperial Guard Temple to make it, like the Eagle Flying Army, a tool for controlling weapons.

But if this knife develops its own ideas, how could the emperor be at ease?

Liu Qiao was startled and realized the reason why the emperor was lukewarm towards him.

He was indeed not very loyal to the emperor, and even disobeyed the emperor's orders during the Tianqi era.

The current emperor didn't hold those matters against him and even promoted him. He thought the emperor didn't care, but he never expected the trouble that would follow.

For a moment, he felt numb and lost, completely disoriented.

Gui Zhuang then said:

"My suggestion is that the Imperial Guard should be loyal to the Emperor and close to the inner court."

"We should maintain official relations with the foreign court and strictly enforce the law, without allowing them to find any loopholes."

“You should stop thinking that you can enjoy power peacefully by befriending a certain civil official.”

"The power struggle over the restoration of rites and music was mainly led by the government offices, which stipulated the powers of various departments."

"No matter how good your relationship is with a particular official, it cannot stop the entire government department from vying for power with you."

"Just like your Imperial Guard, you will never give up your law enforcement power."

Of course, they wouldn't give it up, because this was the core power of the Imperial Guard.

Similarly, the Ministry of Justice and other institutions will not relinquish their due powers, regardless of who is in charge.

Even after the Ministry of Justice changed its Minister, it was still determined to compete for power with the Imperial Guard.

Liu Qiao was frequently targeted when he attended the rallies.

Under the collective deliberation system promoted by the emperor, all officials in the court had the right to speak, and the chief official could not act arbitrarily or go against the wishes of everyone in the entire government office.

The power struggle will shift from being primarily individual-driven to encompassing the entire government department. (End of Chapter)