Chongzhen revived the Ming Dynasty

In order to find a place for the experiment, it was impossible to keep the conversation between Zhu Youjian and Qian Qianyi a secret.

The leak of Zhu Youjian's views on the abdication system undoubtedly caused a stir.

Because this was something the emperor openly discussed—how to depose and install emperors.

Yes, the so-called "inner abdication" was seen by the court officials as a dethronement.

Especially emperors like Emperor Guangzong of Song were forced to abdicate.

The process, which involved the ministers' request and the Empress Dowager's permission, was practically a model, replacing an emperor who had failed in his duty of filial piety.

If the emperor approves of this system, doesn't that mean that the ministers of the Ming Dynasty could also join forces with the Empress Dowager to force the emperor to abdicate?
This left the courtiers, who had just been arguing with the emperor over the issue of orthodoxy, deeply moved:

Privy Councilor Yuan Keli privately remarked:
"Your Majesty truly believes in the public good and in the restoration of rites and music."

"Everything that could happen must be incorporated into the system."

"With such perfect unity of knowledge and action, who else could possibly lead the Dao?"

They believed that as long as the emperor implemented the proposed systems and theories, he would surely become a sage ruler after Yao and Shun.

Such a monarch is unavoidable in the orthodox tradition, unless Confucianism does not acknowledge that the orthodox tradition originated from sage rulers such as Yao and Shun.

The current emperor is vying for the power of the orthodox tradition by acting like a sage.

If anyone disagrees, they must personally intervene and learn from the current emperor.

Unfortunately, Yuan Keli did not believe that there were such capable ministers in the court.

Let's not even talk about Grand Secretary Han Kuang; he was a conservative and weak-willed person.

Cheng Jiming was slightly better than him, but he didn't have a particularly strong will either.

Qian Qianyi, on the other hand, was even weaker and had completely submitted to the current emperor.

Only Liu Zongzhou had a very firm will, and his attitude of being content with poverty was very similar to that of Yan Hui.

However, his deep academic research made him somewhat impractical in his conduct and dealings with others.

If some of the current emperor's theories are difficult to implement, then Liu Zongzhou's theories are simply impossible to implement.

Therefore, Yuan Keli did not think highly of him, believing that he could only be an assistant in terms of the orthodox tradition.

The emperor's takeover of the orthodox tradition is an inevitable trend, and no one can stop the current emperor:

"After mastering the orthodox tradition, the current emperor will be a sage ruler following in the footsteps of Yao, Shun, Yu, Tang, Wen, and Wu."

"The descendants of these monarchs were able to establish a three-generation reign based on their legacy. Even if dynasties changed, they would still retain their positions as two kings and three honored guests."

"No wonder His Majesty confidently endorses the abdication; he intends for his descendants to become holy offspring."

The Confucius family has set an example of what a family of saints should be like.

Even the most tyrannical monarch would not exterminate the Confucius family.

This is what the current emperor is pursuing, not temporary power.

This was a practice of the theory of immortality; the emperor was seeking to live forever.

Yuan Keli was thrilled at the thought of having the good fortune to meet such an emperor.

He immediately submitted a memorial expressing his willingness to retire and be granted a noble title. He also proposed to abdicate in favor of his son, as one of the pilot projects for the abdication system.

Zhang Weixian shared the same idea.

Although this head of the nobility was already terminally ill, he was still clinging to life because of his family's plans to establish their own fiefdom.

Upon learning that the emperor had approved of the abdication system, he immediately knew his opportunity had arrived and requested to pilot the abdication and regent system in the Duchy of England.

He was willing to pass the British dukedom to his son and allow his grandson to serve as regent in his fiefdom, thus establishing his grandson's dominant position there.

This was something that had always worried him, because his son was quite mediocre, while his grandson was more capable. He feared that after his death, his son, who inherited the title, would use his status to suppress his grandson, and might even be instigated by others to fight for the right to the fiefdom, thus causing succession problems.

Therefore, he hoped to establish his grandson's rights while he was still alive.

The system of abdication and the system of regency can precisely solve this problem.

As long as the throne is abdicated to the son and the grandson is allowed to oversee the state, the order of succession is completely set, and the grandson will have legitimate power in the fiefdom.

Even if the son is unwilling in the future, he cannot act recklessly; this is a right guaranteed by the Ming Dynasty.

Zhu Youjian was very pleased after reading the two memorials.

He never expected that the abdication policy would be implemented so quickly, and that these were all influential ministers in the court.

Considering the upcoming reshuffle of the Privy Council next year, Zhu Youjian did not agree to Yuan Keli's request to retire. However, as a supplement to the conferment of titles on ministers, he believed that Yuan could be appointed as regent ahead of schedule to oversee the establishment of fiefdoms.

In his conversation with his ministers, he said:

"High-ranking nobles are not allowed to serve as ministers, so only after retiring can they obtain high-ranking titles."

“This will obviously delay the establishment of fiefdoms, and you are all old after retirement. Not everyone is suitable to go to the fiefdoms to establish fiefdoms.”

"Therefore, I will give you a policy: you can choose your heir to act as regent and open up new fiefdoms on your behalf."

"After retiring from office, he can abdicate and reside in the capital as the retired emperor."

"This is also a way of treating ministers well, so that you can enjoy your old age in peace."

The courtiers were all very pleased to hear this, because not everyone wanted to take up a fiefdom.

After all, the overseas world is too wild and undeveloped now; they simply can't find anyone to befriend there.

Many people are not enthusiastic about the so-called opening up of fiefdoms; they simply do not want to go overseas.

Now that the emperor has introduced this method, they are very satisfied. They can let their children and grandchildren go to establish their own fiefdoms while they themselves enjoy wealth and honor in the capital.

As for whether their children and grandchildren are willing to go, that's not even a consideration. With so many children and grandchildren, they can always find an heir willing to establish a fiefdom.

Immediately, everyone praised the emperor's measures and endorsed the system of abdication and regency. Grand Secretary Cheng Jiming also stated:

"Officials can retire at the age of sixty; remaining in office requires a special decree."

"I believe that the emperor can abdicate at the age of sixty, or appoint a regent and let the crown prince take over the power."

"Only when one reaches the age of seventy must one abdicate and step down as the retired emperor."

"Only when the ruler and his subjects are united can the idea of ​​joint governance by the ruler, his subjects, and the people be truly realized."

The subtext here is that the emperor must abdicate or hand over the reins to the crown prince after the age of sixty, and must abdicate at the age of seventy.

Zhu Youjian had this idea all along, and nodded in agreement:
"That is exactly right, and the regent should be established as soon as possible."

“After the Crown Prince turns thirty, he must attend meetings of the cabinet to assist in government affairs.”

"After the emperor turns fifty, he should appoint a regent to fully determine his successor. At the age of sixty, he must appoint a regent and also appoint a grandson."

"This will minimize the turmoil caused by the succession to the throne, and prevent the world from falling into crisis because of the affairs of one person."

"I do not wish for a repeat of the Jingnan Rebellion in this dynasty."

This is the biggest lesson in the history of the Ming Dynasty. The Ming emperors and ministers insisted on the primogeniture system largely because they were afraid of another Jingnan rebellion.

This ensured the stability of the imperial succession, and Zhu Youjian officially established the primogeniture system.

The system of abdication and the system of regency are supplements to the system of primogeniture, and they will be incorporated into the laws of succession in the future.

The three most important ritual laws, which were being revised and perfected, were being established as a system of rites to be followed by both the ruler and his subjects. (End of Chapter)