Chongzhen revived the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 43: Participating in Political Affairs and Counseling
Although it is a virtual title-granting institution, ministers are still very concerned about its name and level.

Yang Jingchen proposed the name Xuanzheng Secretary because he did not want to name him before the General Secretary, which would offend his fellow villager Lu Tunan; nor did he want to name him after the General Secretary, which would offend those in the court who were promoted. official title. So he came up with the title of Xuanzheng Secretary, which was difficult to pass, and took himself out of it.

Sure enough, after Lai Zongdao and Lu Tunan expressed their opinions, everyone had a fierce controversy over the name of the title-added institution:
One faction, headed by Zongdao, believed that court officials were superior to local governments and should be named the Chief Secretary, ranking before the local Chief Secretary.

One group, headed by Lu Tunan, believed that it was enough to use the name Chief Secretary, and there was no need to compete with the local Chief Secretary.

There are two opinions, obviously the majority support Lai Zongdao. Lu Tunan was so determined to become one of the real Nine Qings, how could he let the officials of the General Affairs Department line up behind the officials who had been promoted? He said to the emperor:
"Your Majesty, if there is an administrative secretary, there must be an administrative envoy."

"Even if Your Majesty does not install it now, someone will definitely propose to add it in the future."

"It is better to prevent the slightest change and prevent the slightest change. Instead of setting up the second-rank administrative department, we directly set up the third-rank administrative department."

Lai Zongdao heard this and retorted:

"Whether the Chengzheng envoy is appointed or not is a matter for the future. Lu Tongzheng envoy, please don't talk nonsense about Wuying and make such nonsense here."

"His Majesty has already said that the name can be decided first and the grade can be discussed later."

Lu Tunan choked and said:

"How else can we discuss it?"

"Could it be that Lai Shangshu will designate the Secretary for Administration as a third-rank official?"

Lai Zongdao was so angry that his face turned red. He really didn't expect Lu Tunan, the political envoy, to dare to challenge him, and said angrily:
"Ambassador Lu Tongzheng said so much, isn't it because he is worried that someone has joined the envoy and will be queued ahead of you?"

"Then let's make it the third grade. Let's see what else you have to say!"

Lu Tunan really stopped talking now, because he had achieved his goal, and said directly to the emperor:
"Your Majesty, if the Chief Secretary is designated as a third-grade Yamen, I have no objection at all!"

They were all official third-grade yamen. He did not believe that the General Administration Department, a real authority, could not compare with the fictitious organization of the Administration Department. In this way, the status of the General Administration Department officials can still be maintained and they will not be inferior to others.

After Lu Tunan died down, no one objected to the name Chengzhengsi, and the level was basically determined, that is, the third grade.

However, a question that arises is whether the rank of the Chief Secretary should be adjusted or whether he should be ranked behind the Chief Secretary.

In the early days of the Republic of China, no one would dare to propose this matter casually. Because the Chief Secretary at that time still had great power and controlled the affairs of the province. It is possible for the chief envoy to become the chief minister and the deputy censor of the capital to become the chief envoy.

But at this time, it was impossible for the chief envoy to become a minister, and at most he could be promoted to deputy censor. If you want to be a minister, you need to transfer to official positions such as the chief minister of the Five Temples and the Yin of Shuntian Prefecture. Compared with the original high position and weight, it can be said that it is far inferior to before.

Therefore, the second-rank official position of Chief Envoy is now actually lower than that of the third-rank Minister of the Sixth Ministry, the Deputy Censor of the Capital, the Yin of Shuntian Prefecture, the Minister of Taichang Temple, and even lower than the minister of Taipu Temple and Guanglu Temple of the third-rank officials. Turn it into the third grade, and the people in the court will not hesitate or have any scruples.

In order to maintain the status of the Chief Secretary, Lai Zongdao took the initiative to propose:

"At the time of Taizu, I was admitted to have been in the third rank of the Provincial Envoy."

"Now it should be changed to the third rank, ranking behind the Secretary for Administration." After hearing this, Inspector Zhu You immediately nodded in approval. High-ranking officials should not be given lightly. The level of the Chief Envoy from the second rank is too high now. If it is reduced to the third rank, it will help reduce the number of high-ranking officials and is in line with its status.

In the future, as long as the local governor has the title of third-grade minister or deputy censor, he will be able to suppress the chief envoy in terms of rank. There is no need to worry about embarrassing things in the seat because of the inversion of ranks.

So Zhu Youjian immediately announced:
"I accept that the Provincial Envoy will be demoted to the third rank in the future, which is the same level as the Provincial Envoy."

"In the future, just like the General Affairs Department and the Administration Department, two additional members will be added to the left and right, and they will be divided into the third rank to participate in political affairs, the fourth rank to be responsible for general administration, and the fourth rank to consult."

Lai Zongdao was a little petty and did not want to give Lu Tunan any chance to expand his influence. He reminded:
"Your Majesty, there is no need to add the title of General Secretary. You can no longer use the word 'General Affairs' to avoid confusion about official positions."

"I think the words "shenzhi" and "shenzhi" can be used instead of "gongzhi".

Lu Tunan was angry when he heard this, but Zhu Youjian thought it was very appropriate. They both started with the word "parameter", which made it easier to listen to. So he followed the good and said:
"Participating in political affairs was changed from participating in political affairs. Now let's add counselor after it."

"From now on, officials under the Chief Secretary and the Chief Secretary will be collectively referred to as Participating in Politics from the Third Rank, Counseling from the Fourth Rank, and Consulting from the Fourth Rank."

"The original political participation and consultation functions of the local chief secretary do not need to be changed. Two additional officers and counselors will be added. Their responsibilities will be determined later when they are appointed."

"Secretary of State Administration, Counselor, and Counselor are simply additional titles, and there is no need to distinguish between left and right."

He also comforted Lu Tunan and said:
"General Administration will remain unchanged at the fourth rank of the General Affairs Department, and the Council of the fifth rank will still be changed to the fourth rank."

"In addition, the left and right political officers from the third rank will be added, and the left political officer will be responsible for the confidentiality of memorials. We should not let officials' memorials spread everywhere and cause trouble in the city."

"Youshenzheng is responsible for conveying information to the public. The Dibao is divided into internal reference, monthly and other levels to convey court information to officials and the public."

"See if anyone is suitable and recommend someone to me."

Dissatisfied with the speed of information dissemination in the imperial court, Zhu Youjian conveniently set aside the area of ​​Di Bao and put it in charge of specialized personnel.

Lu Tunan was overjoyed and thanked the emperor immediately. The improved functions of the General Secretary will strengthen the power of the General Secretary. In the future, the General Administration Department will become the real Jiuqing Yamen, not just a mere appearance.

After the matter was settled, Cao Sicheng raised a question:
"Your Majesty, the rank of Chief Secretary was originally from the second rank, but now it has been downgraded to the third rank. Should the rank of the officials who serve as Chief Envoys be downgraded?"

"There is also the seal of the Chief Secretary. It used to be a silver seal. Do you want to change it to a third-grade copper seal like the Chief Secretary did?"

Knowing that the rank of an official cannot be degraded without reason and that he has no interest in spending money, Zhu Youjian said:
"The seal does not need to be changed. The Chief Secretary is allowed to continue to use the second-grade silver seal, which shows that it is superior to the Inspectorate and other institutions."

"There is no need to change the ceremonial guards and other aspects. The Chief Secretary is allowed to continue to use the original second-grade configuration."

"The official who is currently serving as the chief envoy will be reduced to the third rank, but he will be given the false title of second rank to maintain the original rank."

"Everyone, please discuss, what are the false titles for first- and second-rank officials?"

(End of this chapter)