Chongzhen revived the Ming Dynasty

Han Kuang dared to raise this question because he had naturally considered it.

He might not have had any good solutions before, but the emperor's order to inspect the implementation of the state of emergency has given him some food for thought:

Planning, execution, inspection, and action—this was the major decision-making cycle proposed by the emperor. He demanded that every major decision thereafter be implemented according to this method.

Han Kuang believed that several policies could be introduced and circulated repeatedly to improve the administration.

He said to the emperor:

"The major plan for officials outside the capital is held every three years. I think that takes too long."

"In the future, a plan can be launched and implemented, with a summary meeting held annually."

"If this continues for several years, officials who diligently implement the plan and comply with the court will naturally stand out and be promoted to important positions."

"Lower-ranking officials were replaced by newly appointed scholars, so that they could adapt to the new rules of officialdom."

This was his idea, and Zhu Youjian nodded in approval.

Having served as Grand Secretary for two years, he had long since figured out Han Kuang. This man was not a great talent for governance, nor did he even have any political ambitions; he had never submitted a new policy memorial like Li Guopu's.

His attitude towards the restoration of ritual music was lukewarm; he neither opposed it nor was enthusiastic about it.

In fact, this was the thought of many officials, and Zhu Youjian was able to tolerate it.

As long as no one openly causes trouble, like when they gathered up some old faction to oppose Wang Anshi's reforms, Zhu Youjian could tolerate it.

Now, seeing that Han Kuang, the leader of this type of official, intends to take initiative, he said with great interest:

"Sir, your little trick is absolutely perfect."

"What plans does sir have that he intends for the officials to carry out?"

With the emperor's approval, Han Kuang was brimming with motivation:
"Your Majesty previously implemented a single tax system in Suzhou, and this year there are no more arrears in Suzhou's taxes and grain."

"I intend to implement a single tax system in various regions to evaluate officials."

This was something the emperor had repeatedly demanded be implemented, and Han Kuang, who was in charge of the Finance and Economic Committee, knew how much the emperor valued it.

He used to be somewhat passive, but now he intends to do things properly.

However, Zhu Youjian no longer trusted his abilities and attitude.

When Han Kuang was appointed as the chief minister, he raised two issues: the rebellion of the Jurchens and financial difficulties.

Now that the Jurchen rebellion has been resolved by him and Yuan Keli, Han Kuang has not paid much attention to the financial difficulties.

The current fiscal situation can barely be described as balanced; if we want to do anything, we can only look for unexpected wealth.

He worried that Han Kuang was just a flash in the pan and that he would just drift through life as long as he didn't push him.

So after thinking it over, he said to Han Kuang:
"This matter is the responsibility of the Ministry of Revenue. You can entrust it to Minister Bi."

"He is now a minister in charge of governance and one of the assistant ministers, so we should respect his opinions more."

"I intend to hand over the Finance and Economic Committee entirely to him. What do you think, sir?"

The position of Director of the Finance and Economics Committee was Han Kuang's most important concurrent post. It was precisely because he was in charge of this institution that he had the power to directly intervene in government departments such as the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Works.

Now that the emperor wants to remove him from this position, Han Kuang is naturally extremely unwilling.

He even worried that the emperor was dissatisfied with him, which was why he was forced to step down.

His mind raced, but his face remained impassive as he said:

"I will follow Your Majesty's arrangements!"

"If Your Majesty deems Minister Bi suitable, then I will leave the position vacant."

Seeing his unwilling yet compelled expression, Zhu Youjian laughed and said:

"I am asking you to step down because I have a more important position for you." "I think the plan you mentioned earlier is very feasible."

"Such a plan requires a dedicated agency to mobilize various departments to implement it."

"I call it the Planning and Development Committee, with the Grand Secretary serving as its director."

This institution, which could be called a "mini-State Council," was formally proposed and placed under the responsibility of the Grand Secretary, thus expanding the Grand Secretary's power and responsibilities.

Han Kuang initially didn't understand, but after hearing that the emperor had incorporated the heads of all the financial and economic institutions with supervisory and promotion/demotion functions—such as the Minister of Personnel, the Minister of Revenue, the Minister of Works, the Left Censor-in-Chief, the Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, the Minister of Agriculture, the Minister of the Court of Imperial Stud, and the Minister of the Court of Imperial Treasury—into the Planning and Development Commission, he immediately realized just how powerful this institution was.

Controlling these institutions meant controlling half the court; this was the true power of a prime minister.

Even he, as the Grand Secretary, couldn't help but feel a little excited, and said somewhat tremblingly:

"Your Majesty, this..."

“Isn’t that a bit too much?”

"What merit or ability do I possess to be in charge of these departments?"

Having already made up his mind, Zhu Youjian was not worried. He said to Han Kuang:

"Since it is called the Planning and Development Committee, it should naturally be responsible for the development plan of the entire Ming Dynasty."

"Apart from scholars, the development plans for agriculture, industry, commerce and trade, as well as the corresponding three major industries of agriculture, industry and commerce, are all the responsibility of the Planning and Development Commission."

"We'll start with a short-term plan now. Once the organization is more mature, we'll develop three- or five-year plans for long-term implementation."

"Who else but the Prime Minister can take on such an important role?"

“Apart from military affairs, etiquette, and tributary affairs, you, as the chief minister, can manage everything.”

This truly represents the power of the prime minister, and even includes some of the supervisory authority of the censor-in-chief.

Han Kuang was so excited that he realized the emperor wanted to give him an important position.

He prostrated himself before the emperor, tears streaming down his face, and said:
"Your Majesty values ​​this so highly, I am deeply grateful."

"I only wish to use this decaying body to serve Your Majesty and the Ming Dynasty with all my might."

Zhu Youjian seemed somewhat moved by what he heard, and stepped down from his throne to help Han Kuang up, saying:

"I don't need you to devote yourself to the cause, just do your job well."

"With the newly established Planning and Development Commission, things will undoubtedly be extremely busy. I will arrange for the Hanlin Academy and the Academy of Sciences to assist you, and have all the Hanlin scholars and academicians help to improve the relevant plans."

Han Kuang was not allowed to establish subordinates, and actual power was handed over to the Hanlin Academy and the Academy of Sciences.

It can be said that these two institutions are the real policymakers, while the departments under the State Planning Commission are only responsible for implementation and feedback.

Han Kuang understood the emperor's intention, but he didn't care about it at all.

Because Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet have never had any subordinates; they are only assisted by the Secretariat Drafters of Imperial Edicts and Imperial Decrees.

This wouldn't have been a problem before, but it became quite inconvenient after the emperor expanded the power of the cabinet.

When Han Kuang served as the director of the Finance and Economics Committee, he had to hold meetings in a small meeting hall converted from the Central Military Governor's Office. If there were any complicated matters, he would need the Ministry of Revenue to help him complete them.

Now that he's been transferred to the position of Director of the Planning and Development Commission, the assisting agency naturally needs to change. The Hanlin Academy, as the birthplace of the cabinet, seems very suitable to him.

As for the Academy of Sciences, it has the word "royal" in its name, belonging to the inner court. Although including it in the Planning and Development Commission might be seen as the inner court interfering with the outer court, Han Kuang felt it was acceptable.

After all, the emperor would naturally assign someone to oversee such an important institution.

The fact that Xu Guangqi and Zhang Pu, who were in charge of the Academy of Sciences, came from scholar-official backgrounds was also a reason why Han Kuang did not exclude them.

In particular, he viewed the branch academies established through cooperation between the Academy of Sciences and various government departments as highly advantageous for formulating plans. (End of Chapter)