My father is Emperor Wu of Han, how can I be different from him?

Chapter 240 Eat fish
The news about which government offices would be moved had been leaked a few days ago, so it was reasonable for Zhao Yu to ask now. He asked directly and the prince answered honestly.

"The Shaofu may have misunderstood."

Liu Ju sat up straight and said to Zhao Yu seriously, "This time, I proposed to reform the Nine Ministers. I will not do anything against any one minister."

"We want to reduce the power of the Shaofu simply because the Shaofu has too much power."

Hear the words.

The expressions of the important officials who were all looking at the prince changed slightly.

Before the confession game started, everyone was hesitant. After the confession game started, Zhao Yu asked: Prince, are you targeting me?

The prince replied: No, it is aimed at the Shaofu office because it has too much power!

Hiss, what to say.

This confession seems a bit too candid?
Liu Ju ignored the strange looks of the crowd and continued to look at the slightly stunned Zhao Yu, saying sincerely: "To be honest with you, after discussing with my father, we both agreed that since you are in charge of the inner treasury and the expenses of the imperial palace, you should not touch the outer expenses if you have touched the inner treasury."

"The 'Zuoshi Gate' on the west side of the Weiyang Palace is very inappropriate."

The many government offices and workshops under the jurisdiction of the Shaofu were located in the northwest corner of the Weiyang Palace, close to the royal family, and provided convenient services.

for example.

In those days, when Liu Ju wanted to make a few horseshoes, he didn't need to leave the palace. He could just tell people to pass on the message in the palace, and blacksmiths, carpenters, and bricklayers were all available.

But along with the convenience, there are also inconveniences.

Just as Liu Ju said, it was inappropriate to allow officials, craftsmen, and apprentices under the Shaofu to come in and out of the imperial palace every day.

"Your Highness means..." Zhao Yu frowned and asked, "You want to move the Shaofu Office out of Weiyang Palace?"

Liu Ju shook his head.

"The offices in the Shaofu related to the imperial court functions must not only be separated but also moved out, but the remaining offices related to the royal internal affairs can still remain in the palace."

Liu Ju told Zhao Yu truthfully about how the power of the Shaofu would change. Zhao Yu frowned after hearing this, but the coldness on his face had mostly disappeared.

"Your Highness, I also have a question."

At this time, Xu Ziwei, the doctor sitting in the third seat on the left, bowed and responded.

Liu Ju stretched out his hand to signal him to say it was okay.

"There were rumors a few days ago that many government offices would be cut, but the Office of the Imperial Physician was not one of them. Just now, when His Highness reminded General Huo and General Li..."

Xu Ziwei glanced at Huo Qubing, Lu Bode and others, then looked at Liu Ju, "Your Highness said that they are military officers and are not involved in this reform, but I am also a military officer."

He cupped his hands.

"I believe that Your Highness has made some arrangements for the Langzhong Lingfu. Recently, many of my men have been restless and have often come to ask about this. I don't know, so I have no choice but to ask you now."

Liu Ju nodded after hearing this, and raised his hand to press down, indicating that the other party did not need to be polite, "General Xu, you are too polite. Today we are talking by the lake, so let's keep it simple."

"If you have anything to say, just speak up."

The first sentence was said to Xu Ziwei, and the second sentence was said to others present at the scene - no need to be polite, just speak frankly.

After explaining the purpose, Liu Ju looked back at the general who was sitting upright, "General Xu was born in the frontier army. After he became the Langzhongling, he also served in the Forbidden City."

"But the Langzhongling Mansion not only has military positions such as Langjiang and Langguan, but also civil positions such as Daifu and Yezhe. This reform will indeed involve Langzhongling."

"But it will not affect the former."

Listen.

Xu Ziwei paused and said in a deep voice: "I have no doubts."

He would be so straightforward because the Langzhongling Mansion was rather special. It was true that it was in charge of both civil and military officials, but generally speaking, the Langzhongling himself could only supervise military officers.

Such as the Left and Right Generals of the Central Army, the Vice Ministers, and the Doctors.

Civil service positions such as Jian Daifu, Zhongsan Daifu and Taizhong Daifu were mostly directly under the emperor's jurisdiction, for example, the great poets of that time such as Dongfang Shuo, Zhuang Zhu and Sima Xiangru.

Kong Anguo and Zhongjun are among them.

In fact, we can also see clues from the selection of doctors. The current doctor-in-chief Xu Ziwei was a frontier general, and the previous doctor-in-chief Li Guang was a rough man...

How can a group of Confucian scholars and masters of poetry be controlled by them?
Can't control it.

If the civil servants usually do not obey his orders, then it has nothing to do with him. Whether it is promotion or demotion, Xu Ziwei does not care and will respond naturally.

Let’s talk.

Seeing Zhao Yu and Xu Ziwei in front, and the prince's sincere words, some people could no longer hold back. Zhou Zhongju stroked his beard and asked suspiciously:

"Your Highness, may I ask how the Taichang Temple will be reformed?"

Liu Ju followed the voice and said, "The six orders of Taiyue, Taizhu, and Taizai will not be changed, but Taixue will be separated from Taichang Temple."

"Why?"

“Because education is important!”

Liu Ju said solemnly: "The education I am talking about does not refer to dozens or hundreds of Confucian scholars studying the classics, but the teaching and cultivation of tens of thousands of Han people."

"After this reform, the imperial court will establish official schools in local counties, towns, and villages. This is a formal decree, not just encouragement!"

Nowadays, in addition to the Imperial College in Chang'an, there are also official schools in the Han Dynasty, which first appeared in Shu during the reign of Emperor Jing.

After the current emperor ascended the throne.

Following the model of officials in Shu, all counties and kingdoms were encouraged to actively set up official schools. However, officials from other places were not very willing to do so. Either they did not set up schools or their efforts were superficial.

The emperor had never pursued the matter seriously in the past, but now, from the day Liu Ju proposed to reform the Nine Ministers.

The court is getting serious!

Not only must a formal imperial edict be issued, but each county must have a county school, and each township must set up a township school depending on the situation, which would be responsible for enlightenment, teaching the classics, and passing on knowledge.

From now on, official schools will be included in the assessment standards of the upper echelons, and will no longer be institutions delegated to counties and states and left to the will of local officials.

"Official schools have complicated functions, and the Imperial College needs to be separated out and expanded. Since the Taichang Temple is in charge of sacrifices and rituals, it is inconvenient for it to be in charge of education," Liu Ju added.

He explained it very clearly and frankly.

however.

Zhou Zhongju, the Minister of State Affairs, still had doubts. The source of the doubts was:

Every year, the Confucian officials who graduated from the Imperial Academy all remembered a favor from their superiors, and the Minister of Rites did not want this "official hatchery" under his command to be divided up.

Now I hear that the official school expanded from the Imperial College has more functions and a greater influence. It seems, it seems, that you are even more reluctant to give it up?
"cough."

Zhou Zhongju looked around, then at the crown prince, with a smile on his face: "Your Highness, I believe that etiquette and education are one and the same."

"It might be possible to let the Taichang Temple take charge of it together."

Ah!
The one who sneered was not Liu Ju. Although he laughed too, it was not the prince who laughed out loud, but the General of Cavalry who had been eating fish silently.

However, since the prince had said so before, Huo Qubing did not say anything. Zhao Yu and Xu Ziwei, who had just finished the quick question and answer session, twitched their lips and also lowered their eyes silently.

at the moment.

Liu Ju smiled and looked at Zhou Zhongju, very amiable, "Grandmaster of the Temple, Marquis Dan, I said before that the Minister of the Palace had misunderstood. It seems that you have also misunderstood a little."

"Today's banquet is for me to answer your questions, not for me to discuss anything with you. If I need to discuss anything, I will discuss it with the Emperor!"

Liu Ju stared at the already pale-faced Marquis of Dan Zhou Zhongju, smiling as he spoke word by word, "Marquis of Dan, do you understand?"

what are you?
If you are given some color, you will start a dyeing factory? If you are easy-going for too long, some people will inevitably become arrogant. Fortunately, Liu Ju is open-minded and maintains his demeanor even when scolding...

Zhou Zhongju's cheeks instantly turned the color of liver, and he stammered, "Yes, yes, I understand."

See this.

Liu Ju nodded, put away the smile on his face, and turned to look at the people around him.

The chief of the imperial clan Liu Shouyan originally wanted to ask questions after Zhou Zhongju, but when he saw the scene just now, his heart trembled, and he suddenly felt a little afraid of his cousin.

Skillful.

But at this moment, the prince's eyes swept over and looked straight at him. Liu Shouyan, who was a little hesitant, looked embarrassed and had to bite the bullet and said:
"Your Highness, I have some questions as well."

"Cousin, feel free to ask me anything. I will tell you everything I know."

"I dare not call you brother, I just want to ask, is there anything wrong with the Zongzheng Mansion?"

"Yes!" Liu Ju nodded heavily.

He made no secret of it: "The biggest problem with the Zongzheng Mansion is that the Zongzheng of the imperial court is not on the same page with the imperial court, but is colluding with the vassal states!"

The words fell.

The lakeside and the grass suddenly became quiet. Those who were eating fish were still eating fish, and those who were drinking were still drinking, but no sound was made.

The breeze blew across the lake, and the waves hit the rocks on the lakeside, making a loud noise.

Clang.

The wine cup on the table in front of Liu Shouyan was suddenly tripped by his sleeve. The royal family marquis did not care about the wet collar and hurriedly explained in a trembling voice:
"Your Highness, why do you say that? I am sorry to Your Majesty, to the court, to..."

"Oh, you don't have to tell me."

Before he finished reading this passage, Liu Ju interrupted him with a wave of his hand, "I know that my cousin is loyal to everyone, and the sun and the moon can testify to that."

"So, when you first took office as the chief minister, I was not aware of the money and letters sent to your residence by the King of Zhongshan, the King of Yan, and others."

"We are all descendants of the royal family. I will give you some respect. Please hand in your resignation letter in a few days."

"Okay?"

When Taoyang Marquis Liu Shouyan heard this, his face turned pale, his body shook like a sieve, and his lips trembled, but he could not hear clearly what he said.

The sons of the royal family really had to maintain some dignity. Liu Ju took the initiative to wave to the eunuch Wei beside him and said to help his cousin: "Marquis Taoyang can't hold his liquor. Arrange someone to take him away."

"Yes, yes, I can't handle the alcohol, I can't handle the alcohol!"

Liu Shouyan nodded repeatedly and bowed deeply to the prince. He did not even have time to be polite to his colleagues. Without waiting for the eunuchs to come and support him, he hurriedly stood up and retreated in embarrassment.

One person left the banquet halfway through.

It's really not decent.

However, no one in the room cared about this at the moment. Regardless of their position or identity, whether they were men or eunuchs, all the ministers present had a calm expression on their faces but awe in their hearts!

If it involves the princes, any touch will cause trouble!

At this point.

No matter how Liu Ju created a relaxed atmosphere, it was impossible for the atmosphere to be relaxed. He was not doing useless work. In the tense atmosphere, they could still talk.

Liu Ju put down the towel he was using to wipe his hands and looked at Wang Wenshu and Kong Jin. "Criminal law and finance are the top priorities of the court. With this reform, both the Supreme Court and the Ministry of Agriculture will have more authority."

"The office separated from the Shaofu was taken over by the Da Nong Lingfu."

Kong Jin responded respectfully: "Yes."

"In addition to the two left and right supervisors, the Imperial Court will also have two left and right deputy supervisors, who will be responsible for inspecting local prisons, verdicts, and judicial injustices."

Wang Wenshu bowed solemnly: "Yes!"

Subsequently.

Liu Ju glanced at Grand Emissary Dongfang Shuo and Imperial Coachman Gongsun He, both of whom knew what was going on, and his gaze was fixed on the person sitting at the last seat.

The two people at the last seats on the left and right were both self-aware and thought that they were there just to serve as a foil.

Da Changqiu’s premonition was correct.

If Liu Ju wanted to take action against him, he had to at least inform his queen, but he didn't, which meant that he would not take action.

But the master architect's premonition was wrong, because Liu Ju was looking at him at this time, "Master Zhang, the General's Office was only responsible for building palaces before, but after the reform, your task is very heavy."

Heavy task?
Zhang Cheng, the master builder, was stunned at first, then he was overjoyed. He suppressed his pounding heart and hurriedly bowed his hands, "Please give me your instructions, Your Highness."

Liu Ju nodded and said, "From now on, the construction of water conservancy projects, bridges and roads in various parts of the court will be reported by the local governments and will be uniformly reviewed and supervised by the Ministry of Construction."

"The court will assign you more professional craftsmen, add more officials to the General's Office, and even upgrade your rank to a salary of two thousand stones!"

"Do you know what that means?"

The rank of Zhong Er Qian Shi means that the Chief Architect will no longer be a minister who needs to keep a low profile, and the Ministry of Works will be on par with the 'Nine Ministers'!
Notice.

Only nine ministers, namely, Taichang, Tingwei, Danongling, Taipu, Weiwei, Langzhongling, Daxingling, Shaofu and Zongzheng, had a salary of two thousand stones.

The Prefect of the Guards, the Chief Architect, and the Grand Chamberlain all had a salary of 2,000 stones and were all ministers, but the difference of one word made a world of difference!
Zhang Cheng suppressed the throbbing in his heart. The uneasiness before entering the palace today and the restlessness of his subordinates all disappeared. At this moment, there was only one sentence in his mind -

"I will definitely live up to your trust!"

"it is good."

Liu Ju responded, which was considered as accepting the military order. He looked around and his eyes became increasingly serious. Seeing this, everyone looked over.

"From a public-spirited perspective, the court will reform its system, but it will not do so randomly. The changes will make the distribution of responsibilities clearer and more efficient. From a private-spirited perspective..."

Liu Ju paused and said, "After the reform, some of you will have even greater power!"

Wang Wenshu, Kong Jin, and Zhang Cheng nodded silently, and Dongfang Shuo and Gongsun He, who were not named at the banquet, also nodded.

"Of course, some people's rights will be reduced."

Zhao Yu and Zhou Zhongju remained silent, with no expression of sorrow or joy on their faces.

Liu Ju continued, "But no matter whether they increase or decrease, what I want to say is that, in the final analysis, these positions are all positions of the imperial court."

"The Han Dynasty is not the pre-Qin Dynasty, and the Han Dynasty's official positions are not the hereditary positions of the pre-Qin period that could be passed down to a family or surname!"

That’s all I have to say.

Liu Ju's tone suddenly became more stern, less casual, "To put it bluntly, if the court wants to make changes, do we have to ask for your opinions?!"

"I summoned you here to answer your questions. My father and I are considering the etiquette between the ruler and his subjects. I am giving you face. Shouldn't you also respect me?"

Hear this.

The eunuchs and palace maids in the field bowed their heads, and the ministers were silent.

Even Dongfang Shuo, Li Guang, and Huo Qubing, who were close to the prince, had stern expressions on their faces.

At this moment of silence, Liu Ju suddenly stopped looking stern, picked up a skewer of grilled fish on the table, and said casually, "Eat fish!"

The words fell.

Everyone picked up the grilled fish on the table. It was the fish from Kunming Canal in Bowang Garden. Liu Ju specially prepared it for everyone...

(End of this chapter)