The Ming Dynasty did not revolutionize

Chapter 410 The princes' confrontation and Zhu Jianxuan's new reform

Zhu Jianxuan arranged the tasks and let his sons prepare themselves mentally, then he let them go back and rest.

After the twelve princes left the emperor's palace, the eldest prince Zhu Jingkun first said to his younger brothers:
"This time, the task given to us by our father is to adjust the administrative divisions of Guangdong Province.

“Father asked us to discuss and decide together.

“It just so happens that there are still more than ten days before departure. After you go back, you can think about it and come up with your own plan.

“When we set out, we’ll gather together to discuss and judge.

"After arriving in Guangdong, I learned about the specific local conditions and then made the final feasible plan."

Some of the twelve princes nodded, some seemed a little unhappy, and a few felt that this was not appropriate.

The most direct one was the ninth prince Zhu Jingtan, who responded directly after hearing what Zhu Jingkun said:

"Brother, my father said that there is no subordinate relationship between us. Just because you are the governor, it doesn't mean you can directly order us."

Several princes around immediately nodded in agreement:

"Yes, Father said that all matters must be decided by us through consultation."

"My brother, your direct arrangement does not seem to meet the requirements of our father."

Zhu Jingkun was obviously stunned for a moment:
"I didn't give you any orders? I didn't make any direct arrangements, did I?"

Zhu Jingtan immediately said:

"Brother, let us each consider it, discuss it together when we set out, and then do research in Guangdong. Isn't this your arrangement?"

Zhu Jingkun felt puzzled:
"This is not an order, nor is it an arrangement. This is a natural plan. What's the problem with that?"

Zhu Jingtan asked directly:
“It is indeed a natural plan, and there is nothing wrong with it.

"But why should it be arranged by my brother?
"Did the Emperor allow you to make this arrangement? Did the brothers unanimously agree that you should make the arrangement?"

The ten princes around him considered it for a while and then began to echo each other.

"According to the rules set by our father, all matters must be decided through discussion among the brothers. So who will make this kind of arrangement should also be decided through discussion."

"As for who should come, we should at least vote. If the vote fails to decide, we can go to the Emperor."

"My royal brother cannot take on this responsibility directly."

More than a dozen princes seemed to think that Zhu Jingkun had no right to speak like that.

In an extremely competitive small team, where everyone wants to be the one in charge, any small thing can become a bone of contention.

What they argue about is not the trivial matter itself, but the person who becomes the dominant topic.

Zhu Jingkun was a little surprised by this situation and realized that this matter was not that simple.

It seems that I have become their target of attack now.

What they attacked was not his plan, or even his behavior of proposing a plan that was taken for granted, but himself, the eldest prince.

As the eldest prince, I might be their default enemy.

At the same time, Zhu Jingkun also quickly realized that the situation of his internship this time was completely different from before.

In the past, no matter where I was doing internship, no matter what specific work I was responsible for, most people around me would cooperate with me to the fullest.

Not to mention his direct subordinates, the heads of brother departments and superiors all cooperate with him instinctively and provide him with what he wants and support as much as possible.

Because they were all ordinary officials, and he was the emperor's eldest son.

This time the situation has been completely turned upside down. His colleagues and direct subordinates will not actively cooperate with him, and may even join forces to fight against him.

They are all princes, and his status as the eldest prince will not only not be a help, but will become a hindrance.

After Zhu Jingkun understood this, he felt helpless. Looking at the expressions of his eleven younger brothers around him, he suddenly wanted to laugh:

“I just said something that was a matter of course. Since you all are collectively looking for trouble like this, I can do the same.

"I am the governor. If I don't pass on information to you, you won't be able to do anything in Guangdong.

"You can go directly to the emperor and complain that I am incompetent as the governor, and ask him to dismiss me and replace me with a brother.

"And then? To do this all over again?
"Or do you think that even if it is a matter of course, we should vote on it first and then report it to the emperor for judgment?

“Father asked us to negotiate and resolve the issue together, but you are going to kick me or the other brothers out first?
"My dear brothers, I don't know what you are thinking, nor do I know what choice our father will make in the end.

"But my own goal is to get the title of prince.

“You think I’m a threat to you, but I know for myself that I never stand a chance.

“Because when my father chooses an heir, he will most likely distance himself from the traditional clan system, and I, the eldest son, will most likely be excluded first.

"If I withdraw from your competition right now, I may still get what I want.

"I won't talk anymore, you guys can do whatever you want.

"Not bad, that's good. I'd better apply to be a king overseas, haha..."

Zhu Jingkun really laughed at the end of his speech, and then walked out with a smile.

The princes around were not stupid either. After Zhu Jingkun made a slight mockery, they immediately reacted.

It was obvious that their father wanted the brothers to unite and cooperate, but they started fighting as soon as they went out. Even if they were not eliminated collectively, their collective impression would be lowered.

Then it will leave better opportunities for the younger brothers in the following years.

And they all realized that what Zhu Jingkun said made sense. Their father had specifically abolished the traditional patriarchal inheritance system, and Zhu Jingkun, the eldest prince, was likely excluded from the order of succession.

So what we should do now is to quickly keep Zhu Jingkun here, get the discussion back on track, and avoid endless wrangling and internal friction.

But who will make the first move?

The group of princes at the scene looked at each other, and most of them turned their eyes to Zhu Jingtan.

Zhu Jingtan did not shirk his responsibilities. Now was not the time to argue. If they continued to discuss or even vote on who should be in charge, it would be too late.

Zhu Jingkun made the decision in an instant, quickly ran after him, grabbed Zhu Jingkun's arm, and said with a smile:
"Brother, please stay. Brother, please don't be angry. We didn't mean that."

Zhu Jingkun asked back with a straight face:
"That's not what you meant? What do you mean? What do you guys mean?"

Zhu Jingtan was a little embarrassed:
"We misunderstood my brother. We didn't understand our father's instructions very well. It's all our fault. Please don't be angry, brother."

Zhu Jingkun still didn't appreciate it: "I don't want to hear nonsense, I just want to hear the simple and real reasons. Father asked us to discuss and decide on matters, which means he wants us to cooperate.

"The premise of cooperation is that we must be honest with each other, rather than being wary of each other. Otherwise, nothing can be accomplished."

Zhu Jingtan was indeed frank enough:
"I actually just wanted to lead the discussion on this topic. When I found that my brother was the first to speak, I felt pressured to compete with him."

Zhu Jingkun nodded gently:
“It’s normal to have such thoughts, but what you did just now might be what Father hates the most.

"You think I took the initiative, so next time there's a similar opportunity, you should take the initiative to step forward and seize it.

"Instead of coming out and attacking me after I casually mentioned a plan that made sense."

Zhu Jingtan once again seriously admitted his mistake:
"I know I was wrong, please forgive me, brother. We will continue to work together to complete the tasks assigned by our father."

Zhu Jingkun did not go too far:

"According to Father's past habits, if nothing unexpected happens, as long as we can complete the tasks that Father specifically instructed us to do during each stage of the training, we will most likely be able to obtain the title of prince after the training is completed.

“So anyone who has any other ideas or plans should only do so after completing the task assigned by the Emperor, otherwise the Emperor will surely be disgusted.

“My goal is easy to achieve, but I will definitely cooperate with you as much as possible, otherwise my father will hate me.

“Although my father is strict, he is also kind and loving. If nothing unexpected happens, we ordinary brothers should have other arrangements in the future.

“There is nothing wrong with what happened in Guangdong. What I just said is just a matter of course.

"Everyone, think about it after you go back."

Zhu Jingkun bowed to his younger brothers, then broke free from Zhu Jingtan's hand and left.

This time Zhu Jingtan did not try to stop him, because Zhu Jingkun said he would cooperate.

The princes present had different expressions and thoughts in their minds. Some were already considering whether or not to tell their father about what happened today.

But no one said anything afterwards. They said goodbye to each other politely and returned to the palace.

The New Year passed quickly, and after Zhu Jianxuan’s birthday celebration was prepared, it began on the Lantern Festival.

Fireworks are set off every night to celebrate, and every day people from different backgrounds present birthday gifts.

It was not until the morning of the seventeenth day of the first lunar month that Zhu Jianxuan once again ascended the throne in the Grand Hall to accept the worship and congratulations of all his descendants, clan members, nobles, vassal monarchs, ministers, and master craftsmen.

Then Zhu Jianxuan gave a banquet in return for the gift and had a meal with the leaders from all walks of life.

After the celebration, everyone took a short break. On the 21st day of the first lunar month, Zhu Jianxuan once again came to the Grand Hall and took the throne to hold the opening court meeting of the year.

Zhu Jianxuan asked Grand Secretary Wang Lai to read the imperial edict to open the new year.

The New Year's court meeting was ceremonial, and the New Year's edict usually had no practical content.

Most of the time, we emphasize existing typical problems and encourage officials and nobles to work hard.

The royal family, nobles, vassal lords, ministers, and master craftsmen all listened seriously.

However, this time the New Year's edict was slightly different. In the second half, Zhu Jianxuan directly issued several new reform orders.

First, a new Shangshu Terrace was built next to the cabinet office building in the Beiyuan New Palace as a centralized office location for the Shangshu.

After Zhu Jianxuan's Northern Expedition, he merged the Wu court with the Ming court, abolished the traditional ministers of various ministries, and established a large number of new departments.

The head of the department was replaced by a third-rank assistant minister, and the Shangshu no longer corresponded to a specific department and was no longer a fixed position.

Instead, specific ministers are temporarily established based on actual needs to be in charge of several specific departments or to preside over specific affairs, and they may be revoked at any time.

However, like countless predecessors, temporary positions have existed for a long time and gradually become permanent positions.

However, the Shangshu still did not have a clear office location. Most Shangshu worked in a subordinate department or ran back and forth between several departments.

Now Zhu Jianxuan has fixed them down and pulled them out of the departments to concentrate them working around the emperor.

After hearing the arrangements, the officials on the scene instinctively wondered what impact the change in the Shangshu's working style would have on the situation in the court.

The Shangshu were obviously closer to the emperor, but further away from the subordinate departments and institutions.

The identity may change from an outer court official to a middle court official or even an inner court official. Will this conflict with the identity positioning of the cabinet ministers?
In fact, Zhu Jianxuan had a clear distinction in his mind: the Shangshu directly presided over the specific government affairs of the court, while the Cabinet Grand Secretary only provided decision-making advice to the emperor.

The Shangshu is equivalent to the vice president of a group company. His main job is to be in charge of several subordinate branches or departments, and he can participate in overall affairs discussions when the president requests it.

The Grand Secretary of the Cabinet is the assistant to the president or the president's secretary. His job is to assist the president in handling the overall affairs of the company. He can temporarily be in charge of a specific department or branch when the president requests.

The heads of the Academy of Sciences, the Academy of Engineering, the Academy of Education, the Chief Censor of the Censorate, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and others are given the title of Grand Secretary, and they directly manage specific departments in accordance with the instructions of the president.

At the administrative level of a modern state, the Grand Secretary is the head of a department in the President's Office, and the Shangshu is the head of a government department under the Prime Minister.

Zhu Jianxuan further improved the management framework of the Ming Dynasty central court based on modern management experience and prepared for the succession of power.

The stable inheritance of power cannot rely on personal relationships, but must rely on organizational frameworks and the distribution of interests.

In addition to continuing to adjust the central court institutions, Zhu Jianxuan will also continue to adjust local administrative institutions to make them more rational and stable.

The first thing was to arrange for the twelve princes to go to Guangdong Province for training, and to be responsible for adjusting the administrative divisions of Guangdong Province.

Then he ordered that the official name of the Mediterranean be changed to the Western Sea and that the Western Sea Prefecture be established on the former site of Constantinople.

A European and Asian garrison was established in Xihai Prefecture to be in charge of the areas west of the Urals and India.

The Liaison Office was composed of eleven major departments, including the Ministry of Rites, the Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Taxation, the Ministry of Works, the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Justice, the Censorate, and the Dali Temple.

The heads of departments are the same as those of the various ministries in the central court, and their rank is the third grade, the same as that of the provincial governor.

At the same time, the Asia-Europe Minister was established in the Secretariat of the central court, responsible for coordinating the affairs of the Asia-Europe Liaison Office with the ministers of various ministries of the court and the cabinet.

This is a pilot project. If the effect is good, it will be promoted in the African Province and Linzhou Province, and the American Province will also make corresponding adjustments.

The scope of the Ming Dynasty's Asia Province was probably the later Indian region, Persian region, Arabian Peninsula region, Ottoman native region, and Egyptian region.

The Ming Dynasty's European scope basically covered the whole of Europe, and established multiple provinces.

This area has a large population and is far away from the core area of ​​the Ming Dynasty. In addition, the local ethnic groups and vassal states are very complex, making it very difficult to manage.

Therefore, Zhu Jianxuan referred to the model of the former Nanjing Garrison and established a "branch court" in the Eurasian region.

Local affairs were centralized in this sub-court and then connected with the central government.

(End of this chapter)