The Ming Dynasty began from Sarhu

Chapter 579: Ministers (Thanks to anStrange for the tip)

On the sixth day of the eleventh month of the fourth year of Taichu, there was a violent storm in Shenyang City, and the water level of the Hunhe River rose rapidly to Guangji Gate.

Outside the Taisho Palace, thunder roared like tides, dark clouds covered the imperial city, and lightning streaked across the sky, turning night into day.

At dusk, Emperor Wu Ding sat high atop the Dragon Throne, his gaze slowly scanning the hall. High Priest Francisco and Imperial Eunuch Dongfang Zhu stood by his side, while Pei Dahu, Lin Yu, and others held swords as guards.

In the hall illuminated by whale-shaped candlelight, a large group of people stood there. They were officials from various provinces and prefectures of Da Qi, divided into two teams, civil and military.

Liu Zhaosun saw many familiar figures in the crowd:

Governor of Shandong Chen Xin, Governor of Henan Ge Yewen, Governor of Huguang Huang Delun, Prefect of Jinzhou Zhu Dingwen, King of Shunyi Zhu Youxiao, Chief of the Second Corps Deng Changxiong, Chief of the Third Corps Qi Jin, Chief of the Fourth Corps Qin Jianxun, Chief of the Fifth Corps Pu Gang... Wang Zengbin, Jin Yinghe, Zheng Yishi, Zhao Lujiao, Marquis of Loyalty Bumbutai, Liu Yue'er, Yang Tong... Even Wu Aheng and Lu Demin who were far away overseas rushed back.

Lee Ho, the son of the King of Joseon, and Zheng Zhilong, Marquis of Jing'an, the two hostages abandoned by their relatives, were brought to the Daejong Palace today to attend this highest-level meeting of the empire as an exception.

A group of civil servants argued from day to night, tirelessly advising the retired emperor and proposing various national policies that they thought were appropriate, which were then rejected by their colleagues or the retired emperor.

The theme of this meeting is to revise and improve the "Land System of the Qi Dynasty", as well as to discuss the restoration of private property and the restoration of the imperial examinations. In addition, there are also reforms to farmers' associations, chambers of commerce, workshops, and schools...
The empire had a vast territory. As of October of the fourth year of Taichu, the territory of Da Qi extended to the Yangtze River and Huai River in the south, to Sakhalin Island in the north (possibly expanded to the Bering Strait), to Korea in the east, and bordered Shaanxi in the west. In addition, most of Mongolia was also under the rule of Da Qi.

In this vast territory, there are ten provinces and more than seventy states and prefectures. There are hundreds of governors and prefects alone, plus the heads of chambers of commerce and workshops from various places. There are more than two hundred officials in total coming this time.

The Prime Minister Kang Yingqian informed everyone in advance that when they met the Empress Dowager, they must advise the Qi Dynasty on its land system and private property system. Everyone, whether they supported or opposed the new policies of the Qi Dynasty, had to express their attitude in the hall.

In fact, even without Prime Minister Kang's instigation, the officials inside the Great Wall would have talked endlessly. Many of them were filled with anger. Over the years, the empire had appointed them to implement new policies and the land system in various provinces and prefectures, and the implementation of the policies was extremely difficult.

Several elderly prefects described it this way:
"Damn it! (The new policy) is even more troublesome than Zhang Taiyue's land survey back then!"

Of course, more people just cursed in their hearts and continued to do what they had to do. After all, the arm cannot twist the thigh, and no one was stupid enough to openly challenge the authority of the court.

These local officials, who were dissatisfied with the court's decrees and pretended to obey them but actually disobeyed them, immediately rushed to Shenyang when they heard that the new prime minister was going to summon officials from all over the country to discuss state affairs.

This topic about the direction of the imperial system has been hotly debated since the very beginning.

About 30% of local officials, chamber of commerce managers, and department heads strongly demanded all-around reforms: they suggested immediately abolishing the existing land system in Da Qi, redistributing all land to the people according to the fertility or barrenness of the land, resuming land leasing, and protecting the people's private property...

The suggestions of these officials are quite similar to the best strategy proposed by Kang Yingqian in front of the retired emperor. Of course, the officials' suggestions are more exaggerated, and the retired emperor may not accept them.

Approximately 30% of the officials firmly opposed any reform, advocating for maintaining the status quo. If necessary, they would further strengthen the Great Qi land system and abolish private property regulations, crack down on all black market transactions and smuggling activities, and if necessary, mobilize the troops stationed nearby. The Emperor Emeritus also found such proposals unacceptable. The remaining 40% formed the silent majority, choosing to wait and see, supporting whoever won.

The ministers put forward various suggestions, covering all aspects of land, private property, imperial examinations, military, diplomacy, and trade.

The young eunuchs in the Imperial Household Department who were responsible for recording the proceedings filled more than 2,000 pages of rice paper just to record the officials' advice.

It can be seen that the complexity of this topic discussion is no less than a large-scale military war.

Over the past two days, even an energetic demigod like the Emperor, under such a continuous bombardment, with the constant noise in his ears from dawn to dusk for three consecutive days, he began to feel drowsy.

The usually peaceful Taisho Palace was now dimly lit, and those energetic officials showed no intention of retreating to rest.

After all, many people were seeing the emperor for the first time, the first time they saw this legendary emperor. At this moment, Liu Zhaosun supported his chin, his head dizzy, and the noise around him continued.

To be fair, he did not hold out much hope for this reform (or regression) because there would be struggles between different interest groups and this reform was doomed to be bloody, even though it had been a peaceful picture until now.

In the past two days, all the memorials submitted by foreign ministers to the retired emperor, asking him for money, food and firearms, were rejected by Liu Zhaosun.

Up to now, the emperor has not given in. He is afraid that once he gives in, more "beggars" will come in.

What happened next was beyond his control.

~~~~~
The chief minister Kang Yingqian sat next to the emperor's dragon throne, closest to Liu Zhaosun, showing the irreplaceable and important role of Kang.

Sitting below Kang Yingqian were Wang Huazhen, Yang He, Lu Xiangsheng, Huang Gongfu, Du Yinxi, Hou Xun and others.

These are the members of the new cabinet of Da Qi. In just one month, the cabinet group originally centered around Sun Chuanting and Ma Shiying has been completely removed from the highest level of imperial power.

Many people in the previous cabinet had unfortunately become the cost of the empire's trial and error, becoming veritable scapegoats. Emperor Wu Ding was quite lenient with these scapegoats, and did not even order the execution of any of them. Instead, he exiled them far away and protected their families...
Kang Yingqian is in his sixties or seventies, but at this moment he looks particularly energetic.

As the saying goes, power is the best aphrodisiac, and this saying is most appropriate for Lao Kang.

Over the past three days, Kang Yinggan helped the retired emperor withstand countless "attacks" from his ministers - the so-called attacks referred to the ministers' suggestions. The suggestions of some local officials were too outrageous and were undoubtedly a shameful attack. Kang Yinggan was still in high spirits, his small eyes gazing around, looking at his cabinet colleagues over and over again, not knowing whether he was showing off or reminding everyone to pay special attention.

I wonder if Lao Kang took the secret medicine King Kong Powder passed down from his ancestors tonight, that's why he is so energetic.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty?" Kang Yingqian, feeling very proud, suddenly caught sight of the retired emperor dozing off on the throne, and called out softly:
"The Emperor,"

After calling out softly several times, Liu Zhaosun remained motionless, and then a low snoring sound was heard.

The ministers were far away and could not hear the emperor's snoring.

Kang Yingqian looked embarrassed and waved to his cabinet members, signaling everyone to stay calm.

"That's fine. Perhaps the Emperor was tired last night..."

Kang Yingqian said this with a double meaning. He habitually searched in his sleeves, preparing a pill to make the emperor no longer sleepy.

At this moment, His Highness shouted deafeningly:

"Your Majesty! Make a decision now! No more hesitation! Issue an imperial decree immediately to resume the imperial examinations. There is still half a year until the next spring exam, so the scholars can prepare in advance. I earnestly request..."

Kang Yingqian glanced over there and saw that it was Chen Xin, the governor of Shandong. Old Kang muttered something and then straightened his back.

Shandong Governor Chen Xin kept talking about his plan to restore the imperial examinations in front of the retired emperor.

Chen Xin has been the governor of Shandong for five years. At this moment, he regards himself as a disciple of Confucius. What he wants to restore most is the imperial examination system.

(End of this chapter)