The struggle for the throne among nine princes—I really don't want to be the crown prince.

Chapter 339 What kind of "Beijing Inspection" is this? Isn't it just a weakened version of the year-end assessment?

If a system can last for a century, it must have something extraordinary about it.

Even capable ministers like Wang Anshi and Zhang Juzheng had to deliberate and think deeply for many years before implementing reforms.

The Crown Prince has suddenly proposed reforming the capital inspection system, which is no easy task.

Just as Zhang Ying was secretly sighing, Emperor Qianxi also realized that he had asked a question that was a bit too difficult for him!

Although the Crown Prince was intelligent, it was indeed a bit much to ask him to answer such a complicated question on the spot.

Just as Emperor Qianxi was about to give the Crown Prince a way out and let him "say whatever he wanted," Shen Ye spoke up!

This was far too easy for Shen Ye.

To put it bluntly, the "Beijing Inspection" is just a year-end assessment, no, no, it's much weaker and more lenient than a typical year-end assessment.

Shen Ye has participated in these year-end assessments every year, so he knows all too well the ins and outs of it.

He said calmly, "Father, I think that the capital inspection system can actually be improved by adding some more content."

"For example, we can set up a peer review form, list all the officials on the form, and then evaluate each person according to their performance as excellent, good, competent, or incompetent..."

"...In this way, the officials can evaluate their subordinates, and the subordinates can also evaluate the work of their officials..."

"Furthermore, I think it would be appropriate to add a 'personal discussion' session, in which everyone can speak freely and express their opinions."

"The person in charge of the assessment must keep the content of the conversation confidential."

"Furthermore, within a department, officials at all levels can evaluate the department's performance to determine whether the department head is performing their duties adequately..."

As the Crown Prince spoke eloquently, Zhang Ying's expression changed.

He felt that although the methods the Crown Prince had proposed were novel, they were not impossible.

However, if these measures are implemented, the officials in charge will have a rather difficult time.

No matter who becomes the chief official, they cannot ignore the opinions of those below them, thus preventing some chief officials from acting arbitrarily.

Meanwhile, the imperial court could also learn about the true situation of most of its officials through more channels.

These methods are indeed ingenious.

But is this really something the Crown Prince just came up with?

Zhang Ying was a little confused. Although he couldn't believe it, this was indeed the question that Emperor Qianxi had just asked the Crown Prince.

The crown prince didn't think much of it and gave his answer directly.

This answer is truly ingenious; it not only enhances the role of the capital inspection but also increases the sense of participation among ordinary court officials in the inspection process.

Most importantly, it also weakened the ability of certain powerful figures to manipulate the situation during the inspection process in Beijing.

This is something Zhang Ying doesn't want to see.

But for Emperor Qianxi, it was a welcome situation.

After all, Emperor Qianxi did not like any department to become a monolithic entity.

Individual conversations and peer evaluation forms provided the emperor with another channel to clearly understand the internal workings of each department.

As Emperor Qianxi listened, he silently pondered Shen Ye's opinion.

What Zhang Ying could think of, he could also think of.

Moreover, he also thought of another point: this method could also reduce the power of the Ministry of Personnel in the capital inspection.

This method could even weaken the power of the Ministry of Personnel, ensuring that future official appointments would no longer be solely decided by the Ministry.

Thinking of these benefits, Emperor Qianxi's mind shifted directly from Shen Zhumo's death to the reform of the capital inspection system.

"Your Highness, if we do as you say, wouldn't that mean that no matter how well you do, it's not as important as having good interpersonal relationships?"

Shen Ye was well-prepared for questions like those concerning the Qianxi Emperor.

He calmly replied, "What the court needs are talented individuals; the stronger their abilities, the higher they should be placed."

"Your subject believes that no matter how capable a person is, he is ultimately just a person."

"Therefore, a qualified and talented person who cannot unite his colleagues is not suitable for a higher position."

Although Emperor Qianxi felt that Shen Ye's statement was somewhat biased, after careful consideration, he also found it to be reasonable.

For officials below the fourth rank, all they need to do is fulfill their duties.

However, for those bigwigs who are in charge of a region, if they cannot make full use of their subordinates and motivate their teams, then they are not suitable to be key figures in that region.

"What you just said is somewhat scattered. Go back and write a memorial, and I will have the Grand Secretary and the Ministry of Personnel discuss it."

Emperor Qianxi paused, then raised the memorial in his hand and asked, "What do you think should be done about Shen Zhumo's matter?"

After a moment of contemplation, Shen Ye said, "Father, I believe that the matter of Shen Zhumo should not be pursued further. Shen Zhumo's family should be given compensation."

"Regardless of his motives, respect for the dead is paramount."

"The compensation that the imperial court is obligated to provide must be fully paid!"

"In addition, the Court of Imperial Sacrifices can be used as a pilot to implement the new assessment method, turning a bad thing into a good thing."

Emperor Qianxi nodded; the Crown Prince's approach was exactly what he wanted. So, after a moment's thought, Emperor Qianxi said to Shen Ye, "Then let's proceed according to the Crown Prince's wishes!"

"Minister Zhang, have the Infantry Commander's Office make arrangements to have them investigate this matter thoroughly."

"I want to see whether Shen Zhumo's death was an accident or someone stirring up trouble."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Ying had a sudden thought: Did Emperor Qianxi's strong protection of the Crown Prince mean that the Crown Prince's position would become increasingly stable?

He originally thought that the longer he remained the crown prince, the less likely he would become emperor.

But now, a thought inexplicably arose in his mind: would Emperor Qianxi really be willing to depose the current crown prince?
At the very least, at this moment, Emperor Qianxi was very confident in the Crown Prince.

But as Emperor Qianxi grew older, then...

Shen Ye and Zhang Ying took their leave from Emperor Qianxi's room. As they parted, Shen Ye asked Zhang Ying, "Grand Secretary Zhang, do you think this was an accident, or was someone deliberately targeting me?"

Normally, Zhang Ying would give a very slick answer to this kind of question.

But now he was wavering. He had a vague idea of ​​investing in the Crown Prince, so he hesitated for a moment and said, "There's no smoke without fire. Your Highness should be more careful."

Zhang Ying's words made Shen Ye burst into laughter.

He cupped his hands in a respectful gesture towards Zhang Ying, then said in a deep voice, "Grand Scholar, I hope we can discuss things together more often in the future!"

Zhang Ying responded with a smile, "Your Majesty, I also hope to hear more of your brilliant insights so that I may broaden my horizons!"

When talking to smart people, you don't need to spell things out at all.

After parting ways with Zhang Ying, Shen Ye headed straight for the Empress Dowager's residence.

The Empress Dowager's residence was a garden covering more than 20 acres, just like Shen Ye's garden, except that it was located on the left and right sides of Emperor Qianxi's residence.

Compared to Shen Ye's garden, the Empress Dowager's garden was much more spacious and more exquisitely decorated.

At this moment, the Empress Dowager was playing mahjong with several concubines in a glass-enclosed pavilion.

Sunlight streamed through the glass, and the hot spring water flowed gently beneath my feet, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Upon seeing Shen Ye enter, the Empress Dowager smiled.

Before Shen Ye could even offer his greetings, she smiled and said, "Your Highness, we're all family, there's no need for such formalities."

"This glass pavilion is so comfortable. I don't want to leave it."

Looking at the small pieces of glass, each about the size of a palm, Shen Ye felt somewhat dissatisfied with the glassmaking skills at the moment.

He smiled and said, "Grandmother, since you like this glass pavilion, I will have someone build another one for you in the palace when we get back."

After exchanging a few words, the Empress Dowager saw that Shen Ye showed no sign of leaving, and knew that the Crown Prince had something to discuss with her.

She then turned to the Ninth Princess standing beside her and said, "Ninth Princess, please play these cards for me while I speak with the Crown Prince about something."

The Ninth Princess was fifteen or sixteen years old, which was almost the time for her to get married.

According to the court's tradition, she should have married into the grasslands, but because she, like the Fifth Prince, was raised by the Empress Dowager from childhood, she had long ago asked Emperor Qianxi for permission to choose a handsome man in the capital to marry.

However, the Empress Dowager has not yet found a suitable candidate!
Upon hearing the Empress Dowager's instructions, she said with a smile, "Grandmother, don't worry, I definitely won't let you lose money."

After the Empress Dowager came out of the glass pavilion, she first inquired about Shi Jingrong's recent situation.

Shen Ye did not immediately hand the 100,000 tael silver note to the Empress Dowager. Instead, he talked for a long time before finally taking out the silver note before leaving.

Unlike Emperor Qianxi's "dividend" rhetoric, he used a different approach with the Empress Dowager: "Grandmother, I have made a little money recently, and this is a small token for your spending money."

"Please don't think it's too little, Grandmother."

The Empress Dowager had heard many times about how the Crown Prince made a lot of money selling land in Xiaotangshan.

After all, when many noble ladies came to the Empress Dowager's place to keep her company, they would steer the conversation toward Xiaotangshan.

Although no one dared to say that the Crown Prince was making money too quickly, the Empress Dowager knew from the money her family spent on buying land that the Crown Prince was making a lot of money.

However, the Empress Dowager wasn't particularly envious.

After all, she is already wealthy and doesn't need that much money on a daily basis.

Moreover, the Crown Prince was very filial to her, and Xiaotangshan provided her with a good place to stay in the winter.

She is very content with this.

At this time, the crown prince gave her money as a sign of filial piety, which made her very happy.

But when he opened it and saw the number 100,000 taels, he was still taken aback.

"Your Highness, this is too much. Your Majesty doesn't usually spend much money. You should take it back." As the Empress Dowager spoke, she was about to hand the silver notes to Shen Ye.

"Grandmother, please take it without worry. I still have money. When I run out of money in the future, I can ask you for a loan. Would you refuse to lend it to me?"

Shen Ye said firmly, "If Grandmother insists on not accepting it, it means she thinks her grandson is not giving enough."

Seeing Shen Ye's sincere attitude, the Empress Dowager smiled and said, "Alright, then I'll keep it for you for now!"

"Your Highness, even if you hadn't come today, I was planning to call you over anyway. Recently, someone recommended Tong Guowei's grandson, Shun'an Yan, to be the consort of the Ninth Princess. What do you think?"

　The second update for today is here! Please support, recommend, and vote!
　　

(End of this chapter)