The Ming Dynasty's Five Hundred Years

Chapter 253 Hereditary System
Inside the Fengtian Hall.

The officials who entered the hall to participate in the court meeting all saw the emperor's furrowed brows and looked at the crowd in the hall. They were all somewhat surprised and puzzled, wondering what had happened that so many people were attending the court meeting.

Depending on the topic, the participants and the chairpersons of the court council varied during the Ming Dynasty.

For example, the appointment of high-ranking officials of the third rank and above was usually presided over by the Minister of Personnel, and the participants were generally the ministers of the Grand Secretariat, the six ministries, the vice minister of the Ministry of Personnel, and the supervising secretary of the Ministry of Personnel.

But something was clearly wrong today. There were six cabinet members, six ministers, six vice ministers, heads of various courts, left and right censors, six supervising secretaries, the prefect of Shuntian Prefecture, the Duke of Yingguo, the Duke of Chengguo, the Duke of Dingguo, and even the head of the Imperial Clan Court. There were dozens of high-ranking officials in the court. If there were any more, they could have held a court meeting directly.

What's most unusual is that not only was Crown Prince Zhu Zhanji present, but all of Emperor Zhu Gaochi's sons, whether adults or minors, were also there!
Seeing that everyone had arrived, Zhu Gaochi didn't waste any words and directly said to Li Xianmu, "Mingda, tell everyone about today's events."

Li Xianmu then recounted the matters concerning the imperial clan that he had discussed with the emperor, and everyone now understood why the princes had been summoned.

However, they could not hide their shock. Today, they had come to discuss matters concerning the imperial clan. Under the patriarchal system, this was a truly momentous matter. But considering what Li Xianmu had said earlier, the ministers all understood why the emperor attached such importance to it.

Zhu Gaochi was not in high spirits, and his voice was somewhat low. "That is the whole story. Although it is not a disaster yet, those who do not plan for the long term are not capable of planning for the short term."

Since it hasn't gotten to the point of no return yet, let's resolve it now; otherwise, it will become too big to handle later.

The people in the hall were not fools. Since a problem had been discovered, it was best to resolve it as soon as possible. Otherwise, the resistance would be immense if they were to deal with the livelihood of the millions of members of the royal family in the future.

"In that case, each ministry discussed the matter, and the ministers of the six ministries, the Left Censor-in-Chief, and the Chief Justice of the Court of Judicial Review submitted their suggestions to their respective ministries."

Li Xianmu then convened a meeting with the Left and Right Vice Ministers of the Ministry of War, the five Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet, and a group of officials from the Imperial Clan Court to discuss the matter.

Everyone knew that Li Xianmu was the most influential person, and once his suggestions were adopted, they could be passed directly today, which would be a great achievement. So they all offered their advice.

After listening to the two people's suggestions, Li Xianmu began to tap his fingers lightly. The people, who were not new to court meetings, immediately knew that Li Xianmu was not satisfied with these remarks.

After the Right Vice Minister of War finished speaking, Li Xianmu temporarily stopped speaking. "I think we can be a little bolder. These ideas are too conservative and cannot solve the problem at all. What we need is a solution that can truly solve the problem."

Seeing that no one spoke, Li Xianmu continued, "Don't be afraid of any ancestral laws. The reason we are discussing this matter today is because our ancestors made mistakes when they formulated these laws. If that's the case, and we still have to consider the ancestral laws and hesitate, then we won't be able to get anything done."

With Li Xianmu's statement, everyone's courage immediately grew, to the point that even Li Xianmu felt it was somewhat radical, almost comparable to Zhu Yunwen's reduction of the power of the princes.

However, from these people's tentative statements, Li Xianmu could sense the hidden aversion that the world harbored towards the imperial family.

He suddenly remembered a conversation he had with his father.

"Mu'er, do you know why I want the main branch of the Li family to take the civil service route?"

"I ask my father to enlighten his son."

"Have you felt the disdain and disgust that scholars have had for relatives of the emperor, nobles, and members of the imperial family since ancient times?"

"I am fortunate to have my biography recorded in history, and my son will naturally know this."

What is meant by "幸进" (xìngjìn)? Starting from the Song Dynasty, this term became associated with villains. Li Xianmu was a minister who was favored by the emperor, but he later washed away this shameful title.

In the context of modern society, the term "幸进" (xingjin) refers to "civil servants who get into the system through back channels," "medical students in the 4+4 program," and "admissions to prestigious universities like Peking University," and refers to personnel whose news inevitably arouses great public outrage.

There has been no difference between ancient and modern times.

Those who rise through the ranks by chance have always been despised. Therefore, civil officials look down on hereditary nobles and despise members of the imperial family who rely solely on imperial blood. Officials who obtain their positions through patronage have limited future prospects, while only the imperial examination is the proper path. This is a rebellion against "bloodline".

"The aversion to Xing Jin has driven generations of patriots to gradually strip away the privileges of the privileged class."

From hereditary noble positions based on bloodline to the selection of officials based on virtue and talent, from aristocratic families and powerful clans to the imperial examination system.

The scope of patronage is shrinking, and the status of the officials receiving it is declining. When will this stop?

Li Xianmu didn't know then, and he doesn't want to know now.

True equality for all may never be possible in this world, but it cannot be concealed by the phrase "everything has never changed." The blood of righteous people has never been shed in vain.

Countless complex thoughts surged through Li Xianmu's mind, guiding him to break through a major issue he shouldn't have considered.

"Motosuke."

“Minister of State”.

"Grand Sima."

"The clan members."

After everyone finished talking, they were surprised to see Li Xianmu walking away in thought. They called out to Li Xianmu, who suddenly turned around and said, "Since everyone has finished speaking, I suppose the other departments have also finished."

After the discussions concluded, the various ministries returned to the emperor's throne. Li Xianmu, who presided over the court meeting, began by calling out names from the Ministry of Personnel. Each ministry then presented its own ideas, most of which were rather conservative.

Li Xianmu immediately understood what everyone was thinking. Matters concerning the imperial clan were of great importance. It wasn't that they didn't have radical solutions, but rather that they were unwilling to propose them. Today's discussion was not about important military or national affairs, so there was no need to rush. If no results could be reached today, they could continue the discussion tomorrow.

Everyone had this in mind, which is why they tentatively offered a conservative suggestion first, to test the emperor's bottom line and see what level of change he could accept.

It could be said that this was a collective choice made by a group of cunning old foxes.

But Zhu Gaochi frowned slightly. He felt that he had made himself very clear. This matter concerned the future survival of the dynasty, and if it was not changed, it would be in danger.

However, the suggestions offered by these ministers were merely piecemeal and of no real help, which greatly disappointed him.

He was very intelligent and naturally knew what these ministers were thinking, so he was even more disappointed and could only turn his attention to the cabinet he truly trusted.

"Mingda, what about you?" Li Xianmu said leisurely, "Your Majesty, the main points we just discussed are as follows."

The first suggestion was to directly allocate a portion of the imperial court's annual revenue, say one-tenth, as the stipends for members of the imperial family. Whether the amount was sufficient or insufficient, it would come from this portion.

Zhu Gaochi was immediately taken aback, a smile spreading across his face. This was the advice he had been looking for, a suggestion that could perfectly resolve the terrifying future where the imperial clan might drag down the Ming Dynasty's finances.

"However, there is a drawback to this, which I will not elaborate on here, but I am sure Your Majesty can guess."

Zhu Gaochi lowered his gaze. He naturally knew that as the number of members of the imperial clan increased, this stipend would inevitably be insufficient. Those at the bottom of the imperial clan might even be worse off than beggars, and there might even be tragic deaths from starvation.

Li Xianmu didn't say it because if the emperor really adopted this suggestion, wouldn't he be accused of mistreating the imperial family?

As long as he doesn't say anything, he can use the excuse that "the emperor didn't expect it" to get away with it; this is called feigning ignorance.

Zhu Gaochi cooperated by not asking, but instead inquired, "What's the second method?"

"The second approach is to learn from the practices of the previous long-lasting dynasties."

Inside the main hall, the expressions of the people were varied; everyone present was well-versed in history.

Counting back from the Ming Dynasty, only the Han, Tang, and Song dynasties lasted for a relatively long time, but the imperial clan system of the Tang Dynasty was of no value.

The reason why the Tang Dynasty did not have problems with the imperial clan was because the succession of the imperial line was too bloody. After Wu Zetian usurped the throne of the Li Tang Dynasty, she killed almost 99% of the sons of Emperor Taizu and Emperor Taizong. Not long after, the An Lushan Rebellion broke out. The Li Tang imperial clan was wiped out every time before they could develop. It can be said that it was quite tragic.

Under such circumstances, how can we talk about the imperial clan system?

Furthermore, the imperial clan system of the Song Dynasty was in complete conflict with the imperial clan system of the Ming Dynasty.

Many people may not know this, but the Song Dynasty's imperial clan system was actually the ancestor of the Qing Dynasty's imperial clan system!

The Song Dynasty's imperial clan system included the following provisions:

First, he was not allowed to leave the capital and could only stay in Bianjing (Kaifeng), and he had no fiefdom. Therefore, during the Jingkang Incident, he was directly taken away by the Jurchens, leaving only Wanyan Gou as his sole heir.

This rule completely contradicts the Ming Dynasty's policy of requiring princes to remain within their fiefdoms and not venture out.

Second, in the Song Dynasty, titles of nobility, including those of princes, were not hereditary but were inherited in descending order. The eldest son of the principal wife was reduced to the rank of Duke, while the rest of the lineage eventually became no different from ordinary commoners.

Through the system of demoting noble titles, the Song Dynasty achieved the natural dissipation of the power of the imperial clan. Even if distant branches of the imperial clan had illustrious ancestors, they could only become commoners in the end.

This explains why Emperor Xiaozong's father was only a county magistrate, while Emperor Lizong's father was an ordinary commoner.

However, the Song Dynasty retained a small number of hereditary princely titles. For example, Emperor Yingzong bestowed the title of Prince of Anding upon the lineage of Emperor Taizu. The Qing Dynasty's system of hereditary princes was learned from this.

This clause also contradicts the Ming Dynasty. The founding emperor established a hereditary system, and this clause cannot be changed. Even Li Xianmu dared not mention it.

Because hereditary succession was politically correct in the Ming Dynasty, and it wasn't just the princes who inherited their positions.
The various dukes, marquises, earls, countless commanders, deputy commanders, assistant commanders, thousand-household commanders, hundred-household commanders, and small flag officers—the Ming Dynasty was a hereditary dynasty from top to bottom. Even the national hero Qi Jiguang was able to become an official because his family had been the assistant commanders of Dengzhou Guard for generations!
It can be said that apart from the civil officials who came through the imperial examinations and became officials based on their own abilities, everyone else relied on their fathers, ancestors, and other powerful figures.

This is why Ming Dynasty civil officials were so arrogant. In modern terms, they would be the top students in their respective provinces, while military officials and nobles were mostly academic underachievers and people with connections.

If the hereditary titles of the princes were abolished in such a great Ming Dynasty, what would happen to the others?
Once the precedent of abolishing hereditary succession is set, everything will get out of control. No one will dare to touch this matter, not even the emperor. Despite his high position on the throne, abolishing hereditary succession offends everyone, including the imperial guards who protect him!
What about the Han Dynasty?

The Han Dynasty's system was relatively moderate, with the throne being hereditary by the eldest son of the legitimate wife, while the remaining sons gradually inherited the throne.

Thinking of the imperial clan system of the previous dynasty, Zhu Gaochi's face turned a little green. He was shocked to find that the imperial clan system of the Ming Dynasty was so bizarre.

The descendants of the royal family enjoyed privileges, were not bound by ordinary laws, and were not subject to the control of local governments. The residences, clothing, and military cavalry of the princes were one rank below the emperor. Their titles were hereditary and could not be changed. When they met the princes, dukes, and ministers, they had to "prostrate themselves in homage." They did not have to pay taxes and could even collect taxes, fish taxes, and salt shops in the local area.

"Oh!"

Zhu Gaochi couldn't hold back any longer and slammed his hand on the table. Only after realizing it did he notice that his hand was a little numb. He twitched the corner of his mouth and said in a deep voice, "Mingda, there are many problems with the previous dynasty. Tell me what should be done as soon as possible."

Li Xianmu said in a deep voice: "In my opinion, the only way to prevent the country from being burdened by this is to increase revenue and reduce expenditure."

Let's first talk about the idea of ​​saving money. The blessings of a virtuous person will last for five generations.

Five generations of princes, dukes, generals who guard the state, generals who assist the state, and generals who support the state are sufficient. As for the lieutenant generals who guard the state, lieutenant generals who assist the state, and lieutenant generals who support the state, they can be directly abolished and simply listed as idle members of the imperial clan, recorded in the genealogy.

With this one move, the lion's share of the imperial family's stipends could be cut off in the future. Moreover, the Ming Dynasty is only in its third generation. Even the most prolific princely families have not yet produced a Fengguo General, let alone the lower ranks.

This would minimize resistance. Zhu Gaochi understood that now was the best time to implement this system. If it were delayed any longer, and a member of the Ming imperial family were to actually produce a Zhenguo Zhongwei (a high-ranking military officer), things would become much more difficult to handle.

Li Xianmu continued, "I believe it is inappropriate to use a portion of the court's annual revenue for the expenses of the imperial clan. A maximum limit should be set, and the stipends of the imperial clan members should be reduced accordingly if they exceed this limit."

"Anything else?" Zhu Gaochi felt that Li Xianmu understood him best and his suggestions were the most feasible.

"Emperor Taizu previously forbade members of the imperial clan from engaging in official business, but I thought that times had changed and circumstances had changed. Now it seems that this was no longer appropriate."

The Song Dynasty allowed members of the imperial family to participate in the imperial examinations, but they were not allowed to lead troops or serve as prime ministers. Even if our dynasty does not allow close relatives of the imperial family to participate in the examinations, if members of the imperial family are truly impoverished, they should still be allowed to earn a living through means such as commerce, farming, or crafts. Otherwise, if these people cannot survive, wouldn't that be a disgrace to the imperial family?

The current imperial family members naturally don't have this kind of trouble, but no one is a fool. Liu Bei wove shoes and sold them, and there were many poor imperial family members during the Tang and Song dynasties. If the Ming dynasty lasts for more than two hundred years, this is inevitable.

Especially with the current new policies for the royal family, it may not even be needed for a hundred years before some lower-ranking members of the royal family are not receiving enough stipends to support themselves.

Zhu Gaochi pondered for a long time before saying, "Mingda, what you said makes sense. The distant relatives of the imperial family below the rank of Fengguo General have very little blood relation to the main imperial family. It is unreasonable to further restrict them by the imperial family. It is appropriate to give them a way to make a living."

I also find the other points you have submitted appropriate. What do you, my esteemed ministers, think?

(End of this chapter)