Take control of Wei Zhongxian at the start and confiscate 100 million from him!

Chapter 256 Earth-shattering
The flickering candlelight inside cast an uncertain glow on the huge "Map of the Ming Dynasty" on the wall.

The previous analysis of the problems in Southern Zhili seemed to still echo in the air, filling the small room with a sense of gloom and oppression before a storm.

The emperor did not respond immediately, but instead nodded slightly to Wang Chengen, who was standing to the side.

Wang Chengen understood, bowed and withdrew. Soon after, he personally led several eunuchs to serve each minister present a cup of freshly brewed pre-rain Longjing tea.

The delicate aroma of tea instantly dispelled the somber atmosphere in the pavilion.

When everyone saw this, they were all shocked.

Even old foxes like Bi Ziyan, Wen Tiren, and Wei Zhongxian didn't bother to lift their eyelids, yet they already understood the deeper meaning.

The fact that the emperor bestowed tea with such composure suggests that what followed would not be a brief exchange of questions, but rather a lengthy and demanding conversation.

Sure enough, as the aroma of tea filled the air, the emperor's voice rang out again. This time, his tone was calm, yet every word struck like thunder, hitting everyone's heart hard!
"I intend to re-determine the administrative divisions of the southern prefectures."

Upon hearing this, Bi Ziyan's hand holding the teacup paused almost imperceptibly, and a drop of scalding tea splashed onto the back of his hand, but he was completely unaware.

Wen Tiren subconsciously swallowed, his Adam's apple bobbing softly.

Even Wei Zhongxian, who seemed to be in a meditative state, suddenly opened his tightly closed triangular eyes a crack, a terrifying glint flashed in his eyes, and then he returned to his old and decrepit appearance.

Shock!

Unbelievable shock!
If the emperor's execution of the princes and merchants was a repair and adjustment within the existing framework of the Ming Dynasty, then this further clarification... is a radical overhaul, a complete rebirth, an unprecedented and earth-shattering act since the founding of the dynasty by Emperor Taizu Gao!
The room fell silent once again.

Several senior officials were waiting for the emperor's more specific, even treasonous, true intentions. Before that, they dared not think about it, much less respond.

The emperor seemed to sense the heavy pressure as well. He did not continue immediately, but fell into a brief moment of contemplation. His gaze returned to the map, and a rare hint of hesitation appeared in his deep eyes.

Seeing this, everyone was even more horrified.

If even this ruthless emperor, who is indifferent to the deaths of countless people, could show such a solemn and even hesitant expression, then the plan he was about to reveal must be something far more earth-shattering than anyone could have imagined!
After a long while, the emperor turned his gaze away from the map and towards Bi Ziyan and Wen Tiren.

"Lord Meng, Grand Secretary. The problems of Southern Zhili have already been clearly pointed out by the ministers. If I were to order you two to divide this region for me today, how would you proceed?"

This problem was like a mountain, crashing down on Bi Ziyan.

He felt a tightness in his chest. What kind of problem was this?

The division of provinces and the redefinition of territories—this is a grand plan that only founding monarchs and unparalleled emperors throughout history could conceive of!

It is the power of the emperor, the strategy of the Son of Heaven!
How could a mere subject dare to speculate or offer any opinions?

However, the emperor's gaze was like two sharp swords, firmly fixed on him, allowing him no room for retreat or avoidance.

There was no hint of probing in his gaze, only a questioning look of trust.

Bi Zi naturally understood that the emperor was not testing his loyalty, but rather his talent and sense of responsibility!
In this unprecedented undertaking of dynastic change, the emperor needed a scribe who could keep up with his thinking and even fill in the details for him!

Cold sweat slowly slid down Bi Ziyan's forehead.

He took a deep breath and took out a small notebook and a thin, jet-black stick from his sleeve.

These were the "charcoal pencils" and "notebooks" designed by the emperor himself and commissioned to be made by the imperial craftsmen.

The notebooks are made of the finest Xuan paper, cut and bound for easy carrying; the charcoal pencils have willow charcoal cores embedded in the wooden shaft, making writing smooth and far more convenient than brushes.

Once this item appeared, it circulated among a very small group of high-ranking officials in the imperial court and was regarded as a "treasure bestowed by the emperor".

At this moment, everyone's attention was focused on Bi Ziyan and the two novel objects in his hands.

Bi Ziyan did not answer immediately. Instead, he held a charcoal pencil, pondered deeply, and quickly scribbled in his notebook.

Sometimes he would sketch out a general outline, sometimes he would write down a few key place names or official titles, and sometimes he would cross them out heavily and start over.

Inside the room, the only sound could be the charcoal pencil clicking on the rice paper.

Time slips away, bit by bit.

A cup of tea, from hot to warm, from warm to cold.

Wang Chengen quietly replaced Bi Ziyan's lamp with a new one, but Bi Ziyan remained oblivious, completely absorbed in the grand blueprint constructed by that small piece of paper.

Finally, when the second cup of tea had gradually lost its heat, Bi Ziyan let out a long breath.

He raised his head, his aged face flushed slightly from the extreme mental exertion.

He rose again, bowed, and addressed the emperor:

"Your Majesty, I am but a humble subject, and after much deliberation, I humbly believe that the core essence of dismantling Southern Zhili lies in—'reducing its wealth, dismantling its factions, and strengthening its central authority'! The method should emulate Emperor Xiaowu's 'Decree of Grace.' It is not about weakening the regional powers, but about 'dividing the provinces'! This excessively large and wealthy behemoth will be divided into four! Its territory will shrink, its financial power dispersed, and its cultural lineage severed, so that each province can both support and check and balance the others. In this way, it will no longer have the ability to challenge the central government!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Youjian's eyes lit up!
Cut off their wealth, dismantle their faction, and strengthen their capabilities!

Follow the example of the Edict of Grace!
This almost perfectly coincides with the conclusion he reached after days of deep thought!

Bi Ziyan was indeed a capable minister!
"Speak!" The emperor uttered only one word, yet it was full of power.

"As you command!" Bi Ziyan composed himself and turned his gaze back to his notebook, where a brand-new map of the south had already taken shape.

"I believe that we should establish the 'Zhongdu Province' with Fengyang Prefecture as its capital!"

"Its jurisdiction encompasses Fengyang Prefecture, Luzhou Prefecture, and Anqing Prefecture. All three prefectures are located north of the Yangtze River. Its position should be 'the shield of the Yangtze and Huai Rivers, the place where the dragon rose!' Fengyang Prefecture is the place where our Great Ming Dynasty rose to power, and the location of the mausoleum of the founding emperor, so it holds a prestigious position. Luzhou and Anqing Prefectures are known for their simple and fierce people, making them crucial points for resisting the southward advance of bandits north of the Yangtze River."

Establishing these three areas as separate provinces, with Fengyang as the capital, serves two purposes: firstly, to honor the ancestral tombs and demonstrate legitimacy; and secondly, to allow the new province to focus on the defense of the Jianghuai region and grain production, thus creating Nanjing's first strategic buffer zone to the north and freeing it from the burdens of the prosperity of the Jiangnan region. The name "Zhongdu" (Central Capital) carries historical significance and highlights the special political status of these areas, making it both legitimate and justifiable.

As the emperor listened, he also picked up the charcoal pencil on his desk and wrote down the "Zhongdu Province" and the jurisdiction and location mentioned by Bi Ziyan in his notebook.

"Secondly," Bi Ziyan's voice grew even more composed, "we can establish the 'Jiangnan Province,' with Suzhou Prefecture as its capital!"

"Its jurisdiction encompasses Suzhou Prefecture, Songjiang Prefecture, Changzhou Prefecture, and Zhenjiang Prefecture. These four prefectures are the essence of the entire Ming Dynasty's finances and taxes! Their silk, cotton cloth, maritime trade, and various crafts are all unparalleled in the world."

The new province is positioned as the "source of wealth and the core of industry and commerce"! With Suzhou as the provincial capital, the imperial court can send its most capable ministers to establish a provincial government office to directly manage commercial taxes, customs duties, and maritime taxes, thus firmly grasping this number one "money bag" in the hands of the emperor!

More importantly, by confining the birthplaces of the Donglin Party and the Fushe Society to a single province, the court could better monitor them and prevent their influence from spreading outwards. Their name, "Jiangnan," was chosen because these two characters have always been synonymous with wealth and prosperity, directly indicating their core economic position—a meaning immediately clear to all!

"Thirdly," Bi Ziyan turned a page, "we can establish the 'Jianghuai Province,' with Yangzhou Prefecture as its capital!"

"Its jurisdiction could include Yangzhou Prefecture and Huai'an Prefecture, and also include Xuzhou, which was originally under Southern Zhili and is now a scattered prefecture. The location of this place should be 'the hub of the Grand Canal and the lifeline of the salt industry'! Yangzhou and Huai'an are the center of the Grand Canal and the Lianghuai salt fields."

The intention of establishing it as a separate province, with Yangzhou, where His Majesty stayed during this inspection tour, as its capital, is crystal clear: to completely separate the two major economic lifelines of the nation—the Grand Canal and the salt administration—from the intricate network of gentry in Jiangnan and place them under the direct management of the imperial court!
The Grand Canal Transport Commissioner's Office and the Salt Commissioner's Office of Lianghuai could work collaboratively with the provincial government. These three offices in one location could both perform their duties and supervise each other, making it difficult for unscrupulous individuals to manipulate the system. Their name, using "Jianghuai," clearly defined their geographical scope and core function: controlling the canal transport and salt trade between the Yangtze and Huai rivers!

At this point, Bi Ziyan had clearly delineated most of the former Southern Zhili region.

But everyone knows that the most crucial and sensitive part is yet to come—what should be done about Yingtianfu and Nanjing?
Bi Ziyan took a deep breath and revealed the most daring part of his entire plan.

"Finally, and most importantly, 'Yingtianfu' was renamed 'Nanjing' and established as the 'temporary capital' or 'secondary capital' of the Ming Dynasty. From then on, Nanjing ceased to be the seat of any province!"

"Its jurisdiction can be reduced to Nanjing City and its surrounding prefectures and counties, and the four prefectures of Taiping, Ningguo, Chizhou, and Huizhou can be added to its jurisdiction. Its positioning should be 'a strategically important area surrounding the capital, a prefecture for emperors'!"
Nanjing, from this day forward, is no longer the provincial capital of Southern Zhili, but a "capital city" on par with Beijing and Shuntian Prefecture! Its administrative system should also emulate Shuntian Prefecture, establishing the position of "Nanjing Prefect," a high-ranking official, reaching the third rank, higher than an ordinary prefect, not subject to the control of any province, and directly responsible to His Majesty!

"As for the four prefectures of Taiping, Ningguo, Chizhou, and Huizhou, they can either be directly controlled by the Prefect of Nanjing, or a separate 'Hui-Ning-Chi-Tai Governor' can be appointed to handle these matters, reporting directly to His Majesty and the central government!"

In this way, Nanjing's prestigious status as a secondary capital was preserved, and the wealthy and deeply entrenched Huizhou merchants, as well as the regions of Chizhou and Ningguo, rich in military resources, were firmly placed under the emperor's control! This method aimed to restore the "capital governor" system of the Han, Tang, and Song dynasties, strengthening Nanjing's political loyalty to the imperial power, rather than fostering its centrifugal forces derived from its economy!

As soon as he finished speaking, Bi Ziyan seemed to have used up all his strength. His body swayed slightly, and he subconsciously picked up the tea in front of him, which had long since gone cold, and drank it all in one gulp. A dry sound came from his throat, and his forehead was covered with fine beads of sweat!

You could hear a pin drop in the whole room.

Everyone was utterly shocked by Bi Ziyan's detailed, ruthless, and intricately linked plan!

Divided into four!
The capital was established with the ancestral mausoleum, the Jiangnan region was established with its financial resources, the Jianghuai region was established with its grain transport and salt administration, and Nanjing was controlled by the capital region!
It's not just a simple split; it's a precise reorganization and repositioning based on the core functions of each region!
Each redesign was like a skilled butcher dissecting an ox, his blade precisely cutting along the meridians to the heart of the matter—financial power, factional strife, canal transport, salt administration, and manpower...

This is not dismantling; it is clearly dismembering a tiger alive, removing its bones, tendons, and skin, so that it has no power to retaliate!

Meanwhile, several young officials, including Sun Chuanting and Hong Chengchou, looked at Bi Ziyan with awe after their initial shock.

But what shocked them even more was the emperor on the main throne, and the details of the interaction between the two old ministers and the emperor.

They could clearly see that as the emperor listened, he was also taking notes in his notebook with that magical "charcoal pencil," sometimes nodding, sometimes deep in thought, as if Bi Ziyan's words were confirming and overlapping with his own blueprint, stroke by stroke.

A good memory is worse than a bad pen!

Those of them, who were born into families of sages and saints, naturally understand this principle.

But they never imagined that discussions between the emperor and his ministers, especially on such earth-shattering strategies, could be conducted in such an efficient and intuitive way!
There were no red tape, no empty rhetoric, only direct answers to the core issues and well-reasoned solutions.

And those small charcoal pencils and notebooks are the best carriers of all these grand strategies!
Almost simultaneously, the group made a decision in their hearts—tonight, upon returning, they would immediately send people to find charcoal pencils made of willow wood and the finest Xuan paper, to make such notebooks to carry with them in the future!

They realized that this young emperor brought to the Ming Dynasty not only a new policy of iron-fisted rule, but also a method of investigation and management that was completely different from that of the traditional scholar-officials!
If they want to keep up with this emperor and make achievements in the coming era, they must first start with these most basic "tools" and learn to think, record, and plan like the emperor!
At this moment, the emperor had put down his charcoal pencil.

He looked at the draft proposal for splitting up Southern Zhili in his notebook, which was already taking shape, and then glanced at Bi Ziyan, who looked relieved. A smile of approval appeared on his face.

"Lord Meng, you've worked hard," the emperor said slowly. "Your strategy has hit the nail on the head; it's excellent."

"Having grasped its essence" is both a high affirmation and a subtle implication that something is still incomplete.

Bi Ziyan was no ordinary man. He felt a chill run down his spine and immediately realized that although his plan was good, it was ultimately just a skeleton, while the real flesh and blood and soul were still in the emperor's heart!
(End of this chapter)