Jingtai: Making the Ming Dynasty Great Again

As soon as Wang Zhi finished speaking, a middle-aged official stepped forward and said, "Your subject, Shang Lu, Compiler of the Hanlin Academy, respectfully reports..."

The illegal acts of grain merchants should have been investigated by the Shuntian Prefecture, adjudicated by the Ministry of Justice, and reviewed by the Dali Temple.

The correct approach is for the three judicial departments to each perform their respective duties.

Your Majesty now intends to use the Embroidered Uniform Guard to investigate. If this continues, what will become of the authority of the Three Judicial Offices?

Wouldn't this render the judicial process a mere formality?

These remarks were echoed by several officials.

Shang Lu achieved first place in the provincial examination in the tenth year of the Xuande reign.

Later, in the tenth year of the Zhengtong reign, he achieved first place in both the provincial and palace examinations.

He was the first and only top scholar in the Ming Dynasty to achieve the "Triple Crown" (winning the top honors in all three levels of the imperial examinations).

He then entered the Hanlin Academy and served as a compiler there.

Officials of this rank are not normally qualified to participate in today's meeting.

However, he entered the Wenyuan Pavilion a few days ago on the recommendation of Chen Xun and Gao Gu.

Zhu Qiyu, the first scholar to achieve the highest rank in the imperial examinations in Ming Dynasty history, couldn't help but take a few more glances at him.

No matter the era, talent is always the most valuable asset.

Not to mention the current special period.

Left Vice Censor-in-Chief Zhou Quan replied, "What Compiler Shang said is absolutely right."

The Embroidered Uniform Guard's handling of cases without going through the three judicial procedures easily led to wrongful convictions.

Moreover, grain price issues are ultimately just ordinary commercial disputes.

If the Imperial Guard is used to investigate at every turn, it may frighten merchants, causing market stagnation, which would be detrimental to the overall defense of the city.

Wang Zhi retorted, "Your Majesty, I believe this matter is of utmost importance."

Grain is now the foundation of the city's defense. The hoarding and transportation of grain by unscrupulous merchants is no longer an ordinary business matter; it is a matter of the safety of the capital.

If Shuntian Prefecture has the ability to investigate, why has there been no action for several days?

Since the three judicial departments failed to handle the matter promptly, what is wrong with His Majesty ordering the Embroidered Uniform Guard to intervene?

For a time, two opposing opinions emerged within the hall.

One faction, led by Wang Zhi, advocated for special handling of the case, demanding that the Embroidered Uniform Guard conduct a thorough and swift investigation.

Another faction, represented by Shang Lu and Zhou Quan, emphasized judicial procedures and believed that the three judicial departments should handle the matter according to standard procedures.

Both sides cited classical texts and argued endlessly.

Zhu Qiyu listened quietly, his gaze fixed on Yu Qian, who had remained silent.

Yu Qian finally stepped forward: "I believe that unscrupulous merchants who hoard goods must be severely punished!"

After saying this, Yu Qian returned to the queue.

Zhu Qiyu was waiting for Yu Qian to continue, but this was all he got. He instantly made up his mind:

It seems that Yu Qian also did not want the Embroidered Uniform Guard to handle this matter completely.

Zhu Qiyu looked at Jiang Yuan, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice: "Vice Minister Jiang, has the Ministry of Justice received any relevant reports recently?"

After a moment's hesitation, Jiang Yuan said in a low voice, "Your Majesty, there is no official report."

Zhu Qiyu looked at the Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture: "Where is Shuntian Prefecture?"

The Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture, sweat beading on his forehead, said, "Your Majesty... Your Majesty is busy resettling displaced people, maintaining public order, and dealing with grain merchants..."

"Since there is nothing there, then I will have the Northern Garrison Command investigate!"

In times of crisis, if we adhere to routine procedures and sit idly by while unscrupulous merchants run rampant, we will fail to take any action.

What use are these three judicial offices? What use is this imperial court?

These words were extremely harsh, and many officials in the hall turned pale.

Hu Ying bowed and said slowly, "Your Majesty, please calm down. This old minister is not against investigating and punishing unscrupulous merchants."

However, considering the judicial system, which is related to the long-term stability of the court.

While the Embroidered Uniform Guard's methods of handling cases were certainly swift, they were unlikely to be convincing to the public if they did not go through the procedures of the three judicial departments.

Furthermore, the Embroidered Uniform Guard wields excessive power; if this power becomes unbalanced, the disastrous consequences of the previous dynasty's secret police and imperial guards must be heeded.

That hit the nail on the head.

The Eastern Depot was established during the Yongle reign of the Ming Dynasty, and the Embroidered Uniform Guard (Jinyiwei) gained increasing power during the Xuande reign.

Then, during the Zhengtong era, Wang Zhen seized power and the Embroidered Uniform Guard acted as accomplices to the tyranny. The disaster caused by the secret police was indeed deeply hated by the court officials.

Zhu Qiyu remained silent for a moment, knowing that Hu Ying had a point.

If one relies solely on the Embroidered Uniform Guard and bypasses normal legal procedures, it may produce remarkable results in the short term.

However, in the long run, this would disrupt the balance of power within the court and ultimately harm the imperial power itself.

Zhu Qiyu's tone softened somewhat: "What Minister Hu said makes sense. I have a compromise, please listen to me."

The case was handled by the Imperial Guard, who investigated and found evidence of illegal activities by the three businesses, arrested the main culprits, and recovered the grain.

All captured criminals, evidence, and stolen goods must be transferred to the Ministry of Justice for custody and review.

Once the evidence is conclusive, the Ministry of Justice will draft a charge, the Court of Judicial Review will review it, the Censorate will supervise it, and the three judicial departments will complete the procedures. The final conviction and sentencing will still be in accordance with the Great Ming Code.

After a moment's thought, Wang Zhi was the first to declare, "Your Majesty is wise!"

Hu Ying nodded: "Your Majesty's considerations are thorough, and this old minister has no objections."

Although Shang Lu, Zhou Quan, and others felt that the involvement of the Embroidered Uniform Guard was still excessive.

However, since the emperor had already made concessions and the plan did indeed take into account both efficiency and procedure, he no longer objected.

Seeing that no one raised any further objections, Zhu Qiyu announced loudly, "Lu Zhong!"

"Your subject is here!"

"I will give you three days to investigate this case and recover the grain."

"I obey your decree!"

Zhu Qiyu then looked at Chen Yi: "Minister Chen."

Chen Yi quickly stepped forward and said, "Your subject is here."

"You shall go to the Ministry of Revenue immediately to take charge of its affairs."

The Ministry of Revenue needs to calculate the amount of grain involved in the three merchants and make preparations for receiving it.

All the recovered grain was put into government granaries and continued to be sold at the normal price.

"I obey your decree."

"The matter of grain prices is settled for now." Having made the arrangements, Zhu Qiyu turned to Yu Qian: "Minister Yu, what is the situation on the border?"

Upon hearing this, Yu Qian stepped forward and reported to Your Majesty: "According to the latest military report, Esen's army is still moving around the Datong and Xuanfu areas."

According to a report by Yang Hong, the general of Xuanfu, the Oirat army has recently divided its forces to plunder surrounding prefectures and counties, searching for grain and provisions.

Zhu Qiyu's expression was solemn. After they had finished cleaning up, they were about to head to Beijing.

"Minister Zhao, how is the Ministry of Works' expedited production of ordnance progressing?"

Zhao Rong, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works, stepped forward and replied: "Your Majesty, the Ministry of Works has recruited more than 2,800 artisans from all over the city, and divided them into 20 workshops to work day and night."

Currently, we can produce 80 bows, 2,500 arrows, 180 swords and spears, and 40 suits of armor every day.

Firearms production was slow due to a lack of raw materials such as saltpeter and sulfur.

Although supplies have been procured from pharmacies and allocated from the palace, they are still insufficient.

Zhu Qiyu frowned. Even a skilled cook can't cook without rice; this was indeed a problem.

It seems we can only wait for the firearms from Nanjing.

Zhu Qiyu said, "We will temporarily halt the production of firearms and focus all our efforts on bows, arrows, and armor."

"I obey your decree."

Zhu Qiyu continued, "How is the resettlement of the displaced people progressing?"

Zhao Rong replied, "Your Majesty, 24,000 shelters have been built in the outer city to house approximately 75,000 refugees."

However, people from surrounding counties and prefectures have continued to flock to the area after hearing the news, with no fewer than a thousand new people arriving every day.

The Ministry of Works is short-handed, and the construction speed can no longer keep up with the increase in the number of refugees.

Furthermore, materials such as timber and thatch are becoming increasingly scarce.

Zhu Qiyu decisively said: "Recruit refugees to build their own shelters. Tell the refugees that anyone who participates in building shelters and transporting supplies will be rewarded."

In addition to two meals a day, work points are awarded, which can be exchanged for grain or copper coins.

If we run out of materials, we'll go outside the city and bring back all the trees we cut down earlier.

"As you command!"

At this moment, Wang Zhi, the Minister of Personnel, interjected: "Your Majesty, I have another matter to discuss."

Recently, some officials in Beijing have been secretly sending their families away, although the number is not as high as it was a while ago, but the impact is still quite bad.

Should another injunction be requested?

Zhu Qiyu thought for a moment and said, "How about this, the Censorate will issue a proclamation tomorrow to announce the discipline."

Officials of the fourth rank or above are strictly prohibited from sending their families out of the capital.

Those who have been sent away must move into the government office and are not allowed to return to their private residences.

Those who violate this rule will be demoted three ranks and have their salary reduced by six months.

People are not worried about scarcity but about inequality; that's just how they are.

Previously, Zhu Qiyu had only given Yu Shiyue minor punishment.

It's not a good time to severely punish other officials either.

Wang Zhi nodded: "Your Majesty is wise."

The meeting lasted for nearly two hours, covering everything from military affairs to civil affairs, from finance to the judiciary, leaving no stone unturned.

During this period, ministers such as Chen Xun and Gao Gu recommended several other people.

For example, He Wenyuan, who is "recuperating" in his hometown, and Wang Wen, who is stationed in Shaanxi.

Zhu Qiyu knew that they were taking advantage of the court's shortage of personnel to fill their own ranks.

Especially Chen Xun and Gao Gu.

If one person recommends another, the other will definitely recommend yet another.

Zhu Qiyu was also pleased to see this phenomenon: as long as you are not a monolithic group, I am at ease.