Opening game, American Tycoon

Chapter 1005 The Chess Game of Chief Manager Zuo (First update, please subscribe)
Your Majesty is a stinking chess basket!

In Daming, this is no secret at all.

But even though he is a bad chess player, His Majesty still likes to play chess and Go.

And he likes to play chess with close ministers, what do the ministers think?
Whether you are enjoying it, or you are not tired of it, or you are in awe... But one thing is certain, only the close ministers have the opportunity to play chess with His Majesty.

Once again, Zuo Zongtang was left behind by His Majesty after reporting the government affairs. The two played chess back and forth for more than an hour. After losing the chess, Emperor Zhu dropped the chess piece and said with a smile.

"Master Zuo, your level of chess is getting higher and higher. If I'm not careful, I'm afraid I'm going to win."

Zuo Zongtang, who was silently collecting the chess pieces, laughed when he heard the words.

"Your Majesty, chess is really a small way, but it is just a leisure game. When it comes to playing chess, no one in the world can match your Majesty. The ministers play chess only with the latitude and longitude of the chessboard as the chessboard, but your Majesty plays chess with the latitude and longitude of the world as the chessboard."

Look at this sycophant...that's a comfort!

"You, you Zuo Jigao have also learned to flatter, this is not a good habit!"

"Your Majesty, I'm just telling the truth."

While speaking, Zuo Zongtang had already put away the chessboard, then he looked at His Majesty and said.

"Your Majesty, I'm afraid I won't be able to play chess with Your Majesty anymore."

The reason why Zuo Zongtang said this is because he is already seventy, and it is an old practice in the past dynasties to "retire at seventy".So at this time, no matter what, he had to submit a memorial to retire.

Looking at the grizzled Zuo Zongtang in front of him, Emperor Zhu pursed his lips and said.

"In recent years, Prime Minister Zuo has worked hard for the government, and it is thanks to Prime Minister Zuo's great contribution that Ming Dynasty can have today."

Before that, Zuo Zongtang had revealed this meaning, and Emperor Zhu had no intention of keeping him. After all, he had been the Prime Minister for 12 years, and it was about time for him to be replaced.

Of course, a more important reason is physical reasons!

In history, Zuo Zongtang died in office a few years later, and Emperor Zhu also hoped that he could retire and take good care of his body.

Facing His Majesty's praise, Zuo Zongtang shook his head and said.

"Your Majesty, it's all thanks to His Majesty that Daming is able to be where it is today. I just followed His Majesty's orders."

Zuo Zongtang was not being polite. Although the Prime Minister of the empire had visited Europe and the United States and had a certain international perspective, that was it. He was not proficient in foreign affairs, no matter how hard he tried The knowledge of international diplomacy is always inferior to His Majesty's.

Actually, in Daming, no one can compare with His Majesty.

Your Majesty is really a person who knows everything from birth, science and technology, economy, military affairs, diplomacy, almost everything in Ming Dynasty is controlled by the emperor himself... All officials including Zuo Zongtang, more or less have a helpless discovery ——His Majesty has everything in his hands.

As Zuo Zongtang said earlier, His Majesty's layout of the world is obviously a big chess game, but unfortunately he doesn't know much, only relevant people will know part of it, even the dignified cabinet minister, the head of all officials , and only know a rough idea.

Your Majesty seems to be "indifferent" to government affairs, like a shopkeeper who throws his hands away, but in fact, all the officials in Daming are doing things according to His Majesty's plan. Chief Steward.

It's not easy to be such a chief executive... Actually, it's not easy at all.

"That's what I said, but when it comes to doing things, there are not many people who can make people feel at ease."

His Majesty seemed to say something casually, let Zuo Zongtang ponder for a moment, and then said.

"I think that Qian Degong can be the minister of the cabinet. It is obvious to all that he worked in Dongying a few years ago."

Nodding his head slightly, Emperor Zhu said.

"Qian Degong's handling of things can make people feel at ease, but Wang Youling..."

"Your Majesty, he is two years older than the minister."

Zuo Zongtang's casual remark made Emperor Zhu nod his head, but did not speak.Now that Prime Minister Zuo is going to be an official, then Wang Youling is almost going to be an official.

"Your Majesty, from the point of view of my ministers, there should be a time limit for this cabinet minister. Why did the so-called "powerful ministers" and "traitors" in the past dynasties be nothing more than sitting in the court for more than ten years, even if they are not married? The party will also gather a group of people around it, the so-called forming a party for personal gain is generally the same, a good minister becomes a traitor and a powerful minister, and in the end, most of them will not end well."

Perhaps it was because he had already made up his mind to retire, Zuo Zongtang didn't have the slightest scruples when he spoke, and finally suggested directly.

"From my point of view, these 12 years may not be enough for me. If it takes longer, it is not the blessing of the empire to become a traitor or become a minister of power!"

Regarding Zuo Zongtang's suggestion, Emperor Zhu nodded slightly. In fact, the political center of the Ming Dynasty is different from both the Chinese tradition and the West. Take the Imperial Executive Yuan as an example. It is the highest administrative organ, the prime minister's administrative affairs, including The Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Household Affairs, the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Law, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, the Ministry of Communications, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Labor are all managed by the Executive Yuan.

The Executive Yuan has a prime minister and two associate ministers. For these years, Zuo Zongtang has been the official prime minister, which is the so-called "Cabinet Minister". As for Wang Youling, he is an associate minister. Two years ago, Qian Degong was promoted to Associate Minister.In the official context of Daming, both of them are assistant ministers.

Although the administrative system seems to integrate the East and the West, in fact, it follows the traditional Chinese governance policy. For example, the selection of ministers and above are all based on the emperor's order, such as officials have no term of office.

In fact, to put it bluntly, the cabinet administrative system of the Ming Empire itself was designed to strengthen the imperial power. It further strengthened the imperial power on the basis of drawing lessons from the European monarchy. To some extent, the Ming Empire is similar to the Russian Empire - an absolute monarchy!

In the Ming Dynasty, the Emperor had absolute authority, and the bureaucratic system completely revolved around the imperial power. This is of course the "Chinese tradition", but Emperor Zhu has incorporated some modern administrative elements into this tradition, but it is essentially a new bottle. Just old wine.

Absolute monarchy is the essence.Imperial power is the core!

The reason why Zuo Zongtang said this now is actually not only to prevent the emergence of "power ministers", but also for the stability of the Ming regime. After all, there is no market for the traditional "kings fighting each other" in the current Daming Huaxia, but in the absolute Under the imperial power, who knows?

Therefore, there are some things that need to be taken precautions, and this is the last thing Zuo Zongtang consciously can do for Daming.

"It seems that you already have an idea?"

"The Minister will make a memorial in the name of the Executive Yuan in the last few days."

Nodding slightly, Emperor Zhu did not speak, and only after a while did he speak.

"I have a property in Yunding, Prime Minister Zuo can go there to take good care of my body. In a few years, I will still be of great use to you."

what?
Zuo Zongtang raised his head in confusion, his eyes were full of surprise, what does His Majesty mean?
"Don't look at me, Zuoxiang, take care of your body. In a few years, something big will happen, and I still need you to help me check and take the helm. You can handle things, and I can rest assured!"

Zuo Zongtang almost didn't shed tears when he said "you do things, I don't worry". How many ministers have had such trust throughout the ages?
(End of this chapter)