My uncle's name is Zhu Di

Chapter 291 Court Responsibility
After Xu Jingchang took charge of the General Secretary, Zhu Di's biggest feeling was that nothing happened!
That's right, all government affairs are in the hands of Xu Jingchang, and the decisions are flowing without delay.

Whether it is the construction of Beiping, the rectification of Jiangxi, or the operation of various tax districts, they are all in an orderly and rapid manner, and even the revision of books is progressing continuously, which makes Zhu Di amazed again and again.

"You are not a bad nephew." Zhu Di admired from the bottom of his heart.

Empress Xu said: "It's a good thing for the country to have virtuous ministers, and the Holy Son of Heaven to govern. It's just that this kid even fooled me. I wanted to ask him about the use of Jiangxi's land, but he didn't want to tell me."

Zhu Di was surprised for a moment, and suddenly laughed, "Even I don't know much about this matter, otherwise, I'll go over in person and see what this kid is doing."

Empress Xu nodded, "Your Majesty just wanted to see what ability he has. He can manipulate the courtiers and make all the ministers do their best. After learning this ability, the emperor and grandson will use it in the future."

Zhu Di said with a smile: "I really have that intention, let's see how he became the prime minister."

Speaking of which, Zhu Di called the eunuch and asked him to inquire about where Xu Jingchang was.

As a result, after questioning, Xu Jingchang actually asked for leave. He didn't go to the Hall of Martial Arts or the Secretary of General Administration, but stayed in the Xu Mansion.

When Zhu Di heard this, he was furious and rushed to Xu's mansion.

You dare to be lazy while eating my salary, see if I don't give you some color.

When Zhu Di arrived, he saw Xu Jingchang fishing by his pond with a purple bamboo fishing rod... Zhu Di rushed over angrily, and within ten steps, seeing Xu Jingchang still bowed his head, Zhu Di couldn't help but said, "Dinggong, Are you quite at ease?"

Xu Jingchang raised his head quickly, and when he saw Zhu Di coming, he hurriedly saluted.

Zhu Di ignored him, but walked to Xu Jingchang's side, reached out and snatched his saddle away, and then hummed: "Mr. Ding is very happy to do things like this?"

Xu Jingchang couldn't hear the blame in this tone, even asking for guilt.

He smiled calmly, "Working hard for the country is not about happiness."

"Working hard for the country?" Zhu Di couldn't help laughing and said, "This fishing is hard work!"

Xu Jingchang said lightly: "Although fishing is not hard work, it is not easy to catch a few important ones in the face of such a huge fish pond. It requires a lot of thinking."

Zhu Di was slightly taken aback, there was something in the words!

"Tell me, what are your plans?"

Xu Jingchang said lightly: "It's nothing important, I'm just thinking about the official system."

Hearing this, Zhu Di actually became interested... because the Ming court has added too many government affairs to this day, and it is obvious that the six ministers are not enough.

But if he wanted to adjust this pattern and completely break the inherited habits, Zhu Di also felt a headache.After all, this is not as simple as Zhu Yuanzhang's ancestral system, but something that has lasted for thousands of years. It is very troublesome to consider the profit and loss, increase or decrease.

"Tell me, what plans do you have? If it is feasible, I will definitely implement it."

Xu Jingchang said: "Your Majesty, this matter is not that simple. Officials do things right, but officials also need to consume the court's wealth, and once they are given authority, they will inevitably be arrogant and use chicken feathers as arrows. Arranging a yamen, it is inevitable to arrange people to supervise. Over time, the people in charge of supervision will also be corrupted and become corrupt officials, so they need to continue to arrange people... Such a stack of beds and houses, layer upon layer, will only affect Governance, a waste of state money and people's wealth, can't really benefit the country and the people."

Zhu Di said: "Master Yao has told me many times about the harm of redundant officials. It is precisely because of this that I have not dared to reform the official position. Since you have said it, why don't you open your heart and be honest, let's have a good chat. "

Xu Jingchang said: "Your Majesty, I also want to talk about this matter. Officials do things, but can we first find out what the officials need to do?"

Zhu Di was puzzled, "There are so many things that officials need to do, such as civil finance and military affairs, major river projects, civilizing the common people, and resisting foreign humiliation... which one does not need people?"

Xu Jingchang smiled and said: "Your Majesty's words are still general. What I mean, we need to think carefully from the perspective of the overall situation, from the standpoint of Daming, to see what matters are for the court to be responsible for. Take out the list, and it will be easy to handle.”

Zhu Di became curious, "What you mean is that you first set out the things that the country needs to do, and then set up officials according to the needs, so that we can be targeted and make the best use of people and things."

"Your Majesty is intelligent, this is exactly what I am thinking about."

Zhu Di said: "Then do you have any experience?"

Xu Jingchang said: "I just have some ideas, and I dare not say right or wrong. I just ask your Majesty to let it go... The operation of a country can be roughly divided into two parts. One is to maintain the normal operation of the court, and the other is to fulfill The duties of governing the people are internal and external."

Zhu Di nodded, "It makes sense."

Xu Jingchang continued: "For the internal affairs of the imperial court, this includes the Ministry of Rites cultivating talents, presiding over the imperial examinations, and selecting new talents. The Ministry of Officials selects hundreds of officials, evaluates officials, and arranges positions. No matter how the imperial court operates, money is inseparable. The Ministry of Households is in charge of money. Bags are for this purpose. Moreover, the reason why the court has prestige and can convince the world requires force. This requires the Ministry of War, the Governor's Office of the Five Armies, to control soldiers and horses, to suppress bandits, to use troops abroad, etc. .”

Zhu Di still nodded, "Is there any more?"

"There is also external... First of all, the imperial court must set an example for the world, be fair and just, and uphold justice. Therefore, the punishment and name are very important. Only in this way can the people be trusted. Otherwise, what are the people doing to support the imperial court?"

Zhu Di was very touched when he heard this, "So this time the boss has done a good job in Jiangxi, and I agree very much."

Xu Jingchang smiled and said: "His Royal Highness is certainly very good, but there are also omissions. For example, it is very important to be the master of the people, but the imperial court also needs to relieve famines, relieve the poor, build water conservancy, and save the people from hunger and cold. They also need to build the Great Wall to prevent Foreign enemies. It is also necessary to promote enlightenment and give people of insight a way to be promoted."

Xu Jingchang talked eloquently, and Zhu Di nodded again and again. Their conversation seemed to be very similar to the setting of the current court officials, and there was no difference, but after careful taste, it seemed to be different.

At the end of the chat, Xu Jingchang simply said: "Your Majesty, I have an idea, which is to clarify the responsibilities of the imperial court, clarify the establishment of hundreds of officials, and their respective limits. What the imperial court can manage and how to manage it, clarify the most important thing, and announce it. The world. Let the soldiers, the people, and the common people have a clear idea. In this way, according to these things, adjust the officials, increase or decrease the number of officials, and clarify the responsibilities. In this way, Your Majesty can also rule the world, and it is convenient to govern the people and supervise the officials.”

Hearing this, Zhu Di nodded again and again. He was really tempted... The reform of official positions has been brewing for too long, and Zhu Di is also constantly adjusting, such as setting up a cabinet, arranging the Pingzhangyuan, and promoting the status of the Secretary of General Affairs. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry... But these are just minor repairs, and they haven't shaken the fundamentals.

If, as Xu Jingchang said, the things that the court needs to do can be clearly written, and then officials are arranged according to this, everything will be much clearer.

"I agree with your point of view, let's do it, as long as it is good for Daming, I will fully support it." Zhu Di sighed: "I am not confused now, and my grandson is so old. For the sake of long-term stability, it is true that we need to deal with it. These things."

Zhu Di smiled, and put the fishing rod back into Xu Jingchang's hand, "Do it well, Daming cannot do without your good brain."

The menacing Emperor Yongle couldn't be convicted, and he was deeply moved.

A few days later, Xu Jingchang was in the Department of General Affairs, and invited Jian Yi, a heavenly official from the Ministry of Officials, to explain the general things.

Jian Yi was worrying about Jiangxi's official affairs, when he heard this suddenly, he was stunned for a moment, then he was shocked, he couldn't believe it, asked repeatedly, and finally confirmed that he had nothing to say.

"This, how could His Majesty agree to this matter! How could it be?"

Xu Jingchang laughed and said, "Your Majesty cherishes the common people for the long-term peace and stability of the Ming Dynasty. What's wrong?"

Jian Yi turned his head, stared at Xu Jingchang, and snorted coldly: "Mr. Ding, we are all smart people, so don't pretend to be foolish. If His Majesty listens to this, I'm afraid that the entire court will be abolished. The bureaucracy has to change.”

Xu Jingchang suddenly stood up, and hurriedly said: "Jian Tianguan, I didn't expect such a big commotion, I will go to see His Majesty now, take back my proposal, I will go now!"

"You stop!"

Jian Yi called to Xu Jingchang viciously, stared at him and said, "Mr. Ding, I don't care if you think of it or not. Let's just talk about it. If we can accomplish this, I am willing to obey and respect Duke Ding." dispatch."

Xu Jingchang frowned slightly, and after thinking about it, he smiled lightly and said, "Jian Tianguan, if this matter is very important as you said, we may not have to do it, as long as we can make a start and lay the foundation, it will be great. .”

Jian Yi pondered for a while, then nodded vigorously, admiringly.

This matter is really not to be rushed. In fact, as long as it can be announced and the responsibilities of the court are clarified, it will be the greatest victory.

Because as long as this black and white text is there, the emperor cannot support one person with one country.

In other words, a bunch of yamen in the inner court, including Jinyiwei, and Yuanma Temple, Taichang Temple, and Taipu Temple, a bunch of yamen that have no clear responsibilities and only serve the royal family, will all face being abolished fate.

Because in fact, the current set of official systems is built around the core of the emperor.

If it weren't for this, what would be the use of such a big Zhan Shifu?

Xu Jingchang is also very interesting. He has always arranged for his own long-term interests. The first time he was in charge of the General Secretary, he grabbed a lot of power.

When he left office, he dealt with the courtiers severely.

Now that he has returned to serve as the co-administrator, he has gained almost the power of a prime minister, and immediately began to help the courtiers make arrangements.

"Don't worry, Duke Ding. I know what to do... The Ministry of Officials is good at this matter. I will draw up a draft of what the court should do and hand it over to you immediately."

Xu Jingchang smiled and said, "Then I'll be busy, I'll wait for the good news."

(End of this chapter)