Rebirth of Zhu Di's son

Chapter 432 The Supreme Emperor Zhu Gaoxu and the Eunuch Wang Zhi

The fourth year of the Ming Dynasty's Zhengxian, that is, 4493 in the Yanhuang calendar and 1493 in the Taixi calendar.

As the fifth emperor of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Qiming has been on the throne for three years.

This young emperor has been extremely intelligent since he was a child, diligent in learning and inquiring, and has a deep understanding of the politics, economy, culture and other aspects of the past dynasties.

In his heart, there has always been a belief that reform is the key to promoting national prosperity.

In order to realize this belief, he decided to improve the existing system of the court during his reign.

The Ming Dynasty has gone through four dynasties, including the founding of the country by Hongwu, the founding of the sea by Yongle, the prosperous period of Qianxi, and the rule of Xingde. It has lasted for 120 years. Although these four dynasties were characterized by wise kings and wise ministers, their civilized and martial arts were impressive in ancient times and today.

However, Zhu Qiming is well aware that the imperial system has developed to this day, and there are already many flaws and deficiencies, and a series of reforms are needed to improve the efficiency and fairness of the governance of local and overseas territories.

After careful consideration and extensive solicitation of opinions from all parties, Zhu Qiming made up his mind to implement these reforms.

In the sixth year of Zhengxian's reign, Emperor Zhu Qiming of the Ming Dynasty officially began to implement reforms. He ordered Yang Yiqing, the Minister of Civil Affairs, to concurrently serve as the chief assistant of the cabinet and preside over the reform work.

Yang Yiqing, courtesy name Yingning, was born in Anning, Yunnan.

He was extremely intelligent when he was young, and was regarded as a child prodigy at the age of seven. He was specially allowed to study in the Hanlin Academy. Temple Shaoqing, Shaanxi governor, Hanlin bachelor and other positions.

Yang Yiqing is a talented politician who is well versed in national governance and is regarded by Zhu Qiming as the most suitable candidate.

After he became the chief minister of the cabinet, he immediately organized a group of insightful people to jointly study reform plans.

After a heated discussion, they proposed a comprehensive set of reform measures, including increasing the Secret Supervision, Propaganda Supervision, Foreign Domain Affairs Department and other agencies to strengthen the management of the Ming Dynasty's political economy, cultural propaganda, overseas vassal states, etc.

This series of practical reform plans have been highly recognized and strongly supported by Emperor Zhengxian Zhu Qiming.

However, the reform process has not been smooth sailing.

Just when Emperor Zhengxian Zhu Qiming was preparing to implement reforms across the country, Yang Tinghe, the deputy minister of the cabinet, went to Zhenwu Temple to pay homage to the Supreme Emperor Zhu Zhantang and the Supreme Emperor Zhu Gaoxu. The two Ming emperors were reported in detail to the two Ming emperors on the affairs of the yamen, such as the Foreign Affairs Department and the Foreign Affairs Department.

Yang Tinghe believed that Emperor Zhengxian's move violated the ancestral system and might cause dissatisfaction and resistance from the entire court.

Therefore, he suggested that the two emperors could come forward to stop the reform plan of Emperor Zhengxian.

The Supreme Emperor Zhu Zhantang chose to remain silent. He had reservations about his son's reform plan. He was unwilling to interfere in his son's decision-making, and he was unwilling to see the court fall into turmoil.

When he heard Yang Tinghe's complaint, he began to have doubts and worries in his heart.

He knew very well that if Zhu Qiming's reform plan proved to be not in line with the interests of Ming Dynasty, it would bring huge risks and instability to Ming Dynasty.

After the Supreme Emperor Zhu Gaoxu heard this, he did not immediately express his position. He knew that although this reform plan was somewhat radical, it was in line with the long-term interests of the Ming Dynasty.

He was also worried that the reform would cause disputes and conflicts within the court.

So, he decided not to express his position for the time being and observe the progress of Emperor Zhengxian's reforms, but at the end he asked Yang Tinghe a question: "Emperor Taizong once said: 'The emperor's ancestral precepts are revised every five years.' I also say this." Yes, I wonder if you still remember?"

Soon after, the news that Yang Ting, the second assistant to the cabinet, and the two emperors paid tribute quickly spread throughout the court, causing an uproar.

In the face of this turmoil, Zhu Gaoxu remained silent.

He did not directly express his support or opposition to Sun Tzu's reform plan, but chose to watch and wait.

He believes that time will prove everything. If Sun Tzu's reforms can truly benefit the Ming Dynasty and the people of the world, then he will not hesitate to stand up and support it.

At the same time, Emperor Zhengxian Zhu Qiming did not give up reforms because of the opposition of Yang Tinghe and others.

He believed that only through reform could the Ming Dynasty become stronger and the lives of the people all over the world become better.

In order to persuade Yang Tinghe and other ministers to support the reform, Zhu Qiming personally convened a court meeting to explain the necessity and urgency of court reform to the ministers.

But the conservative thinking is deeply ingrained and cannot be changed in a few words.

Until the last moment, Zhu Qiming faced the doubts of the ministers and asked them: "Emperor Taizong and the Supreme Emperor once said: 'The Emperor Ming's ancestral training is revised every five years.' The Supreme Emperor revised it and added the Xuanjing Division, Tong Finance Bureau, Xianmin Yuan and other yamen. Now I want to follow the example of my ancestors in reorganizing the imperial court, why not?"

His words made the ministers fall into deep thought.

The Supreme Emperor Zhu Gaoxu is now over 100 years old and is still alive. His non-statement of Zhu Qiming's reform is also an attitude.

"The Supreme Emperor once said: 'Every generation of Ming emperors and ministers has the right to change and innovate. As long as their changes are in line with the interests of the court and the welfare of the people, I support them!' Didn't the Supreme Emperor say this? Don't you know? ?”

Zhu Qiming asked loudly: "Have you and others forgotten the "Quotations of the Supreme Emperor" that is required for the imperial examination?"

He did not express his views directly, but guided the ministers to think by asking questions.

The words Zhu Gaoxu once said revealed his respect for history and tradition, and at the same time conveyed his expectations for future generations.

Now that Zhu Qiming mentioned these words, many opponents among the court officials began to re-examine their judgments and positions.

They began to reflect on whether the emperor's reform plan was really against the ancestral system and national interests.

They began to realize that historical changes and social development required adaptation and change. Only continuous reform could make the Ming Dynasty prosperous.

In the end, Zhu Gaoxu's quotations became the catalyst for constitutional reform.

His silence also triggered widespread discussion and thinking, allowing courtiers to begin to re-examine and evaluate the current emperor's reform plans.

Then, after a heated debate at the court meeting, Yang Tinghe finally understood that the previous emperor chose to remain silent about the current emperor's reforms, but the emperor asked him what he meant.

He knew that the two emperors were not opposed to the reform, but hoped that the reform could be carried out more steadily and orderly.

As a result, Yang Tinghe no longer opposed the reform plan, and many people came forward to express their support for Emperor Zhengxian's reform plan.

The storm eventually subsided and reforms were able to move forward.

After that, Yang Tinghe actively participated in the implementation of the reform. However, at this time, there were still a large number of die-hards who were unwilling to reform in the Ming court.

In the seventh year of Zhengxian's reign, Emperor Zhu Qiming of the Ming Dynasty, known for his resourcefulness and courage, decided to go on a tour incognito to go deep into the people to understand the achievements of the reform.

This is an operation aimed at understanding people's livelihood and collecting public opinion. It is also a test of the results of the reform.

However, his move is undoubtedly a provocation to the reform opposition and a test of reform.

Therefore, the operation encountered unexpected obstacles.

Not all courtiers considered the issue from the position of one of the leaders of the Ming Dynasty like Yang Tinghe. Some conservatives did not understand the benefits of reform, but were unwilling to give up their interests.

Although the newly established Secret Supervisory and Propaganda Supervisors and the Foreign Domain Affairs Department were all inner court yamen, the establishment of these three yamen had usurped the power of other related yamen in the imperial court.

The Secret Service consists of the Cryptozoology Department and the Royal Archives.

The Cryptozoology Department is responsible for cryptographic communications and cryptography management within the Reform Society. It is responsible for the delivery of emperor’s imperial edicts, cabinet documents, confidential documents, messages, and letters. It is responsible for the management of scientific research, production, sales, and use of commercial cryptography across the country. It is responsible for the national cryptography department. Confidentiality.

The Royal Archives is responsible for the reception, collection, arrangement, storage, utilization and research of royal and central archives, and is responsible for the administrative management of national archives.There is a secret supervisor and two junior supervisors in charge of the Cryptozoology Department and the Royal Archives.

Propaganda and supervision means preaching laws and government decrees, but in fact it is an artifact of "public opinion" in the hands of the emperor. It is used to disparage and praise officials, promote propaganda and guidance, and announce government orders.

It consists of the Legal Affairs Propaganda Department, the Ming Dynasty Talents Library, the China Unification Department, and the Public Opinion Department. There is one Propaganda Supervisor in charge of the main department, and four Junior Supervisors in charge of each department.

The responsibilities of the Legal Affairs Propaganda Department are to unify the thoughts and work of political and legal and other related yamen, increase the administrative efficiency of each yamen, and adjust, supervise, and manage the establishment of various yamen in the imperial court.

The Ming Dynasty Talents Database was composed of officials in charge of personnel from various agencies of the original cabinet. It collected talents from all over the world, tracked and recorded the deeds of capable ministers and generals, and provided assistance to the court in employing people.

The responsibilities of the Department of Unification of China are to maintain and popularize the idea of ​​unification of China, maintain social stability in local territories and overseas territories, manage religion, ethnicity, and naturalization affairs, and co-manage the Bureau of Religion and Folklore with the Ministry of Rites.

The responsibility of the Public Opinion Department is propaganda and guidance, the battlefield of public opinion.

As for the Foreign Domain Affairs Department, its chiefs are concurrently served by internal officials, eunuchs, and eunuchs. They serve as ministers when they see the emperor, and they serve as the chief envoys of the Ming Dynasty when they go out.

This position is responsible for collecting information on foreign vassals and assisting the emperor in handling external and international affairs. The core responsibility is to contact and communicate with the decision-makers of the domestic reform committee of the Tianxia vassal.

The main responsibilities are to implement the emperor's foreign work principles and policies, track and study the development and changes of vassal and vassal and international situations and major international issues, and provide relevant situations and countermeasures suggestions to the imperial court.

Entrusted by the emperor, this department is responsible for the exchanges and liaison work between the Huangming Restoration Association and the political organizations of foreign vassals, as well as the coordination and centralized management of the relevant foreign exchanges of the royal agencies, the Zhili Prefecture, the Duhu Prefecture, and the vassal restoration branch.

In short, the establishment of the three yamen strengthened the emperor's control over public opinion and overseas vassals, but it also affected the interests of many officials.

In order to firmly control their status and interests, the rebel officials decided to take extreme measures. They sent dead soldiers to disguise themselves in an attempt to assassinate Zhu Qiming.

This is a political struggle full of conspiracies and intrigues, and it is also a life-and-death contest concerning the fate of the Ming Dynasty.

After careful makeup and training, those dead soldiers successfully blended into the folk and got close to Zhu Qiming.

Their plan was to take action at night and take advantage of the chaos to assassinate Zhu Qiming in one fell swoop.

However, their plan did not succeed.

When they were about to approach Zhu Qiming, the eunuch Wang Zhi stepped forward and blocked Zhu Qiming's sword.

Wang Zhi's figure looked particularly firm in the firelight, and his eyes were full of loyalty and admiration for the emperor.

However, the power of this sword was too great. Wang Zhi's right forearm was penetrated and pierced into his heart. The tip of the sword was only a little bit close to piercing his heart, but he still insisted on protecting Zhu Qiming's safety. .

This assassination shocked the entire court and aroused Zhu Qiming's deep vigilance.

He saw the viciousness and ruthlessness of the opposition, and also saw his own taking for granted and carelessness.

He realized that the road to reform would not be smooth and that the threat from the opposition still existed.

Although this assassination caused temporary turmoil, it also inspired Zhu Qiming's determination and courage.

He did not back down, but instead strengthened his determination to reform.

When the Supreme Emperor Zhu Gaoxu learned the news that Zhu Qiming had been assassinated, he became furious.

He was a thoughtful monarch with a keen insight into politics. He knew that this must be a sinister plot by the opposition to the reform, and he was deeply angry and saddened by it.

He decided to take action personally to uncover the truth of all this and protect Zhu Qiming's safety.

Zhu Gaoxu's actions shocked the court, and the pace of reform was also hindered to a certain extent.

However, Zhu Gaoxu did not back down. He didn't care about this. He just wanted to find out the truth and avenge his grandson.

He firmly believed that only by attacking the opposition could we protect the achievements of the reform and protect the future of the Ming Dynasty.

His actions also gave a new generation of young people a new understanding of his image. He is no longer just a supreme emperor who practices mystical science, but a hero with firm belief and determination.

In this process, Zhu Gaoxu showed his wisdom and courage, and his actions made the new generation of young people full of respect and admiration for him.

Zhu Gaoxu's decision also gave officials across the Ming Dynasty a new understanding of reform. They began to realize that reform was not an easy task, but required courage and determination.

The courtiers began to reflect on their actions and began to understand the importance and necessity of reform. They began to support Zhu Qiming's reforms and began to oppose the opposition's sinister tactics.

Although this assassination is a crisis, it is also an opportunity.

It allowed Zhu Gaoxu to see the situation clearly, and it also allowed others in the court to see the truth.

It made them understand the necessity and urgency of reform, and also made them understand the dangers of opposing reform.

In the end, Zhu Gaoxu successfully uncovered the truth of all this. He found the murderer of Zhu Qiming and avenged his grandson.

A few years later, the imperial system underwent tremendous changes.

Institutions such as the Secret Supervision, Propaganda Supervision, and Foreign Domain Affairs Department were successively established and came into play, bringing new vitality and efficiency to national governance.

The implementation of these reform measures enabled the Ming Dynasty's national governance level to be unprecedentedly improved, and the country's prosperity continued.

In general, the reforms of Emperor Zhengxian Zhu Qiming were a great historical change.

It not only promoted the development of Ming Dynasty's politics, economy, education, military, suzerain-vassal relations, etc., but also left valuable experience and lessons for future generations.

Many years later, Zhu Qiming told the story of his reforms to the new emperor when he abdicated.

"You must understand that reform is difficult and complex. It requires you to have firm determination and courage, as well as wisdom and strategy. You cannot blindly promote reform, but must have clear goals and plans, and have reasonable and feasible Ways and Means.”

"You must learn from Emperor Wu's wisdom and mind. He did not directly oppose my reform plan, but used silence and questions to trigger the courtiers' thinking and reflection on the reform."

"His silence not only did not hinder the progress of the reform, but promoted the smooth progress of the reform. This kind of wisdom and mind are worthy of your study and reference, so that you can better face changes and challenges in the future."

"You must remember that no matter how many difficulties and challenges you face in the future, you cannot give up your faith and determination. You must face it bravely, persist to the end, and never compromise!"

It is worth mentioning that Wang Zhi, the eunuch who accompanied him at that time, won Zhu Qiming's trust with his loyalty and bravery in blocking the sword with his body, and he was gradually regarded as a confidant by Zhu Qiming.

Moreover, Wang Zhi was even summoned by Zhu Gaoxu, who stayed by his side to guide him for two years.

Therefore, under the training of Zhu Gaoxu, Wang Zhi in this time and space became a great eunuch who was not only smart and courageous, but also had a deep understanding and unique insights into politics.

He played an important role during Zhu Qiming's subsequent reign.

Wang Zhi, an internal official eunuch, also served as the chief supervisor of the Foreign Domain Affairs Department, helping Zhu Qiming handle foreign affairs, patrolling the four seas, and stabilizing the overseas situation.

With his help, Zhu Qiming successfully promoted the reform of foreign vassal affairs, making Ming Dynasty's control over overseas territories even stronger.

In the history of this time and space, Wang Zhi's contribution to the Ming Dynasty was no less than that of Zheng He's voyages to the West.

(End of this chapter)