The Ming Dynasty started with saving the eldest grandson

Chapter 164 Who says Confucian scholars hate reform
  Faced with Xu Da's question, Zhu Yuanzhang did not speak, but handed over a plan again.

Xu Da thought to himself, indeed he already had a complete plan.

With Chen Jingke's layout ability, it is impossible not to take this into consideration.

So, let me see how he dealt with the civil servants.

I flipped through it and read the contents carefully. The more I read, the more shocked I became.

Even though I guessed that there would be a good solution, I never expected that it would be another big plan no less than military reform.

It's not a salary increase.

Although the salary increase this time is a bit large, everyone knows that few officials live on their salary.

Generous salaries cannot solve the problem of corruption, but can only make the lives of upright officials easier.

Therefore, there is no way to get officials to agree to the military merit system by simply increasing their salaries.

Because the military merit and nobility system touches on the issue of fundamental interests.

What really shocked him was the establishment of township officials.

This plan stipulates that the Daxiang Township Order is the eighth rank, the Zhongxiang Township Order is the Ninth Rank, and the Xiaxiang Township Order is the Congjiu Rank.

Daxiang and Zhongxiang have a chief register, one rank lower than the township order.

The one-time increase in the number of more than [-] imperial officials was a qualitative increase in the civil service group.

Coupled with the salary increase, this tangible immediate benefit is enough to offset the controversy caused by the military reform.

As long as the court declares, the two reforms will be carried out at the same time.

Either change them all, or don’t change them at all.

So will the civil service group still oppose the military merit system?
  impossible.

If they dare to object, they will be stabbed in the back by scholars all over the world.

There are more than [-] vacant positions, which is a fatal temptation for scholars all over the world.

Anyone who dares to oppose them is their sworn enemy.

But these alone were not enough to shock Xu Da.

He looked deeper and thought more.

Simply establishing the township official system was already a major reform for the imperial court.

But here, it's just a part of the whole plan.

The establishment of rural officials allowed the court to directly extend its hands into the countryside and attack the power of the gentry clan.

This changed the situation where the imperial power did not extend to the counties.

This system can also be coordinated with the military reform, allowing veterans who have retired from the army to take up positions in rural government offices.

It not only resettled old soldiers, but also helped stabilize local security, and incidentally also dealt a blow to the clan power.

If these old soldiers were just ordinary soldiers in the army, even if they were assigned to the yamen as officials, they would be suppressed by the township orders.

It doesn't have much effect.

But don’t forget that after the military reform, many veterans retired with honors.

Although they entered the township government office as officials and still had to obey the instructions of the township order, they were not so suppressed that they could not hold their heads up.

It also served as a check and balance between civil and military forces.

Think again of the previous Baochao New Deal, the diversion of the Yellow River, the relocation of the capital, etc.

Chen Jingke really understands how everything is interconnected and complementary.

After he finished reading, Zhu Yuanzhang smiled and said: "Tiande, what do you think of this plan?"

Xu Da put down the plan and sighed: "Awesome, you are worth marrying as a princess. If my daughter hadn't been so young, she would have wanted to compete with you as my son-in-law."

Zhu Yuanzhang laughed and said: "Haha... What a bastard Xu Tiande, he dares to compete with us for his son-in-law. He really thinks that we are easy to bully."

The two discussed some details, mainly how to implement the military reform, how Xu Da should cooperate, etc.

The two soon finalized the charter and agreed to officially start the reform in five days.
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  The news that Xu Da was ordered to return to Beijing could not be concealed from anyone.

In fact, there is no intention to hide it, the itinerary is public.

Everyone understood that the emperor called him back at this time for the obvious purpose of military reform.

Therefore, many military generals visited his house that day to inquire about information.

Xu Da did not pretend to be mysterious, but told everyone directly that the military reform was real and the specific plan had been decided.

But please rest assured that this move will be beneficial to everyone.

As for the specific changes, it cannot be disclosed yet.

Xu Da's credibility is still guaranteed. Hearing what he said, the generals finally felt relieved.

Then I was curious, how on earth would the court change it, and what benefits would I gain?
  At this moment, an edict was sent from the palace again.

The Duke of Wei, Xu Daquan, was ordered to know the affairs of the governor Qian.

Dudu Qianshi was the general manager of the Dudufu, equivalent to the general of the Han Dynasty, commanding the world's troops.

In the thirteenth year of Hongwu's reign, Zhu Yuanzhang abolished the prime minister system and also abolished the governor's office.

It was changed to the five army commander's offices of the front, rear, left, right and center, which were in charge of the country's troops.

So strictly speaking, the position of Governor Qianshi no longer exists.

If someone else took this position, he wouldn't be able to command even a single soldier.

But based on Xu Da's position in the army, he, the governor of Qianshi, was roughly equal to the general marshal of the world's soldiers and horses.

Everyone understands that this appointment is to prepare for military reform.

The effect was indeed very obvious, and some of the generals who were originally restless became more honest.

Then, orders were issued from Xu Da's hands, strictly ordering soldiers and horses from all over the place not to move rashly.

The generals also cooperated, and it didn't take long for the army to regain stability.

At this time, the civilian clique could no longer sit still. This military reform was real.

But the emperor didn't discuss such a big matter with everyone.

How to change it specifically? Will there be any disadvantages?
  Will the interests of civil servants be affected?

Should we oppose it or support it?
  How can I oppose it, and to what extent should I support it?
  They also began to communicate privately in an effort to reach a consensus.

At this time, Zhu Yuanzhang summoned more than ten civil servants headed by Li Shanchang.

After the small meeting, Li Shanchang expressed in public that he unconditionally supported the imperial court's military and political reforms.

Others also expressed their support and must support it.

Anyone who doesn't support it will be stabbed in the spine.

When I asked about the specific reform plan, I was told that I couldn’t say anything yet.

At this time, the curiosity of the civil servants was all piqued.

In the end what happened?
  Why do these big guys all support the New Deal after entering the palace?
  Judging from their expressions, they didn't look like they were threatened.

It's more like taking advantage of it.

Could it be that the emperor gave them some benefit and bribed them all?

Just when everyone was confused, someone heard a clue from Li Shanchang's words.

Military reform and political reform?
  In other words, this time it will not only be a military reform, but also administrative changes?
  And this change is still beneficial, otherwise Li Shanchang and the others would not be so happy.

As soon as this speculation came out, it immediately aroused widespread discussion.

Some people believe it, and naturally some people don't.

How could such a major change involving both military and political circles be so easy?

But someone immediately got a positive reply from the big guys who participated in the meeting.

The imperial court really wants to make changes to the administrative system, and it is a great thing that will benefit everyone.

At this time, the civil servant group was also in a rage.

what? Is the emperor going to give everyone a salary increase?
  This is really a happy thing.

I just don’t know how much the increase will be, and the requirements are not high. We will be satisfied if the increase is doubled.

Someone immediately retorted, don’t dream, it’s doubled, and I’d be thankful if it could increase by five.

But no matter what, civil and military officials are full of expectations for this reform.

Zhu Yuanzhang, who had always paid attention to external trends, couldn't help but sigh:
  "Everyone is looking forward to change. This is unprecedented."

Queen Ma said: "So, change also requires methods."

"Chen Jingke once said that change is actually dividing steamed buns."

"Distribute the steamed buns of some people to others."

"People who have their buns taken away will naturally be unhappy and will stand up to oppose it."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and said: "It's a very vivid metaphor. Did he say how he satisfied everyone?"

Empress Ma smiled and said: "Who said everyone is satisfied with this reform? The gentry clan is not satisfied."

"But they have the least say. They can only watch others divide their steamed buns and are unable to resist." Zhu Yuanzhang thought the same thing. This change benefited both the country and the civil and military, and only the gentry clan suffered a major blow.

But he was still a little disappointed: "We thought he had a better way."

Queen Ma laughed and said, "You are so greedy...but he did have some thoughts in this regard."

Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly became interested and asked: "Oh? What did he say?"

Empress Ma thought for a while and said, "Make the steamed buns bigger so that the court can distribute the newly added steamed buns to everyone."

"Another way is to make a piece of meat and let people who want to eat meat give up part of the steamed buns."

Zhu Yuanzhang frowned. He felt that he understood, but he felt that he understood nothing.

Everyone knows that making steamed buns bigger is better, and everyone knows that the meat tastes better.

But how to make steamed buns bigger? Where can I get meat?

Looking at Lao Zhu who was deep in thought, Queen Ma said angrily:
  "You are asking for trouble. Why are you worrying here when there are ready-made capable people?"

Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly realized: "The girl woke up the dreamer with her words, Chen Jingke must have something in his stomach."

"If we have nothing to do, we can chat with him more often. I'm sure we can get some good things out of him."

Time soon came to April [-]th, and the bimonthly China-North Korea meeting was held as scheduled.

Early in the morning, Xu Da led hundreds of generals and appeared outside Fengtian Hall.

And Li Shanchang also appeared at about the same time as dozens of civil servants.

Seeing this scene, even the slowest person knew that something big was going to happen today.

And nine times out of ten it’s a matter of change.

Sure enough, in the court, Zhu Yuanzhang was as resolute as ever.

Two major changes were announced, military reform and political reform.

Then people will distribute the prepared plan to the ministers for viewing.

The military people were naturally the first to watch the military reform. When they found out that it was a military merit system, they all laughed.

If the occasion was not inappropriate, they would have jumped up and performed a set of punches to express their excitement.

The civil service group is concerned about many things, including military reform and political reform.

They were naturally dissatisfied with the military merit system.

Especially seeing the privileges of meritorious service, I was even more unhappy from the bottom of my heart.

A group of Qiuba actually dare to compare with us?
  No...

Well, don't rush to oppose it now, let's take a look at the political reform plan.

then……

Salary increase?

Or doubling and rising?

The highest number of eighth- and ninth-grade officials will increase five times?
  The upper level increased by [-]% based on the next level?

I don't know how to spend so much money.

Your Majesty, do you know how we have lived these years?
  No, no, it’s your Majesty who finally figured it out.
  Thousands of words can be condensed into one sentence, the emperor's grace is so great.

It took a while for everyone to recover from the joy of the salary increase.

Keep looking down.

Establish a township government office?

More than [-] official positions were added at one time, and there were several times that number of officials.

The ministers quickly calmed down.

Big money.

No wonder... no wonder those big guys said before that whoever dares to oppose this reform will have their backs stabbed by the world’s scholars.

It can only be said that the big guys are still conservative.

If anyone dares to object to this, it’s hard to say whether they can survive the next day.

As for military reform?

Forget it, pass it.

In fact, everyone understands that this is a naked exchange of interests.

An exchange of interests between the military and civil servants under the auspices of the emperor.

Generally speaking, the military's profits are larger.

From being a low-level civil servant before, to being neck and neck now.

But it is not unacceptable to the civil service group.

After all, the new law states:
  The power to recruit troops lies with the Ministry of War, and the power to raise military supplies and food also lies with the Ministry of War.

The power of ordnance manufacturing was given to the Ministry of Works.

The power to review military merits lies with the Ministry of War, and the power to confer honors lies with the Ministry of Rites.

Whether it is the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Industry or the Ministry of Rites, they are all the territory of civil servants.

Generally speaking, the civilian clique can still squeeze the military's neck a little bit.

Zhu Yuanzhang's purpose of doing this was actually to limit the power of the military.

There is no way. During the middle and late Tang Dynasty and the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, the military was too capable of causing trouble and killing people too ruthlessly.

Scared everyone to death.

The army is a ferocious beast. If it is used well to protect the country and expand territory, it will backfire if it is not used well.

The shackles must be put on.

The resources and logistics are the most powerful shackles.

It can ensure that the military does not lose control.

In short, both civil and military parties are very satisfied with this reform plan.

Zhu Yuanzhang took the opportunity to order Xu Da to be responsible for military reform and Li Shanchang to be responsible for political reform.

And ordered all departments to fully cooperate with them in carrying out their work.

The two are also old comrades in arms and have cooperated many times before.

And there is a person who is the first person in the military and the first person in the civil service. Everyone is convinced.

There was no obstruction to this appointment.

After retiring from the DPRK, the specific reform plan was announced, and the world was excited.

The military, from generals to soldiers, all put aside their last worries.

The generals began to look forward to what kind of merit they would be awarded.

Ordinary soldiers began to pay attention to where their family members would be assigned and whether they could get a position in the township government.

In comparison, civil servants and scholars are the happiest.

Needless to say, the reason is that the salary has been increased, so it is better to increase it so much at once.

Life immediately became easier.

People who were originally dissatisfied with the emperor because of the Zhao Mao case also began to praise him.

The emperor still thought of everyone in his heart, but he was deceived by the traitorous officials.

Who is the most traitorous official in the current dynasty?

Mao Xiang.

Wait, labor and management will immediately contact their colleagues to impeach him.

We fight him to the death.

Scholars are happy because, with so many additional positions at once, everyone has more opportunities to become official.

Don't underestimate the township officials, they are also serious court officials.

There are also those who are unhappy, namely the gentry clan group.

But in this matter, they have the least say.

I can only complain a few words in private, but I can't get anything done.

With the whole team working together, this reform progressed so quickly that even Chen Jingke couldn't believe it.

It is said that Confucian scholars are pedantic and hate reform, but it seems that this is not necessarily true.

In the face of real interests, they are more active than anyone else.

With this thought in mind, he walked out of the palace and came to the Imperial College.

Yesterday, he received news from Cheng Yimin that the final version of "Hongwu Suanjing" was officially confirmed.

I came here today, firstly, to take away the finished book, and secondly, to send this changed compilation team completely into history.

(End of this chapter)