The Ming Dynasty started with saving the eldest grandson

Chapter 324 The new emperor’s first spark
Plan is plan, execution is execution.

Therefore, there must be both a plan and an implementation plan. What Chen Jingke and the others have formulated now is the implementation plan.

To put it bluntly, it means splitting the big plan and assigning different tasks to different departments.

Just think about how tedious this process is.

Chen Jingke had been busy with everyone for five or six days, and his whole body was numb.

During a break, he suddenly thought of something.

Then I wanted to give myself a slap in the face, damn, all the sins these days were caused by myself.

He immediately got up and found Zhu Biao and said, "Your Majesty, we seem to have got the order of things wrong."

Zhu Biao was confused and said: "What's wrong?"

Chen Jingke said: "You see, we are His Majesty's staff, responsible for turning your ideas into plans."

For example, part-time jobs are not allowed.

Therefore, he did not directly expand the power of the cabinet, but first restricted the selection of its members.

Zhu Biao is different. He prefers to use political means to solve political problems.

It can be executed directly at that time.

The cabinet also doesn't know. How will they implement it?

And restrictions were placed on the power of the cabinet.

Zhu Biao nodded: "That's right."

If it were Zhu Yuanzhang, I would definitely do it regardless of the situation, and kill anyone who disobeys.

This is natural. If the cabinet does not understand the implementation plan, it will not be able to implement the five-year plan.

"And it's easy for us to do this. The cabinet can learn new things. It's the best of both worlds."

That is ultra vires and infringes upon the power of the cabinet. This is a very serious matter.

Thinking of this, Zhu Biao finally nodded and said: "I was negligent. This will further improve the cabinet."

"So, what you should do now is to improve the cabinet system."

This is often the case. Whether I do it or not, or whether I can do it, is my own business.

It saves a lot of trouble and avoids the problem of overstepping one's authority.

Once the plan is drawn up, the cabinet will also be able to understand the contents of the national plan.

Chen Jingke said depressedly: "Then formulating the implementation plan now should be the work of the cabinet. What are we busy with here?"

"And I can guarantee that the cabinet will not like us making implementation plans for them."

This offends the interests of Confucianism and will inevitably encounter fierce opposition.

I can invite you to help, but you must not just reach out.

"This is what is in line with official rules."

“Then we tell them the contents of the five-year plan and help them formulate implementation plans.”

Zhu Biao thought for a while, and it seemed that it was indeed the case.

"If the cabinet doesn't agree with this plan, they will do it themselves..."

On the other hand, if the cabinet ignores the overreach of its staff, will Zhu Biao often ask his staff to do cabinet work?

Coupled with the new emperor Zhu Biao's accession to the throne, it is time to take the next step.

The national development plan is something unprecedented. Except for his staff team, basically no one knows about it.

"The demonstration and execution powers are matters of the cabinet, right?"

Just to prevent Confucianism from controlling the cabinet, it is necessary to limit the composition of the cabinet members.

In this case, why not improve the cabinet first, and then both parties work together?

Chen Jingke said: "Your Majesty, I suggest that the cabinet be given the power to draft votes first, and the power to refute will be given after the five-year plan is implemented."

More than half a year has passed now, and everyone has accepted the selection system of the new cabinet.

The process of working is also a process of learning and understanding.

This requires the staff team to teach step by step.

Zhu Biao suddenly realized and said with a smile: "Isn't it that the cabinet is not perfect yet, so I can only trouble you."

Without the right to vote or refute, the cabinet was just a staff organization. Confucians did not pay attention to it and expressed no opinions on this kind of reform.

Policies that have been formulated before are given to the cabinet to vote and refute.

As time went on, the cabinet became emptied out.

It means selecting members from different groups to enter the cabinet.

This is a matter of power boundaries. The implementation plan should be made by the cabinet, but now the staff group is helping to do it.

Chen Jingke quickly shook his head and said: "No, no, no, your Majesty, please think about it. We have completed the implementation plan, and in the end we still have to explain it to the cabinet bit by bit."

"After giving the cabinet the right to vote, the cabinet members will be replaced once according to the selection criteria."

Zhu Biao understands that the right to draw up votes is given first, but not the right to refute.

The so-called cabinet power is actually borrowed imperial power.

If the emperor lends too much power at once, it will inevitably cause instability in the court.

Give it little by little in batches to get through it more smoothly.

Moreover, the five-year plan was unprecedented and gave the cabinet the power to draft plans. It would be embarrassing if they opposed it.

What Zhu Biao cannot understand is why cabinet members should be replaced:

"The current cabinet bachelors have been trained for a long time and are already familiar with their work, and I am more comfortable in using it..."

Chen Jingke explained: "First of all, this move is to tell the world that although the cabinet's authority has been expanded, the previous selection criteria will continue to be implemented."

"His Majesty can even emphasize again that the criteria for cabinet selection will always be set in stone."

"If anyone wants to change this standard, the emperor can take back the right to vote and refute."

"In this way, in order not to give the monarch an excuse to take back his power, all officials will support this regulation to the death."

Zhu Biao couldn't help but nodded, this method is indeed good.

The cabinet limited the imperial power, but the imperial power retained the ability to flip the table.

If anyone wants to dominate one family, the emperor will directly abolish the cabinet and achieve monopoly of power.

In order not to give the emperor an excuse to lift the table, the officials will definitely strictly abide by the selection criteria.

The various factions in the cabinet check and balance each other, and the imperial power and the cabinet check and balance each other.

This can prevent power from getting out of control to a certain extent.

Zhu Biao did not mind that the imperial power was restricted. He knew very well that it was unrealistic to expect that future generations would be wise kings.

If there is an institution that can slightly restrict the emperor's misbehavior, Guo Zuo of the Ming Dynasty can persist for a few more years.

It's just that he didn't tell others this idea, and it was not convenient for him to tell others.

Chen Jingke didn't know what Zhu Biao was thinking, so he kept talking to himself:
"Although the current cabinet bachelors are doing well, their starting point is too low."

"Even if there are appointments from the imperial court, how can senior officials in the ministry listen to them?"

Again, the senior officials in the ministry are all second-grade officials.

I have worked hard for most of my life to reach this position. Will I listen to you, a fifth-rank official?
"So in the future, cabinet bachelors should be selected from high-ranking officials in the ministry and feudal officials."

"In this way, they will have enough prestige and governance experience to better handle national affairs."

Zhu Biao nodded again. The selection criteria for cabinet members were that they must have worked at the grassroots level and had been in power in border provinces.

From the grassroots to the senior officials at the ministry level, the governance experience is naturally very rich.

Sufficient for cabinet work.

"And in order to prevent someone from being greedy for power, it is best to set regulations on the term of office of the cabinet bachelor."

"The Ming Dynasty's national plan is based on a five-year term, so it is best for the term of the cabinet bachelor to be a five-year term."

"The maximum number of terms is one term, which is ten years."

"At the end of the term, no matter how good he is, he will abdicate and give up to someone new."

Zhu Biao nodded again. If a person has been a cabinet bachelor for twenty or thirty years, he is no longer the prime minister but also the prime minister.

Making rigid provisions on terms of office can indeed effectively prevent the emergence of powerful ministers and is a kind of protection for imperial power.

Zhu Biao and Chen Jingke talked for a long time and comprehensively improved the cabinet system for the last time.

In the morning of the next day, Zhu Biao announced that he would give the cabinet the power to vote.

The room in the court instantly became quiet, and you could hear a needle drop. Everyone looked at Zhu Biao on the throne in disbelief.

Expand cabinet powers? Did we hear it correctly?

next moment……

"Buzz..." The court hall became noisy as if a pot was exploding.

Zhu Xiongying put his hands in his sleeves and whispered to Chen Jingke:

"Tsk, the reaction of the ministers is not what I expected. It's really lively."

Chen Jingke rolled his eyes and gloated: "Why are you happy? His Majesty has said that you will be in charge of the cabinet."

Zhu Xiongying's expression froze, my freedom is nothing.

Then he seemed to think of something, rolled his eyes and smiled:
"Hehe... you are the prince's companion, understand..."

Now it was Chen Jingke's turn to freeze, "Damn it, there's not a single good person in your family."

The ministers had no time to pay attention to the whispers of the prince and his companion. At this time, they were still in shock.

Dad abolished the prime minister and achieved monopoly of power.

The son couldn't wait to decentralize power as soon as he succeeded to the throne. Isn't there a big difference in the ruling styles between the father and son?
The key is that the Supreme Emperor is still alive.

The new emperor has only been on the throne for less than two months, and he can't wait to do this. Isn't he too anxious?

So much so that Xu Da made an exception and stood up and said: "Your Majesty, what is the opinion of the Supreme Emperor on this matter?" The court fell silent again, and everyone looked at Zhu Biao, waiting for his answer.

If the Supreme Emperor didn't know this, it would be great fun.

Zhu Biao naturally understood the concerns of the ministers and said: "I have asked the Supreme Emperor for instructions on this matter."

This means that the Emperor has agreed.

The ministers were still in disbelief that the single husband of the Supreme Emperor actually agreed?
Some of the quick-reacting ones have already begun to get excited.

The cabinet has obtained voting power. Although it is still a staff agency, its power has been truly expanded.

When the king retreats and the ministers advance, this is naturally what they like to see.

Some people have even begun to think about how to enter the cabinet and compete for the right to speak.

Among them, Confucianism is naturally the most active.

But then Zhu Biao completely gave up their thoughts.

"The Fifth Military Governor's Office, the Metropolitan Procuratorate, and Dali Temple are directly responsible to the emperor, and the cabinet has no right to interfere..."

"The selection of cabinet members shall be in accordance with the old rules and shall always be the rules..."

A series of restrictive plans are like a basin of cold water poured over the heads of ministers.

Some people think these restrictions are good and are very supportive.

Naturally, some people are not willing to lose an opportunity to expand their power.

It's just that they are unwilling and unable to do anything.

Later, Zhu Biao announced the replacement of cabinet members.

"Wei Guogong Xu Da joined the cabinet as a military representative..."

"South Korea's Mr. Lee Sun-chang was appointed as a representative and appointed to the cabinet..."

"Qiu Guang'an, the Minister of Household Affairs, represents financial affairs and joins the cabinet..."

After hearing these three appointments, especially the first two, the Confucian officials gave up completely.

Fighting with these two, they are not that confused.

Xu Da and Li Shanchang were also surprised and did not expect that they could go further.

However, they immediately understood that they were just pulled out as a cover to support the cabinet system.

No matter how criticized a system is at the beginning, it will form inertia once it is implemented.

No matter how unwilling the people behind you are, it will be difficult to sway them.

This is why reform is so difficult.

And with their two platforms, no one can block the changes in the cabinet.

Zhu Biao then announced the remaining four places.

The Ducha Yuan, Dali Temple, and the Ministry of Rites each have one person in the cabinet, and these three are all Confucian officials.

The seventh spot was given to a person of unknown reputation, Geng Guang.

But everyone knew that he was an important member of the prince's staff, and no one could raise objections.

In this way, seven quotas are determined, six of which are big shots in the court, and one is a staff member of the prince.

Confucian officials occupy three seats, and on the surface they are still the most powerful.

Although they were dissatisfied, they could accept the result.

The emperor was naturally satisfied, because two of the other four seats were nobles and one was a confidant.

There is also Qiu Guang'an, who is in the planning official group, but has an irreconcilable relationship with Chen Jingke.

Even if he follows the rules, the emperor still has an absolute advantage.

Moreover, Zhu Biao knew that Li Shanchang and Chen Jingke were creating a set of legal thoughts.

When the ideological construction is completed, the judicial organs will officially be separated from Confucian control.

At that time, Confucianism will only occupy two seats, and there will no longer be a possibility of dominance.

The situation that Chen Jingke deduced originally, that the civil servant group dominates the cabinet and controls the country, will basically never happen.

Then, Zhu Biao ordered Prince Zhu Xiongying to take charge of the cabinet affairs.

This order was both unexpected and reasonable.

When Zhu Biao became the prince, he served as cabinet minister and was the de facto standing deputy emperor.

Now letting Zhu Xiongying do this job again can be regarded as setting an example for future generations.

If Zhu Xiongying does the same thing in the future, it will become a routine and be implemented by future kings.

Regardless of whether he is given real power or not, with this title, the prince's life will be much easier.

The officials were naturally happy to see this situation.

There are only a very small number of people who want to burn the cold stove. Most people hope for a smooth transition of power, so that their own interests can be better protected.

The prince's position is stable, they just need to support the prince.

Don't worry about failing to stand in line, the new emperor will liquidate himself after taking the throne.

Zhu Biao's succession to the throne is the best proof.

Except for a few positions, most people still do what they should do.

Even those who are replaced have other arrangements as compensation rather than completely losing power.

The new emperor gave the cabinet the right to vote, and the news spread throughout Luoyang City in the shortest possible time.

The nobles, bureaucrats, and scholars all cheered.

For a time, Zhu Biao was awarded numerous honorary titles, and the name of the Holy King was unanimously recognized.

Moreover, strengthening the cabinet has a more important meaning in the eyes of the ministers.

This shows that the Supreme Emperor has completely withdrawn, otherwise he would not have allowed the new emperor to suffer like this.

This is naturally what everyone is happy to see.

Zhu Biao didn't care what they thought. After establishing the new cabinet system, he called the seven cabinet bachelors together for a meeting.

Naturally, Zhu Xiongying and Chen Jingke also participated.

The meeting discussed many things, mainly the internal construction of the cabinet.

For example, a company, a secretarial department, etc. must be established.

Also, there will be 49 more members in the cabinet.

The cabinet ministers are personally appointed by the emperor and have no independent decision-making power. They can only assist the cabinet bachelors in handling government affairs.

Naturally, the cabinet bachelors would have no objection to this.

It's good to have someone to help share the work.

Moreover, anyone can see that the cabinet walk is more similar to the Hanlin in the past, a place where senior officials in the ministry were trained.

It's just that Hanlin was a serious Jinshi, and the emperor didn't have the power to appoint or remove him at will.

The cabinet is different. It all depends on the emperor's wishes. It is an excellent way for the emperor to cultivate his confidants.

After all these things have been discussed, the next step is to implement them.

Zhu Biao gave a deadline. The new cabinet must be formed and operate smoothly within one month.

For others, this may be difficult.

But with Xu Da and Li Shan growing up, it's different.

There is rarely anything these two people can't do.

The key point is that both of them are Buddhists now and have little interest in fighting for power and gain.

Xu Da is determined to wait until his daughter is two years older to officially become the princess, so that he can retire with peace of mind.

Li Shanchang was busy improving his thoughts on the rule of law and completing his great mission.

Precisely because there is no selfishness, things are even more successful when doing things.

It's different for others. You can imagine how happy they are when they directly enter the decision-making body.

Among them is Qiu Guangan.

After coming out of the palace, he followed Chen Jingke:
"Last time you told me that if we do a good job in tax collection, it may not be possible to go further."

"At that time, I was still thinking that I was already the Minister of the Ministry of Finance, so there was no room for further advancement."

"Now I understand what it means..."

"Hey, the most right thing I did in my life was to get to know you."

"Without you, I wouldn't be where I am today."

Chen Jingke could understand his excitement and said with a smile: "Don't think too much. Your ability to join the cabinet is your own ability and has nothing to do with me."

Qiu Guangan naturally didn't believe it, but he said: "I understand, I understand, everything is the emperor's grace."

But what he said is not wrong. His success today has a lot to do with Chen Jingke.

But you can't say that outside, otherwise you won't be forming a clique.

Everything is the emperor's grace.

After his excitement wore off, Chen Jingke revealed a little bit of news:
"You have to be prepared. His Majesty has a bigger plan to strengthen the cabinet, and the court will make big moves next."

"This is an unprecedented big move. If you can't adapt to the new changes, you may not be able to hold this position for long."

Qiu Guangan was shocked. Even Chen Jingke said it was a big move and emphasized that it was unprecedented, so it must be nothing small.

The new emperor is indeed different. Other new emperors were cautious when succeeding to the throne, but he took drastic measures as soon as he took office.

However, as a reformist who came to power through reforms, he liked such a monarch very much.

The monarch blindly maintains the status quo, how can the ministers want to make achievements.

"Don't worry, I won't let you down. I can't guarantee that I will serve two full terms, but there is no problem with one term."

(End of this chapter)