Domineering Daming

"My minister thinks Mr. Zhang's words are inconsistent." Zhao Han, the governor of Henan, came out and objected loudly: "Your Majesty, the position of chief assistant needs to be cautious. The party struggle is not settled, and there are countless people fighting for power. The imperial court is restless, hindering state affairs..."

"I do not agree with Mr. Zhao's words." Shanxi Governor Ma Shilong came out and said loudly: "The emperor is wise and powerful, and the courtiers are loyal to the country. Even if the cabinet is restored, I don't think that people will dare to stir up troubles and hinder the state affairs. Strict rectification is needed, and more vigilance is needed, there is absolutely no chance for the party struggle to revive!"

Yan Mingtai, governor of Shandong Province, came out and said: "Your Majesty, the instability of the clan concerns the world. If all the princes of the clan can become officials, it may cause chaos in the world."

"Show the Emperor." Zhu Xieyuan, governor of Sichuan, came out and said: "The clan has a large population. If only the imperial court supports it, it will be a big burden. The ministers suggest that the clan can make a living, and it is not appropriate to be an official."

In a blink of an eye, discussions arose everywhere. Generally speaking, a small number of people hoped that the clan would continue to be imprisoned and that they would not be given a chance to stand out.There is another group of people who advocate that they can go to official positions, but they must be strictly controlled. It is not an official position, and they can go to any position.

Zhu Xu has no expression on his face, his eyes are deep.

Clan, this is a very troublesome question.The so-called eldest son inheritance system and the so-called "enfeoffment" are all to curb the struggle among the heirs and ensure the order and stability of the throne.The Ming Dynasty's control over the clan was particularly severe. After all, Emperor Taizong's throne came very unfairly.

Zhu Xu intends to open an opening for the clan, but the clan has a special status after all, no matter what they do, it will have a huge impact, and it is normal for the courtiers to have scruples.

However, the current focus is on the chief assistant of the cabinet, and what is hidden behind is the King Xin and the clan.

The scene gradually became a little looser, and the courtiers, who were cautious before, started to argue one after another, trying to persuade each other with every word you said.

Although it was not as unbearable as the Tianqi Dynasty, Zhu Xu was really troubled when he saw it.

Snapped!

Zhu Xu slapped the table fiercely, and said coldly: "Should I make room for you to argue!"

A group of people immediately raised their hands and bowed without saying a word.

Zhu Xu swept across the group of people with a stern look, looked at Ping Wang Zhu Changrun in front of him, and said lightly: "Ping Wang, what do you think?"

King Ping always avoided government affairs, and he didn't dare to speak at this time. He raised his hand and said with a masked face: "I have no objection."

Zhu Xu frowned, snorted coldly, turned to Prince Jing, and said, "Prince Jing, what do you think?"

King Jing is an ambitious person, so he naturally doesn't want the clan to be restrained, he said: "Returning to the emperor, the clan is the people of the Ming Dynasty, and they should have the right to make due contributions to the Ming Dynasty. I don't agree with treating the clan like pigs and sheep." Same captivity."

Although Prince Jing's words were true, but speaking so bluntly, in this golden palace, it was especially harsh.After all, the clan's status is extremely noble, and using the word "captive breeding" is really too humiliating.

Zhu Xu looked unchanged, looked at Sun Chengzong, and said, "Mr. Sun Ge, tell me."

Zhu Xu, Sun Chengzong and others have discussed this matter several times, and their opinions tend to be the same. They all hope to give the clan a hole, not to be raised as pigs, and to let them rely on themselves.

But there was a change in the court discussion, and it was impossible to follow the previously drafted script. Sun Chengzong came out and said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, I think that the clan should be demoted. As long as the title is low enough, you can become an official. And, I beg you not to be crowned king in the future."

Prince Ping and Prince Jing's expressions changed slightly, and Sun Chengzong's proposal was no small matter!

The courtiers were discussing immediately, and just as someone was about to stand up and speak, Zhu Xu slapped the table and reprimanded: "Enough! The clan rules have passed, and now we are discussing the chief minister of the cabinet, so don't digress!"

The officials were startled, and they were all a little bit unsure.

The cabinet involves King Xin, and King Xin is the clan!

King Xin was imprisoned, and Sun Chengzong never asked Zhu Xu what his intentions were, so it was difficult to answer this question. He remained silent for a while, and said, "Your Majesty, I think the power of the cabinet should be limited."

Zhu Xu frowned, the words sounded interesting, and said, "Continue."

Sun Chengzong came up with the idea quickly, and said quickly in his mind: "The emperor, the cabinet, the six ministries and nine temples have overlapping functions and powers. There should be distinctions. The cabinet should not lead the world's government affairs. I think it needs to be discussed again. distinguish."

Zhu Xu couldn't help patting the table with his right hand. Sun Chengzong's sudden statement made him think deeply.

Bi Ziyan frowned, and Sun Chengzong's sudden statement also enlightened him.

"I object to this!"

Zhang Wenda's face was rigid, his eyes were firm, he stood up again, and said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, the snake will never go without its head. There is always a decision in everything, and the cabinet must take responsibility!"

"I think Sun Ge's words are reasonable!" Guizhou Governor Wang Sanshan came out and said, "Your Majesty, the cabinet should have coordination, and there should be no attention to detail. I think that the cabinet can't have an overview of all government affairs because there is a specialization in technology."

"I agree with Sun Ge's words." Zhang Ruitu, governor of Shanxi, stepped forward and said, "The cabinet should have a detailed charter, and it can't be decided in one word."

"The minister seconded the proposal." Zhou Weijing came out and said.

"I object!" It was Wang Yongguang, governor of Zhejiang, who spoke.

"My minister agrees."

"My minister agrees!"

The other ministers who had been silent all this time could vaguely see that it was clearly the "imperial party" encircling and suppressing the "opposition", although there were only three or five people in the "opposition".

Zhu Xu stood on the sidelines and saw the matter thoroughly. After a group of people seconded and objected, he said in a firm and undeniable tone: "Decree: the cabinet's chief assistant is suspended, and there are two assistant ministers on the left and right, and four assistant ministers. , the Prime Minister’s government affairs! As for King Xin, we’ll discuss it later. Next item!”

All the officials were shocked, especially Bi Ziyan, Sun Chengzong and others. This was far from what they had negotiated at the beginning.

Zhang Wenda frowned, this was not what he wanted.Looking up at the emperor above, he opened his mouth, hesitating and not arguing.

Fu Changzong, Zhou Yingqiu and the others breathed a sigh of relief, they were afraid that the emperor would be dissatisfied if the debate continued, and unexpected "accidents" would happen.

In addition, they are all uneasy, the cabinet has been changed beyond recognition, will the rest continue as expected?

Chapter 553

Bi Ziyan had the same worry, raised his hand to Zhu Xu and said: "Your Majesty, the ministers need to discuss the matter of the cabinet in detail. The rest of the ministers, please suppress it, and discuss it at another day."

Zhu Xu squinted his eyes, and flatly refused: "No need, you have all discussed it before, bring up the disputed ones for discussion, and follow the rest according to the discussion, let's start!"

Bi Ziyan's expression moved, and he sighed inwardly, the emperor was still angry after all, if in the past, he would never have acted arbitrarily and refused to give courtiers a chance to speak.

"Of order." He could only raise his hand in response.

Next, it is about the reform of the six departments.

Bi Ziyan glanced at the officials, and could clearly feel that the bodies of the officials were getting straighter and straighter.

If it is said that the government affairs of the cabinet are the county magistrates, then the six ministries are in charge, and everyone should pay attention to it!

Bi Ziyan cleared his throat lightly, looked at the memorial book and said: "The Ministry of Households is in charge of the country's fields, household registration, salary, Qianfatang, Baoquan Bureau, etc., and is in charge of the taxation, money and grain of the world. The Ministry has complicated powers and responsibilities and is overwhelmed, so it is requested to be streamlined."

Bi Ziyan paused here, and glanced at Fu Changzong.

The others also looked over vaguely. Fu Changzong was also a sensitive person, a real relative, the emperor's own uncle, and there were not many uncles who usurped his nephew in history.

The reduction of the authority of the household department also gave the courtiers room to wonder, for example, did the emperor intend to suppress Fu Changzong and slowly make him fade out of the court and restore the ancestral system of "foreign relatives not interfering in politics"?

Fu Changzong lowered his head slightly, as if he didn't see these gazes, and remained silent.

Zhu Xu remained motionless, taking a panoramic view of the officials' every move, and tapped the table with his fingers lightly, feeling uneasy in his heart.

This court meeting is also testing his ability to control the officials.