Chapter 160 Checking and balancing the Prime Minister Longxiang, as well as mutual trade, are put on the agenda.

"Okay, okay, this is really satisfying."

"As expected of our Wen Zhong, he is decisive and experienced. As long as there is even the slightest sign, he can put it out in an instant."

In Kunning Palace, Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Empress Ma with a smile on his face.

What Li Wenzhong did in Ningbo Prefecture was also reported back to the capital, and Zhu Yuanzhang naturally also got the news.

He was experienced and decisive. He convicted all the gentry and powerful people who had committed crimes according to the law and punished them with thundering means, leaving them with no chance of turning things around.

There was also a group of scholars who knelt in front of the government office all day long, kowtowing and apologizing with tears streaming down their faces, hoping to be forgiven by the court so that they could have the opportunity to take part in the imperial examinations.

But since the imperial edict has been issued, there is absolutely no reason to change it.

But who issued this imperial edict?

For this group of scholars and common people, they naturally thought that it was the work of Zhu Yuanzhang.

That's actually enough.

"Boss, you personally issue a decree in the name of the Crown Prince."

"Pardon these scholars and allow them to take the imperial examination next year."

"These people will become your right-hand men, and they will respect you in the officialdom in the future."

"After all, they are young people, so it is normal for them to be deceived. But if they progress step by step, they may become successful."

"A little more tolerance is enough to make people talk about it."

"Your kindness as the crown prince has secured your place."

Zhu Yuanzhang turned to look at Crown Prince Zhu Biao and said thoughtfully.

Parading through the streets to protest against the imperial court.

It is indeed about personal interests, but it is also misleading.

So as a superior, Zhu Yuanzhang had to consider more.

If these scholars can pass the imperial examination, they can naturally be used, but they cannot be entrusted with important positions.

Moreover, we must keep a close eye on these scholars. Once they do anything harmful to the world, we must nip them in the bud.

After all, the Ming Dynasty was willing to give them a chance because it didn't want to waste their talents, but if they still went against the court, they would be treated with both kindness and severity, and those who deserved to be killed would be killed.

As for interests, to put it bluntly, whether it is targeting the gentry and powerful or serving the people wholeheartedly, it is all for the benefit of the dynasty.

The interests of the dynasty are the interests of the Zhu family, and it is also for the purpose of consolidating its rule.

However, using such methods to consolidate rule will win the hearts of people all over the world.

So he was still considering himself. Besides, no one is perfect, so he had to give them some redemption and make them grateful, so that they could do a better job for the court.

This is also the way to employ people.

"That's what the third brother said."

"But my son's intention is to open a school in eastern Zhejiang that is based on morality."

"The Prince's Mansion will provide funds to teach them what etiquette, integrity and honor are, and how to serve the country and the people."

"If they truly care about their country, they can be allowed to take the imperial examinations, because only after experiencing it can they repent."

"Coupled with the gradual progress of the academy, the Ming Dynasty can also give these scholars a chance."

"After all, they made mistakes when they were young, and the court should give them a chance to correct their mistakes."

"Besides, everyone has made mistakes. As long as you are willing to correct them, it doesn't count as going down the wrong path."

"Just like Hu Weiyong, his son gave him many chances, but he missed them all because he never thought of them as opportunities, which doomed him to go down this path."

Zhu Biao also laughed softly.

Not allowing people from eastern Zhejiang to take part in the imperial examinations was meant to intimidate people.

It was used to shock the world and make an example of others to prevent any educated people from jumping out and opposing the court.

This is also a wake-up call for scholars all over the world, because the court's determination to reform is as solid as a rock. Anyone who makes irresponsible comments on national policies will be severely punished and will not be forgiven.

At the same time, he also thought of a way out, which was the worst plan, which was to abolish the imperial examination system, promote officials from the military, and train them slowly.

He also opened schools for the children of the people to study.

It just takes a long time, but the Ming Dynasty must go through this long time.

Because it is an established fact and a national policy that the people should study.

"Hu Weiyong was just being clever. He thought he could control the situation, but he didn't know that the power he held was illusory."

"If the court approves him, he has the power. If the court wants to kick him out, he will lose the power."

"Those who have great power will also be hurt by power."

"So I never cared about his ending."

"It's just that at a time when everything is in ruins, squeezing out every bit of his value is already a mercy to him."

"After all, he was the one who failed the court first, so we can't be blamed, right?"

"He was also able to do some good things. He made great contributions to the land tax system and the abolition of the prime minister system. He even sacrificed his life for this. He is definitely a good minister."

Zhu Gang, who was sitting next to Zhu Biao, also smiled playfully.

Killing people is not the right path, but torturing people like Zhu Gang is rare since ancient times.

Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao were so upset after hearing this that even Empress Ma gave Zhu Gang a cold look.

Fortunately, this is their own son. If it was someone else's child, they would probably be worried to death.

"What's there to talk about when a dying person is dying?"

"We are only concerned about the situation in eastern Zhejiang right now, and we need to quickly implement the tax-based system."

"Because you have many dreams at night. After all, I am already impatient to abolish the prime minister system."

"So Hu Weiyong can't stay in Zhejiang for too long, and the court has to slowly divide his power."

"Tear down all his plans and start over again."

Afterwards, Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand and then gave further instructions.

What Zhu Yuanzhang is most concerned about now is abolishing the prime minister system and establishing a cabinet system.

It is not that there is a rush to strengthen centralization, but that the cabinet system has been improved and the ideas are already very mature.

So Zhu Yuanzhang was naturally itching to build a cabinet right away.

But for the sake of the overall situation, Zhu Yuanzhang suppressed all his impulses.

"You just happened to bring this up, and I just happened to have some other ideas."

“Where do they get the confidence from?”

"Because governing a country requires scholars, scholars are always an indispensable resource on the political stage."

"That's why the aristocratic families can compete with the imperial power."

"Because they control too many political resources, in order to stabilize the court, except for the emperor who is desperate, they are all compromising, checking and balancing, and suppressing."

"This is why all dynasties throughout history have chosen to emphasize civil governance over military governance, because without civil governance, the world can be governed, and military men are only suitable for conquering the world."

“So I have a different view on the cabinet system.”

Seeing Zhu Yuanzhang mention this, Zhu Gang's eyes flashed with contemplation.

"What exactly is your opinion?" Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao both looked at Zhu Gang with some curiosity.

"Re-divide the cabinet system and add the Longxiang Pavilion."

Zhu Gang said slowly.

"Longxiong Pavilion?"

Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao frowned almost at the same time.

“The division of power always requires balance.”

“It is also necessary to demonstrate the absolute power of the emperor and the operation of the bureaucratic system.”

“At the same time, it prevents any single institution from becoming too powerful and threatening the imperial power.”

“So we need to not only establish a cabinet, but also set up a Longxiong Pavilion.”

“It also marks the charter and the principles.”

"There are two points. First, the imperial power is supreme. Ultimately, all power belongs to the emperor. This ensures that all decisions made by the cabinet and Longxiang Pavilion must be reviewed by the emperor."

"Second, division of labor and cooperation. The cabinet and Longxiang Pavilion should each focus on their own areas, cooperate with each other, and jointly serve the imperial power, but they should also maintain appropriate competition and checks and balances."

"Regarding this point, both Dad and Big Brother should understand what I mean."

As he spoke, Zhu Gang raised his head slightly and looked at Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao who were in deep thought.

"Ah."

Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao nodded at the same time.

This is a compulsory course for the emperor and can never be skipped. Even emperors of later generations have to learn the art of checks and balances.

Afterwards, Zhu Gang fully explained the division of power between the Cabinet and the Longxiang Pavilion to Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao.

In fact, this Longxiang Pavilion is the Grand Council of the Qing Dynasty.

It’s just that the times were different, and Zhu Gang didn’t like the Qing Dynasty, so he changed it to Longxiang Pavilion, which could better highlight the dominance of the Ming Dynasty.

The Longxiang Pavilion and the Cabinet are the key points of power division.

At the decision-making level, Longxiang Pavilion is responsible for the most sensitive and highest-level decisions, while the Cabinet handles more routine government affairs and policy making.

There is also execution and supervision. The cabinet plays an important role at the execution level, while the Longxiang Pavilion focuses more on supervision and the execution of special affairs.

There is also a check and balance mechanism, the power of the two needs to be checked and balanced to prevent excessive concentration of power on either side. The emperor retains the final decision-making power to ensure that the emperor's authority is not challenged.

At the same time, ensure the flow of information and ensure appropriate information sharing between the Cabinet and Longxiang Pavilion, but at the same time protect the confidential information handled by Longxiang Pavilion from leakage.

"Good idea. Longxiong Pavilion is completely subordinate to the emperor and can also monitor the cabinet."

"The same is true for the cabinet at the same time. The two complement each other and can play a delicate role of checks and balances."

"As long as we strictly control who enters the cabinet, even if it cannot be perfect, we can at least ensure that the imperial power will not be threatened."

After Zhu Yuanzhang heard this, a hint of admiration immediately appeared in his eyes.

"You are such a blessing to our Zhu family."

Zhu Biao also exclaimed in praise.

"After all, we need to check and balance power, so we should do so to prevent one party from dominating the market."

"This is the most effective solution I can come up with. After all, if things go on like this, the power of the cabinet will surely expand."

"And if there is no one to check and balance, turmoil will definitely arise. After all, we cannot underestimate human nature."

"Just like the parade in eastern Zhejiang, it was actually taking advantage of the weakness of human nature."

"But the cabinet is of utmost importance. After all, it has certain powers of the prime minister."

"So whether it's the cabinet chief or Minister Longxiong, they must always be in a state of competition, so that they can consume each other's energy in internal struggles, so as to avoid affecting the imperial power."

"Moreover, at the beginning of this system, you must clearly define the charter and principles, and incorporate them into the imperial Ming ancestral precepts, so that future generations can learn from them."

"This is also a political strategy for an emperor. After all, the court is not the court of one person. Otherwise, why would there be a need for so many court officials?"

Faced with the praise from the father and son, Zhu Gang remained unmoved.

"Then let's settle it like this. I think it's great."

Zhu Yuanzhang also laughed heartily.

After all, for an emperor of a feudal dynasty, even if he supports his son, he still wants to consolidate the imperial power and maintain his rule.

"By the way, is your grocery store open yet?"

As he spoke, Zhu Biao looked at Zhu Gang with some curiosity and asked.

"I have been busy with the case of Xiao Ming Wang and the affairs of Zhejiang East these days."

"Chang Mao is so busy that he almost has no time to manage the grocery store."

Zhu Gang immediately rolled his eyes at Zhu Biao, but shook his head.

Although Hu Weiyong and Li Wenzhong were very busy in the front, the situation was equally tight in the back.

After all, they are required to take responsibility for various aspects, including mediation in the court. Anyway, it is not easy at all.

Chang Mao hasn't slept for several days, including Zhu Gang, so how can you have the time to take care of that grocery store?
The originally scheduled opening time was temporarily suspended due to the series of turmoil.

Having said this, a hint of heartache flashed across Zhu Gang's eyes again.

Several days passed and the grocery store was still closed, which was a huge loss.

"So when are you planning to open this time?"

Zhu Biao asked again.

"tomorrow."

“This time, even if it’s something big, I have to make a detour for my grocery store first.”

"After all, whether it's sugar or salt, as long as it can be promoted from Yingtian Prefecture to the rest of the world, it will be a huge profit."

"And if we master this formula and start foreign trade, our Ming Dynasty will be able to make a fortune like crazy."

Zhu Gang spoke without even thinking.

"Oh, by the way, have the Lifanyuan contact the surrounding small countries and give them some of the salt and sugar I made, as well as some alcohol, but not too much, so that they can't stop."

"So that they will take the initiative to ask the Ming Dynasty to open a trade, so that we can raise the price and maximize the benefits."

After a pause, Zhu Gang looked at Zhu Biao again.

It is time to put the opening of foreign trade on the agenda.

After all, although the Ming Dynasty’s treasury is now well-off, money is needed everywhere. If this continues, the treasury will definitely not be able to support it.

Moreover, the establishment of a school has also been put on the agenda, which will cost a huge amount of money.

Therefore, Zhu Gang had to earn some money quickly so that he could continue to issue more Ming treasure notes. Otherwise, it would be a painful thing to be guarding a printing press but be told that you cannot print.

"Well, all national policies have been put on the agenda. My Ming Dynasty does need more silver and resources."

"So relying on the Central Plains alone is not enough. We still need to engage in trade to strengthen our Ming Dynasty."

"I will ask the Lifanyuan to put it on the agenda and send out the alcohol, sugar, and refined salt as soon as possible."

"We must also let those foreign countries know that the salt and sugar they treasure, as well as the alcohol that has miraculous healing effects, are both valuable to us in the Ming Dynasty, but our production is limited. If you want to buy them, please hurry."

Zhu Biao's lips curled up into a meaningful smile again.

(End of this chapter)