Chapter 11: Asking for strategies to dominate the world, you want me to learn from Emperor Ling of Han?

What I just said is understandable.

But he kept holding on to Emperor Ling of Han. Was this really a secret attempt to flatter him?
No matter how you look at it, it seems like he is scolding Emperor Qing for being incompetent and tyrannical.

Eunuch Hou couldn't help but shrink his neck.

He felt that if he continued listening, he would most likely suffer along with the Fourth Prince.

The Fourth Prince has already written very clearly in the book about the actions taken by Emperor Ling of Han during his reign.

He openly sold official positions, built a grand palace, used the Ten Eunuchs, and started the Party Imprisonment Disaster, which eventually led to the Yellow Turban Rebellion...

From then on, the Han Empire began to decline, the royal family declined, warlords fought for power, and the people lived in misery.

There is really nothing good about such an emperor.

"Li Chengde, do you think I dare not kill you?" Emperor Qing narrowed his eyes slightly, seeming a little unhappy.

Li Chengde did not answer directly, but asked a question, "Your Majesty, do you think there are many corrupt officials in the court of Daqing?"

Emperor Qing hesitated for a moment and then directly dismissed the question, "Chen Pingping, do you think there are corrupt officials in Daqing?"

Chen Pingping said sincerely, "If your majesty says yes, then it must be yes. If your majesty says no, then it must not be yes."

Emperor Qing looked at Li Chengde and pointed at Chen Pingping, "Are you satisfied with this answer?"

Li Chengde nodded, "That's right. That's why I want Your Majesty to learn from Emperor Ling of Han."

"Your Majesty, what does it take to unify the world? A strong national strength, that is beyond doubt."

"And what does a strong national strength include? Elite soldiers and generals, capable ministers, and a full treasury..."

"But if all these are achieved, will it be possible to unify the world smoothly? I don't think so."

Having said this, Li Chengde stopped.

Emperor Qing glanced at him and said, "Go on."

Li Chengde did not continue, "Your Majesty, I am a little thirsty."

Emperor Qing had no choice but to wave his hand and said, "Pour him some tea."

Eunuch Hou immediately rushed over calmly and handed Li Chengde a cup of warm tea.

After drinking it all in one gulp, Li Chengde continued the previous topic, "There is a kind of people who may not be able to help you accomplish something, but they can mess it up."

"Yes, I am talking about corrupt officials, especially those involved in party disputes."

"When the battle on the front line reached a critical moment, a group of people in the rear delayed the battle and failed to supply food and grass in time.
This led to a failed war and the loss of the best opportunity to unify the world."

"Your Majesty, if you encountered such a thing, wouldn't you be angry?"

Emperor Qing looked amused, "You want me to rectify the administration and punish corrupt officials?"

Li Chengde shook his head slightly. "This is a means, not an end. The key is party struggle."

"There can only be one voice in the court, and that is your majesty's order."

"Only by eliminating all those disobedient voices can we have no worries."

"So, I plan to abolish the prime minister."

A hint of surprise flashed across Emperor Qing's eyes. "Prime Minister Lin has made great contributions and is the pillar of support for the imperial court of Daqing. How dare you depose him?"

Li Chengde said firmly, "Not only will I abolish the prime minister, but from now on, there will be no need for a prime minister anymore."

Emperor Qing seemed a little puzzled, "Minister Lin is leaving, how are the six ministries going to function? No way."

Li Chengde didn't think about it and blurted out, "Set up a cabinet agency to replace the prime minister's power."

"There is no rank for cabinet members. Personnel are selected from the six ministries, all at the discretion of the emperor."

"At the same time, let His Royal Highness the Crown Prince enter the cabinet and handle the affairs of the six ministries together with the cabinet members." It was hard for the emperor not to be tempted by this suggestion.

After the prime minister was abolished, there was no one to command the six ministries, and the emperor had to handle all affairs personally, which was obviously unlikely.

The emergence of the cabinet filled this gap.

All matters are decided through consultation, which ensures that it is difficult for one person to dominate, and the imperial power will only be more stable.

Moreover, the Crown Prince's participation in cabinet affairs can allow the heir to exercise his abilities in practice and avoid cultivating an heir with mediocre abilities.

It can only be said that as a person of Tianmai, Li Chengde’s ideas are indeed different from those of most people.

"Did Emperor Ling of Han in your book do this?" Emperor Qing did not remember such a scene.

Li Chengde answered honestly, "No, I want Your Majesty to learn how to sell official positions and titles."

Emperor Qing seemed to be so angry that he laughed, "You want me to sell my position? What does this have to do with deposing the prime minister?"

Li Chengde took his time to explain, "Rectify the administration of officials and eliminate unstable factors."

"And Lin Xiang's students and former officials are naturally also within the scope of the crackdown."

"Besides, this can also enrich the national treasury, so why not do it?"

Fighting is a waste of money.

Without a full treasury, it would be difficult to support the needs of a large army going on expeditions.

Emperor Qing stared at him, "You want me to sell official positions and titles in order to rectify the administration of officials? What are you going to do?"

Li Chengde looked righteous and said calmly, "Don't those people like to be greedy? Then let them be greedy to their heart's content!"

"Moreover, His Majesty wants to use them and let them enter the court!"

Emperor Qing was thoughtful, "They are greedy, so they won't mind spending a lot of money to buy an official position, and after getting this money, I can use it to enrich the national treasury?"

Li Chengde looked puzzled, "The money from selling official positions is your Majesty's private money, why should it be added to the national treasury?"

"???"

Wow, it turns out that the so-called learning from Emperor Ling of Han is not just superficial learning, but directly copying his behavior of making money?
So next, should he build large palaces and expand the imperial city like Emperor Ling of Han did?

"Your Majesty, what I mean is to use some of the capable corrupt officials, and when they are fattened up, we will kill them, confiscate their property and exterminate their clans, and fill the national treasury with the money!"

"In this way, the problem of an empty treasury will be solved."

"And Prime Minister Lin's students and former officials...will they miss this great opportunity to make money? No way!"

"Let alone Prime Minister Lin, even if it's Dean Chen who seems to be honest, what about him? If he doesn't take the money, is he a fool?"

After saying this, Chen Pingping immediately began to defend himself, "Your Majesty, my loyalty is evident to all!"

Emperor Qing did not pay attention to Chen Pingping's explanation, but paid attention to another question, "How can I determine which officials are involved in corruption?"

Li Chengde turned his gaze to Chen Pingping, "This is the matter of the Supervisory Commission."

Chen Pingping smiled bitterly. "The Supervisory Commission has the duty to supervise all officials, but there is always a loophole. Some people hide very deeply and it is difficult to catch them."

"That's because you're not keeping a close eye on them." Li Chengde said calmly, "You need to place spies from the Supervisory Yuan around all officials."

"Then, no matter how big or small, you have to report it."

"For example, what do you eat for three meals a day, how many times do you go to the toilet a day, which concubine do you like to sleep with the most, and what position do you use?"

"In this way, the officials of Qing Kingdom will no longer have any secrets for Your Majesty!"

"!!!"

(End of this chapter)