Gou was a member of the imperial family in the late Ming Dynasty

Chapter 723 Construction Department
Zhu Shenzhui was planning to promote Xu Xiancheng, he had this idea in mind a long time ago. As his brother-in-law, or relative by marriage, Zhu Shenzhui knew Xu Xiancheng's abilities very well. Moreover, Xu Xiancheng had made great contributions in the previous Shandong mutiny. In the recent Battle of the Great Wall, Xu Xiancheng asked Li Xin to lead the Shandong Army to support, and Xu Xiancheng also made great contributions after the war.

With these achievements, Xu Xiancheng had no problem getting promoted. Moreover, Xu Xiancheng's background was impeccable. He was not only a genuine Jinshi, but also one of the founders of Fushe, and was even known as the first of the Seven Gentlemen of Fushe.

Although the Fushe was established in Jiangnan, its political views are quite similar to those of the Donglin Party. However, the Fushe is not the same as the Donglin Party. Compared with the Donglin Party, the Fushe is more radical and more energetic.

In fact, the same was true of the original Donglin Party. When the Donglin Party Academy was first established, the Donglin Party members also had the world in mind and took it as their mission to revive the Ming Dynasty. However, as time went on, changes occurred within the Donglin Party. Because of their respective backgrounds and various influences, many Donglin Party members inevitably became corrupt. The Donglin Party also evolved from a reformist political group into a spokesperson for the southern aristocratic families and the gentry class who were fighting for power.

But the current Fushe has not yet evolved to this extent. Many young students in the Fushe are still passionate and concerned about the country and the people. Although many of them are naive and out of date, we have to admit that the Fushe is progressive in its ideas and many of its views are good.

The civil service group of the Ming Dynasty has always been the biggest enemy of imperial power. The struggle between the emperors of the Ming Dynasty and the civil service group has always existed. However, except for the first Zhu Yuanzhang, Zhu Di and the Jiajing Emperor in the middle of the Ming Dynasty, the rest of the emperors were at a disadvantage in the struggle with the civil service group. Many emperors even died unclearly. It has to be said that the civil service group was very powerful.

Let’s not talk about the earlier ones for now, and just talk about Emperor Tianqi. He almost completely solved the problem of the Donglin Party by holding Wei Zhongxian as his "sharp sword". He also used Wei Zhongxian to form a powerful imperial party in the court in the name of the eunuch party, thus gaining the upper hand in the struggle.

Unfortunately, Emperor Tianqi was eventually unable to escape the conspiracy. Like his predecessor, Emperor Zhengde, he fell into the water and died inexplicably. There were many mysteries surrounding Emperor Tianqi's death, which was why Zhu Shen was so cautious since he entered the palace. The huge palace was full of murderous intentions. No one knew whether there were a pair or even more eyes staring at him in the dark, looking for an opportunity to attack him.

After Tianqi's death, Chongzhen ascended the throne and Wei Zhongxian fell. Everyone knows what happened afterwards. The Ming Dynasty's decline to its previous state was inseparable from the "huge contributions" of the Donglin Party and the civil service group. Of course, the fact that Emperor Chongzhen had no ability to be a monarch was also an important factor. The combination of the two led to the rapid decline of the Ming Dynasty's national strength and the outbreak of rebellions in various places.

Now that Zhu Shenzhui is in control of the government, he clearly feels the power and threat of the civil service group. Although he has his own powerful new army, and uses Wang Jinwu and others to control the military power, he has appeased the nobles, and won over some ministers who do not belong to the Donglin Party, but these are still not enough. These Donglin Party members are not good at getting things done, but they are good at making trouble for you, just like a group of annoying flies, who will often jump out and buzz when you least want them.

This was the case with the court's previous discussions on the assistant manager of the Beijing Camp's military affairs and the Liaodong war. If Zhu Shencui had not been prepared, he might have been caught off guard. Although one of these two things had already failed the Donglin Party, and the time was ripe for the other, and it was estimated that news would soon come from Liaodong, Zhu Shencui knew in his heart that it was not the right way to always use such means on national affairs. To disintegrate and weaken the Donglin Party's influence in the court and change the structure of the civil service group, the best way was to start from within. Therefore, the Fushe, which has been quite famous in recent years, caught Zhu Shencui's attention.

Some people in Fushe were too close to Donglin Party. It could even be said that there were some who were straddling both sides. For example, Wu Weiye, who was an official in the capital, was such a person. Although he was a member of Fushe, he was also a member of Donglin Party. He was among those who had clamored about the ritual system before.

But there were also those who truly served the country and the people. For example, Chen Zilong, one of the Seven Gentlemen of Fushe, was one of them. In addition, Zhang Cai, one of the founders of Fushe, was also a capable minister. He was upright and cared about the people. He was known as the "Two Zhangs" together with Zhang Pu and had a very high prestige in Fushe.

In addition, there are Hou Qiceng, Gu Yanwu, Huang Zongxi and other young people who are also talented. They are passionate and have the world in their hearts. They have not been influenced by the corruption of the Donglin Party. Although their articles and words are somewhat radical and unrealistic, they are not bad in essence.

In Zhu Shenzhu's mind, these people could be won over, and Xu Xiancheng had more or less friendship with these people. By recalling Xu Xiancheng back to the capital and using Xu Xiancheng's influence in Fushe to select some people from Fushe for his own use, Zhu Shenzhu could not only make up for his shortcomings in the civil service group, but also suppress the Donglin Party and prevent the Donglin Party from having too much influence in the court.

The key person to do this was Xu Xiancheng, and Zhu Shenzui was very confident in Xu Xiancheng's character and abilities.

Although Xu Xiancheng was one of the seven sons of Fushe, he was a practical man. It was a coincidence that he joined Fushe, but he did not agree with the Donglin Party in terms of political views, and he also disagreed with the so-called "retro" political views proposed by Zhang Pu, one of the two Zhangs, in the early days of Fushe. As early as before he went to school, Xu Xiancheng was influenced by Zhu Shenzhu, and his perspective on problems and judgment on many matters were more rational. Moreover, Xu Xiancheng did not think that the Donglin Party, including some Fushe members, could save the country with their boasting and imaginary "retro". History has been developing and changing. Times have changed, and the world has changed a lot. How can the rules of hundreds of years ago or even two thousand years ago be used today? Isn't this nonsense?

It is precisely because Xu Xiancheng's political views are different from those of many members of the Fushe that although Xu Xiancheng is one of the Seven Gentlemen of the Fushe, he rarely participates in the activities of the Fushe since he became an official. On the contrary, as his official position and influence continue to rise, his status in the Fushe becomes higher and higher. When many members of the Fushe talk about the Seven Gentlemen of the Fushe, they will first put Xu Xiancheng in an important place. This situation also makes Xu Xiancheng somewhat helpless.

But no matter what, there were people in the Fushe who agreed with Xu Xiancheng, so Xu Xiancheng was the most appropriate person to do this. There is a saying in later generations that goes "use magic to defeat magic". The most fundamental basis of the Donglin Party and these civil service groups is to take the world as their own responsibility, put themselves on the moral high ground to point out the country and criticize the emperor, intending to control the world with civil officials and gain benefits.

If this is the case, why not use a similar method to attack his shield with his own spear? Moreover, if there are many people in the Fushe who can be used by Zhu Shencui through Xu Xiancheng's enticement, it will also be a good thing. Zhu Shencui is in need of people at this time.

Xu Xiancheng arrived in the capital on the third day after Gao Yingxiang was escorted there. Before that, Xu Xiancheng's post as Governor of Shandong had been taken over by Li Xin. There was absolutely no problem with Li Xin's ability. He was both civil and military, and his original official position was not low. He made great contributions after the victory in the Battle of the Great Wall. In addition, he was originally Xu Xiancheng's deputy, so he was the most suitable person to take over as Governor of Shandong.

Not only Xu Xiancheng came to the capital, but also Sun Yuanhua. Although Sun Yuanhua was not good at being an official, it did not mean that he had no ability. In Zhu Shenzhu's view, Sun Yuanhua was a pure technical official. It was natural to let a technical official do technical work. Moreover, his research ability on firearms was top-notch in that era. It was completely wrong to use such a talent for him to govern a place or even lead troops to fight.

How can a technical official be put in the position of governor or even directly leading the army? Moreover, Sun Yuanhua also had flaws in his character. He was often too credulous and too idealistic in many cases. He had no political acumen and military ability. Such a person was not suitable to be a chief official or a leader. It was like asking a great scientist at the academician level to be a senior official in a province or even the commander of a group army. How could this be done well? Everyone has his own specialty. If Sun Yuanhua had not met Xu Xiancheng, his fate could be imagined based on the Shandong mutiny.

Taking advantage of the victory of the Battle of the Great Wall, Zhu Shenzhu later pardoned Sun Yuanhua's previous crimes based on his merits and helped him to return to his post. Although he lost his position as governor, his official rank remained. Now he was asked to come to Beijing to meet Sun Yuanhua and to make use of him.

The Imperial Household Department has been formally planned for establishment. Kang Youfu is the Minister of the Imperial Household Department appointed by Zhu Shenzhui. However, Kang Youfu alone cannot do the job. Although there are some candidates for each department of the Imperial Household Department, Zhu Shenzhui is not satisfied, especially since there has not been a really suitable candidate for the Construction Department of the Imperial Household Department. Although Zhao Da in Zhaowuling has been in charge of the workshop affairs, and the Yao brothers who developed firearms are also very capable, they are of humble origins and have low cultural levels. In addition to other reasons, it is no problem for them to serve in the Imperial Household Department, but it is impossible for them to be in charge of a department.

After much deliberation, Zhu Shenzhui chose Sun Yuanhua. Sun Yuanhua's strengths and weaknesses were very obvious. If Sun Yuanhua was placed in other official positions, it would not only be of no benefit, but would harm Sun Yuanhua. Since he was a technical talent, he should only do technical work. In addition, the establishment of the Imperial Household Department directly separated the construction work from the Ministry of Works, and it would no longer be under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Works in the future. In this way, Zhu Shenzhui could start over in the name of the Imperial Household Department and develop technology through the construction organization of the Imperial Household Department. This place was the best place for Sun Yuanhua.

According to Zhu Shenzui's idea, Sun Yuanhua was given a position as deputy general manager of the Imperial Household Department (assistant minister). Although the rank of this position was not high, it was two levels lower than Sun Yuanhua's current position. After all, the Imperial Household Department had just been established, and the position of the minister of the Imperial Household Department was determined according to Kang Youfu's existing rank. The assistant minister, as the deputy of the general manager, was naturally one level lower.

However, this will not be the case in the future. The current Imperial Household Department is just in its initial stage of establishment. According to Zhu Shenzhu's idea, the status of the Imperial Household Department will become higher and higher in the future. Eventually, the rank of the Minister-in-Chief of the Imperial Household Department will be equivalent to the rank of the six ministers, and the assistant minister will be equivalent to the rank of the vice minister.

In addition to the assistant minister, the Construction Department of the Imperial Household Department will be directly under the charge of Sun Yuanhua. The Construction Department will use the Zhaowuling workshop as the basic structure, and then divide some of the institutions that originally belonged to the Ministry of Works into the Construction Department of the Imperial Household Department, thereby carrying out integration.

(End of this chapter)