Ming Dynasty: Ask Zhu Yuanzhang to abdicate at the beginning

Chapter 550 New National Policy, Anti-Corruption Mechanism! The Independent Commission Against Corruption!
Zhu Yunwen declared loudly, "Since the establishment of the Ministry of Posts and Communications, the communication system of the Ming Dynasty has undergone earth-shattering changes."

"Official document exchanges have become extremely convenient, and the cost of sending them has been greatly reduced."

"The connections between the various ministries in the capital and their subordinate local departments have therefore become closer than ever before."

"Moreover, with the assistance of telegraph stations now, information can be transmitted in an instant, making it incredibly convenient."

"Through a large number of letters and telegrams, the various departments in the capital were able to gain a certain understanding of the situation below."

"It is sufficient for effective evaluation."

"In the past, the communication between the imperial court and local officials was not as convenient and frequent as the communication between various departments and their subordinate agencies is now."

"At that time, the imperial court was still able to effectively assess and restrain local officials."

"Nowadays, the various departments of the imperial court can certainly assess their own directly subordinate agencies!"

"In addition," Zhu Yunwen added, "the various ministries in the capital can also regularly or irregularly send officials to local areas to conduct inspections, go deep into the grassroots, and conduct on-site investigations of the operation of institutions at all levels and the performance of officials, so as to ensure the smooth implementation of government orders and the clean governance of officials."

In short, this means strengthening the vertical jurisdiction of each department.

Taking the Provincial Surveillance Commission as an example, it was not only responsible to the governor and inspector of a province, but also directly under the command of the Ministry of Justice in the capital.

This was Zhu Yunwen's consistent political view, which had been implemented before; this was merely an opportunity to further deepen it.

In the past, it wasn't that I didn't want to do it, but that I simply couldn't.

Due to the perilous mountains and long roads, the imperial decrees could not be delivered in a day or two.

The postal system was too slow, making communication difficult, and various departments were unable to dispatch capable personnel to effectively supervise and inspect the prefectures and cities throughout the country.

But times have changed; technological innovation has altered everything.

The imperial roads and post roads were well-connected and accessible in all directions.

Telegrams and mail can travel thousands of miles in an instant.

The shackles of the past have been transformed into smooth roads.

The imperial court's reach eventually extends to every inch of the empire's fabric.

The benefits of a unified dynasty are self-evident.

The greatest blessing for all people is peace and tranquility, free from war.

However, in an era where agriculture was the foundation, unification also had its unavoidable drawbacks.

Each region was based on a self-sufficient manor economy, and the enormous advantages brought by the unified large market in later generations were difficult to leverage in the feudal society at this time.

On the contrary, the more vast a dynasty's territory, the more difficult its governance becomes, and the higher the cost of rule.

The losses incurred in transporting taxes and grain from various regions to the capital, over thousands of miles, were already staggering astronomical figures.

As for the rest.

For example, the emperor is far away and the government's orders do not leave the capital.

The deep-seated problems, such as local officials wielding absolute power and the inability of the imperial court to effectively supervise them, need no further explanation.

However, the dawn of the industrial age had already illuminated the way forward.

This sweeping technological revolution will completely upend everything.

When the connection between local authorities and the imperial court becomes seamless, the supervision of officials across the country will also enter an unprecedented new era.

Previously, this was due to two reasons: firstly, the technology was not mature, and secondly, there was a deliberate "laissez-faire" approach in order to facilitate the new policy.

Now it's time to really tighten things up.

"Furthermore, the appointment of all officials should be subject to a 'public announcement' system," Zhu Yunwen said in a calm and firm voice.

"From the lowest-ranking official to a local magistrate, all appointments must be made public in advance."

"Lower-level officials shall make public the information to the people under their jurisdiction."

"For senior officials, the information will be publicized within the relevant bureaucratic system."

"During the public announcement period, both officials and ordinary citizens may raise objections or complaints against the proposed officials."

"Upon receiving a report involving high-ranking officials, the Ministry of Justice and the Censorate will investigate the case thoroughly to uncover the truth."

"Only after investigation confirms that there is no misconduct and that the reported matters are all fabricated can the official position be conferred and the official seal be given."

"If there is solid evidence or irrefutable objection, the original appointment shall be immediately revoked and another capable person shall be selected!"

"The appointment of officials at other levels shall be carried out in accordance with this method."

"If, after a report is filed, the official who made the appointment decision does not investigate, you may continue to report to higher authorities, directly to me."

As Zhu Yunwen finished speaking, Xu Miaojin's eyes flashed with a strange light, and she nodded in praise, "Your Majesty's method can be described as 'removing the fuel from under the cauldron,' truly ingenious!"

She parted her lips slightly, her voice clear and melodious: "As the saying goes, 'If you don't want others to know, then don't do it in the first place.'"

"Who can guarantee that their actions throughout their life will be flawless?"

"As long as he has done anything illegal or immoral, the public announcement before his appointment will expose him as if he were under the scorching sun, leaving him nowhere to hide."

"At that time, someone will definitely report and expose it."

At this point, a knowing smile curved her lips: "Especially those who are his equals and have always been his competitors."

"In officialdom, among colleagues, there is mutual protection and feigned compliance, as well as open and covert struggles and life-or-death battles."

"Especially at crucial moments for promotion, there is only one official position available. If someone else gets the position, your future will be ruined."

"Under such circumstances, if one can possess evidence of the other party's misdeeds and crimes, and has a legitimate and direct channel to present it to the emperor, why worry that no one would be willing to do it?"

Her analysis vividly dissects the bloodless intrigue and power struggles within officialdom.

Zhu Yunwen nodded with a smile; this was exactly what he wanted to achieve.

Next, Zhu Yunwen elaborated on his overall plan: "Thirdly, in addition to the fixed terms of local officials, I will establish a team of 'mobile inspectors' independent of the localities to continuously inspect the country and evaluate officials."

“These inspectors are assigned tasks randomly each time and have basically no connection with local officials.”

"In this way, it becomes extremely difficult for them to be won over or corrupted in a short period of time, and even more difficult to form a deep-rooted network of interests."

Zhu Yunwen's thoughts were as clear as a giant net, which was now slowly unfolding. In the past, although the Censorate had dispatched censors to inspect the local areas, it was ultimately an occasional measure with limited scale and far from sufficient deterrent effect.

But what he wanted was far more than that.

"Inspection can also be divided into two types. The first type is the professional inspection of various ministries and departments, which are dedicated to their own duties and only manage the personnel and affairs within their own system, in order to be specialized."

"Secondly, there are the Imperial Inspectors whom I directly appoint from the court. They have greater power and responsibility, and they are responsible for supervising all officials in a region, regardless of rank, and evaluating them all equally."

"Inspections must be systematized and institutionalized, becoming a sharp sword hanging over the heads of all officials, serving as a constant reminder, rather than being merely a formality as before, where censors were sent out on a whim to conduct inspections."

Zhu Yunwen's tone turned serious, and he shifted his focus to another core issue: "To eliminate officials' laziness, negligence, and inaction, supervision and anti-corruption alone are far from enough; we must also implement a rigorous 'performance evaluation' system."

"Officials of the various ministries and departments of the central government shall formulate detailed assessment standards based on their respective jurisdictions, which shall be submitted to the State Council for review and approval before being promulgated and implemented."

"The assessment of local officials is planned by the State Council itself, and quantitative scoring is required from all aspects such as farmland, water conservancy, industry and commerce, taxation, people's livelihood, education, public security, and governance."

"We must never again make hasty decisions about an official's merits and future based on a few words such as 'superior, middle, and inferior' or 'competent, average, and incompetent' as we have in the past."

"What I want is a detailed account of every single merit and demerit, a clear and undeniable record of achievements!"

In one breath, Zhu Yunwen listed out a complete set of interconnected and in-depth assessment and supervision measures.

This comprehensive system, woven from the three pillars of "public disclosure," "inspection," and "evaluation," has effectively plugged almost all the malpractices and loopholes in the current bureaucratic system regarding the selection, appointment, and supervision of officials.

Its profound intentions, ruthless methods, and far-reaching ambitions have surpassed any previous reform of officialdom in history.

“In addition to the Censorate, I wish to establish another department, named the ‘Department of Anti-Corruption’.”

"The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) is not under the jurisdiction of the State Council and is independent of the government system. It has no affiliation or connection with any department in the government."

"It will be a completely independent confidential office, responsible only to me and reporting directly to me."

"His sole authority was to supervise all officials, from the central ministers to the lowest-ranking officials in the prefectures and counties."

Before the words were finished, Xu Miaojin's clear and sharp voice rang out, cutting straight to the point: "Your Majesty, how exactly is this action different from the previous actions of the Embroidered Uniform Guard?"

In Xu Miaojin's view, such a power structure is tantamount to reshaping a supervisory body that is above all officials, a typical "lackey".

While using spies to govern a country may yield temporary results, its drawbacks are like a persistent carbuncle, causing endless trouble.

Otherwise, why would the once brilliant and ambitious emperor have personally taken back the many extra-legal powers that he had granted to the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and locked them firmly in a cage?
Today, although the Embroidered Uniform Guard still exists, its authority is no longer what it used to be.

“Of course they are different.” Zhu Yuntong seemed to have anticipated her question, and instead showed a hint of approval on his face.

He calmly explained, "The fundamental difference lies in 'people' versus 'power,' which is the key conclusion I reached after careful consideration and learning from history."

"First and foremost, it's about 'people'."

"All personnel of the Independent Commission Against Corruption will not be selected from the existing bureaucratic system, much less from the sons of noble families as was done when the Embroidered Uniform Guard was first established."

He held up one finger, his tone conveying a resolute determination to innovate and reform.

“I will select from the common people, from those uncorrupted scholars who have not yet been corrupted by officialdom, and from those ordinary people who hold reverence in their hearts and abide by etiquette.”

"They may not understand, but they should never be allowed to understand those so-called official rules and social etiquette."

"What I want is their pure and untainted hearts, and their unwavering integrity that is principled and fearless of the powerful!"

"They only need to perform their duties and conduct checks according to the law, that's all."

Zhu Yunwen paused, giving Xu Miaojin time to process the information, and then continued, "Secondly, and most importantly, is the definition of 'power'."

"The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) is acting on orders, and all levels of government must fully cooperate without any shirking or obstruction. However,"

His tone shifted slightly as he said, "Their power is limited to reviewing case files and documents, interviewing officials, and investigating and collecting evidence."

"They can look it up, ask questions, listen, and take notes."

"Then, they must analyze all the information they have gathered, compile it into a secret report, and submit it directly to me."

"This is the end of their power." Zhu Yunwen emphasized each word, clearly drawing the red line. "They have no right to arrest any official, even if the evidence is conclusive; they have even less right to interrogate, convict, or impose any punishment on anyone."

"This is the biggest, and essential, difference between them and the former Embroidered Uniform Guard."

"They are my eyes and ears, a mirror hanging over the heads of all officials, but they are not knives, much less judges."

"They only have the power to supervise and make suggestions, while the power to decide matters remains firmly in the hands of the imperial court's laws."

"This ironclad rule will be the foundation of the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) and must never be changed!"

Zhu Yunwen's gaze was calm and composed as he continued to explain the shackles he had placed on this beast about to be unleashed:
"If officials refuse to cooperate or attempt to obstruct the investigation, the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) staff must not use force, and no conflict is allowed."

"All they can do is record it and then report it to me."

"I will personally review them and, depending on the severity of the circumstances, decide whether to hand them over to the State Council for reprimand or directly order the relevant departments to intervene and investigate."

"Furthermore, the staff of the Anti-Corruption Bureau do not have fixed duties or residences, but rather move around like migratory birds throughout the entire territory of the Ming Dynasty."

"In June, I was in Hebei; in July, I might have already arrived in Jiangnan; and in August, I was already in the border region."

"In this way, we can eliminate their deep-rooted ties with local officials and forever maintain their status as 'outsiders'."

"The cases they accept can come from the people's grievances or anonymous letters from officials."

"As long as a tip is received, personnel can be dispatched in accordance with regulations to conduct both overt and covert investigations."

"But ultimately, their only and greatest power is the power of investigation and the power to report directly to me, which I have granted them."

At this point, he changed the subject and talked about the incentives and constraints on the staff of this organization.

"To ensure that the staff of the Independent Commission Against Corruption can devote themselves to their duties without any worries, I will grant them extremely high salaries."

"In addition to the salary issued by the court according to regulations, I will give them an additional 'integrity allowance' from the imperial treasury to ensure that they have enough to eat and wear and that their minds are not shaken by the worries of making a living."

“But at the same time,” his voice turned cold, “the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) will also have the strictest discipline and laws.”

"I will use severe punishments to temper this team and ensure its absolute purity."

"Any member who violates internal rules or laws will be punished three times more severely once verified, without any leniency!"

Zhu Yunwen revealed the massive plan he had been brewing for a long time.

……

(End of this chapter)