Ming Dynasty 1627

Chapter 175 Making a temple in a snail shell, creating new growth in an existing market (Bonus chapter, please vote!)

Since ascending the throne, he has deliberately ignored and disregarded the nobles.

They were not included in the Yongwei Battalion, nor were they included in the new policies.

When they were in the Qing Palace, they were even threatened not to spy on the inner palace again.

Suppressing them like this is a classic example of using the tactic of first suppressing then praising.

After all, all promotions and favors are actually based on a fundamental logic.

—At the table of power, how much benefit can the emperor really offer?
If we set aside the dimensions of fame, power, and profit, Zhu Youjian's favoritism, co-optation, personnel adjustments, and balancing since his ascension to the throne can actually be divided into two types.

First, there is the "loss aversion" type.

Some of the eunuchs who previously held high positions, such as Wang Tiqian, Tian Ergeng, and Xue Fengxiang, belong to this category.

What he is giving you is not an increase, but the preservation of your current power and future political life.

However, this threat of "loss" can only be used temporarily, not permanently.

This was one of the reasons why he felt he had to kill Wei Zhongxian.

Having held power for only three years, the entire family had already been granted three titles. Li Chengzuo, the Marquis of Fengcheng, even submitted a memorial requesting that Wei Zhongxian be granted the Nine Bestowments and be enfeoffed as the King of Wei.

What other titles or rewards could Zhu Youjian bestow?
If they really ban and reward people, how will the social atmosphere be reversed?

Can he still maintain his moral high ground?

Secondly, it truly provides "incremental value".

The secretariat of the new policy, the Shuntian Prefecture faction, and even the local officials of Beizhili who are about to be selected are all of this type.

It was precisely because of his lowly status that he had the opportunity to be promoted, rewarded, and appointed by the Zhu family emperors.

From this perspective, if Wang Tiqian, Tian Ergeng, and even Huang Lijie and Li Guopu do not achieve great results in the next two or three years, they will definitely be replaced by newcomers.

Because the cost-effectiveness of rewarding newlyweds is far greater than that of rewarding the elderly.

Employing people is like building a fire; those who come later will surpass those who came before.

This has been true throughout history and across the world.

However, both of these logics fail to hold true to varying degrees when applied to noble families.

Loss aversion?

Nobles are among the Eight Deliberations. Even if they perform poorly, the only consequence is the suspension of their salary and duties. Can they really be stripped of their titles just because they don't align themselves with the authorities?
If the Duke of Yingguo had aligned himself with the Duke of Dingguo, what could Zhu Youjian really do to him? Impossible.

As for the potential for growth, it's not that there's none, but it's simply too small.

For both civil and military officials seeking promotion, the path to advancement is cleared with the help of red and green embellishments.

However, the requirements for promotion to nobility are higher, and the things that can be done are fewer, so the incentive for this incremental space is much smaller.

There are more than thirty nobles in the capital of the dynasty, but they hold very little real power.

Duke Zhang Weixian of England and Duke Xu Xigao of Dingguo were ranked first among the attendants.

Normally, the six ministries and nine ministers would elect and discuss matters, and they could participate, but that was about it.

Next, Marquis Liang Dingxun of Baoding was in charge of the Beijing Garrison, Earl Li Shouqi of Xiangcheng was in charge of the Great Han General, Marquis Tang Guozuo of Lingbi was in charge of the Red Helmet General, and Imperial Son-in-Law Commandant Hou Gongchen was in charge of the Imperial Clan Court.

...The rest of the nobles either rotated through the Five Military Commands or served as palace guards.

The corruption scandals reveal the awkward situation of the limited power of nobles.

After all, in the Ming Dynasty, the amount of power one could embezzle was clearly defined and set in stone.

Although the position of Attendant Censor was only a seventh-rank official, it was a position of low status but great power, with an annual income ranging from three to five thousand taels of gold.

In the past, figures like Grand Secretaries Feng Quan and Tian Ergeng accepted bribes amounting to tens of thousands of taels of gold.

But things went terribly for the nobles.

The case of the Beijing garrison monopolizing arrows, supplies, and money, which Wei Zhongxian uncovered last year, is still fresh in our minds.

Chen Liangbi, the Marquis of Taining who was in charge of the Beijing Garrison, received 1,600 taels of silver and also had to give 500 taels of silver as a bonus to Wu Ruyin, the Marquis of Gongshun.

A mere Director of the Ministry of Works, Yuheng, received 1,500 taels of silver from this matter, while the lower-ranking officials in the Ministry of Works also received 300 taels.

Even so, being the governor of the Beijing garrison was the most lucrative position that the nobles and officials in Beijing could obtain.

Therefore, most nobles still devoted their energy to their own fields, shops, and mines.

What they were truly seeking were salt permits, farmland, and mining rights.

In Fangshan and Zhuozhou, their illegal mining activities were rampant, with coal and stone quarries being illegally occupied and excavated.

Therefore, the reforms in Beizhili most severely impacted the interests of these noble families.

Because the largest landowner in Beizhili was the emperor, followed by the nobles, and then the local gentry.

When undertaking any reform, it is essential to clearly identify the interests at stake.

During the reform of Beizhili, the potential opposing forces, such as landlords and civil officials, should be put aside for now; it is these nobles who will suffer the most!

This is also why he moved to the Xiyuan Zhenren Hall.

The reason is simple: the road is narrow on both sides, making it easy to manage. All it takes is to gather a few hundred guards to completely block the intersection.

It's right next to a lake, so putting out a fire would be easy.

After this meeting, we'll have to perform another thorough cleaning of the palace...

Zhu Youjian silently recited a sentence in his heart, but a gentle smile appeared on his face as he spoke:

"Merit and nobility share the fate of the nation, and naturally cannot afford to remain uninvolved in the restoration of the Ming Dynasty. Do you all agree?"

A single sentence stirred a slight ripple among the once-dormant noble class.

Since the new emperor ascended the throne, they had only felt indifference and neglect. At this moment, the emperor's initiative to inquire was like heavenly music.

The nobles exchanged glances, and finally, it was the Duke of Yingguo, Zhang Weixian, who was the head of the group, who stood up, bowed, and replied: "Your Majesty is wise. We have received the country's favor for generations and eat the court's food. We should go through fire and water, even at the cost of our lives, for the sake of the new government and the revival of the nation! Please give us your orders, Your Majesty."

Zhu Youjian nodded in satisfaction.

"I have a few things that I need you nobles to do."

"Firstly, all the nobles and officials in the country, regardless of whether they are in the two capitals or in other places, are responsible for submitting their own memorials regarding the new policies."

"Given your ranks and positions, what is your view of the world?"

"If you want to do things, then get to work; if you don't want to do things, at least have a good talk with me about the affairs of the world."

"This matter shouldn't be difficult, should it?" Zhang Weixian frowned, thinking it was too simple, but still immediately replied, "This matter shouldn't be difficult."

Zhu Youjian added, "Secondly, I have also heard about the Earl of Xiangcheng's request to take charge of the Beijing Garrison."

He spoke with a half-smile, his gaze sweeping across the crowd, and sure enough, he caught the fleeting embarrassment of Marquis Xiangcheng Li Shouqi and the instant tension and awkwardness on Marquis Baoding Liang Dingxun's face.

"There's no need to go around trying to find connections." Zhu Youjian paused after saying this, then continued, "You two, each submit a document on the reorganization of the Beijing Garrison for me to see. I will use whichever is better."

Li Shouqi and Liang Dingxun stood up together, their hearts filled with mixed emotions, but they could only solemnly accept the order: "Your subject obeys the decree."

Zhu Youjian then looked around at the other nobles present: "If any of you wish to take charge of the Beijing Garrison, you may submit a petition together, with a deadline of November 1st."

"I select people solely based on the quality of their writing, without considering their past deeds or the rank of their titles."

These words immediately stirred up the nobles, and many of them had a burning desire in their eyes.

——This is a lie.

The real growth will only come when things like the steam engine, foreign conquests, and the promotion of maritime trade are implemented.

Before this, no matter how much we cleared up the accounts and land, or how much we fought corruption, it was all just a redistribution of interests in the existing market.

But even in a saturated market, there is still growth potential.

Take what belongs to some people and give it to others.

Therefore, regardless of how well Liang Dingxun, the Marquis of Baoding, wrote his official document on state affairs, he was destined to lose his position as the Governor-General of the Beijing Garrison.

Because among the noble families, the pie that Zhu Youjian could allocate was far too small; the Beijing Garrison was already the largest one.

If Liang Dingxun doesn't step down, how can the other nobles rise to power?!
Zhu Youjian continued:

"Thirdly, there is the matter of the Attendant Gentleman of the Palace. This matter will be entrusted to the Duke of Dingguo to take the lead."

Upon hearing this, Duke Dingguo Xu Xigao stood up.

“Select sons of dukes, marquises, and earls from various places in the two capitals who are fifteen years of age or older.”

“Those who can ride horses and shoot arrows, meet the standards for military examinations, and are interested in military affairs will be appointed as military officers; those who can write articles on state affairs and are interested in reforming current abuses will be appointed as civil officers.”

"I will personally examine them one by one, selecting those who are brave or capable in governing the world, and then decide whether to appoint them to the Brave Guard or the Secretariat."

"There is no limit to the number of participants; selection is based solely on merit."

Upon hearing this, the nobles were all overjoyed, glancing around and exchanging excited glances.

Duke Dingguo, Xu Xigao, bowed directly to receive the order.

This is not just a position; it is a signal, a signal that they will be brought back into the core of power!
The Secretariat, in particular, is now one of the most sought-after places in the court!
In a sense, this means that the nobles have taken a small step outward to explore the scope of their authority.

Although the secretariat currently only reviews official documents related to economic affairs, what about in the future?

With the Leopard Chamber of Zhengde and the Straight House of Jiajing right before our eyes, who could not have guessed the future expansion of the Secretariat's authority?

On the civil officials' side, there was a clear sense of unease. Several officials who had spoken out frowned subconsciously, but wisely refrained from speaking.

When the emperor decides to select a Gentleman of the Palace, it is a family matter, and he is choosing a son of a noble family. What reason can be used to block this?
No matter what reason is used, it all seems like an attempt to sow discord between the ruler and his ministers, or between close confidants.

What they feared most was the secretariat.

However, the emperor did not say that he would be selected directly; in principle, he would still have to be tested on his official documents.

Given the example of Zhang Zhiji, the son of the Duke of England, we still need to find a different perspective when discussing this matter.

More importantly, will this emperor actually listen to what he says?
Zhu Youjian sensed the unease of the civil officials, but it didn't matter; he had one last trick up his sleeve.

The increase in power is not merely something that can be exchanged between different people.

It can also be switched in different times and spaces.

Promising future power is also a form of incremental supply.

Zhu Youjian continued, bringing up the fourth matter of the day.

"Fourthly, it concerns the vanguard of the government troops."

“According to the past practice of the dynasty, the vanguard of the imperial guards selected young soldiers to serve as the personal guards of the crown prince.”

"However, the current number of soldiers in the vanguard of the government army is almost non-existent. This matter will be taken over by the Duke of England."

"Customized for those under 15 years old and over 10 years old".

“Select those who are well-developed, have just begun to learn martial arts, and are literate, and re-establish the vanguard of the government army.”

“Select three hundred men from the families of meritorious officials in various regions, three hundred sons of civil officials, three hundred sons of officers from the nine border regions, three hundred men from the garrisons in various regions, and three hundred sons of officers who died in battle. Once the total number of 1,500 is reached, this army will be re-established!”

When these words were spoken, everyone in the hall was shocked!

Prince!

These two words, like a thunderclap, exploded in everyone's hearts.

This is no longer an exchange of interests, but a crystal-clear political commitment!

A promise about the future of the nation!

This emperor was using this method to make a promise to the civil and military nobles regarding the succession of power.
Although... this new emperor currently has no sons.

But surely he'll have a son eventually, right?!

This signal carries more weight than any reward!
Duke Zhang Weixian of England, with a solemn expression, knelt down, lifted his robe, and kowtowed earnestly: "This old minister... receives the decree!"

Zhu Youjian raised his hand, and after he stood up, he added:
"There's no need to rush the matter of the vanguard of the government troops. The quota set is the upper limit, not a short-term fixed measure."

"This is a precautionary measure. When selecting people, we must prioritize quality over quantity, and we can take it slowly."

"Your subject understands," Zhang Weixian replied, bowing with his hands clasped, his voice steady.

Zhu Youjian nodded, his gaze sweeping across the faces of the nobles, taking in their expressions, before finally turning to the entire audience.

"The new policies and all matters are carried out in a step-by-step manner from the inside out, based on the principles of self-cultivation, family harmony, good governance and peace."

"Although the capital and Beizhili are important, it does not mean that we will really abandon the country next year."

"It's just that things outside of Beizhili are handled slowly and gradually, not as drastically as they are in Beizhili."

"So, what we will discuss next are the rest of the matters."

Zhu Youjian pointed his finger, and finally the last two parts of today's meeting were approached.

— Matters concerning the nine border regions and finance and taxation!
"Huo Weihua, Vice Minister of War, tell me about the progress on your end."

(End of this chapter)