Chapter 192: Ancestral Institutions

Zhu Youjian was a bit embarrassed by the praise from several of his senior ministers, and waved his hand repeatedly with a smile, saying, "What several of you ministers have said is somewhat excessive—I cannot be compared to the Founder. This move of mine was also born from my feelings about the current situation, and I hope it can reform the previous empty and extravagant official style. Grand Secretary Wen's words also came from the heart, and I have already decided that future metropolitan examinations will be conducted in this manner as well, selecting practical talent for use by the court."

Zhang Guowei, Minister of Rites, bowed and asked, "Since this metropolitan examination places emphasis on policy essays, may I ask what direction His Majesty intends?"

Zhu Youjian pondered for a moment before speaking: "In all policy questions, inquiries, discourses, memorials, and judgments, practical matters should be given priority. Whether discussing the court strategies, military policies, or plans for people's livelihood of previous dynasties or our own, one may cite examples and argue before elaborating personal views. There are no limits on speech—comprehensive discussion of national affairs and response strategies is all permitted. What I hope to see is a scene of a hundred flowers blooming and a hundred schools contending, and I will not punish anyone for their words! The Ministry of Rites may make my intent clear to all the examination candidates!"

Zhang Guowei bowed in acceptance and returned to his place in the ranks.

Zhu Youjian continued: "Just now Grand Secretary Wen made me alert, and after much deliberation, I fear that the matter of selecting practical talent may be neglected over time. Therefore, I have made this decision: what came before does not count. From now on, anyone without five or more years of service at the prefecture, department, or county level will have no qualification to serve as principal officials in the Grand Secretariat or the Six Ministries! Those selected into the Hanlin Academy must also rotate out to serve as local officials! This rule shall be permanent—the Grand Secretariat shall draft the edict, affix the seal, and promulgate it to the realm!"

All the ministers were greatly startled by these words, and the Qianqing Palace fell into complete silence as everyone pondered the shocking pronouncement the Emperor had just suddenly made.

Zhu Youjian had made this decision only after deep and careful consideration.

Most of the senior court ministers throughout the Ming dynasty's history were masters of the eight-legged essay—when it came to rhetoric, allusions, and elegant prose, they were certainly the elite. But when it came to governing the state, developing the economy, and improving people's livelihoods, there were basically very few true pillars of talent. Like the vast majority of scholars, they had no experience whatsoever in governing a region.

Because from the day they began their studies, the teachings they received were all fragments left on paper by so-called sages and worthies of antiquity—or even just those predecessors' own understandings and views of the world.

This cannot be said to be wrong. The experiences and conclusions of the ancient worthies were derived from the processes and outcomes of events in their own eras, and they serve to enlighten and warn later generations. But times change, and there is no truth in this world that applies universally. With new things constantly emerging, relying solely on following old ways can no longer cope with the various situations and problems faced today.

This group that holds the power of discourse in the Ming dynasty is not actually more capable than ordinary scholars—it is merely their positions that cast a halo around them. They do not possess the true ability to handle affairs that scions of great families have.

Zhu Youjian actually leaned toward using outstanding scions of great families to govern the state; he held a favorable impression of some people from established families.

These people received good education and cultivation from childhood, possessing high personal cultivation and moral standards. They act according to principles and rules, never being extreme or obstinate, and disdain profiting from the common people to satisfy their own private desires. When they eat meat, they also know to let others have a sip of soup. Moreover, these people are better at communicating with others, know how to compromise and yield when encountering problems, all wish to leave a good reputation, and never go too far in their actions.

Of course, their shortcomings are also obvious. Thinking too highly of themselves and being out of touch with reality are the two most prominent among them.

How can they be made more practical and gain a deeper understanding of society as a whole?

More contact with the common people at the very bottom of society, going deep into the populace to listen to their voices—that is the proper path.

This will allow them, when they later wield greater power, to give more consideration to the needs and hopes of the lower strata of society when formulating relevant policies, so that the vital interests of any one party are not greatly harmed, thereby causing serious consequences.

Sun Chuanting, Lu Xiangsheng, Hong Chengchou, and others are outstanding representatives of scions from great families.

Born into official families, they far surpass many colleagues from humble backgrounds in both vision and ability. The people and affairs they encountered from childhood provided them with broader horizons and knowledge.

To put it in a popular modern phrase, the starting point of many great-family scions is the finish line of the vast majority of people. The cream of these great-family scions have a far greater vision than those who rose from humble origins to high positions later.

For scholars from poor families, Zhu Youjian was not optimistic in his heart of hearts.

Because their family circumstances were poor from childhood, they studied with extraordinary diligence and effort, and in the end some passed the examinations and rose rapidly through the ranks.

But after these people came to power, having been terrified of poverty, their greed for money and beautiful women far exceeded that of ordinary people.

They would resort to any means to amass vast wealth for their own enjoyment, treating the people under their governance with even greater harshness and cruelty, having long forgotten the desolation and misery of their own poverty-stricken families.

"The moment one puts down the begging stick, one beats the beggars"—this proverb is the best portrayal of such people.

But no matter what, whether from great families or humble origins, as long as the imperial examination system remains unchanged, the empire will still have to be governed by these people in the future. This is likewise a strategy of balance—the examinations are also the only channel for scholars from humble backgrounds to change their fate.

The dream of the vast majority of scholars is to wield great power and command the realm. Becoming a Governor or Governor-General of a region, a principal official of the Six Ministries, or entering the Grand Secretariat to participate in state affairs—these are the goals every official in the court wishes to achieve.

Not being promoted to high office without serving in prefectures and counties is only one rule. The Ministry of Personnel's assessment of local officials at the end of their terms will not be one-sided either—it will be conducted under the strict supervision of local Censors and the Embroidered Uniform Guard, with various indicators as concrete references. Those who fail to meet the standards will have it recorded in their files, and those with blemishes will find it extremely difficult to advance in their official careers in future promotions.

Zhou Yun, Minister of Personnel, broke the silence and stepped forward to memorialize: "There is one thing I do not understand! May I ask His Majesty, what is the significance of the five-year period? Currently local officials serve three years per term. The five years Your Majesty mentioned leaves me somewhat puzzled. I am dull-witted and beg Your Majesty to enlighten me!"

Zhou Yun had been promoted by Zhu Youjian over all objections from the position of Left Vice Minister of Personnel to Minister of Personnel. What Zhu Youjian valued in him was precisely his skill at gauging and flattering his intentions. Obedient ministers were good ministers—for those daring to speak out for justice, the two in the Censorate were enough. Ministers who could carry out his will to the letter must be given important positions.

Zhu Youjian smiled and said, "That was an oversight on my part! I intend to extend the term of local officials from three years to five years, hence what I said just now! After returning, the ministers of the Ministry of Personnel shall send dispatches to all regions—from the end of the current term, starting with the next term, the term of local officials shall be changed to five years!"

Zhou Yun bowed to receive the edict and withdrew.

He did not ask further questions. Since the imperial will was already decided, he would not lightly contradict the Emperor's decree—besides, changing three years to five was not such a big matter.

As the Minister of Rites most qualified to enter the Grand Secretariat, Zhang Guowei naturally had to ask clearly why the Emperor was altering ancestral institutions one after another, especially the matter of not being allowed into the court without serving in prefectures and counties—this was a major issue concerning the future direction of court politics.

He bowed and memorialized: "Since the Sui and Tang dynasties established the examination system for selecting officials, through several dynasties to the present, I have never heard of any rule that one cannot enter the court without serving in prefectures and counties. Famous ministers have emerged in every dynasty, yet few have long experience in local posts. Many famous ministers never even served as local officials, but that did not prevent them from being recorded in history. If Your Majesty suddenly issues this measure, would it not cut off all hope of entering the Grand Secretariat for the current ministers of this court? I dare not agree, and beg Your Majesty to think thrice!"

Except for Grand Secretaries like Wen Tiren and Zhou Yun, who were unconcerned, the remaining ministers all cited classics and precedents, firmly opposing Zhu Youjian's arbitrary alteration of ancestral institutions.

What a joke—everyone present, except the Minister of Personnel who could not enter the Grand Secretariat, was qualified to do so. They were all eagerly waiting for Wen Tiren and the other Grand Secretaries to retire so they could advance a step further. With this change of yours, you've completely cut off our path of promotion—isn't this plainly looking down on us?

Only then did Zhu Youjian realize he had been in the dark right under his own lamp.

He had only thought about having future decision-makers in the court first gain experience in local posts and be given important positions after acquiring rich governing experience, but had forgotten about this batch of old fellows before him, most of whom had never served in local posts.

Helpless, Zhu Youjian finally had to compromise—the provision about not entering the court was changed to take effect after those who passed this metropolitan examination assumed their posts—and only then did the ministers relent.

The discussion ended on a sour note. Seeing that it was nearly noon, Zhu Youjian brought Li Erxi and returned to the Kunning Palace.

Nearly two years had passed since he had transmigrated back. Since moving from the Wuying Hall to reside in the inner palace, he had taken turns sleeping in each palace, yet Empress Zhou, Noble Consort Tian, Noble Consort Yuan, and the others had all shown no signs of pregnancy. This had at one point made Zhu Youjian suspect that something was wrong with his own body.

Several imperial physicians took turns taking Zhu Youjian's pulse and diagnosing him, and all unanimously concluded that His Majesty's body was very healthy—as long as he plowed diligently, there would surely be a harvest. The Crown Prince and the others had already proven that His Majesty was destined to have many children; the current result might be caused by his worries over state affairs. Afterwards, Wu Youxing prescribed Zhu Youjian a tonic prescription, instructing him to take it on schedule, and that results would naturally appear over time.

Although Zhu Youjian treated Zhu Cilang and the other children as his own, in daily life he also thought more about how to save the current crisis. But as the situation stabilized, deep in his heart he still vaguely hoped for a child truly connected to him by blood.

Heaven does not disappoint those who persevere. Under Zhu Youjian's diligent plowing, good news came one after another—Empress Zhou and the others became pregnant in succession, which delighted Zhu Youjian immensely. He then generously rewarded several imperial physicians and distributed bonus silver to all the eunuchs, female officials, palace maids, and servants in the inner palace. The Emperor's generosity made the atmosphere in the palace even more harmonious and festive.

Arriving at the gate of the Kunning Palace, he happened to encounter Zhu Cilang returning from his studies with his personal young eunuch Zhao Qin. Zhu Youjian stopped and watched the Crown Prince approaching from afar with a smile.

Seeing from a distance that his imperial father was standing outside the palace gate watching him, Zhu Cilang hurriedly quickened his pace, walked up to Zhu Youjian, and bowed: "Greetings, Imperial Father. Your son has just finished listening to Mr. Gong's lecture on the Comprehensive Mirror and returned. I have troubled Imperial Father to wait here—your son has been discourteous and begs Imperial Father not to take offense!"

Zhu Youjian looked at Zhu Cilang, who acted like a little adult, and smiled: "Lang'er need not stand on ceremony. I only just arrived here myself and stopped when I saw you. The day after tomorrow is the Beginning of Spring—you will accompany me to the Altar of Mountains and Rivers to pray for a bountiful harvest and personally plow the fields. I will have someone inform the Household Administration Bureau to let you take a day off from lessons tomorrow to make preparations. Now it is time to go eat—your mother the Empress must be waiting anxiously!"