Liu Yanzong stepped forward and said, “At present, the nation has 500,000 officials, but eight or nine out of ten of them do not know their duties. This has caused a waste of the nation’s salaries and has led to redundant officials whose orders do not even leave the capital. The power of officials is deeply entrenched, factional strife is rampant, and corruption is rampant. I beg Your Majesty to order the reduction of redundant officials according to the actual needs of the nation!”

Xu Churen said, "Your Majesty, I also agree with reducing the number of officials. However, if we directly and brutally dismiss them and force them to retire to their hometowns, I am afraid it will cause unrest among the people."

Xu Churen knew that no one could stop the emperor's idea of ​​reducing officials, and he dared not stop him either. However, he felt that he absolutely could not let those people go directly. Otherwise, when those people returned to their hometowns, they would inevitably have complaints about the court, which would cause unrest among the people, and he, the bigwig of the Eastern Prefecture, would have another headache.

"Oh, what insightful opinion does Minister Xu have?"

"Your Majesty, the Hanlin Academy is about to establish schools throughout the country, and it is in great need of talent. We can transfer redundant officials to these schools to serve as teachers."

Zhao Huan looked at the others and asked, "What about the others? What do they think?"

He said, "Your Majesty, I believe that Minister Xu's suggestion is feasible."

Liu Yanzong said, "Your Majesty, I believe that we should first reduce their salaries and then reassign their positions."

How should salaries be reduced?

Liu Yanzong said, "You'll have to ask Scholar Shi about that; he's in charge of all the school's affairs."

Shi Xun quickly stepped forward and said, “Your Majesty, according to the ranks of school teachers, the monthly salary is ten strings of cash for primary school teachers, twenty strings of cash for middle school teachers, and thirty strings of cash for university teachers.”

Zhao Huan asked, "What do you think of the Zhou Dynasty?"

"Your Majesty, I think it's feasible." Zhou Chao immediately cheered in his heart. As the department in charge of money, he had a mission to fulfill, and he was naturally happy to see it save money.

After pondering for a moment, Zhao Huan felt that becoming a teacher was not a bad idea. Although the court was now promoting the study of various schools of thought, it did not completely reject Confucianism. At least Confucianism existed during the Spring and Autumn Period.

Shi Xun said, "Your Majesty, the number of schools is limited, and I fear that the schools will not be able to accommodate so many teachers."

Xu Churen quickly replied, "Your Majesty, not all of the redundant officials are civil servants."

Zhao Huan frowned: "What should we do with the extra officials?"

Xu Churen was truly in a dilemma, and the others remained silent for a moment.

Liu Yanzong said, “Your Majesty, I believe that after the war, the number of officials in the Central Plains has decreased. The specific number can be calculated by the Ministry of Personnel. There are two options for the remaining redundant officials: one is to reassign them to schools, and the other is to reassign them to commercial firms, banks, the Song Dynasty Gazette, the Tokyo Express, and the Ministry of Commerce. In addition, the court is preparing for a large-scale opening of the sea, and Prince Kang also needs talents.”

Upon hearing Liu Yanzong's meaning, Zhou Chao stood up to object: "According to Liu Yusi's statement, these redundant officials are as good as not being eliminated at all."

The finance chief, who was in charge of money, naturally hoped that the court would pay fewer salaries, which would lighten his workload considerably. Therefore, he firmly supported the emperor's large-scale layoffs.

Liu Yanzong said, “No, Your Majesty does not mean that there are too many officials, but that eight or nine out of ten officials are just occupying their positions without doing their jobs. Now, under the brilliance of our Holy Emperor, our Great Song Dynasty is becoming stronger day by day. The country is undertaking many projects, all of which require talented people. As long as officials perform their duties, why should the court reduce the number of officials?”

Everyone was completely bewildered by Liu Yanzong. He was the one who said he would cut officials, but now he's saying he won't. Are you deliberately making things difficult for everyone here? You bastard Liu! You should spend more time wandering around the brothels in Tokyo. All you ever think about is that. You're really asking for trouble!

Zhao Huan asked, "In Liu Qing's opinion, how should we rectify the phenomenon that eight or nine out of ten people hold positions without performing their duties?"

"Your Majesty, since the founding of our dynasty, we have followed the system of the former Tang dynasty, with the Three Departments and Six Ministries still in place. However, the establishment of two additional prefectures, three offices, and three bureaus has led to unclear responsibilities and an overstaffed bureaucracy. I dare to suggest that Your Majesty re-establish the authority and cleanse the corrupt practices!"

Upon hearing Liu Yanzong's words, both high-ranking officials were taken aback.

Liu Yanzong is asking the emperor to reorganize the court officials, which directly affects all the ministers present!

Xu Churen quickly stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, this is absolutely not allowed! This new policy is about to be implemented. If the two ministries are affected, it will inevitably have far-reaching consequences, leading to chaos in the court and unrest in the country!"

Tang Ke also said, "Your Majesty, what Prime Minister Xu said is absolutely right. I agree!"

Zhao Huan glanced at the others, and He also expressed his agreement. Li Gang added, "Your Majesty, with the new policies imminent, it is not advisable to rush things."

The Censorate and the Hanlin Academy, on the other hand, adopted a detached and indifferent attitude, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

Zhao Huan asked, "Qin Hui, what do you think?"

Qin Hui sighed inwardly. This was a truly thorny issue. On one side were important officials from both the central government and the central government, and on the other was a powerful figure who was enjoying great influence in the emperor's court. He couldn't afford to offend either side.

Qin Hui said, “Your Majesty, I think what Liu Yusi said is absolutely right. Our dynasty follows the system of the former Tang Dynasty, with the Three Departments and Six Ministries still in place. However, the Three Departments are mostly empty positions without being given the duties.”

Zhao Huan asked, "What do you think about restoring the Three Departments and Six Ministries?"

Qin Hui said, "I believe that the Three Departments and Six Ministries system has drawbacks and should be abolished."

Zhao Huan's heart stirred. He had long wanted to adjust the central government's power structure, but the time had not yet come. Now, after several rounds of his purges, many factions in the court had suffered severe blows, and it was time to make reasonable adjustments.

What are the drawbacks of this Three Departments and Six Ministries system?

"The Secretariat is in charge of decision-making, the Chancellery is in charge of rejection and approval, and the Ministry of Personnel is in charge of the execution of government orders. If the Secretariat makes a decision, the Chancellery approves it, and it is then carried out by the Ministry of Personnel and the Six Ministries, but all six ministries disagree, there will inevitably be negligence during execution, and the best results cannot be achieved. At that time, the emperor will hold them accountable. The Secretariat will say that the Ministry of Personnel is responsible for execution, and the Ministry of Personnel will say that the Secretariat and the Chancellery are responsible for decision-making and approval. The power and responsibility of directing are unclear. This is why the power of the Secretariat and the Chancellery was merged into the Eastern Palace in this dynasty. Therefore, I believe that there is no need to restore the Three Departments and Six Ministries system. In order to clarify the power and responsibility of each central authority, Your Majesty can abolish the Three Departments and merge the Six Ministries into the Two Palaces, Three Offices, Hanlin Academy, Inspectorate, and Censorate, and order each central authority to take on its responsibilities, perform its duties, and carry out its administration!"

After Qin Hui finished speaking, both ministers nodded in agreement, and even Liu Yanzong, Shi Xun, and others agreed.

After the late Tang and Five Dynasties period, things were already developing in this direction. However, at the beginning of the Song Dynasty, the Three Departments still existed, and two additional prefectures and three offices were established. During the reign of Emperor Taizong of Song, officials were appointed in large numbers. In such an environment of excess, a bloated bureaucratic system naturally grew.

Zhao Huan then asked, "Do any of you gentlemen have any other opinions?"

The crowd fell silent, and the Emperor then said, "So be it, as Qin Hui said. Xu Churen will lead the Eastern Secretariat, overseeing the Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of Works, the Ministry of Rites, the Ministry of Commerce, and the Ministry of Revenue. Li Gang will lead the Western Secretariat, overseeing the Ministry of War and the existing twelve departments. Liu Yanzong will be in charge of the Propaganda Department, the Court of Judicial Review, and the Ministry of Justice. Shi Xun will be in charge of the Imperial Secretariat and schools nationwide. Zhou Chao will be in charge of finance and taxation, salt and iron. He Ye will be in charge of the Censorate. The decision-making power of the two offices, the three departments, the Hanlin Academy, and the Censorate will all be approved by me. Each will be responsible for their own duties and carry out their own administration."

The emperor added: "From now on, the assessment will not only be based on the results of the political achievements, but also on the number of officials, the budget allocated, and the time spent."

"Your Majesty is wise!"

Zhao Huan then said, "Regarding the matter of streamlining officials, Xu Churen will take charge, with Liu Yanzong assisting. This matter should begin in Jingji Road, Jingxi Road, Jingdong Road, Hebei Road, Hedong Road, and Yanyun. I want to see results within three months."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

After all the ministers had left, only Liu Yanzong remained. The emperor said, "I want the most detailed list of those who rebelled this time. First, we need to find out all the people hiding in the court."

"yes!"