Zhao Jun continued, "The original Three Departments of the Ministry of Revenue had two Caos, the Left and Right, but now they have become two Si, with fourteen cases and thirty-four bureaus under them. This corresponds roughly to the high-ranking officials of later generations, such as the city and department level, county and division level, and town and section level."

The administrative divisions of the Song Dynasty were roads - prefectures - counties - townships, which were similar to the later provinces - cities - counties - townships, so the powers and responsibilities were also similar.

"Since the deputy deputy governor is of the second rank, then the ministerial-level officials should be of the third rank. Coincidentally, the transport envoys at the various levels at this time are also of the third rank, according to the salary officials. This forms a perfect transition, and there is no need to re-establish the ranks of officials at all levels."

Zhao Jun continued, "As for the possible absence of second-rank officials, that's also simple. It involves raising the rank of the ministry. For example, important ministries like the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of War (Defense), the Ministry of Works, the Ministry of Rites, the Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of Personnel, and the Ministry of Education, to increase their power, increase the rank of their chief officials by half a rank compared to ordinary departments, and also give them priority entry into the Constitutional Council."

"Then why not simply give these department heads the title of Deputy Director of the Constitutional Court? Those with this title will be of the Second Rank."

Zhao Zhen said.

"Um."

Zhao Jun nodded. "In the future, the Censorate will be established at the prefecture level. Censorate offices will be established, prefectures will have Censorate Halls, and counties will have Censorate Bureaus. These will be similar to the later-century legal supervisory committees. Moreover, the censors will not be under the jurisdiction of local authorities, but will report directly to the higher-level censors. They will have an aloof status and will supervise all local officials. A local censorate bureau will have the power to directly arrest a county magistrate as long as the higher-ups issue an order."

“Isn’t this too much authority?”

Everyone was stunned, and Lu Yijian even said, "Won't the power of the local county magistrates and prefects be completely restricted?"

"Isn't that what you wanted?"

Zhao Jun shrugged and said, "The Song Dynasty originally established Tongpan (General Magistrate) and Judicial Canjun (Military Officer) positions in various prefectures to curb the power of prefectural governors. This resulted in officials' unclear responsibilities and powers, leading to power struggles and hindering governance. Now that the responsibilities are clearly divided, it can also curb the power of local officials. Isn't this a good thing?"

“Second!”

"I second this motion!"

"That's how it should be."

After everyone looked at each other, they all agreed.

The Song Dynasty has always spared no effort to restrain the power of local officials.

Although they also came from local officials, they have already sat in this position. What do local officials have to do with them?

So, we should just do our job. Since we are already the highest-level officials in the central government, why should we bother about local power?

"Okay then."

Zhao Jun concluded his speech with, "Then we will formally establish the one-academy, multiple-department system. The ranks of officials at all levels will also be determined. You can review any areas that need revision. If there are no objections, we will officially begin the Jingyou reform at the end of November!"

Everyone gathered around the computer and began to look at the grade plan set by Zhao Jun.

The Song Dynasty had a system of twenty-nine ranks. Zhao Jun referred to the reforms made by Emperor Shenzong of Song in Yuanfeng and restored the system of nine ranks and eighteen levels.

The ranks from the central government to the local governments are roughly similar to those in normal historical dynasties. For example, the first and second ranks are at the prime minister level, the third and fourth ranks are at the ministry level, the fifth to seventh ranks are at the prefecture level, and the seventh rank and below are at the county level.

Everyone studied it for a long time, and except for some minor details, it is basically working.

"There's nothing wrong with this old man."

"Me too."

"Then if everyone has no objections, we can get ready."

Zhao Jun spoke last.

This bureaucratic restructuring will strictly subdivide the powers of various departments and clarify the job responsibilities of each official. It will be a major reform.

It's definitely the latest case of Mycoplasma pneumonia. These past few years have been really eventful, and many friends have advised me to stop updating for two days and take a break. But income is important, and if I stop, I stop working. I still have to force myself to write. I went to the hospital this morning and came back to continue writing in the afternoon. The symptoms are still coughing and runny nose, and my mental state is not very good. I feel like I'm talking nonsense and I'm not thinking straight. But I was prescribed some medicine, and I feel better after taking it. It may be a psychological effect. I hope I can get better soon, and I also hope that everyone will take care of their health and not get too tired.

(End of this chapter)