Let's try to find someone suitable while still having a job. Even though the Ming Dynasty court is full of talented people, not everyone can handle the position of Minister of Justice. This position is indeed somewhat sensitive, and we must find someone who can shoulder this heavy responsibility.

Old Zhu didn't care, he just said, "If we really want to find a Minister of Justice, you'll have to find him. Whether it's Yang Jing or Bao Zhao, they were all chosen by your father and me. In the past few years, we haven't given you many opportunities to show favor."

Zhu Yunying was quite aware of what Old Zhu was saying, and there was some truth to what Old Zhu was saying.

This can be considered a tradition. Generally, before a new emperor ascends the throne, some important officials are either demoted or punished, and they wait for the new emperor to recall them to the court and entrust them with important responsibilities. This is the most common way to bestow favors.

However, things were different in the Ming Dynasty. Zhu Yuanzhang purged a large number of civil and military officials early on, and those people basically had no chance of being reinstated. They were all no longer alive, so how could they have a chance to be reinstated?

Furthermore, Zhu Yuanzhang's abdication caught many civil and military officials off guard. They never expected that the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty, the domineering and terrifying Hongwu Emperor, would leave the throne so without any regrets. This matter is still puzzled by many people today, and some even enjoy discussing it.

Zhu Yunying wasn't in a hurry and said with a smile, "We can wait a little longer. In previous years, even without a Minister, the court still functioned very well!"

Old Zhu, teased by his grandson once again, glared at Zhu Yunying in annoyance. It was perfectly normal for the position of Minister to be vacant during the Hongwu reign.

Moreover, although Bao Zhao is not Zhu Yunying's most satisfactory candidate for Minister of Justice, he can still perform the job if forced to, though he won't be particularly outstanding.

Looking at Zhu Yunying, Old Zhu stopped discussing other matters and said, "We came here today to ask about your posthumous title. Do you think it's a bit early?"

Zhu Yuanzhang genuinely looked down on civil officials. While conquering the empire, he did indeed hope to gain the help of scholars. He knew that conquering the empire was difficult, but governing it was even more so.

However, Zhu Yuanzhang's humble origins, coupled with his personality, meant that while he received full support from the Zhejiang civil service group during his rise to power, he actually faced considerable setbacks among scholars. After the establishment of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang held certain scholars in even lower regard.

The reason for asking this question now is that Zhu Yuanzhang actually understands that continuously suppressing scholars is indeed a bad thing. The elevation of the status of civil officials is only a matter of time, which would allow for a balance of power between the civil and military officials.

Zhu Yuanzhang had previously purged a large number of military officials. This wasn't just because some of them had broken the law; it was also because Zhu Yuanzhang was consolidating imperial power and busy slimming down the "unruly" military official group, which was more in line with the interests of the Ming Dynasty emperor.

“We think that’s about enough. We don’t want to give civil officials too high a position all at once,” Zhu Yunying said with a smile. “We rejected the Duke of Yansheng before, and those scholars must be feeling resentful. We just want to give them a little incentive so they can keep striving forward.”

This answer pleased Zhu Yuanzhang, as it was his usual practice. He had consistently made these civil officials receive the lowest salaries, do the most work, and bear the greatest risks.

Old Zhu laughed, saying with a hint of pride, "We should give them some incentives to keep pushing forward. If they slack off, give them a whip. If they don't want to move, give them a carrot!"

Zhu Yunying didn't object to Zhu's statement at all. Zhu's character was absolutely that of the worst kind of unscrupulous boss in later generations. Not only did he make his employees do excessive work, but he also paid them wages that didn't match the work. He was ruthless when it was time to fire employees, and he only liked to make empty promises and paint a rosy picture of the future...

Although bosses like Lao Zhu are indeed quite despised by working people, there's nothing that can be done about it. After all, this is a feudal society, and Lao Zhu is indeed a domineering emperor who holds the power of life and death.

Furthermore, after Zhu Yunying became emperor, he understood the source of his father's pleasure. Civil and military officials received meager salaries while doing far more work; those who were disobedient or ineffective were used and then discarded...

This is definitely the state that bosses like the most, and it is indeed the ultimate state of an unscrupulous boss.

“This time, it’s time to give our civil officials a posthumous title,” Zhu Yunying said seriously. “Our Ming Dynasty’s real civil officials don’t even have a decent posthumous title yet, which is really a problem.”

Old Zhu was silent for a moment, then said to Zhu Yunying, "Alright, you should also set a plan. We've pretty much purged the military officers over the years, and those who remain are basically under your control. But I have to tell you, you can't mess around with some of the things we agreed on before."

"Don't worry, Your Majesty. Hu Weiyong is a traitor. We won't exonerate him, and he has no right to do so," Zhu Yunying said to Old Zhu. "We won't exonerate Li Shanchang either. At most, we'll look after my aunt and uncle."

Zhu Yunying was quite satisfied with Zhu Yunying's statement, as he was also worried that Zhu Yunying might suddenly decide to posthumously confer titles on Li Shanchang.

Zhu Yuanzhang still felt somewhat guilty towards Li Shanchang. This right-hand man, who had been Zhu's key advisor during the conquest of the empire, was originally the most meritorious official, his son married a princess, and his relatives held official positions. This man, who had reached the pinnacle of his power, should have been granted the title of Duke during his lifetime and King after his death.

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