The main hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Gong Zhengming, who was about to continue speaking, froze on the spot.
At the forefront of the civil official procession, Du Yuheng, who had been feigning sleep with his eyes closed, opened them.
A hint of surprise and incomprehension flashed in his eyes.
He wondered if he had misheard something.
Weren't they discussing the imperial examinations? How did things suddenly turn around and involve them?
Xiao Yu, sitting on the dragon throne, froze.
That's not right! That's not how it was written in the script!
That's quite a leap!
Just as everyone in the court was stunned, Mu Zian spoke loudly.
"Since all the officials in the court feel that the imperial examination system is unchangeable."
“If this factional strife continues, it will inevitably escalate, and the prime minister, who is second only to the emperor, will wield immense power.”
"If one is implicated by factions, one's policies will inevitably be biased!"
"Therefore, I request Your Majesty to abolish the position of Prime Minister and establish a Grand Secretariat."
"The so-called cabinet is composed of capable individuals selected from the six ministries, the Censorate, the Left Censor-in-Chief, and other government departments. They are personally appointed by His Majesty and directly under His Majesty's jurisdiction."
"All officials serving in the cabinet are called Grand Secretaries of the Hall of Fame. Cabinet officials have positions but no power, and their highest official rank is no more than the fifth grade!"
"Cabinet officials may participate in discussions on matters of state, which are ultimately decided by His Majesty and then implemented by the Six Ministries."
"In this way, the duties of the prime minister can be fulfilled, and the power holders cannot make decisions on their own, thus reducing the possibility of unclear policies caused by factional alliances from the root."
Upon hearing this, everyone present was immediately stunned.
The reason for such shock was that all the officials present realized that Mu Zi'an's words were not arrogant.
Instead, it is a policy that can be implemented in practice.
Which official doesn't aspire to the highest position and the title of prime minister?
But there's only one chancellor position in the entire Great Li! Why should it be your turn?
Therefore, in the struggle for the position of prime minister, 90% of officials are just there to make up the numbers.
However! What if a cabinet system is established!
That would be equivalent to having several more prime ministers at once, although they would have less power compared to the prime ministers.
But there are plenty of opportunities! As long as everyone works hard and strives for success, everyone has a chance to join the cabinet and experience being a prime minister.
This alone is enough to drive those officials who have ideals but are limited by seniority and rank crazy!
Not only that, the eyes of the six ministers in the imperial court suddenly lit up!
In the prime minister system, the Six Ministries were subordinate agencies of the prime minister!
However, if a cabinet is established, it will only have decision-making power, while the power of execution will fall into the hands of the six ministries.
Since the two are essentially on equal footing, the status of the six ministers can be elevated dramatically!
The situation is no longer one-sided, where the East Wind prevails over the West Wind!
Xiao Yu, seated on the dragon throne, was also deep in thought.
Since ancient times, imperial power and the power of the prime minister have been mutually checked and balanced.
The power of the prime minister can even interfere with the power of the emperor.
Throughout history, the position of prime minister has been a favorite of "thieves who steal the country".
Even the deposition and installation of emperors was a common occurrence.
Therefore, since ancient times, the imperial power and the power of the prime minister have been vying for power.
Both sides had their victories and defeats.
Although many famous and virtuous prime ministers have emerged throughout history.
However, one thing is certain: no matter how the prime minister system is adjusted...
The conflict between the power of the prime minister and the power of the emperor could never be reconciled.
However, if the cabinet system proposed by Mu Zian is adopted!
That would allow the prime minister's power to be taken back directly.
This was an unprecedented strengthening of imperial power!
An eerie silence fell over the imperial court.
The civil servants kept exchanging glances with their colleagues, as if they were discussing the feasibility of abolishing the prime minister and establishing a cabinet.
Only the current prime minister, Du Yuheng, had a livid face!
Du Yuheng thought about it over and over again, but he didn't seem to have offended Mu Zi'an.
When the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion reopened, I personally went to support him.
Why did this guy stab his lungs the very first time he attended court?
At this moment, Mu Zi'an stood tall and proud in the center of the hall.
It seems they had anticipated the current situation.
As Lu Xun said, the Chinese people always like to emphasize the word compromise.
For example, if you think the room is too dark and want to open a skylight, everyone will definitely not allow it.
However, if you advocate removing the roof, then someone will step in to mediate and be willing to open a skylight.
This is the famous demolition theory.
The current reform of the imperial examination system and the abolition of the prime ministership are precisely the situation in this regard.
Reforming the imperial examination system is like opening a window in the dark room of Dali.
These official families, accustomed to the darkness, would certainly not agree.
However, if he were to propose abolishing the prime minister and establishing a cabinet, it would be tantamount to tearing off the roof of this dark house.
Compared to the other two, the reform of the imperial examination system was a minor matter.
Moreover, since ancient times, imperial power and the power of the prime minister have been the primary points of contention between civil officials and the emperor.
Only by receiving sufficient power from the emperor could these civil officials secure their stable positions.
The cabinet system proposed by Mu Zian just happens to help the emperor strengthen central power and weaken the power of civil officials.
Although these civil servants knew the benefits of the cabinet system, they would never agree to it easily.
Without a prime minister and civil officials, it's like losing a sword that can restrain the emperor!
The reason why Emperor Hongwu (Zhu Yuanzhang) was able to abolish the position of prime minister was because...
That was also because Hu Weiyong had set a bad example by killing more than 30,000 people.
They killed so many civil officials that they were terrified, which is why the position of prime minister was abolished.
The current Prime Minister of Dali, Du Yuheng, has not only committed no crime, but on the contrary, he is renowned throughout the land for his virtuous reputation.
Therefore, Mu Zian's suggestion to abolish the prime minister and establish a cabinet is unlikely to succeed in the short term.
The reason for bringing this up again is to shift the conflict arising from the reform of the imperial examination system to the power of the prime minister and the emperor.
Du Yuheng took a deep breath and then stepped forward.
"Your Majesty, I was too hasty in doing things because of what the Duke of Zhenguo said."
"The prime minister is there to assist the monarch in governing the country; how can he be easily deposed or appointed?"
"However, I think that the reform of the imperial examination system proposed by the Duke of Zhenguo has some merit. The system of public recommendation has indeed been distorted."
"Nine out of ten of the successful candidates in our dynasty are from prominent families. If this continues, there will indeed be the problem of factionalism."
"The poor have no chance of advancement, while powerful families run rampant in the court! They can't even distinguish the five grains, how can they understand the hardships of the common people? How can they educate the masses!"
Du Yuheng looked up solemnly at Xiao Yu on the dragon throne and said loudly.
"Therefore, I believe that what the Duke of Zhenguo said is extremely reasonable!"
"Reform of the imperial examination system is urgently needed!"
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