By the second year of the Jingkang era, the framework of the new centralized system had basically taken shape.
The number of institutions directly under the emperor has increased from the original two prefectures, three departments, and three offices to the current three prefectures, three courts, and three departments, further perfecting the system of power.
The Eastern Office held administrative power, the Western Office held military and political power, the Central Office held military command power, the Censorate held the power to investigate civil officials, the Supervisory Office held the power to investigate the military, the Hanlin Academy held the power to educate and culture, and the Three Departments held the power to finance.
These people were all ministers in the emperor's court, and key figures in the center of imperial power.
The emperor approved Li Gang and Zhong Shidao's proposal for military reform, and the matter was then carried out by the Privy Councilor and the Marshal of the Military Governor's Office.
It is worth noting that the emperor appointed Zong Ze as the commander-in-chief of the central capital region.
The governor of the central capital region was like the prefect of Kaifeng among civil officials.
No wonder some people later referred to the Commander-in-Chief of the Gyeonggi War Zone as a quasi-Marshal.
This matter was not announced immediately, pending further details.
The political and social changes were enormous, and the most troublesome person was none other than Xu Churen, the head of the State Council.
Xu Churen had just said he was going back to his concubine to rekindle their romance, and even drank some kidney-tonifying wine beforehand, but he never expected that the emperor would suddenly go crazy and demand that he produce paper money within ten days, or else he would lose his head!
When Xu Churen heard this news, his desire to go home to the beautiful woman in the building vanished instantly.
Ten days?
Ten days!
Xu Churen's first reaction wasn't to say it was impossible, because he knew the emperor too well; would he dare to say it was impossible and try?
"Let's go! Quickly, let's go to the Academy of Sciences to find Han Gong!"
Shao Chengzhang shared the same idea, and the two, who rarely reached a consensus, hurriedly headed towards the Academy of Sciences.
Only the Academy of Sciences could save them now. Upon arriving at the entrance of the Academy of Sciences, Xu Churen and Shao Chengzhang dismounted and hurried inside.
They were told that Han Gonglian had been summoned to the Imperial Arsenal by the emperor, so the two had no choice but to wait inside.
Han Gonglian didn't return until it was dark.
"This humble official greets Minister Xu. I apologize for keeping you waiting."
Now that he needed someone's help, Xu Churen dared not be presumptuous and quickly said politely, "Brother Han, you are too kind. I have come here to discuss important matters with you."
"Please speak freely, Master Xu."
"Within ten days, the Emperor ordered us to produce the first version of the paper money and officially begin its distribution."
Upon hearing this, Han Gonglian was slightly startled: "This...this is unlikely..."
Impossible? Go talk to the Emperor about this!
Xu Churen, trying to remain calm, said in a gentle tone, "Brother Han, do you think you can come up with a solution? This matter concerns the lifeline of the Song Dynasty's commerce. The Emperor summoned us today and is already furious."
Han Gonglian had some doubts. Was the emperor angry because of the money?
Why didn't the Emperor mention this matter when I went to the Ordnance Bureau?
Could it be that you, Xu Churen, are deliberately trying to cause me trouble?
"Master Xu, it's not that I'm making excuses, but this matter absolutely cannot be completed within ten days; it will take at least a month."
"Is it impossible to finish it in ten days?"
“It’s difficult! Master Xu, the matter of Jiaozi is too complicated. If there is the slightest mistake, the consequences will be unimaginable.”
"I am aware of the risks involved, but once the emperor issues an order, it must be done, even if it is not allowed!"
Han Gonglian shook his head again: "Minister Xu, I have not received the Emperor's decree, so I cannot agree to this matter!"
Xu Churen's face turned ashen. After all, he was the Grand Chancellor, a rank far higher than Han Gonglian's, yet he had been rejected several times in person, and even then, it was because of matters of national importance.
Immediately, Xu Churen's scholarly arrogance emerged, but he didn't say much. He simply stood up, gave a cold snort, and said, "Farewell!"
Shao Chengzhang followed them out. After they were outside, Shao Chengzhang asked, "Master Xu, what do we do now?"
Xu Churen said coldly, "I am the Grand Chancellor. If Han Gonglian shows no mercy, then don't blame me for being ruthless!"
If you push me too far, I'll go all out and we'll all be finished!
Judging from Xu Churen's appearance, it seems he's going to impeach Han Gonglian.
It's rare for the Grand Chancellor to personally impeach other ministers, but now that the Emperor has put him on the spot, he has no choice but to do so, otherwise he'll lose his head in ten days.
The next morning, at the early court session, the officials paid their respects to the emperor.
The emperor said, "If you have something to say, please speak; otherwise, the court may adjourn."
Xu Churen was the first to step forward, which surprised everyone slightly.
Huh? When did Xu Dazai become so enthusiastic?
Doesn't he always put up with things and stand aside to watch how others perform?
"Your Majesty! Your subject has a petition to submit!"
Zhao Huan understood immediately, but his expression remained unchanged: "Minister Xu, what is it you need?"
"Han Gonglian of the Academy of Sciences deliberately delayed the production of paper money, intending to delay the imperial decrees and endanger the nation. Your Majesty, I request that Han Gonglian be dismissed from his post and exiled to the frontier!"
Upon hearing Xu Churen's words, Han Gonglian, who was standing at the back, was greatly alarmed. He quickly stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I am innocent."
The other ministers were also puzzled. Such a direct and tough approach was not like Grand Chancellor Xu's style of doing things. Had he taken the wrong medicine last night?
Normally, bigwigs like Han Gonglian from the Academy of Sciences only needed to attend court as usual and would hardly participate in the debates among the ministers.
But today, as soon as the court session began, the Grand Chancellor called out his name, directly dragging them into the vortex.
Zhao Huan pretended not to know, even showing surprise on his face: "Oh, Minister Han, tell me, what's going on here?"
Before Han Gonglian could speak, Xu Churen took over the conversation, saying, "Your Majesty, the research and development of the new version of Jiaozi has been going on for more than three months. It was originally scheduled to be released in the first month of this year, but the Academy of Sciences said it would take another month. They said the same thing to me last month. Who knows if they won't say the same thing to me next month?"
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