Some people would say that the civil service is very powerful, the nobles are very influential, and the vested interest groups will become a huge obstacle to reform.
But Zhu Youxiao had already seen the weakness of these forces that hindered reform.
Think about it, a eunuch who is favored by the emperor can break up the civil service group and form the "eunuch party" that has power over the court and the country. How can the emperor be worse than Lao Wei?
There are so many people who want to be officials. Even if all the officials from the Donglin Party, Chu Party, and Zhejiang Party are kicked out, the Ming Dynasty will still function normally. There will be countless people trying their best to squeeze forward and strive for the qualification to be united around the emperor!
Holding the seal in the left hand and the gun in the right hand is the eternal truth of employing people in feudal society.
Want official positions and power? No problem, as long as you obey the emperor. What about wanting to challenge the emperor or collude to obstruct him? That's easy to deal with, too. Dismissal from office and expulsion from the family are still minor punishments; confiscation of property and exile are standard penalties.
With the army openly and the imperial guards secretly, as well as the ever-growing "Emperor's Party", Zhu Youxiao felt that he could not defeat any interest groups. Wouldn't he be worse than Eunuch Wei, who had no subordinates?
If they want to rebel, they can do it even if they have the guts; if they want to join forces to oppose, we will deal with them as soon as there is any sign of it, and we will not give them any chance to make a big move.
Sitting in the imperial chair, Zhu Youxiao was reading the reports submitted by the East Factory. If there was nothing serious, he would report every five days; if there was a possibility of trouble, he would report every day.
The focus of surveillance was on civil officials from the Donglin, Chu, and Zhejiang factions, as well as local vassal states and nobles. Those who had failed in the reforms were particularly targeted.
The vassal states were relatively well-behaved, especially the princes, who were not only watched closely by the East Factory but also closely watched by local officials. They had been treated like pigs for so many years, well-fed and well-clothed, that few would risk their lives to stir up trouble.
The report also mentioned Prince Fu Zhu Dapang, who spent a lot of money to bring his mother back and is enjoying family happiness.
Zhu Dapang visited his mother every morning and evening, reported to the local officials, and took her on a tour of the mountains and rivers around Kaifeng. It is said that he even lost a lot of weight.
Zhu Youxiao pursed his lips and speculated maliciously that Zhu Dapang was able to lose weight not because of exercise, but because he felt sorry for the money he spent.
There were also reports on civil servants, but those guys who might have become obstacles to reform had obviously been defeated by the "Imperial Party".
They were repeatedly punished for corruption, with the lightest punishments being sent to Dongfan and Hainan for labor reform. Any slight collusion would result in accusations of forming a clique for personal gain, and they would be sent away to contribute to the development of the frontier.
Eliminating all destabilizing factors in the bud is Zhu Youxiao's most direct approach.
Under the ruthless attack, many civil servants changed their ways and tried their best to please the emperor in order to become a member of the "Emperor's Party".
While striking down officials, Zhu Youxiao was also not stingy with obedient officials. With both beatings and persuasion, the growth of the "Emperor's Party" was unstoppable.
Well, calling them "Emperor's Party" isn't entirely accurate. Since "I am the state," wouldn't the civil and military officials who rally around me be good officials of the Ming Dynasty?
The emperor was originally very happy to read the report, but when he saw the last text, his expression changed.
"You are so shameless that you force me to lose my temper." Zhu Youxiao threw the document down and sneered. He decided to shoot the first one to stick his head out, so that he could make money and intimidate the others, killing two birds with one stone.
Wang Tigan, who was standing at the bottom of the steps, was startled by the noise. Although he seemed to have his head down, he was observing the emperor's expression. When the emperor suddenly showed anger, he began to speculate what had happened.
Zhu Youxiao narrowed his eyes and thought for a while, thinking of an excuse for punishment. Speaking of the feudal emperor's punishment, it can be described as "if you want to accuse someone of a crime, you will find a pretext."
Just the accusation of "harboring resentment" can leave the minister speechless. You say you don't really think that, but how can you prove it? If the emperor says it's there, then it's there. Shut up!
What's more, Zhu Youxiao was not just talking nonsense. What you did revealed your inner thoughts. It's not "holding grudges", but "disobeying the emperor's order" is definitely it.
The emperor thought of a way to deal with the situation and turned his gaze to Wang Tigan.
Wang Tigan noticed that the emperor was staring at him, but he didn't dare to look up. He stood respectfully, waiting for the emperor's instructions.
"My Lord, please go through the background check of the palace maids again." After a long pause, Zhu Youxiao said in a deep voice, "I have offended civil officials, nobles, gentry, and students. It is inevitable that some bastards want to harm me and my relatives."
There are always villains who want to harm me. Zhu Youxiao is not a fantasy, but there are indeed several emperors in the Ming Dynasty who died in suspicious ways. Not to mention others, the little carpenter is an example.
Wang Tigan's heart trembled, and he quickly bowed and replied, "Don't worry, Your Majesty. I will investigate immediately. Anyone whose ancestors have had any contact with civil officials, nobles, gentry, or students for eighteen generations will be expelled."
"Eighteen generations is fine," Zhu Youxiao said, waving his hand. "Three generations is enough! I know Wang Ban's loyalty very well."
That's what Wang Tigan said. Eighteen generations? Are you looking through the family tree? Things change over time. Don't you think my ancestors were powerful?
Wang Tigan bowed and accepted the order, then retreated. The hall fell silent, with only the emperor left, lost in thought.
………………
If we delve deeper into the history of the "eunuch party," we find that it was probably at its peak during the Ming Dynasty. Earlier, there were Wang Zhen, Wang Zhi, and Liu Jin, but the rising star, Eunuch Wei, far surpassed his predecessors and became the most famous.
The "Eunuch Party" was not composed of eunuchs, but a political group formed by bureaucrats who relied on the power of eunuchs.
Why should you rely on a father-in-law who is looked down upon by others? Aren’t civil servants very noble?
The reason is simple: there are benefits. Whether it's promotion, wealth, or the pleasure of eliminating dissidents, it's enough to make people abandon their dignity and reserve and bow down at the feet of eunuchs.
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