The pacification of Liao was just the beginning, the beginning of the revitalization of the Ming Dynasty, but not many people knew about it.
The Jiannu were retreating, Liaoyang was recovering, and the Ming army was advancing towards Shenyang, and the recovery of Shenyang was just around the corner.
From the Wanli to the Taichang, and then to the Tianqi, it took three dynasties before you defeated the Jianlu under your wise leadership. Isn't that enough for a young emperor like you to be proud of? Are you still not satisfied?
Obviously, most people underestimated the young emperor's ambition and the changes he would bring to the course of Ming Dynasty history.
The capital city was immersed in the atmosphere before the Spring Festival, and the smooth progress of the war in Liaodong added a bit of festive joy.
This was even more obvious to Prince Xin Zhu Youjian and Prince Tang's grandson Zhu Youjian, who had just returned to Beijing.
Zhu Youjian rode a four-wheeled carriage slowly through the streets of the capital, gazing at the long-lost scene. He said to Zhu Youjian beside him, "Long live the wise and mighty Emperor. The great cause of pacifying the Liao Dynasty has been accomplished, and the Ming Dynasty can enjoy peace again."
Zhu Youjian smiled and nodded, saying, "Your Majesty, you have promoted the good and eliminated the evil, revitalized the Ming Dynasty, pacified the Liao Dynasty and eliminated the slaves. This can be called a revival."
Restoration? Zhu Youjian didn't quite agree with this. While on duty abroad, he had indeed witnessed the unbearable behavior of many corrupt officials, evil gentry, and profiteers. But he didn't think that the Ming Dynasty had already fallen.
Although the Jianlu were temporarily powerful, Liaodong was only a small corner. Compared with the vast territory of the Ming Dynasty, their arrogance was only temporary and would eventually lead to their destruction.
Zhu Youjian felt that although his brother had accomplished the great task of pacifying Liao, he had offended too many people and was suspected of being too eager for quick success and instant benefits.
"Your Majesty has just issued an edict exempting hereditary servants and slaves from the lowly status." Zhu Youjian ostensibly approved of Zhu Youjian's "revitalization," but immediately changed the subject, saying, "All military households will also be changed to good households, and the four classes will be changed to five: scholars, farmers, merchants, and soldiers."
After a pause, Zhu Youjian turned to Zhu Youjian and asked, "Without military households, the cost of raising troops will probably increase the burden on the court."
Zhu Youjian pondered for a moment and said, "Military households are suffering greatly. Your Majesty's exemption from their registration is a sign of benevolence and good governance."
The Ming Dynasty's garrison system drew on the historical experience of military farming in China, integrating soldiers with farming and garrisoning. Zhu Yuanzhang once proudly declared, "I maintain a million soldiers without spending a single grain of rice from the people."
The Tianqi Emperor's initial small-scale pilot program and the current comprehensive reforms were equivalent to overthrowing and abolishing the military system of the garrisons.
Although the occupation of military farmland and the private use of soldiers to cultivate the land have become common since the reign of Emperor Xuanzong of the Ming Dynasty, the goal of "maintaining the army without wasting national financial resources" has gradually become difficult to achieve.
However, Zhu Youjian believed that it would be enough to eliminate illegal occupation with strict laws and punishments, and there was no need to overturn them all and increase the financial burden of the court.
Zhu Youjian's words were euphemistic, but he approved of the emperor's approach. The system's flaws were obvious; rather than patching it up, it would be better to start over and completely eliminate the bad policies.
As for the court's finances, the completion of the Liaodong campaign naturally saved a lot of money, which was probably the source of the emperor's confidence in implementing the new policy.
Zhu Youjian smiled, then suddenly pointed out the window and said, "Look, that's the shop opened by Your Majesty!"
Zhu Youjian turned around and saw the "Palace Jade Liquid" that the carriage had just passed by.
"I didn't expect Your Highness to have such a hobby." Zhu Youjian said with a smile, "It seems that the business is quite prosperous."
"Your Majesty also has a lot of business, such as the Shaoying Academy and the Academy of Sciences. Initially, all the expenses were funded by Your Majesty," Zhu Youjian said. "Later, the Chamber of Commerce and philanthropists also contributed."
"The Academy of Sciences is quite good. They've produced quite a few practical gadgets." Zhu Youjian flicked the window and said with a smile, "This four-wheeled carriage is quite comfortable. It really relieves a lot of fatigue from the long journey."
Zhu Youjian laughed and said, "There's also the hot air balloon that can fly into the sky in the newspaper. I really want to see it when I have time."
"I'm also very curious and can't wait to try it out." Zhu Youjian said playfully, "Be sure to call me when the time comes!"
Zhu Youjian smiled and nodded, agreeing immediately.
As they were talking, the carriage had already arrived at the gate of the imperial palace. After the message was passed, there was a reply soon that the emperor was in the Palace of Heavenly Purity and invited them to come for an audience.
Zhu Youjian was quite proud of his brotherly love. After all, he could enter the palace with just a report. Ordinary officials would have to report to the Ministry of Rites and wait for the summons.
After being on business trips for over a year, they returned to Beijing to report to the emperor. They were really excited and their steps became lighter.
When they arrived outside the palace, the two were led by palace servants to a side hall to rest for a while. The emperor was summoning important officials such as Sun Chengzong.
"I have approved the resignation petition of Li Qiyuan, the Minister of Revenue." Inside the main hall, the emperor was making important personnel arrangements and soliciting opinions from important officials.
Li Qiyuan is old and ill. In recent years, he has been trying his best to manage the finances and raise funds.
Seeing that the pacification of Liao was almost complete, Li Qiyuan resigned due to illness. This was the second time he had submitted a memorial.
The emperor was ready to give the old minister the honor he deserved, but he was still considering his successor. There was a ready-made candidate, Bi Ziyan, who was qualified for the position.
However, the emperor did not simply appoint a new Minister of Revenue. Instead, he wanted to take this opportunity to reform the Ministry of Revenue, divide its institutions into smaller parts, and subdivide its powers.
The Ministry of Revenue in ancient times was in charge of the country's land, taxes, household registration, currency, etc., and its work was extensive and complicated.
According to Zhu Youxiao's idea, the household registration department should at least be divided into the Ministry of Civil Affairs, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the State Taxation Bureau.
In other words, the emperor was making another big move, wanting to reform the six-department and nine-minister system that had been in place for a thousand years.
"Your Majesty, while subdividing institutions can certainly clarify responsibilities and powers, the increase in officials, the division of power, and the establishment of additional government offices will likely cause chaos and will not be achieved smoothly in a short period of time."
Sun Chengzong put forward his own suggestions out of caution.
What's the fuss? The Ministry of Revenue has a lot of things to deal with, but there are several Qingli Si under it, each of which is responsible for its own affairs. That's pretty good!
The emperor did not see it that way. Although the Qinglisi under the Ministry of Revenue could be regarded as an institution such as the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Finance, it was not independent and vertical, and its work efficiency was relatively low!
The Emperor also planned to reform the Ministry of War, dividing it into at least the Ministry of National Defense, the General Staff, and the General Logistics Department; the Ministry of Rites into the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Education; and the Ministry of Industry into the Ministry of Transportation and the Ministry of Water Resources...
"Master Sun's concerns are understandable." The emperor remained calm and continued, "But temporary chaos is for the sake of greater smoothness in the future. Establishing more departments does not mean an increase in officials. Unclear responsibilities, overlapping responsibilities, and low efficiency are the main reasons for my reform."
After a pause, the emperor continued, "For example, the Ministry of Agriculture is of paramount importance both before and during a major disaster. Only when people have enough to eat can they live in peace and the country be at peace. Being under the Ministry of Revenue, it lacks power and a low position, so its work is inevitably hampered."
"Long live the wise one." Minister of Justice Xue Zhen bowed in agreement and flattered him, "Food is the people's first necessity, and farming is the foundation of the nation. You should raise your rank."
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