Zhu Youxiao smiled and said, "Of course, winning without fighting is just an analogy. I know that in order to sweep the country clean, we still need to fight several tough battles with the Eastern Tartars. But we must act within our capabilities and not rush. As long as the country is well-organized, with the strength of the Ming Dynasty, the Eastern Tartars will have absolutely no chance of victory."
Sun Chengzong pondered for a moment and said, "The Ming Dynasty has a deep-seated problem. How could this humble official not know this? However, if we rush to seek a solution, we will inevitably be seen as hasty. I sincerely hope that Your Majesty will understand my words."
Zhu Youxiao lowered his eyes. He naturally knew what Sun Chengzong meant by the words "hasty and anxious to seek treatment".
This year, well, it should be last year. The "clearing the military and filling the military posts" and the punishment of illegal gentry were all carried out in a harsh manner. It can be said that among the emperors of the Ming Dynasty, there were not many who did this.
Killing scholars and burying Confucian scholars, is that the name of a tyrant emperor?! Zhu Youxiao sneered in his heart, but his face returned to a warm smile and said, "Master Sun's words, I have taken note."
Zhu Youxiao was very pleased with this approach and would still strike back mercilessly at anyone who dared to go against his will.
After chatting for a few more words, Sun Chengzong retreated amid the envious and jealous gazes of his ministers.
In the new year, with the iron-fisted deterrence, the deepening of reform should be much smoother, right?
Zhu Youxiao looked around at the ministers at the banquet and narrowed his eyes imperceptibly.
Zhu Youjian sat at the table, his attention not on the singing and dancing performances of the Jiaofangsi. His eyes kept turning to the emperor, his thoughts wandering.
Logically speaking, the emperor personally sent people to rescue him and the Prince of Tang from prison and sent them to the imperial academy in the capital to study, which should have been a sign of great importance to them.
But after arriving in the capital, the emperor did not summon him. He only sent an eunuch to convey a message, firstly, asking the prince to take good care of his health, and secondly, asking him to study hard and be appointed in the future.
Zhu Youjian felt that the emperor's attitude had not changed, but he was not very satisfied with his own knowledge. From the "Da Ming Forum", he also figured out some of the emperor's preferences and gained a deeper understanding of "applying knowledge to the world".
Well, since the subjects in the clan school were arranged by the emperor and he was designated to specialize in economics and management, he should study hard to satisfy the emperor.
Another reason why the emperor had not summoned him was that Zhu Youjian thought it was a matter of seniority. The emperor might have felt it was inappropriate to address him, but Zhu Youjian had no intention of acting as an elder.
Just when Zhu Youjian was having some wild thoughts when he saw the emperor for the first time, the eunuch came to summon him, and the emperor finally called his name.
The use of the term was ultimately inappropriate, and Zhu Youxiao did not summon many of his ministers. Sun Chengzong, Xu Guangqi, Li Qiyuan, Bi Zisu, Tao Langxian, and Han Yu, the Prime Minister who had already tendered his resignation, were all important officials at the top of the pyramid.
Zhu Youjian was the first one summoned by the royal family. Perhaps the emperor felt that after so long, it was time to speak to him in person.
Zhu Youjian hurried forward and bowed, "I respectfully wish you a prosperous New Year."
Hearing Zhu Youjian call himself a humble official, Zhu Youxiao secretly breathed a sigh of relief, nodded with a smile, and said smoothly: "Mr. Zhu, please excuse yourself. Please take a seat."
Not talking about royal relatives, it is more appropriate to address each other as monarch and minister, and it also avoids embarrassment for both parties.
After Zhu Youjian sat down, he was respectful and waited quietly for the emperor to speak.
"I know that although you are trapped in the Royal Palace's Imperial Service Office, you have not neglected your studies." Zhu Youxiao pondered for a moment and then said, "But if you want to apply your knowledge to the world, those Confucian classics are far from enough. Unless you are a person who lives on food and clothing and has no intention of supporting yourself."
Zhu Youjian bowed and said, "Your Majesty, what you said is very true. As a descendant of the Zhu family, I do not want to sit back and eat the people's blood and sweat. I want to make a difference and serve the country."
"There are so few among the imperial clansmen who are so ambitious," Zhu Youxiao lamented. "The proliferation of imperial clan branches and the rapid expansion of the imperial clan have placed an immense financial burden on the court. Even though the imperial academy has opened, how many of its children are willing to come to the capital to study? Especially those from distant clansmen, who already have difficulty supporting their families, yet they continue to live off the land, refusing to seek their own path."
Zhu Youjian agreed with this and said, "Taizu once issued an edict: All descendants of county princes who have civil or military talents and are suitable for appointment should report their names to the Grand Zongzhengyuan. The court will test them and appoint them to official positions. Their promotions will be based on the usual selection process. I think this is a very good idea."
Zhu Youxiao gave a wry smile and said, "Establishing the imperial examination system and establishing a clan examination system, exchanging official positions for titles, and allowing the descendants of the royal family to enter the government and earn their own living, is certainly a good policy. But in your opinion, how many descendants of the royal family can pass the imperial examination?"
Zhu Youjian also showed a helpless expression. If the pampered sons of the royal family were allowed to take the imperial examinations, there would indeed be few who could compete with the candidates who had studied hard.
The idea of changing the title of imperial clan member was not Zhu Youxiao's creation. It had been proposed before, but was opposed by the civil servants. However, if the imperial examination system was adopted as a legitimate path, how many of the royal clan's children would be able to pass?
Zhu Youxiao has been thinking hard about how to deal with these parasites, but until now, there is no effective solution.
Think about it from another perspective, if people can get something for nothing and just live a life of idleness and wait for death, how many people would be willing to work hard and put in the effort?
"If they are truly willing to exchange their titles for official positions, I can also make it easier for them." Zhu Youxiao said: "Instead of taking the imperial examination, let the clan affairs office recommend talented people, and the court will test them before granting them official positions."
Zhu Youjian said happily: "Your Majesty is wise and intelligent. This method is very good."
Zhu Youxiao knew that it would not be easy for this method to be passed in the court.
The imperial examination system and the Ministry of Personnel selection system were centuries-old systems for selecting and appointing officials. If the Imperial Clan Court gained the power to recommend talented individuals from the imperial clan for official positions, one can imagine the significant impact this would have on the existing bureaucratic system.
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