When Zhu Yuanzhang heard this, he actually felt a little moved.

But he still asked, "Grandson, have you ever thought that if there are too many officials, they may not be able to really handle the people's affairs well?"

"For example, a very simple matter that was originally handled by one person, but now suddenly several people are responsible for the same thing, if one of them is unwilling, then the matter will inevitably be delayed."

"Besides, if there are more people, there will be more people who are afraid of taking responsibility, and many people will shift the blame to others."

"For the people, the rules will become more complicated. Things that can be solved by one government office will now require going to several government offices, and they may not be solved in the end."

Zhu Yuanzhang put forward his own ideas.

Zhu Ying found that the old man was indeed very perceptive and hit the nail on the head in one go.

This kind of lazy political behavior is the most common and widespread behavior in later generations.

Zhu Ying replied: "What Grandpa said are problems that are very likely to occur, but we can't not do it just because there are problems."

"There is no perfect system. The current system also has many flaws. The system designed by my grandson, in general, has more advantages than disadvantages."

"To make the government affairs that officials are currently responsible for more detailed and standardized is, to a large extent, equivalent to diluting the power of officials."

Zhu Yuanzhang asked, "Then tell me how to make it more detailed."

Zhu Yuanzhang became interested. It’s not that he agreed with his eldest grandson’s idea very much, but the idea of ​​diluting the power of officials hit the mark of Zhu Yuanzhang.

Zhu Yuanzhang had a serious lack of favor towards officials, or most of the officials, whether in the court or in local areas.

He always felt that most officials were like termites, constantly gnawing at the Ming Dynasty.

This was also the reason why Zhu Yuanzhang had killed corrupt officials without mercy.

Zhu Ying thought about it for a while and replied, "Take the Ministry of Rites as an example. Currently, the Ministry of Rites is responsible for many affairs, but the personnel vary greatly."

"For example, the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Guests and Officials is in charge of the foreign affairs of our Ming Dynasty. However, there are more than a dozen permanent envoys in the Dali Temple alone. Now that our Ming Dynasty's maritime transport is flourishing and many countries are visiting the Ming Dynasty, the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Guests and Officials only has six people in charge of foreign affairs."

"If we need to send envoys, the court will need to arrange for additional personnel. We will have to learn all the language, communication, customs and other issues from scratch."

"My grandson thinks that since all nations are involved now, it will be extremely important in future diplomatic affairs. Therefore, diplomatic affairs can be listed separately, and each country can have dedicated personnel to contact them, so as to keep abreast of the news of vassal states and the exchanges between other countries, so as to exchange what they have and what they need."

"Nowadays, education is the most important thing for our Ming Dynasty. The future development of our Ming Dynasty is based on talents. If our Ming Dynasty has enough talents, then all walks of life will surely flourish."

"Just like the taxation, household registration, salaries, land, etc. of the Ministry of Revenue, all of which are managed by one Ministry, it is particularly difficult to investigate any corruption among them."

"These responsibilities can be completely split up into separate departments with a general manager."

"After this refinement, the power of the six ministries will be greatly diluted. Each ministry will do its own thing without any shirking of responsibility. Then there will be no more worries about the prime minister. The imperial power of the Ming Dynasty will be more centralized, and future generations will not have to worry about the emergence of powerful ministers."

Zhu Yuanzhang himself was very good at systems. After listening to his eldest grandson's words, he immediately felt that it was very feasible.

This is equivalent to a reform of the law, and it is the Dafa.

"The implementation of this matter will affect the whole government and the people. We should not make drastic measures but should proceed slowly."

"The selection of personnel is also a problem. We can't just build the framework and then leave all the positions vacant."

"We think we can do it step by step. First, choose the right person. When you find one, divide the responsibilities. Then, establish a general manager for the government. Do your best to avoid wasting time and money and shaking the foundation."

Since ancient times, political reforms have always been accompanied by bloodshed, but Zhu Yuanzhang did not feel much resistance to his political reforms.

In the current Ming Dynasty, there is no minister who can hinder the grandfather and grandson.

If there are those who don't obey, just drag them out and chop them into pieces.

As the grandfather and grandson talked, the matter was decided directly.

This is the advantage of imperial power. You don’t need to care too much about other people’s opinions and just do what you say.

Zhu Ying felt relieved after receiving the old man's approval.

In fact, Zhu Ying was a little unsure whether it was reliable to move the system of later generations to the present Ming Dynasty, but he always felt that it was better than the current Ming Dynasty official system.

Today's officials are responsible for too many complicated government affairs. Firstly, they have too much power, and secondly, they are overwhelmed with affairs. If they are not very talented, they will not be able to handle many things well.

Facts have proved that as long as you are not completely illiterate, you don't need a lot of knowledge to be a good official.

As long as you are truly serving the people, things will generally not go too far.

…

Hanlin Academy.

This place used to be the most desirable place for scholars all over the world, but now with the prosperity of the Ming Dynasty, the Hanlin Academy, which should have become more prosperous, seems a bit desolate.

"Ever since the Crown Prince intervened in the court, our Hanlin Academy has become less valued. Now there are not many scholars who can enter the official career through it."

"Who says it's not true? The Ministry of Personnel has been affected by the reforms of the Crown Prince and no longer invites officials from the Imperial Academy. Now if you want to enter the government, you need to focus on grassroots training. We are already old, and with our bodies, how can we still go to the countryside to work hard?"

"What can I do? You should just be content. At least you are employed in the Imperial Academy. The court gives you a good salary. Your life is much more comfortable than before."

"Alas, we have studied hard for decades, not just for a few mouthfuls of food. Our ambitions are hard to realize, and every day we just edit books and write history. It's really... Alas."

"The Crown Prince's reforms have made the Hanlin Academy, a place for nurturing talents and storing hope, like chicken ribs. It's tasteless to eat and a pity to throw it away!"

In the lobby of the Hanlin Academy, more than a dozen Hanlin scholars gathered together to talk, and they all lamented their current loss.

Originally, the Hanlin Academy had a very high status, and even the ministers of various ministries had to be polite when meeting it.

This is because Hanlin scholars are not only committed to the inheritance of cultural and academic undertakings, but also actively participate in politics and discuss state affairs.

In addition to compiling books and writing history, he also drafted imperial edicts, served as a reader to members of the royal family, served as an examiner for the imperial examinations, and many other tasks. He had a noble status and it was extremely easy for him to become an important official in the court.

But now, the first thing to do is to go to the Ministry of Personnel.

Apart from being appointed by the emperor, current officials have to start from the grassroots level in accordance with the new rules.

Even if you are the top scorer in this year's exam, you still have to go to the local area for training first. And you can't be a chief official, you have to start as a county magistrate.

Only after having political achievements and meeting the red line of two years can one be evaluated by the Ministry of Personnel and promoted again.

The path of directly transitioning from the Hanlin Academy to becoming an important official in the court has now been blocked.

This also led to the continuous decline of the status of the Hanlin Academy.

The most important thing is to offer suggestions.

In the past, scholars in the Hanlin Academy could discuss matters at court meetings and offer their own political advice. As long as they got the emperor's approval, it would be easy for them to become officials.

Now the court meetings are held every three days, and the Crown Prince has delegated power, leaving many matters to be resolved by each department on their own. Only matters that cannot be resolved are brought to the court for discussion.

There are not so many things that cannot be solved. Whoever cannot solve a problem now will have to take responsibility and it will affect his political performance and promotion.

Once it is raised at a court meeting, the first thing he will face is a reprimand from His Majesty.

Apart from anything else, you will be labeled as incompetent.

As for impeachment, it is not something that can be done just by saying it now.

Talking nonsense will result in the crime of defamation.

The rules for impeachment require sufficient evidence, which must then be submitted to the Censorate for review before it can finally be brought to the attention of Your Majesty.

"If you cannot enter the government, does that mean that learning is of no use to you?"

A slightly low voice came into the hall from outside.

Everyone looked slightly angry, but then suddenly changed their expressions.

The familiar voice let them know who was coming.

As the footsteps slowly sounded, an old man walked over.

"Mr. Liu."

"teacher."

"Mr. Sango."

When everyone saw Liu Sanwu, they bowed and saluted.

Liu Sanwu snorted coldly and walked directly towards the middle seat.

It was always empty. Although the lobby was a bit crowded, no one sat there.

After sitting down, Liu Sanwu scolded: "Qianli became an official only for money, look at what you have become now."

"The Hanlin Academy is a place for learning. If the court has not arranged anything for you for the time being, you should study hard and wait for the opportunity to serve the country and the people better."

After hearing this scolding, everyone bowed their heads in shame.

Seeing everyone coming to their senses, Liu Sanwu nodded in satisfaction, took a sip from his teacup, and then said slowly, "Yesterday, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince summoned me to Kunning Palace to discuss the issue of education in the Ming Dynasty."

"In the 31st year of Hongwu's reign, the restrictions on the title of scholar were lifted and the examination papers were written according to the standard answers. According to statistics, more than 300,000 people passed the examination and scored A-level, and were awarded the title of scholar."

Hearing this, everyone remained silent.

They were in charge of the imperial examinations, so they naturally knew that there were 300,000 scholars, but they did not take it seriously.

Because this scholar was so untalented, the questions on the examination papers seemed really simple to the scholars of the Hanlin Academy.

The number of contents from the Four Books and Five Classics in the examination papers was greatly reduced; even the most important policy essays were greatly cut; instead, arithmetic questions were added.

The key point is that the scholar title has lost its privileges, which is equivalent to abolishing the title of scholar.

Liu Sanwu didn't care and continued, "Most of these scholars are going to work in the government offices, but their standards still need to be improved. Being a clerk will naturally not make much difference."

"In order to better improve their knowledge and reach the level of serving the country, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince pointed out that they should further deepen their cultivation and proposed the idea of ​​establishing a university."

"A university is like the Imperial Academy, but it only recruits scholars. The semester lasts three years and is divided into different majors."

When they heard about the major direction, everyone was a little confused.

The first scholar asked, "Teacher, what is your major?"

Liu Sanwu glanced at his apprentice and explained, "Human energy is limited. It would take an average person half his life to learn one thing. The so-called concentration and refinement, the court needs more meticulous talents now."

"Like laws, shipbuilding, firearms, commerce, diplomacy, official newspapers, history, and so on."

"After graduating from university, students can enter the corresponding government offices to serve the country."

"Establishing universities and spreading knowledge are exactly what His Royal Highness the Crown Prince attaches great importance to. The Ministry of Education will be established at the court tomorrow. I am not talented enough, but His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has chosen me as the first Minister of Education, in charge of all schools and education matters in the Ming Dynasty."

Having said this, Liu Sanwu's originally cloudy eyes suddenly became bright.

When he was summoned to the palace by the Crown Prince yesterday, he was still a little nervous.

Later, when I heard about the establishment of the Ministry of Education, my heart, which had been silent for a long time, began to beat violently.

Liu Sanwu is already eighty-seven years old this year.

In the past few years, after the Crown Prince came to power, Liu Sanwu saw the gradual prosperity of the Ming Dynasty and felt that he could not keep up with the times.

His Majesty refused his request to retire, so he continued to live in the capital.

I take a walk and read a few books on weekdays, and my mentality gradually becomes calmer.

But he didn't expect that he would be given the important task of being the Crown Prince just before being buried.

"Congratulations, Minister Liu."

Many Hanlin scholars were inspired upon hearing this.

You will understand the word "education" as soon as you hear it.

Now that it has become an independent ministry, just like the seventh ministry in addition to the six ministries, they all have the opportunity to enter the government when there is a shortage of staff.

It is obvious that Liu Sanwu came here today to recruit people.

"Congratulations, everyone. Now our department is short of people and the rules have not been established. Are you willing to serve the court with me?" Liu Sanwu asked with a smile.

Everyone was delighted and said, "We are willing to serve the court."

…

In addition to the Ministry of Education, Zhu Ying also established the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

As for the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Zhu Ying chose Zhou Rongliang.

Zhou Rongliang was the Ming envoy who went to Samarkand and was detained by Timur.

Later, the Ottoman Empire went to war with Timur, and Zhou Rongliang was released except for the Ottoman envoys.

Zhu Ying had never met Zhou Rongliang before.

After checking the household registration documents, I found out that this person was fluent in multiple languages ​​and was an upright and strong-willed person.

Moreover, his diplomatic mission to Timur added a lot of rich experience.

The only one who can be compared with the Ming Dynasty today is Timur. It is obviously a good choice to let him be the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

At the court meeting the next day, Zhu Yuanzhang directly announced the establishment of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Education.

Liu Sanwu was appointed as the first Minister of Education.

Zhou Rongliang was appointed as the first Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Although it was a bit abrupt, the court officials had nothing to say.

As for the imperial court system, Zhu Yuanzhang had the final say. Now with two more chancellors, it doesn’t seem to make much of a difference.

However, some officials with a keen political sense have already discovered the difference.

But more people care about the new official positions.

Under the Shangshu, there are left and right assistant ministers, deputy ministers, managers, and chief officials, etc.

This is only within the imperial court. Government offices will definitely have to be opened at the local level, which means a large number of official positions.