You get Lu Bu as your starting character.

Chapter 256 The Plan to Establish a Cabinet

The Hall of Nourishing Heart.

Zhou Chen sat upright on the dragon throne and rubbed his temples.

During this period, in addition to investigating how powerful families had seized land from the common people, taking back their private armies, and establishing royal academies, the Great Zhou Dynasty also welcomed the spring planting season, and the amount of government affairs increased.

"It seems I need to find an opportunity to establish a cabinet to help me handle some government affairs..."

Zhou Chen thought to himself.

Zhou Chen had already had this idea before.

However, no action has been taken yet.

Firstly, I feel the timing isn't right yet, and there will be significant resistance.

Second, there is a lack of outstanding individuals.

But now, the Great Zhou has annihilated the foreign tribes from all directions, and Emperor Zhou Chen's power has risen, allowing him to control the civil and military officials.

The resistance to establishing a cabinet is now almost negligible.

And with outstanding people like Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, and Xiao He, aren't they the best candidates for the cabinet?

Therefore, establishing a cabinet is basically on the agenda.

……

Zhou Chen got up and walked out of the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

A gentle breeze lifted Zhou Chen's spirits considerably.

Even an emperor would feel frustrated and weary from being overwhelmed by countless memorials every day.

"How long has it been since I last visited the Cining Palace?"

Zhou Chen stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the scenery inside the palace, and casually asked a question.

As soon as Zhou Chen finished speaking, the eunuch and guards serving behind him replied without hesitation, "Your Majesty, it has been almost a month..."

For the eunuchs and secret police who served the emperor, they remembered the emperor's affairs more clearly than their own.

If one day, the eunuchs and secret agents serving the emperor forget about him, that's when it's time to replace them...

Throughout the entire Eastern Depot, among the tens of thousands of guards, which one didn't want to serve the emperor and become one of his men?
Has it been almost a month?

Zhou Chen gazed at the scenery inside the palace, his eyes flickering.

"Prepare the carriage for Cining Palace."

Zhou Chen withdrew his gaze and spoke.

Visiting the Empress Dowager at Cining Palace every month was Zhou Chen's habit.

Even after Zhou Chen learned that he was not the Empress Dowager's son, he still did not change this habit.

In Zhou Chen's view, it didn't matter whether he and the Empress Dowager were related by blood or not.

Importantly, he was raised by the Empress Dowager, and in the entire palace, only the Empress Dowager truly cared about him, the emperor.

As for the others, they either feared the imperial power and revered the emperor, or they wanted to climb up the social ladder by taking advantage of the imperial power.

This is the emperor.

The emperor had no friends.

There are no so-called confidants.

Under imperial power, all are but ants.

Above the imperial power lies endless loneliness.

When news of the Emperor's arrival at Cining Palace reached the palace, the Empress Dowager made preparations to welcome him.

Logically speaking, given the Empress Dowager's status, there was no need for her to make any special preparations.

However, ever since the incident involving the Prince of Shu, and after learning that Zhou Chen already knew he was not her son, the Empress Dowager became much more polite to Emperor Zhou Chen than before.

It didn't take a while.

Zhou Chen then arrived at Cining Palace.

"I have met His Majesty."

After Zhou Chen entered Cining Palace, all the palace maids and eunuchs in Cining Palace knelt down to pay their respects.

"Mother."

Zhou Chen walked to the Empress Dowager's side and bowed slightly.

As emperor, Zhou Chen was the supreme ruler.

Even so, in front of the Empress Dowager, Zhou Chen was only a subject.

The proper etiquette should still be observed.

"Your Majesty has arrived, please have a seat."

The Empress Dowager asked Zhou Chen to sit down.

The two began to chat casually.

"Mother, how have you been these past few days? There have been many matters to attend to at court, which is why I have come to visit you. I hope you will not take offense."

Zhou Chen looked at the Empress Dowager and said.

"I am fine, Your Majesty need not worry about me. State affairs are of utmost importance."

"Now that the Great Zhou is showing signs of revival, Your Majesty must not slacken your efforts and must be diligent in governing and caring for the people..."

The Empress Dowager kept talking incessantly.

In the inner palace, only Emperor Zhou Chen could command the Empress Dowager to say a few more words.

Zhou Chen nodded and said, "What Mother Empress says is true, I will remember it."

Zhou Chen showed no impatience whatsoever with the Empress Dowager's nagging.

"Your Majesty, I have heard that Your Majesty has issued an edict to recall the private armies of powerful and wealthy families?"

Zhou Chen nodded noncommittally; "Yes, Mother."

"Now that the four foreign tribes outside the pass have been destroyed and the Great Zhou is at peace, there is no need for powerful families to keep private armies."

"Therefore, I issued an edict to withdraw the private armies of powerful and wealthy families."

Zhou Chen said.

He found it strange that the Empress Dowager was asking about the private soldiers.

Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager nodded. "Your Majesty has done very well. Nowadays, powerful and influential families are too much of a hindrance to the Great Zhou."

"However, Your Majesty should be more careful with the four major clans."

"The four great clans are different from other aristocratic families."

"These four powerful clans are not as simple as they seem on the surface, and the world is not as simple as it appears on the surface."

The Empress Dowager said meaningfully.

It seemed to be a reminder to Zhou Chen.

Upon hearing this, a glint of light flashed in Zhou Chen's eyes.

"Don't worry, Your Majesty, I will be careful."

Zhou Chen nodded and said that he did not ask any further questions.

Zhou Chen wanted to ask the Empress Dowager what was different about the four major clans.

But Zhou Chen knew that if the Empress Dowager wanted to tell him something, it wouldn't be in this way.

Zhou Chen chatted with the Empress Dowager for a while longer before leaving Cining Palace.

……

After returning to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Zhou Chen sat on the dragon throne, thinking about what the Empress Dowager had said before: "The four great clans are not as simple as they seem on the surface."

Zhou Chen learned a great deal about the four major clans from the Eastern Depot.

Aside from the ancestor who was a half-step Celestial, Zhou Chen really couldn't see any difference between the four great clans and other aristocratic families.

at this time.

A palace eunuch entered and reported, "Your Majesty, Lord Fang requests an audience outside the palace."

"Summon Fang Xuanling in."

Zhou Chen put aside his thoughts and spoke to the eunuchs and guards.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The eunuchs and guards bowed and withdrew.

moment.

Fang Xuanling then entered the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

"Your subject Fang Xuanling greets Your Majesty."

After entering the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Fang Xuanling bowed respectfully to Zhou Chen on the dragon throne.

"No gifts!"

Zhou Chen waved his hand and said.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Fang Xuanling stood up. Zhou Chen placed his right hand on the armrest of the dragon throne, looked at Fang Xuanling, and asked, "What brings you to the Hall of Mental Cultivation, my dear minister?"

Fang Xuanling bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I have come to the Hall of Mental Cultivation because of the matter of the imperial examination reform."

"These are matters concerning the reform of the imperial examination system that I discussed with Chancellor Xiao and several other ministers. We have also made some modifications and improvements to the Ministry of Personnel's system for evaluating and promoting officials."

"Your Majesty, please review this."

Fang Xuanling took out a memorial from his sleeve and held it in his hands.

Upon seeing this, the eunuchs immediately stepped forward, took the memorial from Fang Xuanling's hand, and presented it to Zhou Chen.

Zhou Chen opened it and started reading.

The imperial examination system was used to select talented individuals for the country.

If the imperial examination system is not perfect, it may not only miss out on some truly talented people who have no opportunity to use their abilities, but it may also select some mediocre and incompetent good-for-nothings.

In this way, these people entered officialdom, and their influence and harm extended beyond the imperial court to the entire Great Zhou Dynasty.

Therefore, reforming the imperial examination system is very important.

Zhou Chen also looked very carefully.

After Zhou Chen finished reading the contents of the memorial, he looked up at Fang Xuanling and said, "Xuanling, the imperial examination is to select talents for the country. In the future, you will enter the officialdom and govern a region."

"Therefore, the imperial examination was not only about poetry and literature, but also about character and practical ability."

"If a person is full of knowledge, but becomes an official in a certain region, he will only talk the talk and not walk the walk."

"Even if such a person passes the scientific expedition, he still won't be able to govern the area well."

Zhou Chen looked at Fang Xuanling and said.

Zhou Chen was fairly satisfied with Fang Xuanling's memorial proposing reforms to the imperial examination system.

But Zhou Chen felt it was not perfect.

The significance of the imperial examination lies in the word "examination".

The test assesses not only talent, but also character and ability.

Talent should not lead to neglecting other aspects.

Upon hearing Zhou Chen's words, Fang Xuanling's eyes flashed, and he bowed, saying, "Your subject understands."

"As long as you know."

Zhou Chen nodded.

"The system and procedures for this imperial examination reform will be drafted according to your discussion."

"However, add what I said to it, and then promulgate it!"

Zhou Chen returned the memorial in his hand to Fang Xuanling.

If the Ministry of Revenue reforms its tax system, then the Ministry of Personnel's examination system and official evaluation system must also keep pace and be improved and changed.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Fang Xuanling bowed and said.

After returning the memorial to Fang Xuanling, Zhou Chen looked at Fang Xuanling and said, "Xuanling, I plan to establish a cabinet to handle some government affairs for me. What do you think?"

cabinet?

Fang Xuanling frowned slightly, somewhat confused about what the cabinet was.
"The Cabinet is above the Six Ministries. All matters of the court must be drafted by the Cabinet. The Cabinet mainly handles some government affairs on my behalf, and important matters are then submitted to me..."

Zhou Chen explained the cabinet's ideas.

Upon hearing this, Fang Xuanling frowned even more deeply; "Your Majesty, I understand the importance of establishing a cabinet to share the burden of government affairs."

"But all matters of the court must be drafted and approved by the cabinet. Isn't that too much power?"

Fang Xuanling reminded him.

As a strategist and strategist, Fang Xuanling understood the role and significance of the cabinet after Zhou Chen explained the cabinet's ideas.

The establishment of the cabinet did indeed relieve the emperor of his burdens and concentrate power.

However, this would give the cabinet a lot of power, almost enough to control the entire court.

If someone who enters the cabinet has a problem and gains such great power, it could cause serious issues.

Zhou Chen naturally understood Fang Xuanling's meaning.

Without the system, Zhou Chen would indeed have the same worries as Fang Xuanling.

Human nature is complex and prone to change; no one can guarantee that someone won't lose their way in the lust for power.

Too much power is certainly not a good thing.

However, Zhou Chen has a system in place. When Zhou Chen sets up a cabinet, all the people who enter the cabinet are those who sign in through the system.

Loyalty is guaranteed.

Having more power is not a big deal.

Furthermore, Zhou Chen is not going to relinquish all power to the cabinet; at least regarding military power, Zhou Chen will not relinquish it to the cabinet.

As long as they have military power, there shouldn't be any major problems.

Chairman Mao once said, "Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun."

Zhou Chen looked at Fang Xuanling and smiled, "I understand what Xuanling means."

"But the purpose of my establishment of the cabinet is to have the cabinet handle government affairs on my behalf."

"If the cabinet's power is too small, then what's the point of having a cabinet at all?"

"However, getting into the cabinet is not so simple."

"I will choose the cabinet members from among you."

Zhou Chen knew that outstanding figures like Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui were prime ministers with profound knowledge and strategic vision, and that it was somewhat of a waste of their talents to appoint them as ministers of the six ministries.

The establishment of the cabinet provided a platform for Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui to demonstrate their abilities.

Of course, the loyalty of these outstanding individuals identified through system check-ins is beyond question.

However, their abilities do differ.

Although they are all outstanding individuals, their abilities vary in several levels.

Not everyone who signs in is eligible to join the cabinet.

Currently, among the outstanding individuals who have signed in, Zhou Chen believes that only Xiao He, Fang Xuanling, and Du Ruhui are qualified to join the cabinet.

As for Jia Xu and Xun Yu, it wasn't that Zhou Chen thought they weren't capable enough.

Zhou Chen felt that their inclinations differed; Jia Xu and Xun Yu were more inclined towards overall military coordination and planning.

In handling political affairs, Jia Xu and Xun Yu seemed to be a notch below Xiao He and the other two.

"Since Your Majesty has already made up your mind, then I have no objections."

“Establishing a cabinet is beneficial, both for His Majesty and for the court, at present.”

"It allows for centralized cabinet power, enabling more efficient and rapid handling of all matters, large and small, within the court."

Fang Xuanling bowed and said.

Since Emperor Zhou Chen had thought of everything, Fang Xuanling said no more.

The establishment of the cabinet did indeed improve the speed at which the court handled matters large and small.

After all, previously, it was Emperor Zhou Chen who handled it all by himself.

After the cabinet was established, it was the cabinet members who handled things on behalf of Emperor Zhou Chen, so the speed and efficiency were naturally incomparable.

Moreover, when it comes to true talent and ability, Emperor Zhou Chen is no match for outstanding figures like Xiao He.

After listening to Fang Xuanling's meaning, Zhou Chen said nothing more.

"Xuanling, you go first!"

Zhou Chen waved to Fang Xuanling.

"My minister retire."

Fang Xuanling bowed and withdrew from the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

After Fang Xuanling left, Zhou Chen pondered for a moment.

"Someone is coming."

"Summon Xiao He to the palace."

Zhou Chen gave the order to the eunuchs and guards.

Setting up a cabinet is not as simple as just talking about it.

Many things need to be discussed.

Zhou Chen wanted to summon Xiao He to the palace to hear his thoughts.

After all, Xiao He was the Left Chancellor, a powerful minister who commanded all civil and military officials.

Less than half an hour after the eunuchs and guards left, Xiao He entered the palace.

Upon hearing that Zhou Chen wanted to establish a cabinet, Xiao He's expression was the same as Fang Xuanling's earlier expression—both were somewhat puzzled and surprised.

Once the cabinet is established, it will conflict with the powers of the prime minister.

Does His Majesty intend to abolish the position of Chancellor and establish a new cabinet?
Xiao He secretly speculated as he listened to Zhou Chen explain his idea of ​​establishing a cabinet.

(End of this chapter)