My Portable Ming Dynasty

Chapter 441 Meeting to Recommend Cabinet Ministers
night.

After a long day of official business, Su Ze dragged his tired body home.

"My husband, you've worked hard."

Zhao Lingxian looked at her husband and showed a sympathetic expression.

Since entering officialdom, Su Ze has never experienced such a hard life!

Whether he was a member of the prestigious Hanlin Academy or the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, Su Ze's main official duty each month was to submit memorials to the emperor. Even the matter of running a newspaper was only busy for a short time, and after it got on track, it was handed over to Luo Wanhua.

But this position is different.

The Zhongshu Jianzheng official, in charge of the five departments of the Zhongshu Menxia, ​​is an auxiliary agency of the Grand Secretariat, destined to be an extremely busy government office.

Su Ze finally understood the meaning of the idiom "to weave one's own cocoon".

These days, he would arrive at the five offices of the Secretariat and Chancellery before the Grand Secretaries every day and lead the heads of the five offices in a morning meeting.

The main purpose of the morning meeting is to summarize the work of the previous day, assign tasks that were not completed in the previous period, and then determine the tasks for today.

Su Ze also needed to hear reports from his subordinates. For example, if Shen Yiguan encountered any problems in promoting the Baosheng Medical Bureau, he would intervene and issue a document to the relevant authorities in the name of the Fifth Office of the Secretariat-Chancellery to supervise and inquire. Only in this way could the establishment of Baosheng Medical Bureaus in various places be promoted.

The five offices under the Secretariat were also responsible for the circulation of official documents of the Grand Secretariat.

In the past, the execution of specific government affairs relied on imperial edicts, and the cabinet was essentially an institution that connected the upper and lower levels of government.

Even a powerful cabinet needs to rely on the authority of imperial edicts to push forward its policies.

It is different now.

Now that the cabinet has authority and corresponding auxiliary agencies, its orders will be documented and drafted by the Confucian Office before being sent to the Six Ministries and Nine Ministers' offices.

These official documents were called "Tang Tie" in the imperial court, which was the name of the documents signed and issued by prime ministers in the Tang and Song dynasties.

All the official documents, after being drafted by the Kongmu Office under Luo Wanhua's supervision, had to be reviewed by Su Ze before they could be valid with the seals of the Grand Secretariat and the five offices of the Secretariat-Chancellery.

Su Ze sometimes wondered when the Ming Dynasty's cabinet would reach the point where imperial edicts from the Tang and Song dynasties required the seal of the State Council to be valid.
If that time comes, will the cabinet's orders also need to be stamped by the five offices of the Secretariat and Chancellery to be effective?
What kind of nesting doll is this?
These days, Su Ze also has to oversee the construction progress of the five dormitories of the Secretariat and the Chancellery, and deal with the supervision of the Six Ministries. He is physically and mentally exhausted.

Seeing her husband so busy that he didn't even want to say a word, Zhao Lingxian felt very sorry for him.

She went on to say:

"My lord, one of your disciples has come to see me today."

"disciple?"

Zhao Lingxian took Zhu Juntang's visiting card, and after seeing it, Su Ze quickly asked:

Is he still there?

"Yes, I've heard my husband mention this name before. I told him to come later; he should be here soon."

Sure enough, the gatekeeper came to report that Zhu Juntang had come to see him again.

"Take him to my study."

"Husband, won't you eat first?"

"I've already eaten at the Zhongshu Menxia branch of the Imperial Academy. Please help me undress."
-
Along the way, the people in charge kept glancing at Zhu Juntang behind them.

As Su Ze's status rose, fewer and fewer guests were allowed to receive him in his study.

The study in the house was the most heavily guarded place, where only the closest friends and students could receive guests.

If this young man can be summoned to the master's study, then he must truly be the master's disciple, and naturally deserves more attention.

Zhu Juntang was filled with excitement at this moment.

He received guidance from Su Ze at the Imperial Academy, but he did not formally become Su Ze's disciple, so the master-disciple relationship was not officially established.

Today, he presented his visiting card as a disciple and was received by Su Ze, which means that Su Ze acknowledged their master-disciple relationship!
Zhu Juntang was well aware of the influence of his mentor.

Being able to establish a teacher-student relationship with Su Ze will be of great benefit to his future work at the Japanese Ministry of Communications.
Moreover, Zhu Juntang was also thinking about when he could finish his job in Japan and be transferred back to China, which would make him even more in need of his mentor Su Ze's help.

Upon seeing Su Ze, Zhu Juntang immediately performed the traditional disciple's greeting to his teacher.

After letting him perform the bow, Su Ze sighed:
"After we parted at the Imperial Academy that day, I was heartbroken when I heard from Shen Siye (Shen Li) that Zhu Lang had been killed in a shipwreck."

"I later heard that you and Dr. Huang ended up in Japan and achieved great success. I am happy for you."

"Tell me about your experiences in Japan?"

Zhu Juntang quickly recounted his experiences in Japan. Su Ze listened attentively the whole time, and only asked after Zhu Juntang finished speaking:
"You mean, Oda Nobunaga received the assistance of Ming Dynasty firearms and defeated the combined forces of Takeda Shingen and Ashikaga Yoshiaki, and the Oda clan is already preparing to march on Kyoto?"

Zhu Juntang nodded and said:
"That's the news from Sakai Port, but the Japanese war reports are a mix of fact and fiction. Chief Inspector Huang said he needs to investigate and confirm before sending it back to the Ministry of Justice."

Su Ze nodded.

History did indeed change.

In the original timeline, Takeda Shingen raised an army to help Ashikaga Yoshiaki and defeated Oda Nobunaga's army at the Battle of Mikatagahara.

Oda Nobunaga temporarily retreated to Gifu, where he confronted Takeda Shingen's army.

If Takeda Shingen hadn't died young in the original timeline, it's uncertain whether Oda Nobunaga would have become the ruler of Japan.

However, in this timeline, Oda Nobunaga purchased a large amount of outdated weaponry from the Ming Dynasty, especially the addition of a large number of breech-loading cannons, which enabled him to directly defeat Takeda Shingen's army.

That means if Oda Nobunaga had completed his ascent to Kyoto ahead of schedule and taken control of Kyoto, the capital of Japan, the course of history would have been completely different.

What do other forces in Japan think?

Zhu Juntang said:
"The Shimazu family was greatly alarmed and sent messengers to urge us to purchase more weapons from the Ming Dynasty."

"I heard that the daimyo of Kushima are planning to unite against the Oda clan."

Kyushu is the name of the Japanese Kyushu region. Because the name Kyushu was too grand, scholars of the Ming Dynasty were dissatisfied with the Japanese who had arbitrarily named themselves Kyushu, so they renamed the Kyushu region of Japan as Kyushima.

Su Ze nodded. It was normal for the other daimyo to be alarmed and unite when Oda Nobunaga marched on Kyoto.

However, Oda Nobunaga's rapid march to Kyoto still worried Su Ze. If Japan were to unify even faster, it wouldn't be a good thing for the Ming Dynasty.

Zhu Juntang said:
"Master Huang also said that he believes the imperial court should reduce trade with the Oda clan and instead support other daimyo."

Su Ze nodded. Huang Wenbin was indeed a talented person, worthy of being the chief officer recommended by Yang Sizhong.

Maintaining the division of Japan is more in the interest of the Ming Dynasty.

However, Oda Nobunaga was in high spirits after such a great victory. Since they already controlled the silver mines, they would still have to deal with the Oda family if they wanted to continue to obtain silver.

Zhu Juntang then said:

"My mentor, Master Huang also said that if it is inconvenient to directly support the Oda clan's opponents, it would be better to support the factions within the Oda clan."

"Oh?"

Zhu Juntang said:
"The Japanese emphasize loyalty and righteousness, but these daimyo are the most disloyal people in Japan."

"How can a ruler be expected to be loyal and righteous to his subordinates?"

"I have had many contacts with envoys from the Oda clan, and there are many ambitious people in the Oda clan." "The Ashikaga clan of today may very well be the Oda clan of tomorrow."

Hearing Zhu Juntang say this, Su Ze showed a satisfied expression. It seems that during their time in Japan, Huang Wenbin and Zhu Juntang really studied Japan and figured out the Japanese people's character.

That's how it is in Japan. No matter how much these daimyo emphasize their legitimacy, their status as "rebels" within the entire system is undeniable.

Constrained by the limitations of governance technology, Japan was also unable to establish a bureaucratic civil service system similar to that of the Ming Dynasty. As a daimyo's territory grew larger, he would inevitably continue to divide the land among his followers.

There are undercurrents within each daimyo, and they may even attack each other and fight for territory.

The collapse of the Oda clan in the original timeline had both accidental and inevitable aspects.

Su Ze said with satisfaction:
"Before you leave the capital, write down what you have seen and heard in Japan and send it to your residence. I will ask the Grand Secretary to take a look when I have time."

Hearing this, Zhu Juntang looked at Su Ze gratefully.

The Japanese Office of General Affairs (通政署) is just one department of the General Affairs Bureau (通政司), and it is too far removed from the Cabinet.

If one can get the Grand Secretary to read one's articles and remember one's name, it will be of great benefit to one's future career.

Zhu Juntang knew that Su Ze was paving the way for him, so he quickly said:
"Thank you so much for your guidance, my mentor!"

Su Ze waved his hand and said:

"It's not really about mentoring; you and Huang Wenbin suffered in Japan too."

"It's just that the affairs of Japan cannot be left unattended for the time being, so I can only ask you to stay in Japan for the time being."

"Once the matter is accomplished, I will request permission for the two of you to return to the capital in triumph!"

Zhu Juntang thanked him repeatedly.

From Su Ze's words, Zhu Juntang also gleaned some insights: "On the day the matter is accomplished," "Returning in triumph."

It seems that the Ming Dynasty's demands on Japan were not simple.

The Ming Dynasty's demands on Japan were different from before.

Zhu Juntang originally believed that the Ming Dynasty's demand for Japan was the same as that for Korea: to return to the Ming Dynasty's tributary system and loosely control Japan by recognizing the Ming Dynasty as its suzerain state.

But now it seems that the Ming Dynasty intends to interfere in the internal affairs of Japan, and even completely control Japan!

Thinking about it carefully, it seems to make sense.

Japan was too close to the Ming Dynasty.

The Wokou (Japanese pirates) raids in the southeast demonstrated just how much of a threat an uncontrolled Japanese kingdom posed to the Ming Dynasty.

Japan could threaten the safety of shipping lanes throughout Northeast Asia and harass the most prosperous southeastern coastal areas of the Ming Dynasty.

Only by bringing Japan under complete control, or at least by establishing a submissive puppet regime, can the Ming Dynasty's maritime territory be secure.

After understanding Su Ze's thoughts, Zhu Juntang also considered how to write the report to be submitted to the cabinet.

It is necessary to highlight the threat posed by Japan, but not to exaggerate Japan's power too much, lest the Grand Secretaries be unwilling to intervene in Japan's affairs.

After seeing Zhu Juntang off, Su Ze was very satisfied with this disciple.

Zhu Juntang had already passed the imperial examination and entered officialdom. In terms of fantasy novels, he could be considered an "inner disciple".

"Inner disciples" can then receive some support from the "sect".

Of course, the promise Su Ze made to Zhu Juntang just now was not an empty promise.

These were all things that Su Ze could easily accomplish. He made these promises to Zhu Juntang in the hope that Zhu Juntang would continue to make contributions in Japan.

It seems there really is a Su faction within the imperial court.
On December 5th, the Longqing Emperor finally approved Yin Shidan's resignation.

At this point, Minister of Education and Health Care, Ing Si-dam, officially resigned from his position as a cabinet minister.

The Longqing Emperor treated this veteran official with the highest honors.

The bestowal of the titles of Junior Tutor and Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince clearly established the teacher-student relationship between Yin Shidan and the Emperor and his son, which was also a high-level honor for retired officials.

He was also granted the title of Grand Secretary of the Hall of Supreme Harmony. The system of Grand Secretaries in the Ming Dynasty was specifically used to grant official titles to cabinet ministers.

The Grand Secretary of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, formerly known as the Grand Secretary of the Hall of Literary Glory, was the pinnacle of the palace system. This was the retirement treatment given to Yin Shidan as a super-rank official.

He also granted Yin Shidan another son, bestowed upon him twenty imperial guards, granted Yin Shidan the highest-ranking official document, and allowed him to use the official post station to return to his hometown.

Leaving aside the silver dollars and jewels bestowed by the emperor, this retirement benefit also made officials in the capital extremely envious.

Su Ze knew that Yin Shidan was able to enjoy such a high retirement status because he was the first cabinet minister to retire after the cabinet gained real power.

The retirement benefits of colleagues are the same as their current political benefits.

The fact that Yin Shidan was able to enjoy such high retirement benefits also illustrates the special status of the cabinet, which is above all other officials.

The emperor was essentially telling his ministers:

Want better retirement benefits? Then try to get into the cabinet!

Finally, the emperor sent the crown prince to personally see Yin Shidan off outside the Wenhua Gate. Yin Shidan bowed deeply to the crown prince, who was representing the emperor in seeing him off, and then bowed in the direction of the emperor's palace. With tears streaming down his face, he embarked on his journey home.

Su Ze stood behind the cabinet ministers who were seeing him off, watching Yin Shidan retire. Even Gao Gong, who was usually tough, felt a little sad.

Zhao Zhenji, who already had a personal relationship with Yin Shidan, secretly wiped away her tears by lightly touching the corner of her eye with her sleeve.

However, after Yin Shidan left the capital, he did not grieve for long over the departure of the former Grand Secretary, as a new wave had already emerged!
The position of Minister in charge of Education, Health and Medical Care is vacant!
This was the first time cabinet ministers had been added after the cabinet's power was strengthened, and it quickly stirred up a storm in the capital!

The cabinet was already very busy, and after Yin Shidan resigned, Gao Gong immediately submitted a memorial to the emperor requesting the addition of new cabinet ministers.

The Longqing Emperor naturally agreed and issued an edict to supplement the cabinet ministers in accordance with the old practice.

After the imperial edict reached the cabinet, Gao Gong looked at Su Ze and asked:

"His Majesty's decree is to supplement the ranks according to precedent. What are the opinions of the five departments of the Secretariat and Chancellery?"

Zhang Juzheng also looked at Su Ze. According to the old practice, the Ministry of Personnel would preside over a meeting of the Nine Ministers and the Censorate to determine the candidates through the method of court recommendation.

Generally, there are only three candidates for cabinet minister. The Ministry of Personnel will put forward this list of three people and then send it to the palace for the emperor to choose from.

This system has been in place for over a century, and Gao Gong's sudden inquiry to Su Ze clearly had ulterior motives.

Su Ze said:

"Please have Song Zhihan, the Chief of the Personnel Department, carry the imperial edict to the Ministry of Personnel to oversee the joint recommendation process. All the procedures must be recorded and reported to the Cabinet along with the list of recommended candidates."

Hearing this, Gao Gong nodded in satisfaction.

The five departments of the Secretariat and the Chancellery could not possibly usurp the authority of the Ministry of Personnel to support and recommend candidates, but they could still supervise the entire process.

Cabinet ministers certainly cannot openly interfere in matters that will be promoted, but they must at least be aware of the process.

The five offices under the Secretariat and the Chancellery were the eyes and ears of the Grand Secretariat.

(End of this chapter)