Efficiency is one of the most troublesome issues in all dynasties.
People's hearts are different, and their concepts and ideas are very different.
Every time there was a discussion, civil and military officials each held their own opinions and quarreled constantly.
On any matter, due to the different opinions of all parties, the dispute would often last for ten days and a half.
It's like disaster relief. You have your difficulties, and I have mine. In the end, we argued for a long time, but there was no solution.
The time was wasted in vain, and the disaster became more serious, with starvation everywhere.
Zhu Gaochi has high expectations for the cabinet, hoping that it can help him solve various people's livelihood problems more quickly and efficiently.
However, things went contrary to expectations. Cabinet officials are all ordinary people of flesh and blood, each with their own thoughts and ideas, and disputes are inevitable when encountering problems.
As a result, efficiency will inevitably be lowered, and often cabinet members are already at each other's throats before things are settled.
The methods he thought of before were largely derived from methods used in the past, including increasing supervision and setting up middlemen.
However, these methods have their own shortcomings and cannot fundamentally solve the problem.
Although in a short period of time, the atmosphere in the cabinet can be improved and the efficiency of deliberations can be increased.
But compared with the method mentioned by Grandpa Huang, it is as different as clouds and mud.
Zhu Gaochi could clearly feel that the method proposed by the emperor directly solved the problem of endless quarrels in the cabinet from the root.
Whether it is setting up cabinet heads who cannot express opinions or limiting the time and frequency of cabinet members' speeches, the efficiency of the cabinet is greatly improved.
In this way, the operation of the cabinet has a clear and visible process, and everything is consistent and orderly.
High, simply high!
Zhu Gaochi's mind was spinning rapidly, he drew inferences from one example and contributed to the construction of the cabinet, saying:
“First of all, the head of cabinet should have the power to temporarily suspend the deliberations when the deliberations come to a standstill, and report the matter afterwards and state the reasons.
Secondly, when cabinet members speak, no one is allowed to interrupt them, no matter what their opinions are, as long as they are not making random insults.
Finally, when discussing matters, everything should be discussed around the issues raised, and after the results are obtained, they should be presented to the emperor. "
Compared with Zhu Yuanzhang's suggestions, Zhu Gaochi's suggestions were just minor repairs to the details.
But Zhu Yuanzhang was still very satisfied. It was quite difficult to think through what he said.
He nodded and said: "You did a good job. You can draw parallels and draw inferences. It shows that you have thought about it seriously. I leave this matter to you, so we can rest assured."
The various measures taken by the cabinet are based on the basic framework of checking and filling gaps, which in a large sense directly solves most of the problems.
As for those small flaws, Zhu Yuanzhang didn't care. In fact, there has never been a perfect system.
In any system, various problems will inevitably arise as time goes by.
A system that is suitable for the present is a good system. As for the system becoming unable to adapt to the political ecology of that time in the next one or two hundred years, we really cannot blame our ancestors for their incompetence.
It can only be said that latecomers lack creativity and cannot make modifications on the basic framework. Those who cling to the ancestral system will eventually fall into the quagmire of destruction with the ancestral system.
After getting Zhu Yuanzhang's approval, Zhu Gaochi was so excited that he couldn't help thinking whether this method could be extended to other departments.
If it could be widely used, would the administrative efficiency of the Ming Dynasty be greatly improved?
After some inner thought, Zhu Gaochi decided to play it safe first. Each department has different conditions and is different from the cabinet department, so it is really difficult to apply it to everyone.
Just like among the six departments, the upper and lower order has already been formed. If you want to change it, it will inevitably affect the interests of everyone.
One can imagine the resistance that will be encountered at that time.
As for the cabinet department, since it is a start-up, all organizational structures are very immature, so there is almost no resistance to changes.
It just so happens that there is an official assessment issue that has not yet been resolved, so we can try out the newly formulated method.
Zhu Gaochi was very motivated. When he thought about what Grandpa Huang just said, he felt more and more that Grandpa Huang was unfathomable and was simply a god.
Such a perfect means of checks and balances, such a terrifying strengthening of imperial power, such a simple yet practical deliberation mechanism.
This is simply unbelievable. Even if the saint were alive, he probably couldn't think of a more subtle method than this.
Thinking of this, Zhu Gaochi couldn't help but think about the regulations on the official evaluation method, and asked: "Grandpa Huang, what do you think is the more appropriate way to start with the official evaluation method?"
Zhu Yuanzhang naturally would not get involved in such an unspecified matter. If the national destiny shamelessly entangled him, it would really be more than worth the loss. He said with a smile: "We are not gods, and we cannot know everything. You can think about it on your own, and when you have the charter, bring it over to us for a look."
"Grandson understands, grandson will do it now!"
"Go ahead, we'll make it easy."
Zhu Yuanzhang watched Zhu Gaochi leave with a smile, feeling relieved in his heart.
Having just put forward all the suggestions, he felt that the momentum of the national destiny was stronger, but the national destiny in his body did not increase.
There is no doubt that, at present, his proposals for the Cabinet are in line with his previous ideas and are exactly the same.
This was a good start. Zhu Yuanzhang was happy and had an example for reference in future actions.
After leaving the back garden, Zhu Gaochi first summoned Zhan Hui, compiled what he had just said to Zhu Yuanzhang into articles, and said it out.
Zhan Hui had a clear mind and naturally knew that these proposals had earth-shaking power. He was surprised and understood that from now on, no matter how the cabinet changed, it would not be able to escape the emperor's control.
If the previous cabinet department had a chance of growing into a giant, then the current cabinet department is really similar to a personal secretary.
"His Majesty's talent is truly appreciated by all the ministers. From now on, the Cabinet no longer has to worry about low efficiency."
Zhan Hui first praised it. Recalling the previous Hongwu algorithm, he couldn't help feeling that His Majesty's mind was so bright that it was incredible.
Although the cabinet's deliberation method is currently only implemented within the cabinet, it may not be possible to extend it to all departments with slight modifications in the future.
Thinking of this, Zhan Hui's clever mind thought about the naming again, and said respectfully: "Your Highness, such an exquisite way of discussing affairs really makes me admire you. I have an idea, I wonder if it is appropriate?"
"Lord Zhan, there is no need to be so formal as long as it is beneficial to the country and the country."
After receiving Zhu Gaochi's approval, Zhan Hui considered the words and said: "The method of discussion that your Majesty and His Highness have painstakingly created is shocking to the world. No ordinary person can think of it. I think this method should be given a name." It will be passed down to future generations and recorded in the annals of history.”
Zhu Gaochi's eyes lit up and he said in his heart, yes, the emperor is old, but he is still working hard and thinking hard about national affairs. How can I, a grandson, let the emperor become a vassal of the cabinet?
If you choose a name and pass it on to future generations, everyone in the world will know that this is the great achievement of Grandpa Huang, and they will naturally be grateful and have a lasting legacy!
When he thought of this, Zhu Gaochi praised it and said: "Master Zhan's words are reasonable. What kind of name should you give?"
…
