Chapter 11: Clan Minister
Zhu Xiongying just used King Shu as an introduction.
This is also a problem that Zhu Xiongying feels must be solved.
The vassal king has entered the political stage of the Ming Dynasty as an independent political force. The power of the clan is Zhu Xiongying's sharp blade and shackles.
How to arrange these people well is a science.
If Zhu Xiongying does well. Then these people are his helpers. His position as emperor is unshakable. But if he doesn't do well, then these people will be challengers to his throne.
He Xi said: "What does your Majesty mean? The King of Shu wants to take over the vassal state?"
Zhu Xiongying said: "No, Uncle Shu Wang was also your student at the beginning, and you also know his temper. After what happened at the beginning, he didn't want to leave the capital. It's just that I think it is right to treat Uncle Shu favorably. Compensation from Uncle King Shu."
He Xi understood it as soon as he heard it.
This is a method of rewarding meritorious service and declaring oneself to the world as an orthodox method.
The king of Shu was dissatisfied with Zhu Yunwen. The conflict between the two of them could hardly be regarded as a political disagreement. Even the King of Shu did not necessarily think that Zhu Xiongying was orthodox at first. It's just a personal vendetta.
But in many things, it is difficult to distinguish between personal hatred and national hatred.
The king of Shu doesn't know how to distinguish it now.
Distinguish what? You said you actually don’t think Zhu Xiongying is orthodox?
How can it be?
In this case, the court should reward the King of Shu to show that the Ming court would not forget the meritorious ministers.
He Xi said, "Your Majesty, do you have any ideas?"
Zhu Xiongying said: "Could it be the Zongren Mansion?"
He Xi thought for a while and said, "Your Majesty, what do you think the King of Shu will join the cabinet in the future?"
Zhu Xiongying was stunned and said, "Let Uncle Wang join the cabinet?"
This suggestion was something He Xi never expected. It was difficult to weigh the pros and cons for a while.
He Xi said: "Your Majesty, please contact the feudal king in the future. The Zongren Mansion will be of great use. But no matter what, the future of the Zongren Mansion is quite limited. If the King of Shu enters the Zongren Mansion, after a few years, It must be Zongzheng. If there is no change, it will still be Zongzheng in a few decades. But if you want the King of Shu to have the opportunity to ascend to the cabinet position in the future, you have to think carefully."
"I know what kind of person the King of Shu is. In terms of his ability, he is capable of joining the cabinet. Other clans in the capital may not have this ability."
The King of Shu showed a very high level both in history and when he was a student around He Xi. But it’s hard to say what happened to the other clans who stayed in Nanjing.
Zhu Xiongying said: "Uncle, why do you want Uncle Shu Wang to join the cabinet?"
He Xi said: "Actually, I don't want the King of Shu to join the cabinet. Rather, I want to train clan ministers for the court. I think this is very necessary."
Zhu Xiongying said: "Clan minister?"
For a time, Zhu Xiongying thought a lot.
He didn't ask He Xi's original intention directly, but he was able to figure out a lot of things by himself.
In He Xi’s framework arrangements for the future.
The mutual balance between the power of the prime minister and the power of the king is already certain.
Even saying balance is a bit too much. In the future, it is highly likely that the power of the prime minister will increase and the power of the monarch will be restricted.
This is also unacceptable to Zhu Xiongying. Many times, Zhu Xiongying made small moves not because he was dissatisfied with some of He Xi's policies, but because he was dissatisfied with the distribution of power.
The clan ministers seemed to have changed this.
If the court is in an important position and there are several clan ministers, the emperor's power can be asserted. Is this a good thing for the Ming royal family? The most important thing to do when you want to do something is to set a precedent first.
In this way, letting the King of Shu enter the cabinet is something that needs to be considered.
It can only be said that King Shu thought too well.
He Xi thought much more deeply about the matter of clan ministers than Zhu Xiongying.
On the one hand, Zhu Xiongying was right. The clan minister made the decision to ensure the imperial power.
Non-vegetation, ruthless Practice makes perfect.
Don't look at the conflict between He Xi and Zhu Xiongying now, but if the time is extended, it will look at the relationship between the He family and the Zhu family. For a long time to come, the relationship between the He family and the Zhu family will be characterized by more cooperation than differences.
It is good for the He family that the emperor's power is guaranteed to a certain extent.
However, He Xi didn't think much about his own family matters. After all, children and grandchildren will have their own blessings.
He Xi has more feelings for Zhu Yuanzhang.
When Zhu Yuanzhang was around, He Xi had complicated feelings towards him and was vaguely hostile. But Zhu Yuanzhang is no longer here. Some of the bad things in He Xi's heart were relieved. Only the good side remains.
In fact, Zhu Yuanzhang did not care about the continuation of the Zhu family's court. It’s just in front of the bigger goal that it seems like I don’t care that much.
Now many things have been determined.
The reform was considered a success.
He Xi doesn't mind doing something for Zhu Yuanzhang.
On the other hand, He Xi thought even more deeply. This may be regarded as a way to maintain the Ming royal family, but it may not be what Zhu Xiongying thought.
Clan minister. It has two identities. One is a clan member and the other is a minister. This sentence seems to be nonsense. But it represents the characteristics of this kind of minister. Most of the time, the clan ministers would want to get closer to the imperial power.
This is inevitable.
But what He Xi has to consider are more abnormal situations.
Once there was a conflict between the emperor and the cabinet. And what should these clan ministers do when the situation is irreversible?
The best way is actually for the clan ministers to run back and forth between the two sides to resolve the conflicts between the two sides. After all, there is nothing that cannot be discussed while sitting down.
The best way is no longer feasible.
Only one of the two parties can exist. There are many practices for being a clan minister.
First, you can defect to the emperor. Take over the cabinet as a clan member.
The cabinet system formulated by He Xi is indeed a prime minister's power. It can rival the imperial power. It is difficult for ordinary people to grasp the state machinery of the cabinet. Only the status of a clan minister is useful.
This represents the emperor's victory.
Alternatively, the emperor could be deposed as the elder of the clan.
Historically, most of the time, the emperor was younger than his ministers.
Since he has become a clan minister, he must be older than the emperor. Use the elders to abolish the younger ones. But there are certain reasons. It can appease local vassals. And if you can become a minister of the clan, you will be a distant branch in many cases in the future, and it is impossible for you to ascend to the throne.
But the clan is a clan after all, and having the surname Zhu tomorrow is good for the clan.
Therefore, even if the monarch is abolished, under normal circumstances, another monarch will be established.
The Zhu family's throne can be guaranteed.
In the imperial court, if there are no people with dual identities like clan ministers. Then the break between the two parties is very likely to represent a great purge or a usurpation of the throne. Because of each other. There is no final room for maneuver.
The clan ministers are their last room for maneuver.
Although, many times, the people who create the system have good intentions, but it is of no use at all. It's like Zhu Yuanzhang formulated many policies, but in the end they were all in vain. Now Hexi has reached this state.
Zhu Xiongying felt that he had figured it out. Said: "Then how does uncle think Uncle Wang should be settled?"
He Xi said: "This time Dingguo is a meeting, there are many things, so I asked the King of Shu to help me. After the meeting, I will naturally give him a good position. If you need him in the future, he will definitely come in handy. of."
He Xi intended to position the country as the Congress of the Ming Dynasty. The work here is very important. The King of Shu got involved and let He Xi see what the King of Shu could do. Secondly, it also makes the King of Shu look familiar to him, so that he can be easily settled in the future.
There must be a good location.
Zhu Xiongying sighed: "I wish I could never use Uncle Wang for the rest of my life."
Zhu Xiongying felt that there was only one scene where he needed to use Uncle Shu. That is because he died young and the prince had not yet grown up. Some arrangements must be made to ensure the continuation of the Ming imperial power.
Uncle Wang Shu entered the cabinet as one of the cabinet ministers. He was optimistic about the operation of the cabinet for the Ming royal family.
This is one of the arrangements Zhu Xiongying can make.
He Xi also expected this scene. At critical moments, clan ministers also have to play a role.
