Huang Zicheng's face turned red.
His gaze was about to burst into flames, staring at the blue jade, as if he wanted to peel off its skin, eat its flesh, and break its bones.
In his plan, seizing military power through the Counselor's Office was a crucial step.
Moreover, it is also a matter of course.
The general's cultural level was not high, and it was difficult to review and process memorials.
Second, generals who are qualified to enter may have to lead troops to fight at any time.
After all, Beiyuan has not yet been completely pacified.
The Tatars are still ready to move.
The Ming Dynasty also often used troops to conquer the grasslands.
The general's time in court is short.
As for the low-ranking generals who are stationed near Jinling City all year round, they are definitely not qualified to enter the Advisory Office.
The Advisory Office acts as an agent for government affairs, and in his view, it naturally also includes military affairs.
After the civilian officials enter, by controlling the advisory office, although they do not direct the detailed process of the war, they can decide who will be the general, how to determine the overall strategic direction, how to determine the merits, who should be promoted, and many other military affairs.
In this way, the life and death of the generals are controlled, and the generals are completely under the control of civilian officials and can only obey orders.
This is something that many civil servants are thinking about.
Only by controlling the military power can we truly control the situation of the government.
But unexpectedly, Lan Yu stood up and objected just as the discussion started.
How could Huang Zicheng not be angry?
"Lanyu, when we are discussing state affairs, how can you use your own private opinions to fight for power in the name of the country?"
"I'll read the sage's book and explain it tomorrow."
"Literati are knowledgeable in the art of war, and there are many who know tactics."
"Don't you hear that in the midst of strategizing, we can win a victory thousands of miles away?"
"Even in court, when did the literati become inferior to the generals?"
"You exaggerate and use excuses to fight for your own power. Do you really think others can't see that?"
"Your Highness, Lan Yu pretended to be public for personal gain and used his name to seize power. Please punish him severely as a respectful example."
As soon as he finished speaking, Qi Tai also stood up.
"The imperial court's use of troops has always been inseparable from the deployment of the Ministry of War, the assessment of generals, and rewards for military exploits. Since I became the Minister of the Ministry of War, I have never dared to neglect."
"Every major military and state matter, how to use troops, and preparations for food, fodder, and military pay are all taken into consideration. How come you don't know about soldiers or what they mean?"
"Dong Guo Liang's statement is completely false, please take it back."
Then, another civil servant spoke up: "Duke Liang clearly wanted the military generals to seize power. The military generals already have heavy troops, and the Advisory Office acts as an agent of the government. If we hand over power to them again, wouldn't they be rebelling? What's the intention? "
Famous civil servants came out one after another.
"I think it's obvious that you have some rebellious intentions, right?"
"You have ulterior motives! You have ulterior motives!"
"Advisory executions must not fall into the hands of military men."
"If you can't charge into battle, you don't understand military strategy? What a big joke."
"Jiang Shang was eighty years old, but he was still able to help King Wu raise an army to attack Shang Zhou; Sun Bin had his feet cut off, but he was still able to unite the three armies and destroy Pang Juan. Generals are more strategic than brave. How can they be divided into literati and military men at will?"
…
The civil servants were all angry, and they all made impassioned speeches, all accusing Lan Yu of saying something inappropriate.
It is natural and reasonable for civil servants to enter the Jade Advisory Office.
However, how could the generals and nobles be willing to give in?
With Lan Yu taking the lead, they certainly wouldn't show weakness.
I am someone who has followed His Majesty the Emperor through life and death.
You civil servants are nothing!
"A bunch of Confucian scholars who don't know shit want to command thousands of troops?"
"Have you ever fought in a war? Have you ever been in a charge? Are military and state affairs trivial? Are you worthy of commanding me?"
"What Duke Liang Guo said makes sense. If the Counselor's Office wants to manage military affairs, it can only be headed by military men. Scholars will only harm the country."
"Yes, it's a big joke that a weak scholar who has never been on the battlefield is commanding me to fight."
"We say we want to seize power, but I'm afraid it's you who really want to seize power, right?"
"Damn it, grandma, do these civil servants want to sit on my head and shit on me? I won't do it! It won't work without us military people in the Counselor's Office."
"A guy who talks on paper has no actual combat experience, and he can't even say a thousand things or ten thousand things."
"What's the use of just talking talk? If you have the ability, go out and fight me with real swords and guns."
…
The voices of the generals and nobles were louder and their words were more vulgar than those of the civil servants.
For a time, saliva flew everywhere in the court.
It was gentle at first, but gradually became more angry.
One by one, you pointed at my nose, and I pointed at your mouth, and started yelling curses.
Those who dig into the past, those who scold their ancestors, those who greet the whole family, those who roll up their sleeves and get ready to get started...
All kinds of embarrassing words and countless words that could not be heard were flying in the palace.
Civil servants and military generals fought fiercely, and no one gave in.
The solemn hall turned into a noisy vegetable market.
The two men and horses looked like fighting cocks. You looked at me and I stared at you, with swollen veins and fierce eyes, full of murderous intent.
There is a tendency to scold and start doing it at the same time.
Zhu Yunzhen sat on top, closed his eyes, as if asleep, and allowed the civil officials and military generals to quarrel.
"If a group of Confucian scholars dare to make noises, do you believe that I will slap you?"
"Those reckless men who only know how to take action, do you think I'm afraid of you?"
"Okay, today I have to show you how powerful I am!"
"How can we, scholars, be greedy for life and afraid of death? How can we be afraid of your threat?"
"I fucked your grandma!"
…
The quarrel between the two sides became more and more fierce, and a fight was about to begin.
The eunuch above finally shouted.
"quiet!"
"This is the court, where do you think it is?"
"How is it appropriate to have a quarrel?"
"Anyone who continues to quarrel will be dealt with strictly according to the rules."
The sound gradually stopped, and everyone slowly regained their composure. Looking upward, they saw Zhu Yunzhen sleeping soundly there.
"Your Highness, Your Highness," the eunuch quickly bent down, came to his side, and softly woke him up.
Zhu Yunzhen rubbed his eyes, stretched, and looked at the civil and military officials below.
"Are you done arguing?"
"Why don't you continue arguing?"
"It's noisy!"
"Keep making noise!"
All the officials immediately lowered their heads and did not dare to speak.
Zhu Yunzhen's expression gradually turned cold.
"As an important minister of the imperial court, you openly make noises and even want to fight in the court hall. Do you still think of the Ming Dynasty's laws? Do you still remember your identity?"
Zhu Yunxuan said coldly: "Every official in the palace today will be fined three months' salary."
All the officials felt chilled in their hearts.
Many scholars in later generations believed that the salaries of officials in the Ming Dynasty were very low.
In fact, strictly speaking, it is not that low.
For example, the salary of a seventh-grade official is 90 shi per year, which is 7.5 shi per month.
At that time, one stone was equivalent to more than 150 kilograms in later generations, and 7.5 stone was equivalent to more than a thousand kilograms of rice in later generations.
It does look low.
But don’t forget, Ming Dynasty is still a country with low productivity.
At this time, a strong man worked hard for a month without a day off, and the reward he could get was about 1.5 shi.
In other words, the income of a seventh-grade official is five times that of an average working man.
If the income of the average person in later generations (working overtime and working hard) is 100,000 yuan a year, then the salary of a seventh-rank official is about 500,000 yuan.
Although it's not that good, it's definitely not that low either.
Normally, there is no such thing as starving to death.
If someone with an income five times that of others would starve to death, then ordinary people would really not have to live.
As for first-grade officials and second-grade officials, the annual salary is more than 1,000 dan and more than 700 shi respectively, which is already 40 to 60 times the average salary of ordinary people.
This is equivalent to an annual salary of 4 million to 6 million in future generations, without having to pay personal income tax.
This income cannot be said to be very low in any way, let alone starving to death.
When Lao Zhu set salaries for officials, he still considered them comprehensively.
It’s not very high, and it’s not like I’m hungry.
Scholars of later generations always say that the salary of the Ming Dynasty was low, but they are speaking entirely from their own standpoint.
I wish I could read a little and know a few words, and my salary would be tens of thousands of times higher than that of ordinary people!
As for the salary of military commanders and nobles, it is even higher.
For example, there are many levels of duke. Among them, the salary of the founding duke can reach up to five thousand dan per year, and the lowest is more than double that of a first-grade official.
Of course, for most officials, the most important benefit is not even salary.
Instead, they are exempt from taxes and military service.
By not having to pay taxes, you can easily amass a fortune.
But there are also some poor officials who rely on their salaries to survive.
Being fined for three months is really painful.
This is also the effect Zhu Yunzhen wants to achieve.
I don’t expect to hurt all of them, just hurting some of them is enough.
"As for the establishment of an advisory office, what Duke Liang said is not unreasonable."
"Although civil servants are knowledgeable, they are not familiar with military matters."
"But the generals in the DPRK are all responsible for commanding the troops. They may lead troops to go out at any time. There is something wrong with letting them take charge of the advisory office."
Huang Zicheng added: "The official believes that civil servants are not completely ignorant of soldiers. For example, there are many people in the Ministry of War who know the soldiers and the army, and they are fully qualified."
"Lieutenant General Kuang Jun doesn't study much. He may not be qualified for reviewing memorials. I hope His Highness Taisun will think twice."
As soon as he said his words, all the generals and nobles looked at him angrily.
Hateful civil servants, hateful common men, how dare you despise us like this?
Zhu Yunzhen chuckled and said, "I have an idea."
All the officials looked over together.
He said: "There are differences between civil and military affairs, and military and government affairs are different. I plan to set up a military affairs office in addition to the advisory office, and recruit experienced and capable generals from the army to join them to specifically handle military affairs."
"good!"
"good idea!"
"Wonderful!"
"I agree!"
"I agree!"
…
Below, the military commanders and nobles rushed to express their opinions.
His Majesty has always discussed government and military affairs with civil servants.
Because the generals who command the troops are outside most of the time.
The generals who stayed in the court were either of low rank, or were only responsible for guarding and had never been on the battlefield... If the emperor wanted to find someone to discuss military and state affairs, he could only be a group of ministers, that is, civil servants.
As time went by, the military commanders and nobles always felt that they were restricted in everything. They could only fawn over the civil servants and were overpowered by them.
It would be great if a special military affairs office could be established and civilian officials could not participate.
"Your Highness, military and government affairs cannot be completely separated. The three armies have not moved, and food and grass go first. To lead the troops in battle, we need logistical support and the assistance of local officials. If we leave military affairs to the Military Affairs Office, we are afraid that coordination will be inconvenient... "
Huang Zicheng's face turned as cold as ice.
The original idea was to set up an advisory office to seize military power, but unexpectedly, it actually handed over the military power completely.
In the past, I could often discuss military and state affairs with His Majesty and use this to exert influence.
In the future, once the Military Affairs Office is established, I am afraid there will be no need to even ask their civilian officials.
From then on, military power had no relationship with civilian officials.
It will become extremely difficult to exert even a little influence on the army.
This is undoubtedly a severe blow to the civil servants.
Senseless.
The civil servants were all stunned.
Before going to court, everyone was gearing up, thinking that today was the time to seize power and take charge.
At least, it will definitely not be a problem to seize the military power and control the generals from now on.
Seeing Chang Mao being beaten, they strengthened this idea.
His Highness Taisun probably wanted to suppress the military commander Xungui.
This is also the view of most people.
Throughout the dynasties, after conquering the world and taking over the country, they all had to withdraw their military power.
After all, no one can rest assured that generals will always be in control of the army.
Maybe one day the drama of wearing a yellow robe will be staged.
Ming Dynasty will be no exception.
If you want to deal with military commanders and nobles, it is the most natural thing to give priority to civilian officials.
It is natural for civil servants to control generals.
None of them expected that His Highness Taisun would set up a special military affairs office.
Then how to seize the military power of the noble generals?
Panic.
Everyone panicked.
Therefore, Huang Zicheng quickly spoke up to stop this matter.
Zhu Yunzhen smiled slightly, looked at him and said, "There is no need to worry about coordinating with the local officials."
"I have already thought about it. From now on, the Counselor's Office will have its offices in the left hall, and the Military Affairs Office will have its offices in the right hall."
"After reviewing the memorial, hand it over to me for further reading. If there is any need for coordination, call us into the middle hall and discuss the matter together. This way, you will have no worries."
"What do you gentlemen think?"
Lan Yu bowed and said: "His Royal Highness Taisun is such a genius that he can come up with such a brilliant move. It's wonderful."
The military commanders and nobles expressed their praise one after another.
"good idea!"
"Wonderful!"
"As expected of His Majesty the Grand Sun!"
"Haha, look at you bunch of evil-minded civil servants, what else can you say?"
As long as the Military Affairs Office can be set up and is not subject to the control of civilian officials, they have no reason to disapprove.
…
The civil servants were all downcast.
Originally, he could use the opportunity of court discussions to influence the military's strategic layout and important personnel appointments.
But once the Military Affairs Office was established, the army returned to the army, and the government returned to the government, it was completely over.
If you want to get involved in the military again, it will be difficult to reach the sky.
Maybe disagree?
What's the reason?
Seeing that they were silent, Zhu Yunzhen immediately darkened his face and said, "Do you really just want to seize military power, not serve the country and the public?"
This is a heart-breaking argument.
What do you want to do to seize military power?
Rebellion?
Otherwise why?
The civil servants no longer dared to remain indifferent and could only speak out reluctantly.
"Your Majesty, this righteousness is feasible."
"This is a very good idea. I second my opinion."
"The lower official seconded the proposal."
"The lower official also seconded the proposal."
…
What else can I do but agree?
You can't say that you have selfish motives and want to seize military power, right?
Therefore, even if their hearts are bleeding and they are about to faint with anger, they can only express their approval.
The only thing that was different from the cheerful expressions of the military attachés was that they all looked as if their mothers had just died, and their expressions were extremely ugly.
This is especially true for Huang Zicheng, Qi Tai and others.
They finally figured it out.
This was designed by Zhu Yunxuan a long time ago.
Taking advantage of the establishment of the Advisory Office, he took over military power.
In the past, he proposed to set up a military affairs office to be in charge of military affairs.
The generals and nobles will definitely oppose it collectively.
No one wants to have an extra "dad" on their head who takes care of them.
However, in the name of opposing the military affairs office and using force, the Military Affairs Office was established without any resistance.
Instead, the military commanders and nobles strongly supported it.
And their civil servants were fooled again.
How can Huang Zicheng not be angry?
"These idiots set up the Military Affairs Office to reduce military power, and they will definitely withdraw it more thoroughly. They actually think that they are delegating power and that military generals are in charge... stupid... stupid beyond words."
Although he could not see how Zhu Yunxian planned to withdraw his military power, he firmly believed so.
Huang Zicheng felt a sigh of relief in his heart.
But I couldn't spit it out, so I had to endure it.
(End of chapter)
