Chapter 1005: General Manager Zuo’s chess game (first update, please subscribe)
Your Majesty is a stinky chess piece!
In Ming Dynasty, this is not a secret at all.
However, although he is a bad chess player, His Majesty still likes to play chess and Go.
And he likes to play chess with his close ministers. What do the ministers think?
Are you enjoying it, are you still enjoying it, or are you scared...but one thing is certain, only close ministers will have the opportunity to play chess with His Majesty.
Once again, Zuo Zongtang was retained by His Majesty after reporting the government affairs. The two of them played chess for more than an hour. After losing, Emperor Zhu threw the chess piece away and said with a smile.
"Prime Minister Zuo, your level of chess is getting higher and higher. If I'm not careful, I'm afraid I'm going to win."
Zuo Zongtang, who was silently collecting the chess pieces, laughed when he heard this.
"Your Majesty, chess is really a trivial game. It is just a leisure game. When it comes to playing chess, no one in this world can match your Majesty. When I play chess, I only use the longitude and latitude of the chessboard as the chessboard, but when your Majesty plays chess, I use the longitude and latitude of the world as the chessboard."
Look at this flattering photo...it's so comfortable!
"You, Zuo Jigao, have also learned to flatter you. This is not a good habit!"
"Your Majesty, I'm just telling the truth."
While speaking, Zuo Zongtang had already put the chessboard away, and then he looked at His Majesty and said.
"Your Majesty, I am afraid that I will no longer be able to play chess with Your Majesty."
The reason why Zuo Zongtang said this was because he was already seventy, and it was a long-standing practice in the past dynasties to "become an official at seventy." So at this time, no matter what, he had to submit a memorial to become an official.
Looking at Zuo Zongtang with gray hair and beard in front of him, Emperor Zhu Da pursed his lips and said.
"For these years, Prime Minister Zuo has worked hard for the government. The Ming Dynasty can be what it is today, and Prime Minister Zuo has made great contributions."
Zuo Zongtang had revealed this intention before, and Emperor Zhu Da had no intention of retaining him. After all, he had been the cabinet minister for twelve years and it was almost time to replace him.
Of course, the more important reason is physical!
Historically, Zuo Zongtang died in office a few years later, and Emperor Zhu Da also hoped that he could become an official and take good care of his health.
Facing His Majesty's praise, Zuo Zongtang shook his head and said.
"Your Majesty, the Ming Dynasty is what it is today. It is all due to your Majesty. I am just doing things according to your Majesty's instructions."
Zuo Zongtang is not being polite. Although this imperial cabinet minister has visited European and American countries and has a certain international perspective, that's all. He is never proficient in foreign affairs, no matter how he tries to make up for it.
His knowledge of international diplomacy is always far behind His Majesty's.
In fact, in Ming Dynasty, no one can compare with His Majesty.
Your Majesty is truly a man who is born to know that science and technology, economy, military, diplomacy, and almost everything in the Ming Dynasty are controlled by the emperor himself... All officials, including Zuo Zongtang, made a more or less helpless discovery.
——His Majesty controls everything.
Just like Zuo Zongtang said before, His Majesty's layout of the world is obviously a big game, but unfortunately he doesn't know much about it. Only relevant people will know part of it, even the left prime minister of the cabinet, the head of hundreds of officials.
, and I only know a rough idea.
His Majesty seems to be "indifferent" to government affairs, like a hands-off shopkeeper, but in fact, all officials in Ming Dynasty are acting in accordance with His Majesty's plans. As for him, the left prime minister, he is just a person who manages trivial matters and promotes the progress of things.
Chief Superintendent.
To be such a general manager...actually, it's not easy at all.
"That's what I say, but when it comes to getting things done, there aren't many people who can make people feel at ease."
His Majesty seemed to say it casually, allowing Zuo Zongtang to think for a moment, and then said.
"I think Qian Degong can serve as cabinet minister. It is obvious to all that he has been working in Japan in the past few years."
Emperor Zhu Da nodded slightly and said.
"Qian Degong's ability to handle things is reassuring, but Wang Youling..."
"Your Majesty, he is two years older than me."
Zuo Zongtang's casual remark made Emperor Zhu Da nod his head without saying anything. Since Zuo Zongtang has taken up his official post, Wang Youling will soon take up his post as well.
"Your Majesty, in my opinion, this cabinet minister should have a limited time limit. Why have there been so-called "powerful ministers" and "traitors" in all dynasties? They are just sitting in the court for more than ten years, even if they are not married.
The party will also gather a group of people around it. The so-called forming a party for selfish interests is basically the same. A virtuous minister turns into a traitorous minister and a powerful minister. In the end, most of them will not end well."
Perhaps because he had already made up his mind to become an official, Zuo Zongtang did not have the slightest scruple when speaking, and finally made a direct suggestion.
"From my point of view, I may not be far behind in these twelve years. If the time is longer, I will either become a treacherous minister or become a powerful prime minister, which will not be a blessing to the empire!"
Emperor Zhu Da nodded slightly to Zuo Zongtang's suggestion. In fact, the political center of the Ming Dynasty was different from both the Chinese tradition and the West. Take the Imperial Executive Yuan as an example. It is the highest administrative organ and the prime minister's administrative affairs, including
The affairs of the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Public Accounts, Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Law, Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Ministry of Transportation, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Labor and other departments are all under the jurisdiction of the Executive Yuan.
The Executive Yuan has one prime minister and two associate ministers. Over the years, Zuo Zongtang has been the prime minister, the so-called "cabinet minister". As for Wang Youling, he was the associate minister. Two years ago, Qian Degong was promoted
Associate Minister. In the official context of the Ming Dynasty, both of them were assistant ministers.
Although the administrative system seems to integrate the East and the West, in fact, it follows the traditional Chinese governance policy. For example, the appointment of ministers and above are all based on imperial orders, and officials do not have terms of office.
In fact, to put it bluntly, the cabinet administrative system of the Ming Empire was designed to strengthen the imperial power. It further strengthened the imperial power based on borrowing from European monarchies. The Ming Dynasty's monarchy was different from the British constitutional monarchy and the German style.
Constitutional system, to a certain extent, the Ming Empire is similar to the Russian Empire - an absolute monarchy!
In the Ming Dynasty, the emperor had absolute authority, and the bureaucracy completely revolved around the imperial power. This was of course the "Chinese tradition". However, Emperor Zhu Da added some modern administrative elements to this tradition, but it was essentially a new bottle.
Just old wine.
Absolute monarchy is the essence. Imperial power is the core!
The reason why Zuo Zongtang said this now is actually not only to prevent the emergence of "power ministers", but also for the stability of the Ming Dynasty's political system. After all, in the current Ming Dynasty, there is no market for the traditional "kings fighting each other", but in absolute terms
Under imperial power, who knows?
Therefore, some things need to be taken before they happen, and this is the last thing Zuo Zongtang feels he can do for the Ming Dynasty.
"It seems you already have an idea?"
"I will give a memorial in the name of the Executive Yuan in the past few days."
Emperor Zhu Da nodded slightly and did not speak. After a while, he spoke.
"I have a villa in Yunding. Prime Minister Zuo can go there to take good care of himself. In a few years, I will still be of great use to you."
What?
Zuo Zongtang raised his head in confusion, his eyes full of surprise. What does Your Majesty mean?
"Don't look at me, Prime Minister Zuo, and take care of your health. In a few years, something big will happen, and I will still need you to help me control and steer the ship. I can rest assured that you can handle things!"
Zuo Zongtang almost didn't shed tears when he said "I'll rest assured when you do things". How many ministers have had this kind of trust throughout the ages?