() After two days of deliberation, a meeting on administrative system reform was held in the Sansi Hall of the Governor's Office. In addition to Sima An and others, He Liang, who hurried over from Nanchang, was also in the hall.
The reaction of the crowd was beyond Qin Mu's expectations. Although Sima An and others had spoken out to stop him two days ago, their attitude was not firm at that time. Two days later, the attitude of the crowd was unusually consistent and firm. They did not support Qin Mu, but stood up and strongly opposed Qin Mu's reform plan.
Sima An, He Liang and others refused to give in and argued with Qin Mu until they were red in the face. Sima An even scolded Qin Mu for being stupid in public, saying that he was eager for quick success and instant benefits, destroying his own strength and throwing his own army into disarray. He even threatened Qin Mu with "resignation".
Sima An had no scruples about what he said since all the people in the Three Departments were his own people. After two days of careful consideration, he felt that now was not the time to make drastic changes to the administrative structure. With the foundation not yet stable, such a move would most likely lead to alienation from everyone.
Thinking of all the unpredictable and serious consequences, Sima An was extremely excited and spoke very fiercely. Seeing that Qin Mu was determined to cut him, he almost spit on Qin Mu's face: "Sir, don't forget that you are now a minister of the Ming Dynasty and the governor of southern Jiangxi. There are some things that can be done in secret, but you are changing the structure of the prefecture at this time. What is this? Isn't it putting the hat of a traitor on your head?"
Qin Mu said without giving in: "I just want to select a few counties to conduct some pilot projects to test the effects of the reform and the problems that exist. Why do you have to react so radically?"
He Liang jumped up and refuted loudly: "Sir, as the saying goes, one leaf falling can herald the coming of autumn. Others are not fools. The administrative structure is not an ordinary issue. It is a core issue related to the vital interests of every official. When you beat the grass, I am afraid that you will not scare away one or two snakes, but all the snakes.
Think about it, sir. In Huguang and Jiangxi, in all the territories under your control, how many officials have been through thick and thin with you? How many people can you guarantee will always stay with you? Now they listen to you and are willing to serve you because you can give them what they want. If you push them too hard, how many of them will still be willing to follow you? Sir, if you start cutting into the administrative structure now, you are shooting yourself in the foot. "
Lian Tianyimu did not hesitate to offend him and said, "Sir, you can't do that. You have just hastily conquered some territory and it seems to be developing well, but don't forget that you are still a minister of the Ming Dynasty and have no moral integrity. People like your father-in-law are unwilling to associate with you. What's more, sir, wake up. Most of those who follow you now want to have a good future. If you cut off their hope now, will they still follow you, a person without moral integrity
My Lord, when you have conquered the world and established the orthodoxy, it will not be too late to formally launch the reform. My Lord, please think about it. Taizu abolished the prime minister system, promoted the six ministries, and changed the five military governors' office. Which of these things was not gradually carried out after the orthodoxy was established and the foundation was solid? My Lord, you can't eat hot tofu in a hurry! "
Everyone opposed so fiercely, and what they said was not without reason. Although Qin Mu felt uncomfortable, he did not say anything for a while. At this moment, he suddenly realized deeply that there is often an insurmountable gap between ideals and reality.
Throughout history, many monarchs were ridiculed as stupid by later generations, but they did not know that they often had many difficulties and hardships, and some stupid things they did had no choice but to do.
The first few monarchs of each dynasty seemed to be wise, while the later monarchs were mostly defined as incompetent. In fact, the monarchs at the end of the dynasty were not necessarily incompetent, but the entire dynasty system was rigid, forcing them to make many compromises and often had to circumvent some untouchable barriers. Therefore, what they did seemed absurd and stupid to people who did not know the facts at the time.
Like Chongzhen, if he were in the early Ming Dynasty, such a diligent emperor might not be able to become a wise monarch. But in the late Ming Dynasty when its body had already become rigid, even an emperor like Emperor Taizong of Tang might not do better than Chongzhen.
Why did Chongzhen appoint ministers based on imperial decree instead of imperial recommendations? Wasn't it because almost all the ministers in the court were involved in factional disputes? How could the imperial recommendations select ministers who were truly dedicated to the country and the people
The ministers selected by imperial decree were not good stuff either. This was because the emperor was in the palace and the people he could come into contact with were either from this faction or that faction. The so-called "good talents" he knew of were all recommended by these people. Chongzhen was like a person trapped in a swamp, powerless to rise, the more he struggled, the deeper he sank.
At this moment, Qin Mu deeply understood Chongzhen's difficulties and really experienced it.
Qin Mu's silence did not make Sima An and others relax. It seemed that they would not give up until they uprooted his idea of reform immediately and "crushed his bones and scattered his ashes".
Sima An said generously, "Sir, if you want to play with fire and hurt yourself, go ahead and change it. I have misjudged you. At first, I thought you had a long-term vision and that the policies you implemented would take the overall situation into consideration and be supported by the lower-class people and the upper-class gentry. There would be great potential for the world. But I didn't expect you to be so eager for quick success and short-sighted. If you insist on changing the administrative structure of the prefecture now, I'm sorry that I can no longer serve you."
Qin Mu heaved a long sigh and said dejectedly: "Well, since everyone thinks that the time is not right now, let's put this matter aside for now. I am very pleased that you can speak frankly and advise me of my mistakes."
Qin Mu secretly made up his mind that if he could really conquer the world one day, he would learn from Zhu Yuanzhang and make anyone who opposed the reform go to the King of Hell to protest.
Seeing that Qin Mu finally listened to the advice, everyone present couldn't help but secretly breathe a sigh of relief. Sima An came out first to apologize and said, "My lord, my words were a bit extreme, but my heart is clear. I definitely didn't deliberately hinder you for my own selfish interests. I hope you can understand."
"Please understand, sir." He Liang and others said in unison.
Qin Mu waved his hands and sighed, "I know all this. Although I dare not compare myself to Emperor Taizong of Tang, I can still listen to some honest advice that may be unpleasant to the ear. Let's just let it go. You don't have to hold a grudge in your heart. To be honest, I started thinking about this matter when I was in Yueyang, and I spent a lot of effort on it, but I didn't expect to make a mistake in timing. I made such a low-level mistake. This is why I feel uncomfortable, not because you dared to speak out against me."
"Your Excellency, there is no need to do this. No one is perfect. If you can do everything perfectly, then what use would you have for us?"
Qin Mu did realize that he was a little too eager for quick success, and at the same time, he also had a deeper understanding of the complexity and terror of the bureaucratic system. In this regard, it is not that you can do whatever you want just by holding the handle of the knife. Everything needs an opportunity.
He decided that he must hold on to Yuelu Academy in the future. Only after a group of new talents have been trained and he has his own right-hand men and women could he fight against the old ideas.
As far as the current situation is concerned, as long as he holds the army tightly and pushes the new system forward, it will not be difficult to chop off the heads of anyone who dares to oppose it. After all, most people are afraid of death, and there won't be many who will really resist to the death. But is it really efficient administration in return
After you kill a few people and scare the others, what you might get in return is disunity and hypocrisy, which will then have the opposite effect.
After arguing for most of the day, everyone was thirsty and their stomachs were growling with hunger, so they dispersed to eat. Qin Mu returned to the back court alone, looking a little lost. Yang Zhi, who had just moved back, immediately felt the subtle changes in her husband's mood.
"Husband, what's wrong? Did something happen?"
Qin Mu smiled bitterly, but he didn't hide anything from her. He told her the general situation. Yang Zhi chuckled and said, "This is how your husband behaves like a human being."
"Hmm? What are you talking about? Was I not a human being before?"
"Well, in the past, my husband really wasn't like a human being, but like a god, as if he knew everything and could do everything. I really didn't see my husband make any big mistakes. But humans are not gods after all, so how can they not make mistakes? My husband, don't take it personally. Every failure is a learning experience. My husband is still young, so a few setbacks may not be a bad thing."
"Well, my lady, you seem to be eager for me to make more mistakes."
"Yeah, I just hope that my husband will make more mistakes, otherwise I will always feel that I am not worthy of him, hehe."
"You! I'm so mad at you. It seems like I really spoiled you."
"If my husband feels too angry, just hit me twice." Yang Zhi said with her belly in her hands, her eyes and eyebrows full of smiles.
"Okay, you're so cruel. I can't do anything to you now, but when the baby is born, you'll see how I beat him." Qin Mu had never realized that Yang Zhi had such a naughty side before. She didn't look like someone who was going to be a mother.
However, after Yang Zhi's commotion, Qin Mu's feeling of frustration dissipated unconsciously, which was exactly the effect Yang Zhi wanted to achieve.
Based on her understanding of her husband, she knew that trying to persuade him seriously might not have any effect. On the contrary, making him smile like this would help to untie the knot in his heart.
"My husband, you can beat me or not, it's your child anyway." Yang Zhi smiled sweetly, her beautiful eyes wandering around, her charm indescribable, she touched the ground with her toes, and turned around gracefully.
"Hiss, my lady, my lady, what are you doing? How can you do such a dangerous thing?" Qin Mu was very nervous and quickly reached out to hug her.
While enjoying his care, Yang Zhi smiled and instructed Momo and Ruo who were waiting beside her: "Hurry up and ask the kitchen to bring the food. My husband has been feeling disappointed for a long time, so don't let your stomach feel disappointed too."
"Ma'am, you're being naughty again."
"It is you, my husband, who won't let me be serious."
"Hey, hurry up and bring the food. Hurry up and bring the food. I'm hungry."
After lunch, when Mr. Qin returned to the third hall, he had regained his previous confidence. Sima An and others couldn't help but feel secretly relieved when they saw him. This was the Qin Mu they hoped to see, and this was the Qin Mu they were willing to follow.
Qin Mu and the others sat down and immediately asked in a serious tone, "Mr. He, is there any progress in Nanchang?"
ps: I would like to ask if you have monthly tickets? Please support me.
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