Chapter 1036 Questions about the country name

(1036)

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When the secret service is not used well, it will even hurt itself. It seems that the factory and security institutions in the Ming Dynasty originally had the function of external reconnaissance. However, in fact, the factory and security institutions have become simple tools for internal suppression, and their external functions have been completely lost. Civil war internalists and foreign war external experts, it is better not to have such an institution.

Perhaps, when he was the emperor, he should be able to control the overall situation. However, it is hard to say that his son would be better than him. Zhang Zhun did not think that his son would be better than him. Even if he tried his best to teach him, he would not have all the knowledge of four hundred years. Not to mention his descendants in the future.

If those in power rely too much on the secret service, they will become a dynasty that is darker than the Ming Dynasty. Such a dark dynasty will definitely be very short-lived. The facts in later generations fully show that oppression on the people is also powerful, and the more powerful the people's resistance is. In the end, the angry people will still rise up and overthrow the rule of the dictator.

There is a great philosopher who once used this metaphor. A dictator is like a magnificent and magnificent ship. When everything goes well, no one is its opponent. It can crush all its opponents. However, once it encounters a storm, there is no chance to float up again.

A democratic society is like a bamboo raft, and the chance of sinking is very small. Even if it sinks, it will float up quickly. However, people standing on the bamboo raft always have to soak their feet in water. It is absolutely impossible to be as comfortable as a big boat.

In order to have a relatively stable development path in the new empire, Zhang Zhun decided to achieve a balance between the big ship and the bamboo raft as much as possible. It is impossible to have complete democracy. It is unrealistic to ask him to give up all the power in his hands. Even if he really gives up, others would not dare to accept it. If he didn't do it well, he would think that this was the fire pit that Zhang Zhun targeted him.

The fundamental way to achieve balance is to give up part of the imperial power. For example, the power of judgment, the power of finance, and the power of trial, Zhang Zhun has already given up. The transfer of fiscal power means no longer treasury. All the state's income is entered into the national treasury. The emperor's own small treasury is very small and can be ignored.

The emperor had no private money, and what followed was naturally a large number of harems were cut off. These three thousand palace maids and hundreds of thousands of eunuchs were impossible to continue to exist. Perhaps, each lady around Zhang Zhun could have one or two maids. However, the total number of people must not exceed one hundred.

Zhang Zhun could not afford to live in such a large place as the Forbidden City. The annual maintenance cost of the Forbidden City is estimated to cost tens of thousands of taels of silver. Zhang Zhun probably would not want such expenditure. It seems that the Forbidden City is preparing to be converted into a park and open to the public for fees. As for Zhang Zhun’s own residence, as long as it is the size of the Heng Palace, it is enough.

A big focus of giving up financial power is the power to increase taxes. In the past, as long as the emperor liked, he could increase taxes at will. Three salaries and other things were collected randomly. He added whatever he wanted and added as much as he wanted. Now, of course, this cannot be done. Now, tax increases must be approved by most members of the cabinet. If the cabinet does not approve, even the emperor will not be able to increase taxes. Moreover, this cabinet has certain changes in nature, which has a greater restraining effect on the imperial power.

The cabinet of the Ming Dynasty was born on the basis of the six ministries and nine ministers. It was more of an administrative executive body, mainly to execute the emperor's orders. In terms of supervision of imperial power, it mainly depends on individuals. If the cabinet chief has a strong personal power and the emperor is weak, there is a possibility of supervision. It seems that Zhang Juzheng is in the environment. In general, supervising imperial power is just a beautiful fantasy.

When the emperor was dissatisfied with the cabinet, he could use various methods to kick the annoying people away and replace them with someone he liked. In this way, the so-called supervision is even more empty. The cabinet chief minister would not easily do anything against the emperor for his own glory and wealth. Who would like to do something that is not good?

Now, after the change, the members of the cabinet are no longer produced by six ministries or other institutions, but are elected. During the entire election process, the emperor did not participate. The election of cabinet members is mainly determined by the representatives of each province and the prefecture. The representatives of each province and the prefecture are decided by the representatives of the next level.

The most grassroots power has clear regulations, that is, after the establishment of the new empire, all states will be changed into counties. There are about 2,000 counties in the country. Each county has ten votes. Three people, including the magistrate, the county magistrate, the county magistrate, and the county magistrate, each with one vote. The other seven votes will be obtained by local people and influential figures in the county.

It can be said that this cabinet is a bit similar to the later parliament. The cabinet chief is a bit like the cabinet prime minister. Of course, the power of the cabinet prime minister is not as great as that of later generations. The power of the election has not fallen into the hands of ordinary people. Influential people in the local area are obviously not ordinary people. However, no matter what, this is indeed progressing. The most obvious example is that the emperor cannot do whatever he wants.

Making such a decision is actually a great concession for Zhang Zhun. It can be imagined that once the Prime Minister of the Cabinet appears, his suppression of imperial power will be very significant. Because behind him is a large group of representatives. These people are basically the backbone of society. Even the emperor cannot easily shake the backbone.

In order to prevent a civil war in power struggle, Zhang Zhun specifically stipulated that the cabinet has no power to intervene in the army and cannot have military power. However, the emperor cannot use force to dissolve the cabinet. If the emperor takes force and forcibly disband the cabinet, the cabinet has the power to form an army on its own to fight against the imperial power. This provision is the most deadly.

Will there be a danger of civil war in the future? Zhang Zhun cannot be sure. However, he can be sure that if the emperor is really not powerful or too unpopular, he will only be able to step down. If his descendants are really so incompetent, they will have to leave in shame. Given the power of the emperor, you can't even suppress the place. What else can you say? The face of your ancestors has lost all your face.

"Governor-General wise!"

Qiao Yunsheng breathed a deep breath and said from the bottom of his heart.

Zhang Zhun is such a rare true dragon emperor! With such a killer move, the cabinet has the ability to bargain with the emperor. If the emperor wants to kick the cabinet away, it is absolutely impossible for him to do whatever he wants. The imperial power that no one can curb for has finally changed fundamentally. Qiao Yunsheng has enough reason to be proud. He is the first person in Chinese history to clearly write the restriction of imperial power into the law in black and white. This alone can make his name remain in history.

In a happy mood, Qiao Yunsheng talked more about the topic. After discussing the key issues of law, he said expectantly: "Sir, has the country name been deemed?"

Zhang Zhun said in a little surprised: "Didn't you decide?"

Qiao Yunsheng said a little embarrassedly: "The territory of the new empire is too large. We have thought about a lot of national names, but it seems that they are not suitable. National names are related to the image of the new empire, and we must be very cautious. Therefore, it is better to ask the governor to make suggestions for this national name."

They did discuss what kind of name to give the new empire. But after thinking about it, there was no good answer. Who knows how big the future territory of the Hu Ben Army will be expanded? If you choose Qi, Yan and others, you will be too stingy and will be laughed at. Ming Kingdom is not bad, but unfortunately it was used.

Zhang Zhun doesn't care about the future country name. If the country is strong, the name will naturally be familiar with it. He thought about it and said casually: "Since that's the case, let's have some new ideas. Since one word is not easy to use, then use two words. We started with the Hu Ben Army, and the name of the empire is called the Hu Ben Empire."

Qiao Yunsheng thought for a moment and nodded gently.

The Hu Ben Empire, such a name, sounds good, of course not very nice. It is too vulgar. However, if it is not good, it is quite a bit disappointing. Ordinary ordinary people are already familiar with it. To the outside world, the word Hu Ben is originally full of aggressive momentum. I believe many people are shuddered by the title of the Hu Ben Army.

Zhang Zhun said casually: "That's what I said, you can study it again."

Qiao Yunsheng agreed to go.

However, he could basically conclude that the name of the Hu Ben Empire should have passed. The Hu Ben Army has been deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, and the Hu Ben Empire has also come naturally. Especially the military personnel will definitely support this country name. Nothing else, it sounds like domineering!

...

"Sir, this is sent by Li Yan's army."

Shortly after Qiao Yunsheng left, Wang Shide sent the latest battle report.

At present, Li Yan's army is mainly stationed near Xiangyang and is preparing to attack Shuzhong with Hao Linyong's White Tiger Legion. Because the terrain and landform of Shuzhong are relatively complex, the roads are rugged, and the logistics supply is difficult, they need to prepare more materials. Therefore, this year, it is definitely impossible to launch an attack.

The issue of Shuzhong is the last stop for the Huben Army to solve the court. At present, Shuzhong is the last support of the court. All the supplies stationed in Xi'an Prefecture rely on Shuzhong's supply. Once Shuzhong is gone, the court will naturally collapse.

In other words, for Zhang Zhun, there is actually no need to directly attack Xi'an Prefecture. As long as you take down Sichuan, the imperial army around Xi'an Prefecture will have to raise your hand to surrender. If you don't surrender, you will have to drink the northwest wind.

Whether the Hu Ben Army should use force to solve the problem in Shuzhong is the attitude of the court. Zhang Zhun had already passed on his intentions to Chongzhen through King Xiang, giving him a chance to choose. If the court was willing to make concessions and accept the conditions offered by Zhang Zhun. The Hu Ben Army could enter Shuzhong peacefully and avoid the loss of life.

However, once the court resisted desperately, the Hu Ben Army had no choice but to adopt force. The Hu Ben Army did not hesitate at all about this. Anyway, the Hu Ben Army would enter Shuzhong. After the Hu Ben Army entered Shuzhong, it would be ready to march towards Tibet and other areas. The Hu Ben Army's advancement would not stop easily.

"What do you say about Qin Liangyu?"

Zhang Zhun asked casually.

The first obstacle that the Hu Ben Army encountered when it was about to enter Sichuan was the famous female general Qin Liangyu. She had always been the main force in defending Sichuan. The Baigang soldiers she led were also a good elite team in the late Ming Dynasty. Every time Zhang Xianzhong came to attack Sichuan, she was responsible for organizing the defense. As a result, Zhang Xianzhong did not get any benefits every time. Now that the Hu Ben Army is here, she is naturally still the main force.

In order to protect the security of Shu, the court naturally favored Qin Liangyu in every possible way. This old woman, who was over 60 years old, had one title after another. Even the noble titles of the Three Dukes and Third Divisions appeared on the head of a female general for the first time. The white-rod soldiers under her were also trying their best to expand their troops, reaching a scale of 40,000 people.

In order to peacefully resolve the problem in Shu, the Hu Ben Army sent people to contact Qin Liangyu, hoping that Qin Liangyu could hand over to Sichuan peacefully. Zhang Zhun promised that he would treat Shu King and other people in the court with kindness. Zhang Zhun still admired this female general, after all, she had led the White Rod Soldiers and fought with the Tartars back then.

“No response.”

Wang Shide replied in a low voice.

"oh."

Zhang Zhun nodded thoughtfully.

The meaning of no response is that he was rejected. It seems that Qin Liangyu was indeed loyal and determined to the Ming court. Thinking about it, if Qin Liangyu would change the party easily, she would not call him Qin Liangyu. Chongzhen is also a fool. It is useless to keep such a person, and he wasted his talents in vain!

What a pity, the Hu Ben Army is the opposite of Qin Liangyu. The position of the two armies determines that there is no possibility of turning around. If Qin Liangyu is determined to resist, he is afraid that the Hu Ben Army will not be able to take down Sichuan without spending some effort. Her 40,000 white-rod soldiers are all good elites. It would be a pity if she died at the gun of the Hu Ben Army!

"Tell Hao Linyong to launch an attack according to the plan. If Qin Liangyu is caught, try to treat it as preferentially. If you are accidentally beaten to death, you should also be buried with a grand funeral. Try to preserve the descendants of the Qin family. If the backbone of the Baigang soldier has participated in the killing of the Tartars, you can give travel expenses and ask them to go home and not treat them as prisoners."

Zhang Zhun said slowly while thinking.

Wang Shide was recorded one by one.
Chapter completed!