Chapter 101                                                             

Zhou Mengchen's various rhetorics could not hide the fundamental purpose in front of Jiajing, that is, to strengthen the power of the cabinet.

The fundamental contradiction in the Ming system is that an extremely centralized regime needs a master who is as diligent as Emperor Taizu. The Ming emperor is not competent for most of the time. The power vacuum is fought over by all parties. Therefore, the Ming system can only use the lowest maintenance model to govern the world. No major move can be done.

Zhou Mengchen's intention was to concentrate the centralization of the Ming Dynasty on the cabinet rather than on the emperor. The emperor participated in the government affairs with a more transcendent attitude. The real power was in the hands of the cabinet.

In fact, Jiajing has faced this situation. But the nominal power is still here in Jiajing. Jiajing has the highest power, which is the right to turn over the table. Other powers are all here in the cabinet.

Jiajing could only use personnel power and checks and balances in power and strategy to achieve the purpose of controlling the cabinet.

But the emperors after Jiajing were not the same.

Wanli and the cabinet made a mess, and both sides suffered losses in the end.

Tianqi opened the door and released Wei Zhongxian, and used the inner court to suppress the outer court.

Chongzhen could kill ministers like killing chickens. But what's the use? He could only destroy the operation of the Ming central center.

None of them can reach Jiajing's control over the cabinet.

Although this is already a reality, Jiajing is unwilling to admit the reality. After all, there are many unspoken rules, but if the unspoken rules become clear rules, it means one side’s retreat.

Just as Xu Jie retreated, worried that the other party would keep fighting and killing them all. The same is true for Jiajing. He could give power to the cabinet, but after confirming the power of the cabinet, how could he be sure that these civil servants would not take advantage of the victory.

After all, they hope that the Holy Emperor will rule the world with a tribute.

If you don’t consider the prince and grandson, Jiajing will deal with Zhou Mengchen now.

Just when he thought of this, Jiajing couldn't help but hesitate. His descendants were not as good as himself. But on the side of the ministers, I'm afraid that Zhou Mengchen's disciples might not be as good as Zhou Mengchen. But it wouldn't be much worse.

After all, the generation mechanisms of both parties are different.

One is a golden doll born with a golden key in his mouth, not knowing worries or sorrow. But the other is a hero who rushed up through layers of exams. It is more likely that the two sides have the ability. Needless to say.

In fact, Jiajing also regarded himself very highly. If Jiajing did not have the natural status of an emperor, would his abilities really surpass his ministers?

It's also a matter of two things.

Of course, Jiajing would never admit this, or even think about it.

Jiajing said, "Great companion, the prince is passed on."

The prince came soon. Jiajing's illness had not yet been completely cured. The prince moved from the East Palace to the West Garden and said he wanted to be filial. Of course, the Tian family naturally did not need the prince to serve by his side all the time, but he still had to do his posture. The prince soon came.

Jiajing rarely said to the prince with a smile, "Sit down."

The prince was a little flattered and sat down carefully.

Jiajing said, "Crown Prince. I am old. After this serious illness, I am exhausted both physically and mentally, and you are growing up. You are almost thirty. I have been in power for more than ten years. I want to pass on my position in you and abdicate as the Supreme Emperor. What do you think?"

This question shocked the prince to the outside and the inside.

The prince was not stupid enough to go home, so he naturally knew that this matter was unacceptable. He immediately knelt on the ground and said, "Father, why scare the child? The court cannot do without his father, and the child cannot do without his father."

Jiajing said with a smile: "Get up, my partner help him up."

Huang Jin immediately stepped forward and helped the prince up.

Jiajing said, "I will never retreat for a while. But there will always be a day when I am away. Today I will test you. One day, the northern Tartars invade, what should you do?"

The prince had almost no thought and said, "Let Lord Zhou lead his troops to resist."

Jiajing's mouth moved slightly and he said with a forced insult, "Now someone tells you that Zhou Mengchen is unpredictable. He took away all the troops in the capital. He wanted to follow the mutiny of Taizu of Song, Chen Qiao, and even the Tatars invasion were fake."

The prince opened his eyes wide and said, "Is this impossible?"

Jiajing said: "It is impossible not to say it. You just say what should you do?"

The prince didn't know how to start this question, so he said carefully: "Ask Master Gao."

Yes, the prince’s opinion is that the best way is to ask Gao Gong.

Jiajing said, "Now someone tells you that the people before were intentionally falsely accused, but it was a detailed work of the Tartars. What should you do?"

Seeing that Jiajing did not make a noise, the prince's voice became slightly louder and said, "My son thinks that Master Gao is the teacher pointed out to me by his father and was also the one left to me by his father. I naturally want to ask Master Gao."

Jiajing suddenly didn't want to ask anything.

He waved his hand and said, "You go."

The prince came and left in confusion.

"Hehe. This is my son. This is my son." Jiajing said: "This is my Zhu Houcong's son."

Jiajing had expected this answer. However, he still did not expect that the prince was so dependent on Gao Gong that he even had the urge to kill Gao Gong in his heart.

After all, if the prince becomes the emperor in the future and trusts a minister so much, it can be foreseen that Gao Gong will be favored for twenty or thirty years, and if a person holds power for so long, it is such a dangerous thing.

Zhou Mengchen's plan is only to increase the risk of future powerful ministers. After all, since Zhou Mengchen mentioned the charter, there must be restrictions. The prince has created a future powerful minister here.

However, Jiajing knew that killing Gao Gong was not advisable.

After all, the prince needs several ministers to assist him like this. Without a few confidants, even the emperor will not be able to sit steadily. By then, Gao Gong will be gone, and there will be other powerful ministers.

This disappointed Jiajing. He was decisive in his life and was not inferior to others. Now that he had such a son, he was simply a fool. Jiajing suddenly thought in his heart: "Do you want retribution?"

Jiajing suddenly had a cold war all over his body.

Thinking of that night, several palace maids united to kill him.

It was Jiajing's nightmare for the rest of his life. He hated him so much when he was young, but now he suddenly felt much softer when he remembered him. He did not regret killing those palace maids, but some regretted taking female lead in order to refine elixirs, which is the first meteor of young girls, which made many women worse than death.

Jiajing sighed and didn't think much about it.

Pulling my thoughts to Zhou Mengchen's plan, Jiajing said in his heart: "Maybe, I really have to take a step back. I have a great trouble, and I have a body; and I have no body, what trouble, and I have a body."

This sentence even comes from Lao Tzu.

Jiajing is still a Taoist deep down.

He actually knew that Zhou Mengchen's idea also had some benefits. The biggest advantage was that the emperor did not interfere in common affairs. In the world, everything was the chief minister's fault, and the emperor could become eternal wise.

After all, as long as you do things, problems may arise. If you have problems, you must take responsibility. If you do things directly, you will indirectly control the court through other methods. The emperor has a more transcendent position.

But who is willing to give up power voluntarily? The same is true for Jiajing.

Although he admitted that Zhou Mengchen's plan had his own reasons, he was still full of reluctance in his heart. He couldn't stop thinking about whether there were any other alternatives.

But where is there a perfect solution in the world?

Jiajing thought about it for several days but couldn't think of anything.

Finally, he ordered the summoning of Zhou Mengchen again.

Zhou Mengchen breathed a sigh of relief when he knew that Jiajing summoned him again.

In the past few days, he has been very distressed by Zhou Mengchen. For his reform plan, he has prepared many plans, revised and modified, increased and reduced, and now it cannot be said that it is a final draft. But it is also considered a draft.

Everything is ready, but the east wind is not available.

This east wind is Jiajing's nod.

Zhou Mengchen's success or failure depends on Jiajing's decision. Although Zhou Mengchen felt that his plan was for Jiajing, it was the most suitable plan for the Ming Dynasty royal family. Zhou Mengchen's goal was to push the Ming Dynasty to the real world of the virtual king step by step. If a suitable system could be formed, the Ming Dynasty might be able to last for more than three hundred years of reincarnation and directly inherit it to the modern era.

But it is most rational and does not mean that it is emotionally acceptable.

Fortunately, Jiajing summoned him again, indicating that he still has a chance to make a promise again.

This opportunity is very rare.
Chapter completed!