Chapter 12: Resentment in Poverty, Retribution in Prosperity

Chapter 12: When Poor, Harbor Resentment; When Powerful, Retaliate and Reverse Fortunes

A boss who wants to get things done always starts by troubling those below him. Xu Jingchang had learned this well in his previous life.

Now, Zhu Di sought to reform domestic affairs, restore the people's livelihood, and wage wars abroad... He spoke decisively, yet countless tangled matters—like a tangled hemp rope—had to be shouldered by those beneath him.

Fortunately, Xu Jingchang was the Director of the Directorate of Government Affairs and was not responsible for specific administrative tasks, which might make things easier.

In fact, this was Xu Jingchang’s first time working at the Directorate of Government Affairs.

A civil official in his forties had been waiting early on.

“I am Wu Shan, humbly serving as Left Counselor. I pay respects to the Director of the Directorate.”

Xu Jingchang glanced at him and noticed Wu Shan holding a roster. He smiled, “This is my first official post, and I’m not quite familiar with the protocols. Could you tell me how many subordinate officials the Directorate has and what affairs they handle?”

Wu Shan quickly replied, “The Directorate of Government Affairs was established by the Great Emperor Taizu. His Majesty said that governance is like water, meant to flow smoothly. Therefore, the Directorate was set up specifically to facilitate the flow of government matters and prevent ministers from deceiving the sovereign. Especially after the abolition of the Secretariat, the Directorate’s authority increased daily, ranking just below the Six Ministries and the Supervisory Court. The Director of the Directorate is one of the nine great ministers, admired by all in the court and the countryside.”

Xu Jingchang nodded, “Then tell me, what exactly are its responsibilities?”

Wu Shan nodded in turn. “First, all memorials from the ministries in the capital must be submitted here. The Directorate categorizes them: minor matters are sent directly back to the ministries for handling; crucial matters are sent straight to the Left Shun Gate and then to the Court of Imperial Ceremonies, which presents them to His Majesty. After the emperor’s decision, the Directorate formally distributes the orders to the Six Ministries and their departments.

“Additionally, memorials and petitions from outside the capital are sent here for forwarding. If commoners have grievances, these too must first come to the Directorate, where the ‘Drum of Awareness’ is stationed within our compound. Moreover, if the Director learns of important matters, he can immediately report to His Majesty. The Director also participates in official discussions and significant military and national affairs. In short, all matters concerning the ministries, whether inside or outside the capital, at every level, fall under your purview to some extent.”

Xu Jingchang took a deep breath. Being able to oversee a bit of everything sounded familiar—was this like the Ministry of Administrative Affairs? Had he become a Jim Hack?

After some thought, he realized this was all due to Zhu Yuanzhang.

Originally, the Chancellor coordinated all affairs, overseeing the officials and all internal and external governance, with every matter passing through this level before reaching the emperor.

But Zhu Yuanzhang abolished the Secretariat, assuming the title of Chancellor himself, directly facing the Six Ministries and submitting all matters, great or small, to the Son of Heaven.

This necessitated an office to preliminarily organize affairs and convey imperial commands—undoubtedly falling to the Director of the Directorate.

One could roughly view the Director as the emperor’s secretary.

Thus, among the nine great ministers, the other eight managed their respective domains, even powerful figures like Jian Yi and Xia Yuanji could only handle their own ministries’ affairs.

Only the Director of the Directorate could intervene in all state matters, wielding astonishing authority.

Yet, Xu Jingchang did not rejoice too soon. After Zhu Di ascended the throne, he found governance too cumbersome and lacked his father’s energy. So, he established the Grand Secretariat, selecting a group of Hanlin officials to serve as Grand Secretaries, assisting the emperor in handling affairs.

In fact, the establishment of the Grand Secretariat encroached upon the Directorate’s powers. Soon, the emperor grew even more detached from daily governance, and the authority of the inner court rose. The Directorate would still submit memorials, but the Court of Imperial Ceremonies would review them once more, further diminishing the Directorate’s power until it became almost ceremonial.

By the mid-Ming dynasty, the Grand Secretariat dominated, and even Ministry officials bowed before the Grand Secretaries.

Thus, the balance of power among the inner court, outer court, Grand Secretariat, and Six Ministries was dynamic, largely depending on the ministers’ own abilities.

When a prime minister like Zhang Juzheng was in power, even the strongest ministers of the Six Ministries were powerless.

But with weak Grand Secretaries, the situation was otherwise.

At present, however, the situation was unique.

Zhu Yuanzhang had abolished the Secretariat, making the Six Ministries subordinate directly to the emperor. The Ministry of Personnel’s chief was still the undisputed leader of the court.

The Grand Secretariat had yet to be established, and the Court of Imperial Ceremonies was still in the phase where eunuchs were forbidden from meddling in politics. As one of the nine great ministers, the Director of the Directorate remained the legitimate top secretary to the emperor.

From this perspective, promoting Xu Jingchang to Director was indeed somewhat of an overpromotion.

Perhaps he should suggest to Zhu Di to establish the Grand Secretariat soon, bring the “Three Yangs” under his command, let them handle the work, and lighten his own burden.

Wu Shan seemed unaware of Xu Jingchang’s thoughts and continued, “Under the Director are the Left and Right Directors, as well as Left and Right Counselors. There is also a special officer called the Right Director of Transcript, who handles copying imperial decrees and memorials but does not participate in internal affairs.”

Xu Jingchang nodded. “I remember you said you are the Left Counselor. What about the Left and Right Directors? Have they not come to see me? Surely, they have duties.”

Wu Shan hurriedly explained, “It’s a misunderstanding. They have not refused to meet you, but returned to their hometowns early on.”

“Returned home? What do you mean?”

“After the Jingnan Campaign, many officials fled. Some did not wish to serve His Majesty, others feared being labeled remnants of the Jianwen regime, so they all escaped.”

Xu Jingchang was stunned and said in surprise, “There are people unwilling to be officials? Are there many?”

“Many. Over a hundred with known names,” Wu Shan answered honestly.

Xu Jingchang grew interested. “Then why didn’t you run?”

“I did not come through the imperial examination route and rely entirely on the Great Emperor Taizu’s patronage to serve in court. My family is not wealthy, with several mouths to feed. We depend on this salary. How could I dare resign? Moreover, today’s emperor is wise and valorous, having conquered the world from a small corner. He must be a capable sovereign. To serve a wise and holy ruler is my fortune,” Wu Shan said.

Xu Jingchang nodded. “It’s good you think that way. When I resign someday, this Directorate will be yours.”

Wu Shan was shocked. “I’m terrified! Have I said something wrong?”

“You haven’t,” Xu Jingchang replied, “I just lack interest. I have a noble title to inherit at home!” He laughed, “You must work hard and truly see yourself as the Director of the Directorate!”

Unintentionally, he painted a grand vision for Wu Shan.

Wu Shan gritted his teeth. After struggling for decades, he was only a mere Left Counselor, while this man was already Director—and worse, he didn’t even value the directorate post, thinking instead of returning home to inherit a noble title.

How vast the gap between people could be!

Still, no matter what, Xu Jingchang was willing to give him a chance, and Wu Shan was ready to fight for it.

“Actually, our Directorate can influence many matters. For example, if two ministries dispute over one case, whoever submits the memorial to the emperor first gains the advantage. This is the principle of ‘first in, first served; last in, a mere guest,’” Wu Shan whispered.

Xu Jingchang pondered quietly and grew interested. “Indeed. Are there any other tricks?”

Wu Shan added, “Our daily duty is to distinguish the importance of affairs and assign them to the ministries or deliver them to the palace. There is considerable room for maneuver—whether to make a small issue big or a big issue small depends entirely on your will.”

Xu Jingchang nodded again. It seemed the methods had been similar throughout history; it all depended on one’s skill.

After thinking a while, Xu Jingchang smiled brightly. “Wu Shan, I’m a young man full of ambition—I believe that when poor, one harbors resentment; when successful, one retaliates and reverses fortunes. That Duke of Qi, Qiu Fu, disparaged me before many, calling me a mere junior and looking down on the Xu family. Can you find a way to show him some color?”

Wu Shan’s face tightened, thinking, What sort of motto is this?

Still, he disliked those new nobles of the Jingnan Campaign who bullied others and had only dared to be angry silently before.

“It’s like this: recently, many commoners have petitioned, saying soldiers have abducted women into military camps, causing families to be torn apart and couples separated, which has caused great public resentment. It is our Directorate’s duty to plead for the people. If you speak out justly and rescue the innocent, you will surely win the gratitude of the people.”

Xu Jingchang considered and said, “Alright, select two memorials and slip them among the ones delivered to the palace. Let’s pretend we overlooked them for now. We shouldn’t offend anyone outright yet, especially since it involves the generals from the Jingnan Campaign. Let’s test the waters first.”

Wu Shan eagerly agreed, “The Director is wise!”

The next day, the memorials were submitted.

While Xu Jingchang awaited the outcome, Qiu Fu also brought a deposition to meet Zhu Di.

“Your Majesty, Sheng Yong harbors resentment and plots rebellion. I have obtained a deposition here for Your Majesty’s inspection.”

Zhu Di lowered his head to read and casually asked, “I heard Sheng Yong captured one of our hundred-household officers and ordered him to release the abducted women. Is this true?”

Qiu Fu immediately shook his head. “Your Majesty, someone is slandering the troops. Our military discipline is strict. Such things would never happen.”

(The End of the Chapter)