Chapter 34: A Slight Disappointment from the Humeri [Please Follow for Updates]

"Ha! You gentlemen are truly discerning and righteous. Since that is the case, let us proceed according to Minister Su's proposal: first implement it as an experiment in Yingtian Prefecture, and after observing the results and refining the system for half a year, we shall promote it nationwide."

Zhu Yunxuan could not help but laugh with genuine joy. He had not expected the pillars of the Great Ming to be so cooperative; a mere bait had settled an issue he previously thought would be fraught with resistance. He even considered resolving the matter of the vassal kings simultaneously, as they seemed unlikely to object too strongly at the moment. However, he swallowed the words just as they reached his lips. The issue of the vassal kings was different from internal administrative reform; the interests involved were not merely those of a civil official group that he could manipulate at will.

Finally, under the expectant gazes of the crowd, Zhu Yunxuan suppressed the rest of his plans. "Since you gentlemen are so wise and righteous, I shall no longer hold anything back..."

"Regarding the cabinet election system, this is my thought: in the future, the Ming Cabinet will be nominated by the various ministries and local governments. The Six Ministries, the Censorate, and officials of the fourth rank or higher in each province will have the right to nominate. Nominees must hold a rank no lower than the fifth grade and must possess experience in both central and local government. Nominations are to be submitted directly to me for review. I will then select ten individuals from all nominees as candidates and announce them to the world..."

"When officials of the fifth rank or higher in each ministry and locality receive the list, they will simultaneously receive a ballot. The Embroidered Uniform Guard will deliver these ballots directly into my hands. The entire process will last one month. Finally, I will conduct a public and fair count in the presence of all officials. The five individuals with the highest number of votes will become the first batch of Grand Secretaries of the Ming Cabinet."

*Hoo, hoo, hoo...*

Everyone had finally heard what they had been yearning for, yet they could not help but feel a sense of disappointment. First, Zhu Yunxuan’s requirement that all officials of the fifth rank and above across the entire imperial court have the right to vote and be nominated made it a headache for those who aspired to enter the cabinet. The sheer number of such officials across the Ming Empire made canvassing support incredibly difficult, especially since the vast majority were local officials. Furthermore, since the ballots were to be delivered personally by the Embroidered Uniform Guard, it meant they had lost all hope of cheating. Consequently, if they wanted to enter the cabinet through other means, they would have to pay a much higher price. This was on a completely different scale from their previous assumption that Zhu Yunxuan would only allow a portion of the capital's officials to participate in the election, hence their unavoidable disappointment.

However, disappointment aside, the opportunity to advance was enough to make everyone feel as if they had been injected with adrenaline, frantically calculating in their heads how to win the most support. They knew clearly that since Zhu Yunxuan had summoned them, he intended to select the first cabinet members from among them.

"Your Highness, you mentioned the 'first batch.' Does this mean there will be many terms for the cabinet?"

At this moment, someone finally noticed the most crucial point.

*Swish, swish, swish.* All eyes turned to Yang Shiqi, who had spoken. Yang Shiqi, one of the famous "Three Yangs" of the Yongle era, was currently a mere fifth-rank director in the Ministry of Revenue. Originally, he had no qualifications to attend such a meeting; ever since entering the Qianqing Palace, he had been trembling, trying his best to remain invisible. Yet, for some reason, he had suddenly spoken up.

Zhu Yunxuan’s gaze fell upon Yang Shiqi, and the corners of his mouth curled upward. He thought to himself that he was indeed worthy of being one of the "Three Yangs"—his insight was well-deserved.

After a brief hesitation, Zhu Yunxuan smiled and said, "Correct! Since there is a first term, there will certainly be a second, a third, and even more..."

"Cabinet membership is not permanent. According to my plan, a cabinet term will last about five years, and each member can serve for a maximum of two terms. After two terms, they will lose the right to be elected."

"Of course, if someone still has the capacity to shoulder heavy responsibilities after two terms, I will have other suitable positions for them, so you need not worry too much."

Upon hearing Zhu Yunxuan’s explanation, the group felt another wave of disappointment, but after a moment of reflection, they couldn't help but shake their heads. Two terms meant ten years. By the time they entered the bureaucracy through the imperial examinations and rose to the fifth rank or higher to qualify for the cabinet, they would likely be in their forties or fifties, if not older. Ten years later, they would basically be at the age of retirement; their ambitions would have been largely fulfilled, and clinging to the position would serve little purpose. Of course, they understood in their hearts that this was a tactic by Zhu Yunxuan to prevent cabinet members from becoming too powerful, yet no one present would dare stand up and object at this time.

Compared to the minor inconvenience of term limits, they were now even more eager to leave the palace and find ways to gather enough supporters to stand out in the upcoming competition.

Zhu Yunxuan naturally saw through their thoughts. He smiled and waved his hand, saying, "If you gentlemen have no other opinions, please take your leave for now. I ask that you keep today's matters confidential for the time being; everything will be announced to the world once I formally ascend the throne."

"Yes, Your Highness."

The group, having no objections, offered their farewells and departed. Just as they left and Zhu Yunxuan was preparing to stretch his body, the voice of Song Zhong sounded from outside the hall.

"Your Highness, Commander Jiang has been found."

"Oh! Bring him in," Zhu Yunxuan said toward the hall entrance. He was somewhat surprised. He had thought Jiang Huan, fearing retribution, would have long since fled Yingtian; he hadn't expected him to be found.

"Your servants Song Zhong and Jiang Huan, pay respects to Your Highness."

Two figures soon entered the Qianqing Palace. Jiang Huan was not in any shackles or chains. Zhu Yunxuan’s gaze fell instantly upon the neatly dressed Jiang Huan, and a moment later, he couldn't help but look at Song Zhong.

Song Zhong understood immediately and reported with his head bowed, "Reporting to Your Highness, we found Commander Jiang at the Imperial Hospital."

"Hmm? The Imperial Hospital?" Zhu Yunxuan was stunned, then looked at Jiang Huan and asked, "Jiang Huan, what were you doing at the Imperial Hospital?" Could it be that Jiang Huan had relatives there and intended to take them with him?

Just as Zhu Yunxuan was speculating, Jiang Huan raised his head and looked directly at him. "Returning to Your Highness, your servant went to the Imperial Hospital to treat injuries... *Cough, cough!* Your Highness's martial arts are unparalleled. When your servant... *cough, cough*... woke up, I discovered three of my ribs were broken. I had no choice but to go to the Imperial Hospital first."

Zhu Yunxuan stared intently at Jiang Huan, trying to find any cracks or loopholes in the expression of this man who was simultaneously flattering him and playing the victim.