Chapter 56: The Great Achievement of Ke

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If one were a loyal and upright official from the southeastern region, hearing Xu Jie’s words might well move them to tears, inspiring a lifetime of devoted service. Zhu Zailun quietly observed Xu Jie, silently reflecting. Minister Xu demonstrated such deep empathy for local officials and sincere sympathy for his colleagues at court. It was no wonder he later earned the esteemed title of “Half-Minister Xu.” Truly deserved!

Meanwhile, on the imperial throne, the Jiajing Emperor furrowed his brows. A soft sigh drew everyone’s attention back to him. The emperor’s expression was laden with melancholy.

“How difficult it is,” he murmured. “The provinces suffer, you suffer. I, too, suffer. All of us suffer. How then shall we bear these hardships?”

Lü Ben, Xu Jie, Wen Yuan, Zhan Rong, and others felt a heavy weight in their hearts. The emperor was clearly displeased with their suggestions to delay or even halt the land reclamation project in Laizhou Prefecture. The project was to proceed as planned.

Yan Song immediately steadied himself on his knees, trembling as he rose and then bowed deeply with clasped fists. His voice was grave: “It is our incompetence that causes the emperor to find himself in such difficulty. We, who earn the emperor’s favor and hold entrusted responsibilities, ought to harmonize the world’s order and bring prosperity to the people. Yet, we have allowed bandits to ravage our borders repeatedly, and the treasury grows ever more strained, to the point of living beyond means.”

With these words, Yan Song assumed full responsibility. Then, bowing his head, he knelt before the throne. “These troubles are our fault, our failings that have brought such hardship upon the realm.”

When the prime minister knelt, even the most reluctant had no choice but to follow suit, seeking pardon and accepting blame.

The Jiajing Emperor waved his hand gently. “I know your burdens. It is difficult for you all.”

As Yan Song and others bowed, Zhu Zailun glanced up at the old Taoist master nearby, filled with admiration. Regardless of the master’s political skill, his performance was unmatched.

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After the emperor finished speaking, Zhang Zhi clenched his teeth and knelt, standing upright as he spoke loudly: “Your Majesty, officials both at court and in the provinces must govern diligently! If they suffer, does the court not suffer as well? Does the emperor not suffer?”

“The land reclamation project in Laizhou Prefecture aims to benefit coastal residents, bring more silver to the people of our great Ming, and increase revenue for the treasury. How can it be abandoned, as the Minister of Rites suggests, simply because it is difficult?”

“I believe Laizhou should not only continue the project but also, amid this turmoil, enforce laws and regulations, strictly supervise local officials to swiftly provide relief and comfort to the people, restore vitality, and fully support Gao Gong and Yang Jisheng in carrying out the reclamation!”

The Jiajing Emperor looked at his son’s tutor before him, frowning deeply. “Minister Zhang, what method do you propose to balance these conflicting demands in Laizhou? To neither harm the people nor delay reclamation? A perfect solution?”

Zhang Zhi looked toward the crown prince, also his pupil, recalling their conversation in the Hall of Literary Glory the day before. That student had asked only one question: “Teacher, are you willing to save the Ming dynasty?”

That single question had steeled Zhang Zhi’s resolve. Today, even if he risked a harsh reputation, he would boldly present the Kaocheng system as a memorial to the throne. To save the Ming.

Indeed! Over the years, that once proud, mighty Ming dynasty—so dominant across the four seas and eight directions—had grown decrepit and feeble. Officials cared little for their country, merchants were greedily corrupt, gentry only engaged in idle talk. Even the emperor and his clan sought only pleasure.

How much longer could such a Ming endure?

To save the Ming!

As the mentor trusted and esteemed by the heir apparent, Zhang Zhi could not shirk this duty.

He might not be the junior guardian, but he would never be a traitor to his nation.

With these thoughts, Zhang Zhi, standing before the emperor and his ministers, declared loudly: “Your Majesty, I propose a system called Kaocheng, to supervise officials, correct clerks, and ensure the Laizhou reclamation progresses without fault!”

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This declaration by a cabinet minister instantly drew all eyes within the Wu Yi Hall. After a brief pause, Zhang Zhi continued to explain the Kaocheng system:

“I have heard that the Zhou Rituals prescribe eight methods for governing administrative offices, and Han Feizi advocates accountability through proper titles. Today, in our Ming, bureaucratic documents are piled high, clerks shirk responsibility, and the reclamation project faces grave difficulties. Only a thunderous law can revive the fading winds, and only a burden like Mount Tai can spur officials to action.”

“I submit that for the Laizhou reclamation, three registers—yellow, red, and white—be established. The yellow register resides in the Grand Secretariat, the red with the Six Ministries, and the white with the Six Boards and with Gao Gong and Yang Jisheng.”

“These three registers detail reasons, chief officers, and deadlines. For example, how many people and resources are needed for reclamation, when the dredging at Fushan will be redone, when Lingshan garrison will be restored, when the reclamation garrison will be trained, when ports and shipyards will be completed, and so forth. All recorded thoroughly in the three registers, with deadlines for Gao, Yang, and the officials of Shandong, Laizhou, and Jiaozhou to meet.”

“Local officials must carry out their duties on schedule. Completion or failure is reported in official documents. The three registers are checked off or rejected, then sequentially submitted for review by the Six Ministries, overseen by the Grand Secretariat, and finally presented to Your Majesty.”

“In this way, though the reclamation is complex, all matters will be transparent and clean. Responsibilities are divided—some fall to one official, others to another—without entanglement or shirking.”

“Once completed, our reclamation garrisons and northern navy will form an elite force. Ming merchant ships will sail the seas, trading far and wide, bringing back gold and silver, enriching the people and replenishing the treasury. All officials will be assessed according to the red, yellow, and white registers.”

“Those rated excellent shall be promoted; average ones remain at their posts; the poor shall be dismissed from office!”

“Thus, officials will be diligently supervised and incentivized. With clarity and accountability, even the greatest difficulties can be overcome!”

For the first time in Ming history, the Kaocheng system was introduced.

A faint smile appeared on Zhu Zailun’s face. In essence, Kaocheng was simply a government work plan and review system—plans made at the year’s start, assessments at its end. Applying this to the Ming made matters clearer: everyone’s duties and responsibilities were explicit. Perform well, and promotion follows; fail, and dismissal or demotion.

Yet as Zhang Zhi finished detailing the Kaocheng system, every one of the dozen or so officials in the Wu Yi Hall was visibly shocked, amazed beyond measure.

None present were fools. All understood that Zhang Zhi was proposing to apply Kaocheng to the Laizhou reclamation project.

But let us not forget, Laizhou’s reclamation was a trial. If successful, the Ming would gradually open the seas more broadly.

If this method proved effective,

might it not soon extend from Laizhou to all of Shandong, and even to the entire Ming empire, across the two capitals and thirteen provinces?