Chapter 465: Shortage of Officials

“…We will establish the Department of Foreign Affairs, which will handle relations between the vassal state and countries outside the Great Yu Empire. Additionally, each prefecture government will separate the police force, and each county will set up a Guard Office responsible for cooperating with the Supervisory Court in enforcing laws, arresting criminals, and handling civil disputes.”

As Xiao Ming spoke, Pang Yukun handed out printed booklets detailing the vassal state’s official and administrative system to the officials present.

Other vassal states had their own official systems, but Qingzhou and the other six prefectures had never had such a well-organized system due to wars and a shortage of personnel.

Although Xiao Ming was now formally establishing his own management system, it was still very different from the official system of the Great Yu Empire.

Many officials listening were confused, so when they received the booklet, they carefully studied it. Comparing it to what Xiao Ming said, they finally grasped the basics of the new administrative system.

Overall, from now on the officials’ responsibilities would be more specialized and fewer in number, which was good news for them.

But the downside was that their powers would be divided; they could no longer hold all power in their hands.

After half an hour of explanation, Xiao Ming finally finished clarifying the new administrative and official system. Then he looked at the officials and asked, “Do you have any questions?”

Zhan Xingchang asked, “Your Highness, since there are nine ministers in the cabinet, who are the other eight besides Chief Minister Pang?”

Hearing this, Xiao Ming and Pang Yukun exchanged a smile. Pang Yukun replied, “The other eight haven’t been selected yet. Your Highness is still considering candidates, and you all will have a chance.”

At this, the officials stirred and whispered among themselves.

Yang Chengye asked, “Your Highness, now that there are six departments, what role does the cabinet have?”

Xiao Ming answered loudly, “The six departments’ affairs must first be reviewed by the cabinet. A decision can only be issued if the cabinet ministers reach consensus and then submit it to me for approval. You can say the cabinet reports directly to me.”

The establishment of the cabinet was not a sudden idea by Xiao Ming, but because the Great Yu Empire’s governance system was outdated and no longer fit for today’s development.

That was why he introduced the cabinet system to his territory. In his view, the Ming dynasty’s cabinet was very close to constitutional monarchy, but unlike a constitutional monarchy, the cabinet system preserved Xiao Ming’s absolute power.

Also, coming from the modern world, Xiao Ming would never favor eunuchs or let them hold power, nor would he panic in governance. So the cabinet system suited his rule over the vassal state and would prevent powerful ministers from dominating.

Since the cabinet had nine ministers, even if Xiao Ming ignored affairs, two-thirds of them still needed to agree before orders could be implemented. Although Pang Yukun was Chief Minister, his power was not the greatest; he only oversaw cabinet operations.

Yang Chengye nodded. Now he understood—it meant Pang Yukun’s previous powers were distributed among nine people.

Other officials had their own thoughts. Would this mean they would become a third tier of officials? After all, beneath the cabinet were the six departments, and beneath them were these officials.

Chang Yuchun said, “But Your Highness, with so many new posts, the vassal state doesn’t have enough officials to fill them.”

Xiao Ming and Pang Yukun had already considered this. Xiao Ming said, “I’ve discussed this with Chief Minister Pang. The Bowen Academy has been training officials for a long time. Now it’s time for these students to pass exams and enter officialdom. Of course, you all can take the exam. Since you have administrative experience, I will consider you specially.”

Upon hearing this, the officials became excited. Xiao Ming’s words meant they too had a chance to enter the cabinet and the six departments—an opportunity of a lifetime.

Zhan Xingchang and six other prefects became ambitious. Already in high positions, with Xiao Ming reestablishing an administrative system, naturally they wanted to achieve more.

Moreover, as Xiao Ming said, they had administrative experience, making them suitable candidates for leading roles in the cabinet and six departments.

They certainly didn’t want to lose to the Bowen Academy students.

“Thank you, Your Highness,” the officials said excitedly. They eagerly awaited the exam, as they were all good at tests and already had Xiao Ming’s governance books, even if they weren’t from Bowen Academy.

Besides the cabinet and six departments, the biggest change in this reform was the Supervisory Court.

This marked the start of judicial independence. From now on, officials in the territory—from ministers to commoners—would be supervised by the Supervisory Court and required to follow rule of law.

Like the cabinet, this institution was still in its early stages without concrete organization or staff, which Xiao Ming would need to fill.

The meeting started at noon and lasted into the afternoon. Some institutions had no staff yet and would wait until after exams. Others could be immediately separated out, like the Guard Office planned by Xiao Ming.

Now the Guard Office would be spun off from the government office and unified under the Guard Department, while county magistrates would focus more on civil affairs.

Because this reform was major—almost overturning the old system—Xiao Ming and Pang Yukun answered officials’ questions carefully.

That night, Xiao Ming held a banquet for the officials. But none were in the mood to enjoy the meal; they all thought about how the reform would affect them.

However, this meeting only outlined the reform. The detailed measures would be implemented step by step. Xiao Ming was preparing the officials psychologically.

After the banquet ended, officials from various prefectures and counties expressed thanks and left. They would carefully consider the reform.

“Your Highness, what’s going on? So many officials gathered in Qingzhou,” Fei Yue’er came out of the bedroom after they left.

After finishing the day’s tasks, Xiao Ming relaxed and told Fei Yue’er about the government reform.

“Cabinet, Supervisory Court, Guard Department—Your Highness’s reforms are truly innovative,” Fei Yue’er said with a smile. “But that means your territory will need a large number of officials.”

Xiao Ming nodded. “Yes, and I’m troubled by that now. Suddenly there are so many official vacancies—it’s going to be a headache.”

As he spoke, Xiao Ming suddenly thought of something. He said to Fei Yue’er, “The Fei family is a scholarly lineage, producing three generations of high officials. Maybe they can help me solve this urgent problem.”