Chapter 11: A Time for Renewal—Why Not Adopt the Tang Model and Establish Six Ministries?
Originally, Li Muchen intended to return to the imperial palace first to thoroughly study the newly acquired Immortal Bone Pill and understand just how miraculous its effects truly were.
His mother and younger sister had been in poor health. Ever since he ascended the throne as Emperor of the Da Zhao Kingdom two years ago, the kingdom had not seen rain for two consecutive years. The resulting drought had unleashed a devastating famine across the land, affecting everyone from the highest ranks to the common folk.
Both his mother, the Empress Dowager, and his sister, the Eldest Princess, spent most of their time in the royal Buddhist temple atop the mountain, praying devoutly to the heavens for rain. To demonstrate their sincerity, they had eaten the same meager food as the impoverished citizens for nearly two years and refused to keep too many palace attendants by their side.
Even though other noble families in the imperial city continued living in luxury, his mother and sister never gave up their determination to beseech the heavens for rain.
Li Muchen understood that this was the greatest sacrifice they could make for him as the emperor of Da Zhao. There was nothing they could do about the affairs of the court.
Over time, they knelt for two hours every day in the royal Buddhist temple, spending the rest of their time copying scriptures and chanting prayers, their health deteriorating day by day.
“System, may I ask you something?”
[Please go ahead, Host.]
“If my mother and sister take the Immortal Bone Pill, will their health improve?”
[Of course.]
“That’s wonderful! I must hurry back to the palace and share this good news with them.”
Li Muchen picked up the celadon bottle containing the Immortal Bone Pills and counted ten pills inside.
“One, two, three... nine, ten... exactly ten.”
A slight smile curved his lips, his expression relaxing.
“Vermilion Bird, fly faster. I can’t wait to see Mother and Sister.”
“Master, please sit tight. I will speed up immediately.”
The Vermilion Bird flapped its crimson wings and hastened forward with a rushing sound.
As they flew over the city’s government offices, Li Muchen suddenly remembered something important.
“Oh no! I almost forgot!”
“Vermilion Bird, stop in front of the government office.”
“Understood.”
Soon, the Vermilion Bird descended before the gate of the first government office.
Li Muchen dismounted and stood on the main street, turning to survey the surroundings. He noticed four vacant plots nearby.
“System, are these four empty plots the locations for the four rewarded government offices?”
[That’s correct.]
“I see.”
Li Muchen scanned the spatial information of the empty lots with his mind.
Sure enough, in the architecture category, he found models of four government offices.
From previous experience, he knew that these four offices could only be constructed by issuing a one-click build command.
“System, I want to one-click build all four government offices.”
[Understood, Host.]
[Activating One-Click Construction Divine Skill to build four government offices.]
With the system’s operation, the four empty lots rapidly transformed as four government offices materialized within seconds.
Now, including the original government office, there were five government offices in the city.
“System, are the functions of these five government offices provisional for now?”
[Yes, Host.]
[The names and responsibilities of the five government offices are to be assigned by you, as the Emperor of the Da Tang Empire.]
“Alright, I understand.”
Li Muchen looked at the five government offices before him, pondering what functions to assign to each.
Suddenly, he recalled the prosperous Tang Dynasty in modern history…
“I’ve got it!”
“I’ll simply emulate the Tang Dynasty’s Three Departments and Six Ministries system!”
“First, let me establish the Six Ministries.”
“But there are only five government offices now, which is a problem.”
“System, when will the sixth government office be constructed?”
[Sorry Host, no information available.]
After this, the system fell silent again.
Li Muchen twitched his mouth, cursing this troublesome system silently.
“Only five government offices…”
“Looks like I can only assign five departments for now.”
“Personnel Ministry, Revenue Ministry, Rites Ministry, Justice Ministry, War Ministry, and Works Ministry—six ministries in total…”
“Which one should I exclude?”
Biting his lip, Li Muchen’s mind raced.
He needed to exclude the least critical ministry temporarily, to be established later.
“Which ministry should I exclude?”
“Ah, this is really a headache.”
He reviewed the responsibilities of the Six Ministries:
The Personnel Ministry managed the appointment, evaluation, and transfer of officials, as well as imperial examinations and talent selection.
It was crucial and must be retained.
The Revenue Ministry handled the national treasury and household registrations, land distribution, and tax collection.
Such a vital department must remain.
The Rites Ministry was mainly responsible for state etiquette, major sacrifices, celebrations, banquets, and reception of foreign envoys.
Also, national education apparently fell under its purview, including institutions like the Imperial Academy, akin to modern universities.
Given this, the Rites Ministry seemed important and would be tentatively kept.
The Justice Ministry handled judicial matters, lawmaking, and criminal trials.
Such an essential ministry must be retained; a country without law could not prosper.
The War Ministry oversaw the military, defense, and matters of war.
Its importance was self-evident.
Moreover, with Wu Shanggui gone, Da Zhao might face enemy invasions despite the protective national barrier and four divine beasts aiding defense.
Since cultivators, demons, and monsters existed in this world, caution was necessary.
The War Ministry had to stay.
Lastly, the Works Ministry managed construction of bridges, roads, palaces, water conservancy projects, craftsmen, and promoted the development of handicrafts.
As the Da Tang Empire was newly founded and industries were still to be developed, the Works Ministry’s importance was clear.
“So, in the end, I can only exclude either the Rites Ministry or the Works Ministry.”
“Which one should I keep first?”
“The Rites Ministry handles education and culture…”
“While the Works Ministry concerns the development of handicrafts…”
Li Muchen frowned deeply, unable to decide.
He rubbed his palms, looked around the completed government buildings, then paced back and forth, lost in thought.
After fifteen minutes, he finally reached a decision—