pdf-ebookys Chapter 289 Searching for a Bureaucratic System Suitable for the Qin Dynasty
Chapter 289 Searching for a Bureaucratic System Suitable for the Qin Dynasty
Ying Wuyou walked slowly, her mind constantly murmuring to the system. Along the way, her thoughts rose and fell in her mind, with various ideas and plans constantly emerging.
Before long, Ying Wuyou arrived at Chaohua Palace. Stepping into the palace and through the courtyard, Ying Wuyou headed straight for the study.
After entering the study, Ying Wuyou gently sat down in the chair in front of the desk, took a deep breath, and then said to the system: "System, please summarize in detail the structure of the bureaucratic system of each dynasty, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of these bureaucratic systems." After saying that, she closed her eyes and began to clear her mind.
Time passed by, and Ying Wuyou sat there quietly, motionless. The room was quiet, with only the occasional chirping of birds outside. Unconsciously, Ying Wuyou fell asleep on the table.
Upon receiving Ying Wuyou's instructions, the system quickly sprang into action, beginning to collect, organize, and analyze data on the bureaucratic systems of various dynasties.
After quite a while, the system finally finished organizing the bureaucratic systems of all dynasties. The system was overjoyed and extremely excited, eager to call out to Ying Wuyou to share this good news. However, when it looked closely, it found that Ying Wuyou had already fallen asleep, sleeping peacefully, his steady and even breathing clearly audible.
Seeing this, the system had no choice but to abandon the idea of waking Ying Wuyou and obediently went to rest itself. Actually, Ying Wuyou hadn't slept for long; she was soon awakened from her sweet dream by a series of urgent knocks on the door. She heard Cui'er's clear and melodious voice outside the door: "Your Highness, it's time for lunch!"
Ying Wuyou rubbed her sleepy eyes, slowly walked to the window, gently pushed it open, and glanced outside. The sun hung high in the sky, shining brightly on the earth; it was clearly nearing noon. After confirming that it was getting late, Ying Wuyou slowly got up, left the study, and headed towards the dining area with Cui'er, who was waiting outside.
Today's lunch was exceptionally lavish, featuring fragrant roasted meat. Watching the fresh lamb sizzle and release its aroma over the roaring charcoal fire, Ying Wuyou suddenly felt ravenously hungry. Cui'er and Lan'er, working nearby, had a clear division of labor: one focused on grilling delicious skewers, while the other meticulously prepared various accompanying ingredients. Before long, a series of colorful, fragrant, and delicious dishes were presented on the table.
Ying Wuyou ate heartily without any hesitation, and soon her belly was round and she was completely satisfied. Finally, she picked up her bowl and drank a few mouthfuls of the delicious meat soup, then stood up, returned to her study, and softly called out to the system.
The system, which was sound asleep, was still a little groggy after being awakened by its host. However, it still mustered its energy, quickly found the necessary information as Ying Wuyou requested, tossed it aside, and then, like a deflated balloon, turned over and went back to sleep, as if nothing had happened.
Ying Wuyou sat quietly at her desk, intently poring over the thick stacks of documents compiled by the system. Her gaze was focused and sharp as she carefully studied each page and line. The study was unusually quiet, save for the soft rustling sound of her turning the pages.
Time ticked by, and about an hour later, Ying Wuyou finally closed the last page of the document. She gently stretched her somewhat stiff body, stood up, and gave a long yawn. Then, she strolled to the window, opened it, and a blast of cool air rushed in. She took several deep breaths, letting the cold air clear her head, and her previously muddled thoughts gradually became clearer.
Although only half a month had passed since the New Year, the recent continuous sunny weather had made the cold air less biting than before. Ying Wuyou stood in the courtyard, letting the gentle breeze caress her face and hair, enjoying the tranquility and freshness. After pausing for a moment, she turned and stepped back into the study.
Ying Wuyou sat back down at her desk, not rushing to write, but falling into deep thought. The detailed information on the bureaucratic systems of various dynasties swirled in her mind. The Three Dukes and Nine Ministers system certainly had its unique advantages, such as clear division of labor ensuring the orderly conduct of various government affairs; and checks and balances preventing any one power from becoming too dominant, thus maintaining political stability. However, it also had many drawbacks, such as the lack of democratic mechanisms making it difficult to fully reflect the will of the people; relatively low work efficiency affecting the effectiveness of national governance; and insufficient flexibility making it unable to respond promptly to complex and ever-changing situations. By the mid-Western Han Dynasty, the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers system had even developed into a breeding ground for local power separatism, ultimately triggering continuous warfare.
Furthermore, the Three Departments and Six Ministries system had many advantages. First, the division of labor was clear and straightforward, with each department fulfilling its responsibilities, ensuring orderly administration. Second, the mutual checks and balances between departments formed an effective system of checks and balances, preventing any single department from becoming too powerful or domineering. Third, this system facilitated the selection of talented individuals, allowing truly capable people to display their talents and serve the country. Finally, it significantly strengthened central authority, firmly keeping local power in the hands of the imperial court.
However, nothing in this world is perfect, and the Three Departments and Six Ministries system also had many drawbacks. First, the complex and redundant institutions and overstaffing led to a significant reduction in administrative efficiency. Second, the decentralized power resulted in lengthy and cumbersome decision-making processes, often leading to slow responses to emergencies. Third, its adherence to old ways and lack of flexibility made it difficult to adapt quickly to the changes brought about by social development. Fourth, such a complex system was prone to regulatory loopholes, thus breeding corruption. More seriously, it could also lead to the rise of local powers, ultimately resulting in the unfavorable situation of regional separatism.
Not only the Three Departments and Six Ministries system, but even the earlier Three Dukes and Nine Ministers system faced similar dilemmas. Although both played important roles throughout history, problems such as local separatism gradually surfaced over time, leading to their eventual failure. It should be noted that such problems are not limited to feudal dynasties; even in today's society, after thousands of years of development, similar challenges may still arise.
Given the aforementioned factors, Ying Wuyou understood the situation perfectly. To create a bureaucratic system for the Qin Empire that met the needs of the times and ensured the country's long-term stability and prosperity, it was essential to integrate and implement swift and significant reforms to the existing Three Dukes and Nine Ministers and Three Departments and Six Ministries system. The most urgent task was to appropriately reduce the power held by the Three Dukes or Three Departments, thereby breaking the current pattern of excessive power concentration. Only in this way could a new, efficient, fair, and dynamic bureaucratic system be built, thereby propelling the entire bureaucratic system towards a more rational, efficient, and flexible direction.