As the debate went on, the atmosphere in the Imperial Court grew increasingly tense.
Emperor Jiajing raised a hand and struck the bell, signaling everyone to quiet down.
"My dear officials, I have understood what you have seen."
"The matter of the southerners does indeed require caution."
He paused before continuing, "In my view, if the southerners' skills can be used by our Great Ming, that would naturally be a good thing."
"But as you have all said, they make no distinction between high and low, noble and base. We cannot help but guard against them."
"Therefore, I have decided to establish a special institution responsible for communicating with and monitoring the southerners."
The Emperor's gaze became resolute. "This institution will be directly managed by the Cabinet."
"Minister Xu will take the lead."
"We must both learn their skills and guard against their ambitions."
"The southerners may teach their skills, but they must not interfere in state affairs or discuss national matters."
"Those who violate this order will be severely punished without mercy."
Thus, the Great Ming Imperial Court swiftly reached a consensus.
Some of the younger officials, however, were already considering how to use the southerners' skills to begin improving Great Ming's many flaws.
At present, Great Ming's problems were apparent everywhere.
First, the frontier troops lacked military pay and had decayed to the point of being unusable.
The unrest in the southeast had only just been suppressed, yet the border troubles in the north were growing more serious by the day.
Second, the people's livelihoods were in decline, tax revenues decreased year after year, and there was less and less land left that could be taxed.
Third, the struggles within the Imperial Court were becoming increasingly severe, while more and more people had no interest in doing actual