Proposing the Six Ministries System, Entering the Grassroots

"Haha, Father, you flatter me." Qian Xunji laughed and scratched his head. He felt that something was off about Qian Daoliu, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

"Congratulations, Senior Brother." Murong Huai also stepped forward to offer his well-wishes.

Now that Qian Xunji had achieved a Martial Soul Evolution, he wondered if he would be able to withstand the Clear Sky Hammer in the future. Still, he figured it shouldn't be a problem; if he still couldn't block it, then the Clear Sky Hammer would simply have to be banned.

"Little Huai, I have you to thank for this, Senior Brother." Qian Xunji patted Murong Huai on the shoulder and said with a smile.

Qian Daoliu, not wanting to dwell on the topic, interrupted:

"Since you're awake, Xunji, Huai'er has been reviewing the memorials submitted from various regions. He has quite a few insights regarding our current systems and policies at Martial Soul Hall. You should listen to them."

"Oh, really? Then I must hear them." Qian Xunji replied, quite interested.

Seeing this, Murong Huai nodded, picked up a memorial, and began:

"It's like this: the current systems and policies of Martial Soul Hall are generally sound, but there are loopholes regarding specific issues.

Take this one, for example: the Soul Master subsidy. It is funded by the two great empires and Martial Soul Hall, then distributed by Martial Soul Hall. A level 10 Soul Master receives one Gold Soul Coin per month, a Soul Grand Master receives ten, and a Soul Elder receives one hundred. As far as I know, there are no restrictions on this, right?"

Qian Xunji nodded. "That's correct. The subsidy is a benefit provided to low-level Soul Masters on the continent to give them financial support in their early stages. Is there a problem with that?"

"Of course there is, and it's a significant one. The intention behind the subsidy is good, but it encourages laziness. Some people take the money and spend it on debauchery, treating this benefit as their personal ATM.

They make no contribution to Martial Soul Hall or the continent, yet they collect a monthly subsidy. Take a Soul Elder, for instance: some reach that rank at thirty and stop cultivating. One hundred Gold Soul Coins a month is 1,200 a year, or 12,000 over a decade—not to mention a lifetime.

Even the two great empires wouldn't want to pay for that, and neither would I. It is a complete waste of resources." Murong Huai presented his perspective.

Upon hearing this, Qian Daoliu and Qian Xunji pondered for a moment and realized it was true; there were many such people even in Martial Soul City.

"If there are no restrictions, then the dregs of the Soul Master world will continue to waste resources. How many such people are there on the continent, and how much is being squandered?"

The two men agreed with Murong Huai's assessment, and he continued:

"Therefore, I suggest modifying this policy by placing restrictions on the subsidies. For example, set a time limit: Soul Elders can receive the subsidy for at most one year, Soul Grand Masters for three years, and Soul Masters for five years."

"Wait, why would the lower levels receive the subsidy for longer?" Qian Xunji asked, while Qian Daoliu looked thoughtful.

"First, reaching the rank of Soul Elder by thirty shows some talent, and over a thousand Gold Soul Coins a year is sufficient. If they are already a Soul Elder and cannot make a living for themselves, they might as well find a tree to bump their heads against.

The reason lower levels have a longer duration is that those with lower ranks have weaker strength. Providing a fixed amount of support for a longer period to aid their cultivation is acceptable.

A Soul Grand Master receives ten Gold Soul Coins a month; over three years, that's 360, which is enough for them. Those with talent will be able to break through to the next level within a decade."

"While this won't eliminate all the lazy people, it will weed out many of them and significantly reduce waste. Once their subsidies end, they will be forced to find work to survive.

At that point, Martial Soul Hall could establish temporary task-based roles, like a mercenary corps—hunting soul beasts, awakening Martial Souls, resisting beast tides, and so on—with rewards based on the difficulty of the task.

This way, they can earn a living through their own abilities while improving their strength. It would also prevent Martial Soul Hall personnel from having to handle every trivial matter. It's a form of 'work-for-relief'."

As Murong Huai spoke eloquently, Qian Daoliu clapped his hands and smiled:

"Haha, good! A great method—'work-for-relief'. This way, the Soul Masters on the continent will be mobilized, manpower will become more abundant, and every city will prosper. A brilliant idea."

Qian Xunji nodded in strong agreement and praised:

"Not bad, Little Huai. What do you have in that little head of yours? You understand so much."

"Haha, Xunji, my judgment was correct, wasn't it? With Huai'er assisting you in the future, I can rest much easier." Qian Daoliu patted Qian Xunji on the shoulder.

"Teacher, Senior Brother, there are actually many other issues here. For instance, the reports from various regions are all piled together—construction, military, and civilian affairs are all mixed up, making the logic chaotic. I suggest that when regions submit reports, they briefly state which category the content belongs to." Murong Huai continued to point out shortcomings.

"Furthermore, while major matters should be reviewed by the Pope, minor matters could be decided by subordinates. Teacher, beneath the Papal throne, you could establish the Six Ministries: Works, Revenue, Rites, Justice, Personnel, and War, each with its own duties, acting under the Pope's command.

The Ministry of Personnel manages the appointment, assessment, and discipline of Martial Soul Hall officials. The Ministry of Revenue handles finance, taxation, and economic affairs. The Ministry of Rites is responsible for etiquette and diplomacy. The Ministry of War manages military affairs, the selection of military officers, and military orders. The Ministry of Justice oversees the judiciary and prisons. The Ministry of Works is responsible for engineering, water conservancy, and construction.

The memorials submitted from various regions would be divided into these six categories. The heads of each ministry would select the important ones to report to the Pope. This would both reduce the pressure on the Pope and train the subordinates."

What Murong Huai proposed was the Six Ministries system, the most prosperous administrative structure from his past life. Currently, the two great empires of Douluo Continent lacked such a system, and their administrative methods were quite outdated.

Hearing Murong Huai's words, Qian Daoliu paced and pondered.

"The Six Ministries system... clear division of labor, each performing its own duties, all under the Pope's jurisdiction... Good, a great idea."

Qian Daoliu quickly grasped the brilliance of the Six Ministries system. Martial Soul Hall was currently recovering from a great war and was in a state of rebuilding. If this system could be implemented, it would greatly improve administrative efficiency and allow Martial Soul Hall to develop rapidly.

Murong Huai continued:

"By the way, I can see many other problems from the memorials, but I cannot list them all one by one. True knowledge comes from practice.

Teacher, Senior Brother, with your status, you are 'high in the temple.' While your vision is broad, how much do you really know about the basic livelihood of the people? You don't even know how much of what the local officials report is true.

Therefore, you must practice personally, go to the grassroots level, and see the reality for yourselves. Only then will you know what the people of the continent truly need."

"Oh, go to the grassroots level, see the reality..." Qian Daoliu pondered these words, feeling as if he had been struck by a sudden realization.

"Huai'er is right. I have indeed neglected this. Martial Soul Hall truly needs someone to reflect the most authentic side of the people on the continent... Only then can we make the most correct decisions. But who should be sent..."

Qian Daoliu thought about who would be most suitable, turned his head, and finally locked his gaze on Qian Xunji.

Qian Xunji pointed at himself. "Me? Me?"

Please provide the Chinese text you would like me to translate. Once you provide the source text, I will ensure it is rendered into natural, punchy English while adhering to all your formatting and glossary requirements.