The Ming Dynasty’s Prodigal Son - Chapter 1433

[1433. Chapter 1361: Sweet as a cake]

Emperor Hongzhi saw Zhu Houzhao’s depression, but he smiled again: “I see that you are working hard in Shuntian Mansion and you are thinner than before.”

“Why…” Emperor Hongzhi stared at Zhu Houzhao: “Recently, Shuntian Mansion is doing it again. What’s the mystery?”

Zhu Houzhao said: “Father, everything is fine here in Shuntian Mansion, but… we are waiting for the Ministry of Personnel to formulate the detailed rules for selecting officials. I have no confidence anymore.”

Emperor Hongzhi nodded.

After Ouyang Zhi took charge of the Ministry of Personnel, he had already begun to draft detailed rules for selecting officials as officials.

In areas under the New Deal, the effectiveness of selecting officials as officials was very strong.

You know, the word “official”, the word “official” in front of it, means that the number of people is sparse. Because of the scarcity, it is almost difficult for them to understand the underlying situation.

Throughout the Ming Dynasty, those who really came into contact with specific affairs were often officials.

These petty officials were almost the bridge between the government and the people, and they were the media that truly conveyed the emperor’s will and government orders to the lowest level.

But a problem arises.

There is actually no quota for petty officials, no establishment, nothing.

Not only are they discriminated against, they may be expelled at any time, and there is even… no standard at all.

There is just such a group of people, some of them are just domestic slaves brought to office by Shangguan, some of them are local rogues, and some of them are the imperial corvee and were recruited from the private sector.

The ingredients are complicated, there are no rules, and even… there is no fixed amount of money and food. Can the court and government solve the problem with these people?

Therefore… after Ouyang Zhi took office in the Ministry of Civil Affairs, he planned to use his experience in Baoding to regulate all officials.

After Emperor Taizu Gao became the emperor, this emperor who was born as a commoner was based on the principle of saving money. Where did the army come from? If the imperial court can save it, just save it. There is no need to raise it. Give them a piece of land and let them cultivate it and feed themselves.

Where does the salary for an official come from… Save it, save it if you can. Even if someone is on the gold list, in fact, the salary is so low that you can’t think of a solution if you don’t have money?

As for the petty officials, they generally follow this policy.

But now… today is different from the past.

The national treasury already has money, and at least in the capital, Baoding, and Jiangnan areas, there is plenty of tax revenue.

Under such circumstances, it is a top priority to complete the staff establishment, find ways for them to be promoted upwards, and allow them to work with peace of mind.

Because the matters that the government has to manage have become more and more complex and detailed. Without a group of capable officials, it is simply impossible to solve the various conflicts that will follow.

On the Ministry of Personnel’s side, the two places of South Zhili and North Zhili are the directions for temporary pilot projects.

Now, we just wait for Ouyang Zhi to draw up a complete charter and then implement it.

Emperor Hongzhi nodded and said: “Here in Shuntian Mansion… what do you think of the prince?”

Zhu Houzhao concentrated his thoughts and said: “My ministers are already prepared. As soon as the regulations come out and the father promulgates the decree, my ministers will immediately start selecting officials. , what the succession means is that to select officials, you have to pass an exam, but it is different from the imperial examination. The content of this exam needs to be changed, and it should be closer to actual knowledge. On the other hand, because there are many people to be recruited, this exam , it will be much easier than the imperial examination. All civil servants who pass the exam must be given certain guarantees by the Shuntian government, and at the same time… they must also formulate a standard for political performance. Of course, the Ministry of Civil Affairs has not yet come up with a charter. We don’t dare to act rashly here in Tianfu.”

After listening to Zhu Houzhao’s words silently, Emperor Hongzhi sighed: “What about the previous officials?”

“The test will still be taken,” Zhu Houzhao said, “Of course, the difficulty can be reduced, if they can. If they pass the exam, they will remain in office. If they fail such a simple exam, they will have to find another job.”

Emperor Hongzhi showed a hint of worry on his face and said, “But the most difficult thing now is not these old people. Officials, but the previous imperial examination, what should we do? So many scholars have read the Four Books and Five Classics. Some people have studied hard for half a lifetime, but now they suddenly promote the selection of officials as officials in North Zhili and South Zhili. I’m afraid These people…are unwilling to obey.”

Emperor Hongzhi paused, frowned further, and continued: “The reason why the country treats scholars so well is not just because they read the Four Books and Five Classics well. Behind the scholars are all the gentry. Although the imperial examinations are still being held at the same time, people with a clear eye can see the general trend. How can they be willing to read useless books for the sake of their own future? “

Fang Jifan heard this and asked. I understand Emperor Hongzhi’s concerns.

Focusing on the imperial examination, its essence is the concept of scholar-bureaucrats and emperors co-ruling the world. Nowadays, there is a clamor for selecting officials as officials. Even if it has not affected the provinces, the imperial examination is still going on. Scholars and gentry know that the world is probably not the same as before. .

In their eyes, this is nothing more than a change of dynasty.

How can anyone let it go if their interests are harmed?

The essence of this new policy is to benefit a group of emerging people, but at the same time, it also causes an old group of people who have not kept up with the times to lose the benefits they have always enjoyed.

Are they willing to… give it up?

Fang Jifan thought for a while and said: “Your Majesty, Ouyang Zhi will definitely take this situation into consideration. They will always give them some concessions. My son is thinking that they always say that they must take the world as their own responsibility and be loyal to the imperial court. They You must understand your Majesty’s difficulties. Your Majesty, don’t worry, they won’t cause trouble.”

“Huh?” Emperor Hongzhi looked at Fang Jifan: “Why?”

Fang Jifan coughed, glanced at Zhu Houzhao, and said, “How dare they. If they make trouble, His Royal Highness will beat them to death.”

Zhu Houzhao straightened his back and his face suddenly became bright.

Shuntian Mansion now needs money, food, and people. Fang Jifan’s words are not groundless.

Zhu Houzhao waited day and night for someone to rebel.

It’s not an ordinary pleasure to come out and beat one to death.

Emperor Hongzhi shook his head and said: “I will discuss this matter with the cabinet. You guys…” He

didn’t continue and shook his head again, as if he felt that young people always don’t know how to feel.

Zhu Houzhao and Fang Jifan said goodbye and left the palace. Fang Jifan was still thinking about Emperor Hongzhi’s worries along the way.

Selecting officials as officials is Ouyang Zhi’s biggest move in the official department. This is equivalent to taking the future of countless scholars into account, and the pressure can be imagined.

As his mentor, Fang Jifan wanted to share some of his pressure.

Fang Jifan returned to his mansion thoughtfully, sat down, called someone over, and whispered something.

The man nodded and went.

After Fang Jifan had had a few cups of tea, the man brought seven or eight nearby gentry.

Each of these gentlemen looked miserable, not knowing what had happened. They were like frightened birds, looking at Fang Jifan with innocent expressions.

But Fang Jifan was seen crossing his legs, holding a tea cup, and looking at these gentry with a smile.

“Student…student…” The leader, a trembling old gentleman with white beard and hair, dared not raise his head, managed to squeeze out a smile: “Student Wang Hanzheng, I don’t know Qi Guogong…”

“There is something I want to investigate. “Fang Jifan cleared his throat and said, “Have you ever heard of selecting officials as officials?” Why

hadn’t Wang Hanzheng heard of it? He immediately nodded: “Listen… I’ve heard some about it.”

“What do you think of this? ?” Fang Jifan said.

“This… this… what Duke Qi means…”

“Don’t be nervous.” Fang Jifan pressed his hands and said pleasantly: “The main reason is to investigate. There is no other meaning. It is to test whether public opinion is applicable.”

” This…this…”

“It doesn’t matter, old man, you can speak freely.” Fang Jifan’s voice was very gentle. The

seven or eight gentry looked at each other and looked at each other. Then Wang Hanzheng immediately said: “Qi Guogong, this is a big deal. It’s a good thing, it can be said to benefit the country and the people. Of course I strongly agree with it.”

“Yes, yes, we strongly agree.” Everyone nodded.

Fang Jifan frowned and said, “You don’t have children studying in your family?”

“Yes, there are.” Wang Hanzheng looked at Fang Jifan cautiously: “But who is Ouyang Butang? He is a capable official in our Ming Dynasty. For our sake The imperial court sacrifices a lot for the sake of the Ming Dynasty, but what does it matter? As long as the Duke of Qi gives the order, not to mention selecting officials, we will be happy to go to the sword mountain and the frying pan. “

Fang Jifan breathed a sigh of relief and said, “Well, I thought everyone was opposed to it.”

Wang Hanzheng and others waved their hands: “Nothing, nothing. If anyone objects, they will have trouble with us.”

Fang Jifan was happy and curled his lips. He smiled and said: “This is very good, very good. This is what you said. Come, write down what they said and post it tomorrow. Mr. Wang Han and others came to the door to cry and complain, crying and demanding officials. As an official.”

Wang Hanzheng: “…”

At this time, they noticed that someone was writing down their words in the corner.

Recording completed.

The transcript was sent to them and signed and stamped.

Wang Hanzheng: “…” He gritted his teeth and pressed his fingers up without hesitation.

When they came out of the Duke’s Mansion of Qi, everyone felt as if they had gone to the Palace of Hell.

Wang Hanzheng and the other gentry all had lingering fears and seemed frightened.

“Fortunately, I am smart. Otherwise, we would never have left the Duke of Qi’s mansion. That dog named Fang… No, Duke of Qi has a bad temper and is sick. It doesn’t make sense to deal with such a person. You Just a few words of rebuttal, he is more vicious than you. If you bang the table with him, he will dare to beat you to death and torment your whole family at the same time. Hey…he has committed an evil act. What kind of evil has he done…” Wang Han was stroking his fingers. He has a gray beard. Time has brought him wisdom. People who can live to his age basically have nothing but contentment in life.

(End of chapter)