Chapter Five Hundred and Seventy Two: The Way of Governing the Country
In the court, many ministers blamed Dongchang and Jinyiwei for this matter.
After all, these two major yamen are the emperor's weapons for spying on intelligence and supervising officials.
But to be honest, they really wrongly blamed Dongchang and Jinyiwei for this matter.
Factory guards do have many channels for information, but they don't have time to deal with a juren who has not yet become an official.
Even if the relationship between Zhou Jian and Peng Hua was discovered, he would not bother the emperor with such a trivial matter for no reason.
The reason Zhu Qiyu knew this was because... Zhou Jian was telling the truth!
At this point in time, the relationship between Peng Hua and Zhou Jian was put on the table, and everyone would feel that Zhou Jian favored his teacher to become an official.
However, Zhu Qiyu knew that this was not the case.
Peng Hua is indeed a man of true talent and learning.
Speaking of the relationship between these two people, it is actually very interesting.
You know, Zhou Jian is forty-nine years old this year, but Peng Hua is only nineteen years old.
The age gap between the two is so big that Peng Hua was Zhou Jian's teacher.
This strange relationship naturally has a hidden meaning.
Zhou Jian's background was not well-off. His grandfather Zhou Fu was even forced to make a living and married into a wealthy local family, so that the whole family had to change their surname to Ouyang.
For the first half of Zhou Jian's life, his name was Ouyang Jian.
Ouyang Jian was young and talented, and passed the imperial examination at the age of twenty. However, his talent did not stop there.
After passing the examination, he took part in the examination eight times and failed eight times. In depression, he began to look for reasons in various strange ways.
At that time, he asked someone to do a fortune-telling and it was said that because his whole family had married into a new wife and had disgraced the ancestral name, God was punishing him so that it would be difficult for him to achieve great results.
Therefore, in order to be able to ascend the throne, Ouyang Jian began to think of ways to change his surname.
However, it was his grandfather who married into his wife. It has been so many years. If they want to change their surname back, the elders of the Ouyang family will definitely not agree.
Depressed, Ouyang Jian went to Jiangxi to study and met Peng Hua, who was just fifteen years old.
Unlike the Zhou family, who came from a poor family, the Peng family is a family of officials.
Peng Hua's great-grandfather Peng Fu'an was a famous Confucian scholar.
His grandfather Peng Tong was promoted to Minister of Rites, and his father Peng Guan was a Jinshi in the first year of Zhengtong. He went to Zhejiang to punish and inspect the affairs of the Ministry of Justice.
In addition, Peng Hua also has a cousin named Peng Shi, who was the number one scholar in the 13th year of orthodoxy!
Therefore, after getting acquainted with Peng Hua, Ouyang Jian, on the one hand, deeply felt that Peng Hua was outstanding in talent and learning, and on the other hand, he also wanted to borrow the power of the Peng family.
Not only did he change his surname, he also took a fancy to the Peng family's many years of experience in imperial examinations.
So, he lowered his old face and treated Peng Hua as his disciple, and even performed the apprenticeship ceremony in a serious manner.
Afterwards, he successfully changed his surname back to Zhou, using the excuse that he could not disobey his teacher's orders. He also tried his best to learn a lot of examination skills in Peng's clan studies. Finally, four years later, during the ninth examination
, successfully passed the Jinshi examination.
Therefore, it is reasonable to say that Peng Hua is Zhou Jian's mentor, but the title of master and apprentice is real, and Zhou Jian did borrow from Peng's many years of accumulation, otherwise, he may not be able to successfully enter the
career.
No one in the court knew about these inside stories, but in fact, if they knew it, they would be more suspicious of Zhou Jian.
After all, although there was a big age gap between Peng Shi and Zhou Jian, it was impossible to teach him anything, but Peng's kindness to Zhou Jian was real.
Who can say for sure, what Zhou Jian will do in order to repay his kindness...
In fact, in his previous life, Peng Hua was selected as Yayuan by Zhou Jian in the provincial examination, which did not cause much trouble.
What really made their relationship known to the court was that Peng Hua made a splash in the imperial examination. He entered the palace examination with the first place in the imperial examination and won the title of Huiyuan. Only then did their relationship become exposed.
came out.
However, at that time, their relationship became a positive example.
After all, even if Zhou Jian could fiddle with the provincial examination, he absolutely could not interfere with the examination hosted by the Ministry of Rites. Therefore, Peng Hua's ability to take first place in the examination was enough to prove that his reputation in the provincial examination was worthy of his name.
In this way, Peng Hua was Zhou Jian's mentor, and Zhou Jian was Peng Hua's mentor. The two were each other's master and disciple, and they became a good talker for a while.
However, today's Peng Hua, after all, has not had time to participate in the examination!
Therefore, even if Zhou Jian was magnanimous at the moment, he could not stop others from questioning him.
For a moment, the courtiers looked at Zhou Jian with a bit more ambiguity. At the same time, several officials who wanted to stand up like Zhou Jian also hesitated.
Although the relationship between Zhou Jian and Peng Hua was not deliberately concealed, the emperor could clearly understand such small details. So, how much should the emperor know about them?
The officialdom is a big dyeing vat. Who dares to pat his chest and say that he has never done anything illegal in his life?
There is nothing wrong with questioning the emperor. This is the duty of the officials.
However, if the emperor exposes the mistakes he has made in front of all the civil and military officials, in the court, small mistakes may turn into big mistakes.
Just like Zhou Jian now, it is possible that he is really using his talents for the country and not for personal gain, but how can he stop the public opinion and his clear conscience in a small matter?
Someone can stop it!
While the officials looked at Zhou Jian with surprise, Zhu Qiyu stood on the imperial steps and spoke.
"I believe that Zhou Gei did not seek personal gain in his affairs!"
After the words fell, Zhou Jian, who was questioned by everyone but had difficulty in defending himself, suddenly raised his head with a very complicated expression.
Zhu Qiyu looked calm and continued.
"I have reviewed Peng Hua's test papers, but he is very talented and learned. He is indistinguishable from Jiangxi Jieyuan in this class. He is evenly matched. He is well-deserved for the name of Yayuan."
"so……"
Zhou Jian felt the emperor's eyes falling on him, and then the emperor's voice came up again, and he asked.
"During the Zhou Dynasty incident, tell me, is it possible that if Peng Hua becomes an official one day, he will be awarded the Ya Yuan because you have served in the national examination, and he will obey your orders?"
this……
Zhou Jian was speechless for a moment, not knowing how to respond.
After a long while, he said: "Your Majesty is wise, I have been reckless, please forgive me."
Looking at Zhou Jian who was kneeling on the ground, Zhu Qiyu sighed softly. Immediately, he turned his eyes to the ministers and said solemnly.
"My lords, forming factions and pursuing selfish interests is a disaster for the country. I know this, and all your lords also know it. In the Tang and Song Dynasties, there were party disputes, regardless of the pros and cons, regardless of the country. They changed orders one day and night, wasting the country's power. This is a disaster for the country, and we should be warned against it."
"But what I want to warn you today is that it is not advisable to form factions, but it is also not advisable to overdo it. The disaster of party strife lies in people, in their hearts, and in the unhealthy atmosphere of the court."
"If all the ministers can uphold their integrity, promote talents only according to their merits, put the country and the country first, and the people's livelihood as the most important, then there is no need to avoid relatives when doing internal promotions, and there is no need to avoid enemies when doing external promotions. As the saying goes, gentlemen are harmonious but not uniform, and Zhou does not compare. This is
I hope you will remember the principles I uphold when promoting officials."
At this time, of course, there will be no more shameless people who will come out to continue to contradict the emperor.
So, all the ministers bowed their heads and said in unison.
"I will bear in mind His Majesty's teachings."
However, this is a general principle after all. What standards should be used for the so-called "maintaining a righteous mind" and "approving talents based on their merits"? What if someone uses this banner to really promote his own cronies for personal gain?
Although the elders did not say it out loud at this time, they still had doubts in their hearts.
Zhu Qiyu naturally saw this look in his eyes.
So, immediately after, he continued to speak.
"Where are the officials?"
So Wang Wen immediately stepped forward and said.
"I'm here."
"From now on, those who are recommended by the ministers and promoted will not be subject to the three-year examination limit, but will be held for one year. The assessment will be conducted by the Ministry of Personnel. Those who pass the exam will remain in office, and those who fail will be deposed and returned to the list of candidates for selection by the Ministry of Personnel.
Return to the original level and re-appoint officials."
After Zhu Qiyu finished speaking, all the ministers took a deep breath. Only Wang Wen, who darkened the faces of the entire court, suddenly beamed with joy and cupped his hands.
"When I receive the decree, I will live up to your majesty's trust."
The Ministry of Personnel holds the power of election, and its weight is the first among the six. This is recognized by the government and the public. This is the principle of "setting an example for hundreds of officials, advancing and retreating officials, and balancing important areas. Their etiquette is different and cannot be combined."
However, in fact, the Ministry of Personnel cannot fully control the power of selection, because the honor and disgrace of officials is the power of the emperor, and the Ministry of Personnel only acts on behalf of the emperor.
The power of selection can be broken down into two basic powers: official transfer and official assessment.
But unfortunately, the officials cannot fully control these two powers.
Let’s talk about the official assessment first. Whether it is the Beijing Inspection, Grand Planning, or the examination for ordinary officials, it is presided over by the Ministry of Personnel and assisted by the Metropolitan Inspection and Yuan.
Even in large-scale assessments, the Metropolitan Procuratorate is directly involved throughout the entire process. Once the results of the examination are questioned by the supervising censor, then the review stage needs to be entered.
As for the transfer of official positions, let alone the transfer of official positions, it is impossible for the officials to control it.
In name, the promotion and dismissal of officials must be approved by the Ministry of Personnel, but in practice, this is not entirely the case.
Because it is the power of selection on behalf of the emperor, it stands to reason that its power itself comes from the emperor.
Therefore, in addition to the normal selection of officials, it is completely reasonable and legal to directly transfer officials through the recommendation of ministers and approval by the emperor.
Of course, the premise is to abide by the iron rules of selection. For example, you cannot let a military general with no meritorious reputation be the Minister of the Ministry of War, or you can only rely on divine grace and no evidence to promote a lucky person with no actual achievements.
.
Under this situation, the power of the Ministry of Personnel has been repeatedly compressed, and the only ones who can really control it are those officials below the third rank whose family is not strong enough.
Most cases of rank three and above require court consultation, or it is common for those who are in the emperor's heart and have a strong family to bypass the official department and directly recommend the emperor.
Of course, the situation in between is very complicated. In many cases, the emperor will first consider the opinions of the officials.
But in the end, a considerable part of the power of the civil servants was taken away.
However, even so, relying on the incompleteness of the selection power that was divided here and taken away a little there, the Ministry of Personnel still ranked first among the six departments.
However, Wang Wen, the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, sometimes feels aggrieved. After all, the Ministry of Personnel is responsible for selecting and appointing officials, but it is really not a good feeling to have anyone interfere with it.
However, in the past, there was nothing he could do.
Because the memorials were delivered directly to the emperor's desk, and after the emperor nodded, would the officials still dare to disobey?
Therefore, even if you are a heavenly official, you still have troubles.
However, the emperor's words now are tantamount to giving the officials a sword of superiority.
Although it still cannot change the old habit of directly recommending courtiers to bypass the official department, the official department finally has measures to restrain it.
You should know that usually, officials promoted through this recommendation method are evaluated just like other ordinary officials, who take the exam every three years and complete the exam in nine years.
But now, the Ministry of Personnel has additional power of assessment, and the emperor made it clear that if he fails the assessment, he will not even have the chance to return to his original position, and he will have to be demoted and wait for selection.
In this way, courtiers will definitely be more cautious when recommending or being recommended. If they are not truly the best choice for their ability and character, they will not recommend them easily.
Therefore, Wang Wen, the official minister, was naturally very happy.
Zhu Qiyu looked at Wang Wen's rosy face and couldn't help being speechless, but he didn't say much. He paused for a moment, and then shouted again after Wang Wen stepped back.
"The Metropolitan Procuratorate?"
"I'm here."
Chen Yi strode forward and held his hands in the hall, with a hint of expectation in his eyes.
There is no doubt that the emperor granted the staff new appraisal powers in order to curb party strife and prevent courtiers from unscrupulously promoting cronies who have no talent or virtue.
However, don’t forget that supervising officials is originally the job of a scientific expert!
"From now on, Censor Fengxian is allowed to impeach courtiers, civil and military officials in the imperial court and local government for the crime of forming cliques for personal gain. Anyone who neglects justice for personal favors, flatters superior officials, fights for power, and disrupts government affairs without distinction between right and wrong.
Those who are found guilty will be impeached for the crime of forming a clique for personal gain."
"When I receive the decree, I will live up to your majesty's trust."
Chen Yi cupped his hands with a determined look on his face.
It has to be said that this edict is also good news for Kedao Fengxian.
You must know that unlike the power given to the Ministry of Civil Affairs to conduct annual examinations of recommended officials, the emperor did not impose any restrictions on this edict issued by the Metropolitan Procuratorate.
In other words, all officials in the imperial court are within the scope of supervision, not just those who have been recommended.
As long as there is a fight for power, a disturbance in the government affairs of the court, or a violation of justice due to personal relationships, the Kedao Yanguan can participate in the impeachment.
For Ke Dao, who regards impeachment as his performance every day, this is like a cat smelling something fishy.
However, before Chen Yi could be happy for a moment, the emperor added another sentence: "If you criticize others for personal gain, or form a party to impeach a minister without permission, after verification, the crime will be increased."
All right……
The ministers breathed a sigh of relief, but Mr. Chen's face looked somewhat resentful.
Your Majesty, are you so distrustful of science...
The emperor gave him a firm look.
As for!
There is no doubt that officials are of great importance to the imperial court, so all crimes committed under the law have always been dealt with strictly.
The crime of "forming parties for personal gain" is difficult to grasp with precision. If it is not restricted, it will become a means for the censors to criticize the court officials.
Therefore, we can only feel wronged by Chen Zongxian.
It should be said that the two-pronged approach of the annual examination of the civil servants and the supervision of the imperial censor should restrain the tendency of cliques and party disputes to a certain extent.
This is also the most practical method that can be implemented at present.
In fact, in addition to this, Zhu Qiyu also considered whether the officials who recommended the officials in the first place should be held accountable if they fail the annual examination.
But in the end, he gave up the idea.
In the court, there are many people who are qualified to recommend people, and basically anyone can recommend others.
However, there are actually very few people who are truly important and can guarantee their success in recommendation, and they are all important officials in the court.
If this accountability system were implemented, the noise would be too great and could easily lead to turmoil in the court.
What's more, from a practical point of view, these ministers recommend others because they think they are suitable for the position. However, no one can guarantee in advance whether they can do a good job.
Therefore, using this method to hold recommenders accountable will not be beneficial to the court.
Take the current situation as an example, could it be said that if one of Fang Gao, Hong Chang, and Gie Tie does not do well, Yu Qian will be dismissed? It would be too harsh to say.
Therefore, in the end, Zhu Qiyu decided to only revoke the recommended person's official position and let him return to the Ministry of Civil Affairs to be elected, without taking any overly harsh measures.
But in the final analysis, as the saying goes, the root of this matter lies in the atmosphere of the court.
The reason why the great principle exists is because it is indeed the way to get good results as long as you follow it, although the great principle is not easy to practice.
Therefore, there must be punishment measures, but the focus must still be on education.
If the ministers in the DPRK can really put the country first and recommend suitable officials for the country, and the recommended officials can also be upright and self-sufficient, and will not abandon official duties due to personal favors, then the atmosphere in the court will be like this, and party struggle will be possible.
Really put an end to it.
Of course, Zhu Qiyu never thought that selfishness in human nature could be changed.
Supporting the underachievers and supporting each other are inevitable phenomena in official circles.
However, as long as the country can be put before selfish interests, then even having selfish motives is not unacceptable.
This is of course very difficult.
But, do it!
Starting from the emperor himself, only by rectifying oneself can one rectify others.
Only when the monarch is upright can the court be clear.
Don't be pedantic because if you insist on it, you can make all officials imitate it. However, you can't be superstitious about harsh punishments and only use punishments to make officials fear you.
The combination of leniency and severity, the combination of hardness and softness, thunderous means as a deterrent, enlightenment as a guide, benevolence and righteousness as a guide.
