Chapter 1028: Ugly words

In the end, Zeng Gong gave a bright prospect: This is the case for the three classes where I take office, and other departments can imagine it, but your Majesty will try and investigate to find the same.

As long as we can save one-third every year, "the world will be able to earn hundreds of millions every year, and if we save only three-thirds, we should have fifteen years of savings in thirty years!"

"Husband's wealth is the foundation of the world. To make the country rich and prosperous, what can you ask for but not get? What can you do that can't be achieved?"

Zhao Xu was so happy that he thought what Lao Zeng said was very reasonable, so he summoned Su You into the palace. "Mingrun, you are an economic expert. What do you think of Lao Zeng's memorial?"

After reading this, Su You couldn't help but smile bitterly and shake his head: "Your Majesty, what Mr. Zeng said is definitely a disadvantage, but the method to solve the disadvantage is not advisable."

Zhao Xu was a little dissatisfied: "Why? Can't those who wasted their rank and salary just leave immediately?"

Su You said: "But where did their honor and salary come from? Didn't you give it to them, Your Majesty? When you gave it to them, it was for the purpose of establishing a good relationship, but what about when you leave? Is it possible that the relationship is broken?"

"These people have already received a salary increase, and now they are being deprived of it through no fault of their own. How can they not complain?"

"The issue of the Third Class Courtyard is very complicated. It is the place where the military ministers of the Third Class of our dynasty note, promote, and collect rewards."

"Here, there are many children and family members of martyrs; there are many members of the clan."

"The reason why this matter has become a drawback is because these children of martyrs, their families, and these clans do not have the ability and quality to serve as military ministers, and have become idlers raised by the imperial court, occupying the precious staff of military ministers."

The military system of the Song Dynasty was like a super big trash can. Regardless of the officials, people and clans, all the burdens of the country were thrown into it.

Refugees, bandits, children and families of martyrs, idle clansmen, internal officials who the emperor likes, craftsmen...

It would be really crazy if such an army system could still achieve incredible combat power!

But the problem is a problem, and Zeng Gong’s method of solving the problem is definitely not feasible.

Su You said to Zhao Xu: "Your Majesty, the so-called savings of 30% of expenditures every year for thirty years should be saved for fifteen years. That is what Mr. Zeng took for granted."

"First of all, this group of people cannot be cut off across the board. There are reasons why they can eat the country's salary."

"So to solve this part of the redundant staff, we have to find a way out for them."

"The clan is an example. Many clans now support themselves and have joined various workshops and industries. I think it is better to implement a buyout strategy."

Zhao Xu asked: "What is a buyout?"

Su You said: "There are many ways. One is to implement retirement, which is limited to fifty years old. Those who are over this age will be included in the pension system and the state will provide pensions. However, the pension will definitely not be as generous as in-service, three-thirds

The second or so is more appropriate. In addition, all positions will be eliminated to achieve the purpose of streamlining the organization."

"Secondly, for those who are under fifty years old but are willing to give up their current positions, the court will issue them with 'break-up money', which is equivalent to a one-time payment from the government for their past contributions. Especially if they choose their own careers after leaving their jobs, the court will not

Let’s continue to pay out salaries.”

"Third, for those who are still willing to stay in the three-class system, they will be treated equally from now on. An assessment system and an examination system will be implemented. They must pass the exam before they can serve. Those who violate the system's regulations and are slack during their tenure will be punished by law.

He will seize his position and pursue his crimes."

"Fourth, the assessment is limited to two years, and there are four assessments in total. Those who are not qualified after four times will be dismissed as incompetent."

"The assessment content includes military literacy, official documents, dispatching practices, court regulations, and test questions prepared by the Zhongshu. Reference materials were issued beforehand, and the test content is selected from the reference materials."

Zhao Xu didn't quite understand: "Isn't this useless? If they all pass the exam, doesn't it mean that no one can be laid off?"

Su You held up his hands and said: "Laying off people is not the purpose. The real purpose is to train those people to become qualified talents suitable for their positions and let them know how to do things."

"If they can do their jobs well, then why cut them off?"

"I will talk about this next. In fact, a large part of the redundant staff mentioned by Zeng Gong is actually needed."

"A county that manages 5,000 people may need fifty subordinate officials, but a county that manages 50,000 people may not have enough subordinate officials."

"Therefore, Zeng Gong's statement that the population will increase significantly without increasing the number of subordinate officials is untenable."

"Since the 100th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, the population has nearly doubled. Therefore, the number of officials should also increase accordingly."

"In addition, the natural increase in commodity prices over the past century has also led to the situation where rewards have not increased, but rural expenses have consumed a lot."

"This problem is very complicated, and it is the same in any dynasty. When the country was founded, prices were cheap, but later on, due to various reasons, the currency will always gradually depreciate."

Su You then explained the relationship between slow and controllable inflation and economic development to Zhao Xu for two hours, and finally said: "So it seems that suburban expenses have increased, but in fact they have not. It's just that the price of shopping has changed."

It’s just too expensive. These are also the inevitable results of population growth and economic development.”

"Going back to the third squadron, which is a large company with overstaffed personnel, in addition to the above-mentioned reasons, there is another important factor, which is the intensity of the war and the increase in soldiers."

"Compared with the number in the early days of the Kingdom, the number of troops now has also increased by about three times. Therefore, accordingly, the number of military ministers has also increased by about three times."

"This has become a huge problem. Zeng Gong's ultimate goal is wonderful, but the method to achieve that goal is completely unfeasible."

"To solve this problem, the root cause is to reduce the number of troops, transfer soldiers to other jobs, optimize the military system, and then we can talk about abolishing military officials."

"But the way has actually been figured out."

"The clan's new education can already equip them with skills to choose careers;"

"The establishment of the new army has given people who are interested in the military a promotion path;"

"The establishment of the Construction Corps has given the laid-off soldiers and warriors a minimum guarantee;"

“The increase in fiscal revenue will allow the country to have the financial resources to pay severance pay;”

"The increase in military power makes it possible for the country to reduce the number of troops."

"Therefore, Zeng Gong's suggestion is actually feasible. If we change the approach and extend the time, I think the goal can be achieved."

"Your Majesty, the military requires conciseness and efficiency, and orders and prohibitions are enforced. Unlike civil service restructuring, which involves local governance, military restructuring does not involve so many chores."

"We have done some exploration before, so I believe that the value of Zeng Gong's suggestion is that before the civil service restructuring, we can combine the establishment of the New Army, the establishment of the Military Academy, the establishment of the Military Aircraft Department, implement military reforms, and at the same time implement the three-class system

Reform is also included in it, and problems are solved comprehensively, systematically, and without revealing the truth."

Zhao Xu felt a little uncomfortable: "According to Mingrun's thinking, this financial savings cannot be achieved immediately?"

Su You bowed and said: "Your Majesty, before things get started, it is best not to expect too much good things. Rather than laying off personnel to save costs, I think it is more important to make the responsibilities and powers of the civil and military ministers clear and their functions commensurate."

"To put it bluntly, there are so many people now who can't do things well. How can we be sure that things will be done well when there are fewer people?"

"So my suggestion is to teach them how to do things first and try to reduce the voice of opposition. If you want to lay off employees, you have to wait until the authority is clear and they are determined to be incompetent."

"At that time, no one will be able to object on the grounds of being punished without teaching, being ruthless and unjust."

Zhao Xu was very moved for a moment: "Mingrun is thinking about your Majesty and doesn't want the public opinion to be blamed on me..."

Su You was embarrassed to say that Your Majesty, you are overthinking, I just don’t want the reform to fail. He held up his hands and said: "Your Majesty, it has been accumulated for hundreds of years, and it is too difficult to hope that it will be reversed in one day. Major events in the court are often thought to be easy.

, and whenever something unexpected happens, it’s better to be slow than to rush.”

"Fortunately, the economy of the Song Dynasty has been improving in the past few years, and we can't afford it. We should cultivate talents first, and then eliminate the bad and retain the good. If we change the order of things, the loss will only be two or three years' salary of more than 20,000 people in the third class."

.”

"The problem of the Song Dynasty is not that there are too many officials, but that there are so many officials who do not do anything. Therefore, we should first solve the problem of officials not doing things, and then solve the problem of too many officials."

"Introduce a reward mechanism to form a competition mechanism, and then we can talk about the elimination mechanism."
Chapter completed!