When Han Fei asked about the administration of officials, many thoughts suddenly came to Zhao Kuo's mind.
The main reason why Qin was able to defeat the other six countries was the Qin officials. In Zhao, officials relied on the recommendation of nobles. Large nobles such as Zhao Bao and Zhao Sheng could hold official positions in the palace, while small nobles
For example, Dong Chengzi, Zhao She and others served as local officials. The basic process was that the lieutenant recommended talents from the nobility to King Zhao. The local officials did not need the nod of King Zhao.
Lieutenants and state ministers can make their own arrangements, but for larger official positions, they need to be recommended to King Zhao in person and can only be filled after King Zhao approves them.
At first, Zhao She was promoted to a minor official by the lieutenant because of his noble background, and was recommended to King Zhao by Zhao Sheng, and he gradually became prominent.
This is true in most other countries, but not in the Qin State. The low-level officials in the Qin State need to pass the "judicial examination" and master the Qin laws proficiently before they can hold the lowest official positions. They are not aristocrats.
Depending on one's family background, there are special schools where the children of officials or family members of meritorious soldiers can study the law. After completing the studies and passing the examination, they can serve as officials.
Of course, Zhao Kuo is not against nobles holding official positions. In today's era, civilians cannot obtain education at all. Even in the Qin State, there are very few civilians who can learn writing. Of course, it is most appropriate for nobles to serve as officials. However,
The method of selecting nobles can be improved. Zhao Kuo quickly recalled in his mind many methods of promoting officials in later generations.
The first is the promotion of filial piety and integrity in the Han Dynasty. The promotion of filial piety and integrity in the Han Dynasty valued moral character and recommended people with excellent moral character to serve as officials. To be honest, the moral character of the nobles in the Warring States Period was not too bad, at least on the surface, they
They are all gentlemen. Even if they look down on common people, they will not kill and humiliate them for no reason, otherwise they will be looked down upon by other nobles.
During sacrifices, nobles big and small, including King Zhao, would reward orphans and widows and help the poor. This was the custom in the Three Jins, Qi and Chu. Of course, Qin would not do this. There is no such thing as aiding orphans and widows in the laws of Qin.
According to the regulations, orphans were sent directly to serve as retainers, and disabled people were sent to serve as hidden officials, but they could still have a way of survival and would not starve to death.
Therefore, it may still be feasible for various places to recommend people with good moral standards to serve as officials. At least these recommended gentlemen value their honor and integrity and will not take bribes or corruption, let alone live in a fish-and-meat village.
The imperial examination system that was implemented later was originally intended to give civilians a way out. However, according to the current level of education of civilians, this is not feasible. However, it can be implemented among the nobility to select a group of elites among the nobility.
Zhao Kuo frowned, thinking about this. Zhao Kuo could not accomplish these things alone. The experience of later generations may not necessarily succeed now. Therefore, he needs the elites of this era to help him, such as Wei Wuji in the palace.
Pang Gong who was on the way, Yu Qing in Handan, and... Zhao Kuo slowly looked at Han Fei beside him. Han Fei just saw that the teacher seemed to be thinking about something, so he didn't disturb him.
Zhao Kuo smiled and said to Han Fei: "I have two ideas. The first is called the examination of filial piety and integrity, the second is called the imperial examination..."
On the road to Handan, Ge was surprisingly quiet. He drove the carriage, and the horse rushed slowly towards Handan. The master and the apprentice in the carriage were talking about government administration. Ge enjoyed listening very much, but Ge was not completely capable.
He understood what they were talking about, but felt that what they said was very high and inscrutable. Listening to Zhao Kuo casually criticizing the official selection system of various countries, Ge looked ahead with a smile on his face.
Mr. Ma Fu, it seems that Ma Fuzi is really going to surpass you.
The method of selecting officials described by Zhao Kuo is not very complicated. Recommendation and assessment also exist today. Han Fei was not too surprised. He just thought about whether what the teacher said was feasible. If the local government wants to recommend moral sages, the problem
Who will recommend it? Is it the local magistrate or the local aristocrat? How to verify it? How should it be given according to the level of official position? You can't judge who has higher morals, right?
As for the imperial examination, the same is true. What should be assessed? Qin State's assessment laws, because the laws cover all aspects of Qin State, but Zhao State does not have such laws, so how to conduct assessments?
The two chatted for a long time and finally arrived in Handan.
When King Zhao heard that Zhao Kuo was coming, he hurriedly asked the warriors to bring him in. When Zhao Kuo walked into the palace, Wei Wuji was also sitting in the palace. During this period, he had never left the palace. King Zhao really loved him.
, asked him a lot of questions. King Zhao originally intended to let Wei Wuji serve as the prime minister, but not long ago, Tian Dan asked to reduce the reward to Zhao Kuo. Tian Dan finally spoke... Zhao Kuo
Wang suddenly hesitated.
He loved both Tian Dan and Wei Wuji, so he couldn't force Tian Dan away just because he wanted to keep Wei Wuji.
Therefore, when he learned that his Ma Fujun had arrived, King Zhao was very happy. Ma Fujun must be able to help him make a choice. King Zhao walked down with a smile, took Zhao Kuo's hand, and asked him to sit on his back.
Next to him, Zhao Kuo and Wei Wuji paid a visit, and Wei Wuji looked at him with some confusion. In Wei State, Wei Wuji always lamented that he was not recognized for his talents. The King of Wei was unwilling to let him hold any official position, and even his disciples would not be accepted.
Used by the King of Wei.
But now, after leaving his hometown, King Zhao dotes on him in every possible way, and seems to want him to serve as the prime minister of the country.
Wei Wuji was a little confused. It was not surprising that his clan served as the prime minister of another country. What made him feel uncomfortable was the somewhat exaggerated enthusiasm of King Zhao, who was more affectionate than his brother treated him. It had been several days.
, were not allowed to leave Handan, and kept asking him about ways to govern the country. Wei Wuji's original plan to govern Wei was given to the monarch of Zhao.
After Zhao Kuo sat down, Han Fei stood behind him, but King Zhao asked him about the reward again.
Zhao Kuo said seriously: "I want to call these rewards seeds and farm tools and distribute them to the soldiers on the expedition. Because after three years of campaign, there are no young people to work hard, so the land of Zhao State has become barren, and there are no craftsmen in the country."
, so there is a shortage of farm tools. The decrease in grain production in recent years has meant that there are very few seeds that can be sown in the spring. If the people do not have enough seeds and farm tools for farming this year, some people will starve to death this year."
Wei Wuji looked at him with some surprise. Is it true that such an outrageous behavior will not be jealous of the king? It is okay to reward the soldiers with the king's rewards, but to reward the people, you are not King Zhao, where do you have the qualifications to do so?
How about rescuing the people of the entire Zhao Kingdom? He hurriedly looked at King Zhao, but there was no trace of nervousness or anger on King Zhao's face. He looked at Zhao Kuo with a smile and nodded.
"You're absolutely right."
King Zhao added: "I want to leave the spring planting matters to you this year. What do you think?"
Zhao Kuo was stunned for a moment and then said: "Yu Qing is doing the spring planting. He is a wise man and has never delayed the farming season. Please let me help him." King Zhao agreed and chatted again.
After a long time, Wei Wuji was allowed to go back to rest. Wei Wuji understood that King Zhao had something important to discuss with Zhao Kuo, so he got up and left, sending Wei Wuji away. Then King Zhao eagerly took Zhao Kuo's hand and asked, "What do you think?"
If you want to take Lord Xinling as your prime minister, but you are worried about Tian Dan leaving Zhao, what do you think we should do?"
Zhao Kuo had long seen what King Zhao was thinking, and he said: "Tian Dan can be the learned master, and Wei Wuji can be the prime minister." The learned master is an academic adviser to the monarch, and he can have several more people to teach the king.
, but it is usually young kings who set up such positions to teach themselves. The learned master does not have much power, but his status is very high. At present, all the positions in the palace are full, and only the learned master’s
The location is vacant.
King Zhao finally nodded. He had no choice but to leave Tian Dan by his side and ask him for advice. It was better than letting him stay in the position of Prime Minister and do nothing. The most worrying thing in his heart was solved.
After that, King Zhao was in a good mood, and Zhao Kuo hurriedly expressed his request, "That Xu Li, he has made a lot of achievements, but just because he was in a hurry to save me, he was convicted and went to the border of the bitter cold.
He is suffering in the land, please let him return to Handan, I am willing to vouch for him."
King Zhao did not hesitate at all. This was the first time that Zhao Kuo begged him for personal matters. King Zhao was very generous and with a wave of his hand, he immediately ordered Xu Li to return to Handan.
Zhao Kuo hesitated for a moment, and then talked to him about the issue of officialdom. The low-level officials in Zhao State just didn't like to do business, enjoyed a wealthy life, but neglected their duties, and could not play any role at all, while Zhao Kuo's
The official system is also very simple. The central officials of Zhao State include the state minister, the false minister, the minister, the censor, the internal historian, the lieutenant, the eunuch, the division, the left division, the learned division, and the secretary.
Among them, the Prime Minister is the king's right-hand man, responsible for all matters in the country. Jixiang is the right-hand man of the Prime Minister, helping the Prime Minister to deal with all matters. The Sikou is responsible for criminal proceedings, the Censor is responsible for records, the Internal Shi is responsible for taxes and financial expenditures, and the Lieutenant is responsible for recommendations.
Among the talented people, the eunuch is responsible for the affairs of the inner court, the master is responsible for teaching the king and the prince, the left master is an old counselor who makes suggestions to the king, the learned master is the academic adviser to the monarch, and the siguo is responsible for admonishment.
After an official assumes this position, his followers will surround him and automatically form a department. This is very different from the official system of the Qin State. Zhao Kuo felt that if he wanted to improve the administration of officials, he must first improve the official system.
The division of labor must be clear and not disorganized. In this way, we can imitate the civil servants of later generations, conduct professional assessments for each department, and select outstanding talents for official positions.
When King Zhao heard Zhao Kuo talking about talents, he became energetic and listened to Zhao Kuo's words attentively.
“Can official administration really select more talented people?”
"This is natural. Let various places recommend virtuous people, or conduct assessments to confirm their talents. Not only the talented people in Zhao, but also people from any country, as long as they can pass the assessment, they can be reused by you.
..Receive generous rewards and have a high status in Zhao State. In this way, all the talented people in the world will gather under your command." Zhao Kuo said seriously.
King Zhao almost jumped up with excitement.
"Qin was originally a weak country. Qin Xiaogong wrote a letter asking for talents, expressing his desire for talents and inviting sages from all over the world to come to Qin. As a result, Qin became strong and prosperous. Now why don't you follow his example and come to the world? How can the world show your desire for talented people?" Zhao Kuo asked rhetorically.
"Okay, okay, I will give you the order now, and I will do it as you said!" King Zhao couldn't wait to get up, but Zhao Kuo hurriedly stopped him and said seriously: "Your Majesty, this matter is not Don't be anxious. The selection of officials is a major national event. Please wait for a while. After Pang Gong, Pingyuan Jun and others rush back to Handan, the talents of Zhao State will discuss it together. I heard that three people with average talents proposed The advice of a wise man can surpass that of a wise man, let alone the advice of all the wise men in Zhao."
King Zhao sat down helplessly, looked at Zhao Kuo aggrievedly, and asked, "When will Pang Nuan come back?"
"He should go to the Kingdom of Wei and come back with Lord Pingyuan."
King Zhao thought for a moment, then stood up and said, "No! I want to write a letter to King Wei and ask him to send Prince Pingyuan back to Zhao as soon as possible!" Zhao Kuo said goodbye to King Zhao and walked out of the palace, Han Fei smiled and said to Zhao Kuo: "Teacher...Teacher...Teacher is a smart person." Zhao Kuo glanced at him and smiled. Han Fei continued: "The King of Zhao is... Yes..I don’t want..I want Mr. Pingyuan to come back.”
Zhao Kuo did not continue to discuss the matter with him, got on the carriage, and the two of them went to visit Wei Wuji again.
Wei Wuji was drinking. When he heard that Zhao Kuo had come, he was very happy and quickly invited him to sit down. Wei Wuji's retainers all lived in Handan at the moment. They abandoned their families in Wei and continued to follow Wei Wuji regardless of the cost. Being around them proved their loyalty to Wei Wuji. Many of Wei Wuji's retainers died on the battlefield, but even so, there were nearly a hundred of them in Handan at the moment.
The disciples who stayed in Xinling are still coming towards Handan one after another. They want to continue to follow their master.
"Did King Zhao ask you if you want me to serve as the prime minister?" Wei Wuji asked, and when he asked, all the guests around him fell silent and looked at Zhao Kuo. If Wei Wuji was in Zhao Kuo If you serve as the prime minister, then they can live better in the Zhao State and even directly participate in the political affairs of the Zhao State. Zhao Kuo nodded and said with a smile: "The Lord has decided to appoint you as the Zhao State's Prime Minister. I don't know how you did it." Thought?"
Wei Wuji took a sip of wine and said with a wry smile: "I have been thinking about running the country and asking knowledgeable people for advice on running the country, but I didn't think of..." He only said half of it, not Continue talking. Zhao Kuo already understood what he was thinking. Wei Wuji suddenly said to him: "By the way, Li Mu came to me yesterday. He said that he would gather everyone to advise the emperor and invite you to serve as the prime minister."
"What?!" Zhao Kuo's eyes widened.
"I told him that such behavior will make King Zhao dissatisfied with you, and I advised him not to do this."
"Then he must be very angry."
"Yes, he insulted me as a villain... and even started fighting with my customers."
"Sigh... This robber is still young and impulsive. If he really advises me, your Majesty will definitely think that this is my idea and that I am forcing him."
