During the Qin Dynasty, the assessment of officials at all levels was mainly carried out through the upper calculation system. The upper-level accounting system is a system in which local governments at all levels regularly report the basic situation of their jurisdictions to the higher-level government. Accounting, that is, "accounting books". For the needs of government affairs, governments at all levels must set up agencies and staff to record population, land, resources, etc. in books as a basis for collecting taxes, planning expenditures, and formulating policies. This is accounting; at all levels The government reports relevant situations to the next higher level government in accordance with regulations. This is the upper level plan. The upper accounting system is an important system for the Qin government to strengthen its control and management of local governments and bureaucrats. This system is an important means for the emperor and the Qin government to grasp and monitor the country's population, land, resources, income, cases, accounting, taxation, water conservancy, farmland, transportation, public security, etc. It is also an important means for supervising officials, assessing political performance, and awarding awards. An important means of punishing good and evil and clarifying official governance. According to this system, a comprehensive inspection of officials is conducted every year, and superiors evaluate subordinates one by one. The results of the evaluation are reported to the government step by step from the bottom to the top. Each year's examination materials are also archived, and rewards and punishments are decided based on the results of the examination. Those who perform best in the exams will be promoted and re-employed; those who fail or even make mistakes will be punished, demoted, or reduced in rank. In the Qin Dynasty, October was the beginning of the year, so the accounting system was generally carried out in August and September.
During the period of planning in Peixian County, Xiao He, as the main assistant of the county magistrate, always accompanied Zhang Cang. He was as serious and meticulous in his work as Zhang Cang. He was not only quick-thinking, but also energetic. As long as it was the books or books compiled by Xiao He himself, The records of each bookkeeping are clear and clear at a glance. He also helped Zhang Cang handle some other affairs, and performed very well, which fully demonstrated his outstanding ability in governing people and government, so Zhang Cang appreciated him very much. After all the work has been reviewed, there will be a class exam. Zhang Cang said to Xiao He: "You summon all the officials above the pavilion chief in the county to take the examination in the county. I want to judge everyone's level and see how well the officials master the country's legal provisions and Legalist techniques. How is it going? We should also reuse those outstanding talents and make use of them according to their abilities." Xiao He cooperated: "Your Excellency's idea is very good, so I will use this method to assess it. I also want to get a good score. ." According to this decision, Liu Ji was also selected among the officials evaluated.
A few days later, all officials in the county received notice of the exam. In the late autumn of the thirty-sixth year of Emperor Qin Shi Huang's reign, on a chilly and refreshing morning, the two large locust trees in front of the Pei County Yamen were already covered with a group of magpies. They chirped for a while. As people arrived, the magpies As soon as they all flew away, the front of the Yamen became lively. At this time, all the officials in the county arrived. They walked into the county government office and gathered in a hall to take the exam. This time the test is about some contents in "The Way of Being an Official" and "Shenzi". Zhang Cang served as the examiner and the county magistrate served as the invigilator. The examination lasted all morning and the papers were not handed in until noon.
On the day when the results were announced, all the county officials came to the government office to check the evaluation results. Some officials who saw the results were happy, shook their heads, and were indifferent. In short, they had different looks and expressions. The first place is the well-known Xiaoxian Cheng, followed by the jailer Cao Shen, the county captain ranks fifth, and Liu Ji ranks twentieth. He is also the best among all the pavilion chiefs. one. Everyone gathered together to talk about the exam, and Xiao He and Cao Shen happened to bump into each other. The officials congratulated them both. Xiao He and Cao Shen said some polite words and said goodbye to everyone. They were about to go back. Suddenly they saw a big man approaching, Xiao He and Cao Shen stopped to look at him.
The big man was about thirty years old. Although he looked dusty, he looked majestic. He has a turban on his head, a pair of big straw sandals on his feet, and a short linen jacket. He holds a flute in his right hand and carries a small package on his left shoulder. He has a very strong physique. I saw him also squeezed into the crowd, looked at the article on the list, but said disdainfully: "If a man wants to contribute to the country, he should rely on his true ability. These slanderous scholars are not worth mentioning!" He sneered and turned around and left. Xiao He was very surprised and hurriedly stepped forward and shouted: "Strong man, please stay!" The big man turned around. Xiao He saw that he had a square face, a black and yellow complexion, thick eyebrows, big eyes, a wide nose and thick lips. He looked like a dashing martial artist. But what's puzzling is that he has a white cloth belt tied around his waist, as if he had just gone through a funeral.
Xiao He exclaimed: "The strong man is so handsome!" The man bowed his head and said, "Two adults, are you calling me?" Xiao He said very politely: "Yes, I wonder where the strong man is from? What is his surname? Where did you come from and where are you going?" The big man replied: "The villain's surname is Zhou Mingbo, and he is from Juan County, Sanchuan. Because his parents died prematurely, he came to Pei County to visit relatives and lived in Lizuo." Xiao He returned the gift. , then he suspected that he was a poor boy who was avoiding the corvee, and asked: "Why did the strong man sigh after reading the county document?" Zhou Bo was startled, and explained: "I just said something because I felt unfair in my heart, and there was nothing wrong with it." Can you forgive me for slandering you?" Xiao He said with a smile: "I am Xiao He, and this is Master Cao Shen Cao. We do not mean to blame. We just want to know that you are wearing a white belt around your waist. Could it be..." Zhou Bo quickly explained: "My lord, you have misunderstood. I usually make silkworm foil as a profession. I often play the flute for others and do some things such as weddings and funerals. I am happy when others laugh, and sad when others are sad. I am really happy and sad." , I couldn’t help myself! I finished the funeral for someone today, that’s why I’m dressed like this.”
After Xiao He learned about Zhou Bo's situation, he humbly said: "Is that so? I also know a little about music. I would like to invite a strong man to come to a village in the county. I would like to hear you play an ancient tune. I wonder if I can reward you?" Zhou Bo asked. He quickly saluted and said: "Master Xiao invited me, and I was going to go. But Xiaomin's appearance and appearance are unlucky. I'm afraid he will offend the two adults." Xiao He said: "Hey, you do things for others to resolve their worries. , it shows that you have a heart of compassion. A heart of compassion is the essence of benevolence. Even ghosts and gods respect benevolent people, how can they say that they offend?" Zhou Bo had never heard anyone praise him so much, and he was very moved, so he followed Xiao He. Arrive at the county government office. As soon as Zhou Bo walked to the door, he hesitated again and said: "My lord, since ancient times, common people have not interacted with officials. I, Zhou Bo, am a poor man and penniless, so I'd better not cause trouble to you two adults?" Xiao He said hurriedly: "We are all 'intimate friends', so why care about our status? Do you want to give us a meeting gift? Then please come inside and play a piece of music." Zhou Bo had no choice but to follow in.
Everyone came to the tavern and sat down. Xiao He ordered tea to be served. After drinking tea, Xiao He said: "Although I am not as smart as Shi Kuang, I still have the grace to understand that 'the mountains are as tall as Mount Tai' and the oceans are like rivers. Please ask the strong man to play a piece first." Zhou Bo had to say : "You're showing off your ugliness." So he picked up the flute and started playing it. The meaning of the tune is roughly:
The road is difficult and foggy. Yan and Zhao accepted scholars from the country, and Xin Lai, who played music in Zou, came to play. Qi Qi seventy-two, in order to repay the golden platform. The heroism permeates the sun and the moon, and he is a master of economics. The cool breeze blows softly into my arms. The body of the sword has not been touched, but it is abandoned in the dust! The phoenix is not a wuxi, the dragon is spraying clouds and thunder. Traveling all over the world, the sad songs are sad.
After Zhou Bo finished playing, he said with a smile: "I made you two adults laugh." Xiao He was shocked and said: "The song you played is called "Unexpected Time". This song expresses the feeling of a strong man's talent but not being met. Today I played it, I already know the ambition in your heart." Zhou Bo was surprised when he heard Xiao He's words. He admired Xiao He's extensive knowledge and insight into lyrics and music. He explained the mystery in his heart in one sentence and hurriedly He stood up and said, "I've been fond of dancing with guns and sticks since I was a child. I have a lot of skills, but unfortunately I have no place to put them to use. So I often use this song to relieve my depression. Today I made you two adults laugh."
Xiao He said happily: "I admire your talents very much! But if you want the world to know you, you must let everyone know your abilities. Please remember my words, strong men. If there is any selection of martial arts talents in the county in the future, , please be sure to come, don't miss the opportunity!" Zhou Bo has always been naked and hungry. Now after hearing Xiao He's words, he was very happy and thanked him again and again: "Thank you for your cultivation, little citizen. I will definitely keep your advice in mind." After saying that, he stood up and left. Xiao and Cao didn't want to stay, so they sent Zhou Bo to the government office. After Zhou Bo left, a servant suddenly came over and said, "Master Xiao, Yushi Zhang invites you." Xiao He heard that Yushi Zhang had invited him, so he left Cao Shen and came to see Zhang Cang.
