In the early morning of autumn, thousands of rays of light cover the entire Jinling City.
In the Jinling University Hall, there are many shade trees, and the leaves of some trees have slowly turned yellow. Birds are chirping on the branches, but they can't stand up to the bustle and bustle of people in the hall.
The subordinate officials who came from all over Jiangnan East Road to take the "civil service examination" were in groups, everywhere, and filled the entire school.
In fact, not only Jinling University Hall was the examination room, but also Jinling Martial Arts Hall and Jiankang Prefecture Gongyuan were included, just for the purpose of this examination of thousands of subordinate officials.
The subordinate officials took the written examination and then participated in the interview. Those who passed the examination were considered as state officials and received the imperial salary.
The imperial court implemented the New Deal on Jiangnan East Road and clarified the administration of officials. Officials and subordinates were ruthlessly suppressed. Among them, the subordinates were executed for the most heinous crimes because of their large number. The other more than a thousand people who were sentenced to death for committing crimes and committing crimes were all sent to exile. , go to jail for life;
More than a thousand people were also exiled and sentenced to imprisonment of not less than ten years but not more than twenty years. Similarly, more than 2,000 people who were detained for more than five years and less than ten years did not receive amnesty.
People in these three categories all went to labor camps and were released after serving their sentences. As for those with short sentences, they served their sentences in the mines on Jiangnan East Road and underwent labor reform to rehabilitate themselves.
The subordinate officials complained endlessly, Jiangnan East Road turned pale when talking about the "New Deal", and everyone among the subordinate officials was in danger.
But most of the subordinate staff are still safe and sound. When the news came about the assessment of subordinate officials on Jiangnan East Road, the vast majority of subordinate officials flocked to work hard for their future.
Of course, there are also subordinate officials who are frightened and withdraw from the "civil service examination" in fear, and the government does not force them.
The bell rang, the examiners shouted loudly, and the subordinate staff filed into the examination room and sat down in their respective seats. The examiners came in immediately and placed a pile of papers on the table on the podium. The examiner looked at the subordinate officials in the examination room with bright eyes.
"Listen up, everyone! The test questions are not difficult, so answer them carefully. If you dare to cheat, you will bear the consequences!"
After the examiner said solemnly, the two examiners began to hand out papers. As the examiner said "the exam begins", the candidates in the examination room became busy.
Outside the door of the examination room, the sergeant on duty stood solemnly, looking intently to ensure the safety of the examination room.
In the examination room, the candidates concentrated on answering the questions. Outside the examination room, a group of officials such as Wang Gang, the envoy of Jiangnan East Road, and Hu Mengyu, the chief of Jiankang Prefecture, separated and observed each examination room one by one, carefully and cautiously.
"Mr. Wang, your Majesty's "civil service examination" is truly unique!"
Meng Kai, the newly appointed magistrate of Jiangning who was accompanying him, complimented in a low voice.
There is a dictatorship in the art industry, and the assessment of officials is a professional assessment of officials who are about to take up public offices. Everyone should be familiar with their positions, otherwise they will be eliminated.
"Xiangong Wang, let the subordinate officials take the test and give salaries to those who pass. Is this true?"
Qian Zhen, the new commander of Jiankang Prefecture, asked curiously.
Having a fixed salary for subordinate officials may really change the dilemma of subordinate officials extorting bribes and preying on the common people.
"The emperor's new policy will establish township and town governments at the county level, that is, one more level of lower-level government, in order to change the bad government where the imperial power does not go to the countryside and the subordinate officials are rampant. After passing the assessment, the subordinate officials will be assigned to the township and town level. Up to the government offices at all levels in prefectures and counties. Your burden will be much lighter."
Wang Gang looked into the examination room for a while, then turned his head.
"Have arrangements been made for the Yamen of Shixiang and Three Towns in Jiangning County?"
"Don't worry, Mr. Xian, everything has been settled. However, some of them have been renovated from old houses, which may damage the majesty of the imperial court."
Meng Kai, the magistrate of Jiangning County, replied cautiously.
One level of official rank is overwhelming, let alone one that is countless levels higher.
"The majesty of the imperial court lies in soothing the people and benefiting the people, not in whether the government office is high-sounding or not. Don't you understand such a simple truth?"
"What your husband said is absolutely true, I understand!"
Meng Kai smiled apologetically, nodded repeatedly, and then boldly said:
"My lord, the subordinates are all good and bad, and they are a mixed bag. I am afraid that the new officials will not be able to suppress them."
"This is only temporary. When the first batch of students of Jinling Academy graduates next year, some capable people will be sent to the yamen at all levels. Besides, there is an anti-corruption branch behind the scenes to conduct secret inspections. What big things can happen?"
The chief officials of the townships, the township chiefs and the town chiefs, will also be selected from among the subordinate staff. Following the principle of official avoidance, township heads and town heads are appointed from different places, but this is not absolute.
Song Ci, the criminal prosecutor of Jiangnan East Road, also intervened at this moment.
"The emperor's new policy will add one more level of government to the county. At that time, the Anti-Corruption Department will have an even heavier burden. I heard that the emperor will promote some good people from the Jinling Martial Arts Hall to enter the yamen at all levels to maintain local security, cleanse the officialdom, and crack down on Bandits. This is good governance!"
Zhao Hong once talked with him about the need to include subordinate officials within the scope of the official system and pass assessments to change the status quo of imperial power not going to the countryside.
There are only four to five hundred officials on Jiangnan East Road, but there are tens of thousands of subordinate staff. Even if we recruit several times more new officials and incorporate them into the official system, they will still be overpowered by tens of thousands of subordinate officials without salaries, who will bring disaster to the country and the people.
Maybe Zhao Hong is already doing it.
"Subordinate officials hold real power and have the rights to public security in the countryside, household registration management, tax collection, etc. If they use public power for personal gain, it will undermine the dignity of the court and be detrimental to the local governance of the court. I hope the new policy can completely change this situation."
Jiankang Prefecture passed through Qianzhen, and I was looking forward to it.
The simplest and crudest form of corruption is for subordinate officials to prey on the common people during tax collection, plundering the people's fat and anointing, and even the people.
In addition, subordinate officials colluded with wealthy families to not only exploit the common people, but also directly confront the government. The repeated failures of the Jingjie Law are clear examples.
"Your Majesty, this is a big game of chess!"
Meng Kai shook his head and said with emotion.
When subordinate staff are incorporated into the official system and become part of the officials, they will be much easier to manage in the future. The intervention of anti-corruption personnel will be a great restraint and guarantee.
"Qian Tongpan, Meng Magistrate, and subordinate officials have become court officials. In the future, the pressure on officials will be great. If something goes wrong, be careful not to mention that your position is taken away. If you commit adultery and violate the law, Gu Song and Hu Yuanfeng will be... Your example. Today, there is also the Anti-Corruption Department, which is not easy to fool."
Song Ci reminded the officials seriously, and Qian Zhen, Meng Kai and others all solemnly said yes.
Jiangnan East Road implemented the New Deal, and the Anti-Corruption Department actively intervened, marking the court's determination to clarify officialdom. At this time, who dares to openly commit a crime?
"What happened?"
Wang Gang looked into the distance and suddenly asked.
Everyone looked up and saw the sergeants escorting the candidates one after another out of the examination room and heading towards the office building of Jinling Academy.
Judging from the dejected looks on these candidates' faces, they must have been caught cheating or taking the exam for themselves.
"These guys are either cheating or taking the exam for themselves. As long as they are caught, they will never have the chance to become officials again!"
Song Ci shook his head and sighed.
"If you don't commit suicide, you won't die!"
Wang Gang sighed "Zhao Hong style".
The test questions are not difficult, they are all about the basic laws and regulations of people's livelihood. Those who fail the test are of poor quality, and it is reasonable to fail.
As for those who cheat, they will never have a chance.
In the examination room, "cheats" were constantly discovered, and they were "invited" out of the examination room in despair. This also means that he will be registered and his "official career" will be over.
Of course, there are also many candidates who fail the interview and join the ranks of the "unemployed".
"Next, Lin Yufeng!"
The examiner's voice sounded, and Lin Yufeng, the former Jiangning County Superintendent, quickly responded, walked into the interview room, and sat down in front of the interviewing officials.
Song Ci looked at Lin Yufeng's notes on the paper in detail and then raised his head.
"Lin Yufeng, what is "thorn pairing"? What is "valuing the law and the law"?"
"Returning to the examiner, before prisoners are subjected to punishments such as cane spine, servitude, and exile, some prisoners must first have their faces tattooed, which is called "tattoo"; while those who do not need to have facial tattoos are called "branching." New The emperor's new policy, whether it is criminals or military recruiters, has been abolished. The so-called "law-heavy local law" means that any death row prisoner who is guilty of robbery will have his family property distributed to the plaintiff, and his relatives' children will be sent to the state army thousands of miles away to be enlisted. Tube."
Lin Yufeng cheered up and answered.
Wang Gang and Song Ci looked at each other, and Wang Gang continued to ask.
"Lin Yasi, what is the "breaking staff method" and what are the pros and cons?"
"Returning to the examiner, in the "Song Xingtong", light punishments such as spine cane and hip cane were used to replace severe punishments such as flogging, exile, and imprisonment. This alleviated the pain of criminals to a certain extent and demonstrated the "light punishment and careful punishment" of our dynasty. This is the method of breaking the staff."
Lin Yufeng considered the words and continued.
""Cane killing" may seem benevolent and lenient, but in fact the person being tortured will suffer more pain and will be beaten to death with a cane. It cannot achieve the purpose of "light punishment". It cannot be regarded as good governance. And...
Lin Yufeng's hesitation was seen in his eyes, and Wang Gang frowned.
"Lin Yufeng, speak directly in front of the examiner."
"Yes, yes, I will tell you straight away."
Lin Yufeng no longer hid his clumsiness and spoke boldly.
"According to the "Tang Law", if a civilian robber fails to make money, he will be imprisoned for two years. Those who injure others will be hanged, and those who kill will be beheaded. However, the "Song Xingtong" of our dynasty clearly states that as long as the amount of money robbed exceeds three thousand yuan, all persons will be punished. It is a capital crime. The "Tang Code" stipulates that officials who are corrupt will be hanged for fifteen horses, exiled for thirty horses, and beheaded for fifty horses and above. However, the "Song Xingtong" of our dynasty is vague about officials who are corrupt, bend the law, and even commit crimes. Officials can still be re-employed. Even if His Majesty stated in the Anti-Corruption Law that a death penalty of more than 10,000 yuan is too light."
Song Ci and Wang Gang both nodded slightly. It seemed that the prison chief of Jiangning County was still competent at his job.
A major feature of "Song Xingtong" in terms of sentencing is that the punishment for corrupt officials and bending the law is too light, and the punishment for thieves and robbers is harsh. The administration of officials is harsh and the administration of officials is understated. As a result, officials have no fear of corruption and corruption in the officialdom has become increasingly serious. .
Song Ci and Wang Gang whispered a few words, and then Song Ci said seriously:
"Lin Yasi, we have read your resume and have conducted secret interviews with you. We know that you are a fair official and have never accepted bribes. I and the Zhizhi Envoys Association will recommend to Your Majesty that you be appointed as the county magistrate of Ningguo County and concurrently as a new officer. The mayor of Ningguo Town was established. Are you willing?"
"Magistrate of Ningguo County? Mayor of Ningguo Town?"
Lin Yufeng's eyes widened, and his little heart jumped.
Can a small official become a court official?
"Lin Yasi, aren't you willing?"
Song Ci asked softly.
"I am willing! Thank you, Sir!"
Lin Yufeng woke up from a dream, stood up quickly, and bowed respectfully.
"Your Majesty hates the corruption of officials the most. Remember, you serve as an official for one term and benefit one party. Don't be greedy and don't abuse the people. As for whether you can be promoted, it depends on what you do!"
Wang Gang warned him seriously.
"I will remember my husband's teachings! I will live up to your majesty and my husband's trust!"
Lin Yufeng bowed solemnly again.
From now on, he, a subordinate, will also be a dignified court official.
After three consecutive days of exams, when the official list was posted, some were crestfallen, while others were ecstatic, and the various aspects of life were vividly reflected.
Most of the subordinate staff passed the examination, were re-employed, and were included in the court's security system. And like the officials, most of the subordinate staff took office in different places, thus avoiding the disadvantages of collusion and self-interest.
