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Jiang Zheng's suggestions can be summed up in five points.
First, clearly define the status levels of the staff. The higher the status level of the staff, the higher the intelligence authority, salary, independent power, etc., unless they are authorized by Zhao Junchen, they cannot act beyond their level;
Secondly, the scope of responsibilities of each staff member should be clearly defined, and each staff member should perform his own duties and specialize in his responsibilities, and each other should not be allowed to leak any information about their respective scope of responsibilities.
Third, provide protection and supervision for several core staff, such as arranging exclusive carriages, drivers, guards, etc., not only to ensure the safety and confidentiality of their outings, but also to control their whereabouts and performance at any time.
The fourth is the breakdown of powers and responsibilities, which means restricting a single staff member from having too much authority.
Taking the finance of the Zhao family as an example, it must be subdivided into three items: income, expenditure, and reconciliation, which are assigned to different staff. Su Xiqing will still be in charge of finance in the future, but will only be responsible for the "account reconciliation" task, while Zhao Even Su Xiqing cannot know everything about where the various incomes of the government come from and where the various expenses are spent.
For another example, the military matters that Niu Fude is responsible for should also be subdivided into three categories: intelligence collection, secret liaison, and specific assessment. In the future, Niu Fude will only be responsible for the "specific assessment" work, but Zhao Junchen's various Where the information came from and with whom the secret communication was conducted must also be kept as confidential as possible.
In this way, even if a staff member betrays Zhao Junchen in the future, the leaked secrets and evidence will not pose much threat to Zhao Junchen.
The fifth is to use the means of improving status and salary to strengthen the vitality and loyalty of the staff team.
In Jiang Zheng's view, Zhao Junchen's staff team is too lifeless. There is a huge gap in status between the core staff and non-core staff. The core staff have a stable status but have no more hope, while the non-core staff lack the opportunity to shoulder important responsibilities. If you cannot prove your ability, you will not be able to go further and improve your status. If this situation continues, people's minds will change sooner or later in the future.
Therefore, after classifying the levels of staff, a relevant channel for improving status and increasing salary should be clearly formulated based on the staff's qualifications, merits, abilities, etc.
In this way, several core staff can see salary increases every year, and the rest of the staff have also made efforts to improve their status. Everyone has hope. Not only will they work harder, but they will also not work easily. betray.
*
After reading these contents, Zhao Junchen couldn't help but think deeply, and looked at Jiang Zheng with a meaningful look.
These suggestions put forward by Jiang Zheng are not too surprising to people of later generations, but to people of this era, they are definitely far-sighted!
The most important thing is that these suggestions did solve a problem for Zhao Junchen - that is, Zhao Junchen always did not trust the staff team enough.
After all, the staff have only been assisting Zhao Junchen for about a year, and their loyalty needs to be proven and tested for a longer period of time, and Zhao Junchen himself is also a suspicious person.
Today, as Zhao Junchen's ambitions and intentions become bigger and bigger, many of the secret plans he has formulated have seriously violated the moral and ethical concepts of this era.
Therefore, when these plans were being implemented, Zhao Junchen, because of his suspicious nature, did not dare to hand over the full responsibility to his staff team, fearing that they would not be able to accept it, would breed dissent, and would lead to serious consequences such as betrayal and informing.
During this period of time, Zhao Junchen let Niu Fude take charge of part of the plan to infiltrate military power, which was already the limit of his trust in the staff team, and it was also because Niu Fude had lived and died with him in Shaanxi and Gansu.
As a result, Zhao Junchen could only hand over the specific responsibility to the three people around him, Xu Qingyan, Zhang Yuer, and Fang Ru, for many of the most core plans.
However, due to insufficient manpower and capabilities, these plans naturally progress slowly and have little effect, and the role of the staff team is also limited.
Therefore, Jiang Zheng's suggestions are timely.
If Jiang Zheng's suggestions are followed, many of Zhao Junchen's core plans can be safely entrusted to the staff team for execution. Not only will the results be more significant, but there will also be no need to worry about the staff's disloyalty and resistance, as well as the risks of betrayal and leaks. greatly reduced.
Therefore, after Zhao Junchen read the contents of this booklet, he immediately decided to follow the plan!
But at the same time, Zhao Junchen also saw Jiang Zheng's true intention.
Jiang Zheng's suggestions were not only to make suggestions and prove his abilities, but also to solve his current embarrassing situation of not being trusted by Zhao Junchen.
Once Zhao Junchen adopts Jiang Zheng's suggestions, the staff team will become more strict and reliable. Jiang Zheng himself will also use these rules to completely eliminate Zhao Junchen's alertness and precautions, and quickly become the core figure of the staff team. one.
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"Are you good at summarizing rules, making rules, and using rules..."
While thinking about it, Zhao Junchen had already closed Jiang Zheng's book and put it aside seemingly casually.
Then, Zhao Junchen raised his head and glanced around the staff. He saw that all the staff were observing him quietly and waiting for him to express his position. Zhao Junchen once again reached out to pick up the chopsticks to pick up the food and put it on the plate in front of him, and He smiled and said, "Why are you just looking at me? We won't talk about business today, so you don't need to pay attention to me. Just continue eating."
After saying that, Zhao Junchen was the first to pick up the food and put it into his mouth. He no longer continued to question and test Jiang Zheng, but also avoided talking about the contents of Jiang Zheng's booklet, as if nothing happened just now.
Seeing Zhao Junchen's statement, the staff quickly returned to their casual posture, and they were still eating, drinking, and talking casually.
But in fact, everyone was thoughtful and absent-minded. Occasionally, they would quickly glance at the booklet placed in Zhao Junchen's hand and secretly guess the contents of the booklet.
All the staff could notice that Zhao Junchen's previous attitude towards Jiang Zheng was undoubtedly secretly defensive, but after reading the contents of this booklet, this attitude has quietly changed.
Next, about half an hour later, the banquet ended in a seemingly relaxed and casual atmosphere.
Afterwards, Zhao Junchen and the staff said goodbye to each other and returned to their rooms to rest.
However, half an hour later, Zhao Junchen secretly summoned Jiang Zheng for a meeting in the big study.
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"The student has met Zhao Gechen, but he doesn't know why Zhao Gechen summoned the student?"
After meeting Zhao Junchen, Jiang Zheng still looked expressionless, but his attitude and tone were still respectful.
After Zhao Junchen looked at Jiang Zheng quietly for a moment, he saw that Jiang Zheng's expression still did not change. He was just waiting quietly for Zhao Junchen to speak. Suddenly he shook his head and laughed, saying: "You know what you are asking! Since you moved to Zhao Mansion yesterday, I have always been anti-customer, forcing me to express my attitude, whether I will use you again in the future...
Your methods are very clever, how can I remain indifferent? ...So, for some things, the sooner you explain them clearly, the better! "
This time, Jiang Zheng nodded directly and said calmly: "After Zhao Gechen accepted the student as his staff, the student has already realized the dilemma he is facing!
In Zhao Gechen's view, the student's teacher was the great scholar Yang Xun, and he was also a close direct disciple. Of course, his position was questionable. He might have been an informant arranged by the teacher, so he could not be reused with confidence.
Therefore, the future situation of students will naturally be extremely embarrassing. Because Zhao Gechen does not trust students, he will not reuse students. And if students are not reused, they will have no chance to win Zhao Gechen's trust. It can be said to be an endless cycle.
Under such circumstances, students seem to have only two options left - either stay and suffer patiently, wasting time and talent; or they can't stand their embarrassing position and leave Zhao Gechen's staff team directly...
But these two paths... the students didn't want to choose, so they found a third path for themselves! "
Zhao Junchen looked appreciative and nodded again: "Yes, you just found a third way, which forced me to reuse you!
So, starting from last night, you deliberately showed off your sharpness, deducing a lot of secrets just through some clues, and even directly clarified all of this...
At the same time, the various conclusions you have inferred are just inferences after all. There is no real evidence and they cannot pose a direct threat to me. What's more, you are Yang Daru's personal disciple and you have a profound background, so I don't Dare to attack you easily.
And the reason why you want to do this is to let me understand that any means of prevention and concealment will have no effect on you, so I don’t expect to be able to treat you coldly or marginalize you...
In this way, the situation becomes that you are forcing me to make a choice as soon as possible, and I have only two options left, either to drive you away as soon as possible, to turn a blind eye, or to be stubborn. The scalp is used without any doubt and can be reused on you directly!
However, neither of these two paths is a good choice for me. The former will make me feel too guilty. What's more, my next plan for the 'Zhou Party' is based on your suggestion. If I directly expel you If I leave, this plan may be exposed, and I will not be able to ease the relationship with the 'Zhou Party'; and the latter will make me feel uneasy, which is not in line with my suspicious nature..."
Having said this, Zhao Junchen picked up the booklet Jiang Zheng gave him from his hand. As he flipped through it, his expression became more and more filled with admiration, and he continued: "So... you also found a third way for me. , that is, use and prevent, limited reuse!
That’s why you directly proposed to me that you should change the way the staff team operates, and the suggestions you made are simply tailor-made for your current situation!
For example, once it is necessary to clearly divide the status level and scope of authority of the staff, then I must give you a clear position, and then you can naturally participate in the staff work according to your own status level and scope of authority. , and finally break the endless cycle of being unable to be reused.
For another example, if you want to arrange protection and supervision for staff and subdivide the scope of their powers and responsibilities, then you will also be subject to supervision and restrictions when doing things in the future, and then you can to a certain extent Dispel the doubts in my mind.
For another example, if the staff can improve their status based on their qualifications, abilities, achievements, etc., with your ability and wisdom, you will inevitably rise to the top quickly and sooner or later you will be promoted to become the core figure of the staff team. At that time, I will have to reuse you.
Good means and good thoughts! To be honest, this is the second time I have seen such a talented young man like you in recent years! "
While he was praising him repeatedly, Zhao Junchen had completely exposed all of Jiang Zheng's thoughts.
However, Jiang Zheng remained expressionless and did not respond to Zhao Junchen's praise. He just waited quietly for Zhao Junchen's final answer. He did not even wonder who the other young man Zhao Junchen was referring to who could stand shoulder to shoulder with him. .
Seeing Jiang Zheng's behavior, Zhao Junchen seemed a little bored and couldn't help but shake his head slightly.
Then, Zhao Junchen asked a seemingly unrelated question, asking: "You have been following Yang Daru to study law for these years. So in your opinion, what is the greatest role of law? Is it to stabilize the country? Or to benefit the country? Common people?"
Jiang Zheng's eyes flashed, and after thinking for a moment, he replied: "Students have followed the teacher for many years. The teacher has repeatedly said that the function of the court laws and regulations is to regulate the behavior of all parties in the government and the public. It does not in itself stabilize the country or benefit the people. However, there are differences between "good laws" and "evil laws" in court decrees. The so-called "evil laws" are to ensure the interests of a few powerful people, while the so-called "good laws" are to ensure the interests of the majority of people... Therefore, according to From the students' perspective, 'good Dharma' can stabilize the country and benefit the people."
With Jiang Zheng's intelligence, he naturally understood what Zhao Junchen meant.
The so-called "stabilizing the country" means being loyal to the Ming Dynasty, that is, being loyal to the emperor; the so-called "benefiting the people" means being loyal to the world and the people's hearts; the difference between the two can be said to be worlds apart.
Zhao Junchen's inquiry actually let Jiang Zheng make a choice - if Zhao Junchen can benefit the people more than Emperor Deqing in the future and represent the interests of more people in the world, then is Jiang Zheng himself loyal to Deqing? Emperor Qing? Or loyal to Zhao Junchen?
Jiang Zheng's answer seemed ambiguous, but in fact it meant that there was no such thing as "loyalty to the emperor" among the concepts he learned from Yang Xun. As for whether he would be completely loyal to Zhao Junchen in the future, It depends on whether Zhao Junchen represents "good law" or "evil law".
After hearing Jiang Zheng's answer, Zhao Junchen thought seriously for a moment.
Then, Zhao Junchen discovered that although he had been doing his best to take care of the overall situation and protect the people, his supporters in the government and the public were all corrupt officials, evil gentry, and profiteers, and they were simply the opposite of the people.
Before this, Zhao Junchen's approach had always been to make the cake bigger so that everyone could get more benefits. Therefore, Zhao Junchen could take into account the interests of all parties and benefit the people as much as possible while allowing corrupt officials and profiteers to make money. The bowl is full.
But if one day in the future, he can no longer make the pie bigger and the benefits are no longer divided enough, then which side will Zhao Junchen himself stand on?
Do you want to take the overall situation into consideration and continue to benefit the people? Or is it to ensure the stability of one's power and give priority to more benefits to one's supporters?
When he asked himself, Zhao Junchen couldn't find a clear answer deep in his heart.
After discovering this, Zhao Junchen couldn't help but laugh at himself.
Therefore, Zhao Junchen did not respond to Jiang Zheng's counter-probe, but continued to ask: "Speaking of which, Yang Daru has just taken over the Dali Temple Yamen, and it's time to hire people. How can you just move to the Zhao Mansion to work for me?" , is there something inappropriate? In my opinion, you should first assist Yang Daru to deal with the situation at the Dali Temple Yamen, and then move to the Zhao Mansion to work for me."
When Jiang Zheng saw that Zhao Junchen did not respond to his counter-probe, a hint of disappointment flashed in his eyes, but he still replied: "Since the student has become Zhao Gechen's staff, it is natural that he should keep public and private distinctions and prioritize serving Zhao Gechen. The teacher also agrees with this...
In fact, when the student said goodbye to the teacher yesterday, he already told the student that after he took over the Dali Temple Yamen, he would be bound to have heavy official duties, so he asked the students not to disturb him in the future...
The teacher always keeps his word, so for some time in the future, it will be difficult for students to meet the teacher unless they are with Zhao Gechen. "
Jiang Zheng's words were undoubtedly intended to reassure Zhao Junchen, saying that he would not meet and interact with Yang Xun casually in the future, so Zhao Junchen did not have to worry about him leaking intelligence about the Zhao family to Yang Xun.
A trace of satisfaction flashed in Zhao Junchen's eyes, but on the surface he shook his head and sighed, "Yang Daru is sometimes too rigid. In order to distinguish between public and private matters, he even ignores the relationship between master and disciple!"
Then, Zhao Junchen seemed to have completely trusted Jiang Zheng and said with a smile: "I have thought about it carefully and your suggestions are very reasonable. I will also gradually change the operation method of the staff team according to your suggestions...
However, this matter cannot be rushed, and each suggestion can only be implemented one by one. If we are eager for success and want to implement everything in a short period of time, the staff will inevitably have random thoughts and speculations.
Therefore, I plan to take the lead in defining clear status levels for the staff, ranking them according to A, B, C, D, etc., and at the same time formulating a clear set of rules to stipulate the scope of authority of the staff at different levels, as well as the relationship between status promotion and promotion. Specific ways to increase wages...
You are a direct disciple of Yang Daru, and you also have the title of Jinshi. You are outstanding among all the staff in terms of status and ability. However, after all, you have just come to my place and your qualifications are still relatively young, so you will first be a second-class staff member. Right, tied with Xiao Wenxuan and Li Lun, second only to Li Chuanwen, Niu Fude, Su Xiqing, and Ouyang Bo.
In the next period of time, your task is to help me implement your proposals one by one and completely change the way the staff team operates. After everything is settled, I will assign you the next task. "
"In this case, students naturally try their best."
Next, seeing that it was getting late, Zhao Junchen and Jiang Zheng chatted for a while, and Jiang Zheng said goodbye and left.
When leaving, Jiang Zheng still didn't show much change in his expression. He didn't seem to be excited about being reused by Zhao Junchen, as if everything was expected.
Seeing Jiang Zheng's retreating back, Xu Qingyan, who had been standing quietly behind Zhao Junchen, couldn't help but ask: "Master, do you really want to trust and reuse him?"
Zhao Junchen shook his head slightly and said: "In this kind of thing, you not only have to listen to his words, but also watch his actions... Maybe he really wants to work for me, or maybe he just wants to deceive my trust and then take the opportunity to collect some conclusive evidence. Leave it to Yang Xun, but no matter what, I can only try to use him now. His talent and ability are worth taking some risks... Of course, what should be done is still done, send someone to keep an eye on him secretly, once it is If there is any abnormality, please report it to me immediately."
"Understood!"
Hearing what Zhao Junchen said, Xu Qingyan let out a long breath.
No matter what Zhao Junchen thought, Xu Qingyan was full of doubts about Jiang Zheng's true position after seeing Jiang Zheng's series of methods, especially when he saw Jiang Zheng forcing Zhao Junchen to use his own methods again.
On the other side, after Jiang Zheng left Zhao Junchen's study, he thought about the conversation just now, and then again thought of Yang Xun's evaluation of Zhao Junchen.
"Is this the 'virtuous minister who governs the world and the traitor in troubled times' that the teacher said? Whether he is a virtuous minister or a traitor needs further confirmation, but what is certain is that he is definitely up to something big. What I have inferred in the past two days Those things are probably just the tip of the iceberg..."
Thinking of this, Jiang Zheng's expression, which rarely changed, actually became a little uncertain.
He seemed a little wary, but also seemed a little excited.
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