In the twenty-fourth year of Kaibao, it seems to be much colder than in previous years. It is already March, and the spring cold has not subsided. Cold waves recur from time to time, and the coolness in the morning and evening can almost invade people's muscles and bones.
This is the thirty-ninth year of Emperor Liu's reign. For an emperor, such a long time in power is really long, so long that it is a bit mind-numbing. Not to mention the subjects at his feet, it is Emperor Liu himself. Sometimes I feel confused.
Once a year, the Jiaqing Festival is coming again, but this year Emperor Liu is not in the mood to celebrate the festival. He even issued a decree that the palace does not need to make too many preparations. The ceremony will not be held, the royal banquet will not be held, and he only plans to bring the royal family to Relatives of the country gather together to eat and chat, that's all.
However, Emperor Liu did not deliberately influence the situation outside the palace, but the reaction of the people in Xijing was not as plain as Emperor Liu. Even ordinary people have passively developed the habit of celebrating festivals. Although it is not as good as Yuanxi, Qingming, Mid-Autumn, and Winter Solstice, it is still an important festival and has begun to be integrated into people's lives.
Not to mention anything else, it is gratifying to know that the prices of all official stores' products are greatly reduced for the three days before and after the Jiaqing Festival. You must know that many private merchants have to increase their prices during the holidays. ...
As for the aristocrats and bureaucrats, they don’t need to be spurred. The emperor’s affairs are just his business, and as ministers, they have to express themselves. This is the mainstream. Once they are different from the masses, their future career promotions will not be guaranteed. Treated differently. In fact, for many bureaucrats, the Jiaqing Festival is the most important festival of the year. When it comes to licking the emperor, they don't care about their power and status.
"Why is it such a mess?" In the Chui Gong Hall, the old emperor lacked self-knowledge and scolded Lu Duan, the Minister of Civil Affairs: "It has been two years since the Qiantang Embankment was renovated and it has not been completed yet. Now they are asking the court for funding. Who made the budget in the first place? Or is there someone playing a role in it to line their own pockets?
Shannan, Jiannan, Dongchuan, Liaodong, Jiangxi, Guangxi, Yunnan... more than a dozen autumn taxes have been delayed for nearly four months, and they haven't collected them all yet. They still have the nerve to ask the court for a break. , are you delaying it deliberately, putting it off until the end?
Government affairs are lax and inefficient. What are the local governments doing? How do officials perform their duties? Is it possible that all the Han government officials are filled with people who are just eating corpses?
How do you, the central ministers, supervise and motivate? "
Emperor Liu flipped through some of the official memorials presented from below. The more he read, the more angry and dissatisfied he became. There were too many delays and omissions. The originally efficient and clear imperial government was now in a state of "erosion". Procrastination, inefficiency, confusion, errors and omissions, and no joyful things in sight...
Facing Emperor Liu's angry questioning, Lu Duan remained calm, bowed and said: "Your Majesty, the renovation of Qiantang Embankment was previously supervised and coordinated by Fan Zhigu, a doctor in the Ministry of Water Resources. Last June, After being reported to have embezzled public funds for embankment construction, he and seven of his subordinates were imprisoned for investigation, and the project was stopped.
Last winter, the imperial court restarted the project, with its deputy Zheng Huai in charge. Later investigations revealed that Fan Ruoshui's case was framed by others, and the person behind the scenes was Zheng Huai. ….
Zheng Huai was imprisoned and interrogated, and the project was delayed again. Later, after discussions with the Ministry of Works, the minister decided to reuse Fan Zhigu and continue to be in charge of the embankment repairs. Now the work has been fully resumed.
Now I am requesting additional funds for repairs from the court. It seems that it is because of several previous delays and delays in the construction period. In addition, it is the farming season and the cost of labor collection has increased. The funds previously issued are no longer enough to support the completion of the levee, so I have to request additional funds... ..."
"Deserves to be killed!" As soon as Lu Duan finished speaking, Emperor Liu said sternly, with a look of anger on his old face: "These female officials, fighting in official circles and competing for power, have reached the point where they ignore the overall situation and the national economy and people's livelihood? It's absolutely disgusting! "
Facing the angry Emperor Liu, Lu Duan just lowered his body slightly and did not answer. After calming down, Emperor Liu asked, "Have you found out about Fan Ruoshui? Are you sure he is innocent?"
After hearing the question, Lu Duan replied skillfully: "Your Majesty, Fan Ruoshui, courtesy name Zhongshi, whose original name is Ruoshui, is from Jingzhao, and his ancestors and father were officials in Jiangnan. He grew up in Chizhou. After Jiangnan was pacified, he worked in Chizhou and opened In the seventh year of Bao's career, he came to Beijing for reference and was awarded the first place in engineering.
.
He is a smart and capable person, capable of serving as an official, quick and eloquent. After observing politics, he served successively in the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Industry, and then moved to Huaidong and Henan, where he served successively as county and state officials. Three years ago, he was promoted to the central government and served as the Ministry of Water Resources of the Ministry of Industry. Doctor..."
"Okay, okay!" Seeing Lu Duan talking non-stop, Emperor Liu interrupted him and said, "I'm not asking you about this person's resume! However, from your description, this person seems to have some talents, and there is nothing wrong with him. Entrusted with important tasks?"
Regarding this, Lu Duan was conservative and said: "For now, the Qiantang Embankment project can be completed properly with this person!"
"I still believe you, Lu Duan, when you look at people!" Emperor Liu said.
"I dare not accept this!"
Glancing at him, Emperor Liu said calmly: "This Fan Zhigu seems to have been wronged before. In this way, he will be given the title of Minister of the Ministry of Industry. As for the money for embankment repair, let the Financial Secretary calculate it and decide whether it should be approved." Just approve it. Also, tell Fan Zhigu to work hard. If the Qiantang embankment is repaired, he, the Minister of Works, will be promoted to a regular position. If it is not repaired well and problems arise again, then he will fill in the embankment!"
Even though he was as old as Lu Duan, he couldn't help but tremble in his heart when he heard Emperor Liu's instructions. This was once again spurring his officials with an unsheathed steel knife. The compensation from the "Minister of Works" was very important to Fan Zhigu. , I'm afraid it's too heavy.
Steadying his mind, seeing Emperor Liu still staring at him, Lu Duan continued to explain calmly: "As for the chaos in government affairs and the delay in official affairs, I have also understood it with Yousi, and I have made a preliminary judgment that it should be half a year to one." In the past years, from the central government to the local governments, too many officials have been replaced and too many new officials have been promoted.
Newly appointed officials need some time to adapt, and many of them have shortcomings in political experience and ability and need to be tempered. To this day, there are still many positions in government offices across the country that have not been filled..."
The more Emperor Liu listened to Lu Duan's explanation, the more uncomfortable he became, and he couldn't help interrupting him angrily: "According to Lu Qing's opinion, this is caused by the purge of officials in the court? Is it true that only by relying on corrupt officials can political affairs run smoothly? , without them, the government affairs would be in chaos? How unreasonable! Also, if there are talented people who are not qualified for the position, why should the Ministry of personnel arrange it? What is the basis for appointing officials without talent? "...
"Your Majesty, that's not what I meant! It's just that the central and local governments at all levels really need a certain amount of time to adjust!" Lu Duan responded calmly: "In addition, when there is a huge vacancy of official positions in various places, there will be a need for more positions. The company will implement it one after another..."
Seeing Lu Duan's unhurried appearance, Emperor Liu also realized that it was meaningless to get angry with this old man, and he would be disadvantaged instead.
After thinking for a moment, Emperor Liu asked: "Will the Han Dynasty be short of officials now?"
At this question, Lu Duan sighed in his heart. If Emperor Liu had carefully understood how many officials he had captured both internally and externally in the past year, he would not have asked such a question. What's more, what is lacking is not officials, but people who meet the standards and have sufficient abilities.
However, Lu Duan's expression said everything. After thinking for a moment, Emperor Liu asked again: "Have all those Jinshi, Bachelor's, and candidates been arranged?"
Lu Duan nodded: "Your Majesty, this is the Ministry of Personnel's first choice when selecting officials!"
He couldn't help but frown, and then said: "Kai Enke! In addition, cooperate with the Privy Council to assess and select retired officers! The officials have also put some thought into it. There are always more solutions than difficulties. I will give you another half a year. Let me solve this personnel problem! I don’t want to hear or see such chaos again!”
"Yes!" Lu Duan responded calmly. I finally breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, Emperor Liu gave him half a year. I was afraid that Emperor Liu would impatiently demand that it be done in one step...
Mi Muli
