kvmb Chapter 122: 9th Grade Zhongzheng System
Chapter 122: 9th Grade Zhongzheng System
Chapter 122: Nine-Rank System
The doctor hurried back at Liu Bian's call and took Cai Yong and his daughter to the backyard for examination and treatment.
Liu Bian stood in the front hall, looking at a group of people with ambiguous gazes, and coughed softly. He didn't know whether to leave or not.
After thinking for a while, he sat back and said to Dazai, "How many students were laid off from Taixue?"
I was just making small talk, but what I was thinking was: 'Why is the quality of that skirt so good...'
The Prime Minister raised his hand nervously and said, "Your Majesty, the total is 236. Hongdumen School will be reduced by 123. Taichang will reduce redundant officials by 36."
Liu Bian nodded casually, took the teacup handed to him by Pan Yin, and pretended to be thoughtful to relieve the embarrassment.
I forced myself to think about the usual things.
The student body of Taichung is huge. Despite various events this year, there are still more than 5,000 students. Cutting by more than 200 is still too conservative.
Hongdumen Academy was a "spur of the moment" initiative of Emperor Ling. There were not many students, only about five or six hundred in total. Cutting off more than a hundred of them seemed like a big move, but it was even worse than the Imperial College, so it was not harsh enough.
As for Taichang, most of its powers and duties were transferred to the Six Ministries, and the number of officials was reduced by more than thirty, which was also quite moderate.
'Did Cai Yong take protective measures, or did Wang Yun also compromise?'
Liu Bian pondered in his mind.
According to his plan, the first step would be to cut one-tenth of the officials in Luoyang City, and a considerable number would also be cut in local areas.
"The court cut down on redundant officials,"
Liu Bian looked at the prime minister and said, "It is to slim down and strengthen the body, improve administrative efficiency, and avoid a bloated system with redundant personnel. It is not about a fight among court officials or a chaotic government by someone. This move is beneficial to both the country and the people."
Dazai raised his hand and said cautiously, "I understand."
The others followed suit and bowed their heads, acting like His Majesty is wise and wise.
Liu Bian nodded and glanced at the side door, which was silent.
I sighed in my heart, what is this?
Zuo Li came in from outside and saw that the atmosphere was a little quiet. He lowered his head and walked to Liu Bian in small steps. He handed over a memorial and whispered, "Your Majesty, the Shangshutai just received it."
Liu Bian's expression became serious. He reached out to take it. Just as he was about to open it, he heard footsteps coming from the side door.
He quickly stood up, smiling.
Cai Yong took the lead and said, "Your Majesty, my daughter is fine. Please don't worry."
Liu Bian tilted his head and looked at Cai Wenji behind him.
His forehead was wrapped in gauze and his nose was bulging. He greeted Liu Bian gently with a calm look and said nothing.
Liu Bian wanted to say something, but he didn't know what to say.
Quiet.
Seeing this, Pan Yin quickly interrupted and said, "Mrs. Cai, Madam Tang in the palace admires your academic achievements very much. If you have time, please come to the palace and exchange some ideas with Madam Tang."
Liu Bian glanced at Pan Yin and felt very satisfied.
Cai Wenji blinked and said softly, "Thank you for your favor, Madam Tang. When Cai Yan is free, she will definitely go to the palace to pay her respects to Madam Tang."
After easing the awkwardness, Liu Bian smiled and said, "Then it's settled. Cai Qing, thank you for your hard work today. I'll come to the palace to talk in a few days."
After saying this, Liu Bian left impatiently.
"I accept the decree."
Cai Yong followed Liu Bian and said, "I respectfully send you off, Your Majesty."
Cai Yong was very enthusiastic and accompanied Liu Bian all the way out.
Liu Bian originally had some things he wanted to tell him, but now that he had thrown his daughter to such an extent, how could he say them?
After leaving Taichang, Liu Bian got on the carriage and said, "Let's go back to the palace."
After sitting in the carriage, Liu Bian finally breathed a sigh of relief and said to Pan Yin, "Well done."
"I dare not." Pan Yin said, but he could not hide the joy on his face.
Zuo Li glanced at Pan Yin, a hint of jealousy in his eyes.
Cai Yong, Cai Yan and others stood outside the door, watching Liu Bian's carriage go away.
Cai Yong looked back at Cai Yan and sighed, "Daughter, you have saved your father's life."
Cai Yong looked puzzled and said softly, "Father, isn't His Majesty very gentle?"
Cai Yong remained expressionless, but smiled bitterly in his heart.
Very gentle? A gentle emperor would never have made it this far!
In the carriage, Liu Bian calmed down for a while before opening the memorial in his hand.
He frowned when he saw it. This was the memorial submitted by the Prime Minister of Luoyang to impeach Wang Yun, which listed twelve major crimes: abuse of power, disrupting the country, being treacherous and evil, fawning on superiors, bullying subordinates, corruption, and condoning domestic slaves to commit crimes, etc.
Liu Bian's expression remained unchanged, his eyes slightly narrowed.
The carriage moved slowly, and soon, a violent noise made Liu Bian's eardrums hurt.
When Liu Bian drew aside the curtain, he saw that the gate of the Supreme Court was crowded with people, making loud noise, as if they were all there to file complaints and appeal for justice.
At this time, inside the Tingwei Mansion.
Zhong Yao escaped from the front yamen with great difficulty and came to the back hall, frowning with a solemn expression.
As the "redundant official reduction" policy began, more and more people came to file complaints. At noon, there were as many as forty or fifty people.
Everyone was implicated, including Prime Minister Yang Biao, Zuo Pushe Wang Yun, Dong Zhuo, Huangfu Song, Xun You, and even Zhong Yao himself was not spared.
More people came to complain about their grievances, and each of them cried out to the sky as if they had suffered a great injustice.
"Thank you for your hard work, Chief Justice." Suddenly, a white-haired old man walked in from outside the door and said with a smile.
Zhong Yao was startled and raised his hand hastily, saying, "Yuan Chang was confused and forgot about Mr. Chen. Please forgive me."
The man was in his early sixties, in good spirits, and said with a smile, "Is it too much to call the Tingwei my nephew?"
"Mr. Chen, you are too kind to me. Please take a seat." Although Zhong Yao was a high-ranking official, one of the emperor's confidants and a recognized man with a bright future, he was still very respectful to Chen Ji.
After Chen Ji sat down, he looked at Zhong Yao and asked, "Is the Chief Justice having a headache?"
Zhong Yao sat opposite him, poured him tea, and said, "Please teach me, Mr. Chen."
Seeing that Zhong Yao was not carried away, Chen Ji smiled and said straight to the point: "I heard that to kill a snake you must shoot at its seven inches, and to shoot a man you must shoot his horse first."
Zhong Yao was startled for a moment, then suddenly he realized something, and said, "Mr. Chen means to start with the officials in the court?"
Chen Ji smiled more and more, and said, "I am fortunate that I was not designated as a redundant official, but I am also afraid. I must do something."
Use the existing court officials to suppress the redundant officials who have been laid off!
Among the officials of all ranks in Luoyang City, if you look at two or three of them, they are all relatives, old friends, teachers, and friends.
Zhong Yao suddenly understood, stood up, raised his hand, and said solemnly: "Thank you, Mr. Chen, for your guidance."
Chen Ji took a sip from the teacup and said, "No need to be polite. My son Changwen is now forty years old, and I would like to invite him to be the assistant to the court judge. Is that possible?"
Long article, written by Chen Qun.
Zhong Yao knew that Chen Ji must have come for something, but he didn't expect it was because of Chen Qun.
After thinking for a while, Zhong Yao said, "Mr. Chen, you are famous for your literary talent and reputation. Would it be a waste of your talent to join my shogunate? There are many vacancies in the court, and my nephew is willing to recommend you."
Chen Ji shook his head and said, "Both you and I are good at laws and etiquette. It's okay to deal with etiquette, but it's inevitable that there will be omissions in state affairs."
Zhong Yao came from a judicial family. All his descendants served in the Imperial Court and had close ties with the Chen family, who was also a famous family in Yingchuan.
Zhong Yao paused when he heard Chen Ji say this, and asked, "Where is Changwen now?"
Chen Ji said: "I was originally in Xuzhou, and later traveled to Qing and Ji, discussing scriptures with Kong Rong. I can reach Beijing in four or five days at most."
Zhong Yao thought for a while and said, "Then, I will do it with reluctance. If Changwen wishes to enter the court someday, I will definitely recommend him."
With Zhong Yao's current status, recommending anyone is almost 100% successful.
Chen Ji smiled and stood up, saying, "Thank you very much, Tingwei. I will host a banquet to express my gratitude to you some other day."
Seeing Chen Ji was about to leave, Zhong Yao hurriedly asked, "Mr. Chen, do you have any plans to become an official?"
Chen Ji was originally an aide to General He Jin. Later, he was transferred to be the Prime Minister of Pingyuan. Because of the death of Emperor Ling, he hid in Yingchuan for half a year due to a series of major events. When he saw Liu Bian lead the army in person and return with a complete victory, he could not help but go to the capital again.
Chen Ji smiled and said, "I am old and weak, and cannot take on such a big responsibility. I plan to stay in Yingchuan and write a book behind closed doors."
Zhong Yao secretly thought it was a pity. This person had an outstanding reputation and outstanding abilities. If he had entered the officialdom, he would have made great achievements.
He did not persuade her any further, and said, "Nephew, send Mr. Chen off."
Zhong Yao sent Chen Ji away from the back door, thinking about Chen Qun, and said to himself thoughtfully: "Since Chen Qun has chosen to go to the capital, he must be planning to enter the government, right?"
On the other side, Liu Bian had just returned to Jingfu Palace and was walking towards the study when he suddenly heard a muffled thunder and could not help but look up at the sky.
The sky was clear and cloudless.
"It hasn't snowed yet, right?" Liu Bian asked.
Pan Yin was stunned and said, "Yes, it hasn't snowed this year."
Liu Bian nodded, entered the study, sat down, calmed himself, reached out to find the memorial in front of him, and said, "Yang Biao's policy program hasn't been submitted yet?"
Pan Yin said, "Not yet. I'll go and urge them."
Liu Bian waved his hand and said, "No need to rush him. Let him prepare more fully."
Pan Yin responded silently and quietly backed away. Before he reached his seat, he saw Tang Ji walk in with a plate in her hand out of the corner of his eye.
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you." Tang Ji bowed.
Liu Bian took the bowl and asked, "What did you find out?"
Tang Ji pursed her lips, her eyes reddened, and said, "The Queen Mother scolded me."
Liu Bian was startled, took her hand, sat on his lap, and comforted her, "It's okay, it's okay, I won't ask next time."
Tang Ji sat on Liu Bian's lap, looking at him, wanting to say something but stopping herself.
Liu Bian smiled and asked, "What's wrong?"
Tang Ji hesitated a little, and whispered in Liu Bian's ear: "I heard that the queen sent someone out of the palace."
Liu Bian knew that the concubine was being selected for him, and he wanted to stop it but failed.
Liu Bian patted her on the back and said, "It's okay. By the way, I just saw the daughter of Cai Taichang outside the palace. Pan Yin said that you like her. If she enters the palace, you can chat with her and talk about poetry, books, etiquette, etc."
Tang Ji was puzzled and blinked back at Pan Yin.
Pan Yin immediately bowed and smiled.
Tang Ji was puzzled, but still said, "I understand."
Liu Bian hummed and said, "Your father is going back to his hometown, you go and see him off."
Tang Ji pursed her lips, wanting very much to plead for her father, but she finally held back and stood up and said, "I'll take my leave."
Liu Bian watched her leave, reached out and uncovered the silk on the table, revealing five large characters on the white paper: The Nine-Rank System.
He looked quietly at the hundred words he had written, picked up the pen, and continued writing carefully.
The so-called Nine-Rank System was developed from the Recommendation System of the Han Dynasty. It not only retained the local recommendation system, but also established standards for selecting officials. In fact, it was a manifestation of strengthening centralization.
The biggest advantage of this system is that it can ease the relatively tense relationship between the imperial court and the aristocratic families, and it can also control the selection and appointment of officials, making administration relatively clear.
Liu Bian was constantly centralizing power in the name of "restoring the old system", and the Nine-Rank System could rationalize this centralization, further promote the political clarity of the court, and strengthen the relationship or control of the court with each other.
Liu Bian sorted out what he thought was the most reasonable one based on his memory and combined it with reality.
After thinking for a while, Liu Bian picked up the pen and continued writing.
He didn't know yet that Chen Qun was on his way to Beijing.
Request two monthly tickets~~