"So... the solution to this problem is the sa as the previous fifty raids on the camp.
"Quality over quantity in troops!
"Leave the main official forces in the city, and at the sa ti, ticulously select a group of elites for a covert attack. anwhile, dispatch a few teams to block the pathways down the mountain. Perhaps then, we could crush this gang of tea bandits.
"Even if we can’t completely annihilate them, as long as we capture the ringleader, this bandit problem should be considered quelled."
At this thought, Zhao Haiping’s ideas instantly coalesced.
He began his trial anew.
...
[Eight years before the Battle of Niuzhu]
This prompt appeared again in Chu Ge’s vision.
It ant he could once again test the results of his new policies.
This ti, for Wang Wenchuan’s new laws, Chu Ge didn’t alter the specific clauses, because he understood all too well that obsessing over these details was pointless.
Historically, Wang Wenchuan was already a capable and wise official, with a clear insight into social issues and, on the surface, comprehensive solutions.
But once implented, they diverged drastically from expectations.
Thus, after analyzing, Chu Ge concluded that if reform were to succeed, clarifying the administration was necessary.
Only with subordinates who were both upright and effective could the new laws be implented as Wang Wenchuan envisioned.
Otherwise, these subordinates would twist the law to profit themselves and ultimately force Wang Wenchuan to take the biggest bla.
Chu Ge’s proposed thod for rectifying the administration wasn’t complex, just two points.
First was to enhance the evaluation of officials’ performance, second was to reduce nepotism among the officials.
In Chu Ge’s view, these were the bare essentials.
The problem of superfluous officials in the Qi Dynasty was constant, with many incapable officials holding high positions. So were corrupt yet diligent, but the key issue was those who were neither corrupt nor diligent or were both corrupt and lazy.
The treatnt of officials in the Qi Dynasty was arguably the highest in history; compared to the early Great Sheng Dynasty, Qi’s officials were living in paradise.
In Chu Ge’s opinion, it was impossible to cut the officials’ salaries to those of the early Great Sheng Dynasty imdiately, but as a pri minister under the emperor’s instruction, surely it was permissible to enforce performance evaluations and discipline ineffective officials?
With the incompetence prevalent among state and county officials, how could the new law possibly be implented under such conditions?
Moreover, Chu Ge didn’t intend to remove all the unqualified officials at once, as such policy needed to be gradual.
For example, implenting asures like a capital inspection in the first year to dismiss a small portion of the worst officials, demote those slightly better, and warn those slightly better than those...
Gradually over three to five years, the officials from the capital to the local areas would slowly undergo changes, and by the next five-year implentation of the new law, so progress should be expected, right?
Chu Ge took a deep breath and looked at the desk before him.
He had already ntally prepared himself; to rectify the administration, he was bound to face significant pushback and impeachnt from many officials, including many baseless accusations.
But seeing even more impeachnts than before, Chu Ge was still shocked.
"What’s going on?
"These people... are they actually accusing of forming factions??"
Chu Ge casually flipped through several impeachnts against himself, almost causing his blood pressure to skyrocket.
But the ga was not yet completely lost, as he still had the chance to appear before the emperor in court.
If he could refute these opponents and regain the emperor’s trust in court, then there was still room for maneuvering. His reform could then smoothly progress into the second year.
At court, various officials quickly began their performances.
"Your Majesty, discern wisely! I believe that the new law is too broad and indeed difficult to implent, the asures too fierce without gradation, not only unbeneficial to the national economy and people’s livelihood but also causing unrest, leading everyone to fend for themselves, and factionalism arises!"
"I believe that our Qi Dynasty shares the realm with the scholars, and with insufficient national resources, how could we possibly justify stripping the scholars of their due? If the people’s hearts turn away, who then would govern this vast realm for Your Majesty?"
"I believe that the new law, purportedly aid at strengthening, is actually secretly forming factions! Your Majesty must be wary!"
"Wang Wenchuan is pedantic and unreliable, rely having a reputation without substance! If Your Majesty continues to employ him, I fear imdiate troubles will arise!"
Listening to these attacks against him, Chu Ge was utterly infuriated.
Are these people trying to kill ?
The so-called "Your Majesty" is the term used for the emperor in the Qi Dynasty. A minister once explained, "The Three Sovereigns ruled the world, the Five Emperors made it their ho, possessing the virtues of both three and five, hence the term ’Your Majesty’."
As for the argunts of these officials, they revolved around a few points.
So said the new law was too expansive, involving a large number of officials throughout the entire Qi Dynasty and was basically impossible to implent, a wasted effort;
So said the new law’s approach to bureaucracy lacked any buffer, starting imdiately with dismissals or demotions, easily causing unrest;
Others said the new law was actually forming factions, threatening the emperor’s position...
At this mont, Chu Ge felt baffled.
What kind of statents are these!
They are simply unworthy of refutation!
But since he was before the emperor, he could only bring out 120% effort, earnestly engaging in a fierce debate with the learned critics.
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