There is a natural reason why power in ancient society was not decentralized to the grassroots level but was managed by local gentry, landlords, and clans.

If the people were allowed to govern themselves, once a natural disaster occurred, so many people would gather together and easily cause an uprising.

So this strategy is simply shooting itself in the foot.

However, Zhao Jun also had reasons. He said, "This is the result of my field research. I found that the enthusiasm of local people is still very high, but they are subject to too many constraints, and productivity cannot be improved."

"If a farmers' association is established, it will be directly responsible to the local government and can be considered a township government, with certain powers. If any problems arise in the township, the farmers' association should actively participate in management and report to the government, which will greatly help the government control the grassroots."

"Struggles over water sources and village clashes can be coordinated through farmers' associations and government. Furthermore, the government and farmers' associations can jointly organize cooperatives, where the government purchases surplus farm tools, livestock, granaries, and other items from farmers, using them as shared public tools to unleash productivity."

"After the farmers' association is established, farmers can help and support each other, which can also increase productivity and improve work efficiency. I personally think it is a win-win approach. If you have any problems, then we can discuss it."

In fact, this method was not only what Zhao Jun himself thought was feasible after investigating local farmers and common people, but it was also the method used by our army in the base areas in later generations, and it achieved very good results.

However, if we apply the methods of later generations to ancient times, some may be more useful, but some may not be implemented, and may even have the opposite effect.

Fan Zhongyan shook his head and said, "Although you've conducted research at the grassroots level, you haven't lived in ancient rural areas for a long time, so you're a bit too presumptuous. Although you criticize gentry, landlords, and clan management as feudal dregs, at least in this era, they have their reasons for existence."

"Then tell me."

Zhao Jun did not refute it, because it was just as Fan Zhongyan said, he did research but did not live in ancient rural areas.

Fan Zhongyan explained the situation.

It's very simple.

Ancient rural areas were actually a relatively closed society with its own set of grassroots operating logic.

That is, the system of gentry, clans and landlords.

Fan Zhongyan believed that if productivity did not reach a certain standard, forcibly breaking this logic and allowing the government to try to intervene in the grassroots system would result in very dangerous consequences.

For example, the establishment of farmers' associations did restrict certain bully landlords, but if the government could not achieve close cooperation with the farmers' associations, the result of the expansion of the farmers' associations' autonomous rights would be that the farmers' associations would replace the original system of gentry, clans and landlords.

After listening to Fan Zhongyan's analysis, Zhao Jun also felt that his considerations were somewhat inappropriate.

It was difficult to achieve this in the ancient imperial society, so it was easy for the farmers' association to get out of control.

Thinking of this, Zhao Jun said, "You're right. It's true that I didn't do a good job. But reform is always a gradual process. Let's discuss it first and then come up with a summary charter."

"I think we should start with the administration of officials."

Fan Zhongyan reminded him: "Administration of officials is the foundation. Only after we have rectified the bureaucracy and clerks throughout the country can we issue subsequent government orders."

"Um."

Zhao Jun nodded and said, "Okay, then let's discuss the civil service system during this time. I don't need to explain the performance evaluation system in detail."

"Don't worry, I've already perfected it. All the assessment systems, rules and standards are already in place."

"That's fine. I've helped you improve the official system in advance and divided the officials' powers. This is all for the purpose of the performance evaluation system. If you manage the clerks well, you will be able to govern the officials and clerks well."

"The only thing I'm worried about now is the civil and military officials in the court."

Fan Zhongyan said worriedly, "I really don't know what you're thinking. You've already put all those idle officials to work, and now you want to eliminate them using the performance evaluation system. Won't that only increase the resistance?"

"The establishment of so many new departments requires so many officials. Otherwise, how can the new departments carry out their work?"

Zhao Jun shrugged and said, "Don't worry, just go for it. The emperor, I, and the entire Political System Institute are your strong backers. Make good use of the prestige you've accumulated this time. If you succeed in one fell swoop, you will become a famous official in the future!"

"This is a tough job, I'm afraid there will be a lot of criticism."

Fan Zhongyan rolled his eyes.

The first step of the Qingli New Deal was naturally to improve the administration of officials. Otherwise, how could other policies be promoted in this dark and corrupt administrative environment?

Which official administration was the best in ancient society?

That is naturally Zhang Juzheng’s reform.

The performance evaluation system and the last-place elimination system made Ming Dynasty officials suffer until they died.

And it works wonders.

For example, cracking down on corruption, breaking down bureaucracy, reforming bad habits and leaks in officialdom, etc.

According to statistics, during the ten years that Zhang Juzheng was in power, a large number of incompetent and unclean "big tigers" and "little flies" were uncovered.

The number of officials who were laid off due to the implementation of the performance evaluation system actually accounted for one-third of the total number of officials.

Moreover, thanks to the existence of the performance evaluation system, "performance evaluation with set limits is clear at a glance." This completely broke the traditional prejudice of seniority-based promotion, and boldly appointed talents regardless of their background and qualifications.

It can be said that the effect is remarkable.

The officialdom of the Song Dynasty is probably no different from that of the Ming Dynasty.

After the implementation of the performance evaluation system, it will inevitably deal a heavy blow to the current lifeless and dull officialdom.

Not only does it give officials KPI assessments and eliminate a large number of incompetent and foolish people, but it can also expose the corrupt officials who are hiding in the dark and have not been discovered by Zhao Jun during his inspection tours around the country.

The only problem may be that officials must hate Lao Fan to death.

Just like the Ming Dynasty officials hated Zhang Juzheng!

(End of this chapter)