Arrogant and lawless, greedy and insatiable, obsessed with profit, and shameless... The young emperor was full of malice towards officials and businessmen, which was clearly expressed through these ruthless scoldings.
The emperor is about to strike again! Some people are anxious, some are gloating, some are furious, and some are indifferent.
In this issue of the newspaper, there was also a sensational piece of news that caused a huge shock in the officialdom.
Official administration, official administration, was a problem Zhu Youxiao had been racking his brains to solve. The introduction of the regulations for official transfers represented a new level of his understanding.
As for "official administration", to put it more clearly, it is almost the administration of "clerks".
It can be said that Zhu Youxiao's understanding has improved, but his gaze has become lower, and he has noticed the lowest level of local politics - those clerks who will never have any future.
In fact, this was also influenced by Zhu Youxiao's modern thinking. Just like the four classes of people divided into "scholars, farmers, merchants and artisans" in the feudal era, in his view, they were just different in their professions, and there was no superiority or inferiority.
Similarly, he felt that officials and clerks were all government servants, so why should they be divided into those who were in the mainstream and those who were not? Why should "clerks" be subject to so many discriminatory regulations that they would never be able to make a name for themselves?
In terms of their ability to handle affairs, how could officials who passed the imperial examinations be as skilled as clerks? To put it bluntly, officials manage people. Clerks do the work, possess specialized knowledge, and are technical bureaucrats.
We can't say that if the clerks are good, the country will be governed. However, the clerks at the grassroots level are the key to whether policies can be implemented effectively.
"The court is proposing a system for 'officials to transfer to other positions,' requiring those who have served for more than two years and have no bad records... The court is proposing to abolish restrictions such as 'officials cannot take the imperial examinations and have no family background,' as well as the distinction between 'officials' and 'ranks'..."
The main reason for the different paths taken by officials lies in the concept of social status in Chinese history. For example, a teacher and a clerk in a government office might seem like different professions to modern people, but in ancient times, each profession was distinguished by its own merits and demerits.
For example, although civil and military officials are both officials and their ranks may be equal, due to the influence of social status, they are differentiated in people's minds.
Therefore, breaking the concept of "rank" was also a far-reaching consideration of Zhu Youxiao. Otherwise, although he attached equal importance to civil and military affairs, the thinking and views of the officialdom and society were contrary to each other.
Classes can exist, but social classes must be eliminated. Although changing people's mindsets and overturning traditional concepts formed by history will be a long and arduous task, if you don't start, there will never be any change.
Of course, giving clerks the opportunity and space to succeed does not necessarily mean that all clerks will be self-motivated and motivated, but Zhu Youxiao did not have such extravagant hopes.
It is just like increasing the salaries of officials cannot eliminate corruption.
However, breaking the concept of "ranking" and formulating relevant systems for "officials to officials" will indeed give some talented clerks a future.
Others may not know, but Zhu Youxiao knew how a ninth-rank minor official displayed his loyalty and talent in the late Ming Dynasty, causing the Qing army to question their lives.
One may be good at studying and pass the imperial examination, but this does not necessarily mean that one has the ability to work hard, nor does it necessarily mean that one is loyal.
Repeatedly failing to pass the civil service exam, becoming a lowly clerk looked down upon by officials, does not necessarily mean that one has a low character. Perhaps many clerks are much more honest than those sanctimonious officials.
Li Dan put down the newspaper, looked up at the anxious Yan Siqi, and said with a smile, "How about we spend the Lantern Festival in the capital before leaving?"
Yan Siqi rolled his eyes and said, "If you want to see lanterns, there are more and more lively ones in Nanjing, right?"
Li Dan nodded and said, "That's true, but I'm afraid it's too late!"
Yan Siqi said, "The Lantern Festival will be lively for several days. If it can't catch up with the 15th, how can it catch up with the 16th or 17th?"
Li Dan smiled and said, "The promotion of shipping is a mission entrusted by His Majesty. I cannot return home without making arrangements in the capital and Tianjin. If you are anxious, then hurry back first."
Yan Siqi hesitated for a moment, then said, "Then you stay and make the arrangements. I'll go back to Shanghai and make some arrangements as well."
Li Dan pondered for a moment and said, "Alright. When you return, gather the Chamber of Commerce members together to discuss and work out a rough charter. As for me, I'll be back in Shanghai in ten days or half a month at most."
"Okay, I'll make the final decision when you get back." Yan Siqi stood up and said, "I'm optimistic about domestic shipping. With two major clients, the China Chamber of Commerce and the Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce, there shouldn't be any problem making money."
"As for the Treasure Island covered in guano—" Yan Siqi paused, frowning, "Do you think anyone would buy guano and make money? But since His Majesty has said so, we'll definitely do it, but there's no need to rush."
Li Dan hurriedly reminded him solemnly, "Making money is a small matter, doing your job well is a big matter."
"I know. Do I need you to tell me?" Yan Siqi waved his hand impatiently and turned to walk out.
Li Dan shook his head at Yan Siqi's back, believing that Yan Siqi didn't understand the emperor's true intentions. Judging by the emperor's tone and demeanor, he felt that Guano Island was more important to him.
Although Li Dan, Yan Siqi, and several sea merchants who came to Beijing did not know about this small island covered with bird droppings.
But Wansui has already told us the approximate location. If we ask the sea merchants who often travel to Southeast Asia and the fishermen in the South China Sea, it will not be difficult to find it.
Therefore, Li Dan decided to send people to search for Guano Island as a high priority. Since His Majesty wanted it, what did it matter if it didn't make money?
Li Dan and all the merchants who came to the court, even though some of them knew that fertilizer was needed for farming, did not know the magical value of bird droppings.
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
