The reason why imperial power is so strong is not because of its ability to kill and punish, but because it can help you gain promotion and honor, bring glory to your family, and more profoundly, can make your name known in history.
Therefore, wise rulers have their ministers supporting them, and foolish and tyrannical rulers also have their own supporters. Whether they serve the ruler loyally or for personal gain is actually not important.
This was Zhu Youxiao's understanding. He didn't know what his ministers were thinking. He only cared about whether the work satisfied him.
In other words, if the dynasty really comes to an end, having a group of loyal and undying ministers will be of no practical use. What is most important is the ministers who can help the dynasty in times of crisis and protect it.
The situation isn't that dire yet, so the requirements are naturally much lower. Having work ability is certainly good, but if one's ability is less, but one has the ability to execute and implement the court's policies, then he or she is also a good official.
You are not required to complete the task perfectly or in excess. If you cannot follow the rules and carry out the tasks without any deviation, then no matter how gorgeous and beautiful your poems and essays are, or how honest and poor you are, you are still an unqualified mediocre official. What use are you then?
"Lord Wang." Zhu Youxiao looked at Wang Sanshan, who was sitting respectfully on the embroidered cushion. He still had great respect for this veteran official and spoke in a gentle tone. "You have done a great job in the imperial inspection. You have been fair and just. I am very pleased. I will reward you later."
Wang Sanshan quickly bowed and thanked him humbly, saying, "This is my duty. I do not deserve your Majesty's reward."
"How many officials nowadays can't even do their job properly?" Zhu Youxiao sighed, waved his hand, and seemed to dispel his dissatisfaction. He continued, "Your Excellency Wang is well aware of the situation in the Ming Dynasty. The wars in Liaodong and the southwest continue, and disasters are afflicting various regions, straining the court's finances. I do not wish to impose additional taxes and cause hardship to the people, but the Ming Dynasty is plagued by numerous problems. It's time for reform and revitalization."
"I understand."
Although Wang Sanshan entered the capital, he was still very concerned about the war in the southwest. As the Ming army's weapons and equipment continued to increase, the She'an rebels found it difficult to break through the siege and could only wait for death.
Of course, this method is more time-consuming and puts greater pressure on the court's finances, but it is the most reliable way to win.
Last year, Zhu Youxiao invested gold, flowers and silver in the southwest and Liaodong; this year, he was mentally prepared to continue supporting the war.
Wang Sanshan was a rare civil servant with military strategy, and he had some reservations about the court's siege tactics. Of course, he didn't know that it was his underestimation of the enemy and impatience that led to the emperor's transfer back to the capital.
The emperor decided to entrust this year's imperial examination to Wang Sanshan after much consideration, so that the imperial examination would not become a tool for the various parties to fight and retaliate.
The capable were promoted and the mediocre were demoted. The emperor did not want to play any political games, so he directly transferred Wang Sanshan to Beijing and carried out a fair and upright purge of the officialdom.
Time waits for no one, there is no time to take it slow. Even the emperor who lost his country, Chongzhen, dismissed and killed officials at will, let alone Zhu Youxiao now?
Wang Sanshan did a good job. In addition to rewarding him, Zhu Youxiao also continued to entrust him with important tasks and sent him to Jiangnan to purge the officials in Nanjing.
As the secondary capital, Nanjing, like Beijing, also had a set of institutions such as the Three Provinces and Six Ministries. However, the institutions and officials in Nanjing did not have much work to do, and instead often became a place for officials to retire and idle.
In the past, the Ming court believed that having a Nanjing as a secondary capital would only mean paying more salaries and supporting more officials.
But when it came to Zhu Youxiao, he wanted to carry out a purge as he didn't want to feed so many people who were eating for free.
Moreover, the economy of Jiangnan was developed and it was an important financial center. The collection of commercial taxes and the development of industry and commerce were all the focus of Zhu Youxiao's attention.
Of course, Wang Sanshan's duty was simply to discipline officials, effectively serving as the emperor's sword. Developing commerce and collecting commercial taxes was the responsibility of other professional officials.
Prince Xin Zhu Youjian and Prince Tang's grandson Zhu Youjian were responsible for cracking down on collusion between officials and businessmen, mainly in Jiangnan; together with Wang Sanshan, who was responsible for purging the three provinces and six ministries in Nanjing, it was believed that there would be greater results.
Eliminating an official who eats for free and punishing a corrupt person who colludes with businessmen not only saves salaries but also paves the way for the development of Jiangnan.
In the emperor's view, the potential for development in Jiangnan has not yet been fully tapped.
The commodities traded by sea were mainly produced in Jiangnan. However, the scale and output of production were not very satisfactory. No wonder the Western tribes were vying to do business with the Ming Dynasty. The supply was completely insufficient to meet the demand.
After the emperor finished explaining the new assignment to Wang Sanshan, he reminded him, "An honest official is good, but an honest but mediocre official is not what the court needs."
Wang Sanshan bowed his hands somewhat stubbornly and said, "Your Majesty, I believe that integrity is the most important virtue for an official. As long as one is honest, he will not treat the people harshly."
This stubborn old man! Zhu Youxiao rolled his eyes helplessly, thinking that it would not matter much if he gave in for a while, and he did not want to argue with him.
Zhu Youxiao believed that while integrity was important, incompetence and mediocrity were also unacceptable. He believed that serving the people of a region and benefiting the people there, and making a difference during one's tenure as an official, were the qualities an official should possess.
But traditional ideas are deeply rooted. It's not just Wang Sanshan who thinks this way; ordinary people do the same. Regardless of whether you benefit the local area or not, as long as you are honest and don't exploit the people, you will win the favor of the people.
Well, the emperor has already raised the salaries of officials and improved their benefits. Under normal circumstances, they will not be poor, and being honest can give them some dignity.
But can you let the people under your rule live a good life? Can you let the people have some savings before the great famine comes? Can you respond effectively when the famine comes?
The reason why Zhu Youxiao did not argue with Wang Sanshan was that he felt that his requirements seemed a bit high and a bit ahead of the times.
It is already difficult to be honest, but one must also be very capable at work and lead the people to a well-off life and fight against famine. This is indeed a bit too much.
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