Zhao Jun sighed, "This time I'm touring the country, not to look around and chop off some corrupt officials. Instead, I'm to explore the people's sentiments, understand the problems at all levels, and find a way to save the country."
A way to save the country?
Many officials below were confused. Was the Song Dynasty on the verge of destruction?
"The Song Dynasty is plagued by internal and external troubles. Enemies are blocking our borders, and disasters are raging in the heartland. The rich own mansions and acres of fertile land, while the poor have nowhere to stand. Rebellions are rife, yet many officials indulge in a life of peace and prosperity. We are plagued by internal and external troubles. What are your thoughts on this?"
Zhao Jun asked as he looked at the people below.
Wang Su was a future member of the New Party and an ally of Ouyang Xiu and Fan Zhongyan. Having spent so much time in the local area, he had witnessed a great deal. So, he immediately said in a deep voice, "This is because the administration of officials is not done well, so officials in various places are just sitting there doing nothing. If we could enforce strict laws and reform these malpractices, things would be much better."
"oh?"
Zhao Jun laughed and said, "Does Governor Wang approve of my decision to execute Guo Chengyou in Bozhou to combat the corrupt and ruthless?"
Wang Su said, "Yes, I would like to do the same."
In history, when Wang Su was the Huainan Transport Commissioner, all the other commissioners were known for their strictness and severity, but Su was the only one who did not blame minor mistakes. He would thoroughly investigate and bring those who were greedy and cruel to justice, so his subordinates respected and feared him.
What this means is that Wang Su did not deal harshly with officials who made such minor mistakes, and only brought those who were corrupt and committed illegal acts to justice, which was awe-inspiring.
"Um."
Although Zhao Jun didn't know Wang Su well, he was very satisfied with his attitude. He nodded and said, "Very good. I'll take note of you. You only became the governor of Suzhou last year. I hope you can show your achievements and treat corrupt officials in this state without mercy. If you can appease the people, you will be worthy of the country. If the people's livelihood in Suzhou improves next year, I will personally promote you."
In official circles, one should not make promises lightly. Firstly, arbitrarily promoting an official could easily lead to criticism that you are too powerful, arousing the emperor's suspicion. Secondly, if a promise is not fulfilled for various reasons, your reputation in official circles will be damaged, and your future career will be difficult.
Therefore, officials like to use the kind of official language that seems to make sense but is not, and what they say is as incomprehensible as a riddle man.
However, Zhao Jun didn't like this kind of riddle-mongering tone. He preferred a pragmatic attitude. If you do a good job as an official, truly serve the people, and govern the local area in peace and prosperity, why can't I promote you?
Therefore, he dared to break the conventions of the Song Dynasty officialdom and make such a promise.
This time, when he went south, in addition to visiting the grassroots to see the lives of the people and catching corrupt officials, he also wanted to inspect local officials to see if there were any talented people who could be cultivated.
No matter whether it is the local transport commissioner, provincial judge, or provincial governor, or even the local county magistrate, chief clerk, or county lieutenant, as long as they have the ability to govern the local area well and are upright and honest, he will definitely not be stingy in promoting them.
The most important thing is ability.
After all, compared to a foolish and incompetent honest official and a corrupt official who can get things done, the people actually prefer the latter.
If one is honest and upright and can get things done, he will be the best official.
Zhao Jun had already checked Wang Su's information on the way here.
A child of a prominent family.
Be an honest official and benefit the people.
He achieved many political achievements in Yingzhou, Huaizhou, Xuzhou, Puzhou, Ezhou and other places.
Before he took office in Suzhou last year, the situation in Suzhou was very bad due to the severe drought in Huainan.
In just less than a year after he took office, he built water conservancy projects, reclaimed wasteland, resettled disaster-stricken people, and managed Suzhou in an orderly manner.
Zhao Jun naturally admired such an official.
Making such a promise also has the effect of buying a horse's bones for a huge sum of money.
In addition, Zhao Jun has long known that if he wants to truly promote reform and development, he cannot do it alone.
You must build your own team.
Moreover, relying on Fan Zhongyan's group might not necessarily lead to success. For example, Ouyang Xiu was a terrible teammate.
So if he encountered talented people, he could promote them, and later when they reached the central government, they could also build their own forces. Moreover, they were all young and promising people who were dissatisfied with the current state of the country. Was he still afraid that great things would not be accomplished?
This inspection can also be regarded as a talent search.
Wang Su received Zhao Jun's promise, but remained neither humble nor overbearing. He bowed and said, "Thank you, Master."
At that time, Zhao Jun, accompanied by Wang Su, Yang Cha and others, inspected various places in Suzhou.
He stayed in Suzhou for seven or eight days. Although he only visited a few places, Zhao Jun was not a puppet led by the nose by local officials.
During this period, the inspectors from the Imperial City Bureau had already infiltrated various counties in Suzhou and went to the countryside to investigate the people's sentiments.
Local officials may not necessarily know whether the people in a place are living well or how the officials are doing, but how can the people not know?
According to the summarized information, Wang Su and Yang Cha were indeed two capable officials, which made Zhao Jun very satisfied.
So after encouraging the two of them, at the end of February, Zhao Jun set out again, leaving Suzhou and heading south towards Haozhou and Shouzhou.
(End of this chapter)
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