Meanwhile, in the official residence of a certain official in Xunyang, some surviving honest officials sat together, discussing the heroic deeds of Zheng Hanying and his son.
"Prefect Zheng's actions are truly a demonstration of righteousness even at the cost of family ties! The relationships within his family are complex and intertwined, yet he was able to bring those wicked members to justice without regard for personal feelings. This courage and determination are admirable. It also sets an example for us officials with deep family backgrounds. Our families should not be a haven for our evil deeds, but rather a force that urges us to be honest and upright officials," a middle-aged official remarked with emotion.
"Prefect Zheng's methods in officialdom are even more swift and decisive. His investigations into corrupt officials are meticulous, and every piece of evidence is irrefutable. In the past, we also wanted to rectify the officialdom, but we always encountered many obstacles. We were either forced to collude with them or suppressed and ostracized. But Prefect Zheng was able to break through these obstacles and wipe out those corrupt officials in one fell swoop, allowing the officialdom of Xunyang to see the light of day again." A young honest official's eyes were full of admiration.
"Although their actions have affected the interests of many people, and some in their families hate them, and the backers of those punished in the officialdom also gnash at them, they have won the hearts of the people of Xunyang. This is the true essence of being an official! We must follow in their footsteps and work together to maintain the integrity of the Xunyang officialdom. Otherwise, how can we face the people of this region, and how can we gain a foothold in this officialdom?" a respected old official said firmly.
The other officials nodded in agreement, knowing full well that Zheng Hanying and his son's actions were like a breath of fresh air, washing away the years of filth in Xunyang's officialdom.
They also understood that in the days to come, they would have to work hand in hand with Zheng Hanying and his son to resist temptations and pressures from all sides, safeguard the prosperity and stability of Xunyang, and make Xunyang a model for the officialdom of the Night Court, providing a reference for the governance of other places.
...
The turbulent changes in Xunyang's officialdom were like a pebble thrown into a deep pool in the capital, creating ripples that spread far and wide, becoming a topic of conversation among the people.
Upon hearing of these changes, Chen Xiao remained calm, showing little emotion.
In her view, all of this was perfectly reasonable.
Zheng Pianran is a meticulous and resourceful person.
Although he was in Xunyang, he was like a chess player controlling the entire game.
Zheng Hanying was not inherently wicked; he was simply blinded by the evil deeds of his family members and misled by their slander and pretense, which led him astray in his official career.
His sudden awakening and timely repentance demonstrate that his conscience is not extinguished and that he still possesses a sense of justice and responsibility.
Now that Zheng Hanying has come to her senses, she will naturally not allow her family to continue to sink down the wrong path.
He will certainly use swift and decisive measures to investigate all the illegal and disorderly conduct within the family, punish all those who have committed wrongdoings, and restore order to the officialdom of Xunyang.
Zheng Pianran will likely provide assistance in secret. Together, the father and son will surely be able to eradicate the long-standing malpractices in Xunyang's officialdom.
Officials in the capital were all quietly watching the situation in Xunyang unfold.
They knew that this reform of the officialdom was not only related to the well-being of the people in Xunyang, but would also have a profound impact on the official atmosphere of the surrounding areas and even the entire imperial court.
Chen Xiao, on the other hand, was hoping that under the reforms of Zheng Pianran and Zheng Hanying, the officialdom of Xunyang would be completely transformed and become a model for other places to follow.
To provide the court with more honest, upright, pragmatic and capable officials, so that the people can live a peaceful and prosperous life and the foundation of the country can be more solid.
At this moment, Chen Xiao gazed into the distance, silently contemplating in his heart that perhaps he should also lend a helping hand to this new force at the right time, so that this righteous wind could spread to more corners.
The reform movement in Xunyang's officialdom, like a strong current, quickly spread to the surrounding areas, having a profound and widespread impact on the atmosphere of its officialdom.
In the past, some officials in the surrounding areas have been negligent and unfair in their administration, either due to collusion or personal relationships.
However, under Zheng Pianran's meticulous planning and Zheng Hanying's all-out rectification efforts, corruption in Xunyang's officialdom was severely punished, the selection and appointment of officials became more fair, and government affairs were handled transparently and efficiently.
Officials from surrounding areas were deeply moved by the new look of Xunyang.
Officials who had previously harbored illusions and attempted to continue their illegal activities began to have some fears, worried that their actions would also be exposed and punished.
Some officials with conscience and ambition were greatly encouraged. Taking Xunyang as an example, they set about rectifying the chaos in their own jurisdictions.
In official interactions, the exchanges between Xunyang and surrounding areas have also quietly changed.
The unhealthy practices of gift-giving and soliciting favors that were once prevalent have gradually declined.
The integrity and impartiality demonstrated by Xunyang officials in their cooperation with neighboring regions forced their colleagues to restrain their inappropriate behavior and instead pursue pragmatic cooperation.
Some regions have begun to follow Xunyang's example, strengthening the supervision and assessment mechanisms for officials and encouraging public participation in government oversight.
As time went by, the efficiency of government offices in the surrounding areas improved, public welfare projects were better implemented, and the public's trust in government offices gradually recovered.
Throughout the region, a new ethos of integrity, honesty, pragmatism, and service to the people is gradually taking shape in officialdom, like the light of dawn dispelling the gloom that once shrouded the officialdom.
Meanwhile, the capital city, like a slowly unfolding scroll, quietly changes its colors and charm under the brushstrokes of time.
In this vast capital city, the first to experience significant ripples and major changes were that of the young couple.
Amidst the bustling prosperity and clamor of the capital, Yuan Yin, as the Assistant Director of the Imperial Academy, navigates the complexities of officialdom with elegance and composure, while Xu Ruyan, the Assistant Director of the Court of Judicial Review, diligently fulfills his duties in his respective position.
Every day after court, the corner of the palace wall became a tacitly agreed meeting place where Yuan Yin and Xu Ruyan would always meet unexpectedly, as if by fate.
Their eyes met, they smiled at each other, and their simple greeting was filled with endless tenderness and affection. Then they strolled side by side along the long palace path.
Golden sunlight streamed down, casting a harmonious and beautiful silhouette of their figures, as if time itself had slowed down for the couple.
Sometimes, Xu Ruyan would magically produce an ancient book from her sleeve and explore its profound mysteries with Yuan Yin.
Yuan Yin would also tell the interesting stories of the young students in the Imperial Academy, sometimes humorous, sometimes innocent, which made Xu Ruyan unable to help but laugh.
They were immersed in each other's world, completely oblivious to the gazes and disturbances around them. This pure and sincere emotion was meticulously reported to Chen Xiao by Steward Shen.
Whenever Chen Xiao heard about the heartwarming scenes of the two of them together, it was as if a gentle breeze was blowing through his heart. He could always temporarily put aside the fatigue and toil of handling court affairs and couldn't help but sincerely admire the depth and beauty of their relationship, which was just like the warm spring sun, warm and bright.
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