PFC Chapter 428 Formal Implementation of the Official Performance Evaluation System
Chapter 428 Formal Implementation of the Official Performance Evaluation System
"Could this be a demotion in name only, or a promotion in reality? But if it's an act of favor, why not simply retain the two prime ministers?"
"Or... is His Majesty on guard against something?"
Everyone was baffled and could only shake their heads and sigh, each offering their own speculation.
Okay, I'll rewrite this dialogue in a more literary style to enhance the dramatic tension and historical weight. Here is the optimized version:
The bronze palace lanterns swayed gently in the breeze. Ying Wuyou deliberately lagged behind the officials filing out, waiting until the sound of the watchman's clapper at the palace gates faded into the distance before softly parting her lips: "Father, your subject is foolish. Wang Jue holds the historical record, and Li You wields the penal code. This move..."
“Jiayang.” The King of Qin suddenly raised his hand, his wide black sleeves releasing a whiff of pine and ink fragrance. His fingertips brushed across the bamboo slips piled on the table, stopping at a yellowed scroll of Han Feizi: “Do you know the strategy of ‘speaking in reverse to achieve one’s purpose’?”
The water clock in the corner of the palace dripped three times. Ying Wuyou watched as his father drew two deep marks on the ground with his sword scabbard: "Wang Wan's protégé holds the position of governor of Sanchuan County, while Li Si's old acquaintance controls the defenses of Hangu Pass." The scabbard tip suddenly cut across the two marks. "Now, they should be busy teaching their son to choose sides."
“Baga Island…” Ying Wuyou’s pupils suddenly contracted, and a flash of inspiration struck her. She remembered that Hu Hai and Li You had gone to Baga Island together last year. At that time, Li Xin had also gone with them, and now that Li Xin had returned, the person in charge of the island was undoubtedly Li You.
Ying Wuyou lowered her voice unconsciously and said softly, "Li You is still on the island..."
The King of Qin nodded slightly, indicating that he understood her meaning. He held a piece of soft silk in his hand and carefully wiped his sword, the blade gleaming with a cold light that reflected his stern and profound face.
"Therefore, we need to offer him a sweeter bait." The King of Qin's voice was calm and steady, yet it revealed an undeniable authority. "Although the Ministry of Justice can investigate the privacy of officials, they themselves are also subject to the supervision of the Imperial Censor. As for Wang Jue, I've heard that he has recently been frequently visiting the Qin Library to borrow the Book of Shennong?"
Ying Wuyou nodded and replied, "I have also heard of this."
"Old roots are tangled and cannot be forcibly uprooted," the King of Qin's voice mingled with the lingering echoes of distant chime bells. "The torrential rain has washed away not only withered branches, but also new buds."
Looking at the light drizzle outside the palace, Ying Wuyou suddenly understood the King of Qin's meaning. He then bowed to the King of Qin and turned to leave.
The King of Qin watched his daughter leave with a smile, and as he turned, a gust of wind from his sleeve extinguished the brightest lamp. In the shadows, he stroked Han Fei's annotations on the bamboo slips: "Relying on skill, not on trust," the four characters worn smooth by the friction.
Ying Wuyou walked on the bluestone path of Xianyang Palace, feeling the cold rain, and quickened her pace. Next, she needed to investigate Wang Jue and Li You thoroughly.
With the Qin Dynasty changing its bureaucratic system and redefining local ranks, the entire Qin Dynasty seemed to be stirred up by a powerful force, plunging into unprecedented busyness.
Although this change did not have a significant direct impact on ordinary people, the division of provinces, cities, counties, towns, villages, and towns was indeed closely related to the lives of every citizen of Qin.
With the issuance of government orders, officials at all levels began to get busy, adapting to new work processes and responsibilities while ensuring the smooth implementation of various policies.
The five ministers held separate powers, and the twelve departments were responsible for specific duties. The scope of authority for each department was clearly written on bamboo slips and hung in the main hall of the government office. Moreover, with the change in the management system, an imperial edict sent chills down the spines of all officials. The edict concluded by stating: "The duties of each department shall be assessed at the end of the year; the capable shall be promoted, and the incompetent shall be dismissed."
This was clearly an assessment of all officials, and as soon as the assessment system was implemented, the entire Qin government was thrown into unprecedented busyness. The clerks of the Treasury Office found that they could no longer simply make minor modifications to old account books and submit them as before—the young officials sent by the newly established Revenue Department were meticulously checking each item on bamboo slips marked with vermilion. Furthermore, some people saw several scholars, who were usually known for their refined conversations, now studying late into the night in their offices, their desks piled high with laws and documents from previous years.
The assessment criteria are detailed and stringent, covering many aspects such as government affairs, public welfare, and financial management. Those officials who usually only know how to flatter and do nothing are now like ants on a hot pan, living in constant anxiety.
"I heard that three more officials under the Imperial Household Department were dismissed yesterday." As the court session ended, two officials whispered to each other at a corner of the palace road. One of them nervously twisted his sash. "The performance evaluation book even records the number of days of leave taken within a ten-day period..."
Just then, someone suddenly interrupted, his voice revealing curiosity and surprise: "Have you heard about that Zhao Ping?"
The others were clearly familiar with the topic, and one of them immediately responded, "Of course we know. Who doesn't know Zhao Ping these days? He's served in local positions for many years, relying on his connections with his superiors to occupy those lucrative posts, but he's never done anything of real benefit for the people."
This person's words resonated with others, and another person chimed in, "That's right! I heard that when the officials were inspecting the accounts, many ordinary people spontaneously went to block the county government office, strongly demanding a thorough investigation of Zhao Ping. As a result, the investigation revealed that he was simply a corrupt official, extorting money and completely disregarding the lives of ordinary people; moreover, his accounts were a complete mess, full of loopholes, and the amount of deficit was huge."
Then, another person said, "What's even more ridiculous is that he actually naively went to beg his brother-in-law, who was the prefect, hoping that his brother-in-law could put in a good word for him outside. He's really overestimating himself. Princess Jiayang was able to bring down high-ranking officials like Wang Wan and Li Si, which shows that this assessment is definitely serious and is meant to expose all the mediocre people. People like Zhao Ping, who only know how to loaf around and don't do any work, simply have no brains at all."
Finally, another person chimed in, "Yes, he's incredibly foolish, completely unaware of how dangerous his situation is."
In addition to dealing with a number of corrupt officials who did not do their jobs, the assessment also gave hope to some officials who were actively engaged in their work. They embraced the changes and thrived in the new system and assessment framework.
Li Ming, a young county magistrate, had always deeply abhorred the corruption of the old officialdom. After the implementation of the Five Ministers and Twelve Departments system, he made great strides in his new responsibilities, actively developing agriculture, constructing water conservancy projects, and pacifying the people. At the time of the performance evaluation, the people under his jurisdiction lived in peace and prosperity, earning him high praise and making him a role model for many officials.
In this wave of change, the Qin court was completely transformed. The bloated and inefficient bureaucracy was streamlined, and administrative efficiency was greatly improved; those officials with real talent and concern for the people were given the opportunity for promotion, while those who were merely filling positions were ruthlessly eliminated.