novelSusiti Chapter 113 You've Already Learned How to Be an Official
Chapter 113 You've Already Learned How to Be an Official
Court adjourned?
Is that all?
Meng Huo and the court officials bowed deeply to Liu Shan, filled with doubt.
They were arguing fiercely just now, but how come they stopped arguing after His Majesty finished speaking?
Furthermore, am I even qualified to be the Prefect of Jianning County?
Meng Huo strolled away from the main hall. As the ministers passed by him, they all smiled and bowed, as if to congratulate him, which made him feel even more uncertain.
Suddenly, he saw Zhang Yi's back and immediately strode forward.
"Successor, successor, wait!"
After bidding farewell to several court officials, Zhang Yi smiled and said to Meng Huo, "Prefect Meng, congratulations."
"Oh, what's there to congratulate me on?"
Meng Huo was still completely confused and didn't know what had happened.
"Of course, congratulations on becoming the Prefect of Jianning County, brother. The imperial decree will arrive soon."
Upon hearing this, Meng Huo was initially overjoyed, but then asked incredulously, "Is this really true?"
"Absolutely true, didn't His Majesty just say that?"
"Did His Majesty say anything? I didn't hear it." Meng Huo scratched his head.
Zhang Yi smiled and said, "In any case, the imperial edict will arrive soon, brother. You can prepare to return to Nanzhong."
Looking at Zhang Yi's confident expression, Meng Huo became even more puzzled.
"Jun Si, tell me, when did His Majesty appoint me as governor?"
Zhang Yi was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter.
"Oh dear, don't laugh! I really don't know!" Meng Huo stamped his feet anxiously.
Zhang Yi pulled him aside and whispered, "Prefect Meng really doesn't know?"
"Your Majesty's last words were rather profound and unfathomable; I didn't understand them."
Meng Huo shook his head, his eyes becoming incredibly clear.
Although he was a leader of a minority ethnic group, he only had a superficial understanding of the knowledge required in the imperial court.
Just as Zhang Yi was about to explain, Jiang Wan from the Prime Minister's residence walked over.
"My lords, Prime Minister Zhuge invites you to his residence for a chat."
Meng Huo was curious.
He had heard of Zhuge Liang's name when he was in Nanzhong, and that he had extraordinary talent and was known as "Sleeping Dragon".
Having been in Chengdu for so long, this was the first time I had ever met this Han Dynasty prime minister.
Zhang Yi nodded and said, "In that case, let's talk as we walk."
The two arrived at the Prime Minister's residence in a carriage and, led by Jiang Wan, entered the main hall.
Zhuge Liang was sitting at the head of the table, talking to Ma Su beside him.
"Prime Minister."
Meng Huo, following the etiquette of the Han Dynasty, bowed deeply.
"Prefect Meng, there's no need for such formalities. Please sit," Zhuge Liang said calmly.
After everyone was seated, a servant from the Prime Minister's residence served tea.
"Please, everyone."
Seeing everyone slowly taking a sip of tea, Meng Huo followed suit and imitated them.
Seeing that everyone had put down their teacups, he quickly put his down as well.
"Your Majesty's eloquence in debating with the assembled talents in court today demonstrates the demeanor of a renowned scholar," Zhuge Liang exclaimed. "The court officials are only concerned with their own interests, disregarding the new policies implemented by the court and His Majesty, which is truly a disservice to the country."
Ma Su, who was standing nearby, said, "Prime Minister, this 'one dynasty, two systems' is unprecedented. It is understandable that the ministers have concerns."
Zhuge Liang nodded slightly in agreement.
This "one dynasty, two systems" is different from the previous system of government administration over local areas.
Unlike the feudal system, which distributed land and people to feudal lords who were fully autonomous in their fiefdoms and whose positions were hereditary, this system did not allow for such a system.
It was not a prefecture-county system; local officials were appointed by the imperial court and had no autonomy.
The premise of "one dynasty, two systems" is that under the background of one dynasty, local officials have autonomy, but the land and people cannot be inherited and still belong to the emperor.
This new system, which combines elements of two old systems, is considered a relatively advanced system in this era.
"If they could enter the Imperial Academy to study like Youchang, how could they not understand the profound meaning behind His Majesty's move?"
Zhuge Liang, a scholar well-versed in both ancient and modern knowledge, naturally understood that this system, with its high degree of inclusiveness, was the optimal solution to the current problems in the south.
Ma Su humbly replied, "Prime Minister, you flatter me. As I am deeply favored by the Emperor and studying at the Imperial Academy, I naturally have to work diligently. In fact, His Majesty's last words in court today were truly wise and insightful, inspiring and thought-provoking."
The group nodded in agreement.
Jiang Wan said, "Cao Wei has now retreated to the north. Cao Pi recently personally led an expedition to Xuzhou, using violence to suppress violence and quickly eliminating local powerful figures such as Zang Ba. Although this eliminated a potential threat, it also left hidden dangers."
Cao Wei has always been the strongest enemy of Shu Han. After Liu Bei's death, Cao Pi once wanted to join forces with Eastern Wu to conquer Yizhou and divide the Shu territory.
After Deng Zhi was sent as an envoy to Eastern Wu, Wu and Shu became friendly, and Cao Pi reluctantly gave up.
Due to geographical reasons, conquering Yizhou would be too costly, so they could only focus their attention on eliminating internal troubles.
"Eastern Wu and our Han Dynasty are on good terms, and Sun Quan has begun his plans. On one hand, he is preparing his troops and guarding against Cao Wei, and on the other hand, he is starting to purge the officialdom. According to reports from spies, Sun Quan appointed Ji Yan as Minister of Selection."
Everyone frowned upon hearing this.
The Minister of Personnel Selection was responsible for the selection and assessment of officials. Most of the officials in the Eastern Wu court were sons of powerful families in Wu and Kuaiji, and many of them relied on their fathers' influence to fill positions without real power.
Ji Yan is straightforward, upright, and incorruptible. She likes to judge people based on Confucian ethics and morality.
His appointment as Minister of Selection would inevitably cause a major upheaval in the officialdom of Eastern Wu.
Zhuge Liang slowly spoke, "What Gongyan just said is that Cao Wei has hidden dangers, and Eastern Wu is busy with internal troubles. Neither of them has time to deal with the other. This is a good opportunity for our Han Dynasty to recuperate and thrive."
"His Majesty just made it very clear in court that under the tide of reform in the Han Dynasty, you will all have great opportunities to stand at the forefront and above all other officials."
The group nodded in agreement after hearing this.
Liu Shan used the Imperial Academy to screen and select talents for the court. This approach was less arbitrary and violent than that of Cao Wei and Eastern Wu, and it was more gentle. The transparency of the selection process made it more convincing.
"But then again, high positions bring both glory and temptation. Officials must keep a sense of awe in their hearts. Other matters can be overlooked, but the bottom line must be clearly understood. Never go against the court and His Majesty."
Since entering the room, Meng Huo had been sitting quietly without uttering a single word.
It wasn't that he didn't want to, but that he simply couldn't join the conversation.
Listening to Zhuge Liang and others analyze the situation, he realized that being an official was not as simple as he had imagined.
After Zhuge Liang's words, he finally understood why Liu Shan could silence the arguing officials with just a few words in court.
This is what makes the emperor truly powerful.
"Prefect Meng! Prefect Meng!"
In his daze, Meng Huo did not hear Zhuge Liang calling him clearly. It was Zhang Yi, who was standing next to him, who noticed something was wrong and gently nudged him with his elbow.
"Ah! Prime Minister!"
Meng Huo came to his senses and bowed to Zhuge Liang.
"Prefect Meng, do you understand the deeper meaning behind His Majesty's words in court just now?"
Meng Huo nodded quickly and said, "Understood. Your Majesty values Meng Huo highly, and Meng Huo is the one standing at the forefront. If one day temptations and confusions appear before me, when I look back and think about the fates of Yong Kai, Gao Ding, and Zhu Bao, everything will be resolved."
Zhuge Liang smiled and gently waved his feather fan.
Meng Huo, you've already learned how to be an official.