AWB Chapter 355: Are you here to mess with me?
Chapter 355: Are you here to mess with me?
"???"
Song Pu became sensitive immediately!
A detailed system for official performance appraisals? Is this aimed at me?
"Marquis Xiling, the Ministry of Personnel has never had a problem since Prime Minister Song took over. Your so-called detailed performance appraisal of officials...I don't think it's necessary, do you?"
"???"
Gu Jing was stunned. He turned around and looked at a civil servant at the back of the table. He asked curiously, "This gentleman made a judgment based on just one word. Could it be that this gentleman makes all the decisions in the court, and other officials are not allowed to discuss matters?"
"I……"
The civil servant was horrified and quickly bowed to Emperor Xia, shouting, "Your Majesty, the Marquis of Xiling has slandered me. I have absolutely no intention of usurping power!"
"Since I have no intention of overstepping my bounds, why does this lord think it unnecessary when I just put forward my opinion?"
Gu Jingzhi raised his eyebrows: "This court meeting is for all officials to discuss national affairs. Whether it is right or wrong, appropriate or inappropriate, all officials are responsible for discussing and deciding with Your Majesty. You said it was unnecessary... If you don't know, you might think... Haha!"
Gu Jingzhi chuckled softly, and the official's expression became even worse.
He was only thinking about flattering the boss, but he never thought that his words would put himself in a disadvantageous position.
"Your Majesty, as you can see, Prime Minister Song has never made a mistake in his tenure as head of the Ministry of Personnel. Therefore, I feel that the so-called performance appraisal of officials is not a top priority at this moment, which is why I object. However, I have absolutely no intention of overstepping my bounds. Please understand, Your Majesty!"
"Since you have no intention of overstepping your bounds, then you're just flattering me?"
Gu Jingzhi sneered, "Let's not even talk about whether the Ministry of Personnel has ever made mistakes under Prime Minister Song's leadership. If there haven't been any mistakes, can't we improve and optimize it further?"
"Even a sage examines himself three times a day, let alone the governance of a country... Can it be said that the sea is peaceful and the rivers are clear, without any mistakes or omissions?"
"me……"
The civil servant was so anxious that he was sweating profusely!
Seeing this, Song Pu said calmly, "If Marquis Xiling has any advice, please speak up. Why bully others? I'm no saint, but I'd also like to hear Marquis Xiling's opinion!"
"Haha! Prime Minister Song is quite humble!"
Gu Jingzhi's mouth twitched.
Song Pu folded his hands on his abdomen, his eyelids drooping slightly, and said calmly: "The saints reflect on themselves three times, and we younger generations should follow their words. It's nothing more than a warning bell ringing!"
"Alarm bells ringing... that's a really good phrase!"
Gu Jingzhi sighed deeply, "If it weren't for the land invasion case and the empty seal case that exposed so many corrupt officials, I would have really believed that Prime Minister Song had the potential to be a sage..."
"Cough cough..."
When Gu Jingzhi said this, many people almost couldn't hold back their laughter.
Song Pu had just finished talking about the three provinces themselves when Gu Jingzhi brought up the land encroachment case and the empty seal case. This slap in the face was too quick!
Emperor Xia was also somewhat speechless. He said with a dark face, "If you two want to discuss academic matters, why not find a teahouse after court is dismissed and invite all the officials to participate? Now... I want your decision!"
"His Majesty!"
Gu Jingzhi held up his 'work permit' and said respectfully, "If the rationale for this argument for governing the country is not clearly explained, even if a resolution is made, the court officials and local officials will not understand it! Failure to understand means that the value will be greatly reduced!"
"Since that lord has raised doubts, I must explain myself clearly. Otherwise, others will think I am criticizing Prime Minister Song, and they will think that the officials of Great Xia are fond of infighting, which will only bring about a bad atmosphere!"
"Well! Now that you've explained it clearly, why not tell me about your performance appraisal system?"
"promise!"
Gu Jingzhi bowed in response, then took out a scroll from his sleeve!
Baiguan: "..."
Special!
So you've been prepared for this for a long time? And... they looked at Wei Xuan!
Good, good! You, the thick-browed, big-eyed Old Wei, have become cunning now. Even when your disciple was about to cause trouble, you actually paved the way in advance. You have become so evil!
Wei Xuan was also a little confused when he saw this scene.
What he said just now was from the heart, following his usual habits. He didn't expect that Gu Jingzhi had already prepared for it!
"Your Majesty, and all my colleagues!"
Gu Jingzhi said with a smile: "Since ancient times, the evaluation of officials in every dynasty has been based on people's livelihood, taxation, criminal justice, education, etc..."
"It takes ten years to grow a tree and a hundred years to cultivate a person. Educating people is a century-long undertaking, not a one-day job. Let's not discuss this for now!"
"As for this kind of assessment, the most common ones are about people's livelihood, taxation, and criminal justice!"
"Simply put, the local population, land, and people's wealth have increased. That's a political achievement! The reduction of local penalties is a political achievement, and paying taxes to the court is also a political achievement!"
"However, for many years, apart from punishment, the management of people's livelihood and taxation has been relatively vague! Therefore, today's performance review will focus mainly on these two areas!"
"Most of you have experience in local governance, so you probably understand one thing: only when the people are prosperous can the population grow. After all, if they can't afford to raise children, they won't deliberately give birth to one or two and then starve them, right?"
Gu Jingzhi looked at the civil and military officials with a smile.
The civil and military officials twitched their lips slightly when they heard his slightly teasing tone.
On the other hand, the old Duke Li Ye said with a smile, "What the Marquis of Xiling said really reminded me of something. It's true. If my parents hadn't been unable to support me back then, I, Li Ye, wouldn't have ended up with only my brother and sister!"
"I have been fortunate enough to follow Your Majesty. Now, I have achieved fame, wealth, and status, and I can afford to raise children. I have five children, all thanks to Your Majesty's grace!"
Emperor Xia: “…”
Damn it, if you want to flatter me... just do it, why bring up having a baby?
However, these ordinary and simple words, mixed with truth, warmed his heart. It was indeed not easy for these old brothers to follow him and wrestle in the blood.
Seeing that someone was cheering him on, Gu Jingzhi continued, "In addition to driving population growth, the prosperity of the people can also, to a certain extent, encourage them to continue to cultivate new land, or send them to school to study and take the imperial examinations!"
"As the saying goes, parents who love their children plan for the long term! Your Majesty considers the faults of the princes, and my colleagues also consider the faults of their own children. This is the simplest principle of human relations..."
"Marquis Xiling, in the great hall, in front of His Majesty and all the officials, these principles you spoke of... don't seem to be related to what you said?"
"Is it irrelevant? I think it's a huge deal!"
Gu Jingzhi smiled faintly and said, "If you don't understand what the people need, what are you governing for? If you don't understand what the people want, who are you governing for?"
"Your Majesty? Or the court?"
"So, are you governing the people or the king?"
"..."
What the hell!
All the officials held their breath. How dare this bastard say that!
But he did say one thing that was right. Aren't they governing the local area for the emperor and the court to see?
only……
If you hadn't said the last sentence, I would still be very happy to hear it!