I run a training class in Shu Han

Chapter 25 Crushing the Old System

Liu Shan's words infuriated Xu Jing, leaving him panting heavily and his face turning ashen.

If it were Zhuge Liang defending himself, no matter what he said, Xu Jing would never have found himself in such a somber and awkward situation.

This was the emperor himself debating the classics for Zhuge Liang, and his reasoning was so logical and well-founded that no one could refute it.

The most ingenious part was that Liu Shan suddenly changed the subject, bringing the discussion back to the most pressing issue of virtue and talent in this new policy, and simply and bluntly explained the core idea of ​​prioritizing talent.

Xu Jing had nothing to say, and the assembled officials, though unwilling, were also speechless.

Seeing this, Liu Shan gestured for Zhuge Liang to continue.

"As your subjects, the Imperial Academy is there to cultivate talent for the nation, and the continued advancement of talented individuals benefits both the country and yourselves. Just as fish leap over the dragon gate and all things compete for advancement, this is the sign of a prosperous nation."

"However, those who lack ambition and merely sit on the laurels of their past achievements are not worthy of being called ministers. Over time, they will become mere figureheads, and the righteous spirit of the nation will be difficult to inspire."

"Clear rewards and punishments, and appropriate incentives, will ensure that both civil and military officials are willing to serve. This is the best approach."

If the Imperial Academy affected the interests of lower-level officials, then the promotion system threatened the status of middle-level officials.

"Prime Minister Zhuge, Wu Yi has something to say that I must get off my chest."

Wu Yi was not only the Governor of Guanzhong, but also the Emperor's father-in-law, holding a prestigious and prominent position.

"Please speak!"

Wu Yi bowed to Liu Shan and said, "Since ancient times, wise rulers have always been fair in rewarding and punishing. Which of the civil and military officials present here has not made meritorious contributions, and which of them has not fought their way up from the battlefield?"

"If the new policy is followed, those without military merit will be demoted but retained, or even stripped of their military power. This would surely discourage the people. Your Majesty, please reconsider."

The atmosphere in the court immediately became tense. Since everyone's official positions were at stake, everyone's eyes were like sharp knives, staring intently at Zhuge Liang.

A slight smile flashed across Li Yan's face.

As a regent, the highest position he could achieve was to wield military power.

If the new policies are implemented, military power across the country will be redistributed, and most of it will be concentrated in the hands of the emperor. In that case, what will he use to be on equal footing with Zhuge Liang?

Undeterred by the gazes of the entire court, Zhuge Liang calmly stated, "Since ancient times, those with ability have held positions of power, and generous rewards have always attracted brave men—this is a means of motivation. Now, in this era of great contention, if civil officials lack the will to strategize and govern the country, generals lack the ambition to expand territory, and soldiers lack the will to kill the enemy and breach cities, harboring only wishful thinking and content with a corner of the land, how can we talk about contending for the world?"

"Official positions and titles are vital to the nation, and only those with talent and merit should hold them. Those without ambition will only cause the nation's fortunes to decline and the army's morale to plummet. When foreign enemies press in, they will only be able to flee in disarray, abandon their cities, and surrender. Wouldn't that lead to the destruction of the nation?"

Zhuge Liang's tone gradually became more impassioned, changing from calm to passionate.

His words were righteous and his voice was booming, as if he had returned to the spirited days when he crossed the river alone and debated with the ministers of Eastern Wu.

Before everyone could recover, Zhuge Liang's tone softened again.

"I understand the concerns of my ministers. The reward and punishment system is meant to encourage progress, not to suppress without cause. As long as officials in office are dedicated to serving the people, even without outstanding achievements, as long as they work diligently to govern, the court will never punish them without cause."

After Zhuge Liang finished speaking, Wang Lian, who had been appointed as the chief secretary of the Prime Minister's office, stepped forward.

"The Prime Minister's intention is that officials at all levels submit their annual performance targets at the beginning of each year, which are then reviewed by the Prime Minister's Office before implementation. As long as the targets are met on schedule, they are considered qualified and will continue to be employed."

"If someone makes outstanding contributions after achieving their political goals, they may be rewarded or promoted exceptionally, depending on the specific circumstances."

"The so-called intentional suppression is completely unfounded."

After Wang Lian provided the explanation, the ministers finally understood.

Such incentive policies have indeed greatly reduced the occurrence of some officials being inactive during their terms of office.

Furthermore, allowing officials to set performance goals for themselves based on their positions is also very humane and avoids situations where superiors force them to complete heavy performance tasks.

"Furthermore, civil and military officials over the age of sixty must retire. After retirement, the court will allocate housing for them, and their salaries will be determined based on the length of their tenure and their position, no longer one-third of their original salary."

"The specific details will be announced by the Prime Minister's Office soon. However, please rest assured, according to the Prime Minister's Office's calculations, the salary of any diligent official who has served for 25 years will definitely not be less than one-third of his original salary after retirement."

This move once again caused an uproar in the imperial court.

Previously, one had to wait until after seventy to retire from officialdom, but now it only takes sixty, shortening the time by a full ten years.

This decade has precisely illustrated the importance of iterative generational change.

The ministers immediately understood one thing: if they wanted to have a good old age, they had to work hard when they were young.

"snort!"

A loud snort broke the ministers' private discussion.

Xu Jing angrily flung his sleeves and said, "If that's the case, this old minister is sixty-nine years old this year, and it's time for me to retire after achieving my goals."

The ministers' faces stiffened.

The forced retirement was not just a slap in the face for Xu Jing alone.

There are many people of similar age to Xu Jing who possess extremely high prestige.

If they all were to retire from officialdom and return to their hometowns, it would likely be detrimental to the stability of the court.

"Xu Situ, wait!"

Liu Shan stood up and reached out to stop him.

"Your Majesty, I am old and senile, and I can no longer contribute to the court. Please allow me to retire to my hometown."

You sound pitiful on the surface, but who can't hear the resentment in your heart, old man?

"Alas, Minister Xu, please don't misunderstand. That's not what I meant."

"Your Majesty's decree is crystal clear; could it be that you intend to humiliate this old man?"

"Minister Xu, you once presided over the monthly evaluations, and your knowledge and insight are exceptional. How could I allow such a gem to be obscured?"

"Um... Xiao Jiang... no, Jiang Wan, tell Situ about our re-employment system."

Jiang Wan bowed deeply.

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

"The Emperor's grace is boundless. Minister Xu is a great Confucian scholar of our time, brimming with knowledge and diligent in his work day and night, ensuring harmony among all trades and the clarity of all affairs. Although his hair has turned white, his sincerity remains undiminished and his passion still burns bright."

"Jiang Ziya met King Wen at the age of eighty, ushering in the eight-hundred-year golden age of the Zhou Dynasty. Fu Sheng passed down the Book of Documents at the age of ninety, and Emperor Wen of Han valued etiquette. Now, we follow the example of the ancient sages and carry out the ceremony of returning the betrothal."

"May you uphold your noble character and maintain a dignified demeanor, passing on the torch of knowledge and skills to the public, so that virtuous and talented individuals may continue to emerge."

After he finished speaking, another uproar broke out in the court.

Xu Jing was so surprised that he stammered and couldn't speak for a moment.

"Your Majesty, this is..."

Rehiring someone else? Can't you tell?

In modern parlance, it would be called the "Three Elders and Five Watches" ceremony.

However, the standards for rehiring are much higher than those for the "three old and five older" (referring to senior citizens).

During the Han Dynasty, the "Three Elders and Five Watchmen" were guests of the emperor, who would often host banquets at the Imperial Academy or the Imperial Academy and personally perform the ceremonies.

It means that I am publicly inviting you to dinner to show the nation's respect for the elderly and to demonstrate filial piety.

But a re-employment is different.

Those who were rehired could still serve as officials in the court, ranking among the Three Dukes. However, they would have no real power and would merely serve as respected figures to maintain order.

This future system will indeed crush all the old systems.

"As Situ is aware, the court intends to re-employ you, allowing you to continue holding a high position among all officials, in order to rectify the court's atmosphere, teach and nurture talents for the country."

"This is an act that will benefit future generations!"

I'll let you retire, then rehire you to continue serving as an official, in charge of education, and to train talent for the country.

Whether it's for practical reasons or appearances, Liu Shan's actions made Xu Jing feel very comfortable.

Xu Jing never expected that, on the verge of retirement, he would be reinstated by the emperor and given the task of cultivating talent.

If he achieves something in time, he will have students and former officials all over the court and the country.

"This old minister..."

Xu Jing was overjoyed and wept. Just as he was about to kneel down to express his gratitude, Liu Shan quickly ordered his attendants to help him up.

"Minister Xu, you are of high moral character and great prestige, and you bear the heavy responsibility of the future of the nation. It is Liu Shan who should pay homage to you."

After saying this, Liu Shan stood up and bowed to him with his hands clasped.

"Your Majesty is wise, and Lord Xu is righteous!"

The court officials responded enthusiastically.

Zhuge Liang was both surprised and delighted.

He originally thought that implementing the new policies today would be fraught with difficulties, at least hindered and obstructed by these old ministers, but he never expected it to go so smoothly.

"Your Majesty possesses the benevolence of the late Emperor, the magnanimity of Cao Cao, and the strategic brilliance of Sun Quan; the Han Dynasty can be restored..."

"The Han dynasty can be restored!"