I was compiling the daily records during the Wanli reign

Chapter 189 The Temptation of Special Promotion! Officials Summarize Strategies

Early morning, the 19th day of the twelfth lunar month.

At the Imperial Gate, during regular court assemblies, civil and military officials stood on either side.

After the officials on duty at the Office of Transmission finished reading the recent memorials and approvals, the young Wanli Emperor sat up straight and looked down.

"Recently, there has been heated discussion among the officials regarding the nationwide land survey to be implemented at the beginning of next year, with differing opinions. I must emphasize that land surveying and the Single Whip Law are essential national policies for our dynasty. If the conditions are not yet ripe, we will create them; if there are potential risks, we will eliminate them in advance. It is not advisable to postpone it!"

Upon hearing the words "it is not advisable to postpone," the officials all looked up.

They wanted to hear how to create the necessary conditions and how to eliminate potential risks.

Given the current approval ratings among officials, hastily implementing a nationwide land survey would absolutely result in chaos and disorder.

The young Wanli Emperor continued, “At present, the officials who oppose the immediate implementation of the nationwide land survey have two main concerns. First, the matter is numerous and complicated, and extremely difficult, beyond the officials’ capacity. Second, those who have annexed land in the localities are strongly opposed, which could easily cause unrest among the people.”

These two concerns can be simply summarized as follows: those who are implementing the task find it too difficult and are unwilling to do it, while those being implemented resist and do not cooperate.

What's more terrible is——

A large portion of those enforcing the law and those being enforced against are still family members with shared interests.

This is why so many reforms and new policies throughout history have failed.

Those who would pick up a stone and drop it on their own foot are either saints, madmen, or fools.

present.

If such a problem occurs in one province, the imperial court still has the energy to gather wisdom from all sides and handle it on a case-by-case basis. However, if the two capitals and thirteen provinces are all in this situation, the scale is too large, and the imperial court will not have enough energy to solve it.

The young Wanli Emperor looked at Wang Guoguang, the newly reinstated Minister of Personnel.

Wang Guoguang immediately stepped forward and said loudly, "In order to improve the enthusiasm of officials in implementing the new policies, the Ministry of Personnel has drafted a regulation on the special promotion of officials who survey land throughout the country. His Majesty and the Cabinet have approved it. The main points of this regulation are threefold."

"Firstly, the assessment period for local county and township officials who have achieved a high degree of success in implementing the land survey policy has been shortened from three years to two years, and the performance requirements for tax collection, public security, and education have been appropriately lowered."

"Secondly, for local officials, officials of the Six Ministries, and censors who have effectively supervised and managed the land survey policy, the standards for the capital inspection will be lowered, and those who have made outstanding contributions will be given priority for promotion or promoted beyond the usual procedures."

"Thirdly, when it is difficult to measure local land, anyone who offers a suggestion that can benefit a province and enable the land measurement to continue will be promoted one rank immediately."

Upon hearing these three regulations, many officials' eyes lit up immediately.

If promoted according to the usual procedure.

A sixth-rank official in the Six Ministries became a fifth-rank official, and then a fifth-rank official.

Each level takes three years to complete, so it takes at least nine years.

It would take at least twelve years for a junior official in the Six Ministries to become a third-rank official in the Six Ministries, and then to be promoted to a second-rank official in the Six Ministries.

As for the Minister entering the cabinet.

One must be a graduate of the Hanlin Academy, steadily promoted through several rounds of imperial examinations, and trusted by the emperor to become a cabinet minister.

With these three regulations in place, one can at least save three years of hard work.

More importantly, if some officials do not seize this opportunity, countless local officials will vie for it and may even replace some officials in their positions.

Being an official is like rowing against the current; if you don't advance, you fall behind.

No one in officialdom doesn't want to be promoted; the higher the rank, the more comfortable it is, and the more one can demonstrate their political ambitions.

this moment.

Many officials raised their heads, instantly feeling motivated.

Wang Guoguang added, "Furthermore, with His Majesty's special permission, any official of our dynasty who has a good plan to persuade the gentry who have annexed land to cooperate with local officials and voluntarily relinquish the illegally acquired land will be immediately promoted by one rank!"

"You all know about this matter several days earlier than local officials. I hope everyone cherishes this opportunity. When this plan is devised, the nationwide land survey will begin."

Upon hearing this, the officials all frowned.

The opposition and resistance from local land annexers is the most difficult problem to solve in the national land survey.

Whoever can solve this problem will find everything else much easier.

Just then, Ma Ziqiang suddenly stood up.

"Your Majesty, the four hundred newly appointed scholars have been observing government affairs for nearly ten months. I suggest that at least three hundred of them be sent to local areas as county officials at the beginning of next year to manage the land surveying across the country. Their enthusiasm is currently very high!"

"Good idea! In this way, we can reduce some of the resistance to land surveying across the country!" said the young Wanli Emperor with satisfaction.

this moment.

Some officials have realized that the young Wanli Emperor, Wang Guoguang, and Ma Ziqiang had clearly conspired together.

This is an open and aboveboard strategy.

Emperor Wanli first set the tone for the nationwide land survey, demanding that it not be postponed.

Wang Guoguang then proposed to promote outstanding officials who performed national land surveys on a special basis to increase their enthusiasm.

Finally, Ma Ziqiang used the matter of "sending three hundred newly appointed Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) to local posts" to make the officials feel a sense of crisis. If they did not take initiative, someone else would take their place.

This tactic is like a shepherd driving a flock of sheep into a straight alley with only one exit in front and many lambs chasing behind. The sheep trapped in the alley can only run forward with all their might.

this moment.

Anyone who dares to oppose the nationwide land survey to be implemented at the beginning of next year is going against the imperial court and jeopardizing their own career.

"Let's end the morning court session here. With the year drawing to a close, the various government offices are relatively quiet. I hope you will all think carefully. Even if the solution comes from collective wisdom, I will reward you handsomely!" said the young Wanli Emperor.

"Your subject obeys!" The ministers bowed.

……

After a while.

After the morning court session ended, the officials returned to their respective offices and began to ponder strategies.

The opportunity for special promotion is in front of everyone; now it's up to who can seize it.

……

into the night.

Inside the study of Lü Diaoyang's residence.

Lu Xingzhou, who was serving as a probationary official in the Hanlin Academy, was summoned home by Lu Diaoyang.

"At the beginning of next year, at least three hundred newly appointed Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) will be sent to serve as county officials. Tomorrow, you should draft a document to Academician Shen to apply for their transfer, and request that they be sent to serve as county officials in remote areas where land surveys have not been conducted!"

"Ah? Father, I am a junior scholar! Even if I cannot stay at the academy after graduation, I can still take up a position in one of the Six Ministries, without having to leave the capital at all!"

Lü Diaoyang slightly pursed his lips.

"After you graduate as a junior scholar, what use will you be in the capital? Just copying and writing in the Hanlin Academy? If you could be like Shen Ziheng, with the potential to serve as a lecturer, the potential to offer advice to the court, and the potential to speak frankly and dare to offend any official for the sake of truth, then I would certainly be willing to let you stay in the capital!"

"You currently possess absolutely no potential to become a prime minister. It would be best for you to go to a poor and impoverished place to gain experience!"

"But...but...if I am sent to a remote place, will I have no chance to return to the capital in the future?"

According to past practice, those who passed the imperial examinations and were assigned to remote counties and townships had little future prospects. Unless they made great contributions, they would likely remain in remote areas for more than ten years.

But this time it's different.

The nationwide land survey was a rare opportunity for all newly appointed Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations).

If you have the ability, the speed of promotion can be no less than that of staying in the embassy.

Seeing the hesitation on Lü Xingzhou's face, Lü Diaoyang paused and said, "My son, among the current batch of probationary officials, Feng Mengzhen, Tang Xianzu and others are too outstanding. There is no chance for you to show your talent. You are not as good as them either. If you stay in the capital, it will be difficult for you to shine. Why not go out and gain experience? Maybe when you return from your experience, you will be transformed and have the possibility of entering the cabinet!"

"Furthermore, by submitting your application in this way, you can demonstrate to the court officials that my son and I have consistently responded to the court's decisions!"

"Yes, Father, I am willing to be sent to a post outside the capital!" Lü Xingzhou said earnestly. In the past, it was also common for high-ranking officials to send their sons to post outside the capital.

The purpose is to gain prestige and accumulate experience in order to be better promoted.

Lü Diaoyang sent Lü Xingzhou to the counties and townships to fight the conquerors. If successful, the benefits would be immense; if unsuccessful, his official career would be destined to be mediocre.

……

Early the next morning.

Lü Xingzhou then applied to Shen Shixing, who was in charge of the Hanlin Academy, to be transferred to a remote county or township where land surveying would take place the following year.

"As expected of Grand Secretary Lü's son, your level of understanding is truly high! When the Ministry of Personnel releases newly appointed Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations), I will definitely recommend you!"

After praising Lü Xingzhou, Shen Shixing immediately released the news.

Suddenly.

The probationary scholars of the Hanlin Academy and the newly appointed Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) who were observing government affairs in various government offices submitted applications for transfers to other places, all saying they wanted to go to the most difficult, tiring, and poorest places.

Finally, all these documents were sent to the Ministry of Personnel.

They will be considered in advance when the Ministry of Personnel selects county and township officials.

The actions of the newly appointed scholars undoubtedly caused anxiety among many officials in the capital.

This year's young generation is really going crazy.

If they don't push forward, they'll be washed ashore sooner or later.

……

In the cabinet duty room.

Ma Ziqiang and Yin Zhengmao praised Lü Xingzhou highly in front of Lü Diaoyang.

It was because of his leadership that many newly appointed scholars voluntarily applied for postings outside the capital.

Lu Diaoyang was overjoyed, but said calmly, "It is not my son's achievement, but rather the high level of awareness among this year's graduates. Many graduates in previous years, once appointed to official positions, thought only of 'a clean prefect for three years and ten thousand taels of silver,' but this year's graduates are thinking only of 'to make the emperor as wise as Yao and Shun, and to preserve the good customs!'"

Ma Ziqiang stroked his beard and nodded.

"We must protect this year's graduates well. The first three years in office are the easiest time for them to become corrupt. We hope that the reform atmosphere of the court can help them get through this period and turn the quagmire of local officialdom into clean and honest government offices!"

……

at the same time.

Officials in various government offices in the capital were busy devising a good strategy to get those who had annexed land to cooperate with the court in surveying the land.

The "special promotion" policy of the young Wanli Emperor was very successful.

This time, it wasn't just officials from the Six Ministries, the Hanlin Academy, the Censorate, and the Court of Judicial Review who were closely connected to the new policies who were considering strategies.

Even the officials of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices in charge of sacrificial rites and music, the officials of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices in charge of food and banquets, the officials of the Court of State Ceremonies in charge of etiquette, and the officials of the Court of Imperial Stud in charge of horse breeding, were all focused and seriously considering the matter.

All officials want to advance and climb higher.

Among them, the most dedicated were the Hanlin Academy officials.

As literary attendants to the emperor, Hanlin officials were responsible for formulating national policies.

They possessed the privilege of "the fastest promotion channels," and having read extensively from memorials to the throne, they were familiar with all the new policies and strategies of the Ming Dynasty. Naturally, they felt it was their duty to come up with good solutions.

Shen Yiguan, Wang Jiaping, Zhao Zhimou and other Hanlin officials lived directly in the Hanlin Academy.

They studied historical records and the reform policies of various dynasties while discussing them with each other.

Shen Nian did not think alone, but also had an enthusiastic discussion with a group of Hanlin officials, sharing ideas with each other.

Those who can refine their ideas into sound strategies are the lucky ones who will be "promoted immediately".

However, Shen Nian did not stay up all night. He went home as soon as he finished his shift. He found it difficult to think seriously in a place where he was sleep-deprived.

On the contrary, when he is at home soaking his feet, chatting and laughing with his son, and whispering sweet nothings to his wife, he often comes up with novel ideas.

Among all the Hanlin officials, the most hardworking was Shen Yiguan, a Hanlin compiler.

Shen Yiguan was busy until midnight every night.

He was older and more senior than Shen Nian, but Shen Nian was now a level above him.

If Shen Nian becomes a lecturer, many of his documents will be reviewed by Shen Nian, making Shen Nian his immediate superior.

This was something that the usually arrogant Shen Yiguan found hard to accept.

Therefore, he devoted himself almost desperately to participating in discussions, reading documents, and thinking about strategies, hoping that the best solutions would come from his own hands and that all officials would feel that he was also worthy of joining the cabinet.

……

In the blink of an eye, it was the 25th day of the twelfth lunar month.

The weather was gloomy and cold, with a biting wind, and the festive atmosphere of the New Year was growing stronger.

At this time, some officials had already submitted memorials to the court, offering their own good strategies.

Some officials have suggested that regulations should be issued to crack down on those who annex land.

“Those who conceal less than one hundred mu of land shall be fined twenty shi of rice; those who conceal more than one thousand mu of land shall, in addition to levying taxes, be dismissed from their posts and stripped of their titles, and their land shall be confiscated.”

This plan was not approved by the young Emperor Wanli or the cabinet.

There are many people currently annexing land; if this is cracked down on so severely, it will surely lead to chaos.

Some suggested lowering commercial taxes in exchange for the land consolidation, others suggested using military force to directly suppress the unauthorized annexers, and still others suggested severely punishing the largest annexers in each province as a warning to others...

These strategies either treat the symptoms but not the root cause, or they are likely to cause internal strife.

Emperor Wanli didn't like any of them.

The best course of action the court needs is a combination of firmness and leniency, forcing those who annex land to yield, rather than forcibly suppressing them.

Violent suppression.

In return, they could only more secretly forge land deeds, incite popular uprisings, and even fabricate other things to impeach the officials who conducted the land survey, making it impossible to carry out the land survey.

These land annexers were far more cunning and adept at using the laws of the Ming Dynasty to protect themselves than ordinary unscrupulous merchants and peasants.

……

Soon, it was the 28th day of the twelfth lunar month.

Emperor Wanli and his cabinet still had not received a strategy that satisfied them.

This day.

Officials in all government offices no longer need to clock in and go to their posts.

Some officials have already given up thinking about it and are focusing their energy on preparing for the New Year and the upcoming holiday.

Other officials are constantly struggling with themselves; if no one comes up with a solution before the new year, they will likely not have a good holiday.

now.

Shen Nian, dressed in plain clothes, strolled around the streets of the capital with Aji.

In his eyes.

Many good strategies are not found in the ink-scented books of the Hanlin Academy, but are hidden in the streets and alleys of the common people.

(End of this chapter)