Ming Dynasty Detective 1546

Chapter 219 The Last-Place Incentive System of the One Heart Society

Hanlin Academy.

Haiyue put down the fried dough roll, picked up the tea soup and took a sip. The soup was clear and refreshing, with two or three tender buds floating on it. The taste was quite good.

It must be said that although the salary of the Hanlin Academy was very low, the living conditions were still quite good.

The tea and snacks provided daily were delivered by the Imperial Kitchen, and the Four Treasures of the Study were also supplied by the inner court. Many impoverished scholars would even take them to the market on Qipan Street to sell, and the authorities would turn a blind eye.

If even this is not allowed, then those impoverished scholars will truly starve to death.

Compared to Lin Daqin and Li Qidong, who were still a bit embarrassed as new employees, Haiyue was quite unceremonious.

The salary is so low it's outrageous, and we can't even enjoy various benefits?
"This tea must be paired with salt and pepper sesame seed cakes to bring out its flavor—just like how we Hanlin scholars draft imperial edicts, which must be both elegant and have a touch of strength!"

"Haha, Brother Mingwei is absolutely right!"

The other scholars clearly thought so too, and they gathered together to discuss which tea should be paired with which snacks, creating a harmonious and joyful atmosphere.

Many of the junior scholars, in particular, deliberately gathered around.

The top twenty candidates in the second class of each imperial examination could participate in the selection examination for the Imperial Academy. Those who succeeded could become probationary scholars, enter the Imperial Academy to study, and then stay on as full-fledged scholars through hard work.

To outsiders, they appear to be extremely honored, but their actual position is far more awkward.

Compared to the first-class scholars who had already been appointed as compilers and editors, the junior scholars had to first perform well in the Hanlin Academy and obtain an official position before they could truly settle down. They would be a step behind in terms of seniority and would have to endure a longer period of hardship.

Unfortunately, no one wanted to give up the prestige of being a Hanlin Academy scholar and a potential prime minister, so as the conversation went on, someone suddenly said, "Have you all heard that this morning at court, Grand Secretary Zhang submitted another memorial, saying that the Ministry of Personnel should recommend candidates for magistrate positions and order officials from the capital to be transferred to posts outside the capital..."

"I've heard!" "Won't the Hanlin Academy be affected too?" "It shouldn't be..."

Upon hearing this, the room fell silent, and everyone's expressions were quite complex.

Besides entering the Hanlin Academy, newly appointed Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) were generally assigned to various government departments such as the Six Ministries, the Court of Judicial Review, and the Censorate to observe government affairs, learn official document processing, and participate in departmental work.

Those who performed exceptionally well could be retained as officials in the capital, while the rest were sent to serve as officials in local prefectures and counties.

In fact, for those who enter officialdom with the sole purpose of making money, the various illicit incomes in local areas can be dozens of times more than their official salaries. Rather than living such a miserable life, they would rather become a county magistrate and be all-powerful.

However, being a county magistrate is not an easy job. There is a fixed number of positions available, especially in key prefectures and counties where lucrative posts are rarely filled by newcomers.

Moreover, while it's easy to be sent out for work, it's extremely difficult to come back.

Throughout history, the political structure of the Ming Dynasty was generally characterized by prioritizing internal affairs over external ones, with the capital city as the core and radiating outwards. This led to a habit of valuing officials in the capital over local officials. However, this trend was particularly pronounced in the Ming Dynasty.

Local officials held a very low status and were not valued. Their promotions were limited to the prefectures and counties, with the highest possible promotion to the provincial-level Three Departments. This was the case with Zhou Xuan, the former Provincial Surveillance Commissioner of Guangdong, and it was a very common example.

They discovered that even if they tried to be good officials, they still couldn't get promoted. Apart from a very few officials who could maintain their moral standards, most people began to degenerate rapidly, exploiting local areas, or at least becoming lazy and indifferent to worldly affairs.

Local officials are the most direct implementers of various government orders. Therefore, when Zhang Cong, Gui E and others promoted the new policies, they immediately realized that this would not work. They had to ensure that local officials with outstanding political skills and high reputations had avenues for advancement so that these people would support the implementation of the government orders.

Therefore, they began to target officials in the capital.

“Those who have not served in prefectures and counties shall not be appointed to the censorate; those who have not served in prefectures and counties shall not be promoted to ministers; all officials in the capital below the fifth rank who have not served in other places shall be recommended by the Ministry of Personnel to serve as prefects and magistrates, so as to be familiar with civil affairs.”

To put it bluntly, those who do nothing should be kicked out of the capital, and their official positions should be made available to good local officials.

The current junior scholars are discussing this very matter.

The implementation of this policy has been fraught with difficulties, offending countless bureaucrats and scholars, but now the trend has reached the Hanlin Academy.

Even those who dared not openly oppose the Prime Minister sighed and groaned, their brows furrowed with resentment.

After three long years of hard work, they are about to be released from poverty. Wouldn't it be a waste of all their efforts to send them out to serve as officials at this time?

'It should have been done a long time ago!'

Haiyue actually agreed with the system.

The promotion system for officials in the Ming Dynasty was indeed problematic. One could rise directly from the central government, starting with passing the imperial examination and enduring hardship for more than ten years, before having the opportunity to rise from a junior official to a compiler in the Hanlin Academy, then to a lecturer, then to a senior minister in the Six Ministries, and finally to a cabinet minister.

The resulting drawbacks are extremely serious. The central leadership is full of empty talkers, and the channels for talented people to rise are blocked. It's no wonder the country is in such a bad state.

Therefore, both Zhang Cong's new policies and Zhang Juzheng's performance evaluation system were aimed at regulating these officials. Only in this way could national policies be effectively implemented. If he were to take control of the court in the future, he would certainly be determined to implement this policy, but for now, he has not expressed any opinion.

Thanks to the support of the Yixin Society, Haiyue held a high status, and many people tried to curry favor with him, whether intentionally or unintentionally. However, he had to be clear-headed; in terms of seniority, he was a junior, and it was not his place to speak on such sensitive topics.

The group discussed the matter for a while, with many opposing it, but no one daring to directly refute the new policy. They made some sarcastic remarks and then returned to their seats.

Lin Daqin, sitting a seat away, leaned closer and whispered, "Mingwei, I think Grand Secretary Zhang is not wrong. The administration needs to be properly rectified!"

Haiyue said softly, "Just keep it in your heart. It's not too late to implement it when the opportunity arises."

Lin Daqin nodded, sat back down, and buried himself in his work again.

Some people are indeed better suited to local positions. For example, the younger brother Hai Rui, the experienced Su Zhigao, and the newly acquainted Tang Shunzhi are all suited to start from local prefectures and counties and rise step by step. If these talented and ambitious people spend all their time immersed in the books and ink of the Hanlin Academy, they will only waste their talents.

However, for talented scholars like Lin Daqin and Zhao Shichun, who are steeped in scholarly pursuits, it would be better to focus on their studies in the central government at this stage. Otherwise, if they go to the local areas with only enthusiasm, they will either be easily sidelined by the cunning and shrewd clerks and local gentry, or they will be devoured without a trace.

Haiyue was aware of this, but she was in no hurry to express her opinion. She drank her tea, ate her snacks, and finished her work for the day.

Before the yamen even opened, Zhao Wenhua's head popped out from the doorway: "Head of the association!!"

Haiyue greeted those around her and stepped out: "Yuanzhi, you're here..."

Zhao Wenhua followed him to the side and immediately stood at attention: "My mind is at peace, my heart is sincere! Loyal!!"

This was a ceremony devised by Haiyue when everyone gathered at the Imperial Academy in the first month of the tenth year of the Jiajing reign. The imperial edict is still hanging in the Yixin Hall, and the practice has not yet been brought to the Hanlin Academy. Only Zhao Wenhua is so enthusiastic and completely disregards the opinions of others.

"very good!"

Haiyue used to think this person was only good at flattery, but now she realized that he had indeed taken this talent to the extreme. She felt a little embarrassed and quickly brushed it off with praise. She then asked about another leading figure in the field: "How is the case of Madam Sheng going?"

Zhao Wenhua knew this man valued practicality; since he was here, he couldn't just shout slogans, he needed to bring enough information about the case's progress. So he immediately said, "Shen Mo, the magistrate of Shuntian Prefecture, is in charge of this case, and the investigation is still ongoing..."

"It's him again?"

Haiyue couldn't hold back any longer.

The current Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture is no longer Huo Tao, and the investigating officer is still Shen Mo. In the case of Yan Shifan's kidnapping, both Yan Song's side and Zhang Cong's side were extremely disappointed with this person's performance. However, the two big shots could not personally deal with it afterward. As a result, this mediocre person who has no achievements is still entrenched in a key position and will not leave.

Zhao Wenhua also said resentfully, "Yes! I don't know what connections this guy has, but he's managed to stay in the government office and I heard he's made a lot of money!"

He was almost demoted from the capital before, risking everything to investigate Li Yuan Society, offending all his clients, and completely ruining the Baihua Brewing business. Only then did he manage to stay. Compared to him, Shen Mo's actions are even more outrageous. He actually clung to his official position and remained as stable as Mount Tai. It's really hateful!
Haiyue shook her head, then turned her attention to the case: "What were the results of the coroner's autopsy?"

"Sheng died of poisoning around midnight, while Feng was stabbed in the chest with a sharp weapon and died on the spot, which happened around 3 PM."

Zhao Wenhua said in a low voice, "There's a chilling part to this case. The murder weapon used to kill Feng was a hairpin from Sheng's hair. It's said that when the servants found the body, they held it firmly in her hand, and in less than half a day, it pierced Feng's chest and killed her!"

"Hairpin..."

Haiyue's eyes flickered slightly: "Is there anyone suspected?"

"The servants of the Sheng family and the other two disciples of the Sheng family have all been brought to the government office. It seems that the murderer in these two cases is not an outsider, but one of them... However, there is still something very strange!"

"what?"

"The people from the Sheng residence have all been taken away, but the Shuntian Prefecture government still left some officers behind, seemingly searching for something. When my Ministry of Justice intervened, they were very vigilant!"

Haiyue pondered for a moment before speaking, "I was about to get married, and the matchmaker had chosen this Miss Sheng. But then this murder happened, and now the government is going to delay again? If the case cannot be solved in time, I'm afraid it will cause widespread panic!"

"Oh no! Absolutely not!"

Zhao Wenhua then understood why this man had suddenly inquired about the matchmaker's death, and hurriedly said, "Please rest assured, Chief, I will do my utmost to urge the government to solve the case as soon as possible, and we must not delay the Chief's wedding!"

"it is good!"

Haiyue looked at him and nodded, saying, "Donglou will also help with this case. You two cooperate well and find out exactly what the government is searching for in the Sheng residence. Report back to me as soon as possible!"

"Yes!"

Zhao Wenhua's expression changed again. He bowed and left quickly.

I, a dignified Jinshi graduate, am not even as good as the only Juren in the Yixin Society?
We must work hard on this case and not slack off in the slightest!
(End of this chapter)