Tang Dynasty Xie Lu Lang

Chapter 220 Selecting and Appointing Talented Individuals

Yao Yi regretted letting Zhang Dai and his party into the Secretariat as soon as he did so, because that kid was just too much troublemaker!
If anyone else had come to the Secretariat, wouldn't they have been extremely respectful, fearing that they might make a mistake and incur the prime minister's dislike?

However, after arriving in the province, Zhang Dai acted as if he were at home. He first loudly announced to the officials waiting to be summoned in the corridor why he had come, which aroused the curiosity and questions of these officials outside the hall.

After being stopped, the young man then demanded that the officials of the Secretariat provide them with seats while they waited, arguing that since they had come to pay their respects to the Prime Minister with proper etiquette, the Secretariat should naturally reciprocate.

In previous years, newly appointed Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) were indeed granted a banquet when they entered the position of prime minister, and the prime minister was expected to respond to their greetings. While Zhang Dai's request was reasonable, the occasion was somewhat inappropriate.

The corridor was a temporary place to wait for the prime minister or the judge of the Secretariat to summon them, not a formal meeting hall. Everyone else was standing there in line. What was the point of arranging seats for these newly appointed scholars?

Yao Yi initially didn't want to pay attention, but the boy kept insisting, and Yao Yi couldn't stand it anymore, so he simply ordered the officials to send out two felt mats so that they could sit on the ground.

"Wouldn't that be too rude?"

Zhang Dai was relaxed and at ease, but his companions were all very nervous. They didn't have a grandfather who had been in charge of the Secretariat for many years to teach them the rules of the Secretariat. In their minds, the Secretariat naturally held an extraordinary and solemn meaning.

"The judge in charge of the court is not handling matters properly. Our initiative to extend this courtesy is not out of rudeness or offense, but rather to uphold the dignity of the Grand Secretary and prevent him from being criticized for belittling scholars!"

Seeing that everyone was still a bit reserved, Zhang Dai immediately smiled and said.

Who are we? We are the newly appointed Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) selected by the imperial court through personnel and material means, and are new members of the ruling class!
Before, when we hadn't passed the exam, they would boss us around and drive us around. We didn't dare to argue with them. But now that we've passed the exam, we're still not valued. We don't even have a seat in the Secretariat. What's the point of passing the exam?

The newly appointed scholars currently hold no official positions, but they are still in a probationary period, known as "white-robed officials" or "first-rank white-robed officials." As long as they don't commit heinous crimes, some of their outrageous words or actions are not considered a problem.

Newcomers often don't understand the rules. If you stare at them and question them closely, do you think the selection process is unfair?
Of course, there are always newcomers every year, but novices can't stay novices forever. In the future, these newcomers will also be subject to the selection process and experience the ups and downs of officialdom. Naturally, they dare not be too negligent or offensive to the Secretariat, which can determine the future of most officials.

But Zhang Dai had no such reverence for the officials of the Secretariat. To put it bluntly, his grandfather was still a man of great influence here last year, but now he's been kicked out. The iron camp remains, but the soldiers come and go; fortunes change, so don't underestimate a young man's potential!
Seeing Zhang Dai's casual demeanor and composed attitude, the crowd gradually relaxed and joined him on a felt mat under the eaves.

It was precisely because of this unconventional approach that when Prime Minister Du Xian arrived at the Secretariat and saw this year's successful candidates, he immediately strode over to them.

"The gentlemen have arrived! Minister Du, Minister Li!"

Officials from the province quickly made way for the prime minister and hurriedly greeted him.

Upon seeing this, Zhang Dai quickly abandoned his deliberate attempt to attract attention and gestured for everyone to rise and go outside to greet the prime minister. This wasn't a matter of politeness; if officials dared to be disrespectful or offensive in front of the prime minister, they would be impeached by the censor!

"We, your humble servants, pay our respects to you two gentlemen!"

Led by Zhang Dai, the scholars lined up outside the corridor and bowed deeply to the two prime ministers who were walking behind them.

Du Xian walked straight up to the crowd, his posture dignified and expressionless. After his gaze swept over each of them, he asked in a deep voice, "Who taught you to act this way?"

Upon hearing this question, everyone subconsciously glanced at Zhang Dai, who was standing at the very front.

Zhang Dai did not avoid the question. He stepped forward and bowed to Du Xian, saying, "I am honored to be the top scholar in the spring examination, thanks to the appreciation of the chief examiner. Moreover, I come from an official family and am somewhat familiar with the affairs of the court. It is only right and proper that I lead my fellow examinees to pay my respects!"

Du Xian had long heard of Zhang Dai's reputation, including the arrogant and haughty manner of his own sons upon returning home.

However, as the prime minister of the court, he was not easily deceived and had his own judgment on people and things. When he saw the young man standing in front of him, he was quite respectful but also composed. He couldn't help but recall the magnificent historical essays he had read a few days ago and had a very good impression of him.

However, he did not show any pleasant expression. Instead, he stared at Zhang Dai and said in a deep voice, "Since Zhang Dai is familiar with the past, he should also know that one must be led by his master to pay homage to the prime minister. Yet he has gathered a group of disciples and come to see him without permission. Could it be that Zhang Yan Gong instructed him to do so?"

Some people may be dead, no, some people may have left the scene, but they still have a strong presence. Zhang said that he was such a person.

If it were anyone else, Du Xian wouldn't have such doubts, but facing Zhang Shuo's grandson, he was unsure whether Zhang Shuo was using this as an opportunity to cause trouble. Therefore, before confirming the matter, he dared not express his opinion rashly.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Dai immediately shook his head and said, "My grandfather did give us his teachings, but they were all about loyalty and righteousness. We should rely on ourselves in our daily lives, and only if we act improperly should we be reprimanded. The officials of the provincial government each have their own duties, and we disciples should also perform our duties accordingly. Therefore, we first bowed to our master and then to you, sir. This is the proper etiquette, and it does not require instruction. Today, our master is preoccupied with other matters and unable to lead us, so we brought his tokens here to fulfill his wishes. If you, sir, think we have acted improperly, we have done our best. There is nothing else we can do."

This neither humble nor arrogant reply, which also criticized the Ministry of Personnel's sluggish handling of the matter, greatly displeased Du Xian. He wouldn't believe that Zhang Shuo hadn't secretly instigated it based on just one side of the story, but as long as there were no visible traces of related personnel, he could maintain absolute control.

Seeing that many provincial officials were standing around watching, and not wanting to attract any more attention, Li Yuanhong spoke up, saying, "I and Judge Du have come here to encourage the younger generation. It is gratifying that you all follow the rules and etiquette. Now, let us proceed with the ceremony and then prepare for the provincial examination with peace of mind."

After saying this, he beckoned the officials of the Secretariat and ordered them to prepare a hall for the scholars to pay their respects. After they finished, he instructed them to send them away immediately.

He was eager to finish the formalities quickly, but Zhang Dai remained motionless upon hearing this. The scholars behind him, who were also preparing to head towards the hall after hearing the prime minister's words, all stopped when they saw Zhang Dai standing still. Several of them who had stepped out took small steps back.

Upon seeing this, a strange light flashed in Du Xian's eyes, and he spoke again, "Lord Li has already given his orders, why don't you do it?"

“We are of low status and have little influence; we only know how to perform the proper rituals and are unable to handle matters properly. Therefore, we have resorted to expediency and things have come to this.”

Zhang Dai held up the belt he had taken from Yan Tingzhi's house and briefly showed it to the prime ministers and the crowd. Then he frowned at the two prime ministers and said, "You two prime ministers are loyal to the country and role models for all officials. What can't you handle properly? Why do you also resort to expediency?"

hiss……

As soon as he finished speaking, a clear gasp rippled through the crowd. The officials watching from the Secretariat could hardly believe their ears, staring intently at Zhang Dai while thinking to themselves: Are all young people these days so audacious? How dare they openly criticize the Prime Minister!
The attack was so powerful that Du Xian was stunned and didn't react for a while.

Li Yuanhong, who already knew this young man was no pushover, darkened his expression and coldly snorted, "Does Zhang Dai think the Prime Minister's actions are inappropriate?"

"Whether something is appropriate or inappropriate cannot be determined by mere speculation. Whether something conforms to propriety or not does not require consulting divination."

Zhang Dai immediately bowed respectfully and said, "We act expediently because we are of low status and have little influence. Even the prime minister handles matters casually. Where is our face?"

"Zhang Zhuangtou has a fine voice!"

There were quite a few officials watching around, and after hearing Zhang Dai's answer, some of them couldn't help but clap and cheer.

No matter how great one's power is, it cannot surpass the law and etiquette. Since the prime minister also intends to enter the hall to receive the worship of the scholars, it means that he approves of their actions. Therefore, the prime minister naturally has the responsibility to urge things back on track more diligently, rather than continuing to be perfunctory!
Li Yuanhong's expression grew increasingly serious, and Du Xian, realizing what was happening, looked at Zhang Dai and said, "So you and your disciples first paid respects to your master and then went to the province to request an audience, because you believed that Master Yan was upright in his dealings and should not be troubled by past events for too long?"

Everyone vaguely understood the meaning behind Zhang Dai and his group's actions: they wanted to use the visit to show their support for Yan Tingzhi, while urging the prime ministers to intervene and resolve the matter as soon as possible.

“We do indeed have this intention. After the three provincial examinations, we were all selected by our master, Master Yan. Although we were implicated by the leak of our essays and had to retake the essay exam, those who passed were all from the previous essay list.”

Zhang Dai did not conceal his intentions, but then immediately added, "The leakage of miscellaneous writings should be thoroughly investigated by the chief examiner. We, as outsiders, dare not comment. However, since Master Yan is responsible for performance evaluation and is in charge of the imperial examinations, we should praise Master Yan since we have already helped him succeed!"
The recent list of successful candidates for the Spring Festival was entirely decided by you gentlemen. It is fortunate that one or two of us, of humble origins, have received your rewards! This humble honor also serves as proof that Master Yan is indeed upright in his dealings and fair in his selection of officials; he deserves further commendation.

After listening to Zhang Dai's words, Du Xian looked at the people behind him and asked, "Do you all see things as Zhang Dai did?"

"What Zhang Zhuangtou said is merely the voice of our hearts!"

Upon hearing this, all the scholars bowed and replied.

After hearing everyone's opinions, Du Xian immediately raised his hand and applauded: "The selection of personnel is the best in the field! The thirteen men selected by Yan Tingzhi, the Assistant Minister of Personnel Evaluation, are courteous, discerning, grateful, righteous, loyal, and courageous. They are truly gems! Yan Tingzhi's selection of these loyal and righteous men deserves praise!"

Upon hearing Du Xian's words of praise, all the scholars were delighted, and their eyes were filled with admiration and gratitude as they looked at Zhang Dai.

Even if some of them chose to act together simply because they couldn't save face, such praise from the prime minister and the public was enough to leave a significant mark on their resumes and would greatly benefit their future careers.

The selection process is conducted by people, not by heartless machines. When faced with candidates who are similar in age, experience, and performance, one may be unknown while the other is known for his gratitude and sense of justice. The choice between them is naturally straightforward!

(End of this chapter)