Zhu Yuanzhang Returns from Modern Times

Chapter 139 Oh my god! The Emperor is actually giving out annual leave?!
Zhang Shiyu was completely stunned when he heard Zhu Yuanzhang's words.

They stood there, stunned.

He actually... he actually dismissed himself from his post?

And they'll never hire you again?
That's bad enough, but they also want to punish him with thirty strokes of the cane and send his whole family to the north to farm?!

What is the emperor doing?
Why is it different from what you said?
Wasn't it agreed that one would only be dismissed if they failed the exam for two consecutive years?

I'm only failing for a year now.

It's far from what the emperor said about failing to meet standards for two consecutive years!
Why resort to such drastic measures now?!
"Your Majesty, I only failed the exam for one year."

We are still far from meeting His Majesty's requirement of failing the examination for two consecutive years.

According to regulations, I should be fined 40% of my salary.

They will only be dismissed if they fail the exam again next year.

It was merely a dismissal; there was no caning or exile.

After a moment of stunned silence, Zhang Shiyu quickly spoke up to defend himself.

He pointed out the unreasonable aspects of Zhu Yuanzhang's actions.

I want to try and salvage the situation.

"Get the hell out of here! You still have the nerve to bring this up with us?"

It would have been better if he hadn't said those words; they only fueled Zhu Yuanzhang's anger.

Before Crown Prince Zhu Biao could stop him, Zhu Yuanzhang had already stepped forward and kicked Zhang Shiyu hard in the face.

He was kicked to the ground on the spot.

Blood was flowing from the corner of his mouth, and he had lost two teeth.

"We made these regulations to give those who haven't gone too far a chance to correct their mistakes."

Let them repent and start anew.

It's not like I'm giving a scoundrel like you a loophole!

You call this failing the test?
What you're doing is an extremely serious case of exploiting loopholes!
This is an extremely serious act of shamelessness!
He neglects his work, procrastinates, and his mind is not on official business at all.

It's only been about 180 days, and you managed to miss 103 days!

If you're so eager to lecture and play chess, then why did you become an official?
You're a useless official!
Being an official means you're here to do things, not to collect our salary and then go to hell with personal hobbies and slacking off!

If you're so willing to teach and play chess, why are you even applying for an official position?
After becoming an official, he didn't do his job properly, but instead did these things, and he still has the nerve to think he's been wronged?
Do you think our punishment is too harsh?
"Go to hell with you!"

Zhu Yuanzhang cursed loudly.

In a short period of time, he has figured out a lot of things.

For example, Zhang Shiyu's so-called teaching is different from what most people understand.

It doesn't mean going to any particular school or place to give lectures.

Rather, it refers to organizing literary gatherings and poetry recitals with so-called scholars and celebrities.

They flatter each other to gain fame.

What is the purpose of gaining fame?
Naturally, it's about elevating one's status and cultivating prestige.

Once you gain a reputation, you can reap benefits in officialdom and other areas.

Otherwise, Zhang Shiyu wouldn't have been able to survive until now.

He served as a sixth-rank official in the Hanlin Academy.

When he did these things, Song Lian only reprimanded him and tried to use the performance evaluation system to get rid of him, as the emperor.

He himself did not really do anything to Zhang Shiyu.

This is because of this person, who has a considerable literary reputation.

He enjoys considerable prestige among scholars.

Zhu Yuanzhang, however, greatly disliked such people.

But all this reputation of this person means nothing to him.

This kind of person is the most outrageous.

While others might slack off or do other things, they usually prioritize doing their job well first.

He neglected his duties to do things for personal gain.

How could Zhu Yuanzhang tolerate this?

Of course, we must strike hard and eradicate this trend!

As for his reputation, Zhu Yuanzhang really didn't care.

He even killed Gao Qi last year.

In his previous life, Song Lian was involved in Hu Weiyong's case, and he would have killed him anyway.

Only after Biao'er and the girl pleaded for him did he receive a lighter sentence.

The execution was changed to exile.

How does Zhang Shiyu compare to Gao Qi?

How can he compare to Song Lian?

Not far!
"Your Majesty, I...I am willing to teach."

I would be willing to take up a post at an academy or serve as an instructor in a remote county in the north.

There are not many scholars in the north, nor are there many school teachers.

Your Majesty is keen to spread knowledge, and I myself have some knowledge of it.

This can be considered making the best use of resources.

He's prepared to settle for second best.

He really didn't want to farm.

Zhang Shiyu was a man of great talent, whose literary fame spread far and wide.

At only forty-five years old, he was already a compiler in the Hanlin Academy, a sixth-rank official position.

How many scholars in the world can achieve such a status?

Wherever he goes, he is not fawned over, but is respectfully addressed as "Sir".
Now, with a single decree from the emperor, he is to be demoted to commoner status.

Moreover, it's the kind of job that will never be hired again.

He really couldn't stand it.

He went from being a high-ranking, noble scholar to a lowly peasant.

It's a complete collapse.

The difference was too great, to the point that he absolutely could not accept it, it was extremely outrageous.

Therefore, he is now prepared to settle for second best and find a way out for himself.

No matter what, I can't become a peasant from the North.

He felt that for a scholar of the Hanlin Academy to go and teach was already a great demotion for him.

It's a complete waste of talent.

From Zhu Yuanzhang's many actions, it is clear that he attached great importance to cultural development.

Zhu Yuanzhang placed particular emphasis on education, especially in the north.

Since he values ​​these things, I should cater to his preferences.

It would be a great blessing for the many students in the North to have someone as talented as myself teaching!
Zhu Yuanzhang would definitely agree.

"roll!"

Zhu Yuanzhang kicked him again, this time hard in the face.

Two more teeth were kicked out.

"You think you're qualified to teach?"
You are a person of poor character and have accomplished nothing. If you were to teach, you would only be misleading students!
Scholars make up a small percentage of the population, but they are not few either.

We can revitalize education in the north without missing one more person like you!
"Take him away and execute him!"

Immediately, members of the Embroidered Uniform Guard stepped forward, pinned Zhang Shiyu down, slapped off his official hat, and dragged him away.

Right there in the Hanlin Academy, in front of many Hanlin scholars, he was beaten thirty times with a rod.

After thirty strokes of the cane, the man was knocked unconscious twice.

Whether they can survive is another matter.

Looking at Zhang Shiyu, who was being dragged away by the Imperial Guards, unconscious.

Many people from the Hanlin Academy present were deeply moved.

Although many of them knew that the emperor would be displeased with what Zhang Shiyu had done and would punish him.

But I really didn't expect the punishment to be so severe.

"Once you become an official, you must be conscientious and do your duty."

We don't expect everyone to be as dedicated and outstanding as Editor Ding.

But at the very least, they should do their assigned administrative duties.

We cannot be as perfunctory as this person.

Ask yourselves honestly, are the exam results we set really that difficult to achieve?

We only started implementing performance evaluation this year, and the goals we set are very basic.

It's the kind of thing that you can definitely accomplish if you want to, and it's also very easy.

We're worried that many of you won't be able to adapt.

But as a result, even though we set our goals so low, many of you still managed to do things this badly!

Do you have any conscience?
We've already prepared a large sum of money, which is meant to reward you and improve your lives.

But many of you don't appreciate it.

They didn't want the money.

Zhang Shiyu, that bastard, is a perfect example.

Don't try to find loopholes. If you really go too far, we'll handle it on a case-by-case basis.

You have your brilliant plan, and we'll find a way to overcome it.

Let's see who can defeat whom!

Zhu Yuanzhang, with a stern expression, began to give instructions.

With Zhang Shiyu's example as a cautionary tale and the glaring blood on the ground, Zhu Yuanzhang's words at this moment were particularly persuasive.

Everyone agreed.

Zhu Yuanzhang did not linger there. Accompanied by Zhu Biao, and with Song Lian and others seeing him off, he left the Hanlin Academy.
Many people in the Hanlin Academy breathed a sigh of relief.

It was as if an invisible boulder had been moved.

Within the palace, the various government offices were not too far apart.

After all, space within the palace is limited.

It has corresponding functional areas.

News of what happened at the Hanlin Academy spread very quickly.

This caused many officials in the other departments to be deeply shaken.

Some people who failed the test were filled with anxiety, feeling that they were going to have a hard time this time.

At the same time, many people were relieved that the emperor had gone to the Hanlin Academy and had not come to their place.

Otherwise, given the emperor's temperament, many of them would likely not fare well.

However, many people felt frustrated by it.

Based on what they had done, they felt that if the emperor were to come to their side, they might very well receive the emperor's favor, just like Ding Liang...

In two days, it would be time for each department to submit its assessment reports for the emperor to review. This made many people anxious.

Some people who hadn't finished their tasks went crazy and started frantically completing them.

They wanted to complete the assessment report before it was sent to the emperor.

At the same time, some people find it puzzling.

The emperor ordered the submission of examination reports on the eve of the Lunar New Year.

That is, the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month.

There are still several days until the Chinese New Year.

According to the emperor's regulations, there are only three days of leave per year.

I still have to work on New Year's Eve.

During the entire Lunar New Year holiday, only on the first day of the Lunar New Year are we exempt from duty.

But a grand court assembly was to be held on this day.

Even if performance evaluation forms involve rewards and punishments, they shouldn't be rushed like this.

This left some people wondering what the emperor was really up to...

……

Two days later, the Secretariat, the Six Ministries, the Censorate, and other departments submitted their performance evaluation reports to Zhu Yuanzhang.

The final evaluation was conducted jointly by Zhu Yuanzhang and his crown prince Zhu Biao.

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at it very carefully and attentively.

"Biao'er, the matter of the exam cannot be taken lightly; it must be taken seriously."

In this matter, rewards and punishments must be fair.

The final review of the examination results had to be in the hands of the emperor.

Whoever holds the power to appoint and dismiss personnel can truly win the hearts and minds of officials.

The performance evaluation may seem simple, but it actually involves promotions, appointments, and punishments.

This matter is too important to be delegated to others.

As Zhu Yuanzhang looked at the performance evaluation chart, he spoke to his son, Crown Prince Zhu Biao.

Zhu Biao nodded in agreement and made sure to remember it...

……

Two days later, on the 25th day of the Lunar New Year.

Inside the Hall of Literary Glory, officials gathered.

Large sums of money were packed in boxes and placed on the open ground in front of the emperor's desk.

Zhu Yuanzhang was holding the performance evaluation form that had determined the final results, and he was reading it aloud.

This includes name, official title, and performance rating.

The rating is divided into six levels: seriously unqualified, unqualified, qualified, excellent, exceptionally excellent, and extremely excellent.

The rewards available at each level are different.

Only a handful of people achieved exceptional results; there were only five in total.

Besides Ding Liang from the Hanlin Academy, there were four other people whom Zhu Yuanzhang deemed exceptionally outstanding.

At this moment, these five people were receiving Zhu Yuanzhang's reward in public.

Zhu Yuanzhang not only promoted them further.

They also received the year-end bonuses they were entitled to according to the performance-based reward standards.

One person has a full six hundred strings of cash.

Not only that, the emperor also paid extra out of his own pocket to get half a sheep for each person.

They even made big red flowers to drape over their heads.

It was a dazzling display, maximizing the atmosphere and sense of glory.

Not only Ding Liang and others who were being commended had flushed faces, as if they were drunk.

Feeling excited, I decided to keep up the good work and continue to work hard.

The officials present were all filled with envy.

Many people seemed to have been injected with adrenaline.

I also decided to work hard and strive to become one of them.

It feels really good to be able to earn a lot of money and a lot of glory through normal work.

Ding Liang and others who were commended this time must have won the Emperor's favor.

This is the greatest benefit.

Once Jian wins the Emperor's favor, she will be able to get promoted and achieve other things much faster than others.

After giving them the rewards and offering words of encouragement,

Zhu Yuanzhang had these people sit down in the Hall of Literary Glory in front of all the civil and military officials.

Arranged in a special position.

Since we want to set an example, we should naturally give them everything they deserve.

The necessary sense of ritual and the unique status displayed in certain ways at specific moments should be fully emphasized.

Many things don't cost much, but the benefits they bring are immeasurable.

After giving special commendation to Ding Liang and the other four, Zhu Yuanzhang then distributed outstanding prizes.

Each person's reward was personally distributed to them by Zhu Yuanzhang.

This is a very strenuous and time-consuming task.

But Zhu Yuanzhang was tireless and did everything thoroughly.

He knew all too well how important it was to personally hand out rewards.

This matter cannot be delegated to others.

They also decided to continue this rule in the future.

This is an important means of winning over the hearts of the court officials.

We're taking out real money; we can't let the emperor get no benefit at all, can we?

A large sum of money was distributed as year-end bonuses to those who deserved it.

The atmosphere inside the Hall of Literary Glory was joyful and harmonious, with many people beaming with happiness.

I couldn't be happier.

This time, even those who only passed the exam received a performance bonus of thirty strings of cash.

Thirty strings of cash may not seem like much, but it was an extra bonus.

Receiving such a sum of money near the end of the year is a considerable amount for some people who are relatively poor and live solely on their salary.

That's enough for them to have a good New Year.

Those who didn't receive performance bonuses felt extremely envious as they looked at the money in other people's hands.

As for those who not only didn't receive it, but also had a portion of their salary deducted, they were even more envious.

If you don't compare things regularly, and there's no real difference in money or treatment, you won't really notice it.

At this moment, the emperor pulled this stunt, and he watched as his colleagues, because of their performance in the examinations, were either promoted or made a fortune.

Many people gained additional benefits.

They had nothing, and not only that, but a portion of their salaries were also confiscated as punishment.

The feeling inside was truly unbearable.

More importantly, it was the emperor's personal critique that led to their poor performance.

If things go wrong, the emperor might remember it.

Being remembered by the current emperor for this matter is not a good thing.

Amidst this stark contrast, many people secretly resolved to work harder next year.

They also need to get a good grade in the exam and receive a bonus.

So, this year can't be considered a complete waste of time.

It also allows one to hold their head high and feel proud.

It can be said that with Zhu Yuanzhang distributing real money, the power of the performance evaluation system began to show.

It has quietly brought about a significant change in public opinion.

The emperor was pragmatic and disliked those who did not get things done.

And then they came up with this reward and punishment system.

This will naturally guide the atmosphere of officialdom and even society to change in this direction.

This is only a test of multiplication, and its effects have only been implemented for about six months.

If it is implemented for a few more years, as its scope expands, the performance evaluation system will become increasingly popular.

Then it will be able to play a greater role.

Zhu Yuanzhang took in the reactions of the crowd, and a smile unconsciously appeared on his face.

I felt that all my efforts and money had not been wasted.

"Besides this, we have some good news to tell you all."

After all the rewards have been distributed and those who should be punished have been punished, then...

Zhu Yuanzhang returned to the dragon throne and addressed the assembled crowd.

Upon hearing Zhu Yuanzhang's words, many of the civil and military officials in the Hall of Literary Glory were taken aback, and then their eyes lit up with eagerness.

My heart was filled with surprise and curiosity.

I want to hear what the emperor will say next.

What was the surprise he was talking about?

The Emperor has already given us a very big surprise today.

I originally thought it would simply be a matter of distributing rewards based on performance, as previously stated.

But to their utter surprise, the emperor took the use of rewards and punishments to an unexpected and ingenious level.

They did so much extra work.

This makes the distribution of the final bonus exceptionally moving.

It also makes countless people envious.

Now, they're saying there's a surprise.

This is truly something to look forward to.

Of course, there were also some people who had been tricked by the emperor before, and they were secretly on guard.

They feared the emperor was speaking ironically, that his feigned joy was actually a source of fear for everyone.

“We plan to give you a holiday starting from Lunar New Year’s Eve until the tenth day of the first lunar month of the following year, and then officially resume work on the eleventh.”

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at everyone and spoke.

WTF? !
Zhu Yuanzhang's words stunned all the civil and military officials in the Hall of Literary Glory.

Long live!
The emperor is actually taking a year-end holiday!

Eleven days at a time?!

(End of this chapter)