Do You Know?: I, the Little Cabinet Elder, Regent of the World.

Chapter 56 The Sheng Family Enters the Capital! (4k)

In the turbulent world of officialdom, there has always been a performance evaluation system.

Officials' performance evaluations are related to their promotion or demotion.

For civil officials, there has always been a minor examination every year and a rigorous assessment every three years, while for military officers, it is a rigorous assessment every five years.

Performance evaluation often involves a comprehensive assessment of several aspects, including an official's moral character, tax collection, population growth or decline, justice in court, agriculture and water conservancy, crime prevention and security, in order to evaluate an official's achievements and determine their merits and demerits.

In practice, the main systems implemented were the "grinding and inspection system," the "calendar system," the "inspection system," and the "censorate system."

The so-called "examination system" refers to the system where supervisory officials at the circuit level are responsible for examining officials' performance, conduct, and qualifications, and then providing evaluations.

If it involves officials traveling to the capital, officials from the Ministry of Personnel will conduct a special investigation.

The calendar is made of paper and is similar to an annual summary. It comes in two types.

Either officials would record their own merits and demerits and submit them to their superiors, or superiors would create a document based on daily observations and records, combined with the officials' good and bad deeds, virtues and talents.

Regardless of the method, it must ultimately be submitted to the reviewing official or the Ministry of Personnel for further examination, serving as the basis for rewards, punishments, promotions, and demotions of officials.

The inspection system refers to the "inspection on behalf of Heaven" appointed by the monarch. The monarch would periodically appoint officials to conduct inspections in order to evaluate the performance of all officials in the country.

The system of censors and remonstrance officials involved officials from the Censorate and the Court of Remonstrance supervising the government and its officials by submitting memorials to the emperor.

By combining several evaluation methods, officials' performance can be divided into three grades: superior, average, and inferior.

Those with excellent performance evaluations have the opportunity to be promoted to higher official positions.

Average performance evaluation results are neither improved nor downgraded.

However, if an official's performance is consistently rated as average, it indicates that the official is mediocre and not capable of being given important responsibilities.

The lowest level of performance evaluation refers to those who made mistakes during their tenure, and the punishments varied, including dismissal, demotion, salary reduction, or extended probation period.

Of course, in addition to the performance evaluation results of the "examination system", "calendar system", "inspection system" and "censor system", it was often necessary to consider whether someone above them favored and valued them.

If no one favors or values ​​you, even if you have excellent performance, you may only be rewarded with a salary instead of being promoted to a higher official position.

Since the end of March, the annual civil service examinations have been underway.

The minor exams are not the major exams held every three years, and far fewer officials are subject to promotions or demotions during these minor exams.

Even so, it is still an opportunity for official promotion, and some officials use their connections to try and get promoted.

The officials in Bianjing were alright. Under the emperor's nose, almost all the officials belonged to a few major factions led by the six Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet. Whether or not they should be promoted was decided by the faction leaders, except for a few people who caught the emperor's eye.

Local civil and military officials each displayed their unique abilities.

Those with slightly weaker supernatural abilities would use the first-level connections, while those with stronger abilities would use connections in Bianjing (Kaifeng), all striving for promotion.

As for whether they can get promoted, apart from a few ruthless people with really strong connections, the rest of the officials dare not guarantee that they are safe.

After all, relationships vary in strength!
For people with strong relationships, the outcome can usually be decided by the end of April.

For those with poor relationships, they basically have to wait anxiously until around June before there are any results.

Sheng Hong is undoubtedly one of the "ruthless people with incredibly strong connections".

His son-in-law, Jiang Zhao, was a renowned scholar and a disciple of Grand Secretary Han. Arranging a sixth-rank official position for him in the capital would naturally not be difficult.

From the moment Jiang Zhao happened to visit the Ministry of Personnel for tea, Sheng Hong's official position was already set.

Chengzhilang, appointed to the Ministry of Personnel!
May 13th.

Xuanhe Street, Jiying Lane.

About two kilometers ahead is Donghua Gate, a fairly advantageous location. The residents were usually civil officials of the fifth or sixth rank, and occasionally nobles also lived there.

At noon, thin clouds obscured the blazing sun, and a gentle breeze brought a refreshing coolness.

The main gate of the Sheng residence was wide open.

Perhaps some distinguished guest was about to visit, as Sheng Changbai and Sheng Changfeng stood upright, looking up and around from time to time.

A short while later, a horse-drawn carriage made of elm wood drove by and came to a smooth stop.

A man stepped down from the crowd. He appeared to be in his early twenties, dressed in a plain long robe. He was composed and unhurried, with a short beard, and exuded an indescribable air of authority.

"Brother-in-law."

"Brother-in-law."

Sheng Changbai and Sheng Changfeng exchanged a glance and went to greet them together.

Because of his personality, Sheng Changbai was much more composed and bowed respectfully.

Sheng Changfeng was relatively more lively; he simply bowed politely before going to greet them.

At the same time, a servant rushed into the mansion to report.

Jiang Zhao helped his wife out of the car, took a step forward, patted them both on the shoulder, and laughed heartily: "Changbai, Changfeng, it's been a long time!"

"Big sister." Sheng Changbai and Sheng Changfeng bowed again.

"Second brother, third brother." Sheng Hualan smiled sweetly.

She was overjoyed to see her two younger brothers again.

Just as the group was about to say something, Sheng Hong and Madam Wang came out to greet them.

"Hua'er!"

Sheng Hong was in good spirits. His official career had instilled in him a calm and composed nature, so even when he was happy, he was not in a hurry.

Wang Ruofu, however, was different.

She was an impatient person by nature. Her daughter had gotten married and they had been separated for a year. When they were reunited, she couldn't hide her excitement and couldn't help but call out impatiently before striding forward.

"Father-in-law, Mother-in-law," Jiang Zhao said with a calm smile, bowing to the two of them.

Sheng Hong stroked his beard and smiled, then returned the greeting with a cupped hand, saying, "My dear son-in-law, there's no need for such formalities."

Seeing that his wife, Wang, was somewhat excited and hadn't even noticed her son-in-law's bow, Sheng Hong couldn't help but cough slightly.

"Cough cough!"

"Oops!" A cough brought Wang Ruofu back to her senses. She quickly let go of her daughter's hand and gave Jiang Zhao an apologetic smile.

"Father." Sheng Hualan bowed to her father with a deep curtsy.

Sheng Hong stroked his beard and nodded, acknowledging that his many plans and efforts had not been in vain.

Now that his eldest daughter has found a good place to go, he is very pleased.

It would be impolite to stand outside for too long to greet guests, so Sheng Hong slightly turned his body to the side and stretched out his hand: "It's cool outside, my dear son-in-law."

Jiang Zhao wasn't an ignorant person. He smiled nonchalantly and extended his hand as well: "Father-in-law, please."

After speaking, Jiang Zhao took two steps forward and walked alongside Sheng Hong.

Sheng Hualan and her son Wang Ruofu called for several maids and headed towards Shou'an Hall.

The mother and son had so much to say to each other when they met again. Sheng Hualan also wanted to see her grandmother to put her mind at ease.

Jiang Zhao, Sheng Hong, Sheng Changbai, and Sheng Changfeng all went to the study.

Shou'an Hall.

"grandmother."

Before I saw the person, I heard his voice first.

Nearly a year has passed, and Sheng Hualan misses her family very much. This time, she returns home as a "daughter" and "granddaughter," and inevitably loses some of the dignified demeanor of a woman, gaining more of the liveliness of her daughter-like days.

"Hua'er?" Old Madam Sheng's heart skipped a beat, and she got up and took two steps forward.

Hua Lan was the child she raised herself. She was not only the most beloved child, but also the one who suffered the most among the younger generation.

The grandfather and grandson stood supporting each other.

"Hua'er, good child." Grandma Sheng held her granddaughter's hand and saw that her granddaughter's face was rosy and her hair was smooth, so she knew that her granddaughter was living a comfortable life and couldn't help but feel relieved.

Whether a woman is happy or not after marriage, and whether she has entrusted herself to the wrong person, is a gamble.

And as it turns out, Zhao Ge'er was the best choice.

“Grandmother.” Sheng Hualan’s eyes were slightly red, and her little face was full of excitement.

"Mother."

Wang Ruofu and several maids arrived a few steps behind, their faces showing great satisfaction.

Being a parent undoubtedly involves many more considerations.

Especially for children like Hualan, who are "first born" and "first married," it makes people worry and miss them even more, fearing that they might suffer any injustice.

Now, Hua'er is living a comfortable life, and her parents are naturally very fortunate.

The three sat down at their respective seats. Seeing that her daughter was doing well, Wang Ruofu's worries and sorrows vanished, and her face was filled with joy: "Mother, Hua'er is such a blessed child!"

"Hua'er has been well-behaved and sensible since childhood; she is truly a blessed person." Old Madam Sheng smiled kindly, looking at her granddaughter with affection.

Sheng Hualan nodded repeatedly: "My husband is gentle and treats me very well. I am fortunate to have been blessed by my ancestors so that I was able to marry such a good husband."

Since getting married, she has lived a very comfortable life.

Not only was she spared the torment of her mother-in-law and the hardship of serving tea, but she could also manage the household herself, and her husband doted on her greatly.

Compared to the horrific experiences of the newlyweds in Bianjing, her life couldn't even be described as "comfortable."

"correct."

Remembering something, Sheng Hualan quickly looked at her grandmother with a nervous expression: "Grandmother, the gynecological expert you mentioned?"

Having been married for nearly a year, she was living a comfortable life, but it wasn't without its pressures.

As the matriarch, her primary responsibility was to ensure her husband continued to have children.

To everyone's surprise, after nearly a year of daily care, there was still no sign of pregnancy. How could this not cause him to panic?
Fortunately, after she wrote a letter to Huaizuo, her grandmother said that she had a sister who was a renowned gynecologist, and that she would introduce her to the doctor when she arrived in the capital so that her grandmother could check if she had any health problems.

Upon learning that her parents had come to Beijing, she immediately came to visit them, partly because she missed them, and partly because of the renowned gynecologist.

“No rush.” Old Madam Sheng pondered for a moment. “A few days ago, I wrote a letter asking my old friend to come to the capital. If nothing unexpected happens, it will only take half a month to travel from Baishitan to the capital.”

“In a few days, your grandmother from the He family should arrive in Bianjing. At that time, I will pretend to be sick, and you can come back and find out what the problem is,” said Old Madam Sheng.

Grandma Sheng shared her guess: "In my opinion, it's because the border region is so cold that it damaged your health when you were young. I'll have my old friend prescribe some medicine for you, and you'll be fine after taking it."

"Thank you grandma."

Sheng Hualan felt much more at ease.

study.

Jiang Zhao, Sheng Hong, Sheng Changbai, and Sheng Changfeng held Huzhou brushes and placed several sheets of Xuan paper on their desks, each bearing some newly written characters.

Sheng Hong finished writing, then glanced at the Xuan paper in front of Jiang Zhao, comparing the two, and praised, "My son-in-law's calligraphy is truly ashamed of its inferiority!"

"Father-in-law, you flatter me," Jiang Zhao said with a humble smile.

His handwriting is excellent; he has practiced it for nearly twenty years, and it is undoubtedly first-rate.

However, due to official duties, his calligraphy skills were mainly in the official style.

It is certainly good handwriting, but compared to my father-in-law Sheng Hong, it is really not something that can be described as "ashamed of oneself".

It should be noted that Sheng Hong's calligraphy during the imperial examinations remained unforgettable to the emperor for twenty years.

This level of skill is truly something that makes one feel ashamed of their own abilities.

Jiang Zhao glanced at his father-in-law's calligraphy; the strokes were restrained yet skillfully executed.

Compared to renowned masters, the only difference is that they haven't forged their own path.

Of course, on the surface it seems like just one step away, but in reality, that one step is also the difference between "talent" and "effort".

Even in a lifetime, one may not be able to take that first step.

“Changbai’s handwriting is not bad either!” Jiang Zhao looked at Sheng Changbai and Sheng Changfeng again.

Sheng Changbai also used the official script style, which was specifically used for scientific research. It looked elegant and neat, and was very pleasing to the eye.

As for Sheng Changfeng, he also practices the official script style, but his brushwork is much weaker, and he seems to be more restless and impatient.

The calligraphy was actually quite good, at least up to the level required for scientific research, but compared to Jiang Zhao, Sheng Hong, and Sheng Changbai, it was undoubtedly inferior.

Sheng Hong looked at the two sons' calligraphy and agreed, "Chang Feng's calligraphy does indeed need further refinement."

"Father and brother-in-law are right, Changfeng will listen to their teachings." Sheng Changfeng was still very obedient to his father, Sheng Hong.

Even when facing his second brother, Sheng Changbai, Sheng Changfeng was very obedient.

The only drawback might be that, sometimes, due to youthful impetuosity, he might develop a little resentment after being teased by a young woman.

"Both of you are exceptionally talented. If you study diligently, you might very well become officials." Jiang Zhao looked at the two of them, giving Sheng Changfeng a particularly long look.

In fact, Sheng Changfeng was also exceptionally gifted in his studies; otherwise, he would not have been able to pass the imperial examination.

Those who had a chance of passing the imperial examination were all exceptional individuals, selected from among thousands.

"Changbai and Changfeng do indeed have some talent for studying."

Sheng Hong stroked his beard, dipped his brush in ink, and said, "During my time in Quanzhou, I was kind to a scholar named Zhuang. This scholar Zhuang was a candidate for the imperial examination who had not had a successful career, but he had taught several students who had achieved the rank of Jinshi (the highest degree in the imperial examination)."

After some time, once things have settled down, I will write a letter inviting him to the capital to establish a private school. Changbai and Changfeng can study diligently; they might very well succeed.”

"Zhuang Xuejiu?" Jiang Zhao nodded.

To produce scholars who pass the imperial examinations, one must rely on both the students' natural talent for reading and the teachers' level of knowledge.

Zhuang Xuejiu was a teacher who had produced several Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations), which already made him a teacher of exceptional learning.

After all, the vast majority of those who passed the imperial examinations either came from prominent local families with retired elders to guide them, or from prestigious academies with master-level teachers.

Or they might be lucky like Jiang Zhao or Zeng Gong, whose teacher was simply a top figure in the officialdom.

Whether they were retired officials or active officials in the political arena, they were not teachers in the traditional sense.

It is rare to find someone like Zhuang Xuejiu, whose official career was not smooth and who continued to teach, even willing to teach in a private school.

Ultimately, anyone who passed the imperial examinations had the opportunity to become an official in a region, and very few people would voluntarily choose to teach.

"If that's the case, then study hard." Jiang Zhao smiled faintly: "With the title of Jinshi, at least your future won't be a problem."

Sheng Changfeng was secretly pleased and quickly bowed, saying, "Thank you, brother-in-law."

Sheng Changbai looked at his brother-in-law, cupped his hands, and nodded.

Jiang Zhao stopped and picked up his brush to practice calligraphy.

For at least the next ten years, his teacher Han Zhang will be one of the most prominent figures in the officialdom.

Ten years later, Jiang Zhao was confident that he could reach the third or fourth rank.

At that time, it would not be a problem to give appropriate consideration to one or two successful candidates in the imperial examinations.

(End of this chapter)