The Three Kingdoms: Hindsight is 20/20, and the Three Revivals of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 209 Zhuge Liang Gathers People to Seek Talented Individuals, Zhao Yun and Sun Qian Together Recommend Outstanding Talents (5th Update)
After Liu Bei and the others left, Zhuge Liang summoned Zhao Yun, as well as Mi Zhu, Cao Xuan, Jian Yong, Sun Qian, and Chen Zhen.

Because Liu Bei took away a large number of core civil and military officials, there is now a significant deficiency in the core military, political, and civil administration of Youzhou.

Although many scholars came to Zhuo County because of its reputation, most of them were interested in learning but few were interested in practical matters. Moreover, apart from Zhuo County, the other six counties were harsh and dangerous, so even fewer people were willing to take up official positions.

Few scholars were appointed to official positions, and even fewer were able to pass the examinations and be promoted. In addition, Youzhou was short of funds and did not support idle people. Those without practical abilities would not be appointed. As a result, there were many vacancies or officials holding multiple positions in the prefectures and counties.

In the hall.

Zhuge Liang gently waved his feather fan, surveyed the crowd, and slowly said:

"The most important thing in governing a prefecture or county is to employ upright people and dismiss treacherous officials. Just as one needs proper breathing to maintain health, one needs virtuous and capable people to govern a country. If a prefecture or county lacks pillars, it is like a house without a main pillar: if the main pillar is thin, the house will easily collapse; if there are few virtuous officials, the prefecture or county will be difficult to maintain stability! To ensure the stability of a prefecture or county, one must replace treacherous officials with upright ones! Throughout history, good timber often grows in deep valleys, and truly upright people often come from humble backgrounds. Therefore, a wise ruler should seek out virtuous people from humble places: some people have the talent to save the world, but they mingle in the marketplace; some people are exceptionally talented, but no one recommends them; some people are loyal, filial, benevolent, and righteous, but they are buried in obscurity. In the past, Yao sought out people in the wilderness, Tang hired farmers, and Zhou promoted commoners, and only then did the world find peace!"

"We should offer official positions to talented individuals and generously reward reclusive scholars. If wicked people are in power and loyal officials are exiled, even with ten thousand taels of gold, no virtuous person will dare to come. When prefectures and counties are in danger, no one will help them, and the people will be displaced and have nowhere to go. This is the great calamity of losing the virtuous! From ancient times to the present, the loss of the virtuous has led to national peril, while the acquisition of the virtuous has brought peace to the people. This is the principle! Therefore, it is said: If you want to bring peace to the world, you must first seek out virtuous scholars! I, Liang, wish to issue an edict to seek out the virtuous: the selection of virtuous people should not be based on personal relationships or enmities. Officials, commoners, and scholars within the territory of Youzhou, regardless of their background or social status, who possess both virtue and talent, may all be appointed as high-ranking officials."

"What do you think?"

The crowd murmured and pondered.

After a moment, Cao Xuan asked first, "I admire your ambition to restore order and morality in Youzhou, strategist. However, in this chaotic world, with the collapse of rites and music, most virtuous people lack talent, and most talented people lack virtue. Those who possess both virtue and talent are extremely rare. If we are to consider both virtue and talent at the same time, I fear it will be difficult to find worthy people. Is your requirement too high, strategist?"

Zhuge Liang chuckled and said, “In chaotic times, those with both virtue and talent are rare, that is a fact, and I agree with Cao Duzhi’s words. However, in governing a prefecture or county, how can we employ treacherous and mediocre officials simply because it is difficult to select virtuous and capable people? Re-establishing order and discipline requires strictness. The way of governance lies in ‘the superiors setting an example for the subordinates.’ Just as a person’s breath is guided by the uprightness of the superiors, the same principle applies to governance. If we, as superiors, all take virtue and talent as our standard and strictly select and scrutinize officials, then those below who wish to be promoted will strive to cultivate virtue to achieve the demeanor of a gentleman and hone their talents to become pillars of the state. Over time, the number of virtuous people in the prefectures and counties will gradually increase, and the treacherous and wicked will naturally retreat. This is the principle of a good bird choosing a good tree and birds flocking to the bright light!”

"In the past, during the reigns of Yao and Shun, Gao Yao and Kui Long served as models, and all officials followed their example, thus inspiring all to strive. In the reigns of Zhou and Jie, the emperor was corrupt and the officials were decadent, leading to the downfall of the state. Although Youzhou is remote, if we prioritize virtuous and talented individuals, the officials and people will surely emulate them. Just as a clear mirror reflects a true image: when high moral character is displayed above, people will look up to it. Therefore, the standard of virtue and talent is not only not high, but is the fundamental solution to governance. Otherwise, if we remain complacent and follow the old ways, how can Youzhou ever have a day of peace and prosperity? My decree for seeking talent advocates 'regardless of social status,' precisely to break this deadlock: if those from humble backgrounds see a path to advancement, they will naturally strive to improve themselves! If those from wealthy families see those from humble backgrounds in higher positions, they will also diligently cultivate their virtue."

Cao Xuan bowed in submission.

Jian Yong then raised a new question: "If this is the case, the powerful families in Youzhou may think that the General of the Left values ​​the poor and lowly rather than the powerful and noble families. Moreover, powerful families often own land and private properties. If someone takes the lead, it may cause chaos."

Zhuge Liang paused slightly with his feather fan, his gaze sharp: "Xianhe's concerns are quite valid. Powerful families have been entrenched for centuries, owning vast tracts of land and countless private households, and indeed possess the power to shake the foundations of prefectures and counties. However, throughout history, any court that allows powerful families to obstruct the path of virtuous officials, fragment taxes, and defy authority will ultimately perish. Weakening the power of powerful families in officialdom is also one of the fundamental ways to restore the moral order of the Han Dynasty. As for the chaos caused by powerful families, Xianhe need not worry."

Zhuge Liang's eyes suddenly turned stern: "Those who dare to instigate chaos are all talented but lack virtue. What use are they? Just eliminate them! And among powerful families, those who possess both virtue and talent, how could they collude with them? Youzhou has its own laws and regulations. Those who respect the laws and regulations will naturally be safe." Everyone was awestruck.

Although Zhuge Liang appeared to be a gentle and refined Confucian scholar, he was actually a strategist with a Legalist heart and a military mind: "When I talk to you about benevolence, you'd better talk to me about benevolence as well. If you don't want to listen to me talk about benevolence, I'll have to talk to you about the law. If you don't want to talk about benevolence or the law, then I'll have to ask you for advice on how to lead troops into battle. I hope you are better at leading troops into battle than me, otherwise Yan Rou, Wang Song, and the kings of Wuhuan will serve as a warning."

After a while.

Zhao Yun raised his voice and recommended, "Strategist, I have a good friend from my hometown, Xiahou Lan, who recently wrote to say he has returned to Changshan and wishes to ask me to recommend him. Although he is well-versed in law, Xiahou Lan once served under Xiahou Dun, therefore..."

Zhao Yun did not continue speaking.

After all, Xiahou Lan's sudden return to Changshan at this time and his letter asking Zhao Yun for a recommendation makes it hard to say that he wasn't acting on a secret order from Xiahou Dun or Cao Cao.

Zhuge Liang's eyes gleamed: "Since he is a fellow villager and friend of General Zhao, he is a trustworthy person. General Zhao can write back to Xiahou Lan and ask him to enter Zhuo County first. If he is virtuous and talented, he can be appointed as a senior official."

Sun Qian suddenly said, "Strategist, I am going back to Beihai to find my mentor soon. Why don't I lure Wang Xiu here on the way? Although Wang Xiu is Yuan Tan's advisor, he has never been trusted by Yuan Tan. The Left General and Yuan Tan will eventually become adversaries. Before that happens, why not have Yuan Tan give him this man voluntarily? Moreover, Wang Xiu is a man who governs the government with clear rewards and punishments, suppresses the powerful and helps the weak. He is often praised by the people. It is a waste for such a talented man to be under Yuan Tan's command."

Jian Yong couldn't help but joke, "You could also lie to Yuan Tan and say that you want to marry a woman from the Lu family and that Wang Xiu can deliver gifts along the way."

Sun Qian laughed and said, "That's exactly what I was thinking! If it weren't for my teacher's advanced age, I would have liked to bring him to Zhuo County as well."

Zhuge Liang pondered for a moment and said, "Gongyou, I think that when you go to Beihai, you should invite the entire Kangcheng family to Zhuoxian. Qingzhou is not a safe place after all. If Kangcheng passes away, his grandson Xiaotong may suffer from the ravages of war. General Zuo once promised Kangcheng that he would protect Xiaotong, and he cannot go back on his word. I will have Liu Deran lead the Liu clan's troops there."

Liu Deran is currently the commander of Liu Bei's clan troops in Zhuo County. His daily duty is to protect Zhuo County. Sending Liu Deran to lead troops to Beihai also shows that Zheng Xuan is highly regarded.

Sun Qian, who had initially meant it as a joke, now became serious: "I understand the strategist's meaning. My mentor is indeed no longer suited to stay in Beihai."

　The power went out, typing on my phone was a real pain, thankfully I wasn't trapped in the elevator. 5th update here, please vote with your monthly tickets!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)