Wei and Jin did not submit to Zhou

Chapter 223 Serving at the Feast (The End)

South of the Luoyang Imperial Palace, in the main hall of the Ministry of Personnel, the newly appointed Minister of Personnel, Lu Qin, was discussing the details of the "autumn report" with Zhang Hua, a secretary in the Imperial Secretariat.

Both of them were people who got things done, so they both looked worried at the moment.

Although the court has been relatively stable recently, with no major personnel changes, the moment when the Prince of Jin will usurp the throne is drawing ever closer.

Any small matter can potentially escalate into a major incident.

Lu Qin's appointment as a new official was specifically to stir up trouble for Sima Zhao. From this personnel appointment, others could discern many significant events, but they could only see them and not speak of them.

Zhang Hua is a good friend of Lu Qin, and the two are now serving as officials in the central government. He has come to the Ministry of Personnel to discuss with Lu Qin how to assess the officials.

The superior plan is an "ancestral law" passed down from the Spring and Autumn Period.

In terms of its spiritual legacy, it represents the metabolism and survival of the fittest among the personnel within the regime.

It is a positive and innovative approach, and a necessary measure for the normal flow of talent and the maintenance of social vitality.

Of course, if we were to go into detail about these spiritual traditions, we could talk for three days and three nights and still not finish. Zhang Hua would have to live in the Ministry of Personnel to do so.

However, when it comes to the specific measures of the "superior plan," that is, the specific assessment methods, the word "dog shit" can sum it up in one word.

Zhang Hua and Lu Qin couldn't just say, "We can eat shit and still be happy," so they had to sit down together and come up with a plan to make the "superior scheme" a success.

It is necessary to select talented individuals for the court, promote capable and outstanding individuals, and eliminate incompetent and lazy scoundrels, while also ensuring that all parties are convinced of its merits.

It looks simple, but it's actually not easy at all.

"The imperial court has seventy-two methods for evaluating officials, all written in black ink and kept in the Ministry of Personnel."

If things were done according to the rules, Zhang believed that implementing the plan would not be difficult.

Zhang Hua, who was in his early thirties, said slowly. He seemed to be still not satisfied, so he added, "I can recite all seventy-two articles by heart, and even backwards."

Lu Qin realized the other party was joking, so he sighed and said, "If we really follow these plans, I'm afraid only one in ten officials will survive. If the government offices are empty and no one is doing their jobs, how can that be acceptable?"

Zhang Hua spread his hands and shook his head helplessly, saying:

"The so-called assessment includes four aspects: first, performance evaluation; second, teaching performance; third, supervision; and fourth, public opinion. It seems to cover all aspects."

However, having everything is also having nothing; it's all just empty talk.

Ultimately, it comes down to family background, connections, and the patronage of powerful figures. But how many truly deserve these titles and honors?

Zhang Hua pointed out the most frustrating aspect of the Shangji system: the government offices and people responsible for evaluating and selecting officials were simply acting on a whim!
It's utterly useless.

For example, Shi Shouxin, based on his merits, should have been promoted to a certain position.

However, the official positions he held were entirely determined by Sima Zhao's wishes; he was appointed to whatever position he wanted. Everything was based on Sima Zhao's personal favor.

Having made contributions to Shi Shouxin, or so-called "achievements," has absolutely nothing to do with it, or at least there is no corresponding relationship between them, and it has nothing to do with the assessment principles.

In other words, Shi Shouxin was able to become an official because Sima Zhao thought he was capable of it, rather than because the imperial court institutions such as the Ministry of Personnel and the Censorate conducted assessments and determined that he should hold a certain position.

The difference between these two seemingly small steps is actually worlds apart.

As long as Shi Shouxin's actions satisfy Sima Zhao, he can completely ignore even if the Ministry of Personnel gives him a negative evaluation.

This is not hypothetical, but something that is actually happening right now.

This is why Zhang Hua and others believe that the lofty "spirit" of the superior plan far outweighs its specific, worthless "measures".

Because all that acting is just empty showmanship and pointless fuss; who would feel comfortable with that?

"This plan is probably just an appetizer for the Prince of Jin to change the dynasty. Maoxian (Zhang Hua's courtesy name), I think the autumn harvest celebration may be postponed or canceled."

Regarding the advancement of this plan, you should consult with the Prince of Jin more thoroughly, and not just think about the court.

Lu Qin subtly hinted, his words already quite explicit. The autumn harvest celebration was the so-called founding ceremony; as soon as Cao Huan issued the abdication edict, the name would be changed immediately.

Just as Zhang Hua was about to speak in his defense, he saw a military officer with a sword leading a dozen personal guards rushing into the Ministry of Personnel's office.

The newcomer was none other than Shi Shouxin, along with his henchmen and lackeys from the Silitai!
Lu Qin didn't recognize Shi Shouxin, but Zhang Hua did, and his smile immediately vanished.

"The Commandant of the Capital Region is handling this matter. All officials currently on duty in the Secretariat must gather in the main hall!"

Shi Shouxin looked at Lu Qin and gave instructions.

"Captain Shi, what brings you here..."

Zhang Hua stood up, bowed to Shi Shouxin, and asked. He didn't think the Commandant of the Capital Region should be here, nor did he think it was necessary.

"Zhang Hua, right? Take him down."

Shi Shouxin said to Zhao Lun beside him.

Zhao Lun stepped forward, grabbed Zhang Hua's arm, and pulled him into the ranks of his personal guards.

"Shi Shouxin! Even if you are the Commandant of the Capital Region, you cannot do whatever you want! What right do you have to arrest people?"

Upon seeing Zhang Hua's arrest, Lu Qin was instantly filled with rage. Zhang Hua was not only his fellow townsman, but also someone he had recommended to serve in the central government. They were not only political allies, but also had an extremely close personal relationship.

"Don't interfere in matters that don't concern you. Have you finished handling the plan?"
"Why are officials from the Secretariat in the Ministry of Personnel's office? Are you plotting a rebellion?"

Shi Shouxin looked at Lu Qin and asked without any politeness.

Lu Qin was instantly speechless.

If Zhang Hua were to discuss the plan with him here, strictly adhering to the rules, it would truly be considered "straying from his post during work hours." According to the rules, the two could only discuss these matters after their shifts ended.

Before long, the officials from the Ministry of Personnel arrived, numbering in the dozens, filling the place to the brim.

Shi Shouxin didn't stand on ceremony with them and made them identify themselves. Then, he took out a piece of paper and, following the names on it, arrested them all.

Lu Qin, who was standing to the side, was dumbfounded.

He looked at Shi Shouxin, suppressing his anger, and asked, "Captain Shi, I'll leave aside other matters for now. Just think about it: you've arrested all these officials; who will manage the affairs of the Secretariat now?"

Hearing this, Shi Shouxin didn't take it to heart. He grinned and said:
"It is Shi's duty to arrest people. As for who should be appointed as an official, that is the Minister of Personnel's business, which is also his duty. It is all within his responsibilities."

Shouldn't you know better than me who should be in office in the Ministry of Personnel?

Now that Minister Lu is asking me this question, it's utterly upside down!

These words nearly killed Lu Qin. The officials who hadn't been arrested were whispering amongst themselves, many of them wearing gloating smiles.

You are the Minister of Personnel, and you still ask me who will fill the vacancy?

Does a company's HR department have to ask whether or not they should hire a security captain? If they're short-staffed, are they going to recommend talent to Sima Zhao?

The Ministry of Personnel is short-staffed; what business is it of mine, the Commandant of the Capital Region!

Lu Qin wanted to say something, but seeing the calm smile on Shi Shouxin's face, he swallowed his words.

Damn it, you arrested all the people who actually did the work in my office and left a bunch of slackers behind. I'm not done with you yet!

Lu Qin was furious, but in the end he took a deep breath, turned around and looked at the officials who had not been arrested, glaring and roaring: "What are you looking at? Go back to work! If you don't do your job properly, I will send you all home to farm!"

……

In the past few days, Shi Shouxin, along with the minor officials and personal guards of the Silitai, has been frantically arresting people in the central government offices.

They don't arrest the bigwigs or the privileged children who habitually slack off; they specifically target the middle and lower-ranking officials—those who actually do the work in the central government offices.

This made some powerful figures in the court, who had been sitting comfortably in their positions, restless. They all rushed to the Prince of Jin's residence to find Sima Zhao and ask Shi Shouxin why he had arrested central government officials.

Arresting those privileged children who aren't officials—what good are their powerful families if they come from wealthy or influential backgrounds? Frankly, it's all the same.

Even if they were exiled, they could return to Luoyang quickly afterward.

To put it bluntly, at worst, it's just like going to Liaodong for study tours. Isn't it said that traveling ten thousand miles is like reading ten thousand books?

However, Shi Shouxin's current move to arrest officials in the central government is a matter that can be considered a major or minor issue. On the one hand, if he doesn't arrest the heads of those departments, the government structure remains intact, and it doesn't qualify as a coup or a major political storm.

On a larger scale, if the central government offices lacked people to actually get things done, the officials in Luoyang might not even be able to receive their salaries! After all, every procedure requires specific people to handle it!
If there is no one to handle the procedures, then the government's affairs will come to a standstill!
Sima Zhao's answer remained the same:

I am not the emperor; this is a matter for the emperor to concern himself with! As the Prince of Jin, is it not a bit inappropriate for me to interfere in the affairs of the central court of Wei?

Everyone knew what Sima Zhao meant, but there was nothing they could do about it.

The unspoken understanding between them must not be pierced. If it is, these people will have to answer one question for Sima Zhao:
Since you regard me as the emperor, shouldn't you offer your loyalty?
You didn't even submit a memorial urging me to ascend the throne. Is this what you call loyalty?

If you are not loyal to me, are you loyal to Cao Wei?
If you are loyal to the old dynasty, should I carry out a major purge and send you all on your way?

These questions are chilling, a true terror between life and death.

As long as I can still make a living, I'll try to delay answering these kinds of questions by as many days as possible.

We should try to stall for as long as possible!
……

A few days later, one morning, the sky was cloudless. Inside the Golden Valley Garden, the mostly young "farmers" were busy cutting grass in the fields, working with great enthusiasm.

Shi Shouxin stood in the middle of the couplet, looking thoughtfully at the lintel, unsure of what horizontal inscription to write.

"Never mind, let Shi Hu write it in the future."

Shi Shouxin sighed, somewhat disheartened.

Suddenly, he remembered that he was about to change his name to "Shi Hu". As soon as the Great Jin Dynasty was founded, he would immediately change his name, which made him feel both amused and exasperated.

Just then, he caught a glimpse of a carriage slowly approaching out of the corner of his eye. After the carriage stopped, a young man dressed in a black official robe walked over and bowed to Shi Shouxin.

"Yang Xiu, what are you doing here?"

Shi Shouxin asked with a puzzled look. Yang Xiu walked towards him and bowed very politely.

"He's here to serve his time in jail."

A familiar voice came from inside. Without even looking, Shi Shouxin knew that it was Sima Yan.

"Your Highness, Yang Xiu is innocent. Why should he be imprisoned?"

Shi Shouxin was completely bewildered by the two's back-and-forth banter and had no idea what they were up to.

"Captain Shi, whether Yang Xiu is guilty or not is not for you to decide."

How can we know he's innocent if we don't investigate him?
I believe he is guilty. I urge Captain Shi to investigate thoroughly and carefully.

Sima Yan said with a smile, his tone almost like sending his child to kindergarten and asking the teacher to take good care of him.

"Your Highness, sending your trusted advisors and confidants to prison is something I've never seen before in my life. It's quite an eye-opener."

"But there are so many prisons in Luoyang, why are they specifically targeting Jingu Garden?"

Shi Shouxin asked.

“Those who are in prison are already convicted. The people in Jingu Garden are still under investigation; the two should not be confused.”

Sima Yan spoke so logically that Shi Shouxin was unable to refute him for a moment.

Prisons and detention centers are indeed not the same thing.

These two seem to have come prepared today!
Shi Shouxin composed himself and instructed Zhao Lun, who was not far away, "Find a set of prison clothes for Young Master Yang to change into, and let him go to work in the fields."

If he could, he really wanted to give Sima Yan and Yang Xiu a good beating.

However, that would only be supporting them. If the stick were to hit Yang Xiu's arm, this guy would probably cry that it wasn't enough and that her arm should have been broken!

Sure enough, Yang Xiu put on the "prison uniform" in front of everyone with a smug look on her face, showing no shame whatsoever at being imprisoned.

"Captain Shi, could you please point out which field I should cultivate?"

With a sly smile on his face, Yang Xiu walked up to Shi Shouxin, bowed, and asked.

Shi Shouxin didn't answer; all he wanted to do right now was hit someone.

"Give me some face, it's not easy for me to beat you once."

Yang Xiu leaned closer and whispered.

"Go pick some fruit over there."

Shi Shouxin pointed to a fruit tree not far away and said.

"I will obey Commandant Shi's orders."

Yang Xiu bowed generously, and then said in front of Sima Yan, "I am a tough guy and I am not afraid of torture. Commander Shi, please use whatever means you have. Even if you hit my face, I will not cry out in pain."

"You're joking. Jingu Garden is a place for investigating cases and interrogating people; it's not a place for torture."

Shi Shouxin said this expressionlessly, then turned and left. He couldn't be bothered to chat with Sima Yan and Yang Xiu.

However, Yang Xiu seems to be just the beginning.

Throughout the entire day, Sima Yan was like a busy little bee, constantly stuffing people into the Golden Valley Garden.

Don't ask, the answer is that the Prince of Jin's heir is fiercely opposed to evil and can't stand the corrupt officials in the court! He's determined to bring them to justice!

By evening, the number of people here had doubled compared to the day before! There weren't even enough houses to go around!

"What exactly happened?"

Inside the "signing room" in Jingu Garden, Shi Shouxin sat at a simple table, deep in thought, wondering which place Sima Yan had visited today.

Of course, it's not that they don't understand the other party's intentions, but they don't know why the Prince of Jin's heir suddenly acted this way.

Just then, Zhao Lun walked over and whispered something in Shi Shouxin's ear.

"Not Wei Xiu?"

Shi Shouxin asked with a curious expression.

"It's not Xiu Niang, it's a young lady I've never seen before, and she's quite pretty."

Zhao Lun said, and then he led the person in.

I have never seen her before, but she bears a striking resemblance to Jia Chong's ex-wife, Li.

Zhao Lun chuckled, left the room, and closed the door behind him.

"You are... Jia Yu?"

As Shi Shouxin asked the question, he gestured for the other person to sit down.

"I am Jia Yu, here to deliver a letter for my father."

Jia Yu blushed and took a letter out of his sleeve, placing it on the table.

"I see."

Shi Shouxin nodded calmly, opened the letter, read it quickly, and then let out a long sigh.

"Your father truly cares about you."

Shi Shouxin sighed with emotion, finally understanding why Sima Yan had resorted to such tricks today.

Today, Jia Chong submitted a memorial to the court urging Cao Huan to abdicate.

The grand banquet celebrating the founding of the nation has begun, and the band outside the gate has finally started playing music.

(End of this chapter)