Water Margin: The opening scene involves assassinating Emperor Huizong of Song and forcibly taking L

Zhao Yuan nodded and said, "Excellent."

“But he treated his officials like servants,”

I disagree with that statement.

Lü Benzhong advocated handling official matters as if they were family matters.

Treat the monarch as you would your parents.

Treat your superiors like you would an older brother.

Treat your colleagues like you would family.

Treat officials like servants.

Treat the people as you would your wife.

Lü Benzhong explained, "Your Majesty has also served as a local official."

"One should know the officials of the world,"

"They are all cunning, greedy, and corrupt individuals."

"Many young officials have taken office,"

"I originally intended to be honest and selfless,"

"yet they were often misled and instigated by their subordinates,"

"Without realizing it, small acts of greed can accumulate into big ones."

"Then officials colluded to exploit and oppress the people,"

"The administration has thus become corrupt!"

"Therefore, one must be cautious and vigilant when dealing with officials."

“To treat them as servants and drive them around,”

"We must not associate with them!"

“Among the officials, there are also honest and upright people,” Zhao Yuan said.

Lü Benzhong, however, was resolute:

"Absolutely impossible!"

Even the Ming Dynasty court paid salaries to some public officials,

"But how can we stop them from lining their own pockets?"

"If they didn't embezzle, how could they possibly become public officials?"

"I can't even get promoted!"

"And private officials without salaries,"

"If they didn't embezzle,"

How will we make a living?

That makes a lot of sense.

Zhao Yuan was speechless.

In ancient times, all officials were paid salaries.

That would bankrupt the treasury.

What Zhao Yuan could do

It means placing necessary administrative positions,

Salaries and promotions are divided into several levels.

Even clerks could be promoted to officials.

These are officials who receive a salary.

They have already been referred to as "public officials" by the common people.

However, in the short term, there is a need to perform busy official duties.

For example, when levying grain taxes.

Salaried government officials would then recruit temporary workers.

This kind of temporary worker,

They were then referred to by the common people as "private officials".

The imperial court demanded that this be stopped, but it was impossible to stop it.

Zhao Yuan said, "In the end, it's still not appropriate."

"Let's change it to 'Treat all officials like students'."

"Students are immature and will inevitably make mistakes."

"Officials should correct others like teachers."

Lü Benzhong replied, "If I had such a student..."

"He must be expelled from the sect!"

"Not going to change it?" Zhao Yuan asked.

Lü Benzhong said, "It cannot be changed."

Zhao Yuan sighed, "If it is not revised, the court will not be able to help promote this book, 'Official Admonitions'."

Lü Benzhong said, "This book will naturally be passed down."

Zhao Yuan still quite liked "Official Admonitions".

The book warns officials,

Don't be greedy for petty gains.

Otherwise, he would definitely become a corrupt official.

He also said that one should have the people in one's heart.

An official should be down-to-earth and conscientious in his work.

We cannot engage in fraud or deception, etc.

Moreover, it's not just about preaching.

They all derive their conclusions from the interests of officials.

Chapter 327 Deception

For example, not imposing exorbitant taxes on the people.

Then your path to becoming an official will be even smoother.

There will be far fewer messy troubles.

For example, if you engage in fraud or deception while serving as an official,

In the end, the truth came out.

This will seriously affect your promotion.

This is a book that teaches people how to be honest and diligent.

A book about rising through the ranks and becoming a high-ranking official based on political achievements!

Zhao Yuan asked, "Do all members of the Lü family conduct themselves and serve as officials in this way?"

"Indeed, the Lü family are officials,"

“They are all honest and diligent!” said Lü Benzhong.

Zhao Yuan smiled and asked again:

"It's the Lü clan of Donglai, it's the Lü clan of Luoyang,"

"Still the Lü family of Shouzhou?"

“All three Lüs were the same,” Lü Benzhong said.

Lü Haowen sensed something was wrong.

It seems my son is about to fall into His Majesty's trap.

Zhao Yuan then asked, "I promote you to Vice Prefect of Luoyang."

"How about we investigate the land holdings of the Lü family in Luoyang?"

"The Lü family members were all honest and selfless officials."

"The family must be very strict in its management,"

“There will certainly be no wrongdoing.”

"this....."

Lü Benzhong was dumbfounded.

The Lü family originally came from Donglai, but moved to Henan in the early Song Dynasty.

He had two sons who became officials and moved away.

One moved to Luoyang.

One moved to Shouzhou.

The Lü clan of Luoyang and the Lü clan of Shouzhou

Eight prime ministers emerged during the Northern Song Dynasty!

"Don't you dare?"

Zhao Yuan frowned.

Lü Benzhong said, "I come from the Lü family of Shouzhou."

"But he was ordered to investigate the Lü family of Luoyang,"

"This seems somewhat inappropriate."

Zhao Yuan said, "It seems they still dare not investigate."

"The family traditions of the Lü family are not worth scrutinizing in detail."

This concerns the reputation of the Lü family.

Lu Benzhong was immediately enraged and stood up abruptly, saying:

"Why don't you dare?"

"If any member of the Lü family of Luoyang has disgraced the family,"

"I will certainly bring him to justice!"

"As expected of a member of the Lü family!"

Zhao Yuan clapped his hands and praised, "If it is found that the Lü family of Luoyang has committed any crimes,"

"Those involved in the crime shall be handed over to the authorities,"

"The rest of the clan members were separated and migrated to various counties in Hebei."

"The vacant land,"

“Designate a piece of land to build a military academy and a temple of martial arts.”

"how?"

Lü Benzhong said, "Okay!"

Zhao Yuan then said, "After investigating the Lü family, how about investigating other major clans in Luoyang?"

"it is good!"