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

In the past, Zhao Zhen had specifically observed several "good grandsons," and Zhao Ceying was indeed the best, full of heroic spirit.

Of course, compared to Zhao Ceying, his father Zhao Zongquan was perhaps mindful of the bloodline of the founding emperor, and was not competitive and very low-key.

but

Not competing doesn't necessarily mean being bad!

Those who are fighting over this probably wish for my death!

Zhao Zhen's eyes flickered slightly.

Is it a descendant of the founding emperor?

I'm going to Beijing tomorrow.

Chapter 115 The three-year period has come to an end!

The task of governing a region by a high-ranking official has never been easy since ancient times.

Ultimately, it is a matter of combining power and responsibility.

Those who have power must also bear responsibility.

A high-ranking official in charge of a region holds power over a region and is responsible for the livelihoods of millions of people; his word is law.

Since it is a policy, it may have unimaginable effects.

Therefore, the pressure is considerable.

If a regional official is poor at governing, he may not even know how to proceed in order to report to the emperor, gain the emperor's approval, bring peace to the people, and earn their praise.

Different people have different interpretations.

For Jiang Zhao, it was nothing more than clean governance, simple administration, and clear rewards and punishments.

Simply put, he has no shortage of capable people under his command.

Many of them were even famous historical figures.

Zhang Heng, Zhang Dun, Zeng Bu, and Su Zhe were all capable of becoming prime ministers.

Su Shi, Shen Kuo, Xue Xiang, and others, if not the talents of prime ministers, at least had the potential to govern a region.

Gu Tingye and Wang Shao were both brilliant military commanders.

Zhong E also possessed the qualities of a great general.

If there is no shortage of talent, officials are honest and the government is simple, and a good political environment is maintained so that subordinates do not engage in internal strife and political infighting, then the government will naturally be efficient and the people will be harmonious.

Ultimately, which official doesn't aspire to benefit the people?

Generally speaking, officials must manage both governance and political struggle.

If the political environment is unfavorable, people will be forced to focus on political infighting, thus consuming a lot of energy in these struggles and leaving them with no time for governing.

Now, with Jiang Zhao in power, his subordinates are all former officials and cronies.

The immediate supervisor maintains a healthy political environment, with clear rewards and punishments, and is surrounded by cronies.

Xihe Road is a newly built road, without too many messy local connections.

In this way, there is no need for pointless political infighting, and no need to waste too much energy. People can then focus on governing, benefiting the people, and expanding their future.

Since the eighth year of the Jiayou reign, the Xihe region has been united in purpose and diligent in its governance, resulting in a harmonious and efficient society.

Time flies like an arrow.

Two and a half years have passed in the blink of an eye.

It was the end of the twelfth lunar month in the second year of the Zhiping era.

Plum blossoms reflect the snow, and frost adorns the branches.

Jiang Zhao, dressed in a fur coat, walked through the snow.

"Big brother, are you out of school?"

"Ah."

Light footsteps sounded, growing heavier and closer.

"Father."

"Father."

Two children, one big and one small, dressed in brocade robes.

The older one is about seven years old, and the younger one is about three years old.

Afterwards, the two maids stood about ten paces apart and bowed respectfully.

"School ended at 9:00 AM?"

Jiang Zhao turned around, stepped forward, patted the two children's heads, and asked a question in a calm manner.

"The event is over," Jiang Huaijin explained.

The school closes for the holidays.

At the age of seven, Jiang Huaijin had already begun his education, gradually learning to read and write.

Xizhou was the seat of a circuit, and after several years of governance, it had become quite prosperous, with many famous private schools.

As arranged by Jiang Zhao, Jiang Huaijin enrolled in a nearby private school to study literature.

The private tutor was an elderly scholar who had spent his life dreaming of entering officialdom.

With decades of accumulated knowledge, his academic performance is naturally quite good.

"Study when you should study, play when you should play. Since it's the end of the course, then relax and have fun," Jiang Zhaowen said gently.

The eldest son, Huaijin, was far less talented than him.

However, the gene for reading is still quite strong.

At the age of seven, he already knew a thousand characters and could recite nearly a hundred poems and prose from memory.

With proper guidance, studying for the imperial examinations and becoming an official is not a difficult task.

"Mm." Seven-year-old Jiang Huaijin nodded seriously.

"Heng'er, how are you doing with your writing?" Jiang Zhao asked his second son.

The second son, Jiang Heng, was Shulan's child.

We are still in the early stages of enlightenment.

“I recognize them—” Jiang Heng counted on his fingers and replied uncertainly, “Dozens of them, I guess.”

Jiang Zhao smiled warmly and patted his second son's head.

"It's cold outside, let's all go warm ourselves by the fire," Jiang Zhao waved his hand.

The two children bowed in unison and then walked into the inner courtyard one after the other.

"Second brother, let's go find third brother."

"it is good."

The two children's quiet conversation drew Jiang Zhao's attention.

Now, he has three children!

The third son, Jiang Xun, was only one and a half years old and was born to his wife, Hua Lan.

Jiang Zhao sighed and walked toward the government office with his hands behind his back.

I'm getting old!

He's almost twenty-seven!

In a few years, he might even be able to call himself "this old man".

The Pacification Commissioner's Office and the Deputy Pacification Commissioner's Office.

At the head of the table, Jiang Zhao held a vermilion brush and silently wrote down instructions.

People kept coming in, and guided by Zhang Zai, the official in charge, and his page Hesheng, they took their seats on the left and right.

After about an incense stick's time, Jiang Zhao looked up and glanced around.

Zhang Heng, Zhang Dun, Su Shi, Su Zhe, Zeng Bu, Han Jiayan, Xue Xiang, Shen Kuo, Gu Tingye, Wang Shao.

From left to right, more than sixty officials, including the chief officials of the yamen, the chief officials of the prefectures and counties, the officials in charge of education, and the officials in charge of military affairs, gathered together.

Without exception, all of these people were officials of the sixth rank or above.

Apart from officials like the prefectural vice-prefect and the vice-prefectural vice-prefect, who held "low rank but high power," the vast majority of officials wore red robes.

After all, in a single prefecture, the prefect, the assistant prefect, and the prefectural militia leader are all fifth-rank officials in red robes.

Locally, there are relatively few officials in red robes, but not as few as one might imagine.

The Xihe Circuit encompasses eight prefectures, and there are twenty-four officials of the fifth rank or above in these prefectures and counties alone.

In addition, many of the officials in the four major government offices along the route were of the fifth rank or above.

With everyone present, Jiang Zhao gently placed the vermilion brush on the inkstone and looked down with a serious expression.

Historically, there has been a custom of "annual assessments" in officialdom, the difference being the different ways of saying it.

The so-called annual report, or "annual summary," was a report by state and county officials on tax collection, population changes, and criminal matters during their term of office. The content of the report would become an important basis for performance evaluation.

Those who excel often have the opportunity for promotion.

Those who are less capable may be impeached, dismissed from office, or demoted.

Generally speaking, the annual examinations are only held at the prefecture and county level.

The prefectures and counties held their annual assessments, and the contents were reported to the local administrative office. After verification, the office reported the findings to the three ministries and six departments.

However, there are exceptions.

When it comes to matters involving major performance evaluations and significant reductions in the number of officials, annual assessments at the county level may be held.

The triennial performance evaluation, which involves significant adjustments to the top officials of prefectures and counties, naturally necessitates the holding of annual assessments at the circuit level.

Three years have passed since Jiang Zhao took office in Xihe.

A few months later, after the spring imperial examination, the triennial performance evaluation will take place.

This gathering concerns the selection of officials.

"Some news has come from Bianjing."

Jiang Zhao leaned back slightly and said calmly, "The Emperor has appointed me to serve in the capital. If nothing unexpected happens, Zhang Fangping, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, will be transferred to the position of Pacification Commissioner of Xihe Road, and I will be transferred to the position of Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel."

These words shocked dozens of officials.

"Congratulations, Your Excellency, on your promotion to the Ministry of Personnel."

I don't know who shouted.

One sentence suddenly stirred up the atmosphere.

"Congratulations, Your Excellency, on your promotion to the Ministry of Personnel!"

"Congratulations, Your Excellency, on your promotion to the Ministry of Personnel!"

"Congratulations, Your Excellency, on your promotion to the Ministry of Personnel!"

Congratulations were heard incessantly.

Jiang Zhao pressed his hand down.

For a moment, there was complete silence!

"It is simply because of His Majesty's great favor!"

His humble tone did nothing to dampen the excitement of those below.

This is the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel!

The Ministry of Personnel, which was in charge of personnel matters, had always been the head of the six ministries, and the Minister of Personnel was even known as the "Heavenly Official of the Ministry of Personnel".

The Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel was the third-highest-ranking official in the ministry, wielding considerable power.