Novel Full Chapter 988 - 80: Official Assessment (Part 2)
Chapter 988: Chapter 80: Official Assessment (Part 2)
The Great Zhou buys grain from these countries at the lowest prices, so the grain warehouses of Great Zhou have been well-stocked in recent years.
Upon learning that grain could be used as a form of payment, foreign merchants were quite pleased, as they too had an abundance of grain. However, since grain is cheap, quite a bit of grain is needed if one wishes to pay with it.
Currently, many foreign merchants are ready to pay with grain. Last year, these countries enjoyed favorable weather and abundant grain harvests, leaving the foreign merchants with more grain than they could consume.
Annan and Siam are not far from Swamp Prefecture, and the merchants have already sent escorts back to transport the grain.
In recent days, the former grain warehouses of Swamp Prefecture have already been filled. Fortunately, Zhao Yao had foresight and built ten new large grain warehouses last year.
The officials from the Ministry of Revenue, seeing the old grain warehouses filled, felt a strong sense of accomplishment and emotion in their hearts.
At the moment, Zheng Qian was reporting the achievements of recent days to Zhao Yao.
After hearing the report, Zhao Yao was very pleased.
"These past few days, you all have worked hard."
Zheng Qian respectfully said, "Your Highness, we do not feel it was hard work; on the contrary, we are very happy."
With a smile, Zhao Yao asked, "Do you feel a great sense of accomplishment?"
"Very much so," Zheng Qian said, showing a touch of embarrassment on his face. "Your Highness, at first, we were all taken aback, unable to believe that we earned so much money on the first day, much less that in just a few days, we filled the old grain warehouses of Swamp Prefecture with grain." To be honest, even now, they still have a surreal feeling as if dreaming.
"Hahaha..." Zhao Yao laughed a few times, "This is just the beginning; in the future, the national treasury of the Ministry of Revenue will become increasingly wealthy."
"Your Highness, then more warehouses need to be built for the national treasury, or I’m afraid there won’t be enough space."
"We’ll build more," Zhao Yao said with a smile, "the money in the treasury won’t be kept for long. After the trade conference concludes, we need to build many things, requiring substantial funds."
Zhao Yao instructed, "After the trade conference ends, your Ministry of Revenue should draw up a budget to see how much money is needed."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Zhao Yao advised Zheng Qian on many matters before letting him go back to continue his work. He also asked him to call the Chief of Staff and the Vice Minister of Personnel.
The Chief of Staff is a descendant of Jiang Xiang from the previous dynasty—Jiang Muyuan. The Vice Minister of Personnel is Pei Dingyuan.
Zhao Yao called them to ask about which talents arriving in Swamp Prefecture recently could be appointed to official positions.
Last year, Prince Han’s small court was organized, but many officials were still lacking. Moreover, other prefectures also lack officials.
Ever since the scholars who failed the exams arrived in Swamp Prefecture, Zhao Yao had officials from the Ministry of Personnel discreetly observe and evaluate them.
Jiang Muyuan and Pei Dingyuan had drawn up a list of those capable of serving in official positions, but ultimately whether they could indeed serve, they felt further evaluation was necessary.
The list not only contained the names of scholars but also their personalities and what they had done during this period.
After carefully reviewing the detailed list submitted by Jiang Muyuan and the others, Zhao Yao thoughtfully said to Pei Dingyuan and his group, "Here’s what we’ll do: after the trade conference ends, your Ministry of Personnel will organize an assessment and selection process, and only those who pass can take on official positions."
Jiang Muyuan respectfully asked, "Your Highness, what should the assessment and selection entail?"
"You decide, but the core content must relate to livelihood, understood?"
"I understand."
"After the assessment, you’ll arrange their official positions and submit them to the cabinet."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"As for those who don’t pass the assessment, figure out other tasks for them later." Zhao Yao lightly tapped his fingers on the table, "Those who pass shouldn’t rush to start their posts, first arrange for them to integrate into the community and understand the people’s circumstances. How can one serve as a good official and do things for the people not knowing their circumstances at all?"
Jiang Muyuan asked, "Your Highness, how should we deal with those who don’t pass the assessment?"
"Let them follow those who passed to integrate into the community, and then assign them other responsibilities." Zhao Yao said, scratching the back of his head, "We need to quickly establish government schools and free academies."
Pei Dingyuan hesitated before speaking, "Your Highness, if we establish government schools, you must consider the teachers."
After hearing Pei Dingyuan’s reminder, Zhao Yao raised his hand to pat his forehead, expressing his distress, "If you hadn’t mentioned it, I would have forgotten. The teachers brought by Mr. Xiao are simply not enough; we must find ways to bring more teachers to Swamp Prefecture, otherwise, the government schools being established without teachers to teach won’t work."
He continued, "Regarding the teacher issue, I’ll have to trouble Fourth Brother. I’ll write to him later, asking him to prepare teachers in advance, so when he returns from the capital next year, he can bring them to Swamp Prefecture." Fortunately, he has Fourth Brother; otherwise, it would be hard to persuade teachers to come to Swamp Prefecture.
Jiang Muyuan reminded, "Your Highness, even if those who pass the assessment take on official positions, there still aren’t enough officials." Other prefectures urgently need officials.
"When I return to the capital, I’ll see if I can entice some people to come to Lingnan." Zhao Yao sighed deeply, "Alas, we lack people everywhere and talents as well." To construct Lingnan properly, more people must be attracted here.
This issue of lacking people also worried Jiang Muyuan and his group, but they had no solutions.
"Indeed, beginning this year, we’ll evaluate officials’ performance and reward or penalize them based on the results." Zhao Yao said, "This year, start with a semi-annual evaluation, and next year begin quarterly evaluations."
Upon hearing about the evaluation of officials for the first time, Jiang Muyuan and Pei Dingyuan showed expressions of surprise.
"With performance evaluations, officials will have the motivation to work, and it can also spur those who are sluggish or inert," Zhao Yao stated seriously, "In this year’s first evaluation, officials with outstanding performance will receive generous rewards. Officials with poor performance will receive a verbal warning the first time and demotion if their performance is still poor by year’s end after the second evaluation."
Jiang Muyuan and his group felt a sense of solemnity, "Your Highness is wise." The evaluation system for officials is highly beneficial to the court and the citizens.
"Also, given everyone’s hard work lately, this month’s salaries for all officials will be doubled." Occasional rewards for officials will stimulate them to work more diligently.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Muyuan and his group felt glad and promptly expressed their gratitude, "Thank you, Your Highness."
"Additionally, any officials accepting bribes during the trade conference must be severely punished." Zhao Yao said with a stern face, "When you return, warn them clearly." Zhao Yao already knew which officials accepted bribes. He hadn’t moved against them because the trade conference hadn’t ended and he wanted to give them a chance. "Advise those who took bribes to confess to me themselves. Those who self-confess will receive lenient punishment. Those who don’t self-confess will face severe punishment after the trade conference ends."
"Although the court lacks officials, I absolutely won’t tolerate corrupt officials accepting bribes. You all know my temperament; I won’t be lenient."