Chapter 1824: Running Short of People

In the twenty-fourth year of Kaibao, it seemed even colder than in previous years. It was already the third month, yet the spring chill had still not receded. Cold snaps came and went repeatedly, and the chill of morning and evening could almost penetrate a person's bones.

This was the thirty-ninth year of Emperor Liu's reign. For an emperor, such a length of rule was truly long—so long it was almost numbing. Not to mention the subjects beneath his feet, even Emperor Liu himself sometimes felt a sense of bewilderment.

Year after year, the Jiaqing Festival was approaching once again. But this year, Emperor Liu had no interest in celebrating. He even issued an edict that the palace need not make too many preparations—no ceremonies, no imperial banquets. He only planned to gather the imperial relatives together for a meal and some conversation, and that would be that.

However, Emperor Liu made no deliberate effort to control the situation outside the palace. The reaction of the subjects in the Western Capital was not as indifferent as Emperor Liu's. Even an ordinary commoner had passively developed the habit of celebrating the festival. Though it could not compare with Lantern Festival, Qingming, Mid-Autumn, or Winter Solstice, it was still an important festival that had begun to integrate into the people's lives.

Setting everything else aside, the mere fact that all official shops and public stores would hold major discounts for the three days before and after the Jiaqing Festival was enough to delight people. After all, many private merchants and shops would raise their prices during festivals...

As for the nobles and officials, they needed no urging at all. Whether the emperor celebrated was his own business, but as ministers, they could not fail to show some gesture. Such was the mainstream—once one differed from the masses, one's future career advancement might well be treated differently. In fact, for many officials, the Jiaqing Festival was the single most important festival of the year. When it came to licking up to the emperor, regardless of one's power and status, it was never shameful.

"How can this be such a mess?" Inside Chuigong Hall, the old emperor, lacking self-awareness, berated Minister of Personnel Lü Duan: "The Qiantang dike has been under renovation for two years and still isn't finished, and now they dare ask the court for more funds! Who made the original budget? Or is someone playing tricks along the way, lining their own pockets?"

"Shannan, Jiannan, Dongchuan, Liaodong, Jiangxi, Guangxi, Yunnan... the autumn taxes from over a dozen circuits have been delayed for nearly four months and still haven't been collected. And they still have the nerve to request an extension from the court! Are they deliberately stalling, dragging it out until they can simply write it off?"

"Government affairs are neglected, efficiency is low—what are the local offices doing? How are the officials fulfilling their duties? Is the entire Great Han government filled with nothing but idle placeholders who eat without working?"

"And you chancellors at the center—how have you been supervising and urging them on?"

Emperor Liu flipped through the official memorials submitted from below, growing angrier and more dissatisfied with each page. There were too many errors, delays, and omissions. The once efficient and upright court government now showed signs of "rotting"—procrastination, inefficiency, chaos, mistakes, and oversights. He could see nothing pleasing at all...

Facing Emperor Liu's angry rebuke, Lü Duan remained fairly composed. He bowed and reported: "Your Majesty, the renovation of the Qiantang dike was previously supervised by Bureau Director Fan Zhigu of the Water Bureau, who oversaw the overall effort. Last year in the sixth month, he was reported for embezzling public funds meant for the dike repair. Together with seven of his subordinates, he was imprisoned pending investigation, and the project was halted."

"Last winter, the court restarted the project, with his deputy Zheng Huai in charge. Later investigation revealed that Fan Ruoshui's case was a frame-up, and the man behind it was none other than Zheng Huai."

"Zheng Huai was imprisoned and executed, and the project was delayed once again. Afterwards, after discussion between myself and the Ministry of Works, it was decided to reinstate Fan Zhigu to continue overseeing the dike repair. The work has now fully resumed."

"The current request for additional repair funds is presumably because of the several previous delays, which set back the schedule. Combined with the fact that it is now the farming season, the cost of conscripting labor has increased, and the previously allocated funds are no longer sufficient to complete the dike. Hence they have no choice but to request additional appropriations..."

"They deserve death!" No sooner had Lü Duan finished than Emperor Liu said harshly, an angry expression clouding his aged face: "These treacherous ministers—has their bureaucratic infighting and power struggle reached the point of disregarding the overall situation and ignoring the nation's welfare? Utterly detestable!"

Facing the enraged Emperor Liu, Lü Duan merely lowered his body slightly and did not respond. After calming his emotions, Emperor Liu asked: "Has the situation with this Fan Ruoshui been fully investigated? Are you certain he is innocent?"

Upon the question, Lü Duan answered with practiced proficiency: "Reporting to Your Majesty, Fan Ruoshui, courtesy name Zhongshi, originally named Ruoshui, hails from Jingzhao. His grandfather and father served in Jiangnan. He grew up in Chizhou. After Jiangnan was pacified, he served in Chizhou. In the seventh year of Kaibao, he came to the capital for the examinations and placed first in the engineering category."

"He is shrewd and capable, with administrative talent, quick-witted and eloquent. After his probationary observation period, he served successively in the finance and the Ministry of Works, then was posted out to Huaidong and Henan, holding various county and prefecture posts. Three years ago, he was transferred up to the central government to serve as Bureau Director of the Water Bureau under the Ministry of Works..."

"Enough, enough!" Seeing Lü Duan's endless stream of words, Emperor Liu cut him off: "I am not asking you about this man's résumé! However, from your description, this man seems to have some ability. Without any mistakes, can he be entrusted with an important post?"

To this, Lü Duan replied conservatively: "As things stand, for the Qiantang dike project, this man is more than sufficient to see it through to proper completion!"

"When it comes to judging people, Lü Duan, I trust you!" Emperor Liu said.

"Your servant does not deserve such praise!"

Glancing at him, Emperor Liu said flatly: "This Fan Zhigu seems to have been wronged before. Very well—give him the concurrent title of Vice Minister of Works. As for the dike repair funds, have the Finance Commission verify the figures and approve what should be approved. Also, tell that Fan Zhigu: work hard. If the Qiantang dike is repaired well, his Vice Minister of Works title will be made permanent. If it's not repaired well, or if problems arise again, then he can go fill the dike himself!"

Even a seasoned veteran like Lü Duan could not help but shudder inwardly upon hearing Emperor Liu's instructions. This was once again using a drawn steel blade to spur on his ministers. This "Vice Minister of Works" compensation was probably too heavy a burden for that Fan Zhigu to bear.

Steadying his mind, seeing that Emperor Liu was still staring straight at him, Lü Duan calmly continued his explanation: "As for the chaos in government affairs and the delays in official business, I and the relevant departments have also looked into it. Our preliminary assessment is that over the past half year to a year, from the central government to the localities, too many officials and clerks have been replaced, and too many new officials have been promoted."

"Newly appointed officials need a certain amount of time to adapt, and quite a few of them have deficiencies in administrative experience and practical ability that require honing. Moreover, to this day, many positions in government offices across the country remain unfilled..."

The more Lü Duan explained, the more Emperor Liu felt something was off. He could not help but angrily interrupt: "According to your reasoning, Lü, this is all caused by the court's rectification of officialdom? Are you saying that only by relying on those corrupt officials can government affairs run smoothly, and that without them, the government descends into chaos? Preposterous! And furthermore, if someone is unqualified for their position, why did the Ministry of Personnel assign them there? If appointments are not made based on ability, then what are they based on?"

"Your Majesty, that is not what I meant! It's just that at present, from the central government to the local offices at all levels, time for adjustment is genuinely needed!" Lü Duan replied unhurriedly and calmly: "Additionally, the vacancies in official posts across the regions are still substantial, and the positions need to be filled gradually..."

Seeing Lü Duan's perpetually unflappable demeanor, Emperor Liu also realized that losing his temper at this old man was ultimately pointless—he was only lowering himself by doing so.

After thinking for a moment, Emperor Liu asked: "Has the Great Han now run out of people willing to serve as officials?"

At this question, Lü Duan sighed inwardly. If Emperor Liu had taken the trouble to understand how many officials had been removed from top to bottom, inside and out, over the past year, he would not have asked such a question. Moreover, what was lacking was not people willing to be officials, but people who met the standards and had sufficient ability.

However, Lü Duan's expression already said it all. After some consideration, Emperor Liu asked again: "Have those probationary jinshi, academicians, and reserve candidates all been assigned?"

Lü Duan nodded: "Reporting to Your Majesty, they are the first choice for the Ministry of Personnel when selecting officials!"

Emperor Liu's brow furrowed slightly, then he said: "Open a special imperial examination! Additionally, coordinate with the Bureau of Military Affairs to select and assess retired military officers! The Ministry of Personnel should also put more thought into this—there are always more solutions than difficulties. I'll give you another six months to solve this staffing problem for me! I do not want to hear or see such chaos again!"

"Yes!" Lü Duan replied calmly. Inwardly, he finally breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, Emperor Liu had given him six months—he had feared the Emperor would impatiently demand everything be done in one step...