Chapter 811

Qin Feng's this binding combo technique is quite ahead of its time.

It basically doesn't even seem like a product of this era.

The reason is simply two points: Qin Feng this guy is not exactly a pure-hearted sort, and besides, having hung out with Chen Wuji for a long time, his thinking inevitably changes; such cross-era things naturally become reasonable.

"I agree with your method, but this makes things complicated." Chen Wuji's expression grave, "The before-and-after joints must be handled carefully; since it's something promised to the people, there must be no sloppiness whatsoever."

"Hezhou has just been settled, the people's hearts have just returned; if the government breaks faith with the people at this time, the consequences will be troublesome."

Upon hearing this, Qin Feng put away his flamboyant posture, "My lord, rest assured, I will personally oversee all matters on the straight road."

Although not a hundred percent guarantee, Chen Wuji understands this guy quite well.

Saying he will definitely finish, guaranteeing no mistakes—this guy feels embarrassed, can't open his mouth.

Being able to say such a sentence already counts as him trying hard.

Speaking of this, Chen Wuji suddenly thought of something.

It seems necessary to prepare some things to increase the initiative of local officials.

Cannot have Nan Jun already changed heaven and earth, yet still be the previous lifeless atmosphere where nobody dares to act, everyone fears making mistakes, just wanting to go through the motions to collect their salary.

In the Da Yu dynasty, official performance is merely one standard for evaluating officials, and now it's even ranked at the bottom, hardly anyone pays attention to it.

Family background and connections are placed in the top tier.

Those with family background, or backed by big figures above, can casually stroll for half a year to a year and then quickly rise, just gilding themselves before moving up.

Whereas ordinary poor scholars or farmers' children, if they lack the skill to curry favor with superiors, may spend a lifetime in a government office.

Those in the second tier are good at making money, flattering, and ingratiating themselves with superiors.

As long as the tribute to superiors is satisfactory, promotion is also possible.

In Da Yu, above are aristocratic clans, below are wealthy powerful families; the whole world is a nest of small circles inside big circles, layers upon layers, forces intertwined like tangled roots.

Over eighty percent of their offspring are destined to enter officialdom; with them blocking the way, those who have studied hard in cold windows for over ten years, finally changing their fate, basically none can break out of the encirclement.

This group hardly has any say in the court.

As for the outside world, Chen Wuji currently can't control it, nor does he have that ability.

But in Nan Jun, from now on it must and can only be based on merit.

This upward channel needs to be opened.

Chen Wuji stepped with both feet on the newly built straight road, eyes deep in thought, he scratched the ground with his hand, "Old Qin, you've been garrisoning Hezhou for a while now; tell me how the officials there are?"

Qin Feng was stunned, "What does this road have to do with officials?"

"What relation could there be?" Chen Wuji lifted his head.

The question sounded utterly bewildering.

"I also want to know, but look at the road and ask about officials," Qin Feng said.

Chen Wuji's expression froze slightly, then he reacted, "I'm just checking how this road was built; I'm asking about something else—you say what you need to say."

"I almost got scared to death; I thought you were going to tie this road to Hezhou officials. No, actually they are already tied together—it's just that you asked in a strange way." Qin Feng waved his hand, he almost got himself tangled up in it.

"..."

Chen Wuji suspected Qin Feng might be getting old.

Can't even figure out this little thing?

"Hezhou officials..." Qin Feng pondered briefly, "Now they can be described as quite good."

Chen Wuji looked at him calmly, waiting for his continuation.

After waiting a while, this guy still didn't speak again.

"Just that?"

"Yeah, really quite good."

Chen Wuji's murderous gaze could no longer be hidden, "I want to hear what's good, what's not good, and what needs improvement!"

If he couldn't beat him, he would really want to learn some martial arts now.

Anyway, the Zhongyuan Dynasty had been popular for fighting for several decades.

"This..." Qin Feng muttered, this time he finally gave it serious thought.

"First, the good points: although most of Hezhou's officials are old-timers, after the lord's sweeping reforms, their outlook has completely changed."

"Not mentioning the distant, just based on their fear of execution, these people have shed many bad habits; previously they would recklessly stuff things into their pockets, now they are cautious, hardly ever doing that."

"Accepting bribes still exists, but nobody dares to do it openly anymore; even the lowest clerks, civil and military, dare not casually slip people in."

"In other aspects, overall they can be described as steady and conscientious. These people now work, the two words they most dread are 'mistake'; aside from my personal supervision time as prefect being a bit less, the rest of the staff always lead by example."

Chen Wuji chuckled lightly, this guy's self-assessment is quite accurate.

"Because they fear me and thus are conscientious, not daring to overstep, this is good, but not long-lasting." Chen Wuji pondered, slightly nodding, "For now it's only Nan Jun; elsewhere we have our direct lineage troops stationed, they indeed dare not act recklessly, but eventually there will come the day of 'high mountains, distant emperor'."

Qin Feng suddenly turned his head, pupils narrowing, excitedly asking, "My lord, you mean..."

"Hold on, I have no meaning, just giving an example!" Chen Wuji immediately raised his hand.

Previously Xu Zengyi was a firm rebel; whenever there was any talking point, he could smoothly shift to the topic of rebellion and then frenziedly devise plans.

Now Xu Zengyi speaks less, while Qin Feng has become the steadfast rebel.

Qin Feng chuckled, "I didn't say anything, I just really want to be a minister who follows the dragon."

Chen Wuji stared speechlessly at Qin Feng.

Qin Feng chuckled, his demeanor calm and natural, continuing the previous topic, "My lord, are you planning to change your way of governing subordinates?"

"Although your wording is a bit crude, it's basically the same meaning." Chen Wuji said, "My deterrence is ultimately only temporary; Nan Jun needs a code that makes local officials voluntarily do these things. Relying solely on my opinion, the implementation of laws will inevitably be lacking; you now oversee Hezhou's administration, take some time to carefully consider and draft a code."

Chen Wuji actually already had a rough plan in mind; without a doubt, we must inherit the Qin system.

The Qin system, which runs through the entirety of Huaxia's feudal dynasties, is truly the soul.

Although later dynasties kept changing their systems, the core of all dynasties remained the Qin system; they merely adjusted details according to local conditions and times.