Dark Sand: My Players Are All Actors
Chapter 285 - 214: What is a Factional Clique_2

Chapter 285: Chapter 214: What is a Factional Clique_2

"So... the solution to this problem is the same as the previous fifty raids on the camp.

"Quality over quantity in troops!

"Leave the main official forces in the city, and at the same time, meticulously select a group of elites for a covert attack. Meanwhile, dispatch a few teams to block the pathways down the mountain. Perhaps then, we could crush this gang of tea bandits.

"Even if we can’t completely annihilate them, as long as we capture the ringleader, this bandit problem should be considered quelled."

At this thought, Zhao Haiping’s ideas instantly coalesced.

He began his trial anew.

...

[Eight years before the Battle of Niuzhu]

This prompt appeared again in Chu Ge’s vision.

It meant he could once again test the results of his new policies.

This time, for Wang Wenchuan’s new laws, Chu Ge didn’t alter the specific clauses, because he understood all too well that obsessing over these details was pointless.

Historically, Wang Wenchuan was already a capable and wise official, with a clear insight into social issues and, on the surface, comprehensive solutions.

But once implemented, they diverged drastically from expectations.

Thus, after analyzing, Chu Ge concluded that if reform were to succeed, clarifying the administration was necessary.

Only with subordinates who were both upright and effective could the new laws be implemented as Wang Wenchuan envisioned.

Otherwise, these subordinates would twist the law to profit themselves and ultimately force Wang Wenchuan to take the biggest blame.

Chu Ge’s proposed method for rectifying the administration wasn’t complex, just two points.

First was to enhance the evaluation of officials’ performance, second was to reduce nepotism among the officials.

In Chu Ge’s view, these were the bare essentials.

The problem of superfluous officials in the Qi Dynasty was constant, with many incapable officials holding high positions. Some were corrupt yet diligent, but the key issue was those who were neither corrupt nor diligent or were both corrupt and lazy.

The treatment of officials in the Qi Dynasty was arguably the highest in history; compared to the early Great Sheng Dynasty, Qi’s officials were living in paradise.

In Chu Ge’s opinion, it was impossible to cut the officials’ salaries to those of the early Great Sheng Dynasty immediately, but as a prime minister under the emperor’s instruction, surely it was permissible to enforce performance evaluations and discipline ineffective officials?

With the incompetence prevalent among state and county officials, how could the new law possibly be implemented under such conditions?

Moreover, Chu Ge didn’t intend to remove all the unqualified officials at once, as such policy needed to be gradual.

For example, implementing measures like a capital inspection in the first year to dismiss a small portion of the worst officials, demote those slightly better, and warn those slightly better than those...

Gradually over three to five years, the officials from the capital to the local areas would slowly undergo changes, and by the next five-year implementation of the new law, some progress should be expected, right?

Chu Ge took a deep breath and looked at the desk before him.

He had already mentally prepared himself; to rectify the administration, he was bound to face significant pushback and impeachment from many officials, including many baseless accusations.

But seeing even more impeachments than before, Chu Ge was still shocked.

"What’s going on?

"These people... are they actually accusing me of forming factions??"

Chu Ge casually flipped through several impeachments against himself, almost causing his blood pressure to skyrocket.

But the game was not yet completely lost, as he still had the chance to appear before the emperor in court.

If he could refute these opponents and regain the emperor’s trust in court, then there was still room for maneuvering. His reform could then smoothly progress into the second year.

At court, various officials quickly began their performances.

"Your Majesty, discern wisely! I believe that the new law is too broad and indeed difficult to implement, the measures too fierce without gradation, not only unbeneficial to the national economy and people’s livelihood but also causing unrest, leading everyone to fend for themselves, and factionalism arises!"

"I believe that our Qi Dynasty shares the realm with the scholars, and with insufficient national resources, how could we possibly justify stripping the scholars of their due? If the people’s hearts turn away, who then would govern this vast realm for Your Majesty?"

"I believe that the new law, purportedly aimed at strengthening, is actually secretly forming factions! Your Majesty must be wary!"

"Wang Wenchuan is pedantic and unreliable, merely having a reputation without substance! If Your Majesty continues to employ him, I fear immediate troubles will arise!"

Listening to these attacks against him, Chu Ge was utterly infuriated.

Are these people trying to kill me?

The so-called "Your Majesty" is the term used for the emperor in the Qi Dynasty. A minister once explained, "The Three Sovereigns ruled the world, the Five Emperors made it their home, possessing the virtues of both three and five, hence the term ’Your Majesty’."

As for the arguments of these officials, they revolved around a few points.

Some said the new law was too expansive, involving a large number of officials throughout the entire Qi Dynasty and was basically impossible to implement, a wasted effort;

Some said the new law’s approach to bureaucracy lacked any buffer, starting immediately with dismissals or demotions, easily causing unrest;

Others said the new law was actually forming factions, threatening the emperor’s position...

At this moment, Chu Ge felt baffled.

What kind of statements are these!

They are simply unworthy of refutation!

But since he was before the emperor, he could only bring out 120% effort, earnestly engaging in a fierce debate with the learned critics.