Doomsday Code

Chapter 513: Blank Selection System

The promulgation of the Kaocheng Law greatly improved administrative efficiency and also gave a shot in the arm to the then-crumbling Ming Dynasty.

The only shortcoming of his reforms was that he did not train a successor and offended the rulers at the time.

So this is also an important reason why his reforms failed quickly after his death.

But this time, Chen Cheng and his team were different. Under Chen Cheng's guidance, Huidun had the idea of reform, and Chen Cheng and his team also cultivated a group of important capitalist forces for reform.

The only thing missing now is that leader.

It is impossible for Huidun to be the leader, otherwise once problems arise in the reform, it will be an irreversible disaster.

As for Chen Cheng, his status was not high enough, and he had no intention of concentrating on the case.

So after much thought, the best leader is Holmes.

The new reforms not only aimed to deal with the old aristocracy, but also to weaken the power of the monarchy in politics.

And Holmes is a power-hungry person, so he can be used as bait to make him the vanguard to fight against the old forces.

The only thing that worried Chen Cheng was this guy's so-called maturity and prudence, because he would most likely compromise with others for his own interests and then sell out the reforms.

That's why Chen Cheng told him to think twice before serving as an official.

Otherwise, given Chen Cheng's temper, he would have been asked to write the memorial quickly and leave.

However, the contempt on Holmes' face was gone at this moment, and the look in his eyes became alert instead.

"Do you know what you're saying? I hope this is just a joke."

Chen Cheng also didn't know why the old fox Holmes changed his face so quickly.

"What do you mean, Prime Minister? Did I say something wrong?"

Chen Cheng didn't want to play any tricks and asked directly.

When Holmes saw him asking, he looked into Chen Cheng's eyes with a pair of eyes that had seen through the world, and then he breathed a sigh of relief and said:

"It seems you really haven't considered it."

Then Holmes instructed him:

"Is the core of your so-called reward and punishment system for guiding officials to improve themselves related to their promotion and appointment?"

Chen Cheng nodded without thinking, because besides salary and reputation, the only thing that could motivate officials was promotion.

In his previous life, Zhang Juzheng's reform of the performance evaluation system was linked to the promotion of officials.

However, Holmes sighed and said:

"But you know that there is no such thing as promotion when appointing and dismissing officials in the kingdom nowadays. The officials of the kingdom come from those aristocratic families, and they often replace the official positions of their fathers.

Now you're saying you want to conduct an assessment that will also affect promotions and appointments, do you think they'll agree?"

However, Chen Cheng waved his hand and said:

"That's easy. If they don't want to do this, then just get out. Are they worried about not being able to find someone to take up the position?"

However, at this time, Holmes looked at Chen Cheng as if he were a fool.

"You're right. We really can't find anyone else to replace them as officials."

When Holmes said this, Chen Cheng was suddenly struck by lightning. He had actually forgotten about this.

At that time, not only was there no imperial examination system, there was not even the Nine-Rank System that based on one's family background.

It can be said that the selection and appointment of officials at this time was still in ruins.

Chen Cheng's face immediately turned extremely ugly. This was something he had never considered.

Seeing this, Holmes stroked his beard and smiled:

"Well, I'm not wrong, am I? You're just building castles in the air."

Then he sighed and said:

"Your Majesty and I have considered what you said, but the fact is that the world is shared by the royal family and the aristocratic families. This is also true for the empire."

When Chen Cheng heard Holmes talking about the Thorn Flower Empire, he felt the burden on his shoulders became heavier.

After an unknown amount of time, Chen Cheng finally managed to utter one word:

"Change."

"Now that we have discovered the problem, we cannot be cowards. Only by changing can we find a new way forward."

Holmes smiled and said:

"You can change it just by saying so, but have you ever considered how to change it and whether the result after the change will be satisfactory?"

At this time, Holmes used the principle of "thinking three times before taking action as an official". It's not that he didn't discover the crisis, but he chose to avoid it after discovering it.

At this time, Chen Cheng showed his big white teeth and said:

"I wonder if the Prime Minister has ever heard of the civil service examination."

Chen Cheng suddenly thought that what they wanted were officials, not powerful cultivators.

What is important for officials is that they can understand official documents and deal with local people's livelihood issues.

And his new learning can completely replace those of the aristocratic families.

As for their rebellion, this is a world where powerful individuals exist, and the royal family undoubtedly has the most masters.

Therefore, when a new force emerged that could replace these aristocratic families who lived a life of idleness and waiting for death, they became garbage that the rulers had to eliminate.

When Holmes looked at Chen Cheng's big white teeth, he suddenly felt uneasy.

Chen Cheng did not explain to him what the civil service examination was, but instead asked him if he knew about the new school he had opened in Huidun City.

Holmes didn't know what Chen Cheng meant, but as the prime minister, he had naturally heard of the new learning.

"Of course I've heard of this. It seems that your cannon was made with the new knowledge you learned."

Chen Cheng smiled and said:

"The new school doesn't just teach these things; it also teaches finance, law, humanities, history, and so on.

And what abilities do you think are necessary for a local official to govern the people?"

When Chen Cheng asked this question, Holmes guessed his ambition.

"Aren't you afraid?"

Homuis asked suddenly.

However, Chen Cheng smiled and said:

"What am I afraid of? I'm just a teacher. As for the rest, it's up to you and His Majesty, Prime Minister, to consider."

Just as Chen Cheng had thought before, once there were better alternatives, these useless aristocratic families would become garbage that had to be cleared out in the eyes of the rulers.

Moreover, the substitute that Chen Cheng came up with not only consumes less energy, but is also highly efficient and has a blood transfusion mechanism.

There is no ruler who would not be moved.

However, this means that the capital reform that Chen Cheng had previously considered will have to be delayed, or it can be said that this is also part of the capital reform.

Holmes looked into Chen Cheng's eyes. This was the first time he felt happy that he was not from a noble family.

At least now, he and the family behind him are not the enemies mentioned by the young man in front of him.

"You know, sometimes hiding one's weaknesses is a wise move in life. Otherwise, if you show off too much, you'll suffer a great loss sooner or later."

Homuis sighed.

Chen Cheng also knew that Holmes was concerned about him and was giving him a kind reminder.