I run a training class in Shu Han

Chapter 24 Ministers of Peace

Since the new policy on training courses was proposed in the imperial court, it has spread throughout the court at an extremely rapid pace.

Although the new policy has been proposed, it has not been implemented immediately because it involves too many aspects.

This will not only affect the positions of existing officials, but also determine the future promotions of most people, especially those from poor families.

In early June, exactly one month after Liu Shan ascended the throne, the heat and rain continued to alternate, and the humid weather made people somewhat irritable.

What truly troubled the court officials, besides the impact of the new policies on their official positions, was the rebellion in the south.

More than half a month has passed since the rebellion began, yet the new emperor Liu Shan remains inactive.

Is it war?

Is it appeasement?

Without a clear order, the entire government and the public were filled with anxiety.

At the morning court assembly, the court officials arrived on time as usual.

While waiting, they gathered in small groups to discuss the current turbulent situation.

"His Majesty has arrived!"

As the eunuch announced the news, the officials fell silent and, seemingly in disarray but in an orderly fashion, found their places to stand in preparation for the court assembly.

In fact, they had already received the news that the main topic of today's court meeting was to promote the new policies of the Imperial Academy.

Liu Shan walked to the table in the center and sat down, looking around the hall.

After the officials finished their rites, he announced in a loud voice: "My beloved ministers, the preparations for the new policies of the Imperial Academy have been underway for more than half a month. I have also discussed the details with the two regents and other officials, and finalized the strategy for the new policies of the Imperial Academy."

"The new policies of the Imperial Academy are crucial to the future of the nation. Everyone must work together with one heart and mind, and the emperor and his ministers must be of one mind, in order to strengthen the Han Dynasty and safeguard the country."

After Liu Shan finished speaking, the ministers lowered their heads and whispered among themselves; the thing they had been worried about had finally happened.

Many ministers looked at Zhuge Liang and Li Yan, the two regents, their eyes conveying a plea for help, hoping that the two could keep their positions.

Although the two did not turn around, they could feel countless eyes staring at them from behind.

During this period, besides discussing the details of the new policies with Liu Shan, the thing they did most was deal with the endless stream of visitors.

Without exception, these visitors were all there to inquire about the new policies, fearing that they would affect their careers.

At first, the two of them patiently welcomed these people.

But after a while, he got tired of it and eventually closed his house to visitors.

After Liu Shan gave his opening remarks, he glanced at Zhuge Liang, and the two nodded in tacit agreement.

Zhuge Liang took a step forward, cupped his hands in greeting to Liu Shan, and then turned to face the assembled officials.

"My lords, the world is now divided into three kingdoms, and Yizhou is exhausted and weak, the weakest of the three. To strengthen the Han Dynasty, we must implement reforms. The foundation of this strength lies in agriculture to enrich the country, military strength to maintain our power, and the rectification of officialdom. However, agriculture and military strength are relatively easy, but rectifying officialdom is fraught with difficulties. Do you all agree?"

No one questioned Zhuge Liang's words.

Anyone who has served as an official knows that rectifying official corruption was the most difficult of all reforms in history.

"The key to good governance lies in honesty and integrity, which is the foundation of a peaceful and prosperous world. However, the world has been in chaos for a long time. Cao Wei usurped the Han throne, Eastern Wu declared itself independent, the Han dynasty declined, and the rites and music collapsed. Benevolence, righteousness, filial piety, and integrity can only govern the people in times of peace, but cannot strengthen the country in times of great strife."

"In chaotic times, talent should be valued over virtue. Therefore, Your Majesty's implementation of the new policies at the Imperial Academy is to cultivate truly useful people for the country, not those who merely sit and discuss theories."

After he finished speaking, a great deal of buzzing discussion immediately arose in the court.

"Isn't the Prime Minister's statement utterly absurd?"

Situ Xu Jing said indignantly, "Sages govern the world with virtue. The reason why our Han Dynasty has been able to stand for more than four hundred years is because of the system of recommending virtuous and filial officials. In every dynasty, those with virtue have held office. If those who are neither benevolent nor filial hold official positions, only seeking personal gain and forgetting the country and its people, wouldn't the world be in chaos?"

Xu Jing, who held one of the Three Dukes, had a very high level of experience and prestige, and his words were recognized by most of the ministers.

Moreover, Xu Jing and his brother Xu Shao once jointly presided over the "Monthly Appraisal," which was extremely popular. The appraisal included people from all walks of life. Its original intention was to distinguish between good and bad people and to differentiate between loyalty and treachery. It had an important influence on public opinion and the selection system of officials at that time.

The most famous of these is the evaluation of Cao Cao: "A capable minister in times of peace, a treacherous hero in times of chaos."

Although it later disappeared due to the breakdown of the relationship between the brothers Xu Jing and Xu Shao, the original intention of "Monthly Commentary" was still based primarily on morality.

Zhuge Liang chuckled and gently waved his feather fan.

"What you say is not so, Minister. I have long said that while virtue is important, it is only suitable for governing people in times of peace. In times of chaos, when the court is in disarray, even renowned scholars and virtuous men cannot protect themselves, let alone ordinary people."

Zhuge Liang's words strongly suggest the Legalist view that "human nature is inherently evil."

"Furthermore, if virtuous and capable individuals were appointed, long-term stability and peace would not have been possible, and there would be no chaos in the world today."

Although Zhuge Liang did not point it out directly, it was clear to everyone that the system of recommending officials based on filial piety and integrity had long been a tool for powerful clans to monopolize power.

The loss of imperial power led to the later chaos caused by the Ten Attendants and Dong Zhuo's rebellion in the capital.

Xu Jing said indignantly, "Then I wonder whether the Prime Minister considers himself a person of virtue or a talent for governing the world?"

These words have a somewhat serious tone.

If Zhuge Liang said that he prioritized virtue, then he was not qualified to sit in the position of prime minister.

If one claims to possess the talent to govern the world, then one is no different from those who are talented but lack virtue.

Zhuge Liang chuckled.

Even when he was still farming in Longzhong, he often recited "Liangfu Yin" and compared himself to Guan Zhong and Yue Yi, boasting that he had extraordinary talent.

When he followed Liu Bei out of seclusion to conquer the world, he devised the "Longzhong Plan" for Liu Bei to divide the world into three parts.

Subsequently, Cao Cao's army swept through Jingzhou and Xiangyang, while Zhuge Liang crossed the river alone, allied with Eastern Wu, and defeated Cao Cao's army at the Battle of Red Cliffs.

After the Battle of Red Cliffs, the tripartite division of the world was initially formed. Zhuge Liang then helped Liu Bei to cleverly seize Yizhou, establish the Han Dynasty, and complete the grand goal of the "Longzhong Plan". No one dared to question his talent for governing the country and ensuring peace.

After Liu Bei's death, he appointed him as the regent and instructed his son to address him as "Prime Minister," demonstrating his high moral character.

Now, having experienced the devastating losses of Jingzhou and Yiling, he no longer possesses the youthful vigor he once had, nor does he enjoy engaging in verbal sparring in the imperial court.

Because he knew that justice resides in the hearts of the people.

Seeing that Zhuge Liang did not answer for a long time, Xu Jing showed a smug look on his face.

Liu Shan saw all of this.

He could tell that Zhuge Liang had no intention of arguing, but if he didn't respond, he feared that the new policies would be difficult to convince the public.

"Minister Xu, when the late Emperor was alive, he once said something to me."

"For founding ministers, anyone with a skill can be employed, without much consideration for their character. But for ministers of state, both character and ability are essential."

"The Prime Minister's character and talent are praised by the world. He recommended officials without favoritism, whether they were relatives or enemies. He can be said to be loyal and devoted, and is a famous minister throughout the ages."

These words earned the approval and praise of the court officials.

Although Zhuge Liang was a member of the Jingzhou faction, he appointed people based on their talents. There were many people from the Dongzhou and Yizhou factions in the Prime Minister's office. He never sought to be a dictator.

"Back when Yuan Shao and Cao Cao were locked in a stalemate at Guandu, Yuan Shao's strategists, generals, provisions, and troops far surpassed Cao Cao's. Yet, the fire at Wuchao caused his hundreds of thousands of troops to suffer a crushing defeat. Was it because Yuan Shao's strength was inferior to Cao Cao's?"

"That's because Yuan Shao, though good at planning, was indecisive, and although he had many talented people, he couldn't make the best use of them, which led to infighting and chaos without a fight."

"And what about Cao Cao? Were all the advisors under his command truly benevolent and righteous men?"

"Cheng Yu used ruthless schemes, using people as food for his army; Jia Xu was selfish and self-serving, causing chaos in Chang'an in order to protect himself; Guo Jia was privately chaotic and at odds with others."

"But I have never heard of Cao Cao engaging in infighting; on the contrary, he was remarkably united in his troops."

"Therefore, in my view, there are no mediocre ministers in the world, only incompetent rulers."

"He doesn't know how to recognize talent, let alone how to use it."

"What is virtue?"

"A person who can ensure that the people are well-fed and clothed, and that they do not freeze to death on the streets, is truly virtuous."

"Those who can expand territory and lay the foundation for a peaceful and prosperous era for future generations are truly virtuous."

"As for those who spend their days holding the books of sages and virtuous men but do nothing to benefit the country and its people, the court doesn't have enough money to support so many good-for-nothings."

"As long as one does not lose one's virtue, all those petty and despicable things are insignificant."

"What I need are talents who can be useful to the country and its people."