Chapter 914 - 94: The Arrival of Prosperity, Return to the Proper Path

"Aren’t they demanding we follow the rules and hear their grievances?"

"Then we’ll explain it to them according to the greatest rules, in the most open manner."

His tone was very calm, and there was a slight change in his deep gaze.

Upon seeing this, the cabinet ministers immediately understood that Gu Hui clearly had a plan, and they said no more, not even bothering to ask what Gu Hui’s plan was.

A few days later, an edict titled "Regulation of Clerks’ Salaries and Duties," issued in the Emperor’s name and co-signed by the cabinet, was publicly declared across the land.

This edict was drafted under the supervision of Elder Chen Kang, with final touches by Li Gang. It was communicated not only through the postal system but also overseen by local "Investigation Envoies" and posted at city gates, markets, and village pavilions.

The notice used straightforward language, and the content was clear:

It thoroughly expressed the court’s stance.

Moreover, it clearly specified the salaries for minor officials, calculated by the Ministry of Revenue, comparing old dynasty salaries with the newly set dynasty salaries, detailing the amounts of silver and grain each level of clerk should receive annually, emphasizing that national treasury and local retained new taxes jointly guaranteed timely distribution.

Additionally, it was rare for official documents to detail previous customary illegal income methods of clerks and clearly declared such actions as serious crimes under the New Law.

It also announced the emulation of the civil service examination, establishing "Clerical Performance Exams" at the prefecture and county levels. Those who understood the law, arithmetic, and paperwork and had no bad records could pass exams to be promoted in rank, even earning the opportunity to transfer into a low-level official sequence.

Simultaneously, all new institutions would prioritize recruitment from clerks who passed the exams.

There was both inducement and coercion!

The inducement was certainly for opening promotion channels for these minor officials.

In fact, whether in the original history or in the current Kyushu, one of the greatest reasons minor officials oppressed the people was the lack of promotion opportunities.

Additionally, with the mountains high and the Emperor far away, they naturally chose to oppress the people.

But now it was different.

With the clear promotion channels provided by Gu Hui, coupled with the explicit announcement that oppressing the people is a crime, in the current situation of clear governance, this was coercion!

Of course, it wasn’t just that.

Almost simultaneously with the announcement, several special inspection teams composed of the Imperial Censor, Vice Minister of Justice, and a few elite members from the Yue family army and Gu Clan members were dispatched to the most riotous areas like Huainan, Liangzhe, and Jing Lake.

Their actions were swift and their goals clear—targeting the clerk leaders marked in the Investigation Envoy reports as having complex backgrounds and being the focus of public grievances.

The arrests were conducted openly, with evidence displayed to the public.

The patrons of these individuals tried to intervene, but faced with the evidence, the work team that communicated directly to the Emperor, and Gu Hui’s uncompromising attitude, most chose to cut their losses to protect themselves.

Yue Fei also dispatched reliable soldiers to maintain local order, preventing desperate acts or incited rebellions.

Open trials, justice served.

Absolute fairness in procedures was always prioritized by Gu Hui.

Of course, absolute procedural justice is impossible in any era, but this is more than enough to show the people!

In almost a few months, this surging clerk crisis was immediately resolved.

And with the full implementation of the new policies.

The entire Kyushu also ushered in its own peaceful period, and the accumulated potential erupted completely at this moment!.....

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