Do you know: I, a commoner prime minister

Chapter 18 Lu Wang's Past

All you need to do is cite some relevant passages from Confucian classics and then use some historical events or tasks to corroborate them.

However, Zhou An hesitated. Although this answer was not a problem, it was unlikely to stand out.

Zhou An felt that, especially in the ancient imperial examination system, the examiner's preferences were also a factor to consider when answering questions.

And it is also very important.

For example, in the imperial examinations, the policy essay questions were related to reform, and at that time, the political inclinations of the examiners would definitely have to be taken into account.

If the examiner is a conservative and the essay supports reform, the candidate will definitely fail.

The same applies to the reverse.

Zhou An was now considering whether Master Xu had simply given him a random question or whether he wanted to hear different opinions.

However, Zhou An quickly laughed at himself, realizing that he had overcomplicated things.

Hai Simian had actually reminded him beforehand that the main purpose of the test was to screen out those good-for-nothing playboys, and that it was not actually that difficult.

It would be too difficult to answer according to his idea.

With this in mind, Zhou An stopped wasting time, pondered for a moment, and began to write.

These kinds of simple questions are actually very helpful for someone like him who has a photographic memory.

Before long, he had written nearly a thousand words.

After finishing writing, Zhou An carefully checked and revised it, then copied it onto a new sheet of paper.

Although he had finished answering the questions, he did not rush to hand in his paper.

While that might seem cool, it might not be universally appealing.

Zhou An sat there bored and started to doze off until the servant outside the door called out that it was time. He quickly rubbed his face and stood up.

Xiao Si bowed respectfully, accepted the answer sheet, and left.

Zhou An then began to clean the writing brush and inkstone.

"Wild, what's the topic?"

A moment later, Hai Simian walked in.

Zhou An explained the question and smiled, "It's not difficult."

"I told you the questions weren't difficult."

Haisi smiled and said, "Let's go, I'll treat you to a celebration!"

"I should be the one asking Ziqin. I feel really bad that you've been running around doing things for me!" Zhou An quickly said.

"Alright, then you can have yours!"

Hai Simian didn't argue with Zhou An. After Zhou An finished cleaning his brushes and inkstones, Hai Simian led him away from the academy.

"Master Xu should have a reply later, and I'll let you know then!"

Haisi said, "Grandfather said that if you pass the exam, he will arrange for you to attend the same school as me, and then we can be considered classmates!"

"Ziqin, can you tell me about Master Lu's past?" Zhou An asked hesitantly.

"You didn't know?" Hai Simian asked in surprise.

Zhou An shook his head: "Master Lu never mentioned it to me."

Hai Simian said, "Instructor Lu served as a judge in the Expeditionary Branch in his early years."

"What?"

Zhou An was startled upon hearing this.

The Department of Finance was one of the Three Departments, and was under the jurisdiction of the Commissioner of the Three Departments.

The Three Commissioners were also known as the Minister of Accounting, and were one of the ministers.

After the Three Departments and Six Ministries system was implemented, it actually ushered in a multi-faceted era.

The three provinces mainly divided the power of the prime minister, and the heads of the three provinces were all prime ministers.

In this dynasty, the Three Departments were reorganized, and the Secretariat and Chancellery were merged to manage government affairs, with three chief ministers and three deputy ministers appointed.

The Privy Council was established to oversee military affairs, and the Three Departments were established to manage finances, grain, and taxes.

The government, military, and finance were not subordinate to each other and were directly accountable to the government.

Therefore, the Privy Councilor and the Three Departments Commissioner were both considered prime ministers, with slightly lower power and status than the Grand Chancellor, but the Grand Chancellor had no authority over them.

The three departments are the Salt and Iron Department, the Ministry of Revenue, and the Ministry of Finance.

The Department of Finance was primarily responsible for the overall planning, accounting, and allocation of national fiscal revenue and expenditure, including specific matters such as grain transport, officials' salaries, and military supplies.

The financial officer was responsible for calculating the financial applications from various regions.

Although he was only a sixth-rank official, he wielded immense power.

If a local area needs central government funding, it must be approved by the finance judge before the funding can be allocated.

Generally speaking, if you can reach this position, as long as you don't make any major mistakes, you'll eventually be promoted to a high-ranking official.

"Instructor Lu participated in the new policies that year, but the new laws failed, so he was demoted," Hai Simian said.

"So that's how it is!" Zhou An murmured.

But soon a question arose in his mind: In recent years, the government had been reinstating officials who had been demoted, so why was Lu Wang still in Qinghe County?

As if sensing Zhou An's doubts, Hai Simian said, "A few years ago, the court summoned Instructor Lu back to the capital and even promoted him, but Instructor Lu submitted a letter of refusal."

Zhou An guessed that Lu Wang must be completely disappointed.

"Does Huai De have any knowledge of the deep-seated problems in the court?" Hai Simian asked.

Zhou An snapped out of his reverie and asked, "Ziqin, are you referring to the 'three redundancies' problem?"

"That's right!"

Hai Simian said, "Everyone knows about the problem of the 'three redundancies,' yet all the officials in the court turn a blind eye to it. Since Grand Chancellor Fan, not a single person has mentioned it!"

"I've heard some things, but I know very little about them!" Zhou An was unwilling to discuss the matter further.

Hai Simian understood Zhou An's meaning and frowned, saying, "Huai De has received favors from Instructor Lu, yet he avoids the reform movement like the plague. Does he intend to sever ties with Instructor Lu in the future?"

"Ziqin, you've misunderstood!" Zhou An smiled wryly, not expecting Hai Simian to be such a radical youth.

"Then why are you unwilling to talk more?"

Hai Simian questioned, "When your grandfather tested you before, you avoided talking about it. Now that you know about Instructor Lu's past, you still refuse to discuss it. How can I not misunderstand!"

Zhou An took a deep breath and said, "Ziqin also said before that the problem of the three redundancies is known to everyone. Since we know where the problem lies, we can solve it directly."

If there are too many officials, streamline the number of officials; if there are too many soldiers, reduce the number of soldiers; if there are too many expenses, cut back on expenditures.

These were among the new laws enacted by Prime Minister Fan back then. Have you ever wondered why these new laws failed in less than two years?

"It's nothing more than that most people in the court are only concerned with their own interests!" Hai Simian said disdainfully.

According to the rules, only those who have obtained the title of Juren in Jiangning Prefecture and are under the age of twenty are eligible to enter Jinling Academy.

"Ziqin, you just passed the county examination not long ago, so why are you able to study at Jinling Academy?" Zhou An asked rhetorically.

Hai Simian's face flushed red upon hearing this: "I got in through the test, not because of my family!"

"But testing itself is designed for the powerful and wealthy!"

Zhou An said calmly, "If it weren't for Master Lu's recommendation, and if Master Lu and Hai Xuezheng hadn't known each other, I wouldn't even have had the chance to participate in the test."

This is clearly a manifestation of privilege, yet Ziqin feels perfectly justified in believing you got in through your own abilities. Doesn't he see anything wrong with that?

"I…"

Hai Si opened his mouth, but didn't know how to refute it.

"I'm not saying this to mock Ziqin for receiving preferential treatment because of his family background!"

Zhou An said, "I just want to tell you that the problem of redundant officials is not that simple. The problem of redundant officials stems from the excessive number of hereditary titles, but the hereditary title system has existed since the beginning of the country. How could those who are qualified to grant hereditary titles to their sons be willing to do so?"

The reason for the redundant troops was that the imperial court was unable to settle the displaced people and could only fill them into the army.

The imperial court was already unable to provide for them; even if the number of soldiers was reduced, would there be anywhere to place them?

If he were a high-ranking official in the imperial court, and someone wanted to reduce the number of hereditary titles and honors granted to officials, he would also oppose it out of personal motives.

The imperial court stipulated that officials who reached a certain rank were eligible to bestow titles upon their sons, and the higher the rank, the more sons they could bestow titles upon.

You work so hard to climb up the ladder, but before you can even bestow titles and privileges upon your descendants, someone is calling for a reduction in such titles and privileges. How many people in the world would be willing to do that?