The struggle for the throne among nine princes—I really don't want to be the crown prince.

Chapter 400 He's just a piece of waste paper.

No matter how fierce the commotion in the imperial court was, the sun rose as usual the next day, without fail.

The Ministry of Personnel, located outside the Forbidden City, was so deserted and quiet that it could almost be the setting for a ghost movie.

Even the adults who came to work all looked like they hadn't woken up yet, and they were walking unsteadily.

"Lord Cheng, are you coming again tomorrow?" Ma Chaofeng, an assistant director of the Ministry of Personnel's Selection Department, asked his colleague weakly.

Lord Cheng, whose full name is Cheng Xueliang, is in his forties and is a senior official in the Examination and Appointment Department.

Lost in his own thoughts, he grinned and said, "I'm not coming, I'm not coming. If nobody else comes, and it's just the two of us, wouldn't that make us seem especially...especially..."

What's so special is that Cheng Xueliang managed to stop the car in time, but Ma Chaofeng instantly understood—he looked like a complete idiot!
He said with a serious expression, "I'm not coming either. Sigh, even though we have a clear conscience, we can't stop others from gossiping!"

The two men stood guard in the empty courtyard of the Ministry of Personnel, and shivered involuntarily, feeling as if a cold wind had blown into their hearts.

Just as everyone was preparing to go back to their rooms to while away the time, a clerk in his thirties came over carrying a thick stack of papers.

"Greetings, Your Excellencies." The clerk had so many things in his hands that half of his face was obscured, but he still managed to give a difficult bow.

Ma Chaofeng knew him quite well, and casually asked, "What kind of treasure is that? Where are you going?"

"Your Excellency, I have been ordered to deliver these 'Regulations on Rectifying the Source and Refining Management' to the various departments," the clerk said in a low voice.

Ma Chaofeng was taken aback: "What regulation? 'Getting to the root of the problem'? What does that mean?"

The clerk hesitated for a moment, then pulled out two large sheets of paper and handed them over: "Please take a look, gentlemen."

Ma Chaofeng took it and saw that the title was: "Regulations on Rectifying the Source and Refining Management".

This regulation was different from any he had seen before; it was particularly simple and brutal, without even a few polite words beforehand, going straight to "Article One, Article Two..."

Ma Chaofeng was, after all, a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations), so reading ten lines at a glance was no problem for him.

He finished reading it in less than two minutes.

But he didn't speak immediately. Instead, he pondered the contents—establishing the "Correcting the Source and Refining the Principles Bureau" to specifically inspect all government offices in the capital!
First absence from duty will result in a public reprimand.

For the second absence from work, a written self-criticism is required.
Third absence from duty, demotion!

As for the fourth time, congratulations! You've received the "dismissal and investigation" package—just pack your bags and get out of here...

It also thoughtfully stipulated a bunch of rules of conduct during duty periods, practically treating the ministers like dolls.

But does this thing really work?
With so many people not showing up for their shifts, is it really possible to bring them back by issuing such a regulation?

Ma Chaofeng returned the regulations to the clerk, then turned to Cheng Xueliang and asked, "Brother Cheng, what do you think of these regulations?"

Cheng Xueliang looked around and lowered his voice: "I have a strong feeling that this might be a case of diplomacy before taking action... Let's wait and see how things develop before making any decisions."

Ma Chaofeng nodded in agreement, also feeling that this matter was not simple.

Back in his duty room, Ma Chaofeng pulled out a history book and flipped through it haphazardly—anyway, none of his colleagues were there, and there was nothing to do.

The morning flew by.

Everything seemed exactly the same as yesterday.

After having lunch at a small restaurant on the street, Ma Chaofeng and Cheng Xueliang drank tea and played chess. The two of them were so engrossed in the game that they were completely engrossed in their game, and they were enjoying their time together quite comfortably.

The game of chess was at a crucial juncture when suddenly someone outside shouted, "The Zhengben Qingyuan Division is here to inspect!"

The shout startled the two adults, who suddenly remembered that the rules stated "Playing chess or cards is strictly prohibited during duty hours!"
Just as I hurriedly finished tidying up the chessboard, a minor official came running in, panting, with a message:

"My lords, the Zhengben Qingyuan Division has called your names. Please proceed to the main hall."

Ma Chaofeng and Cheng Xueliang exchanged a glance and quickly ran towards the lobby.

In the main hall, Minister of Personnel Zou Yunjin sat in the middle, with a serious-looking middle-aged man standing beside him.

Ma Chaofeng took a closer look, and his heart skipped a beat:
Hey, isn't this Zhen Yan, the famously meticulous guy from the Court of Imperial Sacrifices? What's he doing here?

Just as I was wondering, I heard Zou Yunjin say loudly:
"Gentlemen, according to the Crown Prince's decree, from today onwards, Lord Zhen Yan will temporarily assume the position of Director of the Zhengben Qingyuan Division."

Jumping from a junior official in the Court of Imperial Sacrifices to a senior official in the Ministry of Personnel was a meteoric rise.

But Ma Chaofeng wasn't envious of Zhen Yan at all—

He felt that Zhen Yan was sitting on a volcano, and could be sprayed in the face by billowing smoke or even raging fire at any moment.

"Now, please let Lord Zhen check on the on-duty status." Zou Yunjin gestured for him to proceed.

The sparse crowd spoke volumes, but Zhen Yan still kept a straight face, holding the list and solemnly calling out names.

As no one answered the names, Ma Chaofeng's thoughts drifted away: This newly established Bureau of Investigation and Statistics dares to deal with people from the Ministry of Personnel, is it going to target the Ministry of Personnel?
Just as I was getting distracted, I heard Zhen Yan call out, "Ma Chaofeng!"

Ma Chaofeng was startled and quickly shouted, "Your humble servant is here!"

After roll call, Zhen Yan reported to Zou Yunjin:
"Your Excellency, the Ministry of Personnel has a total of thirty-five officials. Sixteen are present, one is on leave, and eighteen are absent without cause. According to regulations, those who are absent today should be publicly criticized."

Zou Yunjin didn't even lift his eyelids, replying expressionlessly, "Lord Zhen, just follow the rules."

Zhen Yan clasped his hands in thanks: "Thank you, sir. I will go and inspect elsewhere." Only after Zhen Yan left did Ma Chaofeng notice that a group of guards followed behind him, all of them looking spirited, shrewd and capable.

Cheng Xueliang nudged him and whispered, "The people from the Infantry Commander's Office, Zhen Yan has quite a entourage this time, they're really impressive."

Ma Chaofeng thought to himself: With the Crown Prince behind me and this imperial sword in hand, I'm not afraid of having no one to back me up.

Zou Yunjin didn't say much, and everyone went back to their rooms to continue killing time.

As it was getting dark and time to finish his shift, Ma Chaofeng received the first notice from the Zhengben Qingyuan Division:

The 73 people who were absent from their posts during today's inspection are hereby publicly criticized.

Looking at the list of familiar names, Ma Chaofeng asked Cheng Xueliang in bewilderment:
"Brother Cheng, how come there are only seventy-three people? I heard that at least five or six hundred people didn't come to work."

Cheng Xueliang lowered his voice: "I heard they only checked this much. I think this is just making an example of them—they only pick on the weak. They didn't even dare to go to the Hanlin Academy, where the most trouble was caused."

Ma Chaofeng curled his lip: "Isn't this just to scare the cowards? Even the Hanlin Academy doesn't dare to touch it, so tomorrow they'll probably do whatever they want again."

Cheng Xueliang smiled but didn't say anything.

Just as the two were about to slip away, someone else came running up:
"Brother Ma, thank goodness you haven't left yet! The Minister has instructed the Ministry of Personnel to quickly send this document to all ministries."

Ma Chaofeng rolled his eyes inwardly, secretly groaning:
He was about to finish his shift, and there was still work to be done? But he dared not disobey Zou Yunjin's arrangements.

He took the document, glanced at it, and froze—

The title is: "Pillars of the Nation Cultivation Program".

The plan was originally called the "Future Scholar Training Program," but Zou Yunjin felt it was too straightforward and blatant, and would damage the face of the imperial court, so he changed it to a more subtle name.

Ma Chaofeng quickly finished reading, his expression growing increasingly grave: Good heavens, this is a plan to send young officials to various prefectures and counties as deputies, and they'll be gone for three years!
The official explanation was that it was "to gain a deeper understanding of the grassroots level and lay the foundation for promotion," but Ma Chaofeng felt that this might just be used as a "foundation" to directly promote people at the prefecture and county levels.

From the moment you were "exiled," there was no going back. Or rather, your career path was essentially over.

If no one comes to your rescue, you might have to stay in a deputy position at the prefecture or county level until you retire!
The problem is, he's still just a junior officer; his future is uncertain!
He immediately made up his mind to quickly find a few close fellow villagers to talk to and persuade them to behave themselves and avoid getting into trouble.

While Ma Chaofeng was frantically studying the "Pillar of the Nation Cultivation Plan" in the yamen, Shen Xingshi had already leisurely strolled to the familiar little tavern in the south of the city.

The tavern was busier than usual today, but the atmosphere was somewhat eerie—like a pot of porridge that had boiled but no one dared to lift the lid.

"Brother Shen! You've finally arrived!"

A young man in his thirties rushed over and almost pulled Shen Xingshi's sleeve off.

"Something terrible has happened! Brother Qiu Jian has been publicly criticized by the Bureau of Rectification and Purification, and it's even been featured in the official gazette, to be published nationwide! What should we do?"

Qiu Jian, who had been called out, sat in the corner, his already dark face now appearing even darker and gleaming.

He forced a smile that looked worse than a grimace.

This is understandable—being publicly criticized nationwide may not cost you your head, but it's a huge loss of face.

Even worse, this dark history will likely be recorded in history, making future promotions difficult.

Shen Xingshi had heard about this matter before he arrived and was prepared.

He calmly dusted off his clothes, then leisurely sat down in the main seat, looking just like a storyteller.

"Brother Qiujian, don't panic." He picked up his wine cup, took a sip, and narrowed his eyes into slits.

"Think about it, over a thousand of us boycotted court to seek justice for the Seven Gentlemen of the Hanlin Academy. Why did the Bureau of Clarifying Sources only dare to report to a little over seventy people? This shows they have a guilty conscience!"

His words immediately drew everyone's attention.

“It’s like a group of people causing trouble in the street,” Shen Xingshi gestured.

"The constables only dare to arrest a few honest people; they dare not touch those who are truly causing trouble. Why? Because the law does not punish the masses!"

His words were like a spring breeze, dispelling the gloom in everyone's hearts.

Qiu Jian, who had been looking dejected just moments before, now straightened his back a bit.

"Brother Shen, your insight is brilliant!" a scholar exclaimed, slapping the table in approval. "We are acting with the world in our hearts; what's wrong with that?"

"Exactly! That ridiculous rule is so stupid, I'd rather use it to squat in the latrine than use it!"

"It's just a piece of waste paper!"

"Let's skip our shifts tomorrow and see what they can do to us! Are they going to arrest us all?"

The atmosphere in the tavern immediately became lively again, the previous gloom and despair were swept away, and replaced by laughter and cheerful chatter.

Everyone clinked glasses and toasted, as if they could already see the Zhengben Qingyuan Division admitting defeat and begging for mercy.

Shen Xingshi watched the scene become lively again, a meaningful smile appearing on his lips.

He slowly poured himself another glass of wine, thinking to himself: These bookworms are really easy to fool.

But this is good too; it lets them hold the line while I act according to the situation from behind.

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(End of this chapter)