Li Zhendao: "Say, this is an idea I just thought of. There are some imperfections and need to be supplemented."
Zeng Guofan said: "I don't think it's appropriate to be awarded official positions after graduation. Anyone in the officialdom knows that there are policies at the top and countermeasures at the bottom. Once you convey this order, the officials in each province will definitely change their methods. They will take advantage of the loopholes and use this order to make a lot of money. Anyone who gives money can enter, or whoever gives more money can get a better official position. Such an order is equivalent to selling an official position."
Li Zhen laughed and said, "Brother Bohan, this can be solved."
"How to solve it?" Zeng Guofan asked hurriedly.
Li Zhen replied: "Officials can organize people to enroll in school, or they can allow their relatives to enroll in school for personal gain, but the final right of assessment is in my hands. Whether and what official position should be awarded are also in my hands. Local officials, I don’t have the right to appoint these student officials. When the time comes, I will form a special assessment team and travel across the country to take charge of assessment issues. In this way, officials will not be able to practice favoritism and malpractice, and the problems after graduation will also be solved."
After a pause, Li Zhen continued: "The main purpose is to establish a school. This is the key point. At the same time, when businessmen see the opportunities after enrollment and the opportunity for someone in the family to become an official, I believe they will give generously. With money and money, driven by businessmen and officials, the school will definitely be able to develop. We will first use our influence to overwhelm the Eight-part essay group and gradually weaken the influence of the Eight-part essay. Finally, we will gradually correct and recover the people who enroll in the school. Rights make school a place of true learning.”
Zeng Guofan said: "The president is wise and I think it can be implemented."
Wang Chi also laughed and praised: "I also agree with the teacher's approach and can follow this plan."
Li Zhen said with a smile: "Since you all agree, let's do it this way. Brother Bohan, leave this to you. Select some upright people to form an assessment team, and prepare for the establishment of new schools in various places as soon as possible, and distribute them in the form of documents. Everywhere.”
"yes."
Zeng Guofan was quite happy to have solved a major issue in his mind.
Wang Chi stood up and said loudly: "Teacher, when I come to Beijing, I have to expand the sales channels of matches and rickshaws. I still have things to deal with. I'll leave first and come back to drink with you later."
Li Zhen waved his hand and said: "Okay, you go."
Immediately afterwards, Zeng Guofan also said goodbye and left to prepare for the new school.
In the following period, Li Zhen's orders were carried out in an orderly manner. Among them, Zhao Liewen's Supreme Court gradually established its prestige by continuously investigating and punishing corrupt officials, constantly dealing with noble children, and killing chickens to scare monkeys. At the same time, the left Zongtang continued to develop in the way of the U.S. Congress, increasing the number of people in the meeting, forming another force. This force came from different armies under Li Zhen. They all had their own hills and it was difficult to unite, but they all obeyed Li Zhen. Zhen's command.
Time flies and it has already reached the end of the new year.
Presidential Palace, official residence.
In the study, Li Zhen invited Zuo Zongtang into the study.
Zuo Zongtang said: "Great President."
His eyes fell on Li Zhen's desk, and he looked at the pile of letters piled up on Li Zhen's desk. There was a trace of doubt on his face. What was he doing writing so many letters?
Li Zhen nodded and said: "Brother Ji Gao, these letters are my condolences to the troops stationed in various places. Since I can't go to so many places, I can only send them by letter. You send these letters one by one. Whether it is Peng Yulin stationed in Vladivostok in the north, Zhang Zhidong stationed in Sichuan in the southwest, Qi Zhenhai in Guangdong, Yang Banhou in Guangxi, Su Lei and Zheng Zaoru in Taiwan, and Li Hongzhang stationed in Japan , there are letters. Although I thought about it a little late, and some of the letters were even delivered after the New Year, I still have to send them to express my feelings."
Zuo Zongtang was moved and said: "The president has considered everything very carefully, which is admirable."
Li Zhen said: "There is only so much I can do. Take it and execute it as soon as possible."
Zuo Zongtang asked the soldiers to move it away and left with the letter.
At this moment, Zuo Zongtang felt a burden on his shoulders, because he was almost acting on Li Zhen's behalf in handling the army affairs. He did not consider it, but Li Zhen had considered it in advance, and he felt quite guilty in his heart.
However, this also turned into Zuo Zongtang's motivation.
Zuo Zongtang continuously dispatched soldiers to send the letter out quickly, striving to deliver it in the shortest time.
Time passed and it was soon the last day of the year.
On this day, Li Zhen invited all his closest officials together.
Among the personnel were Zeng Guofan, Zuo Zongtang, Huang Shihai, Zhao Liewen, Lu Shaochuan, Shi Dakai, and Smith, as well as Wang Chi, Mu Zhongyuan, and Fan Kai who had just arrived in Beijing, plus Huang Qiang, Huang Hu, Ye Chengzhong, and Chen Yucheng. , Li Xiucheng, Liu Jintang, Dong Haichuan, Yang Luchan and others all gathered together in the official residence of the Presidential Palace.
The hall was extremely lively and immersed in joy.
Li Zhen sat in the center, with tables placed around him, and a table of people surrounding Li Zhen.
At this moment, Li Zhen stood up with a wine glass in his hand, faced everyone present, and said sincerely: "Tomorrow is a new year, a brand new year. Today, we are here to celebrate and appreciate everyone's efforts this year. I want to say thank you for your hard work. Without you, China would not be in the great situation it is today."
Zeng Guofan smiled slightly and said: "This is because the president's leadership is good, so that we can win."
Lu Shaochuan smiled and said: "It's refreshing to follow the president."
Zuo Zongtang, Yang Luchan and others spoke one after another, and the scene was extremely lively.
Li Zhen raised his hand, and the surrounding area suddenly became quiet.
Li Zhen took a deep breath and continued: "No matter what, we have made great gains in the past year. This is a bumper year. Last year, we took back the territory north of Vladivostok and drove the Russians out of our country. territory, this is a great victory; last year, we unified the country and achieved national unification, laying the foundation for the country's subsequent development; last year, our China was established, there was no longer an emperor, and the people embarked on a new path ."
Speaking of excitement, Li Zhen said loudly: "We did so many things last year. I thank everyone for their strong support. Looking forward to next year, I hope everyone will work harder and strive for their own future. , work hard for the happiness of your family, work hard for countless people, work hard for this lovely country, brothers, do it."
After finishing speaking, Li Zhen picked up the wine glass, raised his head and drank it all in one gulp.
Everyone present was very happy, drank wine, celebrated loudly, and the atmosphere was warm.