The Three Kingdoms: I, Yuan Tan, intercepted Guo Jia's...

Chapter 46 The Nine-Rank System

Chen Qun's most outstanding contribution to Cao Wei was the Nine-Rank System.

Although in the eyes of later generations, this move did more harm than good.

However, from the perspective of that time, it was definitely more positive than negative.

For example, now that the recommendation system has collapsed,

The Nine-Rank System re-established a workable set of standards for selecting officials.

It can supply the bureaucratic system with personnel possessing administrative skills.

The later imperial examination system was indeed able to select talented individuals.

But in an era when ordinary people couldn't even afford to go to school,

Where can we find talented people?

Moreover, even in the Tang Dynasty, the imperial examination system was practically non-existent. Although commoners could take the exams, even someone as talented as Li Bai could not pass.

The reason for this is that the imperial examination questions were monopolized by powerful families.

Therefore, instead of engaging in formalism like the imperial examination system,

It would be better to support a group of powerful families who are united around you and govern the world together.

However, he couldn't completely favor these aristocratic families.

On this basis, we should give opportunities to the Han ethnic group.

Otherwise, people like Guo Jia, who came from humble backgrounds and belonged to aristocratic families, would completely lose faith in him.

Then Yuan Tan, this master of impartiality, would become a puppet of the powerful families.

Fortunately, Chen Qun probably didn't have the idea of ​​the Nine-Rank System in mind at this time.

So I provided some guidance from the side.

That should allow for the creation of laws that are relatively favorable.

"Brother Changwen comes from the Chen family of Yingchuan, a family of scholars for generations, deeply versed in the ways of governance. When I read history, I always find myself pondering deeply after finishing the book, especially the period of Emperor Huan and Emperor Ling."

There are so many talented people in the world, so why is it that when dynasties decline, there seems to be no one left to use, leading to the collapse of order and the devastation of the country? Is it because talent has been lost?

Chen Qun was also slightly moved upon hearing this.

It's a common rumor that the eldest son of the Yuan family is a lecherous warrior.

Looking back now, he was as dignified and composed as ever, and he showed no anger at all when I asked to leave several times.

He is many times stronger than that Lu Bu.

Chen Qun hesitated for a moment, then cautiously replied:

"It is not that talent is dwindling, but that the method of selecting people is flawed. The recommendation system is burdened by empty reputation, and the powerful and wealthy monopolize public opinion. Even if a poor scholar has the talent of Guan Zhong or Yue Yi, he has no way to rise to the top. This is a flaw in the system, not a fault of human effort."

Hmph, you've fallen into their trap.

Watch as I gradually draw you into my rhythm.

"The flaws of the system..."

Yuan Tan softly repeated these four words.

"Brother Changwen's insights are truly profound! Therefore, I believe that in times of chaos, good generals are needed; in times of prosperity, good laws are needed. And what connects good generals and good laws is a fair system for selecting talent!"

He leaned forward slightly:

"I, Tan Bucai, wish to emulate the ancients in Qingzhou and try to forge a new path. I will not be bound by conventions, nor will I be exclusive to the elite. I will pave the way for the talented and vindicate the virtuous."

This will enable all scholars, regardless of their origins in Yingchuan or their humble background, to follow this path, fully utilize their talents, and realize their ambitions, as long as they possess a skill and a desire to serve their country.

Seeing that Chen Qun was indeed somewhat interested, Yuan Tan went a step further:

"Tan intends to establish a Hall of Talents in Qingzhou, to oversee the methods of talent selection, evaluation, and appointment. This hall is not a regular official post, but a place to set rules and establish standards."

Tan earnestly requests that Brother Changwen step down and take charge of this institution! With your guidance, establish a set of rules that can be passed down through generations for the future of the world!

To establish rules that can be passed down through generations for the future of the world!

Upon hearing this, Chen Qun felt a chill run down his spine.

Yuan Tan did not offer him empty promises of high-ranking positions and generous salaries, but instead gave him the supreme power to define the rules of the game!

This was far more attractive than the positions of clerk or libationer.

This is an opportunity for Chen Qun to achieve lasting fame!

Chen Qun took a deep breath, suppressed the surging emotions in his heart, and asked the last, and most crucial, question:

"We have some understanding of Your Excellency's intentions. However, we dare to ask, how will the rules Your Excellency intends to establish treat the gentry and the poor among the common people?"

Upon hearing this, Guo Jia and Xin Pi immediately turned their gazes to Yuan Tan.

Because when Chen Qun spoke of the poor and needy, he was not referring to ordinary people.

Instead, they were like Guo Jia, from impoverished and poor families.

The subtext of his statement was that...

Should we give these impoverished people the opportunity to be incorporated into the bureaucratic system?

The answer is definitely yes.

Otherwise, if Yuan Tan loses the support of those Han people,

He can basically retire now.

After all, those top-tier families,

Aside from people like Chen Qun who haven't found a job yet...

They're almost all already taken.

They could not abandon their original lord.

Then they came to seek refuge with Yuan Tan.

Therefore, Yuan Tan had to unite the remaining poor clans.

Go and compete with Liu Bei for talent.

This is what allowed him to have a place in the chaotic world.

Yuan Tan had anticipated this question, and he smiled calmly:

"Water that is too clear has no fish. What Tan wants to draw is living water, not stagnant water. The sons of noble families, with their profound family learning, are well-versed in etiquette and righteousness, and are naturally the pillars of the country. How can they be abandoned? However, if the water has no source, it will eventually become a stagnant pool."

Therefore, this system of rules should be like the nine-rank system for evaluating people, but not limited to social status; it should be like a waterway for grain transport, with a main channel and tributaries. It should ensure that the noble families display their nobility, while also providing opportunities for the poor. In this way, the waters will flow freely and the fish will thrive, the nation will prosper and its people will be strong.

We must rely on powerful clans like Chen Qun, but we must also unite with people from humble backgrounds like Guo Jia.

This is the true skill of a master of balance.

But he doesn't participate in how the selection system is formulated.

Let the common people and the powerful people go head-to-head.

Just act as a peacemaker yourself.

In fact, besides those from humble backgrounds, Yuan Tan also wanted to include artisans in the assessment criteria.

After all, these people represent advanced productive forces.

However, considering that such a thing was truly appalling in the Han Dynasty, and even affected his reputation.

So after careful consideration, I decided not to bring it up.

It's not too late to bring it up after we find a skilled craftsman and get some results.

Even the most outdated Han Chinese dynasties were far more advanced than the Qing dynasty.

If this group of gentry were to discover the true value of craftsmen,

They would naturally seek ways to improve the status and treatment of craftsmen.

Chen Qun was completely moved.

He rose, straightened his clothes, and bowed deeply to Yuan Tan, performing a very solemn salute:

"Your Excellency's insight is profound and penetrating, with a vision for the future! Chen Qun... is willing to serve as Your Excellency's vanguard, offering his utmost service, to jointly explore this new path!"

Yuan Tan also stood up, solemnly returned the greeting, and personally helped Chen Qun up:

"To have Brother Changwen is like Emperor Gaozu having Xiao He! This is not only Tan's good fortune, but also Qingzhou's good fortune, and the good fortune of all scholars in the future!"

Hehe, you're on the right track.

Otherwise, even if I can't kill you openly,

They'll also send two bandits to kill you on the way.

Yuan Tan secretly breathed a sigh of relief, just as he was about to use other succubus tricks to win over Lu Su and Chen Qun,

Suddenly Wu Yu's voice came from outside the house.

His voice trembled slightly.

"Young Master, there is urgent news!"

"Come in!"

Wu Yu's eyes were a little red and swollen. She quickly walked into the main hall and saw so many unfamiliar faces. She had no choice but to swallow back what she wanted to say.

Chen Qun and Lu Su were also very perceptive. When they saw Wu Yu's stunning beauty, they knew that she must be one of Yuan Tan's concubines or close confidantes.

Therefore, he immediately cupped his hands in greeting and said:

"My lord, should we retreat first?"

(I'll be updating three times a day from now on, please, my godfathers, give me some votes!)