NOVEL WEB Chapter 67
After the two generals had left, Heshen arrived, bringing a young man with him.
Lin Beifan greeted them with a smile, “Minister, how is the recruitment going?”
Heshen bowed respectfully and said, “I report to Your Majesty, after the posting of the recruitment notice, the response has been remarkable, with a multitude of talented individuals coming forward to offer their services. Currently, there are over ten thousand self-recommended talents! However, I took the liberty of turning away those who cannot read or write, and I ask for Your Majesty’s forgiveness for this presumption.”
Lin Beifan nodded, “You have done well, what fault is there to speak of? It is I who did not consider this thoroughly!”
“Thank you, Your Majesty, for your forgiveness!” Heshen bowed again.
It must be said that Heshen had a knack for officialdom.
“And who is this young man?” Lin Beifan inquired.
“I report to Your Majesty, this is a talent recommended by myself,”
Heshen said with a smile. “This man is named Li Linfu, and he holds no official position. However, when I was promoting the sale of cement houses, he took the initiative to help. He is well-educated, diligent in his work, meticulous, and thorough, earning high praise from the people. Your Majesty has said that there is no need to meet the virtuous personally, so I took the liberty of recommending this man to Your Majesty!”
“Li Linfu?” Lin Beifan was taken aback, the name sounded so familiar!Could it be the infamous grand villain from history, Li Linfu? (TLN: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Li_Linfu)
That man who flattered those above and deceived those below with honeyed words but a sword in his belly?
The notorious corrupt official who had been recommended by the equally infamous grand villain!
Li Linfu felt uneasy under Lin Beifan’s gaze and, after coughing once, he clasped his hands in salute: “This humble citizen, Li Linfu, pays his respects to Your Majesty. Long live, long live, long live the Emperor!”
“No need for such formalities!”
Lin Beifan said with a smile: “Since the Minister has spoken of your talents, then I shall test you! If you pass my examination, you will certainly be entrusted with a significant duty!”
“Thank you, Your Majesty, for granting this humble commoner this opportunity. Please pose your question!” Li Linfu bowed again.
Then, Lin Beifan posed several questions, and the other party answered each one fluently, with thorough consideration, truly demonstrating the talents of a capable person.
Moreover, throughout this process, the other party always greeted everyone with a smile, giving off a feeling as refreshing as a spring breeze and very comfortable to be around.
“The final question!”
Lin Beifan said with a smile: “If my command goes against justice and is contrary to the interests of the people, what should you do? I want to hear the truth. You must answer honestly and not deceive!”
“Your Majesty, there is a problem with this question!” Li Linfu said.
Lin Beifan was taken aback: “A problem?”
Li Linfu spoke with emphatic conviction: “Your Majesty, you are the sovereign of today, your command is justice itself, and your will is the will of the people. How could it possibly go against justice or be contrary to the interests of the people? Therefore, this question simply does not logical!”
Lin Beifan praised Long Yan with great joy, “Well said! Our Xia Kingdom needs talents like you!”
Look, this is Li Linfu, no doubt about it!
His mouth is as sweet as honey, on par with the most skilled flatterer, Heshen!
With him around, the mood is always much lighter!
Lin Beifan continued, “I have observed that you are well-read and articulate, with an extraordinary manner of speaking. Therefore, I hereby appoint you as a Supervisor in the Ministry of Rites, an official of the fifth rank!”
“At present, the Ministry of Rites is short-staffed! Thus, for the time being, you will be in charge of the Ministry’s affairs! Perform well, work hard, and if you do well, the position of Minister of the Ministry of Rites will be yours!”
Li Linfu was overjoyed: “Thank you, Your Majesty, for your great kindness! I shall dedicate myself to my duties, ceaselessly, until death!”
At this moment, Lin Beifan fell into deep thought.
These historically infamous corrupt officials and treacherous courtiers, it seemed, had all gathered around him without prior arrangement.
Could it be that he was a great foolish emperor, which was why he had attracted them?
Lin Beifan felt that this should not be the case; it must be a coincidence.
He is a wise and valiant sovereign.
To verify his own conjecture, Lin Beifan called out, “Heshen, summon those who have recommended themselves for the positions. Now that we have some time, I want to interview them personally!”
“Yes, Your Majesty!” Heshen responded to the order.
Lin Beifan then said, “Minister Li, you are now the Supervisor of the Ministry of Rites, responsible for the recruitment of talent. Stay and observe!”
“Thank you, Your Majesty, for granting your humble servant this rare opportunity!” Li Linfu said, moved to tears.
……
A quarter of an hour later, a scholar entered.
Lin Beifan took one look and nodded in satisfaction, “Good, you clearly are well-read, full of knowledge. I hope your performance will not disappoint me later!”
The scholar was overjoyed, having gained the Emperor’s favor with just one glance. He was determined to perform well and strive for a significant position.
Lin Beifan asked several questions in succession, and the scholar answered each one fluently, citing classics and authorities.
Lin Beifan was quite satisfied and said, “I will ask you one final question. If you can answer this, you will have the opportunity to enter the court and serve as an official!”
The scholar was overjoyed again and said, “Your Majesty, please pose the question!”
“If my command goes against the principles of law and is contrary to the interests of the people, what should you do? I want to hear the truth. Answer truthfully and do not deceive!” Lin Beifan asked with a smile.
The scholar immediately cited the classics, “Your Majesty, why even ask? The sage has said: ‘When the emperor breaks the law, he shall be judged as a commoner!’ If your opinion, Your Majesty, contradicts the principles of law, then we must certainly prioritize the law!”
“The sage also said: ‘The people are the most important, the state is next, the ruler is the least important!’ The sage has told us that the people are of utmost importance! Therefore, the opinion of the people is the opinion of the king!”
“So, if a student enters the court to become an official, he must always advise His Majesty to govern according to the law and to take the opinions of the people as a guideline, assisting His Majesty in becoming a sage ruler whose name will be celebrated through the ages!”
“Well said!” Lin Beifan clapped his hands and exclaimed.
The scholar was ecstatic, convinced he had spoken correctly and that he would surely be heavily relied upon by His Majesty!
My spring is coming, haha!
But at that moment, Lin Beifan’s expression changed: “Take him away and give him 10 heavy hits of the plank!”
The scholar was utterly bewildered: “Your Majesty, was there something wrong with what I said?”
“Of course, it was wrong and outrageously so!”
Lin Beifan said furiously: “As the saying goes, ‘He who takes the king’s grain should bear the king’s worries.’ You eat my food, drink my drink, use my resources, and yet you turn against me? What kind of reasoning is that? What use do I have for you? Tell me, do you not deserve to be punished?”
The scholar was once again dumbfounded.
Could it really be so?
At that moment, the Imperial Guard had already rushed forward, pinning the scholar to the ground as heavy paddles smacked down with a thwack.
The scholar grimaced in pain, crying out loudly, “Your Majesty! Your Majesty! Your student has just answered incorrectly, please give me another chance! I beg of you…”
“No need, I don’t want to hear it anymore!” Lin Beifan said, huffing with anger.
“To misuse punishment so, to not bear hearing the loyal advice that grates, foolish Emperor! Foolish Emperor indeed!”
Lin Beifan called out, “To dare call me a ‘foolish emperor’ to my face, you’ve grown quite bold. Another 10 strikes with the large plank! No… 20 strikes!”
Li Linfu felt a chill run through his entire body.
Just a moment ago, His Majesty had been all smiles and in good spirits, but in the blink of an eye, his face had changed!
Truly, serving the Emperor is like living with a tiger!
Fortunately, he knew how to speak properly otherwise his behind would also be ‘blooming’!
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