Chapter 197: The People Decide the Rise and Fall of Officials
“Entrusted to the people? What exactly do you mean by that?”
Li Shun narrowed his eyes slightly, deep in thought.
Kong Zhao snorted coldly, a suppressed sense of indignation visible between his brows.
After a brief pause, he patiently explained, “The common people will also be granted the authority to evaluate every civil and military official of the imperial court. Their evaluations can cause an official's assessment grade to fluctuate by as many as two minor grades.”
“For example, suppose a county magistrate is originally assessed as Lower-Upper and should therefore be punished. If he enjoys the deep support of the people, he could not only be promoted to Middle-Lower, he might even leap all the way to Middle-Middle.”
“Conversely, if he has earned a notorious reputation among the people, his grade could fall as low as Lower-Lower. At that point, not only would his position be in jeopardy, he might even have to worry about keeping his head attached to his neck!”
“Thus, the countless voices of the people throughout the realm are, in effect, enough to determine an entire major grade of an official's final assessment.”
Kong Zhao's face was filled with displeasure as he said indignantly, “Junior Brother, tell me honestly. Is this not utterly absurd?”
“Those ignorant country bumpkins cannot even read or write. What could they possibly know about benevolence, righteousness, morality, and shame? And now they actually want to turn the tables and recklessly determine the future of officials like us? It is truly the greatest joke under heaven!”