69novels Chapter 950 Wu She did it on purpose and is irreplaceable!
Chapter 950 Wu She did it on purpose and is irreplaceable!
Gao Yao's real concern wasn't officials making mistakes—no one is perfect, and everyone errs. He feared mediocre individuals occupying high positions, without merit or fault, more capable of maintaining the status quo than of pioneering new things, offering little benefit to the nation's major policies and unable to relieve the emperor's worries in critical moments. Such individuals might be adequate at the grassroots level, but if they held key positions like the Minister of the Six Ministries, they would become an obstacle to the efficient operation of the state machinery.
Xiao He listened carefully to Gao Yao's analysis, his eyes flashing with approval. After a moment's hesitation, he offered his own opinion: "Your Majesty's arrangement is extremely appropriate and far-sighted. Wu She is a man of upright character, and he joined Your Majesty's side relatively recently. He has few personal connections and no deep ties with the many civil and military officials already under Your Majesty's command. Having him oversee the selection and assessment of officials within the Ministry of Personnel will indeed minimize favoritism and partisanship, favoring the selection of truly talented individuals and achieving Your Majesty's policy of maintaining a balanced court. This is his advantage."
He then shifted the subject and pointed out potential drawbacks: "That, however, is also the drawback. Precisely because of the simplicity of personal connections, they may not have a deep and comprehensive understanding of many officials' actual circumstances, past achievements, and even their character strengths and weaknesses. While selecting officials is certainly based on talent and character, sometimes it's also necessary to consider their compatibility with the position and their ability to collaborate with colleagues. If Wu She relies solely on casework assessments and momentary impressions, he might be biased and might miss officials who aren't good at speaking but are actually capable and effective."
Gao Yao nodded, approving of Xiao He's dialectical analysis. "Well, you're right. But the court is currently in a state of disrepair, with a huge shortage of officials at all levels, like a long drought awaiting rain. When it comes to recruiting, prioritizing fairness and efficiency over potential interference from personal relationships is more crucial. Wu She's remarks in the palace earlier about the court not being one-sided, while harsh, hit the nail on the head. We can't allow the power of any one region or faction to expand excessively, becoming too powerful to be controlled."
"Your Majesty is wise and far-sighted, and I admire you." Xiao He first praised Gao Yao's strategic vision, then expressed a hint of concern for Wu She personally. "However, Wu She is ultimately too young and impulsive, and sometimes acts too hastily and lacks tact. The Ministry of Personnel is a volatile place, overseeing the promotion and demotion of officials across the country, involving countless interests. He intervenes with such a straightforward, even reckless attitude, and I'm afraid... he will offend many people. In the long run, this will not only harm his career, but also the smooth operation of the Ministry of Personnel."
Hearing Xiao He's evaluation of Wu She's youthful vigor and eagerness for quick success, Gao Yao's face was not worried at all. Instead, a meaningful smile appeared on his face. He shook his head slightly, looked at Xiao He, and said with a hint of advice:
"Xiao He, ah Xiao He, you are extremely intelligent and good at taking the overall situation into consideration and coordinating all parties. But sometimes, when it comes to seeing through the subtle thoughts of individuals, you are still too honest. You, and most of the people in the palace today, have probably been deceived by that brat Wu She."
"Cheated?" Xiao He was truly stunned upon hearing this. His brows knitted slightly, his eyes filled with confusion. "What do you mean, Your Majesty? I am... stupid. Please explain clearly, Your Majesty."
Gao Yao calmly adjusted his sitting posture and began to analyze the true intentions hidden behind the mask of "loyal minister" for his most important minister: "You all think that Wu She doesn't know when to advance or retreat, that he's just a scholar, and that he's speaking out and making strong suggestions out of his own courage, right? Little do you know that this is largely a posture and strategy he has carefully calculated!"
Gao Yao further explained, "Think carefully. Wu She is far inferior to Zifang in strategic planning and brilliant strategies. When it comes to commanding armies and conquering cities, he's not even worthy of Han Xin. Even when it comes to practical abilities like governing, ensuring peace, and making overall plans, he's still a far cry from you, Xiao He. So, in a cabinet overflowing with talent, in the powerful position of Vice Minister of Personnel he's about to take, what will Wu She rely on to gain a foothold? How can he demonstrate his unique value and make me want him?"
Gao Yao's voice was low, but every word struck Xiao He's heart like a hammer. "He must carve out a path of his own! A path that others are unwilling to tread, dare not tread, or even fail to tread well. That path is—direct criticism! He needs to portray himself as a minister who fears no power, shuns the axe, and dares to speak out what others dare not. His seemingly rash remarks in the palace today were precisely his carefully planned 'pledge of allegiance' and 'positioning statement'! In this almost extreme way, he is telling me, and the entire court, that he, Wu She, is the indispensable 'mirror', the 'ruler', the 'sharp voice' that dares to puncture the bubble of splendor!"
This meticulous analysis, like the sun shining through the clouds, instantly illuminated all the fog in Xiao He's mind. His eyes widened, his face filled with disbelief, then transformed into deep shock and enlightenment. He involuntarily took a deep breath, his voice trembling slightly:
"Your Majesty's intention is... to stab him. Did he do it on purpose? Was he gambled his future, even his life, by deliberately choosing such a crucial court meeting, to offend the Emperor in such a drastic manner, thereby establishing his unique position within the court as a 'frank and courageous minister'? He... he wasn't unaware of the potential fatal consequences of his words, but he calculated that with Your Majesty's great talent and tolerance, not only would he not kill him, but would actually value his courage and clarity, thus ensuring that he would occupy an irreplaceable position within the cabinet, the Ministry of Personnel, and even in the future court?"
Seeing Xiao He's expression of sudden realization, Gao Yao nodded with satisfaction, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes. This admiration was for both Xiao He's understanding and Wu She's hidden political wisdom.
"That's exactly it!" Gao Yao affirmed. "This is Wu She's cleverness, his great wisdom. He clearly understands his strengths and weaknesses. Rather than futilely competing with top figures like you in areas he lacks expertise, it's better to forge a new path and achieve excellence in his chosen field. Throughout dynasties, monarchs who weren't utterly foolish needed, tolerated, and even protected one or two such honest and upright ministers. They are like bitter medicine, honest advice that hurts the ear, vital tools for the emperor to introspect and balance the court. The position of 'Imperial Censor' in previous dynasties was the prototype of this type of person."