Chapter 1549: Protection

“The next issue… standardizing education in newly occupied territories…” Tang Mo looked at the report in his hands, which detailed the rough expansion of education in the Qin and Shu Territories.

Each region had its focus, and the development of education varied based on individual understandings, resulting in a wide variety of small schools and night classes.

Some places emphasized worker education, others focused on cultivating children, each demonstrating their skills like the Eight Immortals crossing the sea. However, the overall growth was wild, unregulated, and hard to manage.

Tang Mo recalled the content of the report and asked again, “I don’t like the term ‘newly occupied territories’; we should de-emphasize the concept of occupied regions in the future.”

This was the third time he emphasized this issue. The entrenched regional estrangement, if left unchecked, would take decades to diminish its impact. Tang Mo didn’t have that much time, so he repeatedly stressed not allowing the concept of regions.

“Also, we must do well in educational matters; whether it’s national identity or academic skills, people need to learn well to serve society.” Tang Mo knew the education department had been strengthening education in the Qin, Chu, Shu Territories, and the Dahua region, attempting to bring these areas into formal education quickly.

However, this requires time, as the Tang Empire itself has a shortage of educational talents, with teachers’ levels being uneven, and many issues still in the process of being resolved.

Learning is the process of understanding the world, and from the moment a person is born, they are constantly learning. Without proper learning, cognition can become biased, and in severe cases, one might not survive in society.

In ancient times, the cost of education was high, which led to the emergence of what were relatively foolish ignorance policies. These policies were relatively low-cost, keeping knowledge in the hands of a few to simplify management costs and improve efficiency.

However, there are drawbacks to this approach, as ignorance policies can ultimately slow down societal development, halt technological advancements, and leave a country passive in international competition.

Education cannot happen overnight; it requires a lengthy, indefinite development process. Even in a time when universities are widespread and postgraduate degrees hold little value, individuals’ cognitive levels vary greatly.

Such a partially understood state is the most dangerous. As the saying goes, understanding without fully understanding and self-believing in understanding while not really understanding… This educational state makes the public easily incited and, having gained some knowledge and capabilities, becoming a significant force when incited.

How to manage and guide this power is a major concern for Tang Mo. He knows how powerful this force is and naturally understands that if unmanaged, it can be destructive.

“Relax some of the employment standards for talents from the Northwest, Southwest, Southeast, and Central regions, giving them sufficient support. However, increase supervision, ensuring loose entry and strict exit to earn their genuine acceptance.” Tang Mo knew that just by casually delegating, officials like Chu Muzhou would handle the arrangements appropriately. So he merely spoke, entrusting Chu Muzhou with a general directive.

Expecting the newly occupied areas to immediately produce talents comparable to those from the core regions of the Tang Empire is unrealistic. However, relying solely on talents from the core regions to govern would arouse discontent in other regions. This contradiction must be resolved and resolved well.

Everyone should have the opportunity to advance and develop so that the Empire can remain stable, and those lagging regions can gradually develop and prosper.

“I understand, Your Majesty.” As expected, Chu Muzhou understood. He knew well that the selection of officials is inherently “regional,” and that distributing opportunities as fairly as possible among all regions is an art—at the very least, it should be recognized as fair, making everyone perceive the allocation methods as fair…

“In my opinion, selecting officials from those areas to work alongside dispatched officials is a relatively stable temporary solution.” Chu Muzhou had conceived a relatively complete plan in just a few seconds.

His idea was to give minor positions to local people first, leaving them hope and simultaneously weeding out some ineffective individuals.

After a few years, capable minor officials would emerge and could be entrusted with significant tasks, while those educated in modern bureaucracy would be nurtured, resolving the issues.

“By officials, I mean practical administrators. The old local officials are unfamiliar with procedures and will have to learn humbly. Their work is unrelated to crafting excuses for superiors, and there’s no need to fear them playing the seniority card.” Chu Muzhou, well-versed in these matters, demonstrated the cunning of an Imperial Chancellor.

His experience in managing the bureaucratic system was extensive: “With young officials overseeing them, the old bureaucrats dare not act rashly. Thus, through this back-and-forth, local governance becomes stable.”

Tang Mo was a bit uneasy, sighed, and said, “I’m afraid some of these newly appointed officials are too young, easily manipulated by the old bureaucrats, and without firm will could be corrupted, ruining their lives and damaging the Empire’s foundation.”

Chu Muzhou paused for two seconds and comforted, “Your Majesty, our nation’s population is immense, and our Great Tang’s political system differs from others, with fine division of labor and numerous bureaucratic offices. There are indeed lazy, corrupt, and disloyal officials among the millions… it is impossible to eliminate all.”

He paused, looking into Tang Mo’s eyes: “If Your Majesty worries about all such issues, it would lead to sleepless nights, tasteless food, excessive torment, harming the nation’s foundation… I am inadequate, but I hope Your Majesty can rest easy.”

Tang Mo was momentarily stunned, then smiled wryly, realizing he may have been overly controlling since he couldn’t possibly monitor if officials were being corrupted.

The Jinyiwei and the Eastern and Western Factories of the Great Ming Dynasty had countless spies and still couldn’t eradicate corrupt officials entirely. Tang Mo asked, how could he ensure all officials adhered to the law?

“What the Vice Chancellor says is reasonable; I was a bit hasty. However, since we are sending young officials, who are relatively inexperienced and clean, it’s necessary to provide these young people with some protection.” Tang Mo thought for a moment and instructed Chu Muzhou, “Cultivation is not easy. Think of ways to prevent these inexperienced officials from straying.”

“I will obey the command.” Chu Muzhou lowered his head and accepted the order.