Tiantang Splendid

Chapter 4791 Government Affairs Hall
The two sects of Buddhism and Taoism fought openly and secretly. Although Taoism was decreed by Emperor Gaozu as the "state religion", it had always taken the "high-end route" and therefore lacked influence among the people. The situation of Buddhism was just the opposite. After several "anti-Buddhist" incidents, its influence among the ruling class declined, but it had many believers and was very popular among the people. In addition, Master Xuanzang's return from India to seek Buddhist scriptures increased the reputation of Buddhism. Both sects wanted to compete for the title of "No. 1 in China".

No matter they are monks or idlers, they naturally do not want to lag behind in the struggle for Taoist orthodoxy. Whether it is the "Yulanpen Festival" or Taoist rituals, they are all means to enhance their own influence.

During the event, countless merchants, tourists, and believers poured into Chang'an, causing this most powerful city in the world to be overcrowded. While stimulating rapid economic development, it also gave rise to various public security problems, causing Jingzhao Prefecture and the Left and Right Jinwu Guards to be on high alert, fearing that a serious public security incident would occur...

However, no matter how grand a ceremony is, it will eventually come to an end. After three consecutive days, the Taoist ceremony ended first, and Taoists from all over the world and from various sects began to leave the Caolou Temple in Zhongnan Mountain one after another.

But the monks and Taoists who gathered in Chang'an could not come and go as they pleased, because the Tang Dynasty had a strict "passing system".

"Guosuo" means a pass. Anyone who goes to various places to engage in trade or other activities must hold a "Guosuo" issued by the local government, otherwise it will be considered illegal passage and will be arrested.

This is to ensure normal commercial trade, inspect travelers, prevent the leakage of national taxes, evasion of taxes, human trafficking, and even to investigate sabotage activities from abroad. It will be issued by local authorities when coming, and approved by authorities after arriving at the destination. When returning, if there is no crime, it will be re-issued by the authorities of the destination. Those who receive the pass can follow the prescribed route, from the northwestern frontier to the southeast coast, thousands of miles away, without hindrance.

In the capital, the issuance of a "pass" required review by officials from the Secretariat and Jingzhao Prefecture.

In order to facilitate the issuance of the "pass" and quickly send these "road masters" away to avoid unnecessary incidents caused by delays in the journey, Fang Jun pulled the officials of Jingzhao Prefecture to set up a temporary office next to the official road at the foot of Zhongnan Mountain to improve the approval efficiency and administrative effectiveness. It can be called a simplified version of the "Government Affairs Hall". If you really want to be serious, it can be said to be the best in the world, more than 1,500 years ahead of the West...

This move was naturally well received by the Taoists. During the office, there was no end to the praise. In particular, many Taoists from various sects expressed their intention to collect the "Guosuo" stamped with the Jingzhao Prefecture seal and Fang Jun's private seal. After all, the "Guosuo" in the past were only the seals of the Jingzhao Prefecture and the Shangshu Province officials. This batch of "Guosuo" stamped with the seal of the Shangshu You Pushe of the imperial court was probably the only one in the world...

……

Not far from the office, there is a huge pine tree on the roadside. It was planted in an unknown dynasty. Today, the trunk is so thick that it needs four or five people to hug it. The huge crown is as dense as a crown. Under the tree are a mat and a square coffee table. Cheng Xuanying, wearing a crane cloak, Taoist skirt, and lotus crown, sits cross-legged beside the coffee table, picks up the kettle and pours boiling water into the teapot, then picks up a dry pine cone beside it and throws it into the small stove, then refills the kettle with water and places it on the stove.

The aroma of tea was already spreading. Cheng Xuanying divided the tea into cups and said with a smile, "The method of roasting tea invented by Duke Yue has really benefited the people. We have been studying the art of brewing tea for a long time!"

The art of brewing tea has existed since ancient times. Although it has been improved throughout the ages, various condiments still need to be added to make the tea soup have distinct layers and a variety of styles. Some even add mutton fat... People who like it cannot do without it, but people who don't like it really want to vomit at the mere mention of it. However, it is the most mainstream tea drinking ritual, and no matter how much one dislikes it, one has to follow the trend.

However, the method of frying tea is completely different. There is no need to add any seasoning. The green leaves are simply fried using a secret method. This makes it easier to carry and store while preserving the original flavor of the green leaves. It can be said to be a supreme product. Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism all believe that this is more in line with their own philosophy, so it has been promoted and become popular throughout the world.

Today, those old stubborn people who claimed that brewing tea was an ancient custom have gradually abandoned the strong-flavored tea soup and turned to the pursuit of the natural and true rhyme of stir-fried tea...

Fang Jun took a sip of tea, sitting under a pine tree in the scorching sun, sipping tea, feeling the breeze from the pine trees, which was extremely pleasant. He smiled and said, "Not only is it tea frying, but the master at home has also been studying the method of natural fermentation recently, which can better preserve the true charm of tea. In fact, we should not stick to the rules in everything but take the initiative to seek change. Perhaps we can inadvertently discover a better side."

He pointed to the Taoist priests who were queuing up outside the shade of the trees to receive the "pass" and the officials of Jingzhao Prefecture and Shangshu Province who were busy working, and said to Ma Zhou: "Since ancient times, the people have been full of awe for the government offices. Proverbs such as 'It is easy to enter the underworld, but difficult to enter the government office', 'All government offices face south, and only those with a reason but no money should not come in' are known to everyone, and there is also the saying 'It is easy to enter the government office, but difficult to deal with the little ghosts'. This is a bad habit that seriously damages the image of the government. If an official residence is set up in the city like this, and several people are selected from various government offices to gather together to implement 'one-stop' services, so that the people do not need to run to each government office when they do things, and stipulate that some simple government affairs such as property transfer, tax payment, household registration, etc. must be accepted and completed on the same day, it will not only greatly improve the efficiency of government affairs and facilitate people's work, but also improve the image of the government and even the country, so that ordinary people's recognition of the country will increase significantly and enhance cohesion."

The "Government Affairs Hall" was highly praised and became popular all over the country as soon as it was launched in later generations. Its advantages are naturally beyond doubt.

Ma Zhou is the most outstanding talent at present. It is not an exaggeration to call him a "great man". He naturally understands the benefits of this centralized office. In addition to simplifying the approval process and standardizing government transparency, the most important thing is to facilitate the people, be honest and efficient.

Especially on the point of "integrity and efficiency", the government has formed a set of "unwritten rules" since ancient times. It has become a certain rule how much money is needed to do something, and "don't come in if you don't have money" has become the norm in the government. If these bad habits can be broken with this kind of "one-stop" service, it will be a huge change in the officialdom.

"Don't worry, Erlang. When I get back, I will organize the officials of Jingzhao Prefecture to discuss the specific implementation methods and try them out in Jingzhao Prefecture. If the effect is good, I will write to Your Majesty to promote it throughout the country and make it a permanent rule."

At this time, some administrative methods and even criminal penalties will not only be carried out in accordance with certain legal documents, but will also be "executed as usual". For example, if a case of abandonment is recognized by all parties after the penalty, then such cases in the future can be "executed as usual" and the effect will be equivalent to the law.

Cheng Xuanying poured tea again and praised: "Once this method is implemented, it will benefit all people. It will benefit the present and future generations! I will use tea instead of wine, and I would like to offer you two a cup!"

Faced with virtuous ministers who truly serve the country and the people, he, the most outstanding figure in Taoism, is willing to put aside his reserve and express his admiration.

Ma Zhou smiled bitterly and said, "Don't talk about the merits of the times. I'm afraid that once this law is implemented, it will encounter overwhelming resistance. Before long, I will be known as a 'traitor' and be cursed by everyone."

It may be biased to say that "people become officials only for money", but everyone has his or her own interests, and it is human nature to pursue profit. Once this kind of "government hall" appears, it is bound to break many existing "tacit understandings" and damage the interests of countless people who make money from it.

Depriving someone of their wealth is like killing their parents. One can imagine how many people will oppose and hate it. Impeachment edicts will surely snowflake on your Majesty's desk...

Cheng Xuanying looked at Fang Jun with deep and resentful eyes, as if blaming Fang Jun for coming up with such a way of governance but not wanting to use it himself and instead pushing Ma Zhou to the forefront. Can such a "deceptive" behavior be called a "friend"?
Fang Jun glanced at Cheng Xuanying and said unhappily, "What do you know, you idiot! Throughout history, every reform has gone through countless hardships and resistances, not only have they been criticized, but sometimes they have even paid the price of their lives! Do you think it's so easy to establish such a great achievement that will go down in history? Don't think I'm harming him, ask him about this matter and I'll see if he will do it myself?"

Cheng Xuanying was stunned. When he was young, he was praised by the Taoists as a future leader for his extraordinary talent. When he was a teenager, he read the Taoist Canon and understood it. Then he wrote books to explain the Taoist heritage. He had never been called a "bull nose"...

But when he looked at Ma Zhou, the latter immediately shook his head: "Although this matter has been criticized too much, it is also the responsibility of officials like us. We should serve the people and benefit them. How can we be deterred by a little criticism? Besides, I am the only one who can bear the storm. There is no need to drag down Duke Yue."

Fang Jun smiled at Cheng Xuanying and said, "See what I said. Not only will he not blame me for this, but he will thank me instead."

Ma Zhou took a sip of tea, smacked his lips, glanced at Fang Jun, thought for a moment, and said sincerely, "Thank you!"

If this concept is applied to an ordinary official, he can be promoted three levels.

Such political achievements for him as the Jingzhao Yin basically laid the foundation for his path to becoming the prime minister.

Such a contribution truly deserves a word of thanks.

Fang Jun: "Look!"

Cheng Xuanying shook his head repeatedly: "So the officialdom is really dark. It requires not only outstanding wisdom but also a thick skin. My innocent heart will inevitably be tainted by it. I can only study honestly."

Fang Jun sneered, "Master Su Dao practiced in the East China Sea, sacrificed children to the Dragon King to pray for good weather, and was supported by the people...but I don't know if it's true or not?"

Ma Zhou frowned and looked over.

Feeling the burning gazes of the two, Cheng Xuanying disagreed: "This is a bad custom in the East China Sea. At first, ten boys and ten girls were used to offer sacrifices to the Dragon King. After repeated persuasion, I finally only used one boy and one girl. Although I dare not talk about their merits, they have made some contributions after all. I wonder why Duke Yue thinks it is inappropriate?"