Chapter 21

Year-end performance reviews are enough to make anyone nervous, no matter the setting. This is especially true for government officials.

According to the requirements of the Pinglin Kingdom, the assessment of county magistrates follows the "Four Virtues and Three Excellences" method. The "Four Virtues" are: first, a reputation for virtue and righteousness; second, integrity, caution, and clear conduct; third, fairness worthy of praise; and fourth, diligence and tireless effort. The "Three Excellences" include the absence of injustice in legal cases, the promotion of agriculture and sericulture, and the eradication of bandits and crime. In short, these matters are divided into seven categories.

Achieving five of these results in an "Upper" rating; achieving two results in a "Middle" rating; anything else is classified as "Lower." Those who fulfill all criteria may be exceptionally rated as "Highest."

The staff in Anqiu County looked over the criteria and felt that Magistrate Ji had achieved every single one. Of course, this was the view from within his own camp. To his superiors, however, the assessment was different. Perhaps he could be credited with one of the Four Virtues, and maybe one of the Three Excellences—after all, Anqiu County was so poor that no one bothered to rob it, so the eradication of crime was indeed a success. By any calculation, that was only two out of seven, which would, at best, earn him a "Middle" rating.

However, it is rare for a county magistrate to receive a "Middle" rating. Since they are all officials who see each other regularly, they rarely give one another a "Middle" grade unless a major mistake has been committed. Such a rating is recorded in an official's permanent file and stays with them for a lifetime, affecting all future promotions and transfers. Therefore, the officials who come to inspect every year are usually not overly harsh.

As for a "Lower" rating, the consequences are even more severe. If one receives a "Lower" grade, the chances of being demoted during the personnel reshuffling by the Bureau of Personnel next year are quite high. According to outside rumors, the officials at the prefectural yamen were planning to give Ji Chu a "Lower" rating.

"If that really happens, Anqiu County will surely witness a civil uprising," said Master Fan. Ever since Master Fan had pledged his loyalty to Ji Chu, he had been working diligently and focused entirely on his duties, rarely offering opinions. His statement now was quite surprising, and the threat of an uprising was likely genuine. Anyone who knew what Magistrate Ji had done for Anqiu County over the past year knew the common people would not stand idly by.

Ji Chu smiled and said, "It hasn't reached that point yet. Besides, we can settle this year’s taxes in full."

Master Li said with concern, "I'm just afraid they will go out of their way to find fault."

It was early September, and by the end of the month, officials from the Prefectural Bureau of Evaluation would be touring the various counties. However, these officials never stayed long; at most, they would take a cursory glance and assign a grade based on their impressions. If that were the case, Magistrate Ji would truly be at a disadvantage.

"Let's hurry and pay off the outstanding taxes," Clerk Ma said urgently. "Master Fan and I will make a trip immediately to ensure this year’s tax is paid in full."

Seeing everyone worried on his behalf, Ji Chu nodded. "Very well, do as you say. However, it is highly likely that there will be no problems. Our work is something we can be proud of." He paused and added, "By the way, you should inquire about which departments the officials from the Bureau of Evaluation are composed of."

The Bureau of Evaluation, which travels to inspect county magistrates, is not a permanent body; it is assembled from the prefectural yamen when needed each year, primarily consisting of officials from the Ministry of Personnel, accompanied by staff from other departments.

The group looked at each other in confusion. Why ask this? Was he planning to prescribe the right medicine to change their opinion of him? Ji Chu remained calm and collected. "Rest assured, it will be very useful." Although they were puzzled, they instinctively trusted Magistrate Ji.

After sending off the team to deliver the autumn taxes, everyone breathed a sigh of relief, hoping to win back some "impression points" for their magistrate. Once the tax delivery team left, the people of Anqiu County also felt relieved. They had never before wished so fervently for grain taxes to be delivered quickly, as they knew the good life they were now living was brought to them by Magistrate Ji.

In just one year, he had brought earth-shaking changes to their lives; they truly did not want him to leave. It wasn't just the farmers who felt this way; the students of Anqiu County preparing for their exams felt the same. September 30th was the day of their county school entrance exam. They knew that the opportunity for free schooling was something Magistrate Ji had fought for, and if he left, that benefit would surely be revoked.

Do the officials outside have no eyes? To remove such a good official!

Ji Chu’s current reputation was polarized: his superiors thought he was incompetent, while the people below wished he would remain in Anqiu County forever. As for the man himself, he was busy overseeing the rapeseed harvest. From over 30,000 mu of land, a total of 6.51 million catties of rapeseed had been harvested. If processed into oil, it would yield approximately 2.8 million catties of vegetable oil. This harvest was truly heartening, especially since oil prices would gradually rise toward the end of the year.

The only pity was that there were no large-scale oil presses in the area, so they had to sell the raw materials to merchants. The difference in profit between selling raw materials and processing them was obvious. At current market prices, a catty of rapeseed was forty wen, while a catty of oil was around 150 wen. Oil pressing was truly a lucrative industry.

The only drawback was that Anqiu County lacked the manpower. The upcoming land reclamation also required hands, and the reason for the delays in repairing roads and irrigation channels was the same: a shortage of people. There were solutions, however: importing more efficient farming tools to increase productivity, and obtaining better seeds to reduce the burden on the people.

Ji Chu set his sights on the approaching officials from the Bureau of Evaluation. While others thought they were coming to inspect, Ji Chu felt there was more "wool to be shorn." But for now, he set that thought aside and waited for their arrival.

With the autumn harvest over, winter planting began. The locals were accustomed to winter wheat, so there was no need to dwell on that. Once the sowing was finished, the year’s farm work would be complete, and the remaining time would be spent preparing for the winter.

Anqiu County entered a shopping spree. Building materials for home repairs? Buy! Winter quilts and clothes? Buy! Charcoal for heating? Buy! Merchants arriving in Anqiu were initially taken aback. They had prepared stock based on previous years' demand, but it wasn't nearly enough to meet the current frenzy.

They say the duck knows first when the spring river water warms; now that Anqiu County was wealthy, the merchants were the first to know. At the same time, they were puzzled. Didn't the prefectural city say Anqiu was too poor to pay taxes? How could they afford to buy so much? Where had things gone wrong? After a closer look, their eyes nearly popped out. The new magistrate of Anqiu, a man previously unknown, was actually this capable? Regardless of his reputation outside, if their own people were living well, then he was a good official. If only their hometowns had such officials, they wouldn't need to endure the hardships of traveling abroad to make a living.

Beyond daily necessities, there was another point that confused the merchants: the demand for books and paper in Anqiu County had also increased. People said it was because of the upcoming county school entrance exam, and every student was studying hard. Hearing that the county school offered free education made them even more envious. Ah, why hadn't they been born in such a good time and place?

During this period, after handling agricultural affairs, Ji Chu spent most of his time at the county school. With the exam imminent, everything from the examination hall to the test papers and the proctors had to be arranged. Since it was an entrance exam, it couldn't be too difficult, but it couldn't be too easy either. He designed it to go from easy to difficult, finally adding an extra credit question to test the students' capabilities in all aspects. After reviewing the paper he had written, Ji Chu wanted to curse himself—had he really brought the habits of his past life’s exams with him? The instructors and tutors trembled as they looked at the paper. Why did Magistrate Ji’s smile seem so malicious? Did he already know how the students would react to this paper?

When Ji Chu looked over, the head instructor reported seriously, "There are 239 registered applicants in total: 15 military households, 27 merchant households, and the rest are regular households. All have been verified."

"The exam begins on the morning of September 30th and will consist of two sessions. The results will be announced five days later."

Ji Chu nodded slightly. "Excellent. Proceed according to your arrangements." This was essentially a diagnostic test for the county. The results would determine the students' proficiency and how they should be taught moving forward. The head instructor nodded repeatedly; he would certainly follow orders.

What he didn't mention was that he had been unsure about this plan and had written to his elders at home. His elder had originally sighed, calling him unlucky for being sent to such a place where he couldn't get promoted. But after reading his letter, the elder immediately sent a reply filled with praise for Ji Chu. In short, the message was clear: if Ji Chu was truly as described, work hard under him and follow his every instruction. This man was extraordinary—he possessed both the means and the courage. The instructor, being in the thick of it, hadn't noticed, but his elder clearly saw the difference.

The preparations for the county school exam proceeded as planned. As the date approached, the workload decreased. The instructor looked at Magistrate Ji, inevitably thinking of the rumors outside and the upcoming year-end assessment.

Ji Chu looked at him and asked, "Is there something you wish to say?"

There was. The instructor scratched his head. Magistrate Ji cared so much for the school that he had to repay the kindness. "My third uncle said he is one of the officials in the Bureau of Evaluation this year," the instructor said earnestly. "He told you not to worry about the year-end assessment."

Ji Chu found it amusing. An unexpected surprise? He opened the letters in his hand—there was one from Prefectural Judge Zhang, and even a document submitted by Master Fan. Everyone shared the same sentiment: "Don't worry! We have already handled the people above! The assessment this year will definitely be fine." Even the wealthy gentry of the county and Mayor Wei of Weijia Town had sent word: "Magistrate Ji! Please rest assured and govern here! We will take care of the rest!"

Seeing everyone's goodwill, Ji Chu smiled. "Very well, let us continue our duties." Only by governing well could he be worthy of such trust.

Meanwhile, the officials from the Bureau of Evaluation heading to Anqiu County were still feeling uneasy. How were they to tell their colleagues that they wanted to go easy on Magistrate Ji? After all, some had already been lobbied. That Magistrate Ji might be mediocre in his work, but his connections were certainly extensive. They were truly curious to see what kind of person he was.