226 t h e a n n a l s o f k i n g t’a e j o
22nd Day (Mujin)
The Censorial officials submitted a memorial to the king: “We have heard
that nothing is more important than finding capable men for the administra-
tion of the government. However, the task is so difficult that even the sages
found it quite challenging.
“Even in the golden period of Tang Yao and Yu Shun, there were wicked
people such as Gong Gong and Huan Dou;^106 notwithstanding, after the Han
dynasty and the State of Wei, the number of posts, both in the capital and in
local governments, increased by great numbers. Then how can it be possible
for the ruler to handle the matter of employing or dismissing them all by
himself? Therefore, laws were made in order that the records of officials
could be reviewed for verification and their achievements evaluated in
accordance with the assignments they are given. Hence, this verification
and evaluation process is a prerequisite for the appointment of officials.
“The law of selecting public officials in our country is too simple to be
adequate, whereas the path to enter public service, extremely complicated
and disorganized. Furthermore, since officials are promoted as long as they
serve for a certain amount of time, it becomes unavoidable that outstanding
individuals are mixed with those who lack in ability, and, accordingly, hon-
orable people are treated just as the dishonorable. Laws were made to rec-
tify this problem, and this is the reason the appointment of officials must be
reviewed and approved by the Censorate. The one who fails to meet the
confirmation of the Censorate is prohibited from serving in the government
and therefore has no chance to defile public office.
“If there is any official who is mindful not to make mistakes and tries to
change his ways because he is afraid of the Censorate, how can you say that
the benefits are small when he cares about his office and thereby promotes
good custom?
“It is quite possible that sometimes wicked people join the Censorate and,
making excuses, delay the confirmation of officials for their own ends.
Granted that it happens, how can you give up the law as a whole just because
of such problems?
“I am afraid that Your Majesty has replaced the Censorate’s confirmation
process with an old system in which the ruler directly conferred appointment.- The ministers who conspired against Emperor Shun. They are known as two of the
four evil characters along with San Miao and Gun.