The last sentence, which says that refusal will not affect the evaluation, shows support for all officials. A good refusal will inevitably improve the evaluation, but it also means that if the official cannot refuse the ceremony, it will inevitably affect the evaluation.
As a result, officials from all over the country supported the Lidian on the surface, but were completely uncooperative in private.
Before they arrived, the officials from the Lidian Hall understood that this mission was extremely difficult, so they did not rush it and proceeded step by step from the beginning, spending most of their time in the office and the rest of their time going deep into the people to collect their opinions on the party's reforms.
In Ning'an City, Zong Weixiong was wearing a black silk round-necked robe, a black veiled hat on his head, a white jade belt around his waist, and black leather boots with slightly raised tips.
Holding a folding fan, Zong Weixiong walked slowly and leisurely on the bustling streets of Ning'an City.
Although he was not wearing a scholar's robe and came as a wealthy businessman, his outstanding temperament attracted the attention of many women.
As he walked forward, he observed the various things in Ning'an City and found that it was completely different from Qing Country. It was located in the north, and the people were tough and open-minded. Many women were careless and the men were not polite. In the words of the Ning'an people on the discussion list, those who were polite in everything they did had been killed by the monsters because they ran slowly.
Zong Weixiong walked along with a frown on his face. He preferred the environment in the south of Qing Kingdom. The men were gentle and elegant, the women were gentle and docile, everything was in order and full of the spirit of etiquette and music.
After walking for a long time, Zong Weixiong's brows finally relaxed a little, because he found that although the people here were not as polite as the people of Qing, they had something that the people of Qing did not have.
A vibrant spirit.
Whether they are children, women or men, even the elderly, they all have rosy complexions and bright eyes, and have a strong appeal that makes people feel good about them.
Zong Weixiong discovered that everyone here moved at a very fast pace, walking fast, trading fast, and in every aspect they were a little faster than Qingguo.
If it were in the past, Zong Weixiong would have certainly thought that the people of Jing State were blinded by greed, but not long ago, he read the Jing State news published on the discussion board by a neutral person from Qi State, and some paragraphs in the article made him think for a long time.
"When the people of Jing were declining, all other countries laughed at them for being ignorant and lazy, thinking that they were enjoying themselves and not making progress. But what surprises me is that now the people of Jing are working hard and making progress in all aspects, but those who laughed at and attacked Jing before continue to laugh at them, saying that the people of Jing are too utilitarian, progressed too fast, lost too much, and should slow down, stop, and wait for their consciences."
"I didn't quite understand the intentions of these people at the time, but after arriving in Jing Country, I realized that when they laughed at the people of Jing Country for being ignorant and lazy, they really thought that the people of Jing Country were ignorant and lazy. But when they laughed at the people of Jing Country for being utilitarian, it was out of fear and hostility. Because they didn't want to see Jing Country become strong, they tried every means to deny Jing Country's progress."
"I also found that many Jing people also agree with what outsiders say. When they were backward, they agreed with what others said. That was humility and self-reflection. When Jing is making continuous progress, continuing to agree with those who deny Jing is inferiority. It is normal for a person not to know what his country should do, but if he supports his country's enemies, that is true ignorance. Such Jing people are still living in the backward Jing country of the past, and they are no longer worthy of the current Jing country. As Fang Xusheng said, whether a person is sober enough does not depend on whether he can reflect on himself, whether he can be humble, or whether he can be confident, but on whether he has the right judgment."
As a Jinshi, although Zong Weixiong was hostile to Fang Yun and Jingguo, and even swore before coming to Jingguo this time that he must find something to hold against Jingguo, at this moment he not only did not laugh at the utilitarianism of the Jingguo people, but silently praised all of this in his heart.
As long as it is not illegal, using one's own brain and sweat to gain everything is worthy of praise and encouragement. It is a virtue that should be promoted and is a great act that promotes the progress of the human race.
Chong Weixiong left the street and went into some restaurants and teahouses to inquire about public opinion.
Zong Weixiong discovered that Ning'an City was a mix of merchants from various countries. Although many restaurants in prosperous areas were bustling, they did not discuss the affairs of Jing State.
So, Zong Weixiong found a not-so-bustling area and saw a teahouse where less than half of the seats were occupied, but people were all chatting about state affairs in a Jingguo accent. He walked in, ordered a pot of tea, poured himself a drink, and listened to what those people said.
Zong Weixiong discovered that Fang Yun enjoyed extremely high prestige among the people of Jingguo, even surpassing the Half-Saint Chen Guanhai. More than half of the people did not care about right or wrong, and as long as the topic involved Fang Yun, they would praise Fang Yun. Even some people who had suffered losses in the reform were convinced and praised Fang Yun, believing that what Fang Yun did was beneficial to Jingguo.
Only a very small number of people thought that Fang Yun's performance was not perfect. Among these people, the most dissatisfied was that Fang Yun improved the status of women, which was unacceptable to many men.
But on the other hand, all the women in Jing country openly or secretly support Fang Yun because Fang Yun has done so many things to protect the interests of women.
Although the status of women in Jing country is far lower than that of men, it has been significantly improved.
Especially in Mizhou, Jiangzhou and Xiangzhou, if some women encounter domestic violence and shout Fang Yun's name to file a complaint, many men will often stop.
The people's hearts are the most fragile, but also the most contagious.
Zong Weixiong was listening to the gossip when an old man sitting by the door suddenly sighed, "The world is going downhill, people's hearts are no longer the same as they used to be. In the past, Ning'an women were so loyal to their husbands, but now they are showing their faces in public like men."
"The old man is right. My wife is over 30 years old, but she wants to work in a workshop. Can't she weave and spin at home?"
"The most terrifying thing is that those young girls don't do needlework and instead go to work in workshops. Why bother?"
At this time, a young man in a coarse cloth shirt laughed and said, "You are wrong. In a big way, the country is in need of people and there is a shortage of good workers everywhere. Why can't women work for the country? In a small way, women can earn more money to support their families and be frugal. Why should we oppose it?"
"We are not against them working, we are against them showing their faces in public," said the old man.
"Then please tell me, which law prohibits women from showing their faces in public?" the young man asked with a smile.
"This has nothing to do with the law, but with the rules. Women should not show their faces in public," said the old man.
The young man said, "The demon barbarians also said that humans can only be slaves."
"What nonsense are you talking about? Is this a matter? It's natural for women to listen to men." The old man scolded.
"It depends on whether you treat women as human beings or as objects. At least in my opinion, the only thing you are better than the demons is that you don't eat women."