Pan Yun frowned deeply. "I am the same as Grand Secretary Yu and the ministers at court who sincerely wish to improve official administration—we only suffer from being unable to find a solution."
Hu Yuanjie said, "To find a solution, we must first find the cause of the problem. Does the National Preceptor wish to begin with official administration?"
Pan Yun shook her head. "Throughout history, reforms began with taxes, then land, supplemented by official administration. Every time, there was a storm of blood and slaughter. Whether they succeeded or failed, bloodshed was unavoidable. I have been wondering whether we might open another path and reduce the bloodshed and sacrifice."
Stroking his beard, Hu Yuanjie said, "That is why the National Preceptor has been so ruthless in reforming the Ministry of Works. But no matter where one starts, official administration cannot be avoided."
Pan Yun nodded, then fixed him with a bright gaze. "You have served as Minister of Rites for many years, my lord. Do you have a way to send capable people where they ought to be?"
"What of redundant officials?" Hu Yuanjie smiled. "I thought the National Preceptor would first ask how to deal with them."
Pan Yun said, "In my view, aside from those drawing salaries for empty posts, there are no useless people at court. So-called redundant officials are merely talents not being placed where they belong. At worst, they can go farm the official fields or the Imperial Manors. Surely they do not know so little that they cannot even work the land?"
Upon hearing this, Hu Yuanjie stroked his beard and burst into laughter. Delighted, he said, "Exactly, exactly! There are only talents placed in the wrong positions—where are there any redundant officials?"
After laughing, Hu Yuanjie sighed. "Unfortunately, not many in this