Wang Kan finished speaking, swept his gaze across the hall, and finally fixed it on Kou Yuan.
His words used Duke Lai as the measure of Kou Yuan.
You boast of being Lord Kou's descendant, yet Lord Kou welcomed men of talent with an open heart, drawing all the finest minds under heaven into his net.
The Old Book of Tang recorded that, after Wei Zheng died, Emperor Taizong sighed:
"With bronze as a mirror, one can straighten one's robes and cap.
With history as a mirror, one can understand rise and decline.
With people as a mirror, one can discern gains and losses."
What I, Wang Kan, am doing today is setting up the mirror of Kou Laigong before Kou Yuan!
Take a look at yourself. In what way do you resemble Kou Zhun?
Kou Yuan's composure faltered at these words, but Qi Zhao reacted swiftly and immediately took up the argument.
"Kou Laigong's case was an expedient measure adopted in the Taizong Era, not long after the dynasty's founding, when men were urgently needed. How could it serve as a standing rule today?"
"An expedient measure?" Wang Kan shook his head, his tone still mild.
"You are mistaken, Vice Minister Qi."
"Emperor Taizong employed Kou Laigong, opened examinations to recruit scholars, and opened the Grand Secretariat's doors to worthy men.
Did that achievement count as an 'expedient measure,' or a 'standing rule'?"
Qi Zhao was once again struck speechless.
Wang Kan gave him no chance to catch his breath and continued, "Besides, Vice Minister Qi, you said just now...
'First verify merit assessments, then discuss rewards for merit.'
But this subordinate would like to ask: on what basis should those merit assessments be verified?"
Qi Zhao frowned. "Naturally, on the records of the Ministry of Personnel."
"The