In the Eastern Jin Dynasty, the gentry occupied most senior positions, but they had a congenital defect-they could not work. They are used to talking about metaphysics and shaking their heads and drinking, instead of sitting at their desks reading and statistics. Originally, they were willing to drink too much and chew maggots, which is also their own way of life and has no impact on society. But these people hold high positions in * * *, how can they be reassuring?
Bi Zhuo was a famous scholar in Jin Dynasty, born in the gentry, and served as an official in the Western Jin Dynasty. However, the only career he is willing to devote himself to is drinking, and he often delays business because of drinking. A neighbor made good wine, and he stole it at night, so that his servant caught him red-handed and tied a rope there. At dawn, when the neighbors saw it was him, they quickly let him go. He also publicly declared that his ideal is "holding a glass in his right hand and a crab claw in his left hand, and shooting a floating wine boat all his life". How can such an alcoholic do his job well? However, the drunkard's official career was not affected at all, and he continued to be a cadre in the Eastern Jin Dynasty and became the secretary-general of General Pingnan.
There are also many celebrities who are not mediocre. They have a good family background and a high level of education, but they are obviously more suitable for mixing salons and engaging in art than going to the venue. For example, Wang Huizhi is very good at calligraphy and painting. But like most gentry's children, he is not suitable for being an official. But he was born in an evil king's family and had the privilege of being an official, so he became a cavalry officer of Huan Chong, a senior general riding chariots, and joined the army, which was equivalent to a cavalry staff officer. But he is a good man, his hair is unkempt every day, he does nothing, and no one dares to take care of him.
Wang Huizhi was so out of line that his boss Huan Chong specifically asked him what he was in charge of. Wang Huizhi said that this may be about horses, but it is even more unclear how many horses are in charge and how they perform. Meet this kind of subordinates, arguably, should be fired, but Huan Chong didn't take the cremation away because of dereliction of duty, but coaxed Wang Huizhi. Wang Huizhi also ignored him, looked up at the sky, and suddenly said, "The morning air in Xishan is really cool!" "
Throughout the ages, intellectuals have always admired talented people. Talented people can't be big officials. It is said that the government has no eyes. Many people are addicted to alcohol and do nothing, all of which are attached to the depression caused by "unable to realize their ideals and ambitions" and "unable to serve the country" Maybe this is true, but more "poets" don't drink because they can't serve their country. They are drunks. They are idle, not because there are no conditions for them to display their talents, but because they are used to idleness.
This congenital defect paved the way for the revival of imperial power. They occupy senior positions, but leave the actual work to junior officials, which is equivalent to opening a back door for the emperor, who can cultivate his own strength. Although the emperor can't take them from * * *, he can put these lazy people on the shelf and keep them away from the real power core. Therefore, the Jin Dynasty became the only dynasty in which the gentry enjoyed lofty status and held actual power. However, in the Southern Dynasties, the Han nationality with lower rank but actual power began to subvert the rule of the cremation, but the cremation was unable to resist and gradually declined.