One could begin by discussing tax reform and project management from the grassroots level.
At the same time, it was necessary to cite historical allusions and successful cases of predecessors to enhance persuasiveness.
Structurally, dividing the arguments into five main points should be sufficient.
Each point needed specific measures and illustrative examples, such as purifying the administration, dredging river channels, reforming the transport tax system, equalizing corvée labor and taxes, and strictly auditing.
Each section required detailed explanations of the methods to avoid empty generalizations.
Yet, one could not launch a full-scale, aggressive onslaught against corruption; otherwise, one would not even know how one died.
Furthermore, the writing should employ parallel structures and rhythmic phrasing, while citing classical texts such as the "Tribute of Yu" and the "Rites of Zhou" to display scholarship.
In short:
State the problem, propose solutions, phrase the words gracefully, and write in a fine hand.
Having sorted out his train of thought and ground the ink stick, Lin Zezu hesitated no longer and began to write.
Draft:
Your subject has heard that the "Tribute of Yu" distinguishes the tributes of the nine provinces, and the "Rites of Zhou" details the systems of ditches and canals; thus, grain transport is indeed the lifeblood upon which the state depends.
Now, as the Holy Emperor sits quietly behind ninefold curtains, the Jiangnan region annually ships four mi…
Chapter 258