Emperor Taizong's Growth Plan

Chapter 153 Passing the Edict to the World
Under the bulletin board in the city, many people gathered again.Scholars, merchants, ordinary people, all kinds of people crowded here, and the crowds kept looking forward.

"What's this for? Why are there so many people?" A man dressed in strong clothes and looking like a knight-errant asked, relying on his tall stature, as he squeezed forward desperately.

The people around him felt uncomfortable being squeezed by him, and couldn't help cursing:
"Oh, why do you just follow along without knowing anything?"

"That's right, go, go, is this a place where you, a river and lake person, join in the fun!"

Hearing the words, the tall man was even more unhappy. He was like a wild boar, and the crowding became even more fierce. He also said:

"What's wrong with us Jianghu people? Why don't you let us see it?"

Seeing that the situation was getting more and more chaotic, the soldiers guarding the bulletin board did not dare to be careless, so they hurried off to maintain order, and read the contents of the bulletin aloud, saying:
"Don't be crowded! Your Majesty is so thirsty for talents today that he has specially opened the imperial examination system. On September [-] this year, the imperial examination ceremony will be held to select talents for the country. Regardless of background, age, or nationality, anyone can apply. Practical scholars, once hired, will enter the court as an official!"

As soon as this remark came out, a group of scholars crowded in the front suddenly burst into cheers.

"Your Majesty Shengming!"

"We, the poor scholars, will eventually have a way to serve the country, long live Your Majesty!"

"The Holy Lord descended from the sky, in my cloud country, the luck of this cloud country, the luck of scholars in the world!"

"Hooray! Hooray!"

Loud cheers sounded, covering the voices of the guards and soldiers reading the announcement, so that the people crowded behind couldn't hear them clearly.

The officers and soldiers of the Forbidden Army had no choice but to read the announcement again at the top of their lungs.After repeating this many times, the voices of the Imperial Guard soldiers became hoarse and weak, and finally let everyone present know the content of the announcement.

Seeing that the rumors of the past finally came true, the low-level scholars were so excited that they couldn't help themselves, and burst into tears.

All countries in the world use the recommendation system to select talents for the country.Ordinary low-level scholars are not talented enough to be favored by nobles, and they have no connections to recommend them, so they have no way to become an official.

Xiao Cheng's move, even though it was just an announcement, finally let these scholars see a glimmer of hope.

Several abbots wearing cassocks and dignified treasure appearances who had just come out of the palace, under the escort of the imperial army, walked slowly towards the Shanshiyuan, just passing by here.

Compared with these scholars who were rushing to tell each other with joyful faces, the monks had gloomy and solemn faces, dignified eyes, bowed their heads in silence, as if they were thinking about something, and they were basically reacting to the noisy outside world. nothing.

After passing through a few blocks, a team of imperial guards sent the abbots to Shanshiyuan, and after a slight salute, they turned and left.

A group of monks saw the Shanshiyuan in front of them, just woke up a little bit, and looked at each other.

But these abbots, regardless of how many thoughts were in their hearts, all of them just kept their mouths shut at this moment, standing where they were, as if waiting for someone to react first.

But before they could make up their minds, Zhitong led several disciples out of Shanshiyuan, bowed slowly to them, and said in a deep voice:
"Zhitong, disciple of Tanin Temple, pay homage to all senior uncles and senior brothers!"

Several abbots' hearts skipped a beat, and they clasped their palms together in salute and proclaimed the Buddha's name.

At this time, Zhitong looked at the abbots of various temples with slightly different expressions, and keenly sensed something was wrong. He frowned slightly, and immediately said:

"Senior uncles and senior brothers, Abbot Huiqi of our temple just arrived in the capital today, and I would like to invite you all to come and have a talk!"

Two or three of the abbots immediately bowed their heads and saluted after hearing the words:

"Please report back to Senior Brother Hui Qi, I'll go when I'm here!"

At this time, Zhitong felt more and more bad in his heart.

Among the abbots of these various temples, after looking at each other, several people lowered their heads tacitly and stood where they were, without any reaction.

At this time, the monk who did not open his mouth, although he did not explicitly reject Huiqi's covenant, since he did not open his mouth to accept it at this time.In fact, it has already shown its own attitude.

It's just that none of these monks are willing to be this early bird, so they are waiting for others to speak first!

Finally, one of the youngest-looking monks couldn't stand it any longer. He stepped forward and bowed to Zhitong and said bluntly:
"Master Uncle Hui Qi invited me, so I shouldn't have declined. But I was really exhausted from speaking to His Majesty today, so I have to pay a visit later!"

After all, the monk bypassed the ugly Zhitong and went straight to Shanshiyuan.

The one who spoke first was the Zhimi abbot of Xiangji Temple.Among all the abbots, the seniority is the youngest.Young people are always bigger than others, and they are more impatient.

Seeing that Abbot Zhimi left first, after a moment of hesitation, two or three other great monks stood up, bowed slightly to Zhitong, and then walked around him and left.

The meaning of these people who left in front of Zhitong at this time is naturally self-evident.

This is to come forward and fight for the position of the great mage!
Zhitong's heart turned, his face suddenly turned livid, and he gritted his teeth to hold back, so as not to lose his composure.

Seeing this, the remaining abbots of the great temple quickly came to Zhitong and said in a deep voice:
"Hurry up and take me to find Master Huiqi!"

Seeing these abbots with serious expressions and eager tones, Zhitong's heart sank suddenly, and he vaguely guessed that something happened after he entered the palace to meet the present majesty.

Zhitong couldn't think about anything else, and said quickly:

"Everyone, please come with me!"
-
In the Xuanzheng Palace, Xiao Cheng was wearing a black crown, with twelve round crowns on his head, hanging down to cover his face, making it difficult to see his expression clearly.

All the ministers lined up and bowed, only to feel that the person sitting on the dragon chair is more and more dignified and coercive, making people fearful and dare not have the intention of disobeying.

Guest Cao Shangshu walked out of the queue, bowed to Xiao Cheng, and said:
"Reporting to Your Majesty, after several days of negotiations, a consensus has been reached on the truce between our country and the Xia Kingdom. The Xia Kingdom will compensate the people of the Yun Kingdom for their losses and the funds for the deployment of the army. Among them, 10 taels of gold and 120 million taels of silver will be converted into copper coins. 10 taels, plus 5 taels for silk and treasures. In total, 2305 million taels will be converted into silver.”

The bottom line set by Xiao Cheng is 200 million taels of silver, which is equivalent to three to one quarter of the annual income of Yun Kingdom.It is Xia Guo, which is estimated to be more than 35% of the annual tax.As a result, the officials of Kecao were upbeat and got [-] taels more.

Just looking at the method of compensation, gold, silver, copper coins, and silk were all used to pay off debts. Even if Xia Guo's existing treasury had not been emptied, it would probably not be too bad.

It has to be said that because of the situation in the southwestern states and counties, Xia Guochaotang is really in a hurry, otherwise the peace talks will take at least another ten days and a half months.

Xiao Cheng nodded, approvingly said:

"Not bad!"

Guest Cao Shangshu hurriedly said:
"This time is all thanks to His Majesty, the ministers dare not take credit for it!"

If it wasn't for Xiao Cheng's insistence on letting Kecao ask for more during the peace talks, it would not be so much.

"The mission already set off to return home yesterday. His Highness, the Third Prince of Xia Kingdom, Prince Jin, will personally lead the mission here in a few days, and then they can formally sign the contract and stop fighting to repair it."

Xiao Cheng couldn't help laughing when he heard this.

First send a mission to seek peace and negotiate terms. After the two parties reach an agreement, they will come to the Lord to formally sign the contract.After going through such a tedious and tedious process, Xia Guochaotang didn't know how much he had to worry about the situation in the southwest.

"Your guest Cao has the full power to deal with it. If I guessed correctly, the King Jin of the Xia Kingdom will arrive soon!" Xiao Cheng said casually.

"According to the order!"

After explaining about Xia Guo, Xiao Cheng spoke again, saying:
"The method of examination has already begun to be implemented. Ma Minwen personally supervised the implementation, Zhang Hong, the right minister of Shangshutai, and Cao Shangshu, the official of Shangshutai, will continue to be in charge of this matter. This is a trial, so don't worry about mistakes and omissions!"

Qu Cheng, Zhang Hong, and the Minister of the Ministry of Officials all stepped forward, bowed and said:
"Follow Your Majesty's order!"

With a calm expression, Xiao Cheng continued to speak:

"There is also the matter of imperial examinations, which is related to the selection of talents for the country. It is the most important thing today. I want to add a Li Cao Yiya under the Shangshutai to be in charge of the five rituals of Ji, Jia, Jun, Bin, and Ji, and Manage the national government schools, academy affairs, imperial examinations, and the recommendation of officials. All the officials in Taichang Temple under Fengchang's command will be filled into the Ministry of Rites!"

At this time, among the Six Caos, there is no such department as the Ministry of Rites.If you have to say something, the responsibility of the Ministry of Rites at this time is that the sacrifice and selection of officials is above Li Cao, and in terms of etiquette and etiquette, Feng Chang, one of the Nine Ministers, is in charge.

In addition, the original vassal and foreign affairs of the Ministry of Rites were still in the hands of Kecao, and Xiao Cheng did not choose to merge them.

At this time, the officials in the court had already been punished by Xiao Cheng's tricks, and they dared not talk too much.It was Feng Chang, one of the nine ministers who was directly deprived of all powers at this time, no matter how much he complained in his heart, he did not dare to speak out.

Ma Minwen was silent for a moment, then said:
"Adding a Li Cao requires a minister. Does Your Majesty have a favorite candidate?"

"The note for this imperial examination is Zhang Zhao's proposal for the position of Li Cao Shangshu, so let him fill it!" Xiao Cheng said in a deep voice.

Hearing this, Zhang Zhao immediately came out and knelt down on the ground, saying in a deep voice:
"My lord, thank you for your grace!"

Speaking of this, Xiao Cheng suddenly remembered something again, looked at Shang Shutai Lingcheng Qu Cheng, and said:
"Qu Qing, how is the reconstruction of Ganye Temple going?"

Qu Cheng's heart skipped a beat, he hurried out of the queue, bowed and said:

"Reporting to Your Majesty, the artisans have transferred to Ganye Temple and started to rebuild it. According to the progress, it will take four months to complete the rebuilding."

Xiao Cheng frowned, and said in a deep voice:
"It's too slow!"

Qu Cheng immediately knelt down in trepidation and apologized:
"Your Majesty, please forgive me for my ineffective dispatch!"

Xiao Cheng pondered for a moment, and said:

"I can't blame you for this matter! Mincao's current affairs are too complicated to call on his craftsmen. The Shaofu is independent from the Shangshutai, which is really not good for the government to run!"

All the officials in the palace frowned again when they heard what Xiao Cheng said.

Needless to say, this is His Majesty today, and that yamen is going to be withdrawn and merged again!
Sure enough, Xiao Cheng paused, and continued:
"I want to set up Gongcao's Yamen under the Shangshutai, and merge all the officials and craftsmen in Mincao and Shaofu who are in charge of building. From then on, Gongcao's Yamen will be in charge of civil engineering, water conservancy projects, weapons, armor, Mining, metallurgy, textiles and other government-run industries are all handled comprehensively!"

Now that the Ministry of Rites has already been established, they simply don't do anything, and get the Ministry of Industry out.Since then, the establishment of a system similar to the six departments can also reduce many obstacles.

Ma Minwen moved his eyes, and continued:
"Is there any suitable candidate for the post of Cao Shangshu, His Majesty?"

Xiao Cheng shook his head and said in a deep voice:

"This matter, let the current Shaofu order be in charge!"

There are only a few civil servants on hand, how can there be any suitable candidates?The current Shaofu Ling is Qu Cheng's person, and he was quite capable in handling affairs before, so he will continue to be in charge.

Hearing the words, the current Shaofu Ling was overjoyed, suppressed his excitement, came out and knelt down, and said loudly:
"Chen Shen Mao, thank Your Majesty Long En!"

All the officials looked enviously at the lucky man named Shen Mao.

From the point of view of duties, it is a demotion from the Shaofu Order who is in charge of the taxation of the mountains, seas, ponds and technology of all kinds of craftsmen to Cao Shangshu.

But all the officials know that His Majesty looks down on the old government system, and wants to replace the imperial court with Shangshutai.From the doomed Shaofu Ling to a false post, he was transferred to Cao Shangshu, a real power worker, that was a stroke of luck!

Xiao Cheng looked at the new employee, Cao Shangshu, Shen Mao, and said in a deep voice:

"The matter of the Jixia Academy is entirely up to you, without any delay!"

Shen Mao was about to thank you immediately, but was suddenly taken aback, and couldn't help saying:
"Jixia Academy?"

The rest of the officials were also moved in their hearts.

Xiao Cheng looked around at all the officials in the palace, and said in a deep voice:

"I have issued a recruitment order before, but after much deliberation, it is still not enough. There are countless students in this world, all from hundreds of schools, each holding their own opinions, and wanting to prove what they have learned. So I decided to give these hundreds of schools one A place to display your own doctrine."

Xiao Cheng paused, then continued:
"That's why I set up the Jixia Academy on the former site of Ganye Temple. Scholars from all over the world can come here, regardless of their academic schools, ideas, regardless of their nationality, age, or seniority. Opinions, debate with each other, in order to promote their respective academic progress. In addition, each school can freely enroll students and teach in the academy. Students from all over the world can also seek teachers in the academy. All necessary materials and resources The goods are all supported by the royal family!"

Previously, I used money to make offerings to Ganye Temple, except for a few words of "Amitabha", it was useless.It is used to supply Jixia Academy, but it can still get some talents.

Among the hundreds of officials, many people frowned.

This current Majesty is also the one who selects scholars through the imperial examination and establishes the Jixia Academy.In the future, wouldn't it be up to them to recommend people for the imperial court?

If this is the case, how will the children of each family become officials in the future?
Do you want the children of each family to go to some school to study with those poor peasants, and to take some imperial examinations?
absurd!It's too ridiculous!

Immediately, there was an old official with gray hair and a stooped figure, who couldn't help standing up, leaned over and said:
"Your Majesty, the matter of the academy sounds like it is using all schools of thought for one's own use, which is of great benefit to the country. But how can things in the world be so simple? Just look at the court of the Xia Kingdom, and all schools of thought are equally important. Then officials from schools of thought attacked each other, and it became a trend of party disputes. As a result, the government of Xia State had to be reformed for several years, which was of no use other than excessive damage to the prestige of the court. Therefore, please think again, Your Majesty. !"

Xiao Cheng looked at the old official who stood up, and raised his eyebrows slightly.

Yo, how many officials have been taken down by taking advantage of the momentum, and there are still some who are desperate, dare to jump out at this time?

All the officials in the hall saw someone jumping out first, and their hearts moved suddenly.

The eyes of all the officials were wandering and intertwined in private, and many people understood everyone's thoughts, and when they were about to boldly speak up to echo, they heard a voice, which sounded suddenly.

"Your minister is warm and benevolent, and you have to participate! Attending Taizhong doctor Cheng Yingfan taught Sun Wufang, causing his grandson to be arrogant and domineering, and he did not think about making progress. He used to ride a horse in the market, and stayed in a place with flowers and willows every night, which damaged the court's dignity!"

Wen Tiren suddenly stood up at this moment, and said righteously.

Xiao Cheng raised his eyelids, pretending to be authentic:

"Oh? So, where is the Taizhong doctor?"

Just now, he said with certainty, an old official who is for the country and the people, at this time his face was flushed, and he mumbled for a long time before he cupped his hands and said:

"Chen, it's Cheng Yingfan, the Taizhong doctor..."

Xiao Cheng nodded in a daze, and said:
"Oh, so you are the Taizhong doctor! Does the Chengqing family know what Tingwei Wenqing said?"

Cheng Yingfan lowered his head, his face was troubled, and he said carefully:

"My minister is busy with official duties, so I seldom teach my descendants..."

Yes, I seldom teach, so I know that my children and grandchildren are useless.This worried that after Xiao Cheng established the academy and the imperial examination system, his descendants would have no way to become officials.

His compassionate heart is really touching!

Xiao Cheng's expression turned cold, and he said:
"Since this is the case, I will allow the Taizhong doctor to retire and go back to teach my children and grandchildren!"

When Cheng Yingfan, a doctor of the Taizhong, heard the words, he froze and froze in place.

Feng Bao who was standing on the steps raised his head slightly, and gave a slight wink to the little eunuchs serving in the hall, and immediately some of the little eunuchs stepped forward, picked up Cheng Yingfan, and dragged him out of the hall.

"Your Majesty, minister... woo woo, woo woo..."

Cheng Yingfan woke up with a start, and opened his mouth to complain, but the clever little eunuch covered his mouth and dragged him out.

After this incident, all the officials who were eager to try just now stopped immediately.Xiao Cheng glanced over, each of them had a look of 'Your Majesty, you are absolutely right' on their faces, it was quite funny to see.

Even if the children and grandchildren can't be officials, that's another story, anyway, I still wear official robes.But if he was dismissed by the emperor, then his family would have been in decline since then!These officials have always been good at weighing the pros and cons.

Xiao Cheng looked at Baiguan who was honest and did not dare to talk too much, and couldn't help but glance at Wen Tiren with satisfaction.

Look, how comfortable it is to have a near minister who can speculate on Shangyi, is shameless, and knows how to use various means to share the king's worries!

Feeling Xiao Cheng's approving gaze, Wen Tiren couldn't help showing a hint of complacency on his face.

Xiao Cheng coughed lightly, and continued:
"If a ruler wants to rule the world and honor his name, he must respect the virtuous and become a corporal. I want to learn from the ancient sages and sages. I don't regard pearls and jade as precious, but talents as treasure. Open the road of Kangzhuang, build high The big house is used to establish the Jixia Academy. Regardless of seniority, country, school of thought, attracting sages to respect and favor them, outstanding scholars will be awarded the title of "Bachelor", and they will be allowed to praise and criticize state affairs freely. They can directly advise and encourage them Write a book, set up a theory, and publicize your ideas. All the expenses of the academy will be supported by the royal family!"

"Draft a decree, pass this decree to the world, so that people in the world will know my thirst for talents!"

Feng Bao immediately bowed in response.

Wen Tiren in the hall saw the needle, immediately fell to his knees with a plop, and shouted loudly:

"Your Majesty invites talents to innovate, benevolent and courteous to the virtuous, and the virtuous and wise are like this. It is indeed the blessing of our country and the blessing of the world! Your Majesty, long live, long live, long live!"

This flattery, to other people's ears, is naturally extremely cold, but Xiao Cheng's ears are quite good, and he couldn't help but smile.

All the officials had no choice but to kneel down and shouted in unison:
"Long live your majesty, long live, long live!"

The sound of the mountain calling came from the Xuanzheng Palace and floated above the palace.

In the line of sight that ordinary people can't see, the giant purple bird on the Xuanzheng Hall fluttered its wings and flew straight into the sky.The sound of crowing, like the sound of gold and jade, is shocking.

(End of this chapter)