Emperor Taizong's Growth Plan

Chapter 264 Eclectic, Bold Appointment!

At this time, in Lumen Academy, most of the students had already left, and there were only a hundred or so students left, who were scattered among the houses of the academy, taking separate exams according to the imperial examination system.

Xiao Cheng led a group of trusted ministers, and under the leadership of Sima Hui, Pang Degong and others, they passed by quietly.

This exam is actually a copy of the imperial examination system implemented by the imperial court last year, and there is nothing to look at.

Under the leadership of Sima Hui, everyone walked around and went straight to his daily place, the house where he handles college affairs.

After inviting Xiao Cheng to the main seat, everyone sat down one after another and served tea.

At this time, Xiao Cheng looked at the people in the room, chuckled lightly, and said:

"Lumen Academy is full of talented people. This year's re-examination of the imperial examination, only [-] places are given, isn't it a bit small?"

This quota was originally not too small.

But with the development of more than a year, the students of Lumen Academy are no longer like two or three big cats and kittens.Today I personally saw the students dismissed from the academy, I'm afraid there are roughly a thousand students.

Looking at it this way, [-] places does not seem to be too many.

When Sima Hui heard this, he quickly replied:
"Although I don't know how this year's imperial examination is going to be, but judging from last year, [-] places is already quite a lot!"

Last year's re-examination of the imperial examination had no more than [-] students, and apart from the hundreds of students selected by Jixia Academy this time, there were still [-] places available to Lumen Academy, which is already quite a lot.

Having said that, Mr. Pang De on the side hesitated for a while before he said:

"Dare to ask Your Majesty, cough cough cough, dare to ask Mr. Xiao, what is the purpose of promulgating such an imperial decree today, allowing students of my academy to be exempted from the preliminary examination?"

The people in the room, even the gentlemen from Lumen Academy, actually knew Xiao Cheng's identity somewhat.So at this time, everyone just pretended not to hear Mr. Pang De's slip of the tongue.

Xiao Cheng hadn't answered yet, Zhang Zhao, who was serving as Minister of Rites and now in charge of imperial examinations, opened his mouth and said:

"Don't hide from Mr. Pang, the reason why His Majesty and the court have issued such an imperial decree is indeed intentional."

"The imperial examination system does not select officials based on their background, but only on their ability and character, so that a group of talented and learned disciples from poor families will not be left in the wilderness. This is a benevolent government initiated by His Majesty today, and it will benefit the ages. It is just that this political matter is related to the selection of officials in the court. It is the foundation of a country. It is also a start-up, and there is no reference for reading ancient and modern historical records. All of them need to be explored one by one by the current court."

Having said that, Zhang Zhao paused for a moment, then continued:

"Last year's imperial examination was just a start-up, and the rest was not a headache. Only the initial examination to select scholars, it really took a lot of manpower and material resources, which is why this year's policy of allowing students from Lumen Academy and Jixia Academy to waive the initial examination! "

Hearing this, all the gentlemen of Lumen Academy showed sudden expressions.

Although Sima Hui and Mr. Pang De had already guessed before, but at this time the guess in their hearts was confirmed, and they nodded clearly.

After a moment of silence, Sima Hui continued to speak:

"The meaning of today's court and the imperial court is to let me, Lumen Academy, take on the responsibility of the first examination of the imperial examination?"

Having said that, he quickly shook his head and said:

"I don't think so, although my Lumen Academy has developed, but I can't afford to take on the responsibility of selecting scholars... What do you mean by this, is my Lumen Academy doing an experiment?"

Xiao Cheng nodded and said:

"It is indeed intended! Only by practicing can we gain true knowledge. The government of a country cannot be implemented at a stroke of the head, so before it is officially promulgated, it must see results."

And at this moment, a voice suddenly sounded, saying:
"Is this what I mean, to reduce the burden on the court and let the academy bear the burden of selecting scholars for the imperial examination?"

Hearing this, Xiao Cheng glanced over there.

It was Zhu Sheng who spoke at this time.

"That's right, the central government has reformed the system, and now admirals have been set up under the chief secretary of each state and county to take charge of the construction of official schools in various places. What the court expected is that in the future, the imperial examinations will be taken over by government schools in various places, in cooperation with private academies recognized by the court. The responsibility of screening the qualifications of the imperial examination." Xiao Cheng said in a deep voice.

Today, Yunguo is unprecedentedly rich because of the contribution of Buddhism, Xia and Li.

Although it wasn't mentioned too much before, Xiao Cheng, who freed up his hand this year, has made drastic moves in the middle school.

Various policies, such as building water conservancy, encouraging merchants, emphasizing agriculture and mulberry, and setting up government schools, have already begun to be implemented in the middle school.Only the official system in the court has not been reformed before, so the effect is not obvious.

Zhu Sheng looked at the graceful and dignified young man sitting upright, and he had already confirmed Xiao Cheng's identity.

He suppressed the uneasiness in his heart, took a deep breath, and remonstrated:
"If this is the case, I'm afraid the effect will not be obvious!"

Xiao Cheng heard the words, but immediately said:

"Tell me in detail!"

Zhu Sheng got up quickly and said in a vibrating voice:

"This method is better than nothing. It cannot take over the heavy responsibility of the imperial court to select scholars! Imagine there are two scholars, one with profound knowledge, who disdains to go directly to the re-examination of the imperial examination with this method. The other has shallow knowledge and cannot pass the examination of the official school. I will choose to come to Beijing to take part in the imperial examination, so as to give me a faint hope."

"It is because of this that Caomin just said that this method is better than nothing!"

Hearing this, Xiao Cheng immediately looked at Zhang Zhao and nodded slightly.

It was just a slap in the face before, but now Zhu Shengyi said it, it seems that it really doesn't have much effect, it's a bit like taking off your pants and farting.

Xiao Cheng looked at Zhu Sheng, and said loudly:

"Since you have seen it, is there a way to remedy it?"

When Zhu Sheng saw Xiao Cheng's manner of being kind and earnestly asking him for his opinions and thoughts, he felt slightly happy, and his tone was even more high-spirited, saying:

"The construction of government schools is a benevolent government, and it can continue to be implemented. The government schools in various places can have the power to recommend and exempt the examination places, and change it to those who have been approved by the government schools, and can take the imperial examination. As for the promotion and exemption of examinations, it does not need to be abolished, but the quota needs to be controlled. Passed People who have passed the imperial examination can go directly to the imperial examination for reexamination."

To translate the meaning, it means that in the future, government schools in various places will only have the right to issue college entrance examination qualifications.Scholars recognized by official schools in various places are eligible to participate in the imperial examination.

And if you are exempted from the test, you can directly enter the imperial examination re-examination, which is a recommendation system.Only by improving the status of pushing and exempting examinations can more talented scholars be attracted to take the examinations and achieve the diversion effect of the imperial examinations.

When Xiao Cheng heard this, his eyes moved, but he continued to ask:

"Scholars from other countries who want to participate in the imperial examination, what should we do? What should we do with scholars who are really talented but don't have the time and energy to enter official schools?"

Zhu Sheng heard the words, without thinking, he continued:
"Government school does not stipulate the study time. You only need to pass the official test to be eligible to participate in the imperial examination."

"How to prevent corruption of government and academic officials and buy and sell imperial examination qualifications?" Xiao Cheng asked again.

Zhu Sheng was taken aback for a moment, and said as it should be:

"Choose people of high moral character to serve as academic officers..."

Zhang Zhao heard the words, but shook his head without hesitation and interrupted:
"It can be seen from talent and learning, but how can it be easy to distinguish the level of virtue?"

Hearing this, Zhang Hong interjected:

"Now the official examination method has been formed, and it can be pushed to the official school. It is like the Jixia Academy, where hundreds of schools use the number of scholars in the imperial examination to determine the number of students in the school for the next year. Academic officials from all over the country recommend scholars. The number of Jinshi will be counted in the admission officer's assessment performance!"

The so-called one person counts the short and the other counts the long. Zhu Sheng just made a suggestion, and Zhang Zhao and Zhang Hong made up for it.

Xiao Cheng heard the words, chuckled lightly, nodded and said:
"From this point of view, it is indeed more comprehensive than the method we discussed before..."

I thought he was someone who only knew about the monarch and his ministers.A typical Confucian scholar-bureaucrat with etiquette and morality.I have forgotten that this is also the adviser who put forward the nine-character policy of "building walls high, accumulating grain widely, and becoming king slowly".

Xiao Cheng looked at Zhu Sheng, pondered for a moment, and suddenly said:
"There is still a lack of admiral Xuezheng in the Weichu Mansion. Are you willing to give up this idle teaching position and take up this official position?"

In a word, the eyes of the college gentlemen present widened immediately, and they looked at Xiao Cheng in disbelief.

According to the new system in Yunguo Dynasty today, admirals and scholars are under the command of Chengxuan envoys of the second rank in various places. According to the system of nine ranks and eighteen ranks, it is a noble official position of the fourth rank.

Although everyone had guesses about Xiao Cheng's identity, it was too shocking to directly confer Zhu Sheng with the position of academic administration just because of Zhu Sheng's few words of remonstrance.

On the other hand, Zhang Zhao, Zhang Hong and other high officials from the court and central government responded mediocrely.

After all, His Majesty knows people with his eyes and uses them well, and he has never spared the ability of high-ranking officials and marquises. Those who have not been in office for a long time and have been in high positions know this best.

Zhu Sheng in the hall, hearing what Xiao Cheng said, his lips trembled slightly, and he couldn't hide his excitement.

His temperament is that of a typical Confucian scholar-bureaucrat.He was so excited at this time, not because he suddenly got a high position.

It's because, the young emperor in front of him was granted such an official position just because of a few words of advice, a feeling of being valued can't help but arise from the bottom of his heart.

Zhu Sheng's lips twitched for a while, but he gritted his teeth, bowed his head and saluted:
"Please, please take back my life! I, Zhu Sheng, am only a commoner. I have never been an official. I have suddenly gained a high position. My virtue is not worthy of this. The system of appointing officials in the court may be corrupted by the grassroots!"

Zhu Sheng had never been an official before, and he got an official position just because of a few words of remonstrance. What should the officials who will work under his command think in the future?What do those officials who have worked hard in the court but have not been promoted for a long time think?

Xiao Cheng couldn't help laughing when he heard this, and said:
"Hahaha, I have always been eclectic. You have talents, so what's the point of using them boldly? I can still get a reputation for knowing people with eyes! Besides, if I am as you said, I'm afraid I won't be here today." gone."

At this time, Xiao Cheng, seeing his identity, almost made it clear, so naturally he didn't want to cover it up any longer. Fortunately, he made a big effort to reveal his identity.

If Xiao Cheng had followed what Zhu Sheng said, he might not be able to control the court now!Now that you know the talents of these people, if you think about it a little bit, you will naturally be promoted to a higher position and work for him!

But at this time, Zhu Sheng's stubborn temper seemed to come up again.

Seeing Xiao Cheng revealing his identity, he simply knelt down on the ground and insisted not to be an official.

Seeing him like this, Xiao Cheng suddenly understood that in history, Zhu Sheng was obviously an adviser to the Ming Taizu in the early days, but in the end he just resigned as a scholar of the Imperial Academy and retired.

Xiao Cheng rubbed his brows helplessly, waved his hand and said:

"If that's the case, let's change to a sixth-rank official professor of Weichu Mansion!"

Starting from the sixth grade is actually an excellent starting point for those who are new to officialdom.For example, Hai Rui, Yan Song and the others entered the official position at the beginning, but now they are only seventh-rank officials.

However, compared with the previous Zhengsipin Xuezheng, it is still slightly acceptable.

All the gentlemen of the academy were recognized by Sima Hui and Pang De, and they were all people of noble character.But at this time, the eyes looking at Zhu Sheng could not help but be filled with envy and regret.

One by one, they shook their heads subconsciously, as if they were regretting that Zhu Sheng lost his fourth-rank official position all of a sudden.

At this time, Zhu Sheng may also regret it a little bit in his heart.But more, it is a feeling of being valued by His Majesty today.

His heart, which was already excited, was even more surging at this time.

Immediately, he no longer hesitated, and immediately bowed down, with a solemn expression, moving eyes, and said loudly:
"Cao Min, kneel down and thank the Holy Grace, you will not disappoint His Majesty!"

In the line of sight that others could not see, a line of writing floated on the golden finger.

[The new government official professor of Weichu Prefecture, Zhu Sheng, his loyalty value has increased by 92 points (current loyalty value: [-])]
-
Xia Guo, Jiangyang County.

In the camp of the southwestern frontier army, King Qi looked at the secret letter of the military report in his hand, and couldn't help but let out a long sigh, his eyes full of solemnity.

"Seize the heirloom, one by one, they don't care about the family and country affairs at all!"

At this time, King Qi couldn't help but sigh with helplessness in his eyes.

The military newspaper in his hand is obviously the news that the imperial supplies originally placed in Huang'an County were captured by the rebels.

Feng Chu, who was on the side, looked at King Qi with a dejected look on his face, his eyes were full of deep meaning, and he immediately changed the subject and said:

"Your Highness, it is said that the rebels this time are using the name of the rebel leader of Anshun County."

King Qi frowned when he heard this, and said with a sneer:
"The rebels in Anshun County? At this time, they are all trapped in Anshun County by the king's army. How can they fly to Huang'an County to capture the city guarded by the king's personal soldiers?"

Obviously, in King Qi's view, Huang'an County will be captured this time, and it has little to do with the rebels.

If there was no one secretly planning behind it, this matter would never have happened!
Thinking of this, King Qi said in a deep voice:

"Just wait, Zhouquan sent someone to report that he has rushed out of Huang'an County and is about to leave for Jiangyang County. How did Huang'an County fall, we will know when the time comes!"

When Feng Chu heard the words, his eyelids moved, and he said:
"The person behind the scenes should have some means. If I guess correctly, I'm afraid it won't be long before the order to order His Highness to wipe out the rebels will be issued soon. Your Highness, please prepare early!"

Upon hearing this, King Qi nodded with a gloomy face.

(End of this chapter)