Eastern Jin Dynasty: My powerful father

Chapter 368 Recruiting Scholars Based on Talent
In this world, the only one who can control Huan Wen is Sima Xingnan.

If Aman was so hungry that she went to Sima Xingnan and cried, she would have to empty the Chu State's treasury.

Wang Meng responded with a smile:
"This plan is very clever. Now that the finances are tight, as the prince of Liang Dynasty, it is time for the prince to step forward."

Aman looked shocked when he heard this. He didn't know whether these two people really planned to do this.

Of course, in front of Huan Xi, Aman still had to show the most respectful attitude. He stood up and said seriously:

"The child is willing to share his father's worries."

Huan Xi reached out and stroked his little head and said happily:
"Good boy, I will need you in the future, but not yet. My father is just joking with you."

Aman nodded solemnly, then closed his mouth and listened to Huan Xi and Wang Meng discussing military and state affairs.

Huan Xi finally decided to ask Huan Wen to borrow some money and food. After all, for now, Huan Wen had no plans to use troops.

Even though Yanzhou was close at hand, facing Qian Yan, especially in the plain areas that were conducive to cavalry operations, it was difficult for Huan Wen to make a difference without a strong cavalry to cooperate.

"Yong'er is still young now, and Wei Chen has not yet considered marriage for him."

Since he is not using weapons and is recuperating in the south, Huan Wen must have the spare capacity to support Huan Xi with a batch of money and food.

"As a parent, you should take care of your children. The one who can match your son is my Luo Niang."

Therefore, Huan Wen's current energy is focused on running Luoyang, forcing the Jin Dynasty to return to the old capital, and then plotting to usurp the throne.

Wang Meng asked knowingly:

All we need to do is wait until the market for salt opens up and a steady stream of salt profits is fed into the national treasury, and everything will be fine.

And the elite cavalry of the Chu Kingdom in his hands can only be so high as to look down upon Jiangdong.

Of course Wang Meng knew what Huan Xi meant by what he said, and he also knew that he was asking Wang Yong, not Wang Pi. After all, even Wang Meng himself hated Wang Pi as much as iron, so how could Huan Xi push his daughter into the fire pit? .

After discussing state affairs, Huan Xi brought up personal matters with Wang Meng:
"Sir, has your son made a marriage contract?"

Wang Meng pretended to be surprised:

It would be better to demolish ten temples than ruin one marriage. If Wang Yong really had an engagement, Huan Xi would naturally give up the idea of ​​recruiting him as his son-in-law.

Huan Xi did not allow him to refuse:
"It's not enough to boast that you were so dirty in the past. Now you are the Minister of Liang State and you are Huan's husband. How can you despise yourself when you are inferior to one person and superior to ten thousand people?"

Huan Xi immediately said:
"To be honest, sir, I am trying to help you find a good marriage. What do you think, sir?"

Although self-reliance is commendable, there is no shame in using external help when times are difficult.

"I dare to ask which noble girl it is that can actually ask Liang Gong to act as a matchmaker."

"There are no outsiders here. I might as well tell you frankly that the Huan family was originally from the Xing family. If my grandfather hadn't made friends with famous people everywhere after crossing to the south, and then died in the king's affairs, An An would be as wealthy as he is today.

Huan Xi wrote a letter to Huan Wen on the spot.

Huan Xi smiled and said:

"The humble minister comes from a humble background. He was once a pawn of a trafficker. It is a lucky thing that he is here today. How can a dog dare to expect a noble girl from a famous family?"

"Besides, because the Wang family in Beihai has a husband, they will surely rank above all other surnames in Jiangdong in the future.

"Luo Niang and your son are a match made in heaven, sir, please don't refuse."

When Wang Meng saw that Huan Xi had gone so far as to say everything, he finally stopped refusing and immediately nodded and agreed, even skipping the step of comparing birth dates. The two wrote a marriage letter on the spot, with no room for regret. Aman watched his father and husband finalize Amei's marriage in a few words, and couldn't help but think of his engagement with Zhou Youniang.

Huan Xi never asked for his opinion on A Man's marriage. Now, Luo Niang was also kept in the dark.

Of course, this is not the time to advocate freedom of marriage.

Huan Xi had some insights from the conversation with Wang Meng just now. He looked at Aman and said solemnly:
“The reason why the Wei and Jin Dynasties collapsed was that the gentry monopolized official positions and remained stubbornly self-proclaimed.

"Aman, the way to recruit scholars is to focus on talent, not family status."

Huan Xi really didn't miss any opportunity to educate Aman. After all, no matter how hard he worked now, the future family fortune would be in Aman's hands. He couldn't attach too much importance to the education of his heirs.

Wang Meng heard this and said with deep emotion:

"It's all thanks to Mr. Liang's meritocracy. Otherwise, given my family background, I'm afraid I won't be able to get ahead."

Before Aman could speak, Huan Xi smiled and said:
"There is a saying in "Historical Records": The life of a wise man is like a cone in a bag, the end of which is seen immediately.

"Sir, you are a man of great talent. Even if you have never met me, there will be someone who knows the truth."

Wang Meng sighed:
"If it weren't for Duke Liang, I would have no choice but to serve a foreign tribe."

This is also true. Without Huan Xi, even if Wang Meng went south, it would be difficult for him to be reused because of his humble background.

When Huan Xi saw this, he said to Aman:
"If I choose people based on family status, I will definitely miss a great man like Mr. Wang. Wouldn't it be a pity.

"If Mr. Wang is not reused by Tao, he runs away in anger and takes charge of the government of Yan and Yu in the future. As a father, it is equivalent to cutting off his own arm and replacing it with Murong Jun and Fu Jian. It will be too late to regret!"

Of course Aman knew Wang Meng's talent, he said seriously:

"Father's instructions, children will remember them in their hearts and dare not forget them."

Huan Xi nodded happily.

No matter what the future holds, at least Aman's attitude has always been faultless.

Huan Xi looked at Wang Meng again. The conversation just now reminded him of something he had put aside for a long time:

"Sir, I think the time is now ripe for us to take the first step to recruit talents based on our talents."

What Huan Xi said about selecting scholars based on their talents was not the imperial examination system of later generations.

It would be easy to take too big a step and implement the imperial examination system now. I am afraid that it will arouse fierce opposition from the southern gentry and create unnecessary obstacles for Huan Xi to take over Huan Wen's foundation in the future.

The northern gentry will also have complaints.

What Huan Xi had to do was to imitate Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty and order the governors of each county to select three people every year to come to Chang'an for assessment and to recruit them based on their talents.

There are bound to be some tricks in this. For example, the quota may be monopolized by the nobles. After all, if you are a poor scholar, how can you get the recommendation of the prefect unless you are famous all over the world.

Huan Xi did not hate the gentry, after all, he himself was from the gentry.

Although he had recruited a group of capable children from poor families through the issuance of recruitment orders in the early years, Huan Xi's base was still the gentry.

In troubled times, what he wants are capable talents, not just those from poor families.

The road must be walked step by step, and the rice must be eaten one bite at a time. Facing the behemoth of Jiupin Zhongzheng, the only way is to boil the frog in warm water and not to rush.

(End of this chapter)