King Luhuang of the Ming Dynasty: My father, Ming Taizu

For example, candidates from Jiangsu and Zhejiang areas had more admission quotas and higher official ranks;
For candidates from remote areas, there are fewer admission quotas and their official ranks are also lower.

On the surface, this system is intended to balance the forces in various places and maintain national stability.

But in reality, it has caused a huge waste of talent and exacerbated conflicts between regions.

Seeing that Zhu Yuanzhang remained silent, Zhu Tan knew that he was weighing the pros and cons, so he struck while the iron was hot and said:

"Father, I think we can follow the example of the Sui and Tang dynasties and set up a complete examination system, from the provincial examination, the metropolitan examination, to the palace examination, and finally select the real talents."

"At the same time, we can also set up special schools to recruit candidates with excellent academic performance and cultivate pillars for the court."

Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly raised his head, stared at Zhu Tan with burning eyes, and asked in a deep voice: "Oh? Tell me, how should this examination system be established? How should this school be built?"

"Father, I think this exam should be divided into a literary test and a martial arts test..."

Zhu Tan began to describe in detail the framework of the modern college entrance examination system in his mind. He elaborated on everything from examination subjects to admission methods and school construction.

Of course, he also knew that in this era, it was unrealistic to completely copy the modern system.

Therefore, he modified and adjusted some systems based on the characteristics of the times.

For example, in terms of examination subjects, he added military examination contents such as horse riding, archery, and military tactics to meet the demand for military talents in this era.

In terms of school construction, he proposed to establish a martial arts school similar to modern military academies to specifically train military talents.

Zhu Tan talked incessantly, and everyone in the hall was stunned.

The military generals listened with great interest. What His Royal Highness Prince Lu said was very exciting!
The civil servants all blushed and spitted, as if Zhu Tan had committed some unforgivable crime.

"That's ridiculous! It's sheer nonsense!"

An old official with a gray beard was so angry that he blew his beard and glared;
"This system of slavery has existed since ancient times. How can it be changed just like that?"

"Yes, Your Majesty! This system of slavery is to maintain social order and prevent rebellion! If it is easily changed, won't the world be in chaos?!"

Another civil servant also stood up and echoed, his tone full of anxiety and uneasiness.

Although most of the generals had not read much, they knew that this statement was related to their vital interests. If they really did what Zhu Tan said, then the status of these generals would rise!

Therefore, the eyes they looked at Zhu Tan were full of admiration and expectation, and they wanted to lift this boy up on the spot and celebrate with him!
"Your Highness is wise! This is a strategy to strengthen the country!"

A bearded general couldn't help but shout loudly, his tone filled with excitement.

"Yes, yes! Your Highness' words really touched our hearts!"

Other generals also echoed, and for a moment, the hall was filled with noisy sounds, like a pot of boiling porridge, very lively.

"enough!"

Zhu Yuanzhang slammed the table and roared angrily. The whole hall suddenly became quiet and you could hear a pin drop.

"What are you arguing about! What a scene!"

The civil servants were all silent, lowered their heads, and dared not speak again.

The generals looked at each other, not knowing what was going on.

"I heard everything you said."

Zhu Yuanzhang spoke in a cold tone, and his eyes swept around everyone, finally landing on Lu San who was kneeling on the ground.

"Lu San, get up."

Lu San was stunned and could hardly believe his ears.

He raised his head and looked at Zhu Yuanzhang cautiously. Seeing that he had no intention of objecting, he stood up tremblingly.

"Thank... Thank you, Your Majesty..."

Lu San lowered his head, his voice trembling, as if he was afraid that Zhu Yuanzhang would go back on his word.

"In consideration of your dedication to the country, I will grant you the right to become a good citizen."

As soon as this statement came out, everyone was shocked!

This Lu San, who was just a beggar, was able to change from a lowly person to a good person just because of Zhu Tan's few words?! This is simply unheard of!

What does your Majesty mean? Are you really going to abolish the system of slavery?
Zhu Yuanzhang ignored everyone's reaction, waved his hand, and said calmly: "Dismiss the court!"

After the court session, the civil servants gathered in groups of three or four, pointing fingers at Zhu Tan and talking about him.

"This Prince Lu is so bold that he dares to say such treasonous words in front of His Majesty!"

"Isn't it? This system of slavery has existed since ancient times. How can it be abolished just because a young boy like him says so?"

"Humph, I think he is just trying to attract attention and gain a good reputation!"

Unlike the civil officials' sarcasm and ridicule, the military generals' attitude towards Zhu Tan was completely different.

"Haha, Your Highness Prince Lu is so happy! Those pedantic civil servants should have been punished long ago!"

"Isn't it? In my opinion, the imperial examination system should be changed. Those guys who can only recite poems and write couplets are afraid to kill even chickens on the battlefield!"

"Your Highness, King Wu, you are truly the confidant I've been waiting for!"

Zhu Tan was surrounded by a group of burly generals. Listening to their flattery, he felt at a loss whether to laugh or cry.

……

The flower blooms on two branches, each showing its own beauty.

In the imperial study, the scent of ambergris rose in the air, but it could not dispel the heavy atmosphere.

Zhu Yuanzhang sat on a rosewood chair with a dragon carved on it, his brows furrowed and he sighed deeply, like a volcano about to erupt.

"Father, please calm down. It's not worth it to get yourself hurt by anger."

Crown Prince Zhu Biao comforted him with kind words and personally poured a cup of hot tea for Zhu Yuanzhang.

"Biao'er, tell me what your tenth brother said in the hall today."

Zhu Yuanzhang took the teacup, with an elusive emotion in his tone, "Is it right or wrong?"

Zhu Biao pondered for a moment, and the image of Zhu Tan's passionate appearance in the hall emerged in his mind.

As the elder brother, he knew his tenth brother's temperament best. He seemed cynical on weekdays, but he was actually a cunning man in his heart.

"Your Majesty," Zhu Biao raised his head, his eyes firm, "I think what your tenth brother said makes sense."

Zhu Yuanzhang raised his head suddenly, a gleam in his eyes: "Oh? Tell me about it."

"Father, think about it, what is the foundation of our Ming Dynasty?"

Zhu Biao said slowly:
"Is it the civil servants who are selected through the imperial examinations every year? No, it is the soldiers who sacrificed their lives and shed their blood on the battlefield! Without them, how could we have the Ming Dynasty?!"

"Those pedantic civil servants, full of talk about morality, are only good at talking on paper!"

Zhu Biao became more and more excited as he spoke:
"Have they ever thought about the soldiers at the border who were starving and clothed in order to defend their country? Have they ever thought about how the wives and children of those soldiers who died on the battlefield would live?"

Zhu Yuanzhang remained silent, just listened quietly, with complex light flashing in his eyes.

"Father, I do not want to deny the imperial examination system,"

Zhu Biao's tone slowed down; "I just feel that when selecting talents for the Ming Dynasty, we should not only look at their background, but also their ability! Your actions today may seem reckless, but in fact, you are opening up a new path for the Ming Dynasty!"

"Humph, a new path?" Zhu Yuanzhang sneered, "Those scholars and officials who claim to be upright are the most difficult to deal with. Do you think they will give in so easily?"

"Father, my tenth brother is young and energetic, so he is inevitably impulsive in his words and actions, but his starting point is good."

Zhu Biao smiled bitterly and shook his head, "Why not let him try first, so as to test the bottom line of those people."

Zhu Yuanzhang pondered for a moment, a hint of ruthlessness flashed in his eyes:
"Biao'er, you are right. It's time to give those people a beating! Our Zhu family's world is not something they can dictate!"

"Father is wise!"

Zhu Biao said:

"In my opinion, it would be better to take advantage of what you said today and gradually implement reforms, relax restrictions on low status, and recruit talents. Of course, this matter still needs to be considered in the long run, and should not be rushed, so as not to cause unrest in the government and the public."

"Yeah, that makes sense."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded in agreement.

"Although your tenth brother is a bit rash in his actions, he is not entirely without merit this time. Just as you said, we should start with some small steps and gradually implement the reforms."

Zhu Yuanzhang stood up, walked to the window, looked at the towering palace in the distance, and a cold light flashed in his eyes.

"Biao'er, do you know that since ancient times, dynasties have often changed because those civil officials and military generals formed cliques for personal gain and undermined the imperial power. Our Ming Dynasty has worked hard to conquer this land, and we must not repeat the same mistakes!"

Zhu Biao was shocked when he heard this and said quickly:
"Don't worry, father. I will do my best to assist you and stabilize the Ming Dynasty!"

"Biao'er, you have been smart since childhood and have won my heart. But you must also remember that this world will eventually be handed over to you."

"Those civil officials and military officers may be respectful to you on the surface, but who knows what they are up to behind the scenes. You must learn to see their true colors and not be swayed by them!"

"I will remember my father's teachings!"

"Okay, it's getting late, you should go back and rest." Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand, signaling Zhu Biao to leave.

Zhu Biao bowed and left. Just as he reached the door, he heard Zhu Yuanzhang's voice coming from behind him:
"Biao'er, go and comfort your tenth brother."

"Just say that I have agreed to his proposal and ask him to stop making trouble."

Zhu Biao paused, a slight wry smile appeared on his lips, and he responded:
"Yes, Father."

Zhu Biao walked out of the imperial study quickly.

I have a lot of thoughts in my mind.

My father's worries are not without reason. Since ancient times, there have been countless cases of rulers becoming too powerful and causing dissension between rulers and their subjects.

As the crown prince, he will inherit the throne in the future, so naturally he has to pay more attention to these matters.

But he also understood his tenth brother's character. He could not tolerate any flaws and would do what he had decided to do.

If I hadn't spoken for him this time, I'm afraid my father wouldn't have agreed so easily.

As soon as he reached the Meridian Gate, he saw Zhu Tan who was about to return home.

"Tenth brother, what a coincidence."

Zhu Biao stepped forward.

Zhu Tan raised his head and saw that it was Zhu Biao, and a smile immediately appeared on his face:
"Brother, why are you here?"

"Father has agreed to your proposal and asked you to stop making trouble."

Zhu Biao said.

"Oh." Zhu Tan responded lightly, as if he was not surprised by the result.

Zhu Biao was a little surprised to see his indifferent reaction:
"Tenth brother, are you unhappy? Father has agreed to your request."

"I'm happy, of course I'm happy." Zhu Tan smiled, "But this is just the first step, there is still a long way to go."

Zhu Biao nodded, he knew that Zhu Tan was telling the truth.

"Brother, are you interested in visiting my laboratory?"

Zhu Tan asked, with a barely perceptible hint of pride in his tone.

Zhu Biao was quite curious about his brother's "great achievements", so he agreed immediately:
"Okay, I want to see what you have in mind."

After the two said goodbye, they each went back to their homes, changed into casual clothes, rode their beloved horses, and rode to Zhu Tan's "laboratory" outside the city.

They galloped all the way to a secluded manor on the outskirts of the city. Zhu Biao was just wondering when he saw Zhu Tan raising his whip and pointing forward:

"Brother, we're here!"

Zhu Biao looked up and saw the towering vermilion courtyard wall that stretched as far as the eye could see. Its scale and grandeur were comparable to the imperial palace.

This is not a laboratory at all, it is clearly a large royal villa!
He couldn't help but exclaimed: "Tenth brother, your handwriting is really generous!"

Zhu Tan smiled triumphantly, dismounted, and handed the reins to the guards waiting beside him:
"Brother, you don't know this, my laboratory is not an ordinary place!"

The two of them walked into the courtyard side by side, passed through the screen wall, and saw the view in front of them suddenly open up.

There were pavilions, towers, rockery and flowing water in the courtyard, with an exquisite layout and staggered arrangement. It turned out to be an exquisite Jiangnan garden!

Zhu Biao was more and more surprised, thinking that his tenth brother really knew how to enjoy himself, but he joked:
"Tenth brother, this is not a laboratory, it's clearly a den of money!"

Zhu Tan laughed and led Zhu Biao through the garden to a spacious courtyard.

This courtyard is different from the previous one. There is no decoration around it. There is only a three-story blue brick building standing in the middle, which looks particularly solemn.

The two of them climbed the stairs, and as soon as they entered the door, a pungent smell of medicine hit them in the face.

Zhu Biao couldn't help but frown, but he saw that Zhu Tan was already used to it and walked straight in.

After passing through the front hall, there is a huge room filled with all kinds of strange-shaped utensils.

Some of them even Zhu Biao had never seen.

Dozens of craftsmen in white robes were busy around several long tables.

Some were grinding medicinal materials, some were adjusting instruments, and everyone was focused and meticulous.

Zhu Biao looked around and saw that although the room was filled with things, it was in order and spotless.

Even the smell of medicine in the air seemed to become lighter.

Zhu Biao couldn't help but stop and look around in surprise.

This huge room was filled with all kinds of instruments and materials that he had never heard of or seen before.

The scene should have been chaotic, but it was unexpectedly neat and orderly, and every object seemed to be carefully placed where it should be.

"Tenth brother, you..." Zhu Biao couldn't help but speak, but he didn't know how to describe the shock in his heart, "Your laboratory is too..."

"Too harsh?"

Zhu Tan took over the conversation with a hint of pride on his face:
"Brother, you don't know that the most taboo in research is disorganization. Any slight mistake may lead to failure." (End of this chapter)