Chongzhen revived the Ming Dynasty

Having received the important task of reforming the Hanlin Academy, Qian Qianyi returned home and immediately began writing furiously.

He also summoned his disciples, including Qu Shisi, to discuss which people to employ in the Hanlin Academy.

When Qu Shisi learned that he could still pass the examination to become a probationary official, he was immediately excited.

In the Ming Dynasty, only by becoming a Hanlin scholar could one have the opportunity to become a Grand Secretary and gain entry into the cabinet as prime minister.

After passing the imperial examination in the 44th year of the Wanli reign, Qu Shisi did not take the examination to become a probationary official.

He had always deeply regretted this, but he never expected that there would be a turning point.

Upon hearing the teacher's words, he immediately asked anxiously:

"Those over forty years old can also take the exam, and there are a maximum of five more times."

"In my current state, am I even capable of participating?"

Qian Qianyi glanced at him, stroked his beard, and said:
"you?"

"It's probably not possible."

"As for academic achievements and political accomplishments, I can help you qualify for the Hanlin Academy examination."

"But you are already a fifth-rank official in the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. What will happen to you if you pass the imperial examination and are accepted into the Hanlin Academy?"

"His Majesty only allows officials of the fifth rank and below to take the exam, and does not include officials of the fifth rank."

He had clearly considered this and knew that Qu Shisi would not get this opportunity.

After all, the fifth rank is equivalent to a scholar. How would the Hanlin Academy teach such a person after he passed the exam to become a probationary scholar?

Let alone a Hanlin Academician, even a Grand Secretary of the Inner Cabinet is only theoretically a fifth-rank official. They can only be ranked ahead of the Nine Ministers when attending court because of their honorary titles.

How should a scholar of the fifth rank or a grand scholar teach a junior official who retains the fifth rank?

There were also officials of the fifth rank in the finance and education departments, whose authority was comparable to that of ministers in later generations.

What kind of people are the officials in charge of these government offices who don't think about being good officials but instead try to take the imperial examinations?
Therefore, although Zhu Youjian abolished the age limit for candidates to take the imperial examinations, he set the rank below the fifth grade and did not allow high-ranking officials to take the Hanlin examinations.

After understanding this point through his teacher's explanation, Qu Shisi felt even more regretful—

If he had been promoted normally, he would now be a fifth-rank official.

It was only because he was being transferred for the first time as an official of the Censorate that he was given the opportunity to be promoted ahead of schedule according to old rules.

In addition, his teacher Qian Qianyi was favored by the emperor and was the next generation leader of the Donglin Party. He was promoted from the position of Supervising Secretary of the Ministry of Revenue to the fifth-rank position of Assistant Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices.

He was quite proud of this before, thinking that it saved him a lot of time in the exploration process.

Unexpectedly, he was hit by a boomerang and lost the opportunity to be selected as a junior official.

For a moment, Qu Shisi wished he could go back to the beginning and only fight for a fifth-rank position.

Seeing his disciple's state, Qian Qianyi comforted him:

"Stop thinking about these things!"

"You've served as the temple assistant for two years. If you make a good contribution this year, you'll have a chance to be promoted when the term ends next year."

"Once you reach the fifth rank or above, you are no longer solely determined by the examination and can be selected through court recommendation."

"Your teacher will help you get a good position, and your promotion will be no slower than that of a Hanlin scholar."

Qu Shisi felt a little relieved upon hearing this, knowing that with his teacher's favor with the emperor, it wouldn't be difficult for him to be given a good position.

The thought that he had lost his chance to enter the cabinet by taking a shortcut still made him resentful.

"Even if one's promotion is no slower than that of a Hanlin scholar, the highest one one can achieve is a high-ranking official."

"Even though the Emperor trusts Yuan Keli so much, he didn't let him join the cabinet as a Grand Secretary."

"Isn't it because he's not a Hanlin scholar, and according to convention, he can't become a cabinet minister?"

"What a pity...what a pity..."

Sighing repeatedly, Qu Shisi knew that although the emperor had changed the custom of "only those who have passed the imperial examination can enter the Hanlin Academy", he had no intention of changing the custom of "only those who have passed the imperial examination can enter the Grand Secretariat".

This practice was even reinforced due to the expansion of the Hanlin Academy.

Officials who obtain the status of Hanlin scholar will work even harder to maintain it in the future.

In particular, since even Yuan Keli failed to enter the cabinet, it was even more difficult for ministers who were not from the Hanlin Academy to enter the cabinet.

Everyone should consider whether they have achieved more than him.

Given Yuan Keli's achievements in overthrowing the eunuch faction, establishing the Privy Council, and pacifying the southwest and recovering the grasslands during his term, it is a foregone conclusion that he will be included in the Imperial Academy in the future, and it will be difficult for anyone to surpass him.

As long as he remains a benchmark, the rule that no one but a member of the Hanlin Academy will be allowed into the cabinet is basically set in stone.

The future Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet will inevitably be selected from the Hanlin Academy.

Even Liu Zongzhou, the one who spearheaded the reform of rites and music, was unable to become a cabinet minister because of this precedent.

When Liu Zongzhou passed the imperial examination, news of his mother's death arrived just in time, and he had to rush south to mourn her the day before the results were announced. As a result, he missed the selection process for the position of Shujishi (a junior official in the Hanlin Academy), and after the mourning period ended, he only became a Xingrensi (a minor official in the Hanlin Academy).

For this reason, although Liu Zongzhou was highly learned, he had no experience in the Hanlin Academy, and according to convention, he could become a cabinet minister.

Qian Qianyi was delighted with this, because he already regarded Liu Zongzhou as his biggest rival and naturally hoped to surpass him in official rank.

Therefore, he strongly supported the policy of only allowing members of the Hanlin Academy to enter the cabinet and fully supported the emperor's reform of the Hanlin Academy.
-

Seeing his disciple's dejected expression, Qian Qianyi comforted him:

"Don't think about this anymore!"

"There's another good thing waiting for you next year."

"I heard from the Ministry of Personnel that during next year's reshuffle, each ministry will add assistant ministers and deputy ministers."

“You fifth-rank officials and vice ministers all have opportunities for promotion.”

This matter indeed caught Qu Shisi's attention, and he asked:
"Ministerial Affairs Assistant?"

"Is it like the Six Ministries of the Privy Council?"

"What rank is he/she? Can he/she participate in the council?"

He was clearly aware of this, knowing that the Privy Council had positions such as Assistant Minister and Deputy Minister, which were second only to the Minister and Deputy Minister.

This position was not highly regarded before, but it has become important after the implementation of the collective decision-making system.

Because the Assistant Minister and Deputy Minister have the same vote in the assembly as the Vice Minister, it can be said to be the same power as the Vice Minister.

If the six ministries of the State Council are in the same situation, then they can be regarded as vice ministers of a slightly lower rank.

This was naturally very attractive to Qu Shisi.

Qian Qianyi said with a smile:

“Ministerial affairs assistants and deputy ministers have the power to sign off on departmental affairs and are of course able to participate in council meetings.”

"In the future, the general offices directly under each ministry, as well as important departments, will be managed by assistant commissioners and junior commissioners, with the rank set at the fourth rank and the fourth rank respectively."

"This would be equivalent to a fourth-rank Vice Censor-in-Chief, which would be perfect for future appointment as governor."

"When the governor is given the additional title of Vice Minister of Nanjing and then returns to the central government as a Vice Minister, the transition between the central government and the local government is completed, and the administration becomes more organized."

"Your Taifu Temple is located in the Ministry of Revenue, which is a major ministry. There should be quite a few additional positions for assistant commissioners."

Qu Shisi was overjoyed, because if he became the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, the positions of Governor and Vice Minister would be easily within his grasp.

With the teacher's support, he will become one of the Nine Ministers in the future, and his career will soar to great heights.

This finally dispelled his frustration at not being able to become a Hanlin scholar, and he said to his teacher:
“Master, I will certainly live up to your expectations and achieve promotion through my years of merit.”

They were determined to stand out among the fifth-rank officials in the imperial court and leave those watching them speechless.

Qian Qianyi was very pleased, offered his disciple a few words of encouragement, and then asked:
"You have many connections in the imperial court and have even served as a censor."

"Could you tell me which officials might be eligible to take the imperial examination for the Hanlin Academy?"

These people are the backbone of the court, and most of them hold positions of the sixth rank or the fifth rank. As long as they pass the Hanlin examination, they can be put to great use and may become cabinet ministers in the future.

Qu Shisi, thinking enviously of their opportunities, replied:

"It depends on whether your mentor uses the Donglin Party or someone else." "The Emperor has reinstated many officials who were listed as members of the Donglin Party. Most of them have been transferred to positions of the fifth or sixth rank, and they are fully capable of participating in the selection examinations."

"Xue Guoguan, the Supervising Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, and Liu Hanru, the Supervising Secretary of the Ministry of Personnel, should also be running for election."

"Does my mentor want to ease tensions with the Donglin Party, or is he cultivating his own people?"

Qian Qianyi stroked his beard, also pondering this question.

Although he has now split from the Donglin Party, they are not yet complete enemies, and he has no reason to hinder their progress.

Moreover, he didn't have enough manpower to cultivate his own people. His most valued disciple, Qu Shisi, couldn't take the imperial examination for the Hanlin Academy.

So after thinking it over, he said:
"The Emperor instructed me to be fair, and after the preliminary examination, there will be a second examination and interview for Hanlin Academy scholars. Who enters the Hanlin Academy is not entirely decided by the teachers."

"This time, let them do as they please; the teacher will treat them all equally."

After saying these nice words, Qian Qianyi continued:
"The key is still the Hanlin Academician."

“In the future, the junior scholars of the Hanlin Academy will be closer to their mentors.”

Qu Shisi pondered for a moment the revised regulations of the Hanlin Academy and echoed:

"That's true, the key is a bachelor's degree."

"This time, the Hanlin Academy will recruit 120 people. According to His Majesty's requirement that each tutor have a maximum of six students, at least 20 bachelors are needed."

Whom does my mentor intend to recommend?

Qian Qianyi said:

"This is also what troubles me, your teacher."

"Twenty bachelors, that's not an easy choice!"

"These people must be renowned throughout the land and have made contributions to the court, so that they can serve as academicians of the fifth rank."

"Anyone who can meet these requirements is a key minister valued by the Emperor."

This is where Qian Qianyi's dilemma lies. The current emperor values ​​talent too much, and regardless of whether one panders to him, one will remain in the court.

There are very few virtuous men like Chen Jiru, and they have already been discovered by the emperor.

If Qian Qianyi were to recommend these people, they would only take it for granted. Not only would they not be grateful, but they might even oppose him at the academic council meeting.

Even though Qian Qianyi, as the chief official, had veto power, he did not have the power to dismiss a Hanlin Academician.

He was truly exasperated by so-called celebrities.

Qu Shisi offered his suggestion:
"Didn't His Majesty say that retired Grand Secretaries could be employed?"

“They can be invited to study at the Hanlin Academy, and they will not have to participate in the council meetings.”

"In the future, when we recommend scholars for promotion, we'll replace them with our own people."

Qian Qianyi didn't want too many powerful figures in the Hanlin Academy who were difficult to manage, but unfortunately, ordinary Hanlin scholars were also hard to control.

After much deliberation, he said helplessly:

"It can only be this way!"

"First, reserve a position with a retired Grand Secretary."

Which retired Grand Secretaries are still alive?

After careful consideration, the first person they thought of was Liu Yizhu, and he was also the first to be rejected.

Because the emperor deemed this person "unable to rise from his bed," even if he were perfectly healthy, he would be considered ill and unable to come to the capital to assume his post.

The remaining retired Grand Secretaries who were still alive were Shi Jixie, Zhu Guozhen, Zhu Yanxi, Huang Lijie, and Zhang Ruitu.

Huang Lijie has clearly supported Qian Qianyi, so he is a definite candidate.

Zhang Ruitu was a master calligrapher, renowned alongside Dong Qichang, Xing Tong, and Mi Wanzhong, and was known as "Zhang in the South and Dong in the North." The emperor also believed he was worthy of entering the Academy of Arts, and this person was to be selected as well.

Zhu Guozhen and Zhu Yanxi were senior members of the Donglin Party; one was already working at the National History Museum, and the other had compiled the "Veritable Records of Emperor Guangzong." They would definitely be recommended for promotion.

Only Shi Jixie made Qian Qianyi undecided:
"The historian was dismissed because he selected his fellow townsman Zhuang Jichang as the top scholar in the imperial examination."

"However, Zhuang Jichang died in the line of duty in Dongjiang two years ago and was posthumously granted a noble title by the emperor. He is a martyr recognized throughout the country."

"His mistake can hardly be called a mistake; on the contrary, it can be called recruiting talent."

Now that he is still alive, should we recommend him for promotion?

Although Qu Shisi was a disciple, he was more decisive than his teacher, and after a moment's thought, he said:

"want!"

"There were quite a few talented people in the imperial examination of the 47th year of the Wanli reign."

"Leaving aside Zhuang Jichang, Kong Zhenyun, and Chen Zizhuang, the three top scholars, Sun Chuanting and Yuan Chonghuan have already become governors-general, and Yang Wenyue and Wu Aheng are not far from becoming governors-general as well."

"There are also Hanlin scholars such as He Wuzhou and Jiang Yueguang, and people like Xue Guoguan who are preparing to take the Hanlin exam. The talents of this cohort will surely occupy high positions."

"The historian is the chief examiner for this subject. Inviting him over will help my mentor win over these people."

"We can't let all the people from the Jiwei year gravitate towards Chief Minister Han!"

This reason helped Qian Qianyi see the light and understand how to treat Shi Jixie:

Han Kuang was indeed the deputy chief examiner for this subject, but Shi Jixie was the official chief examiner.

After he returns to the court, he will surely be able to win over a portion of the people.

Especially since both Shi Jixie and Yang Jingchen are from Jinjiang, and with Yang Jingchen already serving as the second-in-command, there must be someone willing to get close to Yang Jingchen through Shi Jixie.

This way, he can also curry favor with Yang Jingchen and have someone to restrain Han Kuang if he might target him.

Therefore, Qian Qianyi immediately decided to recommend Shi Jixie, even to put him first.

Whether or not he comes to the capital in the future, the Jinshi graduates of the Jiwei year of the Wanli reign, as well as Yang Jingchen and others, should all record this event.

Having determined his attitude towards Shi Jixie, Qian Qianyi said with a smile:

"Speaking of which, Shi Jixie was impeached by Ruan Dacheng when he retired. At that time, he was a member of the Donglin Party."

"It's a pity that this person didn't follow the right path and actually sided with the eunuchs, which led to Wei Dazhong's death."

"Now that Wei Xuelian wants to pay with his life, Ruan Dacheng can only go into exile overseas."

These are all things from the Donglin Party of yesteryear. Now that Qian Qianyi has stepped forward, he can naturally view them with a calm mind.

Qu Shisi then thought of Liu Zongzhou, who had impeached Ruan Dacheng, and Li Yu, who was now on good terms with Wei Xuelian.

Li Yu was the head of the royal orchestra and a music master appointed by the emperor. If the Hanlin Academy of Arts were to establish a ceremonial institution, he would certainly be the first to be honored.

After he mentioned this matter, Qian Qianyi thought of the matter of being a Hanlin Academician, stroked his beard and pondered:

"If Li Yun can become a Hanlin Academician, then his teacher can naturally be one as well."

"Liu Jishan is currently the Imperial Academy Chancellor and the Assistant Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, so it's impossible for him to take the Hanlin Academy exam again."

"But he is also a universally recognized academic master, and the absence of him from the Confucian Classics Academy will inevitably raise questions."

"I then included him in the list and recommended him for the position of Hanlin Academician."

He drafted a list of Hanlin Academy scholars and put Liu Zongzhou first.

They even suggested to the emperor that officials such as the Hanlin Academy attendants be allowed to recruit probationary scholars as students, demonstrating preferential treatment towards the Hanlin Academy attendants.

The title of Hanlin Gongfeng was the original title of Hanlin Xueshi, and the two are completely equivalent.

Now that the system has been restructured, the ranks remain the same, except that Hanlin scholars now have official Hanlin status and can participate in the scholars' council.

The Hanlin Academy members were different; they were merely outsiders and could not be considered to have come from the Hanlin Academy.

Qian Qianyi was worried that the emperor might change the system again to give Liu Zongzhou the status of a Hanlin scholar, so he planned to finalize the matter.

Moreover, with retired Grand Secretaries and Hanlin Academy members filling the quota, the Hanlin Academy only needed to appoint about ten scholars immediately.

Qian Qianyi was fully capable of recommending his close associates to control the Hanlin Academy's academic council. (End of Chapter)