Chongzhen revived the Ming Dynasty

The voices of the candidates reached Zhu Youjian's ears, and he took them very seriously.

Previously, the fourth and fifth-ranked scholars were not allowed to participate in the palace examination, which was originally intended to persuade the ministers to add other subjects.

Now that Siming Ke's position is basically secure, it's natural for things to change.

Taking advantage of the commotion caused by the candidates, Zhu Youjian addressed the court as follows:
"Recently, some candidates submitted a memorial, saying that they are all students of the emperor, so why can't they take the palace examination?"

"After careful consideration, I believe this matter is indeed inappropriate."

What are your opinions, gentlemen?

Many of the officials had heard about this matter, and most of them, who were graduates of the imperial examinations, did not think much of the graduates of the Siming examinations.

They believed these people were suitable to serve as clerks, that is, the low-ranking officials of the eighth or ninth grade created by the current emperor.

Starting as an eighth-rank official with the rank of a fourth or fifth-class Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) is already considered a privilege.

The current policy doesn't need to be changed at all.

However, some people spoke up for them. Grand Secretary Xu Guangqi said:

"Many scholars who passed the imperial examinations in the Ming Suan Ke (a type of imperial examination) now work in government offices such as the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Agriculture."

"These people are more familiar with the affairs of the Ministry of Revenue than the officials who passed the imperial examinations."

"They are better at math than ordinary Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations), and they are very capable in economics."

"I believe we should give them the opportunity to take the palace examination, so they can demonstrate their abilities in a higher position."

Minister of Revenue Bi Ziyan was extremely busy and naturally hoped to have more capable subordinates. Upon hearing this, he immediately agreed, believing that the status of Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) in the Ming Suan Ke (calculation examination) should be raised.

Officials from the Ministry of Revenue, such as the Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices and the Minister of Agriculture, also voiced their agreement.

Because the Ministry of Works had expanded its commercial responsibilities, it also produced many scholars who had passed the imperial examinations in mathematics. Minister Shang Zhouzuo and others echoed this sentiment.

After Logistics Minister Min Mengde also expressed his agreement, Yuan Keli, who presided over the Ming Law Examination three years ago, said:
“The graduates of the Ming Dynasty’s legal examinations were well-versed in law and were more proficient in the three judicial departments than ordinary graduates.”

"Your Majesty has revived the rites and music system and governed the country by the rule of rites and music. I believe that they should be given the opportunity to take the palace examination."

Upon hearing this, the officials of the three judicial departments had no choice but to agree.

Even if they didn't want to speak before, they had to agree with Yuan Keli's point of view.

Under the influence of these people, Liu Zongzhou, Dong Qichang, and others also spoke out, saying that there should be room for advancement for those who passed the Mingjing and Mingshu examinations.

Qian Qianyi even said:
"Both Jinshi and Yuanshi can take the examination to become Shujishi. I believe that Jinshi from the Siming examination should not be excluded from the palace examination."

"They should be given the opportunity to take the exam, so that they can truly become the talents selected by His Majesty."

They believed that favor came from above, and that the ranking of the successful candidates in the imperial examinations should be decided by the emperor.

Zhu Youjian was even more pleased to hear that he was speaking from the emperor's perspective. He felt that after several years of tormenting Qian Qianyi, this man had become a useful talent.

The court officials also became the kind of people he wanted, each offering their support and unifying the opinions in the court.

Those who opposed it were speechless.

Upon seeing this, Zhu Youjian said:
"Issuing an imperial decree that those who passed the imperial examinations in the fields of law, mathematics, classics, and calligraphy are permitted to participate in the palace examination as well."

“If the original fourth and fifth-class Jinshi perform well, they can be promoted to the second and third class.”

“The Jinshi degree originally awarded to the imperial examinations now starts from the third-class Jinshi degree.”

Upon hearing this decision, even those who had reservations began to applaud it in unison:
The Jinshi degree was awarded starting from the third rank, meaning no one would be demoted.

The emperor bestowed favors upon all the successful candidates in the imperial examinations, allowing them to start from higher official positions.

It can be said that Zhu Youjian reduced the intensity of competition by increasing the number of high-ranking Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations).

The courtiers were naturally very pleased with this good thing.

However, some were dissatisfied. Liu Qiao, the Minister of the Imperial Guard who attended the court assembly, said:

"Your Majesty, those who passed the imperial examinations and those who passed the Siming examinations are allowed to participate in the palace examination, so why are those who passed the military examinations not allowed?"

"I believe that the military examination should also have a palace examination, giving military graduates the opportunity to become the emperor's protégés!" This suggestion drew the attention of the civil officials in the court.

Many others looked toward the emperor, speculating that this was most likely at his behest.

Clearly, the emperor wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to grant the Jinshi degree holders from Siming the palace examination qualification to add a military examination.

This was to strengthen control over military officers and cultivate the emperor's protégés.

Most civil officials were unhappy about this matter because of their disdain for military officers. However, since all other civil officials could participate in the palace examination, it would seem petty of them to oppose the military examination alone.

Ultimately, after some debate, Zhu Youjian, with the support of Yuan Keli and others, approved the proposal to hold the Imperial Examination for Martial Arts.

Starting from the fourth year of the Chongzhen reign, the military examinations also included a palace examination.

The civil officials strongly insisted that civil and military graduates were different and could not take the palace examination together.

In practice, military graduates were still excluded and not equated with civil graduates.

Zhu Youjian had no choice but to accept this. He couldn't force his officials to put civil and military scholars in the palace examination together. In the end, he could only hold the examinations in two separate sessions.
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After confirming these points, Zhu Youjian admonished his ministers:
"The war in Liaodong has begun, and I hope that everyone will perform their duties diligently."

"Effective immediately, the Privy Council shall enter a wartime state and take full charge of the Liaodong war."

"This is a war that concerns the future of the Ming Dynasty. If necessary, I will order martial law and a state of war throughout the country."

"Mobilize all forces to strive for victory in this battle."

These words were both a warning and a threat.

He warned his ministers that if they did not exert themselves fully and the war went poorly, they should not blame him for disregarding the tacit agreement and seizing power by imposing martial law.

If anyone hinders the operation or deliberately sabotages the war in Liaodong, they will not only be his enemy, but also the enemy of all the officials.

Upon hearing this, the officials in the court immediately became solemn.

Having experienced martial law, they never want to go through it again.

The previous martial law had already greatly expanded the emperor's power.

If it happened again, no one could stop the emperor's dictatorship.

For a time, many people were racking their brains, trying to figure out how to deal with this war.

After giving the warning, Zhu Youjian then said to Yuan Keli:

"Privy Councilor Yuan Keli, listen to my command:"

"I hereby appoint you as the Director of the Wartime Committee, with full authority over the Liaodong campaign."

"Whether it is troop movements or weapons production, anything involving the Liaodong war can be handled with full authority."

"Prepare for a wartime headquarters and prepare for nationwide martial law."

He formally handed over control of the Liaodong campaign to Yuan Keli.

The threat of martial law against the court officials was also being prepared.

The courtiers turned pale upon hearing this and tried to dissuade the emperor.

They believed that handing over great power to one person was far too dangerous.

However, Zhu Youjian ignored all of this and made his own decision:
"Minister Yuan is the Privy Councilor. If I cannot trust him, who can I rely on?"

"As for the wartime headquarters, that is the organ for implementing general mobilization and total war. If it is necessary to establish one, I will also serve as its commander-in-chief."

"I hope the Ming Dynasty will not come to that point, being forced by the enemy to mobilize the entire nation."

Despite saying this, Zhu Youjian still instructed the General Staff to prepare for the mobilization of troops.

Arrangements must be made regarding how many troops to mobilize from various regions, how many troops can be dispatched north, and the logistics along the way.

He didn't want to be caught off guard and unable to muster enough troops when the time came.

The plan is to use this Liaodong campaign to unleash the Ming Dynasty's full war potential. (End of Chapter)