Ming Dynasty: My Father Zhang Juzheng

Chapter 189 Basic Civil Service Examination
Upon hearing this, Emperor Wanli stared at Zhang Yunxiu without answering.

Wei Qing standing by was also silent, obviously shocked by Zhang Yunxiu's bold idea.

Zhang Juzheng simply ordered the expulsion of older students from the provincial school.

It does not directly limit the age for taking the imperial examination.

If this were to get out, wouldn't all the scholars in the world eat Zhang Yunxiu alive?

Zhang Yunxiu looked at the two of them, smiled, then looked at Wei Qing and asked, "May I ask, Eunuch Wei, how many officials are there in this county?"

Wei Qing was stunned. He didn't know why Zhang Yunxiu asked this.

He glanced at the emperor, but saw that he was frowning and looking at the emperor with no expression. Wei Qing swallowed his saliva and answered slowly, "One county magistrate, one county magistrate, one chief clerk, and at most the head of the six treasuries."

There are no more than ten people.

Zhang Yunxiu knew he would say that, so he asked again: "The population of a county can be as few as tens of thousands or as many as one hundred thousand. Can it be managed with just a dozen officials?"

Nonsense, aren’t there still petty officials?
Including the constables and clerks, there were at least several hundred people in a county. However, these people were not directly under the jurisdiction of the imperial court, but were paid by the local government.

While Wei Qing was thinking, Zhang Yunxiu stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, what Eunuch Wei said just now is both right and wrong. In this county, there are only ten officials. But the ones who really manage this county are these petty officials."

They grew up and were born in the local area.

It is intricately connected with various local forces.

The money given by the court is too little?

That's okay too.

As the saying goes, fish have their own paths, and shrimps have their own paths. When it comes to corruption and exploiting the people, these petty officials have their own unique ways.

If the court doesn't give you money, you can ask the people yourself.

Emperor Wanli came to his senses at this time, leaned sideways and asked: "And then?"

Zhang Yunxiu bowed to the emperor and said in a resounding voice: "Your Majesty, I want to turn these minor officials into official ones. First, we will dismiss those who are just filling in the gaps, and then select outstanding students through examinations to fill in the gaps."

"Will they agree?" Emperor Wanli asked with a frown.

This kind of petty official has always been despised by scholars, so they take the initiative to become petty officials.

Disaster.
It’s difficult!

Zhang Yunxiu didn't want to do it all at once. He smiled and answered with a fist: "Your Majesty, regarding this matter, I suggest that we implement it in Songjiang Prefecture first. Firstly, there are too many scholars here, and many of them have no hope of passing the imperial examinations, so they have given up literature and gone into business."

"Secondly, this place is the richest and can afford to support so many petty officials."

When Emperor Wanli saw that the policy was first implemented in one prefecture, most of his concerns disappeared.

Since it is only implemented in Songjiang Prefecture, let Zhang Yunxiu do it first. When he gets a bloody head, he will know the pain!
After thinking it over, Emperor Wanli waved his hand and answered directly: "Okay, let Wang Zhan handle this matter. The first batch of minor officials will be selected in the autumn of next year."

"Your Majesty is wise." Seeing that his goal had been achieved, Zhang Yunxiu hurriedly boasted to the emperor.

"Go down, I'm a little tired." Looking out the window, Emperor Wanli saw that the sun had reached noon. He suddenly remembered that he had to go to Concubine Zheng, so he yawned and waved his hand impatiently, "You are newly married recently, so I will give you three months of vacation. There is nothing important in these three months, so you are not allowed to come to the Qianqing Palace to bother me again."

"Yes."

Zhang Yunxiu bowed deeply, then turned and left the Qianqing Palace.

The autumn is getting cooler.

After a cold rain last night, the streets and alleys of the entire Beijing city were covered with golden light.

Ten days have passed since Zhang Yunxiu last met the emperor.

The autumn examination was over. Rice was expensive in the capital, so the students who had taken part in the provincial examination did not dare to stay any longer and packed their bags to start their journey home.

In a moment.

The bustle of Beijing had mostly faded. Just after noon, Zhang Yunxiu yawned and walked out of his study. At this moment, his face was haggard, his hair was messy, and there were deep dark circles under his eyes.

Last night, he received a secret report from Han San.

The letter talked about an important event.

Thousands of angry students rushed to Hai Rui's residence in Qufu, trying to intimidate Hai Rui with their power.

What kind of person is Hai Rui?

The angry-eyed arhat made of copper and iron was not afraid of even Emperor Sejong and Confucius.

Are you still afraid of these students?
He faced thousands of students, walked into the crowd, looked around, and shouted, "How dare you surround the house of an official appointed by the court? Don't you think the law can't control you?"

These students were also ignorant and relied on the fact that the law does not punish the masses. One of them replied, "Hai Rui, you are also a person who reads the books of sages. Now you are making things difficult for the Kong family. What is your intention?"

"That's right. That's right. If you, Hai Rui, want to become famous, you shouldn't step on the name of Confucius to become famous!"

"Humph, I think you and that disloyal and unfilial person have become brothers wearing the same crotch pants for this official position."

"."

Hearing everyone's discussions, Hai Rui's face became increasingly gloomy. He did not argue, but waved his embroidered robe, turned around and ran back to his mansion.

At this time, the students outside were not letting him off. Someone shouted, "We can't let him go back. We must make him give us an explanation."

"Yes, give us an explanation!" The emotions of the students present were ignited and they all shouted loudly.

In an instant, chaos broke out outside Hai Rui's residence.

In the chaos, Hai Rui unfortunately fell down and his forehead was bleeding.

At the sight of blood, these students instantly became timid and dispersed in a swarm.

Regarding this matter, Zhang Yunxiu’s order was: No tolerance!
So last night he sent Han San to personally lead a team of Jinyiwei to rush to Qufu overnight. He wanted to see whether the fists and words of these students were stronger or the Jinyiwei's criminal law was stronger!

A gust of autumn chill hit Zhang Yunxiu's face, he shuddered and ran straight to the dining hall.

Inside, Xu Ruoxi was chatting with her sister-in-law Gao Lan.

Seeing Zhang Yunxiu walk in with a haggard face, Xu Ruoxi stood up suddenly and said distressedly: "Luluo, go and ask the kitchen to bring the porridge."

Zhang Yunxiu nodded and sat down.

Gao Lan held her younger brother's wrist and said earnestly, "Xiao Wu, I'm not saying anything bad about you. Now that a woman is pregnant, it's the most frightening time. Can't you spend more time with Ruoxi?"

"She cried all morning."

"Crying." Zhang Yunxiu looked at Xu Ruoxi.

Sure enough, her eyes were red and she looked pitiful.

"I'm not crying. I was blown away by the strong wind." Xu Ruoxi bit her cheek and answered stubbornly.

"Oh."

Zhang Yunxiu replied in a deliberately dragging tone.

Xu Ruoxi felt even more wronged. She was worried every day, afraid that her husband would just say "oh" if she got hurt. In an instant, tears welled up in her eyes again.

"After you give birth to the baby, we will go to Songjiang and live there for half a year." Zhang Yunxiu smiled and changed his words.

"Really?"

"Ah."

(End of this chapter)