Ming: I am fake, walking on thin ice

Chapter 107 I am willing to teach the Queen Mother everything I know!

Yang Guifang put down her wine glass and lowered her voice:
"Your Majesty, please hold an imperial examination. Select a group of talents to enrich the officialdom. Liu Dingzhi in Henan is short of people. Also, it is feasible to select a group of honest people from the Imperial College and let them serve as county magistrates first."

"The Qingliu are all of the same moral character. They think they are of high moral character. These scholars and officials usually keep themselves clean, take the world as their responsibility, hate corruption, and dare to face up to impeachment of the powerful. Therefore, send them to Henan to help Liu Dingzhi and implement the new policy."

Zhu Qizhen frowned.

The term "pure stream" reminded him of the Donglin Party in his previous life, who all considered themselves noble men. However, the late Ming Dynasty was caught up in the factional struggle between the Donglin Party and the Eunuch Party. Damn, the country was about to be destroyed, but they were still fighting.

"You Donglin people, are you still using the excuse of defending the Yangtze River to allow the Left rebel to invade? If the northern troops arrive, we can still negotiate. If the Left rebel arrives, then you high officials, and I, the king and my subjects, will be the only ones to die."

If the "eunuch party" is "harming the country", then the Donglin party is "misleading the country". Therefore, the tragic Chongzhen said before his death: "All literati can be killed."

However, it should be feasible to recruit a group of clean officials to implement the new policy. Zhu Qizhen took a sip of wine and said, "Then please help me find a candidate, preferably someone like Liu Dingzhi, who comes from the lower class and knows the sufferings of the people."

"As you wish." Yang Guifang nodded.

Zhu Qizhen felt much more relaxed and smiled: "Go back, I want to summon the Minister of Rites Hu Yi to talk to him about the special examination."

Yang Guifang stood up and snorted, "Hu Yi is a cunning old fox. He doesn't want to offend either side. He's almost eighty years old, right? It's time for him to retire and return home."

"You know shit." Zhu Qizhen glared.

In his opinion, some old ministers sitting in the court are very useful. Moreover, although Hu Yi is old, he is not confused. He has a clear mind and never makes mistakes when it comes to major issues.

……

Qianqing Palace.

Minister of Rites Hu Yi came into the hall. He was white-haired but still walked briskly. After paying respects, Zhu Qizhen raised his hand to him and said, "Stand up and talk. Someone, bring a chair over for Lord Hu."

Hu Yi did not act shy like other ministers. He sat on the chair calmly and smiled: "Your Majesty, please understand me. My waist is too old to stand for a long time. It hurts a lot when I sleep at night. Alas, I am old after all."

"How about I set up a chair for you in the Fengtian Hall?" Zhu Qizhen raised his eyebrows and asked with a smile.

"No, no." Hu Yi hurriedly shook his head. "Lord Wang doesn't even have a chair. If you give me one, won't Lord Wang be so jealous? He might even use his turtle fist on me."

Zhu Qizhen laughed out loud after hearing this: "Hahaha, if Lord Wang were to use the turtle punch, I'm afraid he would trip over himself first."

The emperor and his ministers chatted for a while, and the atmosphere was harmonious. Zhu Qizhen then got to the point and said, "Mr. Hu, the Ming Dynasty has a lot of work to do and the court is in urgent need of talents. I have decided to hold a special examination to show my favor to scholars all over the world. This way the court can select more talents."

Hu Yi's cloudy eyes lit up instantly after hearing this: "Your Majesty is wise! I have long wanted to ask Your Majesty to hold a special examination, but the special examination requires money, and now the treasury is short of money, so I dare not say it."

"I've thought about it. This money will come from the inner treasury." Zhu Qizhen spread his hands, "The expenses of me and the harem can be reduced."

"No one is wiser than Your Majesty. Your Majesty regards frugality as a virtue and sets an example for the world. Your Majesty's heart of kindness is as deep as the sea and as broad as the sky..." Hu Yi chattered excitedly.

Zhu Qizhen rolled his eyes speechlessly and waved his hand: "Stop, stop, stop. Hu Lao, if you don't know how to flatter, don't force it."

Hu Yi chuckled and bowed, saying, "I will go and prepare for the imperial examination. Your Majesty, this may be the last time I will preside over the imperial examination for the Ming Dynasty."

Zhu Qizhen looked at the white-haired Hu Yi and nodded: "I ask you to select a few more talented people like you for the Ming Dynasty."

……

As soon as Hu Yi left, Jinyiwei Commander Shi Biao came in and reported: "Your Majesty, Sun Jizhong has been secretly escorted to the capital and has been imprisoned in Zhaoyu."

"It takes a bit long this time." Zhu Qizhen frowned.

"In order to avoid being discovered, the brothers hid during the day and traveled at night, which delayed them on the road." Shi Biao bowed, "However, no one noticed. The people in Zouping County thought he was kidnapped by some enemy."

Zhu Qizhen stood up and waved his hand, saying, "Let's go to Zhaoyu. I want to personally try Sun Jizhong."

The two quietly left the palace and headed straight for Zhaoyu. This was not the first time Zhu Qizhen had been to Zhaoyu, but when he saw where Sun Jizhong was imprisoned, he was still secretly shocked.

Damn, Zhaoyu is also a different world.

Sun Jizhong was imprisoned in a stone chamber. He looked much older and haggard. Zhu Qizhen walked into the chamber and asked everyone to stay away.

"Your Majesty, it's really you." Sun Jizhong didn't seem surprised to see Zhu Qizhen.

Zhu Qizhen sat down on a stone bench nearby and smiled: "It seems that you expected this day to come?"

Sun Jizhong was very tired, but his expression was calm: "I know a little about the morals of those officials in Henan. Your Majesty will definitely find out something when you go to Henan. Haha, but I only know the surface."

"Could you please tell me in detail?" Zhu Qizhen spread his hands.

"Do you think it's possible?" Sun Jizhong sighed, "I won't say anything, Your Majesty, let them use all the torture methods of the Jinyiwei. I only want to die."

Zhu Qizhen frowned slightly: "Why?"

Sun Jizhong smiled bitterly, "As a human being, you always have to protect something. Oh, let me remind you, Your Majesty, if I can't stand the torture and say something I shouldn't, I'm afraid it will also implicate you, Your Majesty."

"No hurry, no hurry." Zhu Qizhen chuckled, "I have plenty of time, you can just stay here and feel at ease."

He didn't ask any more questions and just got up and left.

Sun Jizhong looked at his back and slowly breathed a sigh of relief.

Zhu Qizhen walked out of the prison with a gloomy face. Shi Biao did not dare to step forward for a moment, as he still remembered Xu Youzhen's words: His Majesty can treat you as a brother, but you must not treat His Majesty as a brother, you are His Majesty's subject.

"Shi Biao, your people have taken good care of Sun Jizhong." Zhu Qizhen said coldly, "Without my order, no one is allowed to see him and interrogate him."

"I obey your order." Shi Biao nodded.

Zhu Qizhen walked forward with his hands behind his back and said, "I heard that you Jinyiwei have all kinds of information. Let me see it today."

Shi Biao followed behind him and asked in confusion: "Your Majesty, what do you want to know? I will go and find it for you."

He brought the emperor to the Jinyiwei's storage room.

……

At dusk, Zhu Qizhen came to Kunning Palace to have dinner with the empress dowager. During this period, he came to have dinner with the empress dowager every day, and the empress dowager seemed to be used to it and prepared food and bowls for him.

The two sat opposite each other, eating by themselves, still not talking much. Zhu Qizhen was curious, why did the Queen Mother suddenly become so fragile that morning? Was it because of the disappearance of Marquis Huichang?
Probably not!

The disappearance of Huichang Hou had been reported by Zouping County earlier, so the Queen Mother should have known about it long ago. Besides, it should be difficult for her relatives to affect the Queen Mother's mood. She had personally ordered the execution of her brother before.

Why was that? The son from the Mobei steppe?

No! The Queen Mother's team that communicated with Mobei had been eliminated. She probably hadn't had time to rebuild the communication, and Mobei was at war right now.

"Mother, Zouping County reported that the old Marquis Huichang disappeared for no reason." Zhu Qizhen raised his eyes and said, "I have already sent a special Jinyiwei to track him down. Mother, please rest assured, Marquis Huichang will be blessed by heaven."

The queen mother looked calm, her dark eyebrows slightly knitted, "Life and death are determined by fate, Your Majesty does not need to make special arrangements."

"After all, they are your relatives, mother. How can I not take care of them?" Zhu Qizhen sighed softly, "Those neighbors in Huichang Marquis' hometown gossiped and slandered mother. I will never forgive them easily."

The queen mother's expression slightly changed, her long and curled eyelashes trembled slightly, revealing a bit of coldness: "Your Majesty, you even know these little things?"

Zhu Qizhen sighed: "I dare not be ignorant of family affairs, national affairs and world affairs."

The tone of these words is somewhat meaningful.

The Queen Mother heard the warning in the words and snorted, "Your Majesty, you have really improved. However, state affairs are more important. Your Majesty does not need to worry about my family's private affairs."

"Haha, I don't know everything about family affairs, national affairs and world affairs." Zhu Qizhen smiled playfully.

"I have no idea." The Queen Mother lowered her eyes.

The two of them fell silent again and ate their own meals. After Zhu Qizhen finished eating, he stood up and bowed respectfully: "Mother, I still have a lot of memorials waiting for my approval, so I guess I will have to stay up late again."

The Queen Mother sat on the chair, took a sip of tea gracefully, raised her beautiful eyes, and asked, "Tell Shuangxi what you want to eat tomorrow. Otherwise, you will be told that eating here in the palace is not to your taste."

Unconsciously, she seemed to have gotten used to the emperor dining with her, and she no longer felt so lonely.

Zhu Qizhen smiled and said to Shuangxi, "Shuangxi, listen carefully to what I want to eat. There are steamed lamb, steamed bear paws, steamed deer tails, roast duck, roast chicken, roast goose, braised pork, braised duck, sauce chicken, bacon, pine flowers, tripe, dried meat, sausages, assorted Su dishes..."

A crosstalk dialogue stunned Shuangxi and the Queen Mother. He waved his hand and walked away.

Shuangxi said to the Queen Mother with a bitter face: "Queen Mother, what is your Majesty talking about? Can he eat so much?"

The Queen Mother suddenly burst into laughter, covered her mouth and said, "Who cares about him? He is just teasing you."

Shuangxi was secretly shocked. The Queen Mother actually laughed. She laughed. It had been a long time since the Queen Mother laughed. However, she remained calm and said with a little complaint: "Your Majesty is so old, but you still don't have a proper way."

The Queen Mother collected her expression and looked towards the north.

Xu Bin hadn't written to her for a long time. She was really worried about her son's safety, so she suddenly broke down last time.

"Empress Dowager, what should I prepare for tomorrow?" Shuangxi frowned, "Your Majesty seems to eat very little every time."

"Go to the Qianqing Palace and ask the people there what His Majesty likes to eat on a daily basis," said the Queen Mother.

Shuangxi nodded in acceptance of the order, and thought to himself, will His Majesty always come to Kunning Palace for meals in the future?
……

Dark as ink.

Zhu Qizhen turned over the card of Concubine Yang An tonight, a royal sister. Concubine Yang An was several years older than Zhu Qizhen and had been serving him since he was a teenager.

On the soft couch.

Concubine Yang An leaned close to Zhu Qizhen, the cool veil could not hide the delicateness of her skin, her black hair fell and scattered on his chest, her fragrance was alluring, her delicate and charming face was facing his face, she stretched out her hands to hold his face, her voice was soft and tender, and revealed a bit of resentment: "Your Majesty, you finally remembered me."

"How could I forget you, my sister?" Zhu Qizhen showed a smile of an experienced driver.

Concubine Yang An's beautiful eyes moved slightly. She missed the emperor very much during this period, but the empress dowager did not allow her to take the initiative to see the emperor.

She has been holding it in for too long!

"Your Majesty..." She kissed him.

Half an hour later.

She lay lazily in Zhu Qizhen's arms, her jade back charming.

Zhu Qizhen rested his head on one hand and hugged Concubine Yang An with the other. Her face was flushed and her beautiful eyes showed a bit of laziness and satisfaction.

Her face is extremely delicate, with narrow and long eyes with upturned eye corners, exuding charm all the time, and her lips are moist and small, with two blushes on her cheeks, which is really fatal.

Zhu Qizhen rested for a while, then stood up, determined to subdue this monster.

Damn, I’m finally living the life an emperor should live.

……

The next day, he almost missed the morning court session. Even when he was sitting on the dragon chair, he felt a dull pain in his waist.

After the morning court session, he summoned Zhu Qiyu, the Prince of Qin. When the two brothers met, they were still warm on the surface. Zhu Qizhen put one hand on his waist and walked under the corridor of the Qianqing Palace, saying: "Ah, I feel that I am old."

Zhu Qiyu smiled, with an expression of 'I understand', and said: "Brother, I have some good elixir. After taking it, I guarantee you will be as strong as a dragon and a tiger."

"No, no, medicine is poisonous." Zhu Qizhen waved his hand quickly, "Second brother, I advise you to use less. Exercise more every day to strengthen your physique, that is the best way."

"My royal brother, your kingly way of doing things is truly profound." Zhu Qiyu laughed.

Zhu Qizhen smiled and said while holding onto the pillar: "Go to my study later and pick out a few books to give to your military advisor Tung Xingdao. Don't say that I gave them to you. You asked me for them and gave them to him. Scholars all love books."

"Your Majesty, I thank you." Zhu Qiyu bowed.

He was secretly shocked. Why did His Majesty suddenly mention Tung's way of life? It was definitely not to teach him how to win people's hearts. A few books could not buy Mr. Tung.

"I heard that Mr. Tung has relatives coming?" Zhu Qizhen sat down with the help of a pillar, and said casually, "For a talent like Mr. Tung, you have to show your sincerity." Zhu Qiyu was numb.

How did Your Majesty know that a relative of Mr. Tung came to his hometown? Did Your Majesty send someone to keep an eye on Mr. Tung?
"I understand." He bowed. "Your Majesty, you are so busy, but you still care about me. I am so grateful."

Zhu Qizhen smiled and waved his hand: "I dare not be ignorant of family affairs, national affairs and world affairs."

When Zhu Qiyu heard this, he felt a chill down his spine.

Your Majesty, it seems like you are warning me with something else in your words?

……

Wuying Palace.

Zhu Qizhen held the first meeting of the Grand Council here to discuss the implementation of the new policy.

Duke of Jing Chen Mao, Prince's Tutor Yu Qian, Minister of Revenue Xu Youzhen, Associate Director of the Central Military Governor's Office Shi Heng, and Grand Secretary of Wenhua Palace Yang Guifang, these five people were the first generation of Grand Councilors.

Chen Mao and Shi Heng were military generals, so they didn't care about the implementation of the new policy. Since the emperor wanted to implement it, they fully supported it. What Zhu Qizhen needed was the soldiers in their hands. When there was a disturbance, there had to be soldiers to suppress it.

Yu Qian, Xu Youzhen and Yang Guifang all understood the pros and cons of the new policy and strongly supported the emperor in implementing it. Zhu Qizhen glanced at the five of them and said, "I also know that it will be extremely difficult to implement it, but the Ming Dynasty can't wait any longer. Therefore, I decided to implement it on a trial basis in Henan County."

"Your Majesty is wise." Yu Qian bowed. "Liu Dingzhi is in power in Henan. He has the ability to do this."

"I am in charge of the Ministry of Revenue. I will give priority support to Henan's taxation, disaster relief, etc." Xu Youzhen said.

"We need to select a few capable assistants for Liu Dingzhi to help." Yang Guifang said, "I have found a few people in the Imperial College, you can take a look at them for reference."

As he spoke, he took out five documents and handed them to everyone.

Zhu Qizhen was very satisfied with this atmosphere. The Grand Council wanted to work efficiently. After reading the list, everyone agreed. Zhu Qizhen immediately issued an order to give these five people official titles and send them to Henan.

"Your Majesty, I will greet the commander of Henan Xindu. With his soldiers, Liu Dingzhi will have the confidence." Shi Heng said.

Zhu Qizhen suddenly felt a sense of heroism.

If the Henan pilot project achieves significant results, then what reason do the ministers have to repeatedly implement the new policy?

……

The emperor announced during the morning court session that the new policy would be implemented on a trial basis in Henan.

The cabinet and the six ministries were not in a position to object. First, the emperor said it was a trial, and they couldn't object to the emperor trying it out, right? Second, it was in Henan, and they had nothing to do with it. Liu Dingzhi, the governor of Henan, was the emperor's confidant, and if he didn't do a good job, it would be a disgrace to the emperor.

After the cabinet ministers returned to Wenhua Hall, except for Yang Guifang, everyone else looked unhappy. Shang Lu, who was the most straightforward, said, "Your Majesty, what does it mean to set up the Military Affairs Council? To divide the power of the cabinet? The cabinet still needs to make proposals, but the Military Affairs Council directly issues orders?"

Yang Guifang said weakly, "The Grand Council is mainly responsible for handling urgent military and political affairs. Your Majesty has not weakened any power of the Cabinet."

The other grand secretaries all despised him. They were all grown-up people. The emperor was now talking about handling urgent military and government affairs, but as time went on, he would definitely reduce the power of the cabinet.

"Okay, let's do our own job well." Wang Zhi waved his hand.

"Okay, let's see how the new policy in Henan is implemented." Chen Xun chuckled.

In their view, the new policy would definitely not be implemented. Although His Majesty had made sufficient preparations, it would cut into the interests of the gentry, and those people would definitely resist.

Especially in the local areas, which are originally managed by the gentry. There are countermeasures for every policy, and the local officials are the best at this, and they can fool you.

……

Prince Qing's Palace.

The Duke of Chengguo, the new Marquis of Huichang, the Minister of Justice and others all gathered here.

"Your Majesty, His Majesty established the Military Affairs Council, and those are all his people." Duke Chengguo frowned, "His Majesty wants to concentrate his power. From now on, the Military Affairs Council will be responsible for the affairs of the upper and lower levels, and we will have nothing to do with it."

Yu Shiyue, the Minister of Justice, nodded in agreement: "Yes, most of the cabinet ministers are our people. Your Majesty actually set up a military council."

Everyone frowned, but Prince Zhu Qiyu of Qin smiled and said, "Don't panic, the Grand Council has just been established. Your Majesty will not weaken the cabinet so quickly. Besides, won't the cabinet fight? We need to take a long-term view on this matter."

Sun Lian, the new Marquis of Huichang, said: "Now we should pay more attention to the new policy in Henan. If the pilot is successful, Your Majesty will definitely implement it throughout the country."

"Hmph, it's impossible to succeed." Yu Shiyue waved his hand.

"What if? He and Liu Dingzhi are both stubborn." Sun Lian said.

Duke Cheng stood up and said, "Marquis Huichang's worries are not without reason. So, send people to Henan to contain Liu Dingzhi. Your Majesty is killing people there. Do you think the people who are replaced are all his people?"

"Duke, I'll leave the matter in Henan to you. You used to be the commander-in-chief there." King Qing clasped his fists and said, "If you need us to do anything, just let us know."

Duke Chengguo was full of confidence: "Don't worry, everyone. The new policy will definitely not be implemented. Haha, Liu Dingzhi might even lose his official hat if things go wrong."

Sun Lian, the Marquis of Huichang, laughed and said, "That's interesting. Liu Dingzhi's failure would bring shame to the emperor."

Everyone had a playful smile on their face.

King Qing waved his hand to everyone and said, "Don't forget the important things. We will collect taxes soon. Remember to replenish our small treasury."

……

dusk.

Zhu Qizhen came to Kunning Palace for dinner and found that the palace maids and eunuchs were not there. The Queen Mother was cooking porridge alone, wearing a simple long dress, but it could not hide her beauty.

"Mother, what's going on?" Zhu Qizhen looked around and asked, "Where are they?"

The Queen Mother's eyes were elegant and cold. She didn't even look at him. She stared at the small casserole that was steaming hot and said calmly, "I'll let them rest today."

Zhu Qi sat down and asked, "No one is staying?"

"Is there a problem?" The Queen Mother glanced at him. "Since they are not here, we will have porridge tonight. I heard that when you were in Xiangfu, you lived and ate with the victims and drank porridge for more than ten days?"

Zhu Qizhen touched his stomach, with a suspicious expression on his face: "The porridge given to the victims should at least be cooked. Mother, have you ever cooked porridge? Otherwise, let the imperial kitchen make it."

"No!" The queen mother looked dull and spoke in a cold voice.

After saying that, she stood up, wrapped the casserole with a wet cloth, and brought it to Zhu Qizhen. She confidently opened the lid of the pot, and a stream of hot steam came out.

Zhu Qizhen looked down and his expression froze.

You call this porridge? It's sticky and burnt black.

"Get your own bowl." The Queen Mother didn't seem to think there was anything wrong with her porridge. She glared at her and said, "Serve yourself."

"Uh, mother, you first." Zhu Qizhen held his forehead with his hand.

The Queen Mother filled a bowl for herself and handed the spoon to Zhu Qizhen. He had no choice but to fill a bowl as well. The Queen Mother lowered her head and ate in small bites, her face calm.

Zhu Qizhen had no choice but to bite the bullet and start eating, complaining in his heart, "Oh my god, this is even worse than the porridge served to the disaster victims in Xiangfu. It's burnt and a bit bitter."

"Hmm, maybe I put too little water?" The Queen Mother said with a serious expression, "I'll improve it next time."

"It's okay." Zhu Qizhen said against his will.

The Queen Mother looked at Zhu Qizhen who was eating with big mouthfuls, and a hint of tenderness appeared in her cold eyes: "You are young and eat a lot, so eat all the leftovers."

Zhu Qizhen almost choked to death: "Huh?"

"Not tasty?" The Queen Mother's beautiful eyes suddenly turned cold.

"Delicious!" Zhu Qizhen made up his mind, picked up the spoon and ate it in big mouthfuls, and finally finished it.

The queen mother's beautiful eyes were still cold and clear, but occasionally showed a little tenderness. Because in a trance, she saw her own son.

……

It is already autumn.

Zhu Qizhen's main focus was on implementing the new policy in Henan. After the autumn harvest, he would start collecting taxes, which was a good opportunity to promote it. Moreover, repairing the river also required manpower, so he asked the gentry to provide money and manpower according to the new policy.

Of course, he also attached great importance to this special examination, as there was really a lack of available people. Hu Yi, the Minister of Rites, was old, but he was still asked to work overtime several times.

At dusk that day, Zhu Qizhen hurried to Kunning Palace for dinner. After dinner, he had to go to Hu Yi to discuss the imperial examination questions. But when he entered the room, he only saw the empress dowager.

"What's going on? Let them take a day off again?" Zhu Qizhen held his forehead with his hand.

"Is it not possible?" The Queen Mother was holding the pot, preparing to cook porridge.

Zhu Qizhen quickly stepped forward to take the iron pot, waved his hand and said: "Then let me do it. If you don't want porridge, I will cook some dishes."

There is no way. I have a psychological trauma from the last time I ate porridge. It’s black, but how can I eat it?
He had learned cooking from his mother in his previous life, and his cooking skills were pretty good. The Queen Mother sat lazily on the chair, watching Zhu Qizhen busying around in an apron, with a slight smile on her face.

Half an hour later, three dishes and a soup were served.

The Queen Mother looked at the fragrant dishes on the table, her beautiful eyes were obviously surprised. Zhu Qizhen was already hungry, so he picked up the bowl and started to serve the rice, saying, "Try it, it shouldn't be bad."

Because he had an appointment with Hu Yi, he started eating with big mouthfuls. The Queen Mother picked up the chopsticks and took a small bite. Her beautiful big eyes lit up instantly, and she looked a little cute.

"Not bad." She continued to put food into her bowl.

"It's missing a lot of ingredients, and the salt isn't fine enough, otherwise it would taste better." Zhu Qizhen said as he concentrated on eating.

The Queen Mother ate in small bites, maintaining her elegance. Anyway, she had already put the dishes into her bowl. Her cold eyes blinked slightly: "Can you teach me these dishes?"

"Of course I can." Zhu Qizhen blurted out, "For the Queen Mother, I will teach you everything I know."

The Queen Mother pursed her moist lips slightly, and said softly: "Then I will teach you later."

Zhu Qizhen shook his head decisively: "No, I have an appointment with Hu Yi. If I go late, old man Hu will spit in my face. Do you believe it?"

The Queen Mother chuckled and said, "Mr. Hu has served as an official for four dynasties. You should show him some respect."

Unconsciously, the atmosphere of the two people's meal became much more harmonious. Zhu Qizhen finished his meal quickly, threw down his bowl and chopsticks, and strode away. His voice came: "Mother, I'm cooking, you wash the dishes."

The Queen Mother pursed her lips, ate slowly, and muttered softly: "It tastes really good."

As she was eating, her beautiful eyes suddenly turned cold and she threw the chopsticks in her hand down.

……

The lobby of the Ministry of Rites.

Zhu Qizhen strode in and saw the Minister of Rites Hu Yi writing furiously.

"Mr. Hu, are you done?" he asked with a smile.

"Your Majesty?" Hu Yi put down his pen and was about to pay his respects.

Zhu Qizhen waved his hand quickly, signaling that he should stop being so polite. He came to Hu Yi's desk, which was piled with thick books, all of which were the Four Books and Five Classics, and the questions for the imperial examinations came from these books.

"Mr. Hu, can we be a little innovative in this special examination and not set questions based on this?" he asked.

"How can this be done? When reading books written by sages, of course the questions should be based on the Four Books and Five Classics," said Hu Yi.

Zhu Qizhen frowned and then nodded.

He knew that change could not be achieved overnight. Although he hoped that in the future Ming Dynasty, there would be people who understood science, medicine, economics, etc.

(End of this chapter)