Damn it, I'm in the garbage book I wrote

Chapter 909 tests the all-rounder.
Early in the morning, in the main hall.

Li Zhi, holding his jade tablet, said: "I will reiterate the policy of sending scholars to the countryside. Past practices have often been mere formalities, serving either as stepping stones to official rank or causing disturbance to the people. I believe we should change course. Newly appointed Jinshi graduates and outstanding students from the Imperial Academy should be sent to various prefectures and counties, not merely to observe local customs, but to assume actual duties, whether assisting in criminal matters, supervising river works, or participating in land surveys. Their performance should be evaluated over a three-year period, assessing their achievements and public support. Those of superior caliber should be promoted, while those of inferior caliber should be dismissed. Furthermore, the existing Wei dynasty's policy of 'scholars going to the countryside' should be refined, requiring them to be evaluated and punished alongside local officials, so that they may understand the hardships of the people and the complexities of practical matters."

A hush fell over the hall. These remarks were more pointed than before, directly addressing the deep-seated problem of the imperial examination system's disconnect from practical affairs. Many officials who had risen through the ranks based on their poetry and prose looked displeased, yet no one dared to speak first. Everyone knew who stood behind the Crown Prince, and that person most detested those who engaged in empty talk that harmed the country.

On the dragon throne, Third Sister lightly tapped the armrest with her fingertips, neither agreeing nor disagreeing, but her gaze swept towards Changsun Wuji, the head of the civil officials.

Changsun Wuji stepped forward and said slowly, “Your Highness cares for the common people, which I admire. However, it is too harsh to send scholars to the countryside immediately after years of hard study to obtain official titles. Moreover, local affairs are complex and rife with powerful gentry and local bullies, which are beyond the control of young scholars. If any mistakes are made, it would be undesirable.”

"What Chancellor Changsun is concerned about is also my concern," Li Zhi replied calmly. "However, looking at the Wei Kingdom, their scholars going to the countryside are not merely 'observing governance,' but truly 'governing it.' Zhang Jianzhi, the acting magistrate of Leping County in Jiangnan Circuit, was not yet twenty years old when he took charge of criminal cases in the county. Last year, he resolved seventeen backlog cases without a single mistake. The county school, clinic, and irrigation canals were all renovated under his supervision. Why? Because he had wise teachers to guide him and clear procedures to follow. Why shouldn't our Great Tang follow suit? We can start with a pilot program in the capital region, selecting capable officials to lead teams and establishing clear responsibilities and performance evaluations. If they cannot even manage the affairs of a single county, how can they be expected to assist the monarch and govern the world in the future?"

He mentioned Zhang Jianzhi and even cited the example of the State of Wei, leaving Changsun Wuji speechless for a moment.

At that moment, Xia Lin's lazy voice came from the palace door: "What's all the noise about?"

Everyone turned around and saw him leaning against the door frame, holding a steamed bun in his hand, as if he had just passed by and come to take a look after hearing the commotion inside.

"Your Majesty," Xia Lin casually cupped his hands towards the throne, "I think the Crown Prince's suggestion is good. I happen to have a ready-made method here, which I'll show you."

He finished the steamed bun in a few bites, patted the crumbs off his hands, and strode forward: "Those boys and girls, aren't they going to choose study companions and concubines? Just looking at their looks and family background won't do. How about I give them a few questions to test them? The questions will be posted on the outer wall of the East Palace. Anyone who's interested can go and take a look. It'll also set an example for all the scholars in the country, showing them what the court values ​​when selecting talent in the future."

Everyone in the hall, including Li Zhi, was taken aback. Xia Lin was truly going to put into practice what she had said at the banquet that day, and with such fanfare!

"The questions are divided into three parts." Xia Lin held up three fingers: "One part tests people's livelihood, one part tests the economy, and one part tests war. Each part contains three short questions and one long question. The short questions are conceptual and reasoning questions, and the long question is a practical policy essay. You have ten days to submit your answers. Send them directly to me."

He glanced at the entire room with a hint of mockery: "Don't worry, we won't test them on the Four Books and Five Classics, or on poetry and prose. What we'll test is whether they have brains, whether they have a sense of responsibility, and whether they care about others."

The sound of the court bells signaling the end of the court session seemed exceptionally long. The news spread like wildfire, instantly reaching every corner of the palace and then every part of Chang'an.

Before noon, the huge notice board on the outer wall of the East Palace was already surrounded by a huge crowd. All sorts of people, from servants of noble families in fine clothes to scholars from poor families in plain clothes, and even curious merchants and commoners, all craned their necks to look at the three large sheets of examination questions on the wall, the ink still wet.

People's Livelihood Questions:
1. In Chang'an, there is a ward with a thousand households and ten wells, three of which are now abandoned and silted up. If you were the ward head, how would you persuade the remaining seven hundred households to jointly fund the dredging? Please list at least three feasible methods.

Second, with spring plowing just around the corner, a dispute over field boundaries has resulted in a fight between farmers, leading to one death and three injuries. As the county magistrate, how would you handle this situation to both quell the anger and ensure the planting season is not disrupted?

III. Suppose you are tasked with promoting a new type of textile machinery, which is known to be much more efficient but also very expensive, and the old machines are still usable. How can you persuade weavers to voluntarily switch to this new type? Please design a persuasive explanation.

Economics section short answer question:
1. A foreign merchant in the West Market wants to purchase a large quantity of silk, but requests a three-month credit period. As the manager of the business, how should you draft the contract to ensure both capital preservation and profit while mitigating risks?
II. The imperial court intends to increase the salt tax, with an estimated increase of two wen per jin. Analyze the specific impact of this move on the lives of the people in Guanzhong, the business operations of salt merchants, and the imperial court's annual revenue.

Third, if a wealthy merchant attempts to monopolize charcoal and firewood in Chang'an, and you are in charge of the Maritime Trade Office, how should you respond to stabilize prices and protect people's livelihoods?

War-related questions:
1. Our army has 3,000 cavalry, while the enemy has 5,000 infantry defending the city. The city's food reserves can last for half a month, and reinforcements will not arrive for more than a month. If you were the general, would you choose to besiege, launch a direct attack, or lure the enemy? Please explain your reasoning.

II. During the march, you encounter a large river blocking your path. The bridges have been destroyed, and there are not enough boats and rafts. The entire army must cross the river within one day. What are your best strategies?

Third, report back to the enemy general, whose birthday is in three days; his army will surely be lax. If you intend to launch a night attack, please develop a detailed action plan, including the route, timing, troop allocation, and retreat plan.

And at the end of each volume, there is a shocking question:

A crucial issue concerning people's livelihood: Analyze the advantages, disadvantages, difficulties, and solutions of the "scholars going to the countryside" policy. If you were among the first batch of scholars to go to the countryside, and arrived in a poor county, what would be the three most important problems to solve? How would it be implemented specifically?

Economics Question: Imagine you are the magistrate of Chang'an. The national treasury is empty, and His Majesty wishes to repair the palace, while the people are already burdened by heavy taxes. How would you raise funds for the repairs without increasing the people's burden? Please design a complete plan, specifying the sources of funds, estimated amounts, and potential chain reactions and corresponding countermeasures.

Warfare Question: An urgent report has arrived from the border that the Tibetans have amassed a large army, seemingly poised for action. However, the court is deadlocked between the pro-peace and pro-war factions. As the Vice Minister of War, you must devise a strategy that balances military defense, diplomatic maneuvering, domestic public opinion, and the procurement of provisions and supplies, striving to subdue the enemy without fighting, and if war is necessary, victory is assured.

A collective gasp of astonishment rippled through the crowd.

This isn't about selecting a study companion or a concubine; it's about testing county magistrates, ministers, and generals! The questions are unprecedented in their novelty, their angles are ingenious, and their connection to real-world issues is unparalleled! What's even more frightening is that the seemingly simple sub-questions directly address the entanglement of human nature and interests, while the major questions are even more profound and far-reaching, where a single move can have far-reaching consequences.

"How...how can I answer this?" A young man in brocade robes muttered to himself, his face pale.

A scholar in a blue robe standing nearby, however, stared intently, his fingers trembling slightly with excitement: "Brilliant! The coordination of the neighborhood officials, the adjudication of cases by the county magistrate, the profit-seeking of businesses, the decision-making of generals... all are the essence of practical matters! And this major topic... directly addresses the core of national policy!"

"Quick! Copy it back!" The servants from each household hurriedly took out paper and pens and squeezed forward to copy the questions.

Outside the crowd, Li Zhi, Li Chengqian, Tuoba Shang, Xiao Wu, and Zhang Jianzhi stood quietly.

"Uncle, I can't even understand this question, let alone answer it," Tuoba Shang said, clicking his tongue in amazement.

Li Chengqian said calmly, "It is also a method of panning for gold; only a fierce fire can refine true gold."

Xiao Wu said softly, "These questions, seemingly testing intelligence, actually reveal the human heart. The questions on people's livelihood emphasize coordination and benevolence, the questions on economics emphasize calculation and balance, and the questions on war emphasize decisiveness and strategy. And the major questions... directly address the essence of being an official and governing."

Zhang Jianzhi smiled wryly: "If I were the examinee, I'm afraid my scalp would be tingling right now."

Li Zhi gazed at the bustling crowd, his eyes deep: "This is the effect Father wanted. Let everyone see what kind of people the future court needs."

That day, papers filled with exam questions flew into the mansions of various prominent families in Chang'an like snowflakes. Some frowned at the questions, while others were so excited they couldn't sleep, studying late into the night.

Many more scholars were drawn to the grand theme of "scholars going to the countryside," and began to seriously consider its feasibility and advantages and disadvantages. The ten-day deadline arrived in the blink of an eye.

During these ten days, Chang'an City seemed to have transformed into a giant school. Teahouses, taverns, banquets, poetry gatherings, and the East and West Markets were all bustling with activity.

Originally, it was said that the Ministry of Rites should have intervened, but the young Changsun went to the Minister of Rites and asked him to take charge, but the Minister of Rites surprisingly contradicted Changsun Wuji.

“Prime Minister Changsun, this matter is a joint effort by His Majesty, the Crown Prince, and Marshal Xia. You asked me to stop it... Prime Minister, if you hate me, just say so. I will resign next year. There is no need to use such tricks to make me wish I were dead.”

Changsun Wuji was helpless, because he dared not provoke them...

The threshold of Xia Lin's courtyard has been worn down by the constant stream of servants from noble families who came to deliver their answer sheets. Sun Jiuzhen stopped them all at the door, accepting only the sealed scrolls without saying a word.

In the courtyard, Xia Lin was leisurely instructing Jia Ye on how to pollinate the vegetable seedlings in the greenhouse.

"Father, do you really want to see so many answer sheets?" Kasyapa asked curiously.

“Look, of course we’re looking.” Xia Lin gently brushed the pollen with a small brush: “Although I know most of them are just writing nonsense, maybe a few interesting ones will actually come out.”

"Then tell me, who can answer this well?"

"It's hard to say." Xia Lin smiled. "Those from good families have broad knowledge, but they are prone to being ambitious but lacking in practical skills. Those from poor families may be more aware of the hardships of ordinary people, but their perspective may be limited. It depends on who can be both down-to-earth and have lofty aspirations."

On the evening of the last day, Sun Jiuzhen placed several thick stacks of answer sheets on the stone table, almost piling them up like a small mountain.

Xia Lin casually picked up the top one and unwrapped the sealing wax. It was a civil affairs document.

Upon seeing the answer to the first question, he scoffed and tossed it aside: "'Strictly order each household to contribute funds, violators will be punished with corvée labor,' you idiot, you're asking for a beating."

He picked up another document. "'Requesting government funding'—how pathetic, just waiting to beg for handouts."

Another one. "'Calling on wealthy households to donate'—it's obvious, why would they be expected to do that?"

After flipping through more than a dozen answers, most were either vague and impractical, rigid and unreasonable, or far-fetched. Until I saw one with neat handwriting and clear organization:
"First, explain the advantages and disadvantages: the abandoned well is silted up, the water quality is deteriorated, and it is easy to spread disease. Dredging is to ensure the health and safety of the community. Second, clarify the rights and responsibilities: each household should contribute according to its financial situation, the accounts should be made public, and the elders of the neighborhood should be elected to supervise. Third, provide work relief: the poor in the neighborhood can contribute their labor to offset the cost, and they will be paid according to their work. Fourth, seek external assistance: if the funds raised are insufficient, the village head can be asked to report to the county government to request the allocation of some materials, or to seek loans from neighboring wealthy neighborhoods and repay in installments."

Xia Lin nodded slightly. Although he was still quite inexperienced, he had considered things quite comprehensively. He then looked at the signature—Pei Wan.

He set Pei Wan's answer aside and continued flipping through the papers. In the economics section, regarding the analysis of the impact of the salt tax, most answers only mentioned increased burdens on the people or increased revenue for the court. However, one answer provided a detailed estimate of the impact on families with different incomes, an analysis of the squeeze on salt merchants' profits, and even predicted a potential surge in smuggled salt and offered countermeasures. It was signed Di Ying, an unremarkable scholar from a poor family.

Most people only discussed the night raid plans in general terms. However, one plan not only outlined the flanking route, the attack sequence, and the deployment of reserves, but also considered weather, moonlight, enemy patrol patterns, and a backup plan in case of failure. It was signed by Li Sheng, a descendant of a general from Hexi.

The most eye-catching questions were undoubtedly the three major ones.

Regarding the "scholars going to the countryside," there are many opponents, whose reasons are nothing more than that it is a waste of talent, a disturbance to the people, and unlikely to yield results. There are also many supporters, but most of them are just empty praise. Only one answer deeply analyzed that its "advantages are long-term, disadvantages are immediate, and the difficulty lies in persistence," and proposed specific strategies: "First and foremost, it is not about rushing to achieve results, but about integrating. Live and eat with the people, learn their dialect, and understand their hardships. Secondly, choose things that are easy to achieve results, such as mediating disputes, building small-scale water conservancy projects, and promoting improved varieties. Thirdly, there needs to be good teachers to supervise and regularly evaluate, rather than letting them do as they please. If I go to a poor county, I will prioritize three things: first, clear up backlogged cases and reassure the people; second, promote education and enlighten the people; and third, repair roads and facilitate the people's livelihood." The answer was signed Pei Wan.

Regarding the question of "raising funds for repairs," the answers varied widely. Some suggested raising taxes, others proposed cutting military spending, and still others advocated soliciting donations from wealthy merchants. One response, however, took a different approach: "First, audit the redundant expenses in the palace and various government offices, eliminate redundant personnel, and use the savings for repairs. Second, issue 'meritorious service bonds' with low interest rates, raising funds from meritorious soldiers, retired officials, and wealthy families; this will both raise funds and demonstrate His Majesty's remembrance of the past. Third, subcontract some of the repair work on non-core palaces to reputable businesses, with installment payments, to alleviate pressure on the national treasury. Fourth, organize convicts and vagrants to repay debts through labor, reducing labor costs. A crucial point to guard against is preventing officials from embezzling funds; an independent audit is necessary." Signed, Cui Lin.

Upon seeing this, Xia Lin raised an eyebrow: "Oh, this girl does have some brains. I thought she was capable of repairing the Empress Dowager's garden."

Regarding the "countermeasures against Tibet," the pro-war faction was passionate and fervent, while the pro-peace faction sought compromise. One response, however, proposed a "three-tiered approach": "The best strategy is diplomatic intimidation. Send envoys with substantial gifts and military envoys to Tibet, explaining the advantages and disadvantages, combining kindness and force to demonstrate our military might, while simultaneously secretly allying with the Tuyuhun and other tribes to contain their rear. The middle strategy is military preparedness. Order the armies of Longyou and Hexi to enter a state of combat readiness, fortify passes, stockpile provisions, and feign an attack to deter them from rash action. The worst strategy is war as a last resort. If Tibet insists on invading, lure them deep into our territory, utilize the terrain to cut off their supply lines, and then annihilate them. Regardless of the strategy, domestically, it is essential to stabilize public morale, stockpile provisions, and ensure unimpeded postal routes." Signed Li Chengqian.

Xia Lin put down Li Chengqian's answer sheet and tapped his fingers lightly on the stone table. This kid certainly didn't disappoint him; he had a grand vision and was very thoughtful.

He spent the entire night skimming through hundreds of answer sheets. There were some bright spots, but most were just clichés or empty talk.

The next morning, Xia Lin yawned and handed a stack of selected answer sheets to Sun Jiuzhen: "Take these to Zhi'er. Let him take a look and get a feel for it. Tell him that the selection is up to him; I'm just providing a reference."

He stretched and looked at the pale dawn breaking on the horizon: "Finally finished this tiring work. Jiuzhen, let's go catch some worms. We have to hollow out those old locust trees in the Imperial Garden today. If we don't catch them soon, we won't have anything to eat when it gets hot."

In the Eastern Palace, Li Zhi received the thick stack of answer sheets that Xia Lin had "marked." He carefully read through them one by one, sometimes frowning, sometimes nodding.

Xiao Wu and Zhang Jianzhi helped tidy up.

"Your Highness, it seems that Master already has a candidate in mind," Xiao Wu said softly.

Li Zhi put down Pei Wan's answer sheet on "scholars going to the countryside," his gaze complex: "Father's intention is not selection, but guidance. He wants everyone to see what useful talent is." He picked up Cui Lin's economic policy essay: "Even someone like Cui Lin, who was arrogant in the past, is not entirely without merit if he can change his mindset."

Zhang Jianzhi smiled and said, "After this test, the atmosphere in Chang'an has been renewed. I'm sure His Majesty and my teacher will be pleased to see this."

“That’s not enough.” Li Zhi’s gaze swept out the window. “This is just the beginning. The true intention of Father and Mother in implementing the new policies is to spread this pragmatic spirit throughout the court and to the whole country.”

He picked up the vermilion pen and slowly wrote the first name on a blank list.

Outside the palace, discussions about the exam questions and answers continued to simmer. Some were smug, some were frustrated, and some were resentful. However, this was not the real exam; they knew in their hearts that Marshal Xia was subtly revealing some clues to make things easier for them.

However, the most terrifying thing is not the exam questions, because if they were really difficult, a few aristocratic families could simply discuss it and choose the tallest among the short.

Their biggest worry is that now that Xia Lin has publicly revealed the exam questions to everyone, he might not... he might recruit study companions from all over Chang'an, right?
(End of this chapter)