The Emperor ordered Zhao Tang

Chapter 197 Youya
"In May of the first year of Qianning, a total of 237 people were selected. 41 were sons of honorary officials, 25 were members of the royal family, 88 were local tributes, and the rest were scattered members of the Imperial College, the state, and the vassal states. According to the precedent, those who passed the re-examination were awarded official positions such as Zhengzi, Writer, Examination Historian, Three-Department Reviewer, Inspector, Supervisory Censor, County Lieutenant, Military Assistant, and Sili School Lieutenant. Those who failed the re-examination were selected. In addition, the Chief Censor Wu Gongdu supervised and removed more than corrupt, treacherous, evil, and incompetent officials, both at home and abroad, and recorded their names for the report. There were countless officials."

"Students of the Imperial College, the Four Gates, and the Imperial Academy eat their fill all day long. Since the Wende period, there have been only 70 Jinshi candidates. It has been decided to dismiss all those who are on the list and send them back to their hometowns, and to recruit new candidates from the prefectures and counties. According to the established practice, we will recruit talented people from the countryside, and order the prefects to recommend filial and honest people. Two prefects and one prefect will be punished and screened together. They will be the best. In addition, it has been decided to rebuild academies in Youfufeng, Zuofengyi, Shangjun, and Qingyang to educate the ignorant people. I discussed the above with Wang Tuan, the envoy of the Ministry of Finance, yesterday, and the amount required is strings of cash. Military affairs are extremely urgent, and the expenses should not be borne by the court alone. We have to borrow part from Your Majesty."

"."

Zheng Yanchang and Li Xi gave a brief report and then waited for the emperor, who was holding the memorial with squinting eyes, to finish reading it.

The imperial examinations in the Qing dynasty were quite deformed. The value of Jinshi was too high. If you passed the exam, as long as you did not make principled mistakes and worked hard step by step, you would have a high chance of becoming a prime minister. Therefore, people from all walks of life flocked to it, which led to the social phenomenon that other subjects were despised and academic qualifications were severely discriminated against in the officialdom. Then, the more discrimination there was, the more persistent people became.

The imperial examinations also granted the most important positions, but since the Qianfu period, they were mainly in the muddy stream. There was no other reason, but there was a shortage of candidates. It was precisely because of the shortage that the imperial examinations, as a supplement to the regular examinations, were held frequently. Under the habit of scholars to pursue the most important positions first, the effect of the imperial examinations was unstable.

Li has held six sessions, but the number of candidates has hovered around a few hundred. The main force is still the nobles, the children of the royal family, and the students of various central schools. The self-taught students, the tribute students, and the students who should have been the main force, only had a pitiful 300 people taking the exam this time.

take it easy.

The second step is to build more schools. The third step is to create a separate promotion system for temporary and contract workers - "officials". They all work for the sage, so why can't officials move up? But this requires the emperor's constant attention. If you don't even know how many officials are employed in a Yanziku, how can you select talents?

To guard the election, as the name suggests, means to queue up.

"Why are there only 25 members of the royal family?" The sage scribbled on the petition. The royal family was in decline, and the output of talent had greatly decreased. The only qualified royal family generals who could lead troops to fight were Li Sizhou, Li Yanzhen, Li Junshi, and Li Yun.

In other aspects, there was a successor to Xue Wang, Li Zhirou, who studied finance under the Taiwei. He performed well and was a Jinshi. He was nominated by the court to be the governor of Guangzhou. Li Jiepi, the successor to Yan Wang, worked in the Taichang Temple and often went to the vassal states to handle diplomacy. He was also doing well.

Gone.

The number of local tribute candidates has increased significantly. It is probably because Zheng Yanchang and others have an idea of the reactions to the last rejection list.

But is it necessarily a good thing that too high a proportion of bureaucrats come from rural areas?

not necessarily.

The classic paradox of the Song and Ming dynasties. First, the imperial examination was the most advanced system for recruiting officials. It defeated bloodline, aristocracy, and clan politics, greatly eased class contradictions, promoted mobility, united the landlord class, and greatly strengthened the ruling power of the regime. Second, the civil government caused unprecedentedly serious problems such as redundant officials, redundant expenses, party struggles, and catastrophic corruption. They were termites, and all civil officials could be killed. The Ming Dynasty was destroyed by these evil beasts.

How to get rid of them? Re-employ nobles, clan members, eunuchs, and maternal relatives according to their closeness and blood relationship, and recruit talents from the people without any restrictions.

And so, we are back to the starting point.

This is a complete disease, a typical paramecium brain. The imperial examination system certainly has its historical role, and it is huge, but its various flaws are equally exaggerated. Is it realistic to rely on it to achieve good governance? Expecting that everything will be fine by opening up the imperial examination system is like playing house.

"Afu, use the seal." After scanning the list of official appointments, the saint said to Luo Fu.

Zheng Yanchang and Li Xi did not dare to be partial to important positions such as the county lieutenant, historian, three-official reviewer (internal audit of the financial system), inspector, and censor. This is what the saint cares about most. As for the appointment of other positions, he, the emperor, did not need to ask about them one by one.

"The Censorate investigated and dismissed more than 400 people." The saint picked up the second petition and turned to talk about the dismissal of people by the Chief Censor Wu Gongdu: "Those who took bribes, those who owned land, those who pretended to obey but secretly disobeyed, those who took human lives lightly... Look at these jackals used by Duke Zheng, how many of them are human? Zhang Ping, the magistrate of the East Market, treated merchants as grass and grain, and amassed hundreds of thousands of strings of cash, which is more than what the Xuanhui Envoy earned in a year from selling wine, sugar, and fruit."

As soon as these words were spoken, Zheng Yanchang's face turned red instantly.

It is normal to have problems when employing people, but these words are too harsh.

As for Zhang Ping's plundering, of course he secretly supported and encouraged it. The emperor forbade the collection of this and that, the price of salt dropped to a hundred coins, and the war continued. He didn't want to find another way. What should he do if the court didn't have enough money? Did he have to borrow from the emperor every time?

Easier said than done!
"I will call Zhang Ping back to reprimand him for this matter, but I think it is not appropriate to change the East Market Magistrate for the time being." Zheng Yanchang frowned and politely rejected the emperor's suggestion. If the emperor asked, Zhang Ping would be dismissed. Who would be his lackey? This is the first time, so I have to protect him.

"Hmph." The saint ignored Luo Fu's reminder of quietly reaching behind his back and pinching him twice. His original intention was just to warn the prime minister - take care of your people and be more restrained in everything! After Zheng Yanchang's statement, he turned the page and said, "It's okay to expel students from the Imperial College and other schools who are ignorant and incompetent. It's also okay to let the counties recruit filial and honest people. We'll open a school in the four counties of Qingyang. Lord Zheng said he wants to borrow money, but I don't know how much he wants to borrow."

Zheng Yanchang slowly stretched out three fingers.

The saint choked.

"Selling official positions, taxes, reducing materials, the two taxes, salt, iron, and wine, and green seedlings... Last year, the court's total revenue totaled more than 4 million strings of cash. Although military expenses accounted for 60%, I and the court shared the burden, and the fiscal surplus should be around one million. In May, the summer harvest in Guanzhong was deposited into the warehouse, and I also brought back more than 100,000 livestock from Guanxi." The sage said dissatisfiedly.

"Yes, but the court has also increased the Wansui Army by 50,000. Each knight has two horses, a number of weapons, and another 100,000 war horses and more than 100,000 sets of armor. Although there is a stock of armor, it is not enough and needs to be forged. Secondly, the war in Hezhong has already begun, and the cost is huge. If we cannot win before winter, or if we have to pay more money in the middle... We dare not use the existing money without permission."

"I don't have money." Seeing that the saint was about to start pulling, Yu Wenrou, who was sitting on the side, said with a cold face: "The Taiwei has not repaid the 400,000 strings of cash he borrowed last year, and now Prime Minister Zheng is here again. How can the money from the Northern Department grow in the fields? The court's annual income of millions, where did it go? I'm afraid it was embezzled by some people."

hiss.

Zheng Yanchang was also angry. He worked so hard for the Saint, but today he was suspected of corruption by the eunuchs. He thought it would be better if the Empress Dowager was in power, but she was the same as Ximen Chongsui: "The court takes care of the whole world, and the Northern Department is only in charge of the Saint's family, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the Palace Court. How can they be compared? If you talk about embezzlement, the Lady of Fufeng County bribed the Xuanhui Envoy to sleep with her, and presented 50 gold items. The news spread all over the city, but I didn't hear that the money went into the Saint's pocket."

Yu Wenrou's chest rose and fell violently as he pushed her, and she cursed, "You old dog! If you don't have money, don't—"

"Cough, cough." The saint coughed twice lightly.

Don't be surprised. In the past, when eunuchs were in power, they fought for money and power. Officials and eunuchs often cursed and then punched each other. That was the trend. Although Rounu was a woman, she was a cruel and ruthless person, a hot-tempered elder sister. Being a little bird in front of the saint does not mean being kind to subordinates and others.

Rounu’s huge reaction is also a characteristic of the times.

The popular trend in the imperial court was that the emperor and his subjects each took care of their own business. If there was nothing wrong, you should not look for me, and I would not look for you. The prime minister of the Later Tang Dynasty asked Zhuangzong to borrow money. Zhuangzong agreed, but his wife Liu threw her son to the ground and said, "Sell my son." The group of people fled in panic. Moreover, the saint had previously lent 400,000 strings of cash to Du Rangneng, but the court had not paid it back, and there was a lot of resentment in the palace.

Talking about money hurts feelings, that's all.

But Rounu's words were thorny. Based on experience, it might be irregular menstruation. Or maybe she hadn't been favored for a few days, and her endocrine system was not right...

Women, if they are not comfortable in bed, will be angry in life. In his previous life, every time he saw his wife getting angry over a small matter, he knew it was time to work overtime...

Of course, Zheng Yanchang was the first to break down and said that Rounu accepted bribes from those hungry concubines, and he deserved to be called an old dog.

"Mr. Zheng, I will give you an answer in a few days." The saint pulled the angry Zheng Yanchang aside and said. For education, if you can invest, you should try to suffer a little more and communicate with Rounu in depth. The flood flooded the bird's nest, and everything is easy to talk about. Damn, why do I feel like I am serving my wife and concubine?

"I'll take my leave." Zheng Yanchang's face turned pale and blue, but he couldn't get angry. He bowed and left quickly with Li Xi.

The saint walked back and sat down, and Yuwen Rou leaned in his arms with a wronged look.

"when are we leaving?"

"tomorrow."

"I don't know when we can enjoy peace. Every time you go to war, I am always worried and often wake up in the middle of the night." Yu Wenrou rubbed his head.

"After we kill Zhu the thief, I will take you to Bianzhou. When I'm not around, take care of the house. Cui Yuzhang, Cui Xuansu, Jialan, and Chiye are new here, so if they break any taboos, please be lenient. The Privy Councilor just gave birth to her second child, so remember to get some supplements. Also, you and Zhao Ruozhao should see if any of the concubines without children and the other female officials and palace maids want to leave the palace. If they want to leave, give them travel expenses and let them go."

Li had no feelings for concubines like Chen Cailian, Pei Zhenyi, Li Jianrong, and Liu Qi. He was a person who valued appearance. If he didn't like them, he wouldn't be motivated. Pei and Li already had children, so letting them go would be like being cuckolded, so he could only smile and take over. For the rest, instead of letting them sit in the deep palace and die in depression, it would be better to let them do what they want, which would also save expenses in the palace.

"Got it." Yu Wenrou nodded, pulled him into her arms, and enjoyed the moment of tenderness.

Then, Li's face touched the two breasts. As she was breastfeeding, she could smell the scent of cheese.

The saint supported his crotch and stood up from the gentle land. It was time to go to war, so he had better take care of himself and appear in front of the soldiers with a full of energy.

"If the war goes well, I will take you to Changchun Palace to stay for a while." The saint straightened his clothes and said with a smile.

“I wish you all the best.”

...

After quickly finishing the music here, the saint rushed to Changleli.

That’s right, today is the day for pig wedding.

Although it was called a blind date, the target had actually been selected by him and Zong Zheng in private. The bride was Li Yu, the Princess of Luochuan County of the Dan King's house. He was originally planning to marry a princess, but the highest rank among the officials, positions, and titles was Yunzhongzi, which was the fifth rank, and he could only marry a Princess of the same rank.

The process of asking for the name, accepting the betrothal gift, and obtaining the marriage certificate had been completed as normal. The bride was sent from her home in the suburbs of Fanchuan to the Danwang Residence in the Ten Kings' Residence by the Zongzheng and the elders of the Danwang family.

Because Zhazhu had no family, Concubine Xian had already rushed to the scene with a group of Taiyuan officers and Hedong's imperial officer Guo Chongtao, and was accompanied by Kang Lingzhong, Helian Weihuan, Tuoba Weicai, and Yelu Chongde to welcome the bride.

When he arrived, the wedding procession was almost over. He saw the pig dressed in red and decorated with colorful ribbons, with a bloodshot face, crossing the threshold side by side with Li Yu, who was holding a fan to cover his face, amid the jeers of the onlookers.

The next procedure is commonplace.

Worship. First worship the gods of heaven and earth, then ancestors, parents, and elders. Embarrassingly, the only tablet that Zhuer set up at this stage was for Li Guochang.

The tablet of Li Guochang.

This was a little unexpected for the saint. He had always thought that Zhu'er was just a slave who was ordered around in his uncle's house. Now it seemed that Li Guochang and his son might have really treated him very well, which made him remember it to this day.

The long-standing questions seem to have been answered.

He pondered one question in both of his lives: Apart from a few years of glory in his youth, Li Keyong had a bumpy life. He was beaten by Zhu Wen and could not raise his head. He twice prepared to return to Yinshan to herd sheep. He was often in such a state that he had to eat corpses with his soldiers to fill his stomach. But under the ethos of the late Tang and Five Dynasties, why did so few people betray him during these years?

Maybe it's the words love and righteousness.

"Fan it!"

Surrounded by men and women, the girl slowly moved her fan away. Li Yu had a youthful appearance, and her vibrant skin reflected the abundant collagen of a 17-year-old girl. Her expression and behavior were very shy, and she looked a bit like Luo Fu.

Zhazhu was even more shy, but he read the poem haltingly and was constantly teased loudly by Helian Weihuan and others.

There is still a twinkle in the eyes...

What are you sad about?
The saint held his chin in his hand, watching with great interest. More and more foreign officers and soldiers settled in the capital, including Fu Cunshen, Zhang Jide, Li Zan, Liu Bo, Yelu Chongde, Mo Zangqiqi, Xie Jun, Fei Zhongkang, Nangong Daoyuan, Zha Zhu... The power of a single normal person is insignificant, but if it continues for a few more years, with tens of thousands of people, we should be able to see results. How can beasts be so cunning and deceitful? How can beast soldiers fight against humans?
(End of this chapter)