The elite did not migrate south

Chapter 773 Enke
The North and South List Case was a major case that occurred during the Ming Dynasty.

In the joint examination in February of the 30th year of Hongwu's reign, all 51 people were from the south, with no one from the north. This caused great turmoil and eventually led to the emergence of the southern and northern lists.

Cao Mao had a headache.

From the perspective of selecting officials, there should naturally be no regional distinction. Whoever is excellent will pass, and whoever is not excellent will be kicked out.

But the imperial examination wasn't simply about selecting scholars; it was politics, a policy designed to win the hearts and minds of scholars. Furthermore, regional disparities did exist. Forget Shazhou and Pingzhou, let's just say Bingzhou and Yuzhou—could the academic standards there be comparable?
Even though they are all big families, their focus is different.

Of course, even the big families on the frontier can give birth to super scholars, such as Ma Rong, and even the Xiongnu can produce super academic masters like Jin Midi.

But this is not a common phenomenon. Overall, the scholars in the Central Plains are stronger than those in other regions.

In the Ming Dynasty, no northerners could pass through, and now no southerners can pass through.

As a unified dynasty, the scholars he recruited could not only be from the Central Plains, and the Wei Dynasty's rule did not only cover the Central Plains.

This will obviously cause serious trouble.

Wan Yu continued, "Your Majesty, there may be some instigators, but arresting them all is not an option. The world has been divided for many years and has just been unified. If we use too much force, it will alienate the scholars."

"Besides, if there is such unrest when the imperial examination is just being established, it will be even more difficult to implement it in the future."

Wan Yu came to persuade Cao Mao.

Cao Mao was suddenly a little surprised, but before he could speak, He Zeng asked for him.

"Someone came looking for you before, but you kept silent. Now that His Majesty has summoned me to discuss this matter, you rush here. Could it be that you are the instigator?"

Wan Yu smiled bitterly. "Prince Sikong has misunderstood. When they told me that, I was trying my best to appease them, saying that Your Majesty always treats everyone equally. If he treats the Hu people this way, how much more so the Wu people?"

"It's just that they've been coming more and more frequently lately, and they've said they've contacted people from other places, and they're planning to report it to the Minister of Rites, Pei Xiu. That's why I couldn't sit still and came to tell him."

"I didn't know Sikong was here."

Cao Mao still believed Wan Yu's words.

Because this guy was not from a prominent family, neither the imperial examination nor the title reform had any effect on him.

Those big clans didn't consider him as one of their own at all. Without them, he was nothing.

He also had no reason at all to oppose himself and help those people.

Cao Mao pondered for a moment before saying to He Zeng, "He Qing, please don't do anything yet. Go back and send someone to investigate. I need to think about this further."

He Zeng stood up, bowed, and hurried away.

Cao Mao then looked at Wan Yu and asked, "Do the Wu people regard you as their leader?"

Wan Yu replied, "Neither of the two Lu Lords sees guests. Apart from them, I hold a high position. Although I am not from a high family, I can participate in decision-making."

Cao Mao nodded.

"You're right. We really can't arrest and punish everyone."

"We still have to find a way to solve the scientific examination. Do we have to keep score?"

Cao Mao frowned and fell into deep thought.

Two examinations were arranged in spring and autumn, namely the Spring List and the Autumn List. The counties in the Central Plains would take the Spring List, while the rest would take the Autumn List.
But how can we resolve this problem?
In any case, Cao Mao would not choose to find someone to take the blame and throw him out to die to appease his dissatisfaction.

Although Pei Xiu is also good at taking the blame.

Seeing Cao Mao hesitate, Wan Yu said, "Your Majesty, it's actually very simple to resolve this matter."

"We can solve this problem by dividing the rankings, but how do we calm it down?"

Wan Yu said confidently: "Your Majesty, I have an idea."

"The problem now is that the scholars feel unfairly treated, that the court treats people differently based on their region. As long as we can win the hearts of the scholars, there won't be any major problems."

"The examination was held in Luoyang. The scholars from the Central Plains were closer to Luoyang and could rest here after arriving. However, the scholars from other regions had to travel a long way to Luoyang, and they had no time to rest before the examination began. It is normal for them to fail the examination. This arrangement is clearly wrong."

"The Ministry of Rites arranged this specific assessment. This shows that their arrangement was incorrect and they should be punished."

"But this isn't cheating. We can fine the salaries of many officials in the Ministry of Rites!"

Wan Yu added, "In addition, Your Majesty is kind and benevolent. After learning about this matter, he specially opened a special examination for these scholars who came from other places, allowing them to rest for a period of time before conducting an assessment and selecting the best scholars to serve as Lang."

"From now on, there will be two lists. Those in the closer areas will be assessed in the spring, and those in the more distant areas will be assessed in the autumn."

Hearing Wan Yu's words, Cao Mao couldn't help laughing.

Enke.

This is a good idea. The only ones hurt are the officials of the Ministry of Rites. But to be honest, the officials of the Ministry of Rites are indeed guilty!

Since they are responsible for assessments and other matters, haven't they thought about the problems in this area?

Anyway, it's all Pei Xiu's fault! That guy's family is very rich, and a fine of one year's salary is just a drop in the bucket.

If one can achieve the fifth rank or above, then his family is really not short of money.

Besides, Pei Xiu might be happy to take the blame at this time.
Cao Mao immediately followed Wan Yu's advice, allowed him to sit closer to him, and took the initiative to hold his hand.

"My Lord Wan, I have always treated everyone equally in my administration. The previous migrations were only to deal with the powerful families. It was because of their origins, not because of their regions."

"Where in the world are there no talented people?"

"From now on, you must assist me more attentively."

Wan Yu entered the palace empty-handed, but when he came out, he brought two large carts full of rewards. At this moment, Wan Yu felt a little dizzy.

Cao Mao gave him great rewards, including brocade clothes, swords, gold, etc.

This was the first time Wan Yu felt this kind of valued feeling, and he felt indescribably comfortable in his heart.

Soon, Cao Mao sent someone to summon Zhong Hui and others to discuss the matter of this special examination.

Several attendants and important eunuchs came and learned about this major event.

In order to avoid causing greater impact, Zhong Hui decided to act quickly.

Zhong Hui immediately issued orders to all places, informing the Ministry of Rites of the improper arrangements and the punishment they had received. He then announced that the emperor was benevolent and would hold an imperial examination.

Yizhou, Chengdu.

Deng Ai was sitting in his own courtyard at this moment, looking up and enjoying the tranquility.

The development speed in various parts of Bashu is getting faster and faster. Bashu is originally a fertile area with abundant manpower and excellent basic conditions.

The main reason is that the previous militarism and wars have caused this place to become worse and worse.

After the war ended and the powerful families left, the entire Bashu was completely transformed.

After taking away the arable land of those big families, Deng Ai rented these arable lands as public land to the people who had no arable land, and the local area suddenly underwent a huge transformation.

Public opinion was also shaken, and the people began to accept the rule of the Wei Dynasty.

After all, they are living better now.

After the sense of identity emerged, production enthusiasm was also improved, and Bashu began to move forward rapidly.

In Du Yu's report, Yizhou was the region that had made the most rapid progress and achieved the most results.

Guanqiu Dian led many officials into the mansion in a hurry.

“Mr. Deng!!”

"The imperial court has sent an expedited document! His Majesty is planning to hold a special examination. Scholars from all over the border areas can take the examination again!"

Deng Ai glanced at him and said, "Oh, if it doesn't pass, I need the court to give me another chance."

Guanqiu Dian hurriedly said, "It is said that this was caused by improper arrangements made by the Ministry of Rites."

Deng Ai waved his hand and said, "You, just do it on your own. Don't bother me."

He looked at the scorching sun in the sky again.

"This weather is quite nice, just like the day when I conquered Shu."

Guanqiu Dian's face darkened and he quickly left the place.

Deng Ai is extremely capable, which can be seen from the current situation in various parts of Bashu. This man is not only a first-class warrior, but also a first-class government official. Relying solely on water conservancy, he quickly restored Bashu to its prosperity, with the greatest achievements. Almost all officials in Bashu have been rewarded and promoted.

But with this character and temper, Guanqiu Dian immediately began to give orders.

Officials read out the emperor's benevolent policies everywhere.

There are not many scholars in Bashu now, but when they learned that the emperor had opened a special special examination for them, those who failed the exam and returned, and even some who had never been there before, became somewhat shaken.

With the strong support of the government, they set out again on the road to Luoyang.

For a time, even the scholars' evaluation of the temple and the emperor changed. In the past, only the common people at the bottom would praise him, but now even the scholars could not help but praise him. He is truly a benevolent emperor!
The situation in other places was similar to that in Bashu. Chen Tai in Wu also made every effort to publicize the situation and organized a large number of scholars to go to Luoyang.

As for the scholars in Luoyang who were originally preparing to report to Pei Xiu, they had already begun preparing for this special examination.

Your Majesty has already punished the Ministry of Rites and given them another fair chance. What else do they have to say?
Only the scholars in the Central Plains were quite dissatisfied with this.

If they want to set up a special examination, why do they want to leave us out?
If we had known this earlier, we might as well have moved to the frontier. I heard that the examinations will be divided according to the region. Wouldn't those scholars in the frontier have an advantage? They can become officials if they want.
Huh? Wait, moving? Yeah!
Suddenly, the scholars from several counties in the Central Plains found a way to exploit a loophole. They began to flock to places that were not too remote but within the scope of the Enke, hoping to settle down and relocate directly.

Among them, Jizhou is their best choice.

Pei Hui, the governor of Jizhou, also quickly noticed this phenomenon and reported it to the court.

(End of this chapter)