The elite did not migrate south

Chapter 774 Pei Xiu, the wise man!

Jizhou is actually very close to Luoyang. Anyway, it is much easier to get to Luoyang from here than from Qingzhou.

But the problem was that there had been a riot in Hebei at that time, during which prominent families were killed and a large number of scholars fled, which led to a decline in their civil governance. Jizhou was the most severely affected area.

This was the reason why the officials there had complained many times that the number of scholars who passed the examination was only the same as that of Bingliang.

When Cao Mao received the letter from the local governor, he smiled bitterly.

Unexpectedly, the first batch of imperial examination immigrants in the world appeared under his rule.

This is also what will inevitably happen after the rankings are divided.

But Cao Mao didn't expect them to act so quickly.

In such a situation, the government could only introduce complete laws as soon as possible, or gradually reduce the number of prefectures and counties on the autumn list. Cao Mao thought that prefectures like Ji, Jing, and Yong could be included in the spring list in the future.

Only remote and underdeveloped areas continued to implement the Autumn List. If someone relocated for the imperial examination, they would be required to settle there for a certain number of years before they could participate in the Autumn List.
Of course, Cao Mao didn't need to think about these things himself; Zhong Hui and others were enough to solve them.

Cao Mao is still sending people to investigate those instigators.

Even though the scholars had their own reasons for causing trouble this time, there must have been someone pushing them behind the scenes.

Because the process during this period was unreasonable, only some scholars felt that it was inappropriate and asked around. However, as soon as Pei Xiu mentioned the reform of the nobility system, the scholars suddenly gathered together and said they wanted to sue Pei Xiu together.

And the problem must be with the Imperial College.

This is not surprising. Taixue is a home of wealthy families and you can't find anyone of low birth there.

Sima Yan established an Imperial College in history and sent the descendants of officials above the fifth rank to the Imperial College, thus forming a system unique to the Western Jin Dynasty in which aristocrats and commoners received education separately.

Maybe we should really arrange an institution of learning for scholars of lower birth?
Cao Mao thought about it and still felt that it was inappropriate.

In fact, there has never been a clear rule that only nobles can study at the Imperial Academy. However, it is very difficult for people of humble origins to enter the Imperial Academy.

There are four ways to enter the Imperial College.

The first method is the simplest and is to recruit directly from a teacher.

For example, when Sun Yan was a classics teacher in the Imperial Academy, he could directly recruit those who he thought had talent and good character to study with him in the Imperial Academy.

Recruitment can be done once a year.

This is usually to recruit the children of relatives or good friends, anyway, the places are hard to come by.

The second way is recommendation by local officials.

Every year, local academic officials recommend a group of outstanding and virtuous people to go to the Imperial College.

Well, it’s similar to the direct recruitment of classics teachers. Just think about the background of the people who can be recommended by local officials.

The third way is through the family. Officials of the fifth rank and above can directly send their children to the Imperial College.

This is how those Huns ended up in the Imperial Academy.

The fourth type is examination.

Only the fourth option is the easiest for those of humble origins to adopt. However, for this examination in classics, the court did not have a unified requirement. This was different from the later college entrance examination, which could be decided by the classics teacher himself.

This also requires certain connections and backgrounds. Generally speaking, those who take this route are often children of officials from poor families who are below the fifth rank.

As for the common people, they could only go to bed and forget about it. Unless they were geniuses who showed extraordinary talent in their teens and were noticed by a big family and recruited as a disciple or son-in-law, they could forget about studying.

Cao Mao's original reforms for these scholars, including taking out many books to set up libraries outside and increasing the emphasis on local schools, should have benefited the most from those from poor families, that is, the children of officials below the fifth rank. As for the scholars of commoner origin, they hardly got any benefits.

At this moment, Cao Mao felt that perhaps the admission method of the Imperial College should be changed.

Cao Mao thought for a long time and decided to meet Pei Xiu.

By the way, I also want to see if this guy is still secretly taking medicine and drinking.

This guy died at the age of 48 from taking medicine and drinking alcohol. I am doing this for his own good!
In the inner room, Pei Xiu was writing with a brush.

With a faint smile on his face.

I was punished again.

This time, he was fined his salary and asked to reflect on his actions within the mansion.

I don't know why, but the current emperor likes to punish his ministers by making them stay at home to reflect on themselves. It always feels like a father disciplining his son, but this is perfect for Pei Xiu!
He finally got rid of that damn Zhong Hui!
It’s better to deduct salary!
The Pei family is not short of money. The family fortune left by his father alone is enough for them to live on for three generations!
It’s good to reflect on yourself!

No one will bother me anymore. I can lock myself in the inner room and do what I have always wanted to do!
This life is so beautiful.

Pei Xiu's face even turned a little red. Just as he was writing seriously, footsteps were suddenly heard outside.

At this moment, the pen in Pei Xiu's hand fell to the ground.

He had already issued an order that he should reflect in his study and that no one was allowed to come. Apart from his young son, the only ones who dared to come after he gave the order were the emperor and Zhong Hui.

Zhong Hui probably wouldn't come. When he summoned me to punish me, he couldn't hide the smile on his face. He was very happy to see me suffer in the mansion. Besides, he had a lot of things to do, so if he wanted to see me, he would only summon me and not come in person.

That must be the emperor. Pei Xiu sighed silently.

Immediately afterwards, the study door was opened and Cao Mao walked in with a smile.

"Your Majesty, your Majesty, your servant Pei Xiu greets you!"

Cao Mao ignored him, but instead sniffed around the study and looked around.

Pei Xiu smiled bitterly and said, "Your Majesty, I have not been content with the rituals or the drinking for a long time."

Cao Mao then said, "It's not that I don't trust you, but I'm afraid of losing such a talented person."

Pei Xiu shuddered.

Cao Mao then sat down on the upper seat unsteadily, and Pei Xiu sat beside him with his head lowered.

"Xiu, your talent is known to everyone in the world. I have never heard of anyone who drinks heavily and lives a long life. Moreover, if you do this, your offspring will follow suit, and your whole family will die young. This is really inappropriate."

Cao Mao did not curse the other party. Pei Xiu's eldest son also died early, reportedly because of bad habits.

The second son refused to submit and became a very capable Confucian scholar, the founder of the Chongyou Theory. However, he was unlucky and was killed during a great chaos. He died before he could even finish writing the book.

But to Pei Xiu, these words sounded like a naked threat.

Pei Xiu hurriedly said, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your concern."

Cao Mao also saw Pei Xiu's fear and anxiety.

"Pei Qing, there's no need for this. I don't have any objections to you. I came here this time to discuss some things with you. In addition, I also want to explain something to you."

"This imperial examination matter was actually due to my inconsideration, and cannot be blamed on you."

"However, I cannot allow those people to cause trouble, so I can only resolve it this way. Please don't take it to heart."

Pei Xiu had actually long been accustomed to the days when the emperor and Zhong Hui took turns persecuting him. At this moment, when he heard the emperor's gentle explanation, he felt a little uncomfortable.

Doesn't this seem like the way Your Majesty treats himself?

Is it because someone helped me that His Majesty accepted me?

Cao Mao was about to say something when he suddenly saw the document that Pei Xiu had placed on the table.

He couldn't help but pick it up and read it.

"One is the division rate, two is the accurate view, three is the distance, four is the height, five is the direction, and six is the circuitous and straight. What is this?"

Pei Xiu smiled awkwardly and explained, "Your Majesty previously ordered me to draw a map. I had some insights, so I just wrote them down casually. I believe these six points are the foundation of map making."

"The ratio is used to determine the size of an area, the direction is used to determine the location of objects, and the distance is used to..."

"These are the principles of cartography. These days, while I'm idle at home, I've been wanting to create an atlas. It's divided into two parts. One is a chronological map of the territories and administrative divisions from ancient times to the present day. The other is a special map of mountains, rivers, and other types of landscapes."

Cao Mao's eyes lit up when he heard Pei Xiu's words.

Yu Gong regional map?!

Great, you're finally getting down to business!
Pei Xiu's "Yu Gong Regional Map" is the first historical atlas in China and even the world. The methods and standards he used in making the map were a thousand years ahead of the world!

Cao Mao's eyes suddenly softened when he looked at Pei Xiu.

Well done, you're truly a world-class celebrity! You're truly the father of cartography!
Pei Xiu looked at Cao Mao's increasingly strange expression and said hurriedly, "Your Majesty, I am reflecting on myself, but..."

"Hahaha~~~"

Cao Mao immediately grabbed Pei Xiu's hand and said, "Ji Yan! I've known for a long time that you have talent in this area. Not bad, really not bad!"

"Go ahead and do it with confidence. Whether you want to write a theory about cartography or create an atlas, I fully support you! People today need a lot of cloth to make maps. If you know how to scale, like you do, carrying around a lot of cloth wouldn't be such a hassle!"

"Your skills should be written down and even given to the many generals of the Wei Dynasty! Let them all learn how to make better military maps!"

Pei Xiu was a little confused.

"Yi, Yui!"

Cao Mao was delighted. "When you finish, remember to show it to me. I will personally nominate you and give you a reward!"

In the past, Pei Xiu was always seen as lazy, cunning, and crooked in Cao Mao's eyes, but for some reason, Pei Xiu at this moment seemed a little different, with a free and intelligent temperament.

You are worthy of being my most beloved and wise minister!

Cao Mao talked to him about the theory and practical application of cartography. He spoke very clearly and was very disdainful of the current cartographers.

He felt that these people were always showing off how big their maps were. The maps they made could not even be opened inside the house and had to be spread out in the courtyard. He believed that this was not because the other party had any ability, but rather a manifestation of incompetence and ignorance.

Cao Mao just nodded at this moment.

Yes, yes, you are right!!

(End of this chapter)