Tang Dynasty: A Guide to Avoiding Pitfalls for Li Er at the Start

Chapter 268 You little rascal, you've found me a talented person!

As Wen He pondered this in his heart, Li Shimin, who was brewing tea opposite him, shook his head in disappointment.

What Ma Zhou said did not align with his own thoughts; in fact, it was somewhat unrealistic.

Wen He shook her head and asked.

"I understand what you mean, using incentives to lure them, but have you considered whether the children in those farming families will have time to study?"

"Moreover, even if they pass the exam and obtain the status of a scholar, it will take them several years to participate in the state examination. It is probably not possible for many families to afford to spend several years studying diligently."

There's one more thing Wen He didn't mention: if a large number of people went to study, it would undoubtedly cause the already impoverished Tang Dynasty to lose even more labor.

"Furthermore, one needs to attend a private school to pursue education. Ordinary commoners can barely make ends meet, so how can they afford to go to school?"

Ma Zhou was indeed talented, but in Wen He's view, the imperial examination system of the Song Dynasty was not suitable for the Tang Dynasty.

It should be noted that the Song Dynasty only came to a state where the emperor and scholar-officials shared power after the cultural boom of the mid-to-late Tang Dynasty and the devastating blows dealt to the powerful families of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period.

This led to the perfection of the imperial examination system.

In the early Tang Dynasty, those powerful families who held sway would never have allowed the emperor to do such a thing.

Otherwise, they might very well unite to oppose the imperial power.

If that were the case, even Li Shimin would have to worry that the world might descend into chaos once again.

“You’ve misunderstood, sir,” Ma Zhou explained.

Wen He looked at him curiously, gesturing for him to continue.

Ma Zhou smiled and said, "What I mean is that this children's exam is not the imperial examination, nor does it grant official positions based on the exam results. Rather, it is an incentive. Those who perform well may be rewarded with money and grain, exempted from taxes for a year, or given military service or labor service."

"As for whether they are willing to continue their studies, that is their own decision. With such a reward, I believe many people will be willing to let their children study for a period of time, at least during the off-season for farming."

That's a bit interesting.

This is quite similar to the methods used in some places during the early days of the People's Republic of China.

In this way, the cost will not be too high.

Unlike the Ming and Qing dynasties, where anyone who passed the imperial examinations was exempt from all land taxes, leading many landlords to register their land under the names of these scholars in order to evade taxes.

"But there are still some problems." Ma Zhou didn't seem particularly happy after saying that; instead, he seemed a little worried.

"What?" Wen He asked.

“Those are the people who supervise the examination. If officials from aristocratic families are used, I'm afraid someone will try to sabotage the process. If local officials are used, I'm afraid someone will engage in favoritism and corruption.”

The fact that Ma Zhou could think of this shows that his idea was not a spur-of-the-moment decision; he must have thought about it for a long time.

It's just unclear why, historically, Ma Zhou never proposed this to Li Shimin.

Could it be because of me, this little butterfly, again?
Wen He chuckled to himself. As for Ma Zhou's concerns, he didn't think they were a big problem.

"There's no need to worry about that. After the imperial examinations, a new batch of officials will be appointed. We can let them take over. These people are young, unlike those stubborn old-fashioned types. They won't cheat or act based on their own preferences."

"And this can also serve as an assessment for newly recruited officials."

Wen He wasn't saying these words to Ma Zhou, but to Li Shimin.

"Drink tea."

Li Shimin carried the tea to the two men and presented them with the teacups.

Wen He immediately stood up and respectfully stepped aside.

Ma Zhou looked blankly at Wen He who had stood up, and was about to stand up as well, but the middle-aged man in plain clothes waved his hand at him: "You can sit down. This brat is scared. Let him stand."

To dare call the son of Gaoyang County a mere brat, Ma Zhou immediately understood that the person before him was of extremely high status.

He quickly sat up straight and bowed to him, saying, "Greetings, esteemed guest."

What puzzled him even more was why the magistrate of Gaoyang County had this nobleman deliberately disguised as a servant.

Was it just to hear what he said earlier?
"Has Master Ma ever treated any classic medical texts before?"

Li Shimin, who originally thought Ma Zhou was just an incompetent person, became interested in him after hearing his plan.

Now he understood why Wen He had specifically asked him to come here.

"I have some knowledge of poetry, books, rites, music, the Book of Changes, and the Spring and Autumn Annals, but I am most proficient in the Book of Poetry and the Zuo Zhuan."

Ma Zhou was not modest either.

With the opportunity right in front of him, how could he possibly hide it?

But as soon as he finished speaking, Li Shimin's expression turned somewhat amused: "To be able to learn so many books, your family background must be quite illustrious, right?"

Although this era was not like the Former Han Dynasty, where ordinary people could not even access books, reading was still not an easy thing.

That's why Li Shimin asked that question.

Ma Zhou's talent did indeed surprise him, but if he came from a prestigious family, then he would have to seriously consider what Ma Zhou had just said.

Upon hearing this, Ma Zhou couldn't help but feel embarrassed: "My father left behind some books before he passed away. After my mother passed away, I pawned everything in the house to buy books, so I am now penniless."

'good! ’

Li Shimin was overjoyed and turned to give Wen He an approving nod.

"You little rascal, you've found me a talent!" Li Shimin laughed loudly.

Wen He pouted and said resentfully, "I hope His Majesty won't punish me."

"Your Majesty?!"

Ma Zhou's body froze instantly.

He had previously thought that the person before him might be a minister or someone from the Ministry of Personnel. He never imagined it would be the emperor!
He seemed to have just bowed to the magistrate of Gaoyang County!
"Snapped!"

Ma Zhou hurriedly stood up, his sudden movement nearly overturning the table.

He quickly bowed to Li Shimin and said, "This humble commoner, Ma Zhou, greets Your Majesty."

"No need, no need. I've scared you. It's all that brat's fault for causing this commotion." Li Shimin waved his hand at him, gesturing for him to sit down.

Wen He, who was standing to the side, gave a soft hum.

Do you really think he's just making a pointless suggestion? He's just worried that if he recommends someone rashly, Li Shimin will become suspicious.

That's why he let Li Shimin hear it for himself.

"I have heard all your suggestions. What do you think, Pharmacist?" Li Shimin looked up at Li Jing.

The latter was just there to join in the fun and incidentally catch Wen He; he didn't take what Ma Zhou had just said to heart.

Li Jing smiled and said, "This old minister does not know much about this matter, so I will not presume to make a judgment."

"You," Li Shimin said, pointing at him with a helpless smile.

He knew that Li Jing was deliberately avoiding suspicion.

Ma Zhou was dumbfounded at this moment.

It turns out this person is also a big shot in the clouds.

For a moment, he didn't know whether he should be overjoyed or afraid.

His legs started shaking uncontrollably.

"Don't be nervous, Minister Li is a very kind person." Wen He walked to Ma Zhou's side, smiled and patted his shoulder to comfort him.

Ma Zhou chuckled twice and nodded.

He could already feel his body soaked in cold sweat.

"Ahem, Wen County Magistrate, although I am kind, I cannot tolerate being deceived repeatedly." Suddenly, Li Jing's eyes swept over.

Wen He was taken aback.

I don't think he's offended Li Jing recently.

"Snapped!"

Just then, Li Shimin suddenly raised his hand and slapped him on the head, laughing and scolding.

"Have you forgotten that you still hold the official position of Director of the Ministry of War? The Pharmacist has been waiting for you at the Ministry of War for so long, while you've been enjoying yourself at home. You haven't even gone to the Hundred Cavalry or the Ministry of Works lately!"

"Your Majesty, you previously confined me to my quarters." Wen He rubbed his head, somewhat speechless.

If he hadn't mentioned it, Li Shimin would have almost forgotten about it.

"So your confinement is over for today, right? Tomorrow you will enter the palace to participate in the court meeting, and then go to the Ministry of War... Oh, by the way, does Prince Bin have a place to stay in Chang'an? If not, stay at this brat's house. Tomorrow, have him take you to the palace."

"What?" Wen He was taken aback and quickly refused, "Your Majesty, that's a bit unreasonable. He'll be your man in the future, so why should he come to my house to freeload?"

"Because you are my son-in-law, and don't doubt my magnanimity. Even if you really intend to form a faction, do you think I'm afraid? Don't put on an act in front of me in the future."

Li Shimin glared at him, then raised his hand and slapped him on the head again before getting up, satisfied.

We let that brat escape from Wanchun Palace before, but we've succeeded today.

"Alright, it's getting late, Pharmacist. How about we dine at this brat's house today?"

Li Shimin was in high spirits after acquiring a capable talent.

He had been so worried about winter clothes that he hadn't been eating properly. Now that he was out of the palace, he felt like something was missing if he didn't go to Wen He's house for a meal.

Li Jing chuckled and nodded, saying, "Since Your Majesty has such a refined taste, I will naturally follow suit."

"Good." Li Shimin laughed loudly, but when he turned around, he saw Wen He looking sullen. He immediately questioned him with displeasure, "What, you brat, are you not willing?"

"Your Majesty is naturally willing, but Qingque might not be so happy."

Wen He knew that Li Er must have his eyes on those piglets again.

What a fine emperor, he actually liked to eat pork.

Oh well, the glorious image of Li Er in his heart has long been shattered anyway.

"Don't use the bluebird as a pretext." Li Shimin snorted lightly, then turned to Ma Zhou, his expression becoming friendly again: "Prince Bin, come along too, I'll take this opportunity to talk to you about scholarship."

This means they're going to test you.

Ma Zhou naturally dared not refuse and quickly and respectfully agreed.

He still feels like he's dreaming.

On the way to Wenhe's residence, Li Shimin and Ma Zhou rode in the same carriage.

Wen He didn't know what the two said, but he knew it when he saw Li Shimin and Ma Zhou getting off the carriage and their faces full of joy.

Ma Zhou not only passed this exam, but he may have even gotten a perfect score.

The meeting of these two men took place five years earlier than originally planned.

Wen He couldn't help but feel a little hopeful, wondering what would change because of this.

"Father, what brings you here?"

Upon entering the mansion and seeing Wen He and Li Shimin, Li Tai and the others who came out to greet them were immediately dumbfounded.

Li Tai, in particular, stared wide-eyed, thinking to himself, "It's over! Father's here again! My pigs are doomed!"

(End of this chapter)