The immortal of the Tang Dynasty, but the game starts at Xuanwu Gate?

"The imperial examination..."

When this topic was brought up, the ministers in the hall, including Li Shimin, couldn't help but feel a headache coming on.

The imperial examination system during the Zhenguan era inherited the system from the Wude era and implemented a system of annual tribute.

In terms of process, each autumn and winter, each county and prefecture organizes preliminary examinations at each level to select qualified candidates to go to the capital in October along with local tributes. In January of the following year, they participate in a unified examination presided over by the Ministry of Personnel, which is managed by the Assistant Minister of Personnel.

Simply put, it means that the imperial examinations were held every year.

However, the path to the imperial examinations had long been monopolized at each level, and those who could be admitted were basically sons of aristocratic families and officials, or people who had been recruited by aristocratic families.

Furthermore, due to the continuous natural disasters, Li Shimin even considered suspending the imperial examinations for a year, let alone holding them again.

"Your Majesty, I have reached an agreement with the aristocratic families, and one of the conditions is their support for my reform of the imperial examination system," Chen Huai'an said with a smile. "I roughly understand what you are thinking."

"Now is a year of famine, and everyone may be thinking of stopping the imperial examinations."

"But I think that the imperial examination should not only not be stopped, but should be carried out on a large scale."

A glint flashed in Li Shimin's eyes: "You mean, the aristocratic families have already agreed? So you want to hold a grand imperial examination next year?"

"That's true," Chen Huai'an readily admitted.

Du Ruhui asked in bewilderment, "Then why must it be next year? Since the powerful families in Shandong have already compromised, wouldn't it be better to save this opportunity and wait two years until there are no more natural disasters or man-made calamities, and people's livelihoods have recovered? Wouldn't that be better?"

"We are currently in a year of famine, and it is already difficult for the people to survive. It is the result of the hard work of His Majesty, the teacher, and everyone else. Opening the imperial examination next year may not necessarily have a good effect."

"Furthermore, the internal strife in the Eastern Turkic Khaganate is worsening, and the Ministry of War has already begun preparations for war against the Eastern Turks. Holding a grand imperial examination next year... isn't that somewhat inappropriate?"

Fang Xuanling nodded: "With so many things happening at once, it's too easy for things to go wrong."

"Hasn't the problem of the lack of officials been solved?" Chen Huai'an then asked, "Isn't the growing control of powerful clans over the court being addressed either?"

Fang and Du fell silent immediately, and Changsun Wuji sighed and shook his head.

Wei Zheng pondered and said, "In fact, if a locust plague really occurs next year, under the current system, it is the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Works that should be in charge, and other officials will mostly just assist."

"Sending troops to the Eastern Turks is the responsibility of the Ministry of War and the generals, while opening the imperial examinations is the responsibility of officials from the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Rites."

"Next year may seem like a lot of things are happening at once, but in reality, there won't be any fundamental conflicts. So, I think this approach is feasible."

He paused for a moment, then continued, "Most importantly, what Mr. Chen said makes sense. The power of aristocratic families is indeed still growing. Every time the imperial examination is held, it actually increases the control of aristocratic families over the court."

"Under these circumstances, many things of ours are constrained. For example, Mr. Chen's refined salt—wasn't it because we had no choice but to implement a system of government production, government approval, and commercial sales?"

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin's expression turned somewhat unpleasant.

The words of Wei Zheng and others almost pinpointed the biggest problem facing the court at present.

Li Shimin dreamed of eliminating the powerful clans, but he simply couldn't do it.

To reiterate, his rule was supported by these powerful families, landlords, and gentry.

Once the powerful clans are destroyed, it is tantamount to destroying one's own imperial rule.

If not for this, Li Shimin had countless ways to destroy the aristocratic families.

He has never been one to hold back, but in this situation, all he could do was temporarily suppress the situation.

Li Shimin kept in mind Chen Huai'an's previous proposal to "dismantle monopolies, bind interests, change rules, and slow down dilution."

After thinking carefully, Li Shimin raised his eyes and asked, "What I just heard you say was about reforming the imperial examination system?"

"You've secured the support of powerful families for your reforms to the imperial examination system. Does this mean you already have a way to improve the current system?"

Chen Huai'an smirked: "Has Your Majesty forgotten that I am one of the victims of the current imperial examination system?"

"I passed the imperial examination, but someone stole my results. How can I not hate that?"

Li Shimin was speechless for a moment, then instantly understood.

Indeed, this kind of thing would be an irreconcilable feud for anyone.

This was especially true for Chen Huai'an, who had been entrusted with all the hopes of his family, and who had used the money his sister had earned by selling herself to put all his hopes on passing the imperial examinations.

Wei Zheng, visibly excited, asked, "Mr. Chen, do you perhaps have a solution?"

These words caused an uproar among everyone in the hall.

According to Chen Huai'an, if there were a better way to reform the imperial examination system, their participation would likely be one of their greatest political achievements.

Seriously speaking, every single person present was worthy of being remembered in history.

In fact, many of them could have their own biographies written on their own.

But who would complain about having a better reputation?

Who wouldn't want a higher place in history?

Why is Zhuge Liang still remembered to this day? Even more so than many emperors?

Isn't it because their achievements are great enough?

Even if the Northern Expedition was not completed, no one can deny Zhuge Liang's historical status.

The same reason.

If the reform of the imperial examination system succeeds, it will be a great achievement that benefits generations to come.

No one can resist such a temptation.

"I have some immature ideas," Chen Huai'an said modestly. "I didn't mention them before because there weren't many good opportunities, and the disaster was indeed too severe."

Now that we've set the tone for next year, let's all sit down and have a proper discussion.

"Someone come here!" Li Shimin summoned Zhang Anan directly. "Have the Imperial Kitchen prepare more fine wine and delicacies, and bring up a few plates of pastries!"

"Yes, Your Majesty." Zhang Anan accepted the order and left.

Li Shimin extended his hand and said, "Huai'an, tell me, let's have a good talk today!"

"Okay." Chen Huai'an naturally understood Li Shimin's meaning, paused for a moment, as if organizing his thoughts.

Then he asked a question: "In order for everyone to better understand my ideas, I'd like to ask you a few questions first."

"From what sources do candidates for the imperial examinations today mainly come?"

The group did not resist Chen Huai'an's question; like Li Shimin, they were prepared for a long talk that would last all night.

After a moment's thought, Changsun Wuji replied, "It should be 'student' or 'provincial tribute student'!"

"That's right!" Du Ruhui chimed in, "The so-called students are those from the Imperial Academy, the Hongwen Academy, and the official schools in various prefectures and counties."

"As for the local tribute students, they were selected by the prefectures and counties themselves from commoners, that is, from poor families."

"If I'm not mistaken, Mr. Chen embarked on the path of the imperial examinations by passing the provincial examinations."

"......"