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

Lu Yanqing hesitated, wanting to argue with Chen Huai'an, but ultimately gave up.

The idea that social status is paramount is a widely accepted notion among the common people; they may be proud of it, but they can never admit it.

If you're so obsessed with social status, then where do you put the emperor?

Lu Yanqing wouldn't be foolish enough to argue with Chen Huai'an about this; it wouldn't make any real difference.

Despite Chen Huai'an's confident and seemingly plausible words, he probably doesn't even have much hope himself.

How could breaking this long-held notion be done overnight?

It's estimated that Chen Huai'an won't be able to do it even when he passes away peacefully.

Didn't you see Li Shimin, who hasn't said a word? Even he hasn't spoken.

The Taiji Hall was quiet for a moment.

After a while, Cui Shanwei changed the subject, breaking the silence: "Just now His Majesty kept emphasizing the implementation of the new imperial examination system, and Duke Cai also presented a well-developed system. Including Duke Anguo, everyone said that they wanted to implement this system."

"So... what exactly is the new imperial examination system?"

coming!

This was the first thought in everyone's mind.

Regardless of the previous arguments, everything was just a prelude; the ultimate goal was to ensure the smooth implementation of the new imperial examination system.

Li Shimin casually handed the memorial submitted by Du Ruhui to Zhang Anan: "Everyone is very interested in the new imperial examination system, but there is only one memorial. It would be too slow to read it in turn."

"Zhang Anan, read it aloud to my beloved ministers!"

"Yes, Your Majesty." Zhang Anan took the memorial with both hands and carefully opened it.

The rest of the people sat up straight and pricked up their ears.

The imperial examination system was the center of everything.

The thing that Chen Huai'an has kept hidden for so long is finally about to be revealed.

"The new imperial examination system should begin with a quota of candidates from the local area..."

Zhang Anan skipped the preceding text and went straight to the main points, elaborating extensively on the general outline Chen Huai'an had initially proposed.

For example, Du Ruhui and Fang Xuanling improved the system of free examinations to increase the number of candidates for the provincial examinations, clarifying which people could apply freely, which people could not apply, how those who could apply could apply, how to register, and to whom to appeal if problems arose.

Only Zhang Anan's voice could be heard continuously inside the hall.

Cui Shanwei and the others listened patiently without interrupting, sometimes frowning, sometimes pondering.

After an unknown amount of time, Zhang Anan's voice finally stopped.

Li Shimin looked around at everyone and asked, "What do you all think of Minister Du's method?"

The crowd looked at each other, most of them unsure how to answer.

Changsun Wuji and others didn't have much to say. Du Ruhui and Fang Xuanling's method was based on the viewpoint that Chen Huai'an had put forward last time, and then refined and improved it.

As they expected.

Most officials who are unaware of these matters are still pondering them.

The faces of the people from the five surnames and seven prominent families were all grim.

Lu Yanqing looked at Cui Xuan with great annoyance. If it weren't for the few people from the Boling Cui Clan, how could they be in such a passive position?

The new imperial examination system, without a unified interpretation of the classics, would have had little impact. It simply gave Li Shimin a legitimate reason to promote a certain number of people.

However, the majority of the imperial examination slots still ended up in their hands.

After all, even if students from poor families take the exam normally, it is difficult for them to compete with students from prestigious families.

Some of this difference is innate, but most of it is acquired.

Putting everything else aside, the learning conditions alone are on completely different levels for the two sides.

Children from wealthy families have access to a vast collection of books to study, but do children from poor families have the same opportunity?

They struggled to even buy pens, ink, paper, and inkstones to practice calligraphy, let alone read books.

However, the unification of the classics, coupled with Chen Huai'an's unknown backup plans, and the new imperial examination system, all these factors combined to have a significant impact on them.

Lu Yanqing really couldn't understand whether the Cui family of Boling had lost their minds.

What conditions did Chen Huai'an offer that led the Cui family of Boling to betray them at such a crucial moment?

"Your Majesty, I believe this method is feasible. Although there are still some imperfections, we have enough time to improve it," Yan Shigu said first.

"Unifying the interpretation of the classics, improving the imperial examination system, and other such matters can be carried out simultaneously without delay."

Li Shimin nodded slightly: "That's right, so I said that Minister Du has worked hard. To produce such results in such a short time is already very good."

"If everyone agrees, then let's continue to refine it according to Minister Du's method, and implement it before the imperial examination!"

"I have no objection," Changsun Wuji was the first to speak, and Wei Zheng and others immediately echoed his support.

Finally, Cui Xuan and several other members of the Boling Cui clan also expressed their support.

This made Lu Yanqing and Cui Shanwei's faces even darker.

The new imperial examination system has already gained momentum, so there's little point in trying to stop it, and it would also violate the agreement made with Chen Huai'an. There's no need for that.

For them, the most important thing now is to find new vulnerabilities and minimize the losses as much as possible.

"Huai'an, what's your opinion?" Li Shimin asked, fearing that Chen Huai'an would cause more trouble.

"Your Majesty, I have no objection," Chen Huai'an praised. "The Duke of Cai's new system is excellent, and I wholeheartedly support it."

"As expected of the Duke of Cai, he can create such a wonderful system with just a casual gesture. I admire him immensely!"

Du Ruhui: "..."

Aristocratic families: "..."

Many people in the hall smirked, completely ignoring Chen Huai'an's words.

People occasionally spoke up, discussing the new imperial examination system.

Lu Yanqing kept staring at Cui Xuan, wondering what benefits Chen Huai'an had given him that made the Boling Cui Clan play them first and then betray them at the last minute.

At this moment, Changsun Wuji said, "The number of examiners is not large; I think six examiners is a reasonable number."

Upon hearing this, Lu Yanqing suddenly realized something and understood.

The new imperial examination system will have a huge impact on all aristocratic families, and the Cui family of Boling is no exception.

Unless... the other party is involved themselves and occupies the position of the chief examiner.

In this way, the other party can ensure that their own interests are not affected.

Secondly, and most importantly.

Unify the interpretation of scriptures!

If Chen Huai'an also involved the Cui family of Boling, then... everything would seem reasonable.

Even... Chen Huai'an's contingency plans may have included a portion of the benefits for the Cui family of Boling, otherwise they wouldn't have bothered with such a thankless task.

Having figured this out, Lu Yanqing had already made up her mind.

Since we can't stop it, we have to get involved!

They can't wait to be the ones who follow the rules; they must be the ones who make the rules!

"..."