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

After making the decision, Lu Yanqing did not act immediately, but patiently waited for others to discuss the details of the imperial examination and made some preparations.

Now that they've completely broken off relations, there's nothing left to worry about. Today, they'll either suffer a crushing defeat or gain the right to sit at the table.

There are only two possible outcomes!

"Alright, let's decide on this then." Finally, seeing that the discussion was almost over, Li Shimin made the final decision.

"Whether it is unifying the classics or perfecting the new imperial examination system, we must do it before the provincial examinations begin this year. During this period, my dear ministers, please work hard and do not delay the imperial examinations."

"Your Majesty, we obey." The crowd rose and bowed.

Seeing that the time was right, Lu Yanqing coughed lightly, sent a signal to his allies, and then spoke quietly: "Your Majesty, regarding the unification of the classics, I believe there are some inappropriate points."

His opening remarks immediately drew everyone's attention.

Chen Huai'an's gaze was deep, his patience almost exhausted.

"Oh?" Li Shimin was somewhat surprised; these people hadn't given up yet. "What's wrong with it?"

Lu Yanqing said solemnly, "I believe the candidate is somewhat inappropriate."

"Although Yan Shujian comes from the Yan family, his qualifications are somewhat lacking. The important task of gathering scholars and great Confucianists from the North and South to unify the interpretation of the classics should be led by a famous Confucian scholar. Otherwise, this matter will probably be quite difficult to carry out."

"Unifying the interpretation of scriptures sounds easy, but it is extremely difficult in practice. Without sufficient prestige and qualifications, how can one gain the respect of the people?"

When opinions differ, who makes the final decision?

As soon as these words were spoken, the people from the five surnames and seven clans immediately understood Lu Yanqing's meaning, and their eyes hardened.

Du Ruhui, on the other hand, had a furrowed brow.

Lu Yanqing's words were not entirely unfounded or deliberately provocative; in terms of seniority, Yan Shigu was indeed slightly inferior.

There are many great Confucian scholars in our time who are more famous than Yan Shigu, and there are also many who seem to be more suitable than Yan Shigu.

But that's not how you see the problem.

From the current perspective, Yan Shigu is the most suitable person for them and for Li Shimin.

They want Yan Shigu to be the one to do it. Will Lu Yanqing and the others agree?

Obviously impossible.

Moreover, their reasons were reasonable.

"Secondly..." Lu Yanqing turned to Chen Huai'an and said coldly, "If Yan Shujian is merely lacking in experience, then the fact that the Duke of Anguo is assisting him is something I utterly cannot understand!"

"The Duke of Anguo achieved early success and made remarkable contributions in finance and construction, which I greatly admire."

"Unifying the interpretation of the classics is a grand ceremony of literature and morality, which tests one's knowledge of the classics and academic reputation. Duke Anguo has been involved in finance and construction for many years and is knowledgeable in various fields, but he has no great reputation in Confucian classics, and he is only in his early twenties. Who can accept this?"

"Furthermore, Duke Anguo holds multiple positions and is very busy with government affairs. I'm afraid he won't have much energy to deal with the trivial matters of classical studies, which would only delay this important literary matter that will last for thousands of years."

Having said all that, the intention couldn't be clearer.

They not only wanted to stuff their own people into the unified doctrine team, but also wanted to squeeze Chen Huai'an out and regain control of the discourse in Wendao.

As soon as he finished speaking, officials from the Lu family of Fanyang, the Cui family of Qinghe, and the Zheng family of Xingyang stepped forward one after another, all agreeing and saying things like "Lord Lu is absolutely right" and "I'm afraid the Duke of Anguo is not the best candidate for the position," putting on quite a show.

Li Shimin sat on the dragon throne, his face darkening.

These bastards are really ungrateful.

Does he really stop wielding a sword after becoming emperor?

Wei Zheng scoffed, "Now that the unification of Confucian classics has become a literary affair for all time?"

"You used to say that you were harming the country and its people. You will be cursed to death by all the scholars in the world and by countless future generations."

"What kind of literary feat is this that will be remembered for all time? What kind of literary feat is remembered for all time because of being criticized?"

"It's more like a thankless task throughout the ages."

Fang Xuanling lost his temper and angrily retorted, "His Majesty has already issued the decree. How do you place His Majesty by saying these things?"

"And since when has this kind of thing become about seniority and hierarchy?"

"If seniority is determined by age, what kind of nonsense is this new imperial examination system? We can just compare ages from now on, and whoever is older will be obeyed."

"Including attending court, why not just listen to the older generation?"

"It is precisely because His Majesty has already issued the decree that I must speak out!" Lu Yanqing argued logically. "There is still a chance to make amends now, but once the decree is issued, there will be no chance to remedy the situation."

"How can we continue down this wrong path?"

"at present......"

"Alright!" Chen Huai'an said impatiently, "Stop talking about the present. I could hear you even if you were in the Eastern Turkic Khaganate."

"I just don't understand. The purpose of unifying the classics is to collate the texts and correct the interpretations, so that students from poor families can have a textbook to rely on. The exams are based on real knowledge and skills, not on who is older or whose family has a prestigious reputation."

"Yan Shujian's scholarship in textual exegesis was unparalleled in his time. His expertise in compiling the definitive editions of the Five Classics speaks for itself. Could he not suppress a few self-important Confucian scholars?"

"If there really is such an arrogant person, he's nothing but a worthless Confucian scholar!"

"As for me..." Chen Huai'an smiled with a hint of sarcasm, "As for my role in assisting with this matter, His Majesty has ordered me to coordinate with all parties, not to personally annotate the classics."

"What, Lord Lu? Do you think His Majesty is poor at judging people, or do you believe that matters of classical interpretation are solely decided by your opinions?"

A single sentence hit the nail on the head, steering the discussion of selecting virtuous officials back to the power struggle between the imperial court and aristocratic families, and the hall fell silent once more.

Lu Yanqing's expression darkened slightly, and he was about to speak when Cui Shanwei spoke first: "The matter of assisting in administration is of utmost importance."

"Even without participating in the annotation and interpretation of the classics, it is not a task that the Duke of Anguo is capable of undertaking."

"After all... even the Duke of Anguo could arbitrarily misinterpret the Analects, completely altering the sage's masterpiece. It's hard for me not to doubt the Duke of Anguo's scholarship!"

"When dealing with animals," Chen Huai'an said frankly, "I generally don't try to reason with them. They don't understand, and it's pointless to talk to them."

"Besides, what do you mean I've completely distorted the sage's work? Aren't you the ones who distorted the sage's work?"

"For hundreds of years, each family has held its own commentary and interpreted it differently, resulting in seven or eight different interpretations of the same scripture. Who is actually changing the words of the sage?"

"Little Cui, do you dare to pat your chest and say that your Qinghe Cui clan's interpretations of the classics are entirely the original intent of the sages, without adding even a trace of your own family's private interpretations?"

Cui Shanwei's face turned pale and then red. This not only called him a beast, but also brought the unspoken rules into the open.

Lu Yanqing said coldly, "Since Duke Anguo believes he is capable of this position, he must be confident in his own knowledge."

"Surely it should withstand the test, right?"

"How about this, I will pose a question, and if Duke Anguo can answer it, I will not object to Duke Anguo's appointment as assistant administrator."

"Conversely, if Duke Anguo cannot answer..."

"......"