Ming Dynasty: Tanks blocked the door and you said to me, "Long live Ming Dynasty"

What’s important is that Zhu Youxiao found out that someone was indeed behind the scenes trying to disrupt this imperial examination!

In the entire Ming Dynasty, there are only three groups of people who are capable of doing such a thing.

Lord of the vassal!

Cult!

Gentleman!

It is impossible to control the vassal kings. Although his actions have been a bit big, they have not yet touched the interests of the vassal kings, especially those in the south.

The White Lotus Sect was dealt with in Nanjing, although they had enough reasons to do this.

But this matter is not in their interest!

Moreover, it would be more difficult for them to prevent scholars from taking the exams.

Instead of doing this, it would be better to just kill the scholar halfway, which is more in line with their style.

Excluding the princes and cults, the only ones left are the gentry!

Thinking about what he had done when he went south, Zhu Youxiao became more certain of this guess.

The group of gentry is huge and they hide very deeply. Trying to find the culprit behind it in a short period of time is like looking for a needle in a haystack.

Moreover, the examination period is approaching, and investigating now will not change the current situation where no one will take the exam!

After pondering for a while, Zhu Youxiao gave an order to Sun Kangwang.

"Take him away, and summon Wen Tiren, Prince Xin, and the six ministers to the palace!"

"Send someone to the Imperial College to get the list of candidates on the list. Anyone on the list who didn't come to Beijing to take the exam, check them out for me!"

"The minister obeys the order!"

Sun Kangwang bowed and took Guan Hui'e away from the Qianqing Palace.

After one stick of incense, Wen Tiren and others arrived one after another.

Zhu Youxiao explained the matter to them briefly, but did not express his own guess.

As he spoke, everyone's faces turned ugly.

At the end, Zhu Youxiao shouted in a voice that was almost a roar.

"Dear ladies!"

"Do you understand?"

"Someone wants to shake the foundation of the Ming Dynasty!"

"This is the first time in the three hundred years of our dynasty!"

"What's wrong?"

"Do you think I'm a joke?"

"Or do you think all of you civil and military officials in the court are a joke?!"

Chapter 215 Wen Tiren's Show

Inside the Qianqing Palace, everyone shrank their necks unconsciously.

They all knew that if the scholars boycotted the exam, it would be a provocation to the imperial court!

Wen Tiren hesitated for a long time, but finally decided to stand up.

"His Majesty!"

"After ten years of hard study, the imperial examination is an opportunity that can change a scholar's life."

"I think those scholars who withdrew from the examination must have been induced or coerced by others."

"The most urgent task is to send someone to find out who is behind this incident!"

"No matter who it is, if they dare to do such a thing, it is no different from treason!"

"I propose that once the facts are verified, the family property should be confiscated and the clan should be exterminated!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the ministers of various ministries all looked at him subconsciously, and then unconsciously took two steps to the side, putting some distance between themselves and him.

No one is a fool if they can climb to the current position through all the obstacles.

If you think about this matter a little, you can guess who is behind it!

That is a huge group of gentry!

Ninety-nine percent of the officials in the Ming Dynasty had benefited from this group!

At least 70% of the officials come from this group!

They could even bring down Zhang Juzheng, who was once in great power. What else would they not dare to do?

The fact that Wen Tiren said things like confiscating property and exterminating the entire clan clearly showed his attitude.

This old fellow who is usually listless wants to be a lone minister!

There were only two people in the hall who did not move.

One is Prince Xin Zhu Youjian, he is very clear about his position, he only belongs to the royal group!

The other one is the Minister of War Sun Chengzong!

Although he was a member of the Donglin Party, he attached more importance to his other identity.

That is, the Imperial Master!

So, following Wen Tiren, he also expressed his own views.

"Your Majesty, I think that while we are investigating, we should also appease the scholars in the capital."

"After all, such a big thing cannot be kept secret."

"With so many scholars missing, we need to give them some reassurance as to whether the imperial examination will continue or be postponed."

Zhu Youxiao made a decision immediately after hearing this: "Then tell them that no matter how many people take the exam, the exam will be held as scheduled!"

"In addition, I will also expand the scope of the examination!"

"Didn't those people stop three thousand scholars?"

"Then find me another 30,000 men to reinforce me!"

"I want to see who will rule the Ming Dynasty!"

Sun Chengzong was stunned when he heard this, Zhu Youjian also showed a surprised expression, and the reactions of the others were almost the same.

Thirty thousand people!

how can that be!

The Minister of Rites Meng Shaoyu immediately stepped out and bowed.

"His Majesty!"

"Not to mention that it's too late. Even if it were possible, the Ming Dynasty couldn't find 30,000 candidates!"

The imperial examination was held every three years. Although the number of juren admitted by each province varied slightly each time, it was basically around seventy to one hundred.

The two capitals and thirteen provinces, combined, have no more than fifteen hundred people!

Thirty thousand candidates would require at least twenty rounds of imperial examinations!

That is sixty years!

To be able to take part in the provincial examination, one must be at least fifteen years old. How many people in this era can live to be seventy-five years old?

Zhu Youxiao naturally knew all this, and his next words made everyone stunned again.

"When did I say that these 30,000 people must be juren?"

Zhu Youjian was the first to react, and couldn't help asking, "Your Majesty, how can I participate in the imperial examination if I'm not a juren?"

Looking at the puzzled eyes of the crowd, Zhu Youxiao asked a question in return.

"To govern a country, do you have to be able to read the Four Books and Five Classics and write articles on the meaning of the classics?"

"Political affairs are complicated, how many things can be used for scriptures?"

"Everyone, times have changed!"

"The scholars have studied hard for more than ten years, but are they really capable of doing things?"

"You all started as scholars and have come this far. How much of what you learned back then can be used when you are an official?"

"How many of your skills were learned after becoming an official?"

"Do you think it is appropriate to let a student who is oblivious to the world outside and only focuses on reading the books of sages decide the life and death of millions of people?"

"If you don't distinguish wheat from leeks, how can you encourage agriculture and sericulture?"

"If you don't know the limits, how can you manage the craftsmen?"

"If you don't understand the law, how can you handle the punishment?"

"If you don't know how to lead an army, how can you lead an army?"

"You know better than me that it is always people who get things done, not the allusions in books!"

Every word of these words made the faces of everyone present change drastically!

This is subversion!

Subvert the imperial examination system that has existed for thousands of years!

Subvert the world's perception of the imperial examination!

It was not until this time that they understood the true meaning of Zhu Youxiao's previous words about expanding the scope of the imperial examination!

That is, the people who take reference are no longer limited to the group of Juren!

Upon hearing this, Sun Chengzong felt suffocated for a moment, his body shook involuntarily twice, and he almost fell to the ground on the spot.

His face was as pale as paper, and he looked frightened. He suppressed his discomfort and spoke to persuade her.

"Your Majesty, it is absolutely impossible!"

"The emperor and the scholars and officials jointly govern the country. This is a rule that has been passed down for thousands of years!"

"If we act this way, I'm afraid we will be criticized by the world!"

Zhu Youjian was also frightened by these remarks and quickly bowed and stepped out.

"Your Majesty, I also think this is inappropriate!"

"Officials elected in this way may not be able to win the support of the public!"

Wu Chunfu, Guo Yunhou and others looked at each other and knelt down in unison.

"Your Majesty, please think again!"

Only Wen Tiren!

Seeing that everyone was against Zhu Youxiao, he walked to Guo Yunhou and squatted down with a smile.

"Xiao Guo, I have a few questions for you to answer."

"You are the Minister of Revenue, so I will only ask you about matters within your duties."

"Can you tell me how much land we have in the Ming Dynasty? How much paddy fields, how much dry land, and how much wasteland?"

"Also, what is the annual production? How much wheat, millet, rice, and beans are there?"

"As of the seventh year of the Tianqi reign, how many people are there in the Ming Dynasty? How many people are there? How many households are there? How many pay taxes? How many do not pay taxes?"

Guo Yunhou was stunned by his question!

After thinking for a long time, he answered hesitantly, "There are 740 million acres of farmland and 53.6 million people."

"Others........."

"I need to go back and check before I can answer."

This answer seemed fine to him.

But after hearing this, Wen Tiren curled his lips in an unkind manner and looked at him with a slightly contemptuous look.