Do You Know?: I, the Little Cabinet Elder, Regent of the World

Secondly, his maternal grandfather and uncle both held official positions in the court, so he had to pay them a visit out of courtesy and courtesy. He also had to go and recognize the officials from Huaizuo, led by Chen Duan and Zhang Lin.

Thirdly, he also needed to get to know the connections his grandfather Jiang Zhiliu had made in the Censorate.

Some connections will eventually have to be gradually handed over to him so that he can maintain them.

In addition, there will be a palace examination in a few days. After the teacher stabilizes the overall situation of the Korean faction, he will have to get to know the core senior figures of the Korean faction and express goodwill appropriately.

In short, I'm busy!

Jiang Zhao was busy, but Han Zhang was even busier.

In twelve years, many things in Bianjing have changed dramatically, especially the personnel and officials of the Han faction.

Local officials, after all, have limited reach and find it difficult to maintain certain connections.

In fact, Han Zhang only nods to some of the newly promoted high-ranking officials in the Han faction and is not familiar with them.

Therefore, he had to seize the time to stabilize and reorganize the internal affairs, and unite all forces that could be united, so that he could compete for the position of Grand Secretary in a few days.

The Han faction and Liu Hang's faction are destined to fight, and both sides are well aware of this.

For Han Zhang, the Minister of Rites' rebellion against the Grand Secretary of the Cabinet was no easy task, and he wished he had a year or two to prepare and coordinate the interests of all parties.

For Liu Hang's faction, it was necessary to take advantage of the fact that Han Zhang had not yet completely stabilized the internal situation and to do their best to strike.

This is something that both sides are tacitly aware of.

The two sides reached a compromise, and the dispute over the cabinet chairs should be resolved in five months at most.

Chapter 24: Naming Ceremony Outside Donghua Gate! (4k)

February 27th, dawn is approaching.

Outside Donghua Gate.

More than three hundred newly appointed scholars gathered together, all of them radiating excitement.

After decades of hard study, I've finally reached this point.

"Boom!"

The long, ancient bell tolled, and more than a hundred armored guards stood at attention.

"Jiang Huiyuan." The bell rang loudly, and the official from the Court of State Ceremonial responsible for guiding the way quickly stepped forward to direct him.

Jiang Zhao nodded and strode to the front.

As the top scholar, he was responsible for leading hundreds of newly appointed scholars into the palace.

Every now and then, a candidate would glance at him, but Jiang Zhao remained calm and nodded slightly, which made the candidate feel flattered and he would quickly bow.

The moment Jiang Zhao stepped to the front, the hundreds of tribute scholars had almost finished lining up.

So the group went to Chongzheng Hall.

Along the way, there was a stone slab stretching for over a thousand meters, with imperial guards standing solemnly on both sides with guns, exuding the majesty of the imperial family.

The air was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood, and the palace music played, creating a solemn atmosphere among both civil and military officials.

"Announce that the newly appointed scholars enter the hall."

The unique voice belonging to eunuchs was spread far and wide.

Jiang Zhao entered the main hall and glanced around briefly.

At a glance, there were about fifty or sixty people in the main hall besides the examiners, all of them wearing red and purple robes, and none of them were important figures in governing the country and the nation.

Among them were six elderly men in purple robes, all adorned with brocade sashes, jade rings, and jade bracelets, their sleeves embroidered with patterns, and wearing Liang crowns on their heads, exuding an imposing aura.

Even Han Zhang and Ouyang Xiu, both ministers, were ranked after the sixth.

Grand Secretary!

Below them are the Ministers of the Six Ministries, the Vice Ministers of the Six Ministries, the Chief Ministers of the Nine Courts, the Junior Ministers of the Nine Courts, the Chief Censor of the Censorate, the Chief Censor of the Censorate, the Chancellor of the Five Directorates, and the Academicians of the Hanlin Academy.

Every single one of them is a top figure in the officialdom!

Even Jiang Zhao's grandfather, Jiang Zhi, could only be ranked last.

As the scholars entered the hall, dozens of high-ranking officials clad in crimson and purple robes turned their gazes toward them. Even the unintentional lingering influence of these officials made the hundreds of scholars feel uneasy and their behavior hesitant.

Even Jiang Zhao felt somewhat uncomfortable.

Given his composure cultivated since childhood, it was unlikely that the attention of one or two high-ranking officials would make him uneasy.

Theoretically speaking, the attention of dozens of high-ranking officials scattered among hundreds of candidates is not as intense as that of one or two officials focusing on a single candidate.

However, theory is theory, and facts are facts.

In fact, Jiang Zhao is famous throughout the world, and his reputation is unparalleled among the younger generation. This time, he is the champion again.

A few days ago, a poem titled "Prodigy Poem" became famous again, and its popular verses were widely recited by writers.

He's so famous!

At least 60% of the eyes of the dozens of high-ranking officials were on him.

Anyone would feel uncomfortable in that situation.

Even the emperor would feel uneasy if he had people staring at him unexpectedly.

Hundreds of candidates stood in formation, and the bronze bells and chimes rang out in a long, solemn atmosphere.

Led by an elderly man on the left, the officials and scholars shouted "Long live the Emperor!" and performed the grand ceremony of three kowtows and nine prostrations.

"Be flat!"

Emperor Zhao Zhen, with one hand resting on the imperial desk and the other holding a vermilion brush to approve memorials, rose and surveyed the scholars below the steps. His demeanor revealed his diligence in governing and his love for the people, yet also his grand and majestic presence.

After a long pause, his temples were slightly gray, and he nodded gently: "All of you have been selected from among the best, having passed the examinations of the prefectures and counties and the selection process of the Ministry of Rites. You are truly one in ten thousand. I have observed your policies and proposals. Some of you are skilled in river management, some in border defense, and some in advising against current abuses."

"Today, for the palace examination, I have set the topic as 'The Spring and Autumn Annals and the Righteousness.' You all should know that in the past, Guan Zhong assisted Duke Huan of Qi in uniting the feudal lords nine times, not only for the benefit of military force, but also for the promotion of propriety and righteousness. Now, our Great Zhou has enjoyed a hundred years of peace, yet Hebei is flooded, the Western Xia is eyeing our borders, and the deep-seated problems in the bureaucracy still exist. You all, please discuss whether governing a country should prioritize fame and titles or practical benefits?"

After speaking, Zhao Zhen sat back on the dragon throne and picked up his pen to process the memorials.

The old man on the left turned to face the candidates and read out the palace examination questions set by Zhao Zhen once more, announcing the official start of the palace examination.

Officials from the Court of State Ceremonial quickly provided directions.

The Chongzheng Hall was specially built during the reign of Emperor Taizu for this purpose. It is divided by several large gates on the left and right, and the seats for the examination are located when the gates are opened.

The imperial examination is always something we prepare well in advance of.

At this moment, the seats on both sides are marked with the candidates' names, and writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones are all complete, all of them being top-quality tributes.

Jiang Zhao found his seat, straightened his clothes, and kept his eyes straight ahead.

Soon after, the papers were distributed, with only the faint sound of the examiners' footsteps remaining.

Jiang Zhao carefully analyzed the exam questions.

Furthermore, should governing a country prioritize fame and titles, or tangible benefits?

"Mingqi" means ritual objects that symbolize power, and can be extended to mean institutional things such as ritual norms, official titles, and moral status.

"Profit" means interests, and can be extended to refer to economic gains, military strength, and people's well-being that are related to the survival of a country, that is, material things.

This topic is about whether to adhere to the system or to focus on the advantages and disadvantages of current affairs.

It has a mix of reform and conservatism!

Jiang Zhao sighed.

These kinds of test questions aren't difficult to answer, but they're very difficult to answer well.

Simply answering for the sake of answering, whether choosing to abide by the rules and regulations or focusing on the pros and cons of current affairs, can lead to considerable arguments.

Adhering to the system emphasizes its advantages, while focusing on the pros and cons of current affairs emphasizes the nation's crisis.

However, choosing only one option is destined to be a inferior choice.

One question is whether conservative leaders are necessarily stubborn old fogies, and reformist leaders are necessarily reckless vanguards.

Certainly not!

Apart from a rare, stubborn conservative like Sima Guang, other conservatives were not entirely conservative.

The vast majority of important figures are actually capable of being conservative and reformable!

Those who rise to the top of the civil service are all people with a broad vision.

We can see both the benefits of successful reforms and the advantages of institutional inheritance.

It is precisely because of their broad vision that these important figures are able to see more, focus on the overall situation, and foresee the downsides of failed reforms and the disadvantages of rigid systems.

The reason for the existence of conservatives and reformers is simply due to conflicts of interest and differences in political views.

Whether a person is conservative or reformist is often the result of a comprehensive quantification and weighing of interests.

Furthermore, each faction can be further divided into reformists and conservatives.

Conservatism versus reform within a faction is not a fixed choice; it depends on the party leader's decision.

Similarly, whether a person is a conservative or a reformer depends on their life experiences.

Many officials' political views in the first half of their lives often contradict those in the second half.

Reformers become conservatives, and conservatives become radicals.

Therefore, for those important figures, especially those at the level of Grand Secretary or Minister, it was not important whether the candidates for the imperial examinations were conservatives or reformers.

Firstly, it is not surprising that there are conservatives and reformists within its own faction.

Secondly, the two sides are destined to be from different eras, and there is no political conflict of interest between them.

Thirdly, the reformists and conservatives are not standard factional divisions.

For civil servants, reform and conservatism are merely political views, more like a "temporary factional division." Reformists and conservatives only emerge when it comes to implementing reforms.

In reality, the true factional divisions are represented by six interest groups, with the Grand Secretary at the head of the six chairs.

That's the real faction!

Political views ≠ interest groups!

Interest groups, on the other hand, are the real factions.

These high-ranking officials cared about only one thing—pure insightful ability!

Neither conservatives nor reformers need to test the political views of newly appointed scholars.

After all, once they embark on their official careers, it's not even necessary to specifically discern which side the newly appointed scholars favor; it will automatically become apparent.

Conservatism versus reform, does it matter?

It may or may not be important; at least it is not important during the palace examination.

This applies to ministers, grand secretaries, and especially to emperors.

Jiang Zhao understood.

This palace examination question, on the surface, tested the distinction between reformists and conservatives, but in reality, it tested the candidates' vision and perspective.

Simply criticizing reformers or conservatives shows a lack of vision and perspective, failing to transcend the superficial division of factions and demonstrating a low level of insight into the exam questions.

When a faction chooses reform and when it chooses conservatism is not a fixed outcome, but rather a dynamic equilibrium.

If a candidate combines both conservatism and reform, and chooses to find a balance, it shows that the candidate has a broad vision and has transcended the crude division between so-called reformists and conservatives.

After a while, Jiang Zhao began to write furiously.

"Your Majesty, I reply: Fame, titles, and practical benefits are all equally important and should not be neglected. In the past, when Guan Zhong assisted the state of Qi, the granaries were full and rites and righteousness flourished; when Shang Yang strengthened the state of Qin, laws were enforced and the state's prestige was established. Now that the Holy Dynasty is in peace, we should carefully assess the situation and act accordingly."

The article was written in a flowing, fluent, and coherent manner, without the slightest hesitation or awkwardness.

"Your humble servant is ignorant and fearful, awaiting punishment."

As soon as the two words were spoken, Jiang Zhao breathed a long sigh of relief.

Just then, a voice came from behind: "What beautiful handwriting, what a fine article!"

Jiang Zhao was startled and subconsciously turned around to look.

The man had slightly graying temples and wore a dragon robe; it was none other than Emperor Zhao Zhen.

During the palace examination, candidates were not required to stand up and bow to the emperor. Zhao Zhen nodded slightly and slowly walked to other places.