Looking at Tai'an from the full moon

Chapter 279: Minor Changes to the Scientific Exam

The next day, word spread that the emperor was diligent in school, and people were saying that the emperor was Tianming's son, and he just hadn't awakened before...

At the morning court session, Xiao Zuoming also cleared the name of "Cheng Qian".

"It was I who arranged for Cheng Aiqing to go to school in the palace. I have been friends with him since childhood, and I hope that he can make progress together with me, so that people won't always say that his current official position was bought for him by his father.

The other one, 'Cheng Yu', is actually Cheng Qian's twin brother. Because he was weak when he was born, the doctor determined that he would not live for more than a few days. At that time, Mrs. Cheng was ill, so the whole family only said that a little boy was born, that is, Cheng Qian, and Cheng Yu had been raised in the temple. The Cheng family hoped that the Buddha would protect his life. But before that, his illness had no cure and his condition kept coming back. Until he turned 18, he seemed to be reborn. Even the doctor thought he was a normal person and did not have any symptoms. Although I don't know why this is, it is also a great joy for Cheng Mansion. Now Cheng Yu has been recognized by the Cheng family. I believe that the Cheng family will soon train another capable assistant for me!"

When some ministers present heard the emperor say this, they understood in their hearts that the emperor was going to promote the Cheng family.

Two months later, it was time to prepare for the imperial examination.

"Do you have any suggestions for the examiners?"

Xiao Zuoming sat on the dragon throne, already exuding a certain majesty.

"Your Majesty, all previous imperial examinations were prepared by the Ministry of Rites, and then the emperor selected the right person to supervise the examination. In order to ensure fairness, there will also be..."

The Minister of Rites stepped forward and answered.

"I know all of this. I remember that some people are not allowed to take the imperial examination."

"Your Majesty, our dynasty has never allowed the sons of merchants to take the imperial examinations, nor have the descendants of criminals."

Xiao Zuoming thought for a moment and then spoke.

"Back then, I was just an unpopular prince. Now I have the opportunity to become the emperor and be supported by the people. I should also give the people a chance. So I have decided that everyone can participate in this imperial examination, regardless of their background or past."

Xiao Zuoming's words caused a round of whispers in the court, and then some ministers stood up to express their opposition.

"Your Majesty, I think this is inappropriate. The imperial examination system has evolved over hundreds of years in our country. If we rashly change the system now, something bad might happen!"

"Change the system? When did I say I wanted to change the system? I am only giving those sinners a chance, giving the sons of merchants a chance."

"Your Majesty, if the son of a criminal enters the government, it will easily cause unrest in the court. If the son of a merchant enters the government, he will compete with the people for profit. The emperors of previous dynasties have made restrictions on the status of students taking the imperial examinations after experiencing some things. Please do not go against the wishes of your ancestors and think twice~"

The angle from which this person asked the question was quite tricky. Xiao Zuochen tilted his head and looked at Xiao Zuoming. He also wanted to see to what extent Xiao Zuoming could handle this kind of thing on his own.

Xiao Zuoming also tilted his head and supported his chin with his hand.

"My dear, what you mean is that my actions go against the original intention of our ancestors?"

"Ah, that's not what I meant."

Xiao Zuoming waved his hand.

"It doesn't matter what you mean. I am the emperor now, and I will be known as the late emperor in the future, so the rules I set now are the rules!"

Xiao Zuoming's strong words silenced the ministers below. Xiao Zuochen turned his head slightly to look at the Grand Tutor, who stroked his beard and raised his eyebrows. Although he said nothing, his expression clearly said, "I taught you well."

Xiao Zuochen naturally knew what Xiao Zuoming meant by this move. Although the Qi, Ren and Gu families had not been in the court for a long time, their families were huge and had not declined after leaving the court for many years. This showed that they still had connections. And they must have the handle of the hostile family in their hands, otherwise they would have been stepped on long ago.

Seeing that the ministers lowered their heads somewhat reluctantly but did not want to be the first to speak, Xiao Zuochen spoke up and asked "on their behalf" about their inner doubts.

"Your Majesty, I have doubts."

"Sixth brother, tell me!"

“It is a great move by the Emperor to give students all over the world the opportunity to take the imperial examinations, but there are several hidden dangers behind this action.

First, if the sons of merchants can enter officialdom, then there will inevitably be people who pay large sums of money to bribe officials to commit fraud, which may lead to serious collusion between officials and businessmen.

Second, it is not easy for children from poor families to study and take the imperial examinations. If the sons of merchants also compete with them, vicious competition may occur. A large number of people entering the capital will inevitably cause the prices of hotel rooms to rise. At that time, poor candidates will have no money to pay the rent, and they may be unable to take the imperial examinations due to various external factors. "

Xiao Zuochen's words instantly gave the ministers a reason to "fight back" against the emperor.

"Yeah, that might happen."

"Your Majesty, what Prince Yun said makes sense. You should think twice."

"Yes, this matter has been spread, and the poor students will naturally complain. After all, there are only three people in the top three, and their competition has become fierce."

The ministers were talking to each other, but Xiao Zuoming looked indifferent. When the ministers ran out of things to say, the hall fell silent again.

Xiao Zuoming looked around in pretended surprise.

"Hey, are we done talking? So you all think the problem raised by King Yun needs to be solved, right?"

The ministers in the audience remained silent.

"If these problems can be solved, will you agree to let everyone participate in the scientific expedition?"

The ministers in the audience looked at each other and began to play deaf and dumb again.

"Sixth brother, since you can raise this question, I believe you have a corresponding solution, right?"

Xiao Zuochen nodded.

"Everything has a solution, it just depends on whether everyone agrees. Originally, merchants were not allowed to participate in the imperial examinations because they were afraid of collusion between officials and businessmen. But even if merchants do not participate in the imperial examinations, if there are really officials and businessmen who want to collude, this is not impossible, so asking merchants not to participate in the imperial examinations cannot completely stop this thing. Since it cannot be stopped, it is better to guide them. Letting merchants participate in the imperial examinations will instead make them ask teachers to teach their children, which can also improve the merchants' cultivation.

As for the behavior that a large number of candidates may lead to price increases, there are also ways to deal with it. For example, the palace examination naturally does not need to be considered, and everything is handled by the court. There is also a fixed number of people before the joint examination. Even if merchants participate in the imperial examination, as long as the number of candidates is fixed or increases appropriately, it will not affect the price of goods.

The most critical thing is the provincial examination, which has the lowest threshold, so there will be more candidates. But because the provincial examination is basically held locally, most people have their own residences, and only poor students who live far away from the provincial examination will travel to stay. Why not let merchants participating in the imperial examination have one more registration condition, and each merchant participating in the imperial examination needs to provide free accommodation for a student who is traveling to participate in the provincial examination. In this way, for every additional merchant participating in the examination, there will be one more poor student who can stay for free, wouldn't everyone be happy. However, this is just a rough idea of ​​my brother, and there are still many steps to be improved in the middle, and it needs to be discussed with the Ministry of Revenue. "

After Xiao Zuochen finished speaking, the hall fell into even greater silence. Everyone seemed to understand that the two brothers were working in unison just to change the range of candidates taking the imperial examination.

"Do you have any objections?"

Xiao Zuoming asked again. Everyone thought to themselves: Prince Yun has said this, who can still object?

Seeing that the ministers who had opposed just now were now looking down at their toes, Xiao Zuoming couldn't help but raise his eyebrows and feel secretly happy.

"Since everyone agrees, this matter is settled. There are still three months before our next meeting, so this decree must be issued immediately. After the court session, all officials from the Ministry of Revenue should go to the study, along with my sixth brother, and discuss this together."

"Yes, I obey your order~"

"Your Highness obeys your command!"