I, Liu Bian, the hero

Chapter 119 Discussion on the Official Recommendation System ([-])
"In my opinion, it is not bad to replace the recommendation with the imperial examination, but...the impact is too great, especially for the local states and the gentry in the world. I think it should be considered in the long run."

After a while of silence, Lu Zhi expressed his opinion euphemistically and solemnly.

"The Grand Master misunderstood." Liu Bian explained with a smile: "I just met and chatted here to talk about my thoughts, and I would like to hear the views of several ministers by the way."

Hearing this, Lu Zhi and Yang Xu breathed a sigh of relief, and immediately fell into deep thought.

Replacing Ju Xiaolian with imperial examinations is undoubtedly a complete overturn of the current system of recommending officials, depriving the privileges of the world's gentry, which is equivalent to taking the bottom line in the confrontation between the imperial power and the gentry, and directly giving the gentry the confidence to confront the imperial power. Disintegrated, it is not difficult to imagine that this is a major event that can shake the world, and it is more serious than killing Yuan Shao.

After all, killing Yuan Shao would at best only weaken the Yuan family, while the imperial examination system had dug the foundation of the world's gentry, how could the two be the same?

However, Lu Zhi and Yang Xu, as important ministers in the court, prioritized whether this matter would harm the gentry class, but whether it was beneficial to the country.

Therefore, Yang Xu took the lead in asking a more targeted question: "When recommending officials with filial piety and honesty, virtue is the most important thing. However, I heard that the selection of talents through the imperial examination seems to focus on talent and learning. Let alone whether the gentry in the world agree with it. Your Majesty promulgated With this order, I am afraid that in the future, scholars in the world will value talents and not be virtuous..."

Worthy of being a sheep continuation!
Liu Bian secretly praised Yang Xu for seeing the disadvantages of the imperial examination system at a glance.

You say that the filial piety and honesty system in the Han Dynasty is not good, but it is precisely because of the filial piety and honesty system that the world has formed the ethos of "raising fame first, then becoming an official". Except for a small group of people, most people are officials. It was indeed for the purpose of displaying their ambitions and benefiting the world, but when the imperial examination system came into being, the gentry lost the privilege of recommending officials, and all kinds of people sharpened their heads to drill into the officialdom, and all kinds of ugliness appeared because of this, For example, bribing examiners, cheating in the examination room, and even some people becoming officials just to make money. Compared with the Han Dynasty, the number of corrupt officials has increased several times.

But helplessly, a strong and stable country is bound to have a centralized official court in order to formulate various national policies at the national level, and taking back the privilege of recommending officials by local gentry is undoubtedly a great strengthening of the central official court. Great strengthening of imperial power.

"This requires the guidance and supervision of the court." Liu Bian replied.

Hearing this, Yang Xu also guessed that Liu Bian had nothing to do about it, so he stopped talking and just frowned to weigh the pros and cons.

From the side, Lu Zhi also said after weighing the pros and cons: "The recommendation of officials by filial piety and honesty, and the imperial examination system mentioned by your majesty, both have advantages and disadvantages in my opinion. In a word, this matter needs to be figured out gradually, and it must not be rushed, otherwise... it may cause chaos in the world."

Liu Bian said with a smile: "I understand, that's why I said that I only had such an idea, and I never thought about implementing the imperial examination system immediately. I am very pleased that the ministers can stand on the side of the country and consider it for the country."

"Your Majesty praises it." Lu Zhi and Yang Xu said humbly.

After the monarchs and ministers had another exchange of opinions, Lu Zhi and the others stood up and said goodbye.

Before leaving, Liu Bian specifically told them: "This matter is of great importance, you gentlemen must not say anything."

Naturally, Lu Zhi, Yang Xu, Cao Song, and Cui Lie knew the benefits and agreed repeatedly.

Watching several people leave, Liu Bian was still sitting in his seat, thinking about the idea of ​​promoting the imperial examination system.

If you want to promote the imperial examination system and end the monopoly of the gentry and wealthy families on the road to being an official, it is far from enough to rely on the emperor to push it forcibly. It must be combined with the national conditions. The landlord class actively participated in the way of being an official.

To facilitate this, it is necessary to first break the monopoly of the gentry on knowledge, so that most people in the world have the opportunity to come into contact with knowledge.

The problem is that today's knowledge—or the books that serve as the carriers of knowledge—are very expensive. After all, those books and books are all copied and inscribed manually, let alone ordinary people, even those from poor families with a slightly worse family background Children may not be able to touch the ground.

print!

A word suddenly appeared in Liu Bian's mind.

That’s right, printing, if books as the carrier of knowledge become the price of cabbage, the gentry in the world will no longer be able to monopolize knowledge, and Dongguan in the Han Palace has the most complete books and books in the world, what is lacking is printing technology.

However, is it rare for Shaofu to fall?

The problem is, Liu Bian remembers that the Shaofu in the current court seems to be a scholar.

what do you say that is?

"It's called Yinxiu."

Seeing Liu Bian's question, Zhang Rang answered respectfully.

Maybe it was because he still had no impression of Xinjun, so he added: "This person was the prefect of Yingchuan before, and he had a close relationship with the Xun family of Yingchuan."

"Oh." Liu Bian suddenly realized.

It turned out to be the prefect of Yingchuan who recommended Zhong Yao, Xun Yu, Xun You, and Guo Tu.

Thinking of this, he asked again: "Subordinates of the Shaofu, are there any eunuchs in the palace who are good at making utensils?"

Zhang Rang's heart moved slightly, and he said in a low voice: "Bi Lan, the order of Ye Ting, and Song Dian, the order of Goudun, are both very good at making utensils."

Liu Bian thought for a while and said, "Ask Bi Lan to come see me."

"Yes."

Zhang Rang took the order and immediately ordered the little eunuch to recruit Bi Lan.

Not long after, Bi Lan hurried to the Chongde Hall, bowed to Liu Bian, and said, "My subject, Bi Lan, pays homage to Your Majesty."

Liu Bian nodded and said, "Bi Lan, I want you to build something."

"Please order, Your Majesty."

Seeing this, Liu Bian told Bi Lan about the printing, and skipped the woodblock printing and used movable type printing. After all, even movable type printing is not too technical. The toad and sprinkler made by Bi Lan, especially the extravagant four-out money, knew that movable type printing would not be difficult for Bi Lan, as long as someone gave him some advice.

No, after Liu Bian's simple explanation, Bi Lan quickly understood the principle of movable type printing and the far-reaching impact it can bring, and opened her eyes wide and exclaimed: "This is thaumaturgy! Your Majesty really! He is a man of God!"

Zhang Rang, Zhao Chun, and Qu Mu who were at the side scolded Bi Lan for being cunning, flattered Bi Lan when they saw the opportunity, and quickly echoed in praise: "Your Majesty is wise!"

The exaggerated praise of these people made Liu Bian feel a little embarrassed, coughed and said: "Okay... Bi Lan, this matter is very important, I will leave it to you to handle it, you have to do it well first, and then you can't do it first Reveal it, otherwise you are the only one asking, understand?"

Bi Lan hurriedly prostrated herself on the ground and respectfully said: "Thanks to Your Majesty's protection, the crippled people like me were spared. I am willing to help Your Majesty."

Seeing this, Liu Bian nodded in satisfaction, and without any haste to encourage him, he drew a big pie: "Your credit is indispensable for this to be done."

Bi Lan was overjoyed when she heard the words, and bowed three more times before leaving.

Seeing this, Liu Bian also left the Chongde Hall with Zhang Rang, Zhao Chun and others, leaving only Qu Mu and a group of eunuchs to clean up the hall.

Afterwards, Liu Bian first went to Yutang Hall to visit his younger brother Liu Xie, and then paid homage to Emperor Yu's coffin. He chatted with his younger brother Liu Xie for an hour before returning to the East Palace.

At this time, Cai Yan had also returned to the East Palace from Changqiu Palace. Seeing Liu Bian returning to the palace, he brought a group of court ladies to greet him.

Seeing Cai Yan, Liu Bian felt a lot more relaxed in his heart. He pulled Cai Yan to sit down at the table in the hall. Cai Yan also sat on his lap obediently. On the contrary, Liu Bian's legs were painfully pressed by the beauty. Ya asked, "Has Ai Ji gained weight again?"

Cai Yan was both ashamed and angry, and gave Liu Bian an angry look. At the same time, she was a little guilty. After all, she had been secretly eating desserts lately, so she wasted some effort. This little move made Liu Bian want to tease again. tease her.

Just as the two were warming up, Zhao Chun hurried in, and when he saw this scene, he blinked and apologized: "For disturbing Your Majesty and the Empress..."

Today's Cai Yan is not as shy as before, without changing his face, he naturally sat on the stool next to him.

"What's the matter?" Liu Bian asked Zhao Chun.

Zhao Chun nodded, walked a few steps closer and said in a low voice, "Qu Mu is here."

Liu Bian was stunned, nodded and said, "Let him in."

Hearing this, Cai Yan went to the inner hall obediently.

After a short while, Qu Mu came to the hall, and after paying homage, he lowered his voice and argued to Liu: "Just now, after His Majesty left with Zhang Changshi and Zhao Huangmen, Dong Zhong left and returned, and he will send a secret letter to me by talking with me." The letter was stuffed in me, and I asked the minister to sneak into the North Palace tonight and meet him."

"Pass through Dong Cheng in Yutangdian?" Liu Bian chuckled lightly.

Strictly speaking, both Dong Zhong and Dong Cheng have lost their jurisdiction over Nangong, but because Hongnong King Liu Xie kept his filial piety for Emperor Yu in the Yutang Palace, Empress Dowager Dong was worried about this little grandson, so she ordered Dong Zhong to lead the court. Liu Bian did not refuse this, anyway, except for Yutangdian, the whole Nangong is now his people, and he is not afraid of causing trouble.

"Yes." Qu Mu bowed.

"I don't need to clean up."

With a soft snort, Liu Bian told Qu Mu: "Zhao Chun, go say hello to Cao Chun later, and let Qu Mu go to the North Palace. Qu Mu, go and see what Dong Zhong wants to do."

"Do you need me to instigate it?" Qu Mu said with a smile: "If I can trick Dong Zhong into leaving evidence of suspected treason, His Majesty can logically kill his two brothers, and Empress Dowager Dong has nothing to do."

Liu Bian thought for a while, then shook his head and said: "It's fine to kill them. The two guys who are heartless and courageous are disgusting at best. They won't cause any serious trouble. If you kill them, not only the Empress Dowager Dong will hate me, but my younger brother Liu will hate me." The association will also be suspicious. Moreover, if the old lady is frightened and something unexpected happens, I will have to reprimand my name at that time. Isn't this a small loss? The North Palace is simply designated as a reserved area for the elderly and called Dong Zhong. , Dong Cheng accompanied her to make her feel at ease. As for the instigation you said... Hehe, you can figure it out, use it to scare him, tell him to put away those thoughts that he shouldn't have as soon as possible, be honest Be his bodyguard."

"As ordered." Qu Mu bowed and retreated.

That night, when Liu Bian fell asleep with Cai Yan in his arms, Qu Mu came to Yutang Hall alone.

At this time, Dong Zhong had already greeted Dong Cheng. When he saw Qu Mu, Dong Cheng asked him to put on the armor of a guard, and took him to the North Palace from Xuanwu Gate and Jingfu Road.

Beitun Sima, who is now guarding the Xuanwu Gate, is Cao Chun's subordinate who was promoted from Yulin Youqi. Naturally, he would not allow Dong Cheng to come and go freely, so he stopped Dong Cheng immediately.

Dong Cheng was not afraid either, he stared and shouted: "A certain person went to the North Palace to fetch what King Hongnong needed, you dare to stop him, are you afraid that the Empress Dowager will blame him?!"

Not to mention, the newly appointed Beitun Sima was really fearless, but since Cao Chun had greeted him in advance, he put on a show, and finally let Dong Cheng lead people through the Xuanwu Yemen.

And Qu Mu also mixed in with Dong Cheng's team, left Xuanwu Yemen, walked through a long and narrow road about one mile long, passed by the south gate of the North Palace guarded by Zhu Jue Sima, and arrived in the North Palace.

Immediately, all the way to a small hall near Yongle Palace.

When Dong Cheng and Qu Mu arrived, Dong Zhong, Sun Zhang, Duan Gui and Xia Yun had already been waiting for a long time.

Dong Zhong looked around at the crowd, and said in a low voice: "Young Liu Bian bullied me too much and cut my power, but the Empress Dowager is unwilling to help, I wonder if you have any good strategies?"

Seeing that Sun Zhang and Dong Cheng were all frowning and silent, Qu Mu sneered in his heart, and provocatively said: "I don't know if the hussars have ever thought of leading the army to force the palace and help King Hongnong?"

As soon as this remark came out, everyone present looked horrified, dumbstruck, unable to speak for a long time.

(End of this chapter)