Be an emperor from drawing cards

Chapter 167 Zhou Rui: Your Majesty spends too much money...

Looking at the history of China, edicts seeking talents are not uncommon.

Whether it was Liu Bang, the great ancestor of the Han Dynasty, Liu Che, the Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, or Cao Cao, who had a legacy in the Wei Dynasty, they all issued edicts or orders seeking talents, aiming to seek talents for the country and recruit talents from all over the world for their own use.

Before the Sui and Tang Dynasties when the imperial examination system had not yet emerged, the imperial edict for seeking talents was an important supplement to the imperial examination system.

Because the imperial examination system is for the governors of various states to recommend talents to the central court, naturally, the power to interpret talents falls into the hands of these local officials.

Near the water tower first get the month.

Those who are given priority to be recommended to the central court are naturally those who are close to local dignitaries, such as close friends and disciples, such as disciples and juniors.

Although doing so can greatly save the cost of selecting candidates for the court, it will also result in a strong binding between the recommended person and the recommender, which will eventually lead to the rise of aristocratic families.

The disciples of a wealthy family are looked after by the elders of their masters. Even if they are a little weak in talent and learning, they can still hold an official position. On the other hand, it is even more difficult for ordinary people and disciples from poor families to take a step forward.

The emergence of the Qi Xian Zhao opened a temporary promotion channel for them.

Not only China, but also the world is facing the same problem.

Successive emperors of Chu State issued edicts seeking talents almost immediately after taking office.

In fact, because hundreds of schools of thought are extremely prosperous in this world, and nearly [-]% of the world's talented people are born here, the problem becomes even more prominent.

Only due to the constant disputes among the countries, this issue was temporarily covered up.

However, officials from hundreds of schools of thought are connected with each other and form their own faction in the court. They fight with each other for their own doctrines, which is obviously detrimental to the entire country.

On the one hand, it hinders the development of the country, and on the other hand, it threatens the imperial power.

Qi State is the best example.

As the emperor, Wang Kuang even consulted the Buddhist [Mahabodhi Temple] for advice on some major policies.

This is obviously unacceptable to the egocentric emperor.

Therefore, after Zhao Yu had his own basic base and took control of the military, what he had to do was to return all the power to interpret and select talents to the central court.

So, today at the court meeting, Zhao Yu took advantage of Chun Yuqing's case to challenge the Ministry of War, and by the way proposed the selection of talents, and played the three cards of inspection, talent seeking and imperial examination together.

The reason why Zhao Yu did this was very particular.

Although paper was invented in this world, good paper was hard to find, so most ancient books were recorded using bamboo slips or silk books.

Bamboo slips are heavy and silk books are perishable. They are far less convenient than paper and are not conducive to the spread of culture and the promotion of knowledge.

Therefore, before papermaking was perfected and printing was introduced, Zhao Yu only proposed the imperial examination system to prepare the court officials mentally.

This is also the reason why Zhao Yu attaches so much importance to the Mohist family.

Even if the imperial examination is really to be held, it will only be a small-scale trial in the area around Shenjing.

Before the large-scale popularization of paper, examination and recruitment were the most important ways for Zhao Yu to obtain talents.

All the officials in the palace were stunned when they heard what Zhao Yu said.

They understand the investigation.

Allowing local officials to recommend talents to the court can not only contribute to the country, but also help expand their own connections. The court and the local government can each get what they need.

They also understand seeking talents.

There are Zijin in the court and talented people in the wild. The imperial edict can expand the scope of talent selection for the court to a certain extent. This is a good thing for the court and they will naturally not object.

But, what is this imperial examination?
Most of the civil and military officials had a big "confusion" written on their faces.

Di Renjie, who had been informed in advance by Zhao Yu and was prepared, stood up and stepped forward, cupping his hands and saying:

"Your Majesty, do you mean to use an examination to determine whether the other party is a talented person?"

Zhao Yu nodded slightly and said in approval:

"What Huaiying said is exactly what I have in mind. Yes, it is necessary to select scholars according to their subjects and to select talents and use them. This is the imperial examination."

Cao Huan, the Minister of Rites, hesitated for a moment, then frowned and said:

"Although your Majesty has good intentions, if the imperial examination is implemented, the whole country will inevitably have many people taking the examination. How can we judge whether the person is a mediocre person fishing in troubled waters or a talented person that the court urgently needs?"

Zhao Yu laughed and said:
"Cao Qing, don't worry. Since I brought it up today, I will naturally consider it. According to the method of examination, all the people who participated in the imperial examination will be gathered together, and they will be tested by strategies and scores. Those with higher scores will be higher; those with lower scores will be higher. He has low talent, that’s all.”

The examination system also includes examinations, which are used to test whether the opponent is really talented and can be used by the country.

But as time went by, this link gradually became a formality.

The examiner will turn a blind eye, and as long as you can answer the question just right, or just so-so, you will pass.

Zhou Rui, Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, came out and said:

"Your Majesty, once the imperial examination is announced, there will definitely be a large number of people in this world who want to become officials in the dynasty. Among them, there will be many great talents, but there will also be villains who try to fish in troubled waters. The expenses required during this period will definitely be high."

The manpower and material resources required to organize a national examination are definitely huge.

Tobe finally breathed a sigh of relief in the past six months, and his belt no longer had to be so tight.

If this happens, I'm afraid I'm going to have a hard life again.

"Manpower, talent, and technology are the basis for hegemony and cannot be lost. I can still afford the price of selecting talents for the country. The imperial examination is of great importance. I know the importance of it and will not rush it. It will be implemented nationwide and will only be trialled in prefectures around Kyoto Prefecture for the time being."

Knowing that the father-in-law wanted to save money for himself, Zhao Yu paused and said with a smile:

"Don't worry, Mr. Guo. During this great victory in the Southern Expedition, Burma will compensate our country with a total of nearly 300 million taels of gold, silver and jewelry, which is more than enough for the imperial examination."

After hearing this, Zhou Rui immediately felt relieved.

"Your Majesty has a far-sighted vision, and I have no doubts in my mind."

As he retreated into the queue, he cast a vaguely grateful look at Cao Huan.

This small amount of 300 million taels is enough for the Ministry of Household Affairs to support the summer tax treasury.

However, he was happy too soon after all.

"The imperial examination is divided into two types: the civil examination and the military examination. The civil examination is organized by the Ministry of Rites and the Imperial Academy, while the military examination is organized by the Privy Council and the Ministry of War. In addition, Du Yunshan, a Mohist disciple, was promoted to the right minister of the Ministry of Industry and was responsible for organizing the establishment of the imperial examination. Hall."

Are there any good things about military generals?
Hearing Zhao Yu say the word "martial arts", the eyes of all the generals in the palace lit up.

The imperial examination is divided into civil examination and military examination. Doesn't your Majesty's move show that the status of military generals and civil servants is equal?
This is undoubtedly a good thing for the military generals group that has always been suppressed by civil servants!

There is no wiser person than the Holy One!
This sentence came to the minds of all the generals.

Some people have even secretly decided that if anyone dares to make irresponsible remarks about the imperial examination and cause trouble to His Majesty, then he must get past them first!
However, compared to the imperial examination, the issue of Mohist disciples entering the court as officials was intentionally or unintentionally ignored by the ministers.

Among the crowd, Du Yunshan slightly arched his hands towards Zhou Rui, moved his lips slightly, and said through the voice:

"Shang Shu Zhou, please take good care of me."

After glancing at the other party, Zhou Rui nodded in return without saying much.

A mere martial arts hall should not cost much money.

Now that Zhou Rui, Zhou Daguo Zhang, has His Majesty's endorsement, he has nearly 300 million taels of silver newly added to the treasury. He still doesn't look down on this mere small amount of money.

Seeing that no one came out, Zhao Yu nodded slightly and said: "Since you have no doubts, the matter has been settled."

"Here."

The ministers responded one after another.

Zhao Yu glanced at Gao Lishi, who understood and sang loudly:
"If you have something to play, you will retreat if there is nothing!"

Han Tinghuang, who serves as the deputy supervisor of Qintian Supervisor, straightened his robes, raised the wat board high, and said: "Your Majesty, I have this report!"

Seeing that it was someone from Qintian Prison who had something to report, everyone in the hall was stunned for a moment.

Because although Qin Tianjian is responsible for the astronomy and calendar and has important responsibilities, he often plays a small and transparent role in court meetings.Du Yunshan also looked at the other party curiously.

Unexpectedly, the Yin Yang family also settled in the Chu Kingdom.

"Han Qing, tell me."

Zhao Yu couldn't help but feel nervous when he saw it was Han Tinghuang.

Although Qin Tian Jian often doesn't go to court, when he does, it must be a big deal. Could it be...

Han Tinghuang said solemnly: "Your Majesty, for the past few decades, I have been watching the sky at night and saw that all five stars are white, and the Sui star is between the Ox and the Dou, which is really the sign of a severe drought. I sincerely request your Majesty to do this as soon as possible. Be prepared to save the common people from the fire and water."

really!

Zhao Yu sighed secretly in his heart.

Han Tinghuang is a disciple of the Yin Yang family and knows the stars very well. It seems that he has also discovered clues through the stars.

"It seems that Han Qing has also noticed it." Zhao Yu sighed and said, "When I led the army back to the court, I saw that the temperature in the mansions along the way was different from normal, and the farmland had a tendency of cracking. I thought it was just a few places. Now I hear Han Qing From what I have said, it can be seen that this drought has affected a wide range of areas.”

"From now on, all prefectures and counties are ordered to conduct detailed surveys of local wasteland and water conservancy facilities, and draw and submit drawings in preparation for reclamation and construction. Regardless of officials or citizens, if you point out the pros and cons of ponds, dikes, and ditches, and if they are effective, you can be rewarded according to the utility. Those who have made great contributions This was not only implemented nationwide, but also engraved on monuments. In addition, the Supervisory Yuan sent inspection censors to each government to inspect the implementation, supervise the construction of water conservancy projects in each state. If anyone slacks off, he will be severely punished! Now it is six I hope we can make it in time before the severe drought comes... The Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of Household Affairs must treat this matter as a top priority."

"I will obey your orders!"

Zhou Rui and Ma Xian, minister of the Ministry of Industry, hurriedly came out to receive the order.

Looking at Ma Xian's smiling face, Zhou Rui felt extremely depressed.

If this continues, the 300 million taels of silver will not be enough to spend, not to mention that the money has not yet reached the treasury of the Ministry of Revenue, so we can only use the old bottom to cushion it.

At this moment, Zhou Rui heard Zhao Yu say again:
"Since water conservancy is being built, let all prefectures and counties also take care of the establishment of academies! Water conservancy is related to people's livelihood, and running schools is related to education. Neither can be ignored."

Your Majesty, you are spending too much money...

The opening of imperial examinations, the establishment of academies, the development of water conservancy, and so on, none of them require large sums of money.

Zhou Rui lamented in his heart.

Water conservancy and running schools are both big money burners. If His Majesty continues to do this, he, the Minister of Household Affairs, might as well just resign!

"Things have to be prioritized. In order to deal with the severe drought this summer, we will focus on building water conservancy projects first. Your Majesty, please don't panic too much. We will stay here for today's meeting."

After that, Zhao Yu stood up from the dragon chair and walked out of the hall, and Gao Lishi quickly followed.

Seeing this, all the officials quickly knelt down and prostrated, saying in unison:
"Chen wait, send your majesty!"

Seeing Zhao Yu's figure fading away, officials from the Ministry of Industry, the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Rites, and the Privy Council, led by their respective chief officers, surrounded the officials from the Ministry of Household Affairs headed by Zhou Rui. They all said with smiles on their faces. :

"Zhou Shangshu, look..."

"This imperial examination depends entirely on the support of all of you."

"Brother Li, our Ministry of Rites doesn't need too much money. Thirty-five million taels is enough."

Among the six ministries, the Ministry of Household Affairs is in charge of matters such as land, household registration, taxation, currency, official salaries, financial revenue and expenditure, etc. It is mainly responsible for controlling the country's financial power and is the money bag of the court of a country. Therefore, it is also called local officials, God of Wealth.In terms of importance, it is the second most important government office among the six departments, second only to the official department known as "Tianguan".

Now that the emperor has spoken, if these four departments want to complete their tasks and make achievements, the first problem is to find the Ministry of Household Affairs to approve the money.

"Go, go, go, I still need to talk to His Majesty!"

Zhou Rui glared at his colleagues angrily, pushed aside the crowd, and chased after Zhao Yu in the direction he left.

An official from the Ministry of Revenue watched his chief officer leave. He felt envious in his heart and couldn't help but said: "At this moment, Zhou Shangshu will have a headache because of Yinliang."

In the eyes of his colleagues, Zhou Rui, as the chief officer, had an excuse to run away, but his subordinate officers couldn't escape even if they wanted to...

However, at this time, the officials of these four departments, at the suggestion of Jia Xu, the acting privy envoy, put aside the subordinate officials of the household department and gathered together to discuss.

"Everyone, we are all doing things for the Holy One. If we break up because of a little money, not only will everyone lose face, but the Holy One will not look good. In my opinion, why don't we divide our respective proportions first, and then go to Zhou Dynasty together? The minister wants money. No matter how much silver you get, you can still set up the stall so that your majesty can handle it easily. It won’t be too late to talk about other things.”

After hearing Jia Xu's suggestion, everyone looked thoughtful.

After half a cup of tea, the heads of the various departments nodded one after another.

"Master Jia is an old man who plans to seek the country. Just do what Master Jia says."

As a result, the officials of the four ministries directly began to discuss the issue of silver distribution in the side hall of Taiji Hall. From time to time, fierce arguments could be heard from the hall.

In the Zihuan Hall, after receiving the tribute tea from Gao Lishi, Zhou Rui carefully sat down on the round stool and then complained:

"Your Majesty, you have caused great harm to this old minister!"

Zhao Yu looked up to the sky and laughed, and said with a smile: "Zhang Guozhang, as the Minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs, what can you do that can't be difficult for you to live in?"

The sad look on Zhou Rui's face became more intense.

"I don't dare to hide it from Your Majesty. The household department's silver balance is somewhat stretched. Your Majesty's three-pronged approach involves a lot of silver. It's okay for me to be tired, but I'm afraid of missing His Majesty's plan."

Zhao Yu glanced at Zhou Rui's expression and asked with a smile:
"Is the head of state worried about money?"

"Those who know the old minister are your Majesty."

"The emperor, please don't put any high hat on me," Zhao Yu waved his hand, "I just said at the court meeting that although these three things, the imperial examination, water conservancy, and academies, are all important, they also have priorities. The current focus is on We should build water conservancy projects to cope with the severe drought in summer, and then we can prepare for the imperial examinations and build academies."

Zhou Rui cupped his hands and said:
"I think so too, but the Privy Council, the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Rites and other great lords don't think so. Moreover, if it is true as Qin Tianjian said, then this summer's taxes may be far less than in previous years, and the establishment of imperial examinations and academies may have to be postponed to next year. That's all. I'm afraid that this will miss His Majesty's grand plan."

Hearing Zhou Rui say this, even though he knew he was complaining, Zhao Yu's face remained calm as he just said these words

"In the final analysis, this matter is just a matter of shortage of money. This matter is easy. I will give the father-in-law some ideas."

Zhou Rui blinked.

He came to complain to His Majesty, hoping that His Majesty would agree to use the gold and silver stored in the inner treasury, but based on His Majesty's tone, he seemed to have other ideas.

Zhou Rui hurriedly sat upright and said:

"I respectfully listen to your Majesty's decree."

Zhao Yu stretched out a finger and said:
"First, the incident at the Ministry of War involves many ministers. After He Baqing confiscates his property, I will ask him to transport the silver to the Ministry of Household Affairs and put it into the national treasury. This time I will not take any cents from the internal treasury. Burma will compensate I have paid nearly 300 million taels of silver, and I will not take any of it. Is this feasible?"

Although this money is stained with blood, it can save emergencies...

Zhou Rui nodded without hesitation and said: "Your Majesty is wise, this is indeed feasible."

"Secondly, regarding the establishment of the academy, the head of state secretly revealed it to the various wealthy families and the wealthy merchants among the people. Faced with such an opportunity, as long as the various families are not stupid, they are willing to bear part of the funds; as for those who For wealthy merchants, the emperor can promise them that if they are willing to fund the construction, the court can carve stone monuments for them in the academy as a memorial. Those who donate more than two hundred silver coins can even give their children a place to participate in the imperial examination. This is just a measure. The head of the state needs to maintain good control with local officials."

The more Zhou Rui listened, the brighter his eyes became.

Yes, the fact that the court is short of money does not mean that the various scholars and wealthy merchants have no money. On the contrary, they are extremely rich.

In order to expand the influence of their own theories, wealthy merchants and wealthy businessmen wanted to have closer ties with the government, to obtain imperial examination quotas and to advance their children and grandchildren, they were definitely willing to cooperate with the government and fund schools.

He even got in touch with the construction of water conservancy projects.

"Your Majesty, when it comes to building water conservancy projects, are businessmen allowed to participate?"

Zhao Yu nodded and said: "I am very pleased that the abbot can draw inferences from one instance. Yes, the issue of water conservancy can also be carried out according to the idea of ​​running a school. However, businessmen can invest money and erect monuments for them to express their merits, but absolutely not Let them get involved. Water conservancy facilities must maintain quality and quantity. This is my bottom line."

Seeing Zhao Yu's seriousness, Zhou Rui nodded quickly.

"Please rest assured, Your Majesty, the veteran minister will personally supervise the handling of this matter and will not allow any mistakes to be made!"

Your Majesty has considered everything that can be considered, and all that is left for you is to act in accordance with the decree.

Even if he didn't consider his own career, he still did these three things well for the sake of his two good daughters.

Thinking of his two daughters in the palace, Zhou Rui couldn't help but lament the correctness of letting their sisters enter the palace for the draft that day.

Your Majesty is less than [-] years old, but he handles the affairs of the state flawlessly, and he is also brave and decisive. In the future, he will definitely become a wise king of Chu.

As long as the two daughters stay safe and assist His Majesty, they will be known as virtuous concubines in the future and leave their names in history.

(End of this chapter)