Early Tang Dynasty: forge ahead

Chapter 95 The dilemma faced by Li Zhi
Chang'an, Tai Chi Hall.

At the beginning of May, during the Shuo Dynasty meeting, the officials of the sixth rank and above in Beijing gathered in the main hall.

Li Zhi faced the ministers with a smile on his face. It could be seen that the helmsman of the Tang Dynasty was in a very happy mood.

Since successfully suppressing Changsun Wuji and deposing the king and establishing Wu, everything has gone smoothly.

Li Zhiqiangang was arbitrary, and Empress Wu also showed her mother-in-law's grace in the world, successfully blocking the world's mouth.

Especially in the wedding ceremony that just passed, Empress Wu's performance was flawless. She was completely different from the former Wang family who was unwilling to show off even to death.

Empress Wu also blocked the mouths of many people with her performance.

Li Zhi also really felt like an emperor. Facing the ministers below, he said: "There is nothing special about today's court meeting. I occasionally got an article for you to comment on."

He smiled and took out a note from the imperial desk and handed it to the chamberlain beside him.

The chamberlain took the note and handed it to the leader, Changsun Wuji.

Although Changsun Wuji was in decline, no one could pull him down from his position as the leader of the officials.

Changsun Wuji has also realized his future, but for the continuation of the Changsun family, the old fox did not choose to resist, but faced the transfer of power calmly.

Looking at the "Three Character Classic" in his hand, Changsun Wuji squinted his eyes slightly, glanced at it symbolically, and handed it to Li Ji beside him.

Like Changsun Wuji, Li Ji's status is untouchable.

Li Ji looked at it carefully and forwarded it to Zhongshu Ling Laiji.

Lai Ji only glanced at it and passed it on to the Prince's Young Master, Cui Dunli, who was a third-rank disciple of Tong Zhongshu.

This "Three Character Classic" was first sent to Beijing by his mentor Shi Zhonglan, who also donated it to Li Zhi. The content was read thousands of times.

Cui Dunli, who was born in the Cui family of Boling and was a veteran of the temple, also took a look at the "Three Character Classic" and passed it down.

Li Yifu, Xu Jingzong, Sun Chuyue, Du Zhenglun, General Xin Mao, Ren Yaxiang, Shangguan Yi, Hao Chujun...

One after another, most people go through it once.

The Shuo Dynasty Meeting is the most important court meeting every month, and all officials of the sixth rank in Beijing must attend it. Even if it goes through once, it takes a long time.

The air was a little still.

Li Zhi didn't say anything, just watched as if he were watching a play.

It wasn't until the end of the message that Li Zhi spoke calmly and said, "It seems that all of you have read the Three Character Classic?"

Faced with such an inquiry, Changsun Wuji was the first to respond: "I came across this article by chance at the beginning of the year and read County Magistrate Chen's masterpiece."

As soon as he opened his mouth, echoing voices rose up one after another, all expressing that they were lucky enough to have read it.

The "Three Character Classic" spread to all directions through the relationship between Zhuang Minrui and Shi Zhonglan, and was introduced to the capital at the beginning of the year.

The response was not small, but lukewarm, and it was obviously overwhelming in terms of public opinion.

"I wonder what you guys think?"

Li Zhi's voice was still very soft, unlike his father.

Li Shimin had a fierce personality since he was a child. In order to compete with Li Jiancheng for the throne, he tempered his temper. However, his speech and behavior still have a bit of the courage of the young Qin king in those days, and his voice is as loud as a braid.

Li Zhi is just the opposite. He has a soft voice and his appearance is more inherited from his mother. He looks a bit delicate and gives people a feeling of cowardice.

Because of this, the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty felt that the new emperor could be bullied in the early days, but now that Li Zhi had successfully suppressed Changsun Wuji, they no longer dared to have any similar thoughts.

For a moment, no one from your Highness's ministers made a sound.

Li Zhi looked down, and finally fell on Linghu Deben, and said: "Linghu Jijiu, you are the most knowledgeable, let's start and comment on it?" Linghu Deben secretly complained in his heart.

It goes without saying that Linghu Defen, a scholar of the Imperial Academy and a bachelor of the Chongxian Hall, is a talented person. He is proficient in literature, art, and history. He served as an official in the three dynasties of Gaozu, Taizong, and Gaozong. He was involved in every compilation and writing in the imperial court. He is known as The founder of Tang history.

How could Linghu Defen not know the value of the "Three Character Classic", but it is precisely because of this that it is difficult to mention it too much.

If the "Three Character Classic" was written by Kong or a great scholar, or even by anyone from a prominent family, it would definitely be a different story.

Chen Qingsi's background is too low, too poor, and too young. If he rises among the scholars, he will become a spiritual symbol for thousands of people from poor families and a source of motivation to strive for success.

This will have a certain impact on wealthy families.

Therefore, the "Three Character Classic" had great repercussions, but it was suppressed by others.

Linghu Defen did not dare to offend the general trend, but he could not unconscionably speak ill of the "Three Character Classic" and damage his reputation. He could only bite the bullet and go out and said: "This article is simple and easy to understand, and the words contain my Chinese literature, human ethics, principles of loyalty, filial piety and solar terms can be regarded as heroic works of enlightenment."

Li Zhi nodded and chuckled: "I think it's very good too. The Crown Prince recited the Three Character Classic yesterday and joked that he wanted Chen Qingsi to be his husband. Haha, it's a kid's joke, but I can't take it seriously, but I can see that he is sincere. I like this article. I also think it is good, and I recommend it to everyone."

The Shuo Dynasty meeting was never a meeting to discuss major matters. After Li Zhi took the lead in this small episode, he quickly announced his withdrawal from the court.

Li Zhi did not rest, but called Changsun Wuji, Li Ji, Li Yifu, and Xu Jingzong to Liangyi Hall to make a list of this year's candidates together.

After discussion, the four of them soon decided on the No. [-] pick and the No. [-] pick.

Li Zhizhen retreated from the four people, but there was no joy at all on his face, but some anger and helplessness.

As the emperor of the Tang Dynasty, in addition to facing powerful ministers like Changsun Wuji, he also had to face intricately connected aristocratic families.

The imperial examination was a powerful weapon against wealthy families. It was originally designed to target wealthy families.

Through continuous improvements and reforms, the imperial examination gradually began to reflect the value of existence.

Especially after Li Zhi succeeded to the throne, in addition to civil and military officials with military merit, the officials who were promoted had priority in recruitment and promotion. The most obvious one was the circle of Jinshi scholars headed by Shangguan Yi.

Until this imperial examination, Li Zhi only felt that his face was so painful that it was so painful.

Regarding the imperial examination, the aristocratic families initially looked down upon it with disdain, but gradually chose to take it seriously.

They noticed that Li Zhi favored scholars and selected outstanding talents from the clan to participate in the scientific examination.

The results are obvious.

How could an ordinary scholar from a poor family pass the examination for a child from an aristocratic family? Once the results came out, the top candidates were all from wealthy families from all over the country.

There is no one from a humble family or below.

Li Zhi calmed down a little, looked at the "Three Character Classic" in front of him, and walked towards the palace with a hint of expectation in his eyes.

Prince Li Hong is still young, only four years old this year. He still lives with his mother, Empress Wu, and does not live in the East Palace.

Empress Wu is teaching Li Hong how to practice Liujia.

Seeing this, Li Zhi felt a little warm in his heart. The current queen was far superior to the previous one in both talent and means. Except for her excessive ambition, she could almost compare with his mother.

He was already very satisfied with this. After all, how many virtuous queens were there in history like his mother?

It's okay to be ambitious, just suppress it.

Li Zhi put on a smile and said: "Queen, the prince is still young, Liujia is too boring, you can learn this!"

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(End of this chapter)