Red Mansion: Bastards rule the roost

Chapter 766 Imperial Examination Reform
"Your Highness, please speak." said the ministers.

"I was once fortunate enough to be appointed as an examiner for the Imperial Examination. I know that the examination is very strict and it is extremely difficult to pass. It is as difficult as ascending to heaven. You all came from the two lists, so you have personal experience of this."

"Your Highness is right." All the ministers smiled proudly. To be able to pass the imperial examination, one must be a dragon among millions, at least in terms of reading and writing eight-legged essays.

"But there is a drawback." Jia Cong said.

"Oh? Please enlighten me, Your Highness." Guan Pu bowed. He was in charge of the Ministry of Rites, and the imperial examination was his responsibility.

"Scholars study hard from a young age, often spending most of their energy on the Four Books and Five Classics, contemporary literature and art.

Once he passed the imperial examination and was about to become a parent, he was completely in the dark about how to be an official and govern the country, and had to learn everything from scratch.

People with quick minds, like you, can handle things easily; but people with dull minds are often manipulated by their advisors, assistants, and other people, becoming useless and useless, which is not a blessing for the country and the people. "Jia Cong said.

All the officials laughed and said, "Your Highness has hit the nail on the head. This is absolutely true. If an honest man who studies hard becomes an official, he will be fooled by his subordinates."

"So it is said that idle talk will ruin a country, while hard work will make it prosperous. How can we cultivate practical talents for the court instead of corrupt scholars who can only talk nonsense and recite moral articles all day long? Can you teach me?" Jia Cong said.

The ministers were slightly stunned. Is the prince planning to reform the imperial examination system?

Someone said: "Your Majesty's idea is of course very good. Whether in the previous dynasty or in this dynasty, many people have expressed similar views, believing that the eight-part essay selection system restricts students' thoughts with rules and regulations, and can only select nerds, not talents who can govern the country. In fact, it is absurd."

Jia Cong said: "I would like to hear the details."

"Your Majesty's poetry is unrivalled in the world, shocking the ancient and modern times. Naturally, he understands that poetry is the same as contemporary writing, with strict rules and regulations, and cannot be done arbitrarily.

Even so, the prince has produced an endless stream of exquisite poems, which are popular and sweeping the country. Why? The magic of using words lies in one's heart. "

"Master Bai, what you said is very true. The format of the eight-part essay is similar to the rhythm of poetry and lyrics. It is like a piece of embroidered clothing. Some people look elegant and handsome when they wear it, while others look like peasants. How can we blame the clothing for being bad? It is actually the difference in talent that makes people different."

"If contemporary literature is empty talk, it is mainly because students have limited experience and are unable to fully comprehend the profound meaning of the sages' governance of the country. They can only recite by rote and memorize the ancients' theories without any original ideas of their own, which will inevitably lead to mediocrity.

If we abolish modern prose and select scholars based on classical prose, everyone will let their imagination run wild and write freely, and the articles will be good, but I don't know how to distinguish the good from the bad. "

Everyone laughed and said, "That's right. Since ancient times, scholars have looked down on each other. You said you have lofty ideas, I said my writing is refined, and he said his arguments are rigorous. It seems that everyone has their reasons, and the examiners also have their own preferences. In the end, all that's left is arguing. I'm afraid that no matter how Chinese people fail the exam, they won't be convinced."

Feng Yuan smiled and said, "In fact, eight-part essays may also contain profound insights and penetrating works. When I was young, I learned to write contemporary essays, and the essays I loved to read the most were the examination essays written by Jun Gong and Jiang Xiang. I still remember them vividly.

When Zhun Gong was taking the imperial examination, he wrote an essay titled "If rituals and music are not popular, then punishments will not be appropriate." The opening sentence was grand and upright, saying "If punishments are not appropriate, then we know that rituals and music cannot be abolished." In the essay, he said:
Ritual is order. The opposite of order is disorder, which means everything is in disorder, and the use of punishment is also upside down and out of balance.

Music means harmony. The opposite of harmony is discord, which means that everything is discordant, and the punishment is also violent and unreasonable.

What is a good article? This is a good article! Just these two sentences, lock up and close down, mysterious and profound, relaxed and flexible, using the virtual to control the real.

When the emptiness of ritual and music is integrated with the reality of punishment, who dares to say that the teachings of sages are empty and useless?

It's not that the meaning of the classics is pedantic, nor is it that it's constrained by the eight-legged essay. In the final analysis, it's that people today fail to grasp the essence of the sages, so naturally what they write is nonsense.

Even if there are no restrictions on the genre and style of writing, does that mean that Jun Gong and Jiang Xiang can't pass the exam? No. The only people who can pass the exam are the officials in the court. "

Duan Zhun burst out laughing and shook his head.

Everyone laughed and said, "Mr. Feng, this is a very good thing."

Jia Cong also laughed. Although Fatty Feng was shameless, he was really knowledgeable. He could recite articles written decades ago fluently, which showed how hard he worked.

Jiang Feng smiled and said, "I was the examiner of the imperial examination. The reason why the imperial examination adopted the format of contemporary essays was mainly to make it easier for us examiners to read the papers.

The quality of an article can be seen at a glance. Those who lack talent and knowledge will be exposed under the eight-part essay. In fact, it is also for the fairness of the examination to prevent people from copying the exquisite articles of the ancients to pass the exam and fill in the numbers. "

Jia Cong laughed and said, "I am ignorant and didn't know that eight-legged essay has such a profound mystery."

The ministers complimented him: "Your Highness has a broad mind and is a man of great ability. There is no need to delve into trivial matters."

"The contemporary literature has its own logic, and I dare not advise the experts as an outsider. However, scholars have limited time and energy. It is not appropriate to study the classics all your life and learn government affairs from scratch even if you pass the exam.

I think that students should spend less time on studying scriptures and more time on understanding government affairs and practical matters.”

Duan Zhun said: "Your Majesty, what you said makes sense. I wonder how we should proceed?"

Jia Cong pondered and said, "In the current imperial examination, the first three questions on the Four Books are the most important, and this will not change.

The second round has five questions on the Five Classics. This is too much. It requires students to be proficient in the Five Classics. How difficult is that?

I think we should restore the system of taking only the Five Classics, and just test one classic and write two contemporary essays. "

Duan Zhun thought for a moment and said, "That's fine. This was the way it was done in the previous dynasty. However, the previous dynasty required four essays on the Five Classics, but Your Majesty has shown mercy and only ordered two. The students should be grateful."

Jia Cong said: "The teachings of the sages are fundamental, so we must study them thoroughly. Therefore, we should focus on the Four Books and downplay the Five Classics, so that we can use the energy saved for the third session.

The third round tests policy essays, which only examine strategies for strengthening the country and enriching the people, governing the country, military and diplomacy, promoting commerce and agriculture, and catching criminals and thieves.

In short, we will test what we will need as an official, so that students know that being an official is not about reading sutras, but about serving the people and the court!"

The ministers bowed and said, "Your Majesty is wise."

Although some people still disagree with Jia Cong's approach of belittling the Five Classics, no one dares to openly oppose him on the details, as long as Jia Cong does not abolish the imperial examination system.

Jia Cong added: "In terms of the weight of the three Chinese styles, the first one accounts for 40%, the second one accounts for 20%, and the third one accounts for 40%. I hope it can lead the scholars to move away from the empty and towards the real."

Jiang Feng, Feng Yuan and others took the lead and echoed: "Your Majesty, this strategy hits the nail on the head."

"In addition, each ministry in the capital, each province, prefecture, and county shall select outstanding students and scholars to enter the government office for training every year, either for half a year or a year, and provide them with salary and rice.

Having them assist in handling government affairs can not only enrich the government's manpower, but also allow scholars to do practical work and get down to earth, so that they don't write articles full of empty and vague theories. "

"Great, great!" Wu Zizhen exclaimed, "In the past, when government offices at all levels were short of manpower, they often spent money to hire legal advisors, clerks, and clerks, but they never thought of making use of scholars.

This way the government will benefit, and the students will also gain experience, killing two birds with one stone, and saving a lot of money."

Everyone praised: "Your Majesty has a brilliant idea, and we admire it."

The price of hiring a student is obviously much lower than that of hiring a professional legal advisor or clerk. Even if they are provided with food and lodging, there will be a lot of people flocking to the government offices.

Even if he fails to pass the imperial examination, he can get things done if he is familiar with the government. If he is appreciated by the superior, he can become a minor official even if he is a scholar, which is also considered a superior person. If a scholar wants to become an official, the right way is to pass the imperial examination. What if he fails to pass the imperial examination?
As long as there are people in the yamen, you can be a minor official, such as Jingcheng, Zandian, Dianshi, Shushi, Gongshi, Chengcha, etc. Although not in the mainstream, you are also a well-known figure in the local area.

Jia Cong said, "I have finished talking about my affairs. Now I would like to ask you to continue the discussion with the others. If there are any difficult matters, please report them to the Military Affairs Office. I have something else to do, so I will return home first."

"Yes. Farewell, Your Highness." The ministers watched Jia Cong leave. They were very pleased with his willingness to delegate power and not interfere in state affairs.

Jia Cong glanced at Chen Ji intentionally or unintentionally. Today, this man was quite well behaved and did not act up. He did not comment on any of his suggestions. It was probably the instruction of the Empress Dowager.

As long as he doesn't go against him, Jia Cong doesn't bother to pay attention to him. He was originally a bargaining chip for the deal with the Empress Dowager. No matter how powerful the royal family and relatives are, they will never be able to make any waves as long as they don't have control of the military power.

Jia Cong's bottom line is very clear. He does not want to be involved in every detail, but he must control the direction of the country and the overall situation of the court. He does not want to take care of other things, nor does he have the time to take care of them.

As soon as Jia Cong returned home, he heard Yang Ling come to report that Jinyi Tongzhi Fang Ji and several Jinyi high-ranking officials wanted to see him and had been waiting in the gatehouse for more than an hour.

"pass."

"Your Highness, we are honored to see you." Fang Ji led Wen Zhen and others in and bowed respectfully.

He was originally a man of Emperor Xifeng, but now that the dynasty has changed, he was afraid that Jia Cong would bear a grudge against him. He had been frightened day and night these days, until he heard that Jia Cong was willing to see him, he was slightly relieved.

Jia Cong said, "Stand up."

"Thank you, Your Highness." Fang Ji bowed and stood solemnly, cupping his hands and saying, "I heard the other day that Your Highness took the time to summon me, and I was overjoyed. I have specially brought Governor Wen and others here to await your instructions."

Jia Cong nodded and said, "You and I were both in the same Jinyi, so there is no need to be polite.

I called you here for no other reason than that a few days ago someone in the palace plotted a rebellion, and the late emperor and his two princes were killed. The Jinyiwei was responsible for investigating treacherous and disloyal people, but they were completely unaware of it, which was a dereliction of duty."

"We are waiting for death." Everyone knelt down hurriedly, their vests soaked with cold sweat.

If the emperor and the prince were killed due to negligence, the crime would be enough to confiscate their property and exterminate their clan.

"However, the incident happened suddenly and deep in the palace in the middle of the night. With the involvement of trusted eunuchs and important officials such as Dai Quan and Huo Dong, it is understandable that you did not notice it for a while." Jia Cong said slowly.

After hearing this, everyone felt relieved and kowtowed, saying, "We thank the prince for not punishing us. We will be very careful and conscientious in our work from now on."

"Well, get up."

"Thank you, Your Highness." Everyone stood up in an orderly manner.

Jia Cong raised his eyes and looked at Fang Ji, and said, "Old Fang, do you know why I summoned you?"

"I dare not speculate on your intentions. I only know to serve you at the risk of my life. If you give me an order, I will not refuse even if it means death." Fang Ji said.

Jia Cong pointed at him and said with a smile: "Old Fang, Old Fang, you are indeed a smart man. It was you who introduced me to the Southern Division. In terms of seniority and talent, you are not inferior to Old Wen, Old Zhou and others."

Fang Ji only felt bitterness in his mouth, and smiled: "I didn't recognize the great man at that time. I only knew that the prince was a rare young hero in ancient times, but I didn't know that he was the white jade pillar that supported the sky and the purple gold beam that spanned the sea. I am so disrespectful."

Jia Cong laughed: "Do you know why I have been suppressing you?"

Wen Zhen, Fan Ming and others all laughed in their hearts. You are Emperor Xifeng's man. If the prince doesn't suppress you, who will he suppress?

"This..." Fang Ji was stunned. He didn't expect Jia Cong to be so straightforward. He gritted his teeth and said, "Because I am a confidant specially promoted by the late emperor."

He had given it his all. If he couldn't seize the opportunity, his life would be over.

Jia Cong nodded and said, "Let's not beat around the bush. It is precisely because of this that I have some concerns, so I have placed importance on Old Wen, Old Zhou and others, which inevitably puts you at a disadvantage."

Fang Ji said hurriedly: "Your Highness is right. I want to be loyal to the late emperor, but I don't want to let you down. I am in a dilemma. Sometimes I wish I could die so I can avoid this torment."

Everyone thought to themselves, you make yourself sound so pitiful, aren’t you just trying to get the prince to use you?
Jia Cong smiled and said, "Now that the late emperor is gone, there is no need to worry about us anymore, so I want to use you. Are you willing?"

Fang Ji was overjoyed and bowed, saying, "As long as the prince gives the order, I will go through mountains of swords and seas of fire."

"Okay!" Jia Cong patted the armrest and said, "I just want you to go out to sea."

Fang Ji was stunned and said, "Please tell me clearly, Your Majesty."

Jia Cong said: "You all know that the firearms used by my new army come from the Western Barbarians. The barbarians have much more good stuff than this.

In a few days, my Wan Guo will form an ocean-going caravan to go to the Western Barbarians for trade. There will be envoys from the Celestial Empire and a thousand students accompanying them. You should pick some capable and clever people from the Jinyiwei and dress them up as envoys to go with us."

Fang Ji's mind suddenly changed, and he said, "Your Highness wants me to go and collect intelligence on the Western Barbarians?"

Jia Cong nodded and said, "Of course this is a matter of course. What's more important is to wait for an opportunity to contact the scientists among the Western Barbarians..."

"Your Highness, what is a scientist?" Fang Ji was stunned.

"Well, scientists are scholars who study astronomy, geography, mechanical arithmetic, and natural physics. In foreign languages, they are called 'Sestist'.

No matter what method you use, whether it is deceiving, coaxing, kidnapping, or bribery, in short, get them to China to give lectures, and no matter what conditions they offer, you must agree to them.

We need to do it in secret, so that the Westerners don't notice that we are poaching people. We can claim that it is a cultural exchange and academic exchange, and also get the Westerners' scientific books, experimental equipment, and various machines. "Jia Cong said.

Fang Ji thought about it, nodded and said: "I understand, this is not difficult, no matter what kind of scholar he is, he must have something to seek and something to fear, as long as we prescribe the right medicine, there is no need to worry that he will not come.

Don't worry, Your Majesty, I will definitely invite these 'Mr. Sai' here."

"Okay! Lao Fang, if you can invite these 'Mr. Sai' for the country, you can be granted hereditary nobility for your merits. Not only you, but also your descendants will benefit from it!" Jia Cong said.

Fang Ji was overjoyed and said, "I will die if I fail in this mission, Your Majesty, please rest assured."

"Okay! I will give you the people and money if you want them, and you can do as you please." Jia Cong clapped his hands and said with a smile.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Suddenly, a personal guard came to report: "My Lord, Second Master Yun and other Western nobles have fallen."

Jia Cong said with a smile: "You see, when we talk about Cao Cao, Cao Cao appears. You should step aside first and we will discuss this later."

"Yes." Everyone bowed and left.

(End of this chapter)