The most poisonous person in the Three Kingdoms, Boss Cao advised me to calm down!

Chapter 424 Are you serious?

After saying this, even Cao Cao himself did not realize it.

His attitude towards Sima De has quietly changed.

From the initial doubts and disapproval.

Now the tone of discussion was almost equal, and the questions were less sharp.

Sima De was naturally confident and responded:

"To be honest with you, my father-in-law, the imperial examination is not perfect."

"But as long as it is arranged properly, it can eliminate the drawbacks of the system of selecting and appointing people."

"The power to recruit talents will be returned to the state!"

"Oh?" Cao Cao's face flashed with surprise when he heard it.

He then signaled Sima De to explain in detail.

Sima De organized his words after hearing this, and then elaborated:
"The imperial examination system is very different from the current system of selecting candidates for office. It has three core features."

"One is 'self-recommendation', and scholars all over the world can freely apply for the imperial examination."

“No government or local recommendation is required.”

"The second is 'selecting candidates by subject and holding regular examinations'."

"The court set different subjects, covering classics, law, arithmetic, and Confucian classics."

"Even Taoism, political strategy, poetry, medicine, and agricultural techniques."

"And set a unified date and announce it to the world, inviting scholars from all over the world to come to Beijing to take the exam."

"The third is 'the examination is fair and rigorous'."

“The quality of the candidate’s essay will be used as the criterion.”

"Select the capable and discard the mediocre, and let the fittest survive."

"And this naturally involves appointing a chief examiner and an inspector."

"Both of these two people need to be upright and honest."

"This is the only way to prevent all kinds of cheating in scientific examinations."

Sima De did not imitate the imperial examinations of the Sui and Tang dynasties.

Instead, it draws on the essence of the imperial examinations of the Song, Ming and Qing dynasties.

Through in-depth analysis, we strive to make Cao Cao understand the essence of the imperial examination system.

His words were sincere and clear, like the endless flow of a river.

As Cao Cao listened, he gradually became immersed in the vision described by Sima De.

The passion and yearning made him dizzy and unable to extricate himself for a long time.

After Sima De finished speaking, it was a long time before Cao Cao came back to his senses from his trance.

An unprecedented shock surged in my heart.

Is this kid serious?!

You should know that you come from a noble family!

Your Sima family is a famous family in Hanoi.

If this policy is implemented, all the aristocratic families in the world will be overthrown.

And those smart people in the aristocratic families.

How can you not see the mystery in it?

By then, I wonder how much jealousy and hatred will be aroused from the noble families!
Even Sima De, the originator of the proposal, was the first to be affected.

It will be subject to verbal criticism from many aristocratic families.

But if it is those noble families who think themselves noble.

The descendants of the clan who boast of their family's profound learning can withstand the test.

Willing to compete with those from poor families in the imperial examination.

In this way, the Liao Dynasty was abolished.

But if it is those famous and prominent families, for example, the Yang family with three generations of officials.

In order to protect his students and former officials, as well as the promotion path for his family members.

He did not hesitate to openly write letters of opposition and even interfere with the imperial examinations.

The implementation of such a national policy that benefits both the country and the people will inevitably be fraught with difficulties.

However, the greater the risk, the higher the return.

The thought of this move will win the hearts of the poor people all over the world.

It can also eradicate the problem of aristocratic families.

Even Cao Cao was tempted.

After a flash of his eyes, he weighed the pros and cons in his mind.

He even had a vague idea about the person who would preside over the imperial examination.

At this time, he slowly opened his mouth and said, "My dear son-in-law..."

"You really gave me a big surprise today!"

Upon hearing this, Sima De hurriedly bowed and said:
"It is my duty to share my father-in-law's worries, and it is my duty as a son-in-law to offer advice to the country."

Cao Cao also laughed when he heard this and said, "Good!" "Alas, if it were my useless sons."

"It's good to think like you!"

"It is my great fortune to have such a virtuous son-in-law as Renda!"

Sima De would naturally not be impressed by Lao Cao's praise.

Then he floated up to the sky in a daze.

At this time, he smiled and said, "I don't deserve such praise from my father-in-law."

"Just father-in-law, what do you think of the imperial examination system?"

Cao Cao came to his senses immediately after hearing this and said quickly:

"Good! This is a very good move!"

"However, how to carry it out specifically still needs to be studied."

"Rong Gu should think about this carefully these few days."

Sima De had anticipated Cao Cao's answer.

After all, it concerns the country's selection of talented people, so we should be cautious.

However, as long as Lao Cao is interested, it's fine.

As long as the idea of ​​the imperial examination system can take root in the heart of his powerful father-in-law.

From now on, all those things like recommendation and appointment, and the nine-rank system, will be put aside!
"In this case, I can rest assured."

After he finished speaking, Sima De wanted to leave.

But Cao Cao didn't seem to intend to let him go.

At this time, he suddenly changed the subject and asked:

"Renda, I think you have heard about Liu Bei's affairs in Xichuan?"

"How do you feel about that?"

"Or, how do you think I should deal with it?"

After saying that, he fixed Sima De with an inquiring look.

Sima De muttered to himself when he heard this:
How else can we see it? Of course, this is a situation that anyone with a discerning eye can see.

For him, of course, he wanted to kill Liu Bei!
However, in response to Cao Cao's question, he answered seriously:
"Father-in-law, if Liu Bei had obtained the Jingnan County earlier, he would have been able to make a comeback."

"It can even maintain its foothold by Sun Quan's side."

"It's enough to show what this person is capable of."

"Now, he has taken Xichuan with a clever strategy without bloodshed."

“In fact, it reveals a place that is both ambitious and strategic.”

"The threat he poses is clearly far greater than that of Sun Quan in Jiangdong."

"Besides, I dare to assert it."

"Once Liu Bei has secured Xichuan, his next move will be to Hanzhong."

"So I dare to make a suggestion, if possible."

"Next spring or summer, we will attack Hanzhong even if we cannot mobilize the entire country's troops."

"We also need to send a detachment of troops to station there in advance to prevent Liu Bei from attacking Hanzhong quietly."

After Cao Cao listened to Sima De's analysis.

He agreed with his opinion, but then shook his head and said:
"Renda, next spring and summer, I will not have time to use military force against Shu."

"Since last year, our army has fought in Guanzhong and Hanzhong."

"He then went south to attack Jiangdong, and won every battle."

"But the soldiers were exhausted and war-weariness was spreading everywhere."

"In the short term, we cannot mobilize more troops."

"What's more..." Cao Cao said as he turned his head to look out the window, his gaze penetrating the sky outside the mansion.

Looking in the direction of the Emperor's Palace.

"This year, I still need to prepare rewards for the entire army."

"Even further, he was promoted to King of Wei."

In other words, Cao Cao was about to reach the pinnacle of power.

Now that things have come to this, I wonder if those old ministers of the Han Dynasty are dissatisfied.

Whether Xun Yu objects or not, it will all become a thing of the past.

After all, Liu Bei is now busy attacking Xichuan and is too busy to take care of himself.

After his defeat, Sun Quan urgently needed to recuperate.

At this moment, the external threat has temporarily subsided, and this is the best opportunity for Cao Mengde to be crowned King of Wei!
"After this... my promotion to the King of Wei will be within reach."

After saying this, Cao Cao paused.

There is ambition and planning in the voice that cannot be ignored.

His words were calm and firm.

As if everything is under his control.

(End of this chapter)