Can I get to the other side?.

Chapter 30 Guo Jia's loyalty
Before the imperial examination system was introduced, aristocratic families were the biggest obstacle to the country's development and strength. They controlled the local areas and monopolized the officialdom, almost cutting off the path to advancement for common people and children from poor families.

Moreover, they intermarried, had close contacts, and their power was intertwined. Even the emperor could hardly shake these aristocratic families.

Therefore, Liu Xie had no good feelings towards these aristocratic families.

If he really comes to power in the future, he will definitely target these aristocratic families and conduct a major purge from inside to outside.

The Han people today are too corrupt.

Guo Jia didn't expect that Liu Xie had such an iron-blooded side and actually wanted to target those aristocratic families. He felt surprised but also a little naive.

"Your Majesty, you think too simply."

"The noble families have their own marriages and they support each other from afar. The outstanding sons of the family serve in the court, and the less outstanding ones also serve in local positions."

"The entire Han Dynasty is filled with their people. If Your Majesty really clears them all out, then the court will not be able to function at all."

Guo Jia shook his head and smiled bitterly.

This is the terrifying thing about the aristocratic families. Their power is too deep and they are dependent on the imperial court. The imperial court cannot function without them.

Take the simplest example, taxes.

Taxes were not paid directly to the imperial court, but were collected by local governments and then submitted to the imperial court in a unified manner.

And at the local level, if the aristocratic families are unwilling to cooperate in paying taxes and taxation, do you think the taxes can be collected?

The mountains are high and the emperor is far away, that's the truth.

"I know. So if we want to eradicate these cancers, it is not enough to rely on force alone. In the end, we still need reform."

Of course Liu Xie was aware of what Guo Jia said.

That kind of reform will require the efforts of several generations.

But while he was still in high spirits, he started talking to Guo Jia about his reform plan, showing off his charm.

"Military force can only serve as a deterrent and guarantee for policy implementation. If we want to fundamentally change all this, we must have a major reform."

"For example, the imperial examination to enter the government."

Guo Jia raised his eyebrows and asked: "Enter the government through the imperial examination?"

He didn't understand what this meant.

"I'll explain it to you."

Liu Xie chuckled. Finally he had the chance to show off in front of this guy!
"The so-called imperial examination is to be selected through a unified examination; the examinations are then divided into grades, and each time you pass an examination, you can advance to the next examination, and finally be interviewed by the emperor himself."

After hearing this, Guo Jia looked disappointed.

He thought Liu Xie had some brilliant idea, but it turned out that he just added more exams. Although this could improve the quality of the selected talents, the fundamental problem was still not solved.

But Liu Xie soon overturned his idea.

"The graded examination is only the most basic rule for the imperial examination; its greatest feature is that anyone can take the examination regardless of their background, even commoners."

"In addition to this, the right of officials to directly recommend people will be abolished. Even if one is born in a prominent family, if one wants to become an official, he or she must pass the examination and compete with examinees from all over the world!"

"If the aristocratic families lose this advantage, how can they control the court? How long can their family power be stable?"

A playful smile appeared on Liu Xie's face.

This is the most terrifying thing about the imperial examination, that is, no matter your background, if you want to become an official, you must take the exam!

No matter whether you are a prince or a noble, no matter whether you are the son of one of the three highest officials or the descendant of a general, you must pass the examination before you can become an official!

"Fengxiao, what do you think?"

After explaining the concept of imperial examinations, Liu Xie looked at Guo Jia with confidence, ready to face this guy's shocked expression.

But he found that Guo Jia just lowered his head, standing there motionless, without any excitement or happiness at all, which made him feel puzzled.

Why is there no reaction at all?

"This is it……"

Just when Liu Xie was beginning to doubt himself, Guo Jia suddenly spoke.

He raised his head, and his clean and handsome face was covered with tears and his eyes were red.

"This is the answer I'm looking for!"

Guo Jia choked up and said, his voice trembling.

This was the answer he had been searching for but could not find - a way out for the poor children in the world! Now this path was in front of him!
"Examination to become an official, examination to become an official!"

“What a great idea!”

"It can weaken the influence of the aristocratic families on the court and the country; it can select talents from all over the world for the court; it can give the poor children in the world the opportunity to show their talents!"

"An opportunity that countless scholars throughout history have sought but could not obtain!"

"So this is the answer, it turns out the answer is so simple!"

Guo Jia fell to the ground, tears streaming down his face, but his heart was completely immersed in joy!

He was happy for all the frustrated scholars in the world!

Liu Xie looked at Guo Jia from the side and felt a little pity in his heart.

He couldn't empathize with Guo Jia, but he could understand his current mood, which was both happy and sad.

The good thing is that I finally found the answer, but the sad thing is that the answer is so simple, but no one has thought of it from ancient times to now.

As a result, countless poor scholars become depressed all their lives, unable to display their ambitions and talents until their death, and can only die with regrets.

So Guo Jia was happy for the future scholars;
Sad for those who came before us.

"Your Majesty, I lost my composure."

After crying for a long time, Guo Jia staggered to his feet. Although the tears on his face were still there, his eyes were extremely bright.

"Well, it's okay for you to cry for a while, I won't tell anyone."

Liu Xie was a little embarrassed and gave a dry comforting remark.

But after saying it, he felt that it would be better not to say it.

Is this comforting?
Guo Jia took a deep breath and said, "Your Majesty's suggestion for the reform of the imperial examination is correct, but there are many difficulties. Not to mention the obstacles from the aristocratic families, the problem of books alone cannot be solved. Common people cannot afford to read or buy books."

Liu Xie waved his hand and said, "If there is a problem, solve it. At least there is a goal to strive for."

"The foundation of the imperial examination reform is to make the country strong and the people well fed. This is a long road ahead."

Aren’t books and other things simple?

If he were in power, it would be very easy for him to popularize books by using papermaking and printing technology.

The real key to the imperial examination system is that the country is stable, the emperor has a strong army to back him up, and the economy is well developed.

The material base determines the superstructure.

Guo Jia agreed and said, "Your Majesty is right. If one generation cannot accomplish it, then two generations will do. If two generations cannot accomplish it, then three generations will do it!"

"I wish to assist Your Majesty in destroying the traitors and reviving the Han Dynasty!"

After saying this, Guo Jia knelt down in front of Liu Xie and kowtowed heavily.

The heavy kowtow sound echoed throughout the hall.

He certainly knew that there were various difficulties and limitations in implementing the imperial examination system, but he was willing to try his best!

This action completely confused Liu Xie. Why was he suddenly kneeling down and kowtow while they were chatting happily?
"Wait... is he pledging his loyalty to me?"

Liu Xie suddenly reacted.

But...why?
He didn't do anything.

Liu Xie thought about it carefully and realized that he just chatted with Guo Jia for a few words, and then gave this ignorant ancient man a brief introduction to the imperial examination system and painted a pie in the sky.

But the effect seems to be surprisingly good.

So good that he suspected that this guy was trying to trick him.

So Liu Xie hesitated for a moment and asked tentatively: "Are you telling the truth?"

Guo Jia said solemnly: "Heaven is my witness, and my ancestors are above me. Guo Jia swears to help Your Majesty restore the Han Dynasty and defeat the traitors until death!"

"If you break this oath, God will not bless you!

"I only ask that after Your Majesty regains power, you implement the imperial examination system and open a path for the poor scholars in the world!"

The words are powerful and influential.

(End of this chapter)