Zhao Defang's road to the virtuous king

"The Taizu founded the country with martial arts. He once said to his ministers: Today's military officials should also make them read the scriptures, hoping that they will know the way of governance. In this way, the generals' desire to kill. At the same time, the Taizu also began to use literati, classics and history Classics are books that literati must read. There are many scholars in the world, but how many books can they find? Today, the Guozijian has more than [-] various classics, which can be described as huge. If these classics and historical classics can be engraved and printed and distributed to the people, Many years later, I think that in the Great Song Dynasty, more talents for governing the country will emerge, and this move of your majesty will surely be famous through the ages."

Shinzong nodded, "What the emperor said is very reasonable. It is necessary to govern the country with martial arts. I heard that Taizu once said that literati are needed to govern the country. Literati must read classics and books. If you can get these more than [-] books Widespread among the people will surely lead to the emergence of more literati who govern the country in the Great Song Dynasty."

Xing Bing cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, this is a very good move."

"Okay!" Zhenzong said, "This matter will be handed over to Xing Aiqing. The classics and history books that have not yet been engraved and printed will be re-schooled and engraved and printed, and widely distributed to the people of the world."

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Xing Bing bowed

Since then, classics and historical books can be seen throughout the Song Dynasty, and they have been widely spread and popularized. In addition to scholars, even ordinary people have books in their homes.

[From 971, the second year of Taizu Kaibao, the imperial court ordered the publication of Tibetan scriptures in Sichuan and Shu in accordance with the "Kaiyuan Shijiaolu". 】

In view of the fact that there are many errors in the World Bank's books on astronomy, geography, yin and yang, and arithmetic, Zhenzong ordered Sitian Shaojian Shixu and others to edit and correct, select the essential content, and classify them. Jingde 1005nd year 410 In May, it was finally compiled into [-] seven volumes, called "The Treasure of Qiankun", Zhenzong wrote a preface for it, and collected the books in the secret pavilion.

In the Chongzheng Hall, Shinzong said, "Brother Emperor, this year's exam is about to begin. I am thinking that in addition to ordinary students, there will be many officials' children, relatives, and followers participating in the exam. Injustice occurs because of status."

"What your Majesty is thinking about," said De Fang, "is that the grand examination is to select talents for the imperial court. It would be a pity if it affects the selection of talents."

"I have an idea, Brother Huang, might as well listen to it."

"Your Majesty, please speak."

"I want Wen and Wu's relatives who are promoted to the imperial court to be sent to the Guozixue supplementary examination, and then I will appoint a special person to take charge of it. Officials do not hold office often. In this way, we can not only avoid suspicion, but also avoid injustice."

"Your Majesty is very thoughtful, and I think this move is feasible."

"It's so good." Zhenzong said with a smile, "I hope my Great Song Dynasty will produce more capable ministers."

"Your Majesty devotes all his attention to state affairs, and he will surely fulfill his wish." Defang bowed

At that time, Emperor Zhenzong issued an imperial edict to avoid unfairness in the imperial examination, so he specially issued a special examination. Since then, he ordered Wen and Wu Sheng to send their relatives to Guozixue for an additional examination. (The ultimatum test, also known as the scorpion test, is one of the Song Gongju examination methods. It refers to sending officials' children, relatives, and retainers to other tribute courts for examinations to avoid suspicion.) After that, the following system gradually formed: the entourage of the state and the general judge, the Relatives of the same clan or different surnames in the administrative office, relatives of the same clan who accompanied them two thousand miles away from their hometown, relatives of the examiner above the level of marriage, and families of marriages above the level of merit, all sent to the transfer department of this road to take the exam, relatives of the commander and supervisor of this road, Meteors, sent to the Neighboring Transit Department to take the exam, Zaizhi, attendants, nephews of civil and military officials in the court, etc., sent to the Imperial College for the exam. (The test system was not abolished until 1237, the first year of Jiaxi in the Southern Song Dynasty.)