It is not uncommon to seek meritocracy and look at the history of China.

Whether it is Liu Bang, the ancestor of the Han Dynasty, Liu Che, the Emperor of the Han Dynasty, or Cao Cao, who has a legacy of Wei Wu, they have all issued edicts or orders to seek talents, aiming to seek materials for the country and recruit talents from all over the world for their own use.

Before the Sui and Tang dynasties, when the imperial examination system had not yet emerged, the edict of seeking merit was an important supplement to the examination system.

Because the probation system is for the governors of each state to recommend talents to the central court, naturally, the right to interpret talents falls into the hands of these local dignitaries.

The building near the water is the first to get the month.

Those who are preferentially recommended to the central court are naturally those who are close to local dignitaries, such as friends and disciples, such as disciples and juniors.

In this way, although the cost of the court's selection of materials can be greatly saved, it is followed by a strong binding between the recommended and the recommender, which eventually leads to the rise of the family gate valve.

The children of the gate valve are taken care of by the elders of the sect, even if they are a little weaker, they can also mix up an official and a half-job, on the other hand, the common people and the disciples of the poor sect want to go further, but it is even more difficult.

The appearance of the edict opened a temporary promotion channel for them.

Not only in China, but also in this world, it is also facing the same problem.

The successive emperors of the Chu State, almost after ascending to the throne, issued edicts to seek talents.

Even, because the hundreds of schools of thought in this world are extremely prosperous, and nearly sixty percent of the world's talents are born here, so the problem is even more prominent.

It was only because of the constant disputes among the countries that the problem was temporarily covered up.

However, it is obviously unfavorable for the whole country that the ministers from the hundreds of families of the princes are connected with each other and form their own factions in the court and fight each other for their own doctrines.

On the one hand, it hindered the development of the country, and on the other hand, it was a faint threat to the imperial power.

Qi Guo is a prime example.

As the emperor, Wang Kuang even had to consult the opinions of the Buddhist [Great Bodhi Temple] on some major policies.

This is obviously unacceptable to the emperor who is self-respecting.

Therefore, after Zhao Yu has his own basic plate and mastered the military power, what he has to do is to return all the rights of interpretation and selection of talents to the central court.

So, at today's court meeting, Zhao Yu took advantage of the Chun Yuqing case to challenge the Ministry of War, and by the way, proposed to select talents, and played the three cards of inspection, merit and imperial examination.

The reason why Zhao Yu did this was because he was particular.

Although paper was invented in this world, good paper is hard to find, so most of the classics are recorded in bamboo slips or silk books.

Bamboo slips are heavy, silk books are perishable, far less convenient than paper, and are not conducive to the spread of culture and the promotion of knowledge.

Therefore, before the papermaking technology was perfected and the printing technology was introduced, Zhao Yu only proposed the imperial examination system, so that the ministers of the court and the central government had a psychological preparation.

This is also the reason why Zhao Yu attaches so much importance to the Mo family.

Even if the imperial examination is really to be opened, it is a small-scale trial in the vicinity of Shenjing.

Before the large-scale popularization of paper, inspection and talent seeking were the most important ways for Zhao Yu to obtain talents.

The hundred officials in the hall were stunned when they heard what Zhao Yu said.

Examine them and they understand.

Let the local chief officials recommend talents for the imperial court, on the one hand, they can contribute to the country, and on the other hand, they are also conducive to expanding their own contacts, and the imperial court and the local government can also be regarded as taking what they need.

They know how to ask for talent.

The court has Zijin, the field has the legacy, and the edict can expand the scope of the court's selection of materials to a certain extent, which is a good thing for the court, and they will naturally not object.

It's just that what is this imperial examination?

Most of the civil and military officials wrote a big "bewilderment" on their faces.

had already been told in advance by Zhao Yu, and Di Renjie, who was prepared in his heart, stepped forward and arched his hand:

"Your Majesty, do you mean that the examination is used to determine whether the other party is a virtuous person?"

Zhao Yu bowed his head slightly and said approvingly:

"What Huaiying said is exactly what I think in my heart. Yes, it is for the imperial examination. ”

Cao Huan, the secretary of the Ministry of Rites, hesitated for a moment before frowning:

"Although Your Majesty's intentions are good, if the imperial examination is implemented, the whole country will inevitably take the examination, how can you define whether the other party is a mediocre talent who fishes in troubled waters, or a virtuous talent urgently needed by the imperial court?"

Zhao Yu laughed and said:

"Cao Qing rest assured, since I proposed it today, I will naturally consider it. According to the law of inspection, all the people who participated in the imperial examination were gathered together, and they were evaluated by strategy and scores. Those who score high are high; Those who score low are low, and that's it. ”

There is also an examination system to test whether the other party is really talented and can be used by the country.

It's just that with the passage of time, this link has gradually become a formality.

The examiner turns a blind eye, as long as you can answer a big difference, so-so, it is considered to be passed.

Zhou Rui, the head of the household, said:

"Your Majesty, if the imperial examination comes out, those who want to enter the court as officials in this world will definitely gather. Among them, there are many great talents, but there must also be villains who try to fish in troubled waters. The cost of this period is certainly expensive. ”

The amount of manpower and material resources required to organize a national exam is definitely a big number.

In the past six months, the household department has finally taken a breath, and the belt of his pants does not need to be tightened so tightly.

If you come to this experience, I'm afraid you will have to live a hard life again.

"Manpower, talent, technology, these three are the foundation of the struggle for hegemony, and there is no room for loss. Choosing materials for the country, I can still afford this price. The matter of the imperial examination is of great importance. I know what is important, so I will not rush to implement it nationwide, and for the time being, I will only try it in the prefectures around Kyoto Prefecture. ”

Knowing that this old man wanted to save money for himself, Zhao Yu paused, and said with a smile:

"Rest assured, the great victory of the southern expedition this time, the Burmese state will compensate our dynasty with a total of nearly three million taels of gold, silver and jewelry, which is more than enough for the imperial examination."

Hearing this, Zhou Rui suddenly relieved.

"Your Majesty is far-sighted, and the minister has no doubts in his heart."

While retreating from the queue, he faintly cast a grateful glance at Cao Huan.

This small three million taels is enough for the household to support the summer tax into the warehouse.

However, he was too early to rejoice.

"There are two kinds of imperial examinations: literary examinations and martial examinations. The Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Martial Arts were responsible for organizing the ceremony, while the Privy Council and the Ministry of War were responsible for the military ceremony. In addition, Du Yunshan, a disciple of the Mo family, was promoted to the right attendant of the Ministry of Works, responsible for the preparation of the construction of the Martial Arts Hall. ”

And the good thing about the generals?

Hearing Zhao Yu say the word "martial arts", the generals in the hall all had their eyes lit up.

The imperial examination is divided into civil examination and military examination, and Your Majesty's move does not show that the status of military generals and civil ministers is equal?

This is undoubtedly a great thing for the military generals who have always been suppressed by Wenchen!

There is no greater wisdom than the Holy!

This sentence came to the minds of all the generals.

Some people have even secretly decided that if anyone dares to make irresponsible remarks about the imperial examination and cause trouble to His Majesty, then pass them first!

It's just that, compared with the imperial examination, the fact that the disciples of the Mo family entered the court as officials was ignored by the ministers intentionally or unintentionally.

In the crowd, Du Yunshan arched his hand slightly to Zhou Rui, his lips moved slightly, and he said:

"Zhou Shangshu, please take care of me."

Glancing at the other party, Zhou Rui bowed his head and did not say much.

A mere martial arts hall shouldn't cost too much silver.

Now he Zhou Rui and Zhou Dazhang have the endorsement of His Majesty, and the new silver in the warehouse is nearly three million taels, which is a small amount of money, and he doesn't care about it.

Zhao Yu saw that there was no one in the queue, so he bowed his head slightly and said, "Since there is no doubt about it, this matter has been decided." ”

"Whoa."

The ministers responded one after another.

Zhao Yu glanced at Gao Lishi, Gao Lishi understood, and sang loudly:

"If there is something to start, there is nothing to retreat!"

Han Tinghuang, who served as the deputy supervisor of Qintian, straightened his robe, held up the wat board, and said, "Your Majesty, the minister has a play!" ”

Seeing that there was something to do in the Qin Heavenly Prison, everyone in the hall was stunned.

Because although Qin Tianjian is in charge of the astronomical calendar and has great responsibilities, he often plays a small transparent role in court meetings.

Du Yunshan also looked at each other curiously.

Unexpectedly, the Yin and Yang family also settled in the Chu State.

"Han Qing, speak."

Zhao Yu saw that it was Han Tinghuang, and his heart couldn't help but tighten.

Although Qin Tianjian often does not play, once it is played, it must be a big event, is it ......

Han Tinghuang said solemnly: "Your Majesty, in the past dozens of days, the ministers have watched the sky at night, and saw that the five stars are all white, and the stars are between the ox and the fight, which is really the appearance of a great drought. I implore Your Majesty to make preparations as soon as possible to save the people of Li from fire and water. ”

Really!

Zhao Yu sighed in his heart.

Han Tinghuang is a disciple of the Yin and Yang family, and he knows the stars well, and it seems that he has also discovered clues through the stars.

"It seems that Han Qing is also aware of it." Zhao Yu sighed and said, "When I led the army back to the dynasty, I saw that the temperature in the prefectures along the way was different from the normal year, and the farmland had a tendency to crack, so I thought it was just a few places. Listening to what Han Qing said now, it can be seen that the drought has spread widely. ”

"From now on, all prefectures and counties are ordered to conduct detailed surveys of local wasteland and water conservancy facilities, and to report them to the map for reclamation and construction. Regardless of the government and the people, if they point out the pros and cons of Pitang, embankment, and ditch, and they are effective, they can be rewarded according to the size of the utilitarian benefit. Those who have made great contributions not only implement the whole country, but also engrave monuments to remember. In addition, the Supervision Yuan sent inspectors to inspect the imperial history to inspect the prefectures, supervise the implementation, and urge the state capitals to build water conservancy. If there is a slack person, it will be severely punished! It's June, and I hope we can catch up with the drought before the big drought comes...... The Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of Households must handle this matter as a matter of top priority. ”

"Your Ministers obey!"

Zhou Rui and Ma Xian, the secretary of the Ministry of Industry, hurriedly issued the order.

Looking at Ma Xian's smiling face, Zhou Rui felt depressed in his heart.

If it goes on like this, the three million taels of silver will not be enough to spend, not to mention that the money has not yet reached the treasury of the household department, so it can only be cushioned with the old bottom first.

At this moment, Zhou Rui heard Zhao Yu say again:

"Since the water conservancy is being built, let all the prefectures and counties also handle the matter of running academies! Water conservancy is related to people's livelihood, and running schools is related to education, both of which should not be neglected. ”

Your Majesty, you're spending too much money, aren't you......

This is the opening of the imperial examination, the establishment of academies, and the development of water conservancy, one by one, which one does not need a large sum of money for nothing.

Zhou Rui lamented in his heart.

Water conservancy and running schools are all money-burning masters, and if Your Majesty continues to do this, he might as well resign directly!

"In order to cope with the drought this summer, we will focus on building water conservancy, and we don't need to be too flustered. That's all for today's pilgrimage. ”

After that, Zhao Yu got up from the dragon chair and walked outside the hall, and Gao Lishi hurriedly followed.

Seeing this, the hundred officials hurriedly leaned down and bowed down, and said in unison:

"Wait, send your majesty!"

Seeing Zhao Yu's figure gradually drifting away, the officials of the Ministry of Industry, the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Rites, and the Privy Council, under the leadership of their own officials, surrounded the household officials headed by Zhou Rui, each with a smile on their faces, and said one after another:

"Zhou Shangshu, look ......"

"This imperial examination should be a matter of all the people, and it all depends on the support of all the adults."

"Brother Li, our Ministry of Rites doesn't need too much silver, three or five million taels is so-so."

Among the six ministries, the household department is in charge of the country's land, household registration, taxation, currency, officials' salaries, financial revenues and expenditures, etc., and is mainly responsible for the country's financial power. In terms of importance, it is second only to the official department known as the "Heavenly Official", and it is the second most important yamen among the six departments.

As mentioned today, if these four departments want to complete their tasks and make achievements, the first problem is to find the household department to approve money.

"Go, go, the old man still has to find His Majesty and say!"

Zhou Rui glared at his colleagues angrily, lined up everyone, and chased in the direction where Zhao Yu left.

A household official watched his chief official leave, and while he was envious in his heart, he couldn't help but say: "At this time, Zhou Shangshu is going to have a headache for Yin." ”

In the eyes of his colleagues, Zhou Rui, as the chief officer, was an excuse to run, but his subordinate officials couldn't run if they wanted to......

However, at this time, at the suggestion of Jia Xu, the acting privy envoy, these officials of the four ministries put aside these household officials and discussed together.

"Ladies and gentlemen, everyone is doing things for the Holy One, if you tear your face because of a little money, not only will you lose all your faces, but the Holy One will not look good there. According to this official's opinion, it is better for us to divide our respective proportions first, and then go together to ask Zhou Shangshu for money. No matter how much money you get, in short, put the stall up, and Your Majesty will be able to explain it, and it's not too late to talk about anything else. ”

Hearing Jia Xu's suggestion, everyone showed thoughtful looks.

After half a cup of tea, the heads of the ministries nodded one after another.

"Lord Jia is the old man who seeks the country, so he will do what Master Jia says."

As a result, the officials of the four ministries began to discuss the distribution of silver taels directly in the side hall of the Taiji Palace, and from time to time there were fierce arguments coming from the hall.

In the Zihuan Palace, after receiving the tribute tea handed by Gao Lishi, Zhou Rui carefully sat on the round stool, and Fang opened his mouth to complain:

"Your Majesty, you can make the old minister miserable!"

Zhao Yu looked up to the sky and said with a smile: "Guozhang, as a household secretary, what can you live in?" ”

The sad look on Zhou Rui's face became more and more intense.

"The old minister doesn't dare to hide it from Your Majesty, the two silver in the household department are already a little stretched, and Your Majesty's three-pronged approach involves a lot of silver. There is no problem with the ministers being tired, but I am afraid that I will miss His Majesty's plan. ”

Zhao Yu glanced at Zhou Rui's expression and asked with a smile:

"Guozhang is worried about money?"

"Those who know the old minister, Your Majesty too."

"Don't give me any high hat," Zhao Yu waved his hand, "Fang Cai I have already said at the court meeting, although the imperial examination, water conservancy, and academy are all important, but there are also priorities, and the current focus is on building water conservancy to cope with the summer drought, and then preparing for the imperial examination and establishing the academy." ”

Zhou Rui arched his hand:

"The minister thinks the same way, but the Privy Council, the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Rites and other adults don't think so. Moreover, if it is really as Qin Tianjian said, then this year's summer tax may be far less than in previous years, and the establishment of the imperial examination and the establishment of the academy may need to be delayed until next year. The old minister is afraid that this will miss His Majesty's plan. ”

Hearing Zhou Rui say this, even if he knew that he was complaining, Zhao Yu's face was silent, and he just said such a thing

"In the end, it's just a matter of a shortage of money. This matter is easy, and I have a few ideas for the national abbot. ”

Zhou Rui blinked.

He had come to His Majesty to complain and hope that His Majesty would agree to use the gold and silver stored in the Inner Treasury, but listening to His Majesty's tone, he seemed to have other options.

Zhou Rui hurriedly sat down and said:

"Listen to Your Majesty's Divine Message."

Zhao Yu stretched out a finger and said:

"First, this time there was an accident in the military department, involving many ministers, and after He Baqing confiscated the family property, I would let him transport the silver to the household department and fill it into the treasury, and I would not take any money from the treasury this time. The Burmese state compensated our DPRK nearly three million taels of silver, and I also did not take a penny. So, is it possible? ”

Although this money is stained with blood, it can save the emergency......

Zhou Rui nodded without hesitation and said, "Your Majesty, this is indeed feasible. ”

"Second, the matter of running the academy was secretly revealed by the abbot to the princes and the wealthy businessmen of the people. In the face of such opportunities, as long as the sons of the hundred schools are not stupid, they are willing to bear part of the funds; As for those wealthy merchants, the ruler could promise them that if they were willing to contribute to the construction, the imperial court could carve stone tablets in the academy for them to commemorate, donate more than two pieces of silver, and even give their children places to participate in the imperial examination. It's just that the scale of it, and the national ruler needs to grasp it with local governments. ”

The more Zhou Rui listened, the brighter his eyes became.

That's right, the lack of money in the imperial court does not mean that the hundreds of princes and wealthy businessmen have no money, on the contrary, they are very rich.

In order to expand the influence of their own theories, the wealthy businessmen and wealthy families are definitely willing to cooperate with the government and fund the school in order to get closer ties with the government, to obtain the quota for the imperial examination, and to let their children and grandchildren go further.

Even, he also contacted the construction of water conservancy.

"Your Majesty, do you also allow businessmen to participate in the construction of water conservancy?"

Zhao Yu nodded and said: "The national abbot can draw inferences from one another, and I am very relieved." Yes, water conservancy can also be carried out in accordance with the idea of running a school. However, it is okay for businessmen to invest money, and it is okay to erect monuments for them to show their merits, but they must not be allowed to get involved. Water conservancy facilities must ensure quality and quantity, which is my bottom line. ”

Seeing that Zhao Yu said seriously, Zhou Rui nodded hurriedly.

"Please rest assured, Your Majesty, the old minister will personally supervise this matter, and will never let half of it go wrong!"

Your Majesty has taken into account all that he can consider, and he is left to do what he is told.

Even if he didn't think about his career, but for the sake of his two good daughters, he did these three things well.

Thinking of his two daughters in the palace, Zhou Rui couldn't help but sigh at the correctness of letting their sisters enter the palace draft that day.

Your Majesty is now less than a year old, but he is not leaking in dealing with the government, and he is also heroic and decisive, and he will definitely be able to be a generation of Ming monarchs in the future.

As long as the two daughters keep to themselves and assist His Majesty well, they can also get the name of a virtuous concubine in the future and leave a name in history.

(End of chapter)