Chapter 18018 I am diligent in governing.

Xie Lanzhao's denial was incomplete, but Zhao Jialing was still greatly affected.

Knowing something is one thing, but being exposed without any mercy is quite another.

[Host, although you're not very talented, I'm here for you. I'll help you reach the pinnacle of life. Then, Xie Lanzao and Wang Lanzao will be a piece of cake, right?] The Wise Ruler System gave Zhao Jialing a pep talk, hoping to ignite her fighting spirit.

Zhao Jialing gave a soft chuckle.

There's a saying: "It's easier to change mountains and rivers than to change one's nature."

Zhao Jialing hesitated for a moment, then asked, "How do I complete the self-cultivation task? Or is it a lecture?"

Wise Ruler System: [No.]

After the previous lecture on classical studies, it knew that such knowledge indoctrination was useless; it would simply slip smoothly through the host's cerebral cortex. But to say the host was "illiterate" wouldn't be accurate; at least composing poems and essays was no problem.

The Wise Ruler System says: [Let's watch a video! A grand spectacle of emperors throughout history! Every evening for half an hour.]

Zhao Jialing frowned: [What is a film?]

The Wise Ruler System knew that explanations were less effective than allowing Zhao Jialing to immerse himself in the experience. After offering a reminder, it directly exported a personal documentary about Emperor Taizu of the Great Yong Dynasty from the system's database and began playing it.

The host has never studied how to be an emperor, and without real power, he's always been like a mascot, making it difficult for him to possess the imposing presence of a monarch. No problem, he'll learn through exposure. If one film isn't enough, watch ten, a hundred! How can he not project the majesty of a ruler?

After the system imported the video, a strange screen suddenly appeared before Zhao Jialing's eyes. Accompanied by grand music, tiny figures moved about, as if in another world. If the system hadn't reminded her, she almost couldn't help but exclaim in surprise. The palace maids were walking around in the hall; Zhao Jialing was certain that the maids couldn't see this scene.

[Host, the ruler is of supreme status, one with heaven and earth, virtuous in strength and robust in authority, and majestic in profoundness. His influence should be as bright as the sun and moon, and his words as powerful as thunder. ① Therefore, you must observe carefully!]

Zhao Jialing: "Mhm."

This is much more fun than reading.

After leaving the palace.

Xie Lanzhao pondered the system's tasks repeatedly. The mysterious entity didn't force people to complete tasks, but only motivated them with words. If Her Majesty slacked off, that entity seemed helpless. Judging from Her Majesty's reaction, her enthusiasm wasn't high; she preferred to abandon any trouble she encountered. If the court officials didn't bring it up, Her Majesty might drag it out indefinitely.

The Ma Yuanliang case presents an opportunity to open a breach in the system. If a memorial is submitted at this moment suggesting reform of the imperial examination system, the system will surely cooperate, and the reform can be smoothly implemented by leveraging the "power of the emperor."

The majesty of a ruler —

Upon thinking of these four words, Xie Lanzhao's expression involuntarily became subtle.

Zhao Jialing's outrageous words were just what he was thinking, and she had no choice but to ignore them.

Having made up his mind, Xie Lanzhao immediately set about promoting the "reform of the imperial examination system".

Actually, the imperial examination system had already been reformed once during the reign of the previous emperor, but the changes were minor; it was simply transferred from the Ministry of Personnel to the Ministry of Rites. Originally, the person in charge of the imperial examination was the Assistant Minister of Personnel Examination, but after a scholar denounced the examiners for their low rank, the position was transferred to the Imperial Examination Hall of the Ministry of Rites. After that, the Vice Minister of Rites was in charge of the imperial examination, and occasionally other officials were also appointed to manage it.

Although the examination system was transferred from the Ministry of Personnel to the Ministry of Rites, its essence remained unchanged. After arriving in the capital, scholars would visit high-ranking officials and gain prestige in Chang'an. As long as they became eloquent and talented individuals and were valued by prominent officials, they had a good chance of passing the examination. This deeply intertwined the interests of scholars and their patrons, making it easier to form factions.

According to the old system of this dynasty, the list of successful candidates in the imperial examinations had to be reviewed by the prime minister before being sent to the palace. Xie Lanzhao, holding this position, knew that the current system would not harm her, and she could use it to recruit scholars. However, those she gained might not be the people she wanted to use. Moreover, if she did not set an example and sacrifice her own interests, her most desired proposal, "combining the list of successful candidates," would face even greater resistance.

Since the late emperor initiated the women's examinations, with separate examination lists for men and women, this has become a reason for some stubborn people to attack the women who passed the examinations. Even if the "women's list" was more difficult than the "men's list," those scholars who looked down on the women's examinations would only distort the truth.

However, allowing men and women to take the same examinations would immediately bring new problems. The current dynasty did not conceal names; if the examiners in charge of the imperial examinations indiscriminately rejected women, it would further hinder the implementation of the policy. Xie Lanzhao could not guarantee that every person in charge of the imperial examinations was her trusted confidant. It was one thing for court officials to cooperate with her against the ministers left by the late emperor, but quite another to vigorously promote women's entry into the court.

Therefore, there are two things that must be accomplished in this reform of the imperial examination system: first, to compile the list of successful candidates, and second, to anonymize the names of those who passed the examination.

Simply covering the names isn't enough; it's not difficult to identify them by oneself, so it's necessary to hire someone specifically to copy them.

However, this would increase the manpower and material resources required for the imperial examinations.

Xie Lanzhao frowned, already anticipating the disputes that would arise in the court.

The next morning, Zhao Jialing was exhausted and so sleepy that he could barely keep his eyes open.

However, for the civil and military officials, this is the Emperor's normal state. If the Emperor were to suddenly become energetic and loud as thunder, that would be truly a miracle.

But this time, Zhao Jialing did not voluntarily neglect his duties.

The system's cultivation task for her required watching a film for half an hour, but this immersive experience was far more powerful than watching the official records of Emperor Taizu directly. The demeanor and spirit of the civil and military officials during Emperor Taizu's reign were unmatched by the courtiers of today. Moreover, according to the system's description, the images in the film were all real, not fabricated faces! In comparison, Zhao Jialing began to look down on the statue of Emperor Taizu in the Imperial Ancestral Temple.

After staying up all night, Zhao Jialing curiously asked the system about the documentary about the late emperor.

The system concluded that the late emperor did not align with the film's central theme.

Zhao Jialing: "..." The imperial majesty she first saw came from the late emperor, but the system meant that the late emperor had no majesty.

She realized that it was the late emperor who had caused it.

The Wise Ruler System is utterly speechless.

Why not say her genes are dirty?

Civil and military officials shouted "Long live the Emperor!"

The urging from the Wise Ruler System still echoed in my ears.

Zhao Jialing yawned slightly. She couldn't wait to end the court session, but Xie Lanzhao's blunt words still had some effect. Forcing her tired eyes open, she scanned the civil and military officials below and said, "Regarding Yu Shen's matter and Ma Yuanliang's case, do any of you have anything to say?"

The first sounds were sycophantic remarks: "Your Majesty is wise and capable, employing virtuous and talented people. That villain deserves to be dismissed."

Hearing the word "wise and sagacious," Zhao Jialing was pleased, but he still raised an eyebrow and continued to ask, "Besides that?"

The minister's voice abruptly stopped.

What does this mean? What is His Majesty implying?

Xie Lanzhao understood immediately. She looked up at Zhao Jialing, who was asking questions on the dragon throne, and a look of surprise appeared in her eyes.

Is Your Majesty no longer going to delay?

She held the tablet without making a sound.

After a few breaths, Meng Xuanhe reported: "I risk my life to speak this out. My deep concern for Ma Yuanliang is not his fault, but also a failure of the system! Every October, when candidates enter the capital, they do not study their books, but instead frequent the gates of government offices and visit the residences of princes and nobles, hoping for favors. As a result, people are restless and compete to boast, which may violate the court's selection process!"

As soon as Meng Xuanhe finished speaking, the civil officials' expressions changed.

The results of the preliminary examinations are being released one after another, and the successful candidates will soon arrive in the capital. If reforms are desired, this is indeed the best time to act.

Meng Xuanhe may seem to be aloof and independent, but anyone with eyes can see that she is close to Xie Lanzhao.

This couldn't possibly be Meng Xuanhe's idea; it was clearly Xie Lanzhao who wanted to push for reform of the imperial examination system.

Where are the gods who protect Your Majesty? Why don't they speak up? If they can't hear Your Majesty's thoughts, how can they know what Your Majesty is thinking?

“That makes sense.” The speaker was Li Qia, Duke of Qin and General of the Right Guard. He was a descendant of a founding father and a military official in the court, and was related to the Empress Dowager. He grinned, making no attempt to hide his desire to watch the spectacle.

The civil official, who didn't want to change anything, glared at Li Qia and thought to himself, "That old scoundrel, what's he doing making a fuss about? What does it have to do with them, the nobles and military officials!"