Chapter 19019 I'm out.

“The ancestral system cannot be changed. In ancient times, Mao Sui recommended himself, and today, gentlemen carry their scrolls and visit the doors of high officials, just like this. And the recommendation of people by high officials is also to prevent talented people from being overlooked.”

"The nation selects its officials based on their virtue and talent. Some candidates are superficial and frivolous, lacking practical experience and only pursuing empty fame. As for the so-called ministers and prime ministers, they are promoted or demoted based on their own likes and dislikes. Submitting one's own examination paper is not the way to govern the country!"

"The practice of collecting and submitting essays is similar to the ancient system of recommendation and selection. One observes the person, knows their conduct, and those who are renowned throughout the land are chosen by the people of the land based on their writings! If not such people, then who should be selected?"

...

Zhao Jialing ordered a discussion on the matter, and the civil officials engaged in heated debates, citing classical texts to defend their own positions.

However, amidst the commotion, a few discordant voices emerged, clearly belonging to the military officials in the court.

No matter what the civil official said, the military official would just say "Oh" and say with a smile, "Are you referring to Yu Shen recommending Ma Yuanliang?"

Upon hearing this, the die-hards who were unwilling to change the imperial examination system felt as if they had been doused with cold water, their hearts sinking. After a few moments of silence, they said, "That's because Yu Shen and Ma Yuanliang acted like villains."

"If those recommended are all scoundrels, then whose fault is it?" the military officer said coolly.

The stubborn civil officials started repeating themselves, but the military officials who were determined to join in the fun had a way of doing things. No matter what those people were saying, they would deliberately draw out an "oh" and then quietly mention the two words "Yu Shen," which made the stubborn ones blush with anger.

Civil officials have always looked down on military officials, believing that offering advice is not the duty of military officials, but rather the honor of civil officials. The two sides argued fiercely, and their tempers flared quickly. Duke Li Qia of Qin, not content with the heat, retorted, "To share a calculator with these people, who are likely to turn things upside down, what benefit is there to the country?"① This was something he had heard from an old official; although he wasn't particularly skilled in it, it didn't stop him from using it to criticize the scholars.

These words infuriated the civil official who had been arguing with him. The over-sixty-year-old censor, Liu Pinghu, cried out in grievance, "Your Majesty!!!"

Whenever court officials quarreled, Zhao Jialing didn't want to take sides; he just watched the spectacle with great interest.

But right now, she still has to complete her own reform tasks.

But they couldn't disrespect Liu Pinghu, as he was a veteran official of the late emperor's reign.

She coughed lightly and said to Li Qia, "There's no need to say this. Why should the Duke of Qin expose someone's shortcomings?"

Liu Pinghu: "???"

Isn't Your Majesty showing favoritism?

He gritted his teeth: "I know how to calculate!"

Zhao Jialing: "I know the virtuousness of the Imperial Censor..." She couldn't continue praising him, and her gaze fell on Xie Lanzhao, who remained calm and composed.

Why isn't her prime minister saying anything?

[Host, reform the corrupt system of the imperial examination system.] The wise ruler system, which originally did not want to speak, still spoke up, pulling Zhao Jialing back from his wandering thoughts.

Zhao Jialing: [I know. What's wrong with Liu Pinghu? San San, quickly go and retrieve the data from the database.]

The renewed voices of their hearts silenced the arguments in the court, and the ministers who could hear them all wore expressions of relief.

I was used to hearing it, so the silence during today's court assembly was quite unsettling, especially after His Majesty mentioned Yu Shen.

Your Majesty requires your court officials to reflect on their actions, but what should they reflect on?

Reforming the Imperial Examination System

Um?

Meng Xuanhe received instructions from Prime Minister Xie, who naturally obtained the information from His Majesty.

No wonder he's the hottest number one.

This can't be stopped. No, we need to see what's really going on.

The courtiers were lost in thought, but Liu Pinghu's face turned green with fear. His stomach began to churn, and he felt a burning pain.

He could hear His Majesty's innermost thoughts.

How can His Majesty have two faces? He praises him as a wise and capable man, but then turns around and asks the omnipotent gods to expose his faults.

Liu Pinghu believed that he had acted with a clear conscience before Heaven and man for decades, but what if he had unintentionally made a big mistake?

Cold sweat appeared on his forehead, and his old face was wrinkled, like tree bark.

The Wise Ruler System says: [No major faults, just a penchant for slacking off.]

Zhao Jialing: [Slacking off?]

Wise Ruler System: [Just like the host, it dislikes doing anything, pushing documents aside and having someone else sign and seal them.]

The position of Censor-in-Chief was a fifth-rank official under the Chancellery. It carried considerable power and was a path leading to high-ranking positions, often associated with generals and ministers. The position was limited to four members, and rarely filled to capacity. However, this rare occurrence happened during the Tianfu era. Liu Pinghu, lacking ambition and content with a peaceful retirement, decided to give the opportunity to a younger man.

Zhao Jialing: "..." She stared at Liu Pinghu's old face. She could be lazy, but if the court officials also slacked off, who would do the work?

The Wise Ruler System, sensing Zhao Jialing's displeasure, added: "However, he hasn't had time to slack off lately. Xie Lanzhao has thoroughly mastered that book and implemented it across the Three Provinces, Six Ministries, and Nine Courts. Everyone has a corresponding task, with a specified deadline for completion. If he's slacking off during the day while drinking tea, then he'll have to work overtime when others are off duty."

Zhao Jialing was delighted: "As expected of my Minister Xie. Is anyone dissatisfied? State your names, I will remember them. How could they possibly hate Minister Xie?!"

As soon as these words were uttered, the court officials who could hear them immediately held their breath.

Who hasn't grumbled to themselves? Won't they be singled out and incur His Majesty's wrath?!

Prime Minister Xie is so generous and magnanimous, how can Your Majesty be so petty?

Even the Wise Ruler System was speechless.

Rather than having all the court officials hold a grudge, it's better for Liu Pinghu to suffer alone.

It says: [Liu Pinghu has another reason for opposing the reform of the imperial examination system: his granddaughter is going to take the provincial examination, but she is severely unbalanced in her studies. Her poetry and prose are utterly nonsensical. She might barely pass the preliminary examination, but her chances of passing the imperial examination are almost nil. He is already preparing to solicit favors everywhere.]

Upon hearing this, Liu Pinghu broke out in a cold sweat.

Having heard the inner voice before, I felt that I no longer needed to painstakingly decipher the Emperor's will, and that I could finally scratch my itch and live a peaceful retirement. But if I asked myself honestly, in the face of that mysterious and unpredictable divine power, did a subject have any choice? Could His Majesty know the secrets of all his courtiers through that deity? Thinking this, the Emperor sitting on the dragon throne suddenly seemed almost divine, his divine might unfathomable, and he became unpredictable.

His face was deathly pale, and his cloudy eyes were darting around, but he still couldn't faint.

Zhao Jialing then asked, "Why haven't any missions been assigned to eliminate treacherous officials?"

Wise Ruler System: [Host, water that is too clear has no fish. This is not a matter of a disgraced official, nor is it related to the main plot; therefore, it cannot be investigated.]

These words were meant for Zhao Jialing rather than for his trusted advisors.

Not only Liu Pinghu, but also those ministers with keen minds, their faces turned pale and then gradually returned to calm.

Everything is ultimately limited.

Liu Pinghu kept his mouth tightly shut, not daring to speak.

Zhao Jialing showed little interest in him, shifting her gaze to Xie Lanzhao. Mimicking the calm demeanor she had seen in the film, she said indifferently, "What insightful opinion does Minister Xie have?"

Xie Lanzao declared, "Abolish the public recommendation system, prohibit the practice of using books to continue writing by candlelight, and prevent shoddy copying." She paused for a moment, then suddenly looked up at Zhao Jialing, her eyes burning with intensity, "Match the two lists of candidates!"

Zhao Jialing remained noncommittal, saying, "If the reform of the imperial examination system is to address its abuses, why not mention the military examination? What did the Minister of War say?"

After he finished speaking, the hall fell silent.

Finally, the system's voice broke the silence.

[Congratulations, host, on achieving the achievement "No Words That Don't Startle the World!" The achievement reward, "Public Notice Board," is being distributed.]

Zhao Jialing was bewildered: [Didn't I fail to complete the task? How come I'm getting a reward?]

Wise Ruler System: [Achievements are triggered during the mission; as for the preceding ones—those are just unimportant preludes. Doesn't the host want to know what the bulletin board is? This bulletin board allows you to view the progress of the missions you've posted, who isn't accepting missions, who has accepted but isn't working, and who is the most diligent workhorse—it's all very clear!]

The courtiers listening to Zhao Jialing's heartfelt words below forced themselves to remain expressionless.

This thing is even more terrifying than that efficiency booklet! Is it trying to kill us?!

But Zhao Jialing didn't bother to hide her thoughts. She said, "[What a wonderful thing! How about bestowing it upon Xie Qing? No, no, I can't explain it to her. It can only remain in the palace.]"

Xie Lanzhao frowned, even more moved than when she heard Zhao Jialing's rambling words.

She wanted to answer Zhao Jialing more than ever.

There's really no need to explain.

"The matter of the imperial examinations should be discussed further by the prime ministers," Zhao Jialing said solemnly.

Court adjourned. Court adjourned.

I'm going to make a run for it!