Chapter 15 How are you going to repay me?

15

Fu Jiangyu propped up his chin while leaning on the dragon throne. He saw Lin Baige. Only when Lin Baige looked at him pitifully and nodded did he speak to Master Zhang, "Let him take the exam with your students. Not only him, but all of you can recommend a list of names to take the exam together to select officials and fill the vacancies."

The officials had heard before that His Majesty wanted to select officials from among Mr. Zhang's disciples. Originally, they thought that after the matter of Lin Xing was settled, they would suggest to His Majesty that some young people of marriageable age be selected from aristocratic families to fill the positions.

I didn't expect His Majesty to bring up this matter today: "Your Majesty, this absolutely cannot be allowed. Official selection has always been based on inheritance, earned through the merits of generations of ancestors. How can we allow those whose ancestors have accomplished nothing to serve in the court alongside us through examinations? This is unfair to us."

Lin Baige: "It's true that your ancestors made great contributions, so it's right to treat their descendants better. However, letting some good-for-nothings become high-ranking officials harms the people and the country. And it doesn't mean that just because your ancestors made great contributions, your descendants are superior and can commit crimes and oppress the people. Among Lin Xing's followers this time, how many of their ancestors made great contributions? Don't you know?"

"Moreover, official positions are monopolized, and it is difficult for people at the bottom to move up. They have no chance to make meritorious deeds, and can only be civilians forever. Those who are truly talented are buried." When Lin Baige said this, he found that many people were staring at him, as if they wanted to eat him alive. He was so scared that he stepped back again, looking around, thinking that someone would come up and beat him, and he had to find the fastest route to escape.

What surprised him was that he thought the old-fashioned Mr. Zhang actually sided with him: "Although you are not a good person, what you said makes sense."

Lin Baige twitched his lips: "Thank you."

The officials looked at Master Zhang in disbelief, all of them accusing him of siding with the Concubine. How could he say such a thing? Was he being worthy of his ancestors?

Fu Jiangyu tapped the table a few times with his fingertips. Everyone looked up and saw the look in Fu Jiangyu's eyes as if he was looking at an ant, and quickly shut their mouths again.

As soon as Fu Jiangyu opened his mouth, the atmosphere in the court dropped several degrees. "Lin Baige's parents have also made contributions. Logically, he doesn't need to pass the exam and can directly enter the court as an official. Do you want him to enter the court as an official directly, or do you want him to pass the exam first?"

When everyone heard this, they thought that His Majesty was determined to act on his own. Once His Majesty made a decision, no one could change it even with ten oxen. However, letting Lin Baige be the only one to become an official was better than having to take exams to let those children from poor families become officials.

After hearing their words of compromise, Fu Jiangyu spoke again: "I will give you two more choices. Do you want only Zhang Enxiao's disciples to take the exam, or do you want the people you recommend to take the exam together?"

Everyone looked at each other in bewilderment. They knew that with this opening, officials would no longer be chosen solely from those they recommended. It was possible that anyone could apply, and official positions would be pegged to specific positions. If someone else took a position, how would their children ever become officials? In the future, their children might even have to take exams to become officials.

But His Majesty has a tough attitude. If they don't agree, it is very likely that only Mr. Zhang's disciples will come to take the exam, and all the places will be occupied by Mr. Zhang's disciples.

No wonder Lord Zhang agreed immediately. It turned out that his disciples could become officials. If they did not agree, they could only watch Lord Zhang's people enter the officialdom.

While some people were hesitating, several officials had already knelt down and praised Your Majesty for being wise.

Fu Jiangyu then spoke again, "There are a total of fifty people recommended this time. I will personally set the questions and grade the papers. Twenty of Zhang Enxiao's students have already signed up, plus Lin Baige, for a total of twenty-one."

He looked at the officials who knelt down and praised the emperor's wisdom: "How many candidates do you have to recommend? You are not allowed to recommend your sons or relatives."

Time was urgent, so they hurriedly said the names of several of their students.

"Okay, there are thirty-five now. Is there anyone else who wants to sign up?" Fu Jiangyu's words were like a countdown, urging them on. Several more people hurriedly reported their names, filling up the positions.

Lin Baige watched from the side. A total of eight officials submitted their names. Although they were in the minority, they were all high-ranking officials with weight. The exam was almost certain to go through.

If we succeed this time, holding the imperial examination in a few years will not be a dream.

Fu Jiangyu: "I will select five from these fifty people and adjourn the court."

Back in the bedroom, Lin Baige was picked up by Fu Jiangyu, with his waist pressed by his big hands. He could clearly feel the other party pressing against him. He was indeed the True Dragon Emperor. Even that was a giant dragon...

Lin Baige was a little scared and wanted to hide. He was still an inexperienced virgin, and he was a little scared to take on such a difficult task right from the start.

"Why are you running? I just helped you a lot, how are you going to repay me?"