As soon as these words were spoken, Kong Yingda and Li Chengqian's faces suddenly darkened.

The meaning of this statement is too obvious.

He was just short of directly talking about breaking the monopoly of aristocratic families on employing people in officialdom.

In any case, Zhuang Zhou was not a person of this era, nor was he a vested interest holder in the imperial examination system.

So I just said out loud what was on my mind:

“The current imperial examination is divided into six subjects, both civil and literary, which I personally find too complicated.

The imperial court should standardize the imperial examinations so that all students can take the exams according to the same standards.

In this way, children from poor families also have a channel to enter the officialdom and get promoted.

Let scholars and students all over the world strive to realize the ideal of "cultivating oneself, regulating the family, governing the country and pacifying the world."

There were imperial examinations in previous dynasties, but not until now.

The court still had a variety of ways of selecting officials.

The most important one is the system of recommendation.

To put it bluntly, it depends on the recommendation of the big guys.

This kind of operating space is huge.

Although the recommendation system is no longer as prosperous as it was during the Han Dynasty.

However, the aristocratic families still control the channels for officials to be promoted.

Only the imperial examination was established as the only way for the court to select talents.

Only then can the selection of talents be truly unified in the imperial court.

Firmly in the emperor's hands.

This is definitely the result that Li Er wants to see.

It is also a very good thing for the Tang Dynasty.

So when Zhuang Zhou finished speaking, Li Chengqian was the first to react:

"Very good!

I deeply agree with the advice Mr. Zhuang just gave.

If the imperial examination system could be used as the only way for the court to select talents, it would surely be possible to select people with real talent and knowledge."

Zhuang Zhou nodded and said:

“Your Highness the Crown Prince is too kind.

I am simply doing my best to offer my humble opinion on selecting talented individuals for the imperial court."

Next.

Zhuang Zhou then shared his knowledge of the detailed contents of the imperial examination system in later generations.

For example, the imperial examination system originated in the Sui Dynasty, but it was not perfected until the Tang Dynasty.

Especially the Jinshi examination, which was first established in the Tang Dynasty.

But!

In the Tang Dynasty imperial examinations, there was no such thing as the top three scholars.

These names appeared in three periods of history.

For example, the title of top scholar first began in the Tang Dynasty.

The second place in the imperial examination happened in the Northern Song Dynasty.

As for Tanhua, it appeared in the Southern Song Dynasty.

It was not until the Ming and Qing dynasties that it became a custom.

There are only three people in the first class: the top scorer, the second scorer, and the third scorer.

The so-called top three.

Furthermore, the imperial examination system in the early Tang Dynasty was held once a year.

There is no process of screening at various levels first.

Instead, before the exam, candidates from all over the country would register with the Ministry of Rites.

Submitting a resume is also a form of submission.

So when Zhuang Zhou suggested, the imperial examination would be held every three years.

The imperial examination process was divided into five stages: Tongshi, Yuanshi, Xiangshi, Huishi, and Palaceshi.

As a scholar, if you want to obtain the title of Jinshi.

First, you have to take part in the children's examination organized at the county level.

Candidates who passed the examination, regardless of age, were called Tongsheng.

Having the identity of a tongsheng means having the identity of a real scholar.

The students will then take the academy examination, and those who pass will be called students.

Commonly known as scholar.

After that, scholars can enter the state and prefecture level examinations, which are called provincial examinations.

It is usually held in August, also known as the Autumn Examination!

Those who passed were called Juren.

The first place in the provincial examination is also called Jieyuan.

With the status of a juren, one can serve as an official in the court.

However, it does not mean that you can become an official after passing the imperial examination. You have to wait until there is an official vacancy.

Juren can then take part in the imperial examination.

This was an examination presided over by the Ministry of Rites and held in Kyoto the year after the provincial examination.

Because it was presided over by the Ministry of Rites in spring, it was also called the Spring Examination.

Those who passed were called "Gongshi".

The first place in the imperial examination is also called Huiyuan.

Finally, there is the palace examination presided over by the emperor, and those who pass the joint examination can take part in the palace examination.

The palace examination generally does not result in elimination.

But according to its performance it is ranked in the top three.

There were only three people who were awarded the first place in the imperial examination.

That is, "the top scholar", "the second best scholar" and "the third best scholar".

The second class was awarded the title of Jinshi.

The third class was awarded the same Jinshi status.

As for the number of candidates for Jinshi, there is no fixed number.

Those who ranked first in the provincial examination, metropolitan examination and palace examination were called "Sanyuan Jidi".

You can imagine.

How difficult is this thing!

After listening to Zhuang Zhou's story, Kong Yingda was already amazed.

It made Kong Yingda's heart surge with emotion.

As a scholar, he certainly knew what the imperial examination system that Zhuang Zhou was talking about meant.

This completely provides a way out for students all over the world!

I am afraid that from now on, scholars will form a powerful force.

If he was not a fairy boy who came to the world, how could he say these things?

Therefore, Kong Yingda and Li Chengqian discussed it and finally reached a consensus.

I am determined to report Zhuang Zhou's advice and the new test questions to Your Majesty.

The two men knew very well that this matter was of great importance. If they could get the support of His Majesty, it would have a profound impact on the future development of the Tang Dynasty.

In order to truly accomplish this, we must have the support of the emperor.

So!

Kong Yingda personally wrote a memorial, elaborating in detail on Zhuang Zhou's advice and the advantages of the new test questions.

In his memorials, he repeatedly stressed that the imperial examination system was the key to selecting people with real talent and knowledge.

At the same time, the innovations of the new test questions were also mentioned.

My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!