Chapter 564 [Second Update] 564

Liu Tan had sorted out his thoughts on the way to Xuanshi. Even if he himself was not capable of it, the changes in the imperial examination system that China had experienced over the past five thousand years were enough for him to deal with any problem.

But before studying how to conduct the imperial examination, Liu Tan first expressed his views on the hereditary positions.

It must be said that Liu Tan's attitude made Sang Hongyang and Wang Qing feel relieved.

These ministers were all quite perceptive and understood better than most people what kind of impact the imperial examination would have on them.

Some people can rise to the top overnight and become the emperor's favorite. If they are lucky, they may even be able to create a big family. However, even those who cannot rise to the top overnight will squeeze out everyone's living space.

Simply put, it is no longer as easy for nobles to become officials as it was before. In the past, no matter how useless you were, as long as you had a good enough background, you could become an official - except for those who the emperor particularly disliked.

Therefore, the imperial examination system not only intensified the struggle in the court, but also intensified the struggle among the nobles.

Of course, standing in the position of the Prime Minister and the Chief Censor, they both felt that those idiots should not enter the court. What else can they do except drag their feet every day?

But as fathers and grandfathers, they couldn't help but worry about their own children and grandchildren - who doesn't have a few idiots in their family?

Therefore, they had thought before that they must first ensure the treatment of the nobles before talking about other things.

As a result, the King of the North brought it up himself, which made the two feel relieved. It must be said that they had been vaguely worried that the King of the North would stand on the side of the children from poor families.

Anyway, this person has done a lot of extraordinary things, so it doesn't matter if it happens once or twice.

Fortunately, these two still have some sense.

However, the system of imperial positions was too large, and both Sang Hongyang and Wang Qing felt that it would take some time even to sort out the system.

But the question is who is Liu Tan? He may not remember anything else, but he must remember these things to some extent - who can study history and skip over things like official system?

The official system is an entire system. It is impossible to study only the people at the top of the pyramid. Even if we only study those people, we can still learn something from their resumes.

Liu Tan said, "As for hidden positions, we can actually start with the individual's qualifications and have them serve as clerks under the Nine Ministers. If they like to lead troops, they can directly join the Yulin Guard or other guards. Anyway, how to proceed depends on the individual's choice."

There was basically no limit on the number of Yulin Guards or Shuli, or rather, no limit on the number of nobles. It was impossible for the entire Yulin Guard to be made up of nobles, right? There had to be some decent men from around Chang'an who were selected.

At most, when there are more nobles, there are fewer girls from good families, and when there are fewer nobles, there are more girls from good families.

The same applies to clerks.

These two positions may not sound high, but in fact not everyone can take them. Scribes are the people who are most exposed to national affairs - they are in charge of the books and other things of the Nine Ministers, and even many documents need to be reviewed by them. Through long-term exposure to the world, they can greatly improve their political literacy.

Moreover, Liu Tan also planned to let these people rotate in all the departments of the Nine Ministers, and record their performance in each department in the files. Then it would be clear what this person was most suitable for.

Of course, those incompetent people will definitely have no chance of promotion, and may only be able to work as clerks for the rest of their lives.

From this perspective, there doesn't seem to be much difference, and it even gives the nobles more opportunities.

However, in fact, it is an additional examination. In the past, a loser could get promoted by accumulating experience. Now, even if you have enough experience, if your qualifications are not enough, then sorry, it has nothing to do with you.

Liu Tan even came up with a more detailed plan, which had also been tested for thousands of years. Of course, he couldn't really come up with a plan like that from later generations, as it would be inappropriate.

But even if those things of the feudal dynasty that were destined to be overthrown were taken out, they would be enough for the Han Dynasty to use for a long time and to make a smooth transition.

Sang Hongyang and Wang Qing originally thought that no matter what the King of the North said, they must carefully point out his mistakes and ask His Majesty to pay attention to improvement. It was not that they were against the King of the North, but it was always better to be cautious.

However, the fact is that when they really wanted to find the problem, they found that they could not keep up with the Northern King's thinking at all.

I could only listen to Liu Tan in a daze. Before I could react, the other party had already started to move on to the next node.

In fact, Liu Tan did not do this on purpose, nor did he regard this occasion as his own personal show. He was just confident in the system he came up with, so he would politely stop and ask everyone present whether they understood it or whether they had any objections.

Liu Che would not participate. What he needed was for his subordinates to find problems and show them to him. Otherwise, if he had to find all the problems, wouldn’t he be exhausted to death?

Liu Ju was willing to listen carefully, but like Sang Hongyang and the others, he could not find any problems when listening. He wanted to think carefully but it was too late, so he could only continue to listen without thinking.

But Liu Tan really thought that they had no objections. He knew very well what kind of people these people were like in the big and small court meetings. Although they looked decent, it was not impossible for them to take action when things got really urgent. So Liu Tan himself didn't believe that they would listen quietly and not express any objections.

After he finished speaking, he let out a long sigh: "This is roughly what the Yinzhi system will look like. However, what I've just described is just a brief plan. If there are more in-depth plans, we can only discuss them bit by bit. Next up is the imperial examination. In fact, compared to Yinzhi, the imperial examination is much simpler."

When Liu Tan mentioned the imperial examinations, Sang Hongyang and Wang Qing were visibly flustered. "Is that all?" The system of imperial positions was so vast and complex, and it was just... over?

It’s just that these two people are so good at cultivating their qi. People like them are able to remain calm even when facing a crisis, so you can’t tell anything from their faces.

However, this time their habit really hurt them.

Liu Tan really thought that they had no objections, so he started to express his views on the imperial examination again.

But when he said that the imperial examination was simple, it really was simple. The Northern Border Kingdom had already made some achievements, so what could be complicated?

He thought for a moment and said, "The only problem with the imperial examination in Chang'an is whether we should hold the examinations in the counties first? Only those who pass the county examinations can take the examination in Chang'an?"

Liu Che said decisively: "The county examinations will take place first."

Liu Tanxin said that there was no place for teaching in the counties, and candidates must have been educated. These days, only those with some foundation at home could study.

However, he didn't mention that everything was a gradual process. When the people discovered that there was an additional way out, they would become extremely enthusiastic about studying. Reading could help people escape from ignorance, but the imperial court generally did not want the entire nation to escape depression, so it was necessary to restrict learning resources. How to restrict them? Of course, it would be through government-run schools, and then the admission qualifications would be restricted. Those who did not graduate from government schools would not be eligible to take the exam.

Isn’t that the end?

So he wasn't worried about these issues at all. His only question now was, "What arrangements should be made for the Jinshi scholars? I have arranged a school for the Northern Border Kingdom."

Liu Ju said without hesitation: "Then we can make arrangements for Chang'an as well."

Liu Tan said softly, "That... is a bit expensive."

Liu Ju: ...

In fact, at this time, except for Liu Che, everyone present had basically begun to follow his ideas, so when he said that the northern border countries were setting up schools for Jinshi to continue their studies, they subconsciously followed suit.

As a result, they forgot that the Northern Border Country is small in size, and Liu Tan is not short of money. Now the Northern Border Country is not short of money either, so it can set up this school, but Chang'an... as a country, there is never enough money!

Otherwise, Liu Che would not have asked Liu Tan to discuss the matter with Sang Hongyang as soon as he heard about opening a sea route, and would not have made this matter the first thing to do.

Therefore, it is impossible for Chang'an to directly build a school to cover the tuition fees, food, clothing, housing and transportation of all students.

Liu Che couldn't help but turn green when he thought about the situation at the Northern Border Academy. Liu Tan saw his father's expression, thought for a moment and said, "Actually, the Northern Border did this because the Jinshi were very poor. If they didn't reduce their fees, they might not be able to stay in Shuofang City at all. However, Huo Guang also said that this situation would not be a good thing in the long run, so I have been thinking of a different approach."

Liu Che immediately asked, "How do you change it?"

Liu Tan said: "We will collect part of the accommodation fee, and then let them choose their meals freely. The school will provide a canteen, and they can buy their own food."

Sang Hongyang finally found his idea, and he immediately asked, "What if the students can't afford it?"

Some people are poor temporarily, but there will always be poor people. Now Liu Tan is not charging money in order to take care of those poor people, but what will happen to the children from poor families in the future?

Liu Tan said, "Give them the opportunity to work and earn money for their studies. There are many things in the school that need people to do, such as cleaning public places and doing some menial work in the cafeteria. Give them the opportunity to support themselves."

Sang Hongyang thought about it and it seemed that there was no problem.

Wang Qing on the side silently gave Liu Tan another label: thoughtful and considerate.

Liu Che took a look at the sky and decisively decided to end the meeting - if it was any later he would have to keep Sang Hongyang and Wang Qing for dinner.

It’s not that there is a shortage of food, but generally speaking, people would not choose to eat like this unless it is a special occasion. It would make the ministers uncomfortable and the emperor would also feel uncomfortable.

Before leaving, Sang Hongyang asked, "Could you please give me a copy of your previous records?"

Wang Qing came to his senses and said, "I want it too."

The two of them don't know much about the secretarial positions yet.

Fortunately, Liu Che had thought of this long ago and directly arranged for clerks to record what Liu Tan said. To be on the safe side, he arranged two clerks, but the result... Fortunately, he arranged two, and both of them almost ruined their handwriting.

But this needs to be sorted out, otherwise... I won’t be able to watch it.

Liu Tan curiously leaned over to take a look. In those days there was no such thing as a daily record, and there was no rule prohibiting people from looking at it.

Then Liu Tan looked out and saw a piece of paper filled with words like a curse: The King of the North said...