Hu Guang's proposal was also agreed upon by the people present.

Chen Fan also felt that the current court really needed to leave some positions for those from humble backgrounds, otherwise it would obviously not be a good thing for the Han Dynasty if the entire court was controlled by one class.

Dou Wu, on the other hand, felt that the scholars were gradually becoming distant from him, and with the constant targeting by the eunuch faction, he urgently needed to win over a group of people from lower social classes.

After discussion, it was decided to increase the number of places by another four thousand, bringing the total to five thousand.

As for how to allocate the power among the various parties, Liu Hong is still considering it and has not yet come up with a specific plan.

However, Liu Hong did not require the formation of the "Imperial Guard" to be kept secret, so the matter quickly spread and attracted the attention of those illegitimate sons from aristocratic families. Everyone understood that this was a rare opportunity to rise to prominence.

Although a small number of people worried that the emperor would be like Emperor Xiaowu, who was "military-minded and reckless," most people still expressed their support. If a family wanted to grow stronger, in addition to having a capable and competent eldest son to inherit the family business, it also needed the sons born out of wedlock to help them expand their family. The "Imperial Guard" undoubtedly added another path for them to grow stronger.

For these aristocratic families, the more paths to advancement they have, the more advantageous it is for them, since they control most of the resources.

This is the benefit of a monopoly.

Finally, amidst the anticipation of countless students, Liu Hong announced that those students who had traveled to Luoyang on their own would be assessed.

The location was set in the square outside the South Palace.

Nearly two thousand students from impoverished families sat solemnly at their respective desks.

When Hu Guang, who was in charge of the assessment, announced that only 300 people would be selected, everyone felt an invisible pressure.

This was also the best outcome that Liu Hong, Chen Fan, Hu Guang, and others had discussed.

Because the Han Dynasty had always used the recommendation system for officials, it could be said that the path to promotion was almost entirely controlled by powerful families and clans. Trying to change the status quo would likely be met with opposition from the entire social class.

Since Liu Hong issued an edict to select some students to serve as officials through examinations, it has stirred up the nerves of the aristocratic class.

However, it was only due to a combination of factors that the aristocratic class did not react negatively.

Liu Hong understood this, so he could only make changes gradually.

Once everyone had arrived, Hu Guang gave the order, and the Imperial Guards in charge of security began to clear the area. A group of eunuchs poured out of the palace and began distributing the exam questions.

Cheng Yu sat upright at the desk, looking at the exam questions and falling into deep thought.

What is the way of the king?

"Ignoring politics and the people's livelihood, what is the Emperor's intention in personally setting this question?" Cheng Yu pondered the Emperor's intentions.

After a moment, Cheng Yu finally began to write:

"The ruler has power. The capable are kept, the mediocre are dismissed, the loyal are observed, and the treacherous are identified. The capable and loyal are given important positions, while the mediocre and treacherous are executed."

In Jia Xu's view, the emperor's purpose in setting this question was not so much to test their knowledge, but rather to see if these scholars from humble backgrounds were truly loyal to the emperor.

So Jia Xu wrote only one sentence: "The king is ordained by Heaven, and all people should follow him."

Students such as Xi Zhicai, Tian Feng, and Ju Shou also wrote down their understandings and opinions, all of which focused on the word "loyalty".

The assessment was quickly completed. After the eunuch collected the last exam paper, everyone began to disperse, eagerly awaiting the announcement of the results the next day, hoping their names would appear on the list.

In the Xuanming Hall, Hu Guang and Chen Fan, along with their students and officials, began reviewing the students' exam papers.

Hu Guang was particularly satisfied with Tian Feng's answer sheet, and nodded in praise repeatedly.

Whether by fate or coincidence, Cheng Yu and Jia Xu's exam papers appeared on Hu Guang's desk.

"This is outrageous! What a great favor the Emperor has bestowed upon us! We do not appreciate it and treat it with such indifference."

Hu Guang had initially managed to hold back his outburst after seeing Cheng Yu's answer, but upon seeing Jia Xu's name, he could no longer contain himself and erupted.

Hu Guang's commotion naturally attracted the attention of others, and Chen Fan also leaned over to watch.

"Haha~ I think these two are quite interesting."

Unlike Hu Guang, Chen Fan actually laughed happily after seeing it.

"Grand Tutor, what do you mean by this? I will not only not select such careless people, but I will also personally reprimand them."

"Fine, fine... Situ has the final say, I won't argue with you."

Seeing Hu Guang's angry and glaring appearance, Chen Fan decided not to provoke him any further.

"What are you two arguing about?" Liu Hong's figure entered the Xuanming Hall.

"Greetings, Your Majesty."

Everyone quickly stood up and bowed.

"Please excuse the formalities, everyone. I can see that you have been working hard all day and must be hungry, so I have prepared some food for you."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

After taking their seats, Hu Guang picked up the examination papers of Cheng Yu and Jia Xu.

"Your Majesty, look at these two boys. They are so frivolous and careless. They do not know how to cherish Your Majesty's great favor. They are truly hopeless."

"Mind your anger, Minister Situ, let me take a look."

Seeing Hu Guang's expression, Liu Hong smiled and comforted him before taking the two of them's answer sheets.

It is indeed concise and clear.

Then Liu Hong looked at the two names and couldn't help but smile. "I wonder what it would be like if these two got together?" Liu Hong thought to himself.

"Your Majesty, what are you laughing at?"

"Cough cough~ It's nothing,"

Seeing Hu Guang's somewhat unhappy expression, Liu Hong coughed twice to cover up his embarrassment.

After lingering for a short while, Liu Hong left Xuanming Hall.

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