As the first rays of sunlight pierce the darkness of night.
Countless officials had already gathered in front of the palace in the capital.
In reality, the morning court sessions were not as depicted in later television dramas.
The emperor sat on the dragon throne, and a group of officials stood in two rows, then began to chatter and take turns presenting their reports.
The actual morning court session was actually equivalent to the morning meeting held by companies before work in later generations.
Unless there are some urgent matters, it usually won't take too long.
At this moment, in front of the palace gate, officials gathered in twos and threes to chat as usual.
Many officials have already begun discussing where to have breakfast after court.
Just as everyone was talking excitedly, the sound of a hurried carriage broke the peaceful atmosphere.
Civil officials dismounted from their sedan chairs and military officers dismounted from their horses before the palace gates.
There was only one person in the entire Dali who was allowed to drive into the palace.
The sound of wheels rolling over the bluestone surface grew louder as it approached.
The carriage of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion suddenly appeared in everyone's sight.
Since Mu Zhanying's death, it has been a long time since the Zhenguo Duke's carriage was seen at the morning court.
The carriage came to a steady stop in front of the palace gate.
Jia Xu stepped forward and lifted the curtain of the carriage.
Then, Mu Zian, dressed in a black and gold python robe, slowly stepped down from the carriage.
The moment Mu Zian appeared, all eyes in front of the palace gates focused on him.
A deep, muffled sound rang out.
The heavy gate of the palace was slowly pushed open.
The hundred-meter-long corridor leads directly to the main hall of the palace.
However, countless people have never been able to cross this mere hundred meters, even after a lifetime of hard work.
Under the sunlight, Mu Zian seemed to be gilded with a layer of gold.
Jia Xu bowed deeply to Mu Zi'an, and then spoke loudly.
"May your journey be filled with good fortune, young master!"
Mu Zian smiled and strode into the palace, facing the rising sun.
The main hall of the palace was resplendent with gold and jade.
Officials at all levels were arranged in descending order of rank.
Wearing a python robe, Mu Zi'an was placed at the head of the military officers.
"His Majesty has arrived!"
As the high-pitched voice of Eunuch Cao rang out, Xiao Yu, dressed in a five-clawed dragon robe, appeared before the civil and military officials.
"Your Majesty, we, your humble servants, pay our respects!"
"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"
All the civil and military officials knelt down and shouted loudly.
Only Mu Zi'an bowed respectfully; this was a privilege reserved for the Duke of Zhenguo.
He was allowed to enter the palace with a sword and shoes, and did not have to bow when entering the court; he was not allowed to be named when praising or paying homage!
Xiao Yu sat upright on the dragon throne, his gaze sweeping over the kneeling court officials before finally settling on Mu Zi'an.
Their gazes met simultaneously in mid-air.
Xiao Yu saw the word "confidence" in Mu Zi'an's eyes.
"My beloved subjects, please rise."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
"It's all thanks to Eunuch Cao, dressed in a red robe!" he shouted.
"If you have something to report, speak up! If not, court is adjourned!"
As soon as Eunuch Cao finished speaking, Mu Zian stepped out from the queue.
"Your subject, Mu Zi'an, has a matter to report!"
Everyone was speechless upon hearing this; they had never imagined that Mu Zian would step forward to present a memorial.
Before the ministers could react, Xiao Yu's authoritative voice rang out.
"Granted!"
Mu Zian bowed deeply, and then presented the prepared memorial according to procedure.
He then spoke.
"Your Majesty, the imperial examination is meant to select talented individuals for the court to assist the monarch's system."
"However, looking back at the imperial examinations over the years, the talents selected are mostly those whose literary skills are superficial, lacking any practical abilities. Eighty percent of the candidates cannot even distinguish the five grains. How can someone with such knowledge be expected to govern the country and educate the people?"
"The imperial examination system is now a mere formality! Those who pass are all from aristocratic families and gentry, while those from poor families are few and far between. Cheating is rampant in the examination system, and the so-called examination hall has now become a money-making arena."
"Even more scholars, in order to pass the imperial examinations, are willing to attach themselves to powerful families and become their lackeys! What is the point of maintaining such an imperial examination system?"
"Therefore, I dare to suggest that Your Majesty abolish the outdated system and draft a completely new imperial examination system."
The room fell silent upon hearing this.
The ministers, who had been drowsy, were now all staring intently at Mu Zi'an.
Xiao Yu handed the memorial to Eunuch Cao, and then said with lingering relish.
"Read the Duke of Zhenguo's memorial to all my beloved ministers."
Eunuch Cao took the memorial, cleared his throat, and then read it aloud.
"The imperial examination system is riddled with problems! The most serious problem is the public recommendation system, which allows powerful families and officials to monopolize the path for candidates. Countless candidates are not worthy of their positions! Cliques and factions are formed in the court, causing the atmosphere of the examination to deteriorate day by day!"
"Those in power control the imperial examinations, and unscrupulous people openly bribe officials to secure a recommendation for success. Talented and ambitious people throughout the land sigh in despair, but dare not speak out against it."
"As a result, there are now no poor scholars among the upper ranks and no nobles among the lower ranks in the imperial court! Fairness and justice have become a joke! Favoritism and corruption have become the norm!"
"In my opinion, the way to select officials should follow the teachings of Confucius: education should be provided to all without discrimination, and all should be treated equally!"
"Therefore, I suggest that we first abolish the system of public recommendation, and then, based on the Four Books and Five Classics, poetry, and prose, add engineering, mathematics, agriculture, medicine..."
Eunuch Cao spoke fluently for the duration of an incense stick burning.
The various reform measures in Mu Zi'an's memorial made all the officials present break out in a cold sweat.
At this moment, only one thought remained in their minds: Had Mu Zian gone mad?
As soon as Eunuch Cao finished speaking, the court fell silent.
Mu Zi'an's reform measures can no longer be described as simply bold!
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