Upon seeing that the prime minister had spoken, the civil officials, including Du Yuheng's disciples and subordinates, all stepped forward and clasped their hands in greeting.
"We also believe that what the Duke of Zhenguo said is correct!"
"The imperial examination is meant to cultivate talent for the country; how can it be reduced to a money-making arena for aristocratic families to gain fame?"
"The imperial examination system is now riddled with problems! It must be reformed! It absolutely must be reformed!"
"We second that proposal!"
......
In a short time, dozens of high-ranking officials stepped forward to agree.
Minister of Revenue Gong Zhengming felt his head spinning as he looked at the scene before him.
Wait a minute! We were clearly on the same side just now!?
Why are people jumping to the opposite extremes now?
Gong Zhengming was about to step forward to refute, but Du Yuheng's gaze, filled with a cold glint, had already shot towards him.
Both were cunning old foxes in the imperial court; they could tell what the other was thinking with just a glance.
It's clear that Du Yuheng wanted to sacrifice the reform of the imperial examination system to solidify his own position.
Compared to the loss of the prime minister's power, the mere reform of the imperial examination system is nothing!
The reform of the imperial examination system would only affect the ignorant and incompetent members of aristocratic families the most.
For truly capable people, whether or not they change it doesn't really have much impact.
At worst, we can just rely on our own abilities to pass the imperial examinations in the future.
The capable rise to the top, and the weak fall to the bottom.
This also saves the court from being filled with mediocre people.
However! If Xiao Yu were to decide that abolishing the prime ministership and replacing it with a cabinet was feasible, that would be a huge disaster!
Once the position of prime minister is abolished, civil officials will no longer be able to restrain the emperor.
The current balance will be broken in an instant.
This is a consequence that no one can afford.
After being scanned by Du Yuheng's gaze, Gong Zhengming silently swallowed back the words he wanted to say in rebuttal.
"I believe that what the Duke of Zhenguo said does make some sense."
"However, the imperial examination is just around the corner this year, and if we make sweeping reforms, it may cause controversy among the students."
"It would be better to proceed gradually. The details of the reform still require Your Majesty to discuss them further with the Prime Minister and the Six Ministries."
Gong Zhengming's tone softened instantly.
Mu Zian had a faint smile on his lips.
To be honest, I still prefer the way you were stubborn just now.
Now that the future of the prime minister's power is at stake, these civil officials no longer say that the ancestral laws cannot be changed.
As it turns out, when faced with a greater enemy, the interests of a small group are simply abandoned.
Looking at Mu Zian's calm and composed demeanor, Xiao Yu felt a sense of admiration.
What should have been a situation where they were attacked from all sides was perfectly resolved by his strategy of setting up a cabinet!
Even the current prime minister had to come out and support Mu Zi'an.
After all, everyone understands that if Mu Zian's goal of reforming the imperial examination system is not satisfied, who knows what other tricks he might have up his sleeve?
The removal of the prime minister and the establishment of a cabinet are enough to give them a hard time.
This is practically digging up the very foundation of civil officials!
Although Xiao Yu was very excited inside, he had to put on a helpless expression, though he couldn't suppress the smile on his lips.
"Since all of you ministers have said so, I will readily accept your advice."
"The drawbacks of the imperial examination system have indeed reached a point where they must be reformed!"
"Issue the imperial decree: the system of public recommendation for the imperial examinations shall be abolished from today! As for the policy proposed by the Duke of Zhenguo, it shall be discussed by the Six Ministries."
No sooner had Xiao Yu finished speaking than Mu Zian spoke again.
"I have another suggestion."
Upon hearing this, the civil official, who had initially felt relieved, suddenly became fearful again.
My ancestors! Don't even offer suggestions!
Those old fogies in the imperial court have heart conditions; you're going to scare them to death.
Mu Zian bowed and said.
"Now, among those who pass the imperial examinations, scholars from the south make up 80%! Does this mean that my glorious Great Li only has half of the country?"
These words were a wake-up call, and the officials present looked around and found that it was indeed true.
Most of the officials in the imperial court were scholars from the south.
The reason for this is actually quite simple: war.
Many prominent families from the Central Plains migrated south, resulting in a flourishing of literary culture and the dominance of these powerful families in the south.
In this era, aristocratic families held the vast majority of the right to education.
That's why it was common for 80% of the candidates in an imperial examination to be from the south.
Xiao Yu was also very troubled, after all, there were quite a few fellow townsmen and cronies in the imperial court.
These officials essentially became spokespeople for the powerful families of the south.
Therefore, the conflict between the North and the South was common in the imperial court, but the North officials were often suppressed by the South officials due to their weak power.
"Does the Duke of Zhenguo have any objections?"
"Your Majesty, I believe that the imperial examinations can be divided into two sections, North and South, based on the students' household registration!"
"Then we will set up the North and South lists to ensure that all students from the thirteen states of Dali have the opportunity to enter the court as officials."
As the prime minister, Du Yuheng looked at Mu Zian with a hint of struggle and shock in his eyes.
Who would have thought that this man, known in the capital as a playboy, would actually possess such talent for governing the country?
Whether it's the reform of the imperial examination system, the establishment of the cabinet, or the current system of the North and South examination lists!
Every suggestion was like a bolt from the blue!
The foresight of its policies is simply incredible.
"Yuheng, do you have any objections?"
Xiao Yu's voice pulled Du Yuheng, who was somewhat lost in thought, back to reality.
"Your Majesty, the Duke of Zhenguo's words are insightful! They are a move that will benefit all students in the world."
"Although it is unfair to students from the south, how can any reform not encounter growing pains?"
"Just as the Duke of Zhenguo said, how can our Great Li only have half of its territory!"
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