Chapter 25 025 I am praised.
Zhao Jialing did not directly mention the arrival of the famous scholars from Bianzhou in Chang'an.
Mission accomplished, achievement obtained—as a casual player, one would probably stop here.
However, Zhao Jialing's situation was not that bad. Since the policy had been issued, it had to be implemented. Otherwise, changing the order frequently would really damage the emperor's reputation.
She tapped the imperial chair and said only, "There will naturally be objections to the reform of the imperial examination system. I have no intention of suppressing speech. Scholars are free to speak their minds. However, as the successful candidates are being sent to Chang'an one after another, the Prefect of the Capital and the Imperial Guard need to pay attention to the security of the capital. It would be best if something went wrong."
The Prefect of the Capital and the General of the Golden Guard, who were named, both replied in unison.
The courtiers would not bring up matters that the emperor had not made public, but would make their decisions in secret.
The cold sweat and tension gradually subsided, and the official who heard the inner voice couldn't help but be concerned about the "reward." He had previously overheard His Majesty's conversation with the system deity, mentioning that upon "completion of an achievement," he would be rewarded with some useful or useless trinkets.
The Huangyong Printing Workshop has been located and construction is underway at top speed. The selected craftsmen are also focusing their efforts on studying the "Essentials of Printing". According to information from the Ministry of Works and the Directorate of Works, the "Essentials of Printing" is highly feasible.
Furthermore, some have done the math: a large book of twenty volumes costs less than three strings of cash to produce. Even if it were sold on the market for eight strings, that would be considered cheap, leaving a profit of up to five strings. After all, handwritten copies are much more expensive. Let alone ordinary scholars, unless they were extremely wealthy, few people possessed even a few volumes. Copying was extremely difficult; only the imperial court could afford to copy entire large books regardless of cost. As for scholars, they would only select a few volumes from historical records to copy, considering them merely "essentials."
With such a valuable book as "The Essentials of Woodblock Printing," could there be other things involved? How could the court officials not be curious?
Unfortunately, the Wise Ruler System didn't bring it up, and Zhao Jialing didn't pursue the question in his mind.
After the morning court session, Zhao Jialing kept Xie Lanzhao behind to inquire about the progress of the printing technology. Although he already knew from the "public notice board," Zhao Jialing still wanted to make his stance clear.
She gazed at Xie Lanzhao and sighed, “Yesterday, while reading, I discovered that since the founding of the Great Yong Dynasty, the imperial examinations have only emphasized literature. Thus, scholars all recite contemporary poems, possessing broad knowledge, yet they have not delved into history. Since it is not tested, then ‘the Six Classics have never been opened, and the Three Histories are merely hanging on the wall.’”①
Xie Lanzhao's gaze narrowed slightly, and she said seriously, "Your Majesty wishes to continue the reform?" This involves the content of the imperial examinations, and it will probably be even more difficult to push forward. If we emphasize the classics and history, how can the scholars who have not studied these subjects in the past not have complaints? Even if we want to reform, there is no need to rush it.
"I have no such plans for the time being." Zhao Jialing shook his head and continued, "I just think that it would be difficult for ordinary scholars' families to have history books hanging on their walls. There is a history bureau in the palace. I heard that when Minister Wei of the Taizong era was in the history bureau, he copied classics in his spare time and kept them at home. It took him a year to copy one book. If he could do that, let alone others."
"If printing technology is promoted, this situation can be greatly improved. Therefore, we must thank you for your help."
Xie Lanzhao replied solemnly, "Your subject obeys the decree." She secretly breathed a sigh of relief, fearing that His Majesty might suddenly become "too capable." It was good that he hadn't intended to "rise to power overnight." Even if things were to change, a suitable opportunity would have to be waited for.
Zhao Jialing didn't speak again. She rested her chin on her hand and gazed at Xie Lanzhao with bright eyes.
Xie Lanzhao didn't hear Zhao Jialing's inner thoughts, but her recent experience was enough for her to guess what he was thinking. She said gently, "Your Majesty is endowed with divine virtue, issuing decrees to protect the people. All the people under heaven look to Your Majesty for guidance. Your Majesty governs with benevolence and morality, and now that you have obtained the opportunity of Heaven, how far away is peace and prosperity?"
Zhao Jialing's face was beaming with smiles. She tried to suppress the corners of her lips and snorted, "Should we still recite 'The imperial winds sweep across the four seas, the virtuous waters flow clear for a thousand years'?"② She stood up, walked towards Xie Lanzhao, and stared straight at her, "How come I didn't know that Minister Xie had started to flatter like those people outside?"
System: [Host, thank goodness you don't have a tail.]
Zhao Jialing: [Third Prince, I'm in a good mood and won't hold it against you.]
[Xie Lanzhao, hurry up and praise me! Why have you stopped praising me?]
Xie Lanzhao: "..."
·
Even when Xie Lanzhao made veiled insults, Zhao Jialing quickly recovered, let alone when he actually heard a kind word from her. Even after Xie Lanzhao took her leave, Zhao Jialing's lips remained curved in a smile, his mood quite pleasant.
[Third Brother, where is my achievement reward?] After chuckling for a while, Zhao Jialing finally remembered the important matter.
Wise Ruler System: [Achievement Reward: "My Path Is Not Alone"]
Zhao Jialing: [Speak plainly.]
She understands that "I am not alone" but what are the actual benefits? Is it really necessary to have such a huge "I am not alone" sign plastered on her forehead?
Wise Ruler System: [The host will understand once they see for themselves.]
Zhao Jialing, his face full of suspicion, picked up a "booklet" that had suddenly appeared on the table under the guidance of the Wise Ruler System. It wasn't quite a "booklet," as it couldn't be turned; it merely resembled a book. Zhao Jialing paused for a moment, then picked it up and shook it. Slowly, writing began to appear on the blank surface of the book. Zhao Jialing raised an eyebrow and muttered to himself, "A celestial book?"
Wise Ruler System: [A variety of topics will appear at the top, gathering various discussions. Common topics include the "Discourses on Salt and Iron," while less common ones might involve the fact that one of the biggest reasons a certain victorious general of a certain dynasty suffered a crushing defeat in the Northwest was altitude sickness.]
Zhao Jialing didn't quite understand: [What is altitude sickness?]
Wise Ruler System: [A kind of altitude sickness, suddenly marching from lowlands to highlands—isn't that just like grabbing a tribute from the King of Hell's table? In short, "My Way Is Not Lonely" is a heavenly book, randomly refreshing topics. Host, your good fortune has arrived.]
Zhao Jialing: "?"
Why can't we give her a sudden enlightenment?
Wise Ruler System: [This system is a proper learning system. If the host wants to become a wise ruler, they must improve their learning and cultivation.]
Zhao Jialing's aversion to studying reached its peak when she saw the words "On Private Minting of Coins." However, she had recently been praised for her "sacred virtue" by Xie Lanzhao, and she couldn't very well slap Xie Lanzhao in the face and turn her into a sycophantic minister. So, Zhao Jialing still held her nose and studied the incomprehensible book intently.
Meanwhile, the court officials went home and warned their unworthy descendants not to be easily swayed by a few words of incitement and then recklessly rush in, creating a cacophony of noise. If that initial outburst is satisfying, what follows won't be a feeling of soaring to heaven, but rather the collapse of the heavens and the sinking of the earth; their family's reputation cannot withstand such turmoil.
Despite their rambling, at least some of them listened. Thus, the group that had come to Chang'an together didn't experience the moment of overwhelming support they would receive. In teahouses and taverns, these people talked animatedly, their expressions excited, but the white-robed scholars watching them all looked at them with strange eyes. Passing the imperial examinations was a battlefield without gunpowder, a silent struggle everywhere. Many would fail, and some of them were quite arrogant.
Was it because I lacked talent? No, it was because the examiners were biased! A few years ago, a scholar who was arrogant about his reputation failed the imperial examination and wrote a sarcastic thank-you note to the examiners: "The fine steed is old, so I'll let a dwarf horse lead the way; the giant turtle is not clever, so I'll let a stubborn rock sit on top."③
No matter what mistakes were made, it was never my fault.
The sealed-off system at least gave them a fair chance to compete, and they no longer had to shamelessly submit their documents only to be ignored by the gatekeeper or driven away like stray dogs. These self-proclaimed "famous scholars" with extensive social connections, their proposal to adopt "current reputation" was simply an attempt to hinder their future.
This is intolerable!
At first, it was just a war of words, but it escalated into a physical fight, and even a dog passing by outside got hit with a boot.
All those refined and elegant scholars, and all those ambitious swans who abandoned petty ambitions to soar high, were all sent to the capital prefecture.
Those who caused the disturbance were all prominent scholars. The current dynasty treats scholars with great courtesy, and many of them have relatives or friends in the officialdom. The Prefect of the Capital could not do anything, so he directly submitted a memorial to the palace.
Zhao Jialing was quite surprised when he found out.
She remarked with emotion, "Before establishing their literary reputation, their martial virtues have already been cultivated. The task of repairing the Temple of Martial Arts should be undertaken by them."
The Prefect of the Capital lowered his head, ashamed and dared not speak.
If this matter were to be brought to the attention of the authorities, the entire scholarly community would be disgraced.
"Give them a lesson, have them make a public apology, and then release them," Zhao Jialing replied after a moment's thought.
They can't shut them down, and they can't beat them up.
However, Zhao Jialing had her own methods; she would remember the name of the "chief culprit" firmly. After the provincial examination, she would personally conduct the palace examination to ask questions, and if anyone was among them, they would be dismissed for "frivolousness and impetuosity."
The commotion was quite significant, and Xie Lanzhao, even during her rest period, couldn't possibly have been unaware of it.
But something else was also weighing heavily on her mind—her senior sister, Chen Xiyuan, had actually resigned from her post to submit a memorial to the emperor! It wasn't even the winter assembly for the Ministry of Personnel yet; she shouldn't have been in Chang'an at all! She shouldn't have been in her own residence!
"Your Majesty is being absurd! As the prime minister, don't you know how to advise us? Are all the civil and military officials following suit?!" Chen Xiyuan, nearly ten years older than Xie Lanzhao, was the one who most resembled Xie Lanzhao's mother in temperament. Her face was full of anger as she glared at Xie Lanzhao and said sharply, "Leaving aside the matter of anonymous grading for the imperial examinations, what about the Martial Temple and the Martial Supervisor? How ridiculous are these?"
"A sage should possess both literary and martial talents, so why distinguish between a literary sage and a martial sage? The ways of literature and martial arts are not separate but rather one! How can a temple of martial arts be placed alongside a temple of literature?! If the temple of martial arts has a true spirit, it should be ashamed to share food with a sage of literature!" She continued sarcastically, "To win by brute force and to excel by cunning are not things for us to do. We should find ways to reduce them, not establish a martial arts bureau and open its doors to lure people in! Your Majesty must abolish this system!"
Xie Lanzhao said calmly, "Literary virtue and martial prowess are not only the advantage of warriors. The gentlemen of ancient times were also skilled in riding and archery. Senior Sister should be familiar with the chapters such as 'Rabbit Trap,' 'Zhongnan,' and 'Yin Wu.'"
"Absurd!" Chen Xiyuan stared coldly at Xie Lanzhao. She said, "Virtue, speech, politics, literature—not a single word mentions military affairs. This official is cruel and inhumane. How can he be ranked alongside us in the court? Those who are not selected through literary talent should not be employed!"
Xie Lanzhao frowned and said in a deep voice, "Senior sister, that's going too far."
Chen Xiyuan's attitude remained somewhat aggressive. She said, "The lessons of history are still fresh in our minds. Why are we not careful?"
"The fall of the previous dynasty can hardly be described by the word 'arrogance'," Xie Lanzhao said calmly. She gazed at Chen Xiyuan and continued, "At that time, the civil officials were not of great use either. When Emperor Taizu was still in the army, he obtained a scholar surnamed Lu, who was the descendant of the prime minister of the previous dynasty and claimed to be a scholar. Emperor Taizu kept him in his tent and had him draft a memorial. Lu admitted his shortcomings. When he was put in charge of an official post, he said he was not good at it. We don't know what talents he actually has."
Chen Xiyuan choked and said, "When the country is destroyed and the family is ruined, how can one write poetry?"
She spoke tactfully, implying that Lady Lu's loyalty to the previous dynasty was not due to a lack of talent. Xie Lanzhao gave a cool laugh: "But she must hold an official position in the Great Yong Dynasty."
Chen Xiyuan exhaled a breath of stale air: "Lanzao, I'm talking to you about the Martial Temple and the Martial Arts Examination. Why didn't you stop it? Do you want to watch His Majesty go astray?"
Xie Lanzhao did not answer. She sighed and said, "The palace should know the news by now. I wonder if His Majesty will see me or not."
"Have you lost your original intention? Or are you too worried?" Chen Xiyuan's eyes showed undisguised disappointment. After a pause, she said, "If you won't do it, then I will. If His Majesty won't see me, I'll kneel outside the palace gates!"
In the palace.
Zhao Jialing frowned after learning of Chen Xiyuan's whereabouts.
She knew Chen Xiyuan thought she was outrageous and absurd, but now it seemed that she was the more ridiculous one.
"Summon Chen Xiyuan." After a pause, Zhao Jialing added, "If the Grand Secretary wants to come, invite him to the palace as well."
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