Chapter 258 What does Your Majesty mean?

The court officials began to write reflections with a grateful heart.

On the first day of submission, except for Prime Minister Wang, the emperor continued to criticize them harshly.

The next morning, the emperor angrily accused them of being dishonest, except for Prime Minister Li.

On the morning of the third day, in addition to the Minister of Revenue, the emperor directly demoted an official for his reflections and ridicule.

…

Except for a few officials who managed to get ashore safely, all other court officials were paralyzed.

How should I write this to satisfy His Majesty?

The Minister of War could not hold back and went straight to Prime Minister Wang, bowed and asked: "Prime Minister Wang, I don't know how to write this self-review about being an official?!"

Prime Minister Wang was confused and looked at the Minister of War in a daze: "Why do I have to write a self-criticism as an official?"

The Minister of War spoke as a matter of course: "Your Majesty asked us to reflect on ourselves, didn't he? If we reflect on ourselves, shouldn't we write about our shortcomings as officials?"

The Minister of Revenue who was passing by almost stumbled and fell to the ground, looking at the Minister of War speechlessly: No wonder you can't write well. You didn't grasp the core at all!

"Your Majesty, that's not what you meant." Prime Minister Wang looked at the Minister of War carefully, and when he found that the other party really didn't notice your Majesty's anger and hidden words, he said helplessly, "Your Majesty wants us to use this incident as a warning to restrain the children of each family and not to bother the Imperial Master for any problems in the future. It's not a problem of being an official."

The Minister of War was still a little confused: "Oh. So that's how it is." He began to think in circles.

Prime Minister Wang could tell at a glance that the other party did not understand, but he was too lazy to be a good teacher.

On the way back, the Minister of War scratched his ears and rubbed his cheeks, thinking hard.

Because he was too obsessed, he didn't pay much attention to the road when he left the palace. He was so big that he bumped into several ministers along the way.

The memorial of the Minister of Revenue fell to the ground, and the Minister of Justice was stepped on by the Minister of War, and all the cakes in his sleeves fell to the ground and broke into pieces.

The Minister of Rites was in an even worse situation. His new official hat fell off, and along with it, the wig woven on the hat also fell off.

Several people successfully passed the level. Shangshu: …

They all looked at the back of the Minister of War and narrowed their eyes.

The Minister of Revenue took the lead. He suddenly grabbed the Minister of War and said, "You are worried about how to write it. Why don't I give you some advice?"

The Minister of War was stunned and nodded repeatedly.

The Minister of Finance said, "Your Majesty once said, 'It is not right to bully the young Imperial Master.' I think that Your Majesty is implying that when some people come to ask the Imperial Master for help, they should not come empty-handed. It costs money to just ask someone on the street to tell your fortune."

Minister of War:?

Your Majesty, could you be so stingy?

The Minister of Justice also stepped forward and said, "I think your majesty is using this incident to give us some advice on how to judge cases. For example, the reasons for murders involving love, family backgrounds..."

The Minister of War looked even more confused:?

Can your Majesty's words still be interpreted as "how to solve murder cases"?

Finally, the Minister of Rites suddenly came over and whispered, "Your Majesty is actually criticizing our lack of etiquette when we went to see the Imperial Master. You should quote classics in your memorial and reflect on yourself so that you can become a person who knows etiquette..."

The Minister of War was nervous: Your Majesty still has this intention? You despise me, a reckless man!

…

Prime Minister Wang's mouth twitched slightly. These ministers were all fooling around, but the Minister of War didn't see it and took notes in his notebook. If this content was really sent over, the Minister of War would be in big trouble.

However, compared with the court full of intrigues in the past, this bustling court is much better. Prime Minister Wang pinched the tip of his curled beard in a good mood.

When he turned around, he happened to see the Minister of Personnel and Prime Minister Li coming out hand in hand, but soon the Minister of Personnel walked away.

Prime Minister Wang seemed to be thinking about something.

After a while, Prime Minister Li suddenly clapped his hands, signaling his colleagues on the palace road to look over.

He said, "Everyone, I have figured out the reasons why you cannot pass."

The court officials rushed over in an instant.

After a pause, Prime Minister Li continued, "Tell me, is His Majesty using this incident to actually warn us about students from all over the country coming to the capital to protest?"

The court officials were stunned, except for the Minister of War who was completely confused. The other civil officials, especially the prince's subordinates who were directly related to the imperial examinations, and the officials of the Ministry of Personnel were also stunned.

Their faces turned visibly green.

What Prime Minister Li said was that with the issuance of the imperial examination policy, the first people to become agitated were not the officials below the sixth rank as they had thought, nor were they the group of people recommended this year, but actually the students from the fiefdoms of the princes and kings.

Their objection was that the imperial examinations, which focused only on academic knowledge and not moral character, would select officials who were harmful to the country.

And they are not just quarreling with words.

During these few months, students from all over the country arrived in Kyoto one after another. They loudly discussed the disadvantages of the imperial examination in various taverns.

Yesterday, a student who had once been a vassal of the King of Huainan pounded the drum at Caikou, claiming that he was petitioning on behalf of the people of Daxia, calling for an end to the practice of corrupt officials in office and for the adoption of a recommendation system as the main approach.

At this time, the Minister of Personnel suddenly stepped forward and said, "Prime Minister Li, what does this have to do with the students from all over the country who come to the capital? First of all, it is not easy for students to see the imperial teacher. Secondly, they are against impersonating the imperial examination, but the imperial teacher is not involved in the imperial examination."

Prime Minister Li said, "I have received news. A student who was nearly dying of illness was saved by the rain during the Imperial Master's Spring Festival. Since then, he has become an avid worshipper of the Imperial Master. He keeps preaching and wants to change the ideas of the higher-ups about the imperial examination. The best way is to find the Imperial Master. Only the Imperial Master can influence Your Majesty."

Courtiers: ...

The words may be a little blunt, but the truth is there, but... the Imperial Preceptor is the one who will least likely to sabotage Your Majesty.

The Minister of Personnel said: "Are they so naive? There is no room for them. Anyway, none of you here can recommend students to go to the young imperial teacher to destroy the show."

The other courtiers nodded in approval.

Prime Minister Li frowned as usual: "Of course the gentlemen will not. But what about those officials who don't understand state affairs? For example, officials below the sixth rank in Kyoto, and the ministers of the princes and kings who have never been to the capital."

Everyone was silent: Indeed, those who cannot get the melons may indeed do something wrong.

Prime Minister Li said again: "My Lords, His Majesty has made it clear today that we should be self-disciplined and respectful and not disturb the Imperial Preceptor. But if the Imperial Preceptor is disturbed again in a few days, how do you think His Majesty will respond? Your Majesty can cultivate his mind and temper for the Imperial Preceptor today, and he can also shed blood for the Imperial Preceptor tomorrow."

The court officials were horrified.

At this time, the Minister of Personnel spoke again: "What do you mean, Prime Minister Li?"

Prime Minister Li said: "We have no control over the ministers of the princes and kings. But the officials below the sixth rank in Kyoto are all subordinates of everyone here. What do you think, sir, you can restrain your subordinates?"

The court officials looked at each other and nodded.

Wang Xiang suddenly sneered: "Okay. But Li Xiang, everyone here is a loyal minister. You don't have to play tricks with sticks and honey, just tell me frankly."

Prime Minister Li patted his sleeves and bowed, saying, "I have judged you with my own standards. I hope you will forgive me."

Prime Minister Wang was stunned.

As soon as the two prime ministers talked, even the Minister of War understood what they meant.

Prime Minister Li and the Minister of Personnel were just playing a double game, asking all the adults to express their opinions and restrain their subordinates.

The Minister of War muttered in a low voice: "Li Xiang is such a boring person. Everyone knows that His Majesty is going to promote the imperial examination system under false names. Is there anyone who will tolerate his subordinates?"

The Minister of Revenue looked at the Minister of War in silence. He wanted to say some theories like "aristocratic families are setting up a trap" and "sending a pawn to test the situation", but he looked into the other's clear eyes.

The Minister of Revenue patted his shoulder and said, "Well, think of it this way."

Minister of War:?

The Minister of War was puzzled and asked, "Why? Could it be that there are officials in the court who would really help those students from other places?"

The Minister of Revenue thought for a moment and said, "At least not this time." Giving face to Prime Minister Li was one thing, but the most important thing was to follow the golden mean and want to watch more.

The Minister of War was puzzled, but he always knew what he didn't know, so he just followed the trend.

He nodded and prepared to go back to restrain his tribesmen.