Chapter 343 Preparing for the Big Exam
The reason for choosing Handan was, firstly, because Handan had a deep feud with Qin and the people under its jurisdiction were complicated, which could further prove the feasibility of the new Qin law; secondly, Handan was located in the heart of the Central Plains. If it succeeded, it could set an example for the world. If it failed, Qin could also quickly gather forces to eliminate the rebels.
Zhao Yuanxi suspected that Ying Zheng had already thought of a countermeasure. If she had not appeared today, this incident would have happened in the court sooner or later.
With the emperor's decision, everyone knew that he was on Han Fei's side.
Li Si wanted to say something else, but when he met the emperor's gaze, he had to sit back dejectedly.
"In this case, do you have any objections?"
"Your Majesty is wise!"
"Your Highness and I have no objection."
…
The new Qin Code abolished most corporal punishments, such as cutting off the nose, cutting off the feet, and cutting off the ears. Commercial regulations were relaxed, encouraging the people to engage in commerce. There was increased sympathy for the widowed, the orphaned, the disabled, and the disabled, exempting them from taxes and corvée labor. The system of collective responsibility within the village was abolished, with reports given instead.
Conducting pilot projects in regional areas is indeed a good idea. The Qin State is now too large, and the implementation of new Qin laws will indeed cause turmoil from top to bottom. This is time for both Qin officials and people of the world to prepare.
Ying Zheng looked at Li Si again and said, "The new laws will be implemented in Handan City. This matter will require the attention of the Minister of Justice and the Grand Tutor."
Han Fei bowed his head and replied, "I obey your command."
Li Si was furious, but helpless, so he could only nod and agree, "Yes, I will do my best."
This matter is settled for now.
The crowd dispersed, and the few people who stayed stared at each other.
Han Fei was also preparing to leave, and Li Si followed closely behind him. The two walked out of the hall one after the other. Zhang Liang was about to follow Han Fei but was stopped by a palace servant.
"His Majesty?"
Ying Zheng said calmly, "You didn't win today, but you didn't lose either. Three months from now, Xianyang will hold a major exam. If you can place in the top three, I will reinstate you."
Zhang Liang was stunned for a moment before reacting, "Your Majesty, you can forgive me. I am deeply grateful. It is not that I am lazy, but I believe that cultivating talents for the country is more beneficial to Qin than serving in the court."
The Qin State lacked officials. Even though officials were selected from local areas on a large scale, many positions were still vacant, and many local officials had to take on multiple positions.
Zhang Liang knew that the emperor had pardoned him, but compared to the turbulent court, he still preferred being a teacher.
"What if I let you be a doctoral assistant?"
After Qin Shi Huang expanded its official schools under Emperor Ying Zheng, official schools were opened all over the country. These official schools were now managed by many doctors of Qin, Chunyu Yue and Sun Shutong being among them, and the Doctor Pushe was the superior of these doctors.
There were too many Confucianists among the doctors, which Ying Zheng did not like. In comparison, Zhang Liang, who combined the strengths of all schools of thought and was proficient in Huang-Lao philosophy, was more pleasing to him.
Zhang Liang was at a loss for words. Wasn't the emperor afraid that he would have murderous intentions towards him again one day? The position of Doctor and Deputy Minister was indeed an attractive one.
If it were a few years ago, it might not have been taken seriously, but in the past two years, the emperor has vigorously promoted education, and the doctorate has become a position that everyone covets. Everyone wants to send their children to receive education under the name of a doctor.
As long as you study for two or three years and pass the examination after being recommended, you can become an official of the Qin State. This is much easier than hanging your head on your belt outside to earn military merit.
How many people want to become a doctor, not to mention the position of doctoral assistant, which countless people are scrambling to become.
Zhao Yuanxi couldn't help but feel happy for Zhang Liang. It was like a private school principal suddenly becoming the director of the National Education Bureau. This was simply pie in the sky.
"Don't rush to reject me. You have three months to consider."
"Your Majesty, thank you." Zhang Liang bowed deeply to the ground.
After everyone left, Zhao Yuanxi couldn't help but ask, "What will the big exam be like in three months?"
"The Queen Mother said that the imperial examination system will be popular in the future. I think it's a good idea. How can I, alone, select all the talents in the world? If so, let them all come to Xianyang to take the exam, and the results will be the standard for judgment."
After the Qin State completely abolished the feudal system of hereditary aristocracy, selecting officials became another new problem. The county system required appointment by the central government, and officials were appointed from other places, and official positions were not hereditary.
The military merit system can only solve the problem of vacancies in military generals, but a large number of civil servants still need to be selected from official schools or recommended by others, but this efficiency is still too low.
The imperial examination system that became popular in later generations was in line with Qin's current needs for officials. It did not require a noble background, but only talent was selected. As long as one had the ability, one could serve Qin.
"So this is why you allowed the children of soldiers with military merit to enter the Qin State's official school for free."
"They are the most loyal people to our Qin State, and their children will surely serve our Qin State."
The Qin State abolished the hereditary aristocracy system, but education was still controlled by the nobles. If the father was an official, the son would also be an official. Except that he could not inherit the original official position, there was actually not much change.
The key to the imperial examination system is that it requires a large number of talents from all classes to be screened. The Qin State had talents, but these talents were still the continuation of the aristocracy.
Ying Zheng now gives the children of soldiers the same opportunity to receive education. For a long time in the future, this group of officials who inherited the military merit system will form a check and balance relationship with the officials who inherited the aristocratic system.
The Qin emperor held military power, the three dukes and nine ministers, the prime minister was in charge of civil service, the general held military power, the censor supervised all officials and assisted the prime minister, but in reality the position of general was always vacant, and the army was directly controlled by the emperor.
These officials who are selected through the military merit system will be the emperor's staunch supporters.
Zhao Yuanxi had to admire Ying Zheng's decision-making. If she was an idealist, Ying Zheng was more like someone who could put these ideals into practice.
Perhaps it was because the Queen Mother looked at him for too long that Ying Zheng began to wonder, "Is there anything wrong with what I did?"
Zhao Yuanxi shook his head slightly, "No, I just think you're amazing."
"Then I will assume that the Queen Mother is praising me."
"Just complimenting you."
Ying Zheng laughed and then asked, "The Queen Mother must have come here not just to see me today. Is there anything else?"
As for the other thing, of course I want to know where the last bit of favorability is missing?
But now Zhao Yuanxi seemed to understand that the last difference was not the feelings between the two of them, but that as an emperor, the most important thing in his heart was the world, and nothing could surpass it. But this did not mean that she was not important to Ying Zheng.
In fact, this is an impossible task!
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