Chu Fan stopped talking after he finished speaking. After all, Chu Fan believed that if a member of a powerful family did not consider his family, it would be impossible for him to do something illegal. It was just that the problems could be big or small. If a member of a family could achieve his current position and still keep himself clean, not seek personal gain for the family, and not seek any benefit for himself, then he was simply a saint.
Of course, if some court officials went too far, the Royal Government Affairs Office would also deal with them. However, court officials whose problems were not serious could not be allowed to continue their misdeeds and had to be deterred to prevent them from making bigger mistakes.
For a moment, the atmosphere in the court was heavy with emotion. Officials bowed their heads in deep thought. Some officials silently noted down their mistakes, while others secretly plotted how to make amends. Some officials were so frightened that they even repented of the time they had peeped at a neighbor's young widow as children.
Chu Fan saw that a quarter of an hour had passed and said, "The time is up. Don't think that no one will know about what you did because you kept it secret. You should know that I and the Royal Government Affairs Office haven't dealt with you because the mistakes you made haven't reached the point of violating the law. If you don't correct yourselves and continue to make mistakes, you will be severely punished."
Hearing that His Majesty was not planning to punish them immediately, the officials in the court heaved a sigh of relief and immediately knelt down, saying, "We thank the Emperor for his grace and will remember His Majesty's instructions, discipline ourselves strictly, and never commit such a sin again."
Chu Fan glanced at the crowd. It was obvious that the ministers' promise of never committing the same offense again was impossible. Even if these ministers didn't want to do anything illegal, their family members would pressure them to make choices that went against their original intentions.
Chu Fan said, "I hope you can remember what I said today. Now, everyone, get up."
After all, today's topic is education reform, and intimidating these court ministers is just a side effect.
Chu Fan continued, "I asked you to come to the Haotian Palace today to hold a court meeting because there is a policy that will be announced."
The court ministers in the Haotian Hall stood up and straightened their bodies, waiting for His Majesty's announcement.
Chu Fan said, "Wei State is now able to produce large quantities of paper and print more books. I have decided to reform Wei State's teaching as well."
The ministers were surprised when they heard about the education reform. After all, they didn't know how His Majesty was going to carry out the education reform. Was it going to be like the imperial examination system in some countries on the Shengwu Continent?
Chu Fan continued, "From now on, every town in the Wei Kingdom will have a school established by the imperial court to teach basic knowledge. I call it a primary school. Each county will have a middle school to teach more advanced knowledge. Finally, five universities will be established in Kaifeng City. One university will be established in each of the three citadels, and two universities will be established in Kaifeng City itself."
For a moment, not to mention the ordinary court ministers, even Chu Anping and the six ministers who had discussed education reform and book editing with Chu Fan were confused. They did not understand what His Majesty said.
Chu Anping asked, "Your Majesty, please forgive my ignorance. I would like to ask, Your Majesty, how are primary schools, middle schools, and universities specifically divided? And will our Wei Kingdom no longer hold the imperial examinations for scholars, juren, and jinshi?"
Initially, Chu Anping had assumed His Majesty would copy the imperial examination system of other countries on the Shengwu Continent, but the reform proposal His Majesty presented at today's court meeting clearly exceeded his expectations. The divisions between elementary school, middle school, and university were completely new to him.
Chu Fan said, "From now on, the Wei Kingdom will implement a graded education system. Primary schools will teach students to read, count, and learn some simple principles. After completing primary school, students will pass the corresponding exams and then enter secondary school."
Middle schools teach students more advanced knowledge and Confucian classics. After passing the middle school exams, they can enter university for further studies. As for university, students are taught more in-depth theoretical knowledge and ways to govern a country and be an official.
Of course, if these students can pass the various selections, they will eventually be able to enter the court as officials. As for the titles of scholar, juren, and jinshi, the Wei Kingdom will not establish them, so the path to obtaining official titles by simply passing the examination will no longer exist.
At this time, an old minister in the court asked in a trembling voice, "Your Majesty, does this reform mean that no matter how hard children from poor families study, they will never be able to succeed?"
Chu Fan looked at the old minister, who was already over sixty years old, and slowly replied, "No, this reform is intended to ensure fair selection. After entering university, students can take the selection examinations held by the court. Those with excellent scores can directly enter the officialdom, no longer restricted by family background. This truly realizes the respect for talent and equal opportunities."
Although this old minister understood some of the truth, he still had doubts in his heart. After all, the imperial examination system had been deeply rooted for many years. He wanted to figure out how His Majesty could select useful talents for the State of Wei through such reforms.
Veteran minister Shen Congwen continued, "Your Majesty, could you please explain in detail how the court selects suitable talents? After all, the system Your Majesty mentioned has never appeared on the Shengwu Continent, so it is inevitable that people are confused."
Chu Fan understood Shen Congwen's concerns. After all, this was about to overturn the long-standing imperial examination system of Shengwu Continent. He patiently explained, "I plan to have each department in the court set its own examination questions every year. Then, all students who graduate from high school will be required to take the exam. I call these exams 'national exams.' This exam will cover the philosophy of governing the country, the way to be an official, as well as agronomy, military strategy, and various practical skills. The questions are flexible and diverse, aiming to comprehensively evaluate the students' overall qualities.
"National Examination results will serve as the primary basis for selecting officials. Those with outstanding performance will be directly appointed to official positions, assigned to appropriate posts based on their expertise. This way, regardless of whether one comes from a poor or wealthy background, as long as one possesses genuine talent and knowledge, they can contribute to the country through their own hard work."
After hearing this, Shen Congwen's frown gradually relaxed, as if he had come to agree with Chu Fan's reform plan. He spoke again, his voice tinged with excitement, "Your Majesty, this will indeed break down barriers to social status, allowing truly talented individuals the opportunity to serve the country. However, whether this 'national examination' system can truly be implemented remains to be seen."
Chu Fan nodded, his eyes firm. "I know that no reform can be accomplished overnight, but as long as the direction is right and we persevere, we will see results. I am willing to shoulder this responsibility and forge a new path for the future of Wei."
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