"How did you evaluate the documents when you reviewed them, my dear minister?"
Qin Yu picked up an answer sheet and asked a question.
As if he had anticipated Qin Yu's question, Song Zhenglian immediately answered.
"One hundred and forty-one people took the exam this time. I have divided the exam papers into three grades. Those who suggested plundering the people's wealth and increasing taxes are classified as inferior. Those who wrote nothing but flattery and barely offered any suggestions are classified as average. Those who had excellent solutions are classified as superior."
After hearing his words, Qin Yu smiled.
It seems that Song Zhenglian understood what he meant.
At that moment, his attention was drawn to the answer sheet in his hand.
Before long, Qin Yu had finished reading all seven answer sheets in his hand.
After reading it, Qin Yu's face was full of surprise.
Among these seven responses, some advocated taxing merchants, some proposed changing the tax system to a poll tax, some suggested improving construction methods to save on the cost of building palaces, and some were even bolder, directly drawing up a design of a wine pool and meat forest.
Although the angle is different, this is exactly what Qin Yu wanted.
He knew that the traditional imperial examination system could not select truly useful talents.
To put it bluntly, it's impossible to expect a group of people who only know how to read the classics to accomplish anything.
That's why Qin Yu took a different approach, using seemingly absurd questions to test those who truly had ideas.
Surprisingly, he actually succeeded.
From just these seven exam papers, he saw talent in economics, architecture, and politics.
These are the people who are truly capable of great things.
It must be said that Song Zhenglian was very satisfied with the person he chose.
"Your Majesty, I have also brought the medium-grade examination papers!"
At this moment, Song Zhenglian brought out a tray from outside, on which were about twenty answer sheets.
Qin Yu nodded, then picked it up and looked at it.
Song Zhenglian's evaluation was quite accurate; the medium-sized papers were either full of flattery or contained some immature suggestions.
After careful selection, Qin Yu chose only one copy and placed it among the superior volumes.
Seeing that Qin Yu had made his choice, Song Zhenglian asked.
"I wonder if His Majesty has selected one of the top ranks?"
Qin Yu nodded and took one out.
This document, which mentions both business tax and poll tax, is his best answer.
"This is the top scholar!"
Qin Yu tore open the seal and saw a familiar name.
Zhang Tingyu.
Qin Yu was not surprised by this result.
He could tell from Zhang Tingyu's exam answers that Zhang Tingyu had the most agile thinking among the three.
Then Qin Yu pulled out another answer sheet.
This answer sheet included tax reform, land reform, and even the necessity of military reform in the last question.
"This is the second-place finisher."
When Qin Yu tore open the seal, Ma Qi's name was clearly visible on it.
Ma Qi was born in Youzhou and suffered greatly from the plundering by the Sima family from a young age, so it's no wonder he has profound insights into these issues.
"This last one, could it be..."
Qin Yu picked up the third answer sheet that she liked and unsealed it.
Sure enough, this was Zhou Peishen's answer sheet.
He was among the top three in the imperial examination back then, and now he has once again become a first-class Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examination).
"It seems I didn't misjudge him!"
Qin Yu nodded with satisfaction.
"Your Majesty, what about the rest?"
Song Zhenglian respectfully accepted the three answer sheets selected by Qin Yu, and then looked at the remaining answer sheets.
"Those who submit a paper of medium quality will be granted the title of Jinshi (进士) and those who submit a paper of poor quality will not be selected. The others will be granted the title of Tong Jinshi (同进士).
Qin Yu said casually.
He believed in Song Zhenglian's abilities. He thought that those he ranked in the middle to upper level might be misjudged, but those he ranked in the lower level were definitely not good.
"yes."
Song Zhenglian nodded.
After he left, Qin Yu did not rest. Instead, he took out a piece of paper, wrote down the six departments on it, and then wrote down the names of the eight selected people after the six departments.
"Well, apart from Zhang Tingyu and the other two, we don't know anything about the others. If we want to get them into the Six Ministries as our pawns, we still need to find out their attitudes."
Qin Yu tapped his fingers lightly on the table, lost in thought.
"His Majesty!"
Just as Qin Yu was deep in thought, a soft, delicate voice rang out.
Qin Yu's expression changed, and he immediately stuffed the Xuan paper with his name on it on the table under a pile of memorials containing erotic pictures.
Then he looked up and looked outside, and Qin Yu's eyes lit up immediately.
Sima Jing was walking gracefully towards them.
However, Sima Jing was not wearing a palace dress today, but instead wore a light pink halter dress.
If it weren't for the fact that her hairstyle hadn't changed at all, Qin Yu would have thought that a woman from his era was walking towards him.
"My beauty, you look so beautiful today!"
Qin Yu pulled Sima Jing into his arms and asked with a look of amazement.
Zhao Yan and the others already looked good in these clothes, but I didn't expect that when Sima Jing, this vixen, wore them, she would have a sexy yet innocent vibe.
This feeling easily stirred up the evil fire in Qin Yu's body.
And so his two evil hands began to run wild.
Sima Jing playfully punched Qin Yu's chest.
"Hmph, Your Majesty, you still have to say it! I've been back in the palace for several days now, and you didn't even tell me that you designed such beautiful clothes for the Empress and the others. If I hadn't seen them and had them made myself, Your Majesty, you probably would never have remembered me in this lifetime!"
Hearing Sima Jing's coquettish words, Qin Yu couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed.
Since Sima Jing returned to the palace, one thing after another has come up, and he really forgot to prepare a few sexy camisoles for this vixen.
"My beloved, please don't be angry. It's all my fault. Next time I have some nice clothes, I'll definitely let you try them on first."
Qin Yu quickly tried to comfort her.
Upon hearing this, Sima Jing let out a satisfied hum.
Seeing that she wasn't angry, Qin Yu chuckled.
"My beauty, you are finally feeling better today, aren't you? I haven't had a proper time with you since you returned to the palace. Today, you must grant me my little wish!"
While groping her, Qin Yu laid her down on the imperial desk, his large hands immediately ready to continue their antics.
"Your Majesty, you mustn't!"
Sima Jing hurriedly shouted.
"Hehe, for me, anywhere is fine, and my beloved, don't you think it's exciting here?"
Qin Yu had an indifferent expression on his face.
Seeing that he was completely unserious, Sima Jing gritted her teeth and quickly used both hands to stop Qin Yu.
"Your Majesty, I can certainly serve you well tonight, but please don't be in such a hurry. Why don't we have a couple of drinks first, and then we can enjoy the night together?"
Sima Jing said in a gentle voice.
Hearing this, Qin Yu, though still furious, nodded in agreement.
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