Chapter 3, Section 83: After Ascending the Throne (2)
The Empress's long absence from the capital was originally against the rules.
But everyone knew Zhou She's character, and they also knew the importance of this matter: the new emperor was about to begin his sweeping reforms.
Several high-ranking officials brought up the matter tactfully, but Zhou She quickly dismissed them with a few words, so they stopped resisting and obediently shut their mouths.
However, Xi Yuchen, the Vice Minister of Rites who had served Zhou She a couple of years ago, raised another matter that he considered very important: "Your Majesty, I believe that with the Empress's departure, the harem will be empty, and we should recruit more beautiful women."
After he finished speaking, the hall seemed to freeze instantly, and even breathing could be clearly heard.
Xi Yucheng didn't actually think he was wrong.
It's certainly a good thing that the emperor and empress are on good terms. But the royal family only has one son and one daughter, which doesn't seem right no matter how you look at it.
Of course, Xi Yucheng had a very good impression of Zhou She.
He was once ordered to teach Zhou She for a period of time. At that time, His Highness the Crown Prince was gentle and polite. No matter how you looked at it, you felt that Tianmu was exaggerating and saying bad things about the Crown Prince.
He remained silent for a while, but received no response from the emperor. Seeing the situation was turning sour, Xiao Jianhe stepped forward to change the subject: "Your Majesty is in the prime of your life; why rush matters of the harem?"
Xi Yuchen: "..."
He glanced at Xiao Jianhe sideways, his eyes filled with disdain, his entire face screaming: treacherous minister.
Xiao Jianhe had a good temper; he just smiled and pretended not to see Xi Yuchen's expression.
"I had no such intention, there's no need to bring this up again." The silent emperor finally spoke, his gaze sweeping over the high-ranking officials present, landing on one of them. "I wish to hold an additional imperial examination."
Zhou Xuyan was forcibly brought here.
He had no interest in the Empress leaving the capital, nor did he care about the Emperor's harem.
But he had to take care of this matter, after all, he was now the Minister of Rites.
Zhou Xuyan stepped forward: "Your Majesty, I will have the draft ready by tomorrow."
Zhou She nodded: "This year is almost over, so let's set the date for February next year. You all need to work together and avoid any trouble."
Several people involved in the matter responded in unison, "Your Majesty, we obey your command."
After finishing this matter, Zhou She added, "In addition, there are many vacant official positions in Chuzhou, and we need to select talented people as soon as possible and transfer them to Chuzhou."
Wu Zi, the Minister of Personnel, was a highly experienced official who came from a humble background and had served as the Vice Minister of Personnel for ten years.
The former Minister of Personnel was Zhou Xuyan, but the Zhou family was a large and powerful clan with deep roots.
Wu Zi, who was nearly sixty years old, never dreamed that he could actually rise to power. He was deeply moved by Zhou She's words and hurriedly said, "Your subject understands!"
The emperor's choice of him was clearly a promotion of someone from a humble background.
Spring has come for those from impoverished families!
"Alright, if there's nothing else important, everyone can go their separate ways."
The crowd gradually left and returned to the government office to begin their work.
As Zhou Xuyan followed the crowd and was about to turn and leave, Zhou She suddenly called out to him.
"Minister Zhou," Zhou She said, "I have something to say to you."
Zhou Xuyan was taken aback. Several familiar colleagues walked past him, all casting admiring glances at him.
He smiled bitterly to himself and walked up to the emperor: "Your Majesty."
Zhou She pointed to the soft chair opposite him: "Sit."
Zhou Xuyan sat down as instructed. He looked at the emperor's young face opposite him, his feelings complicated, mixed with a little nervousness.
This is his son, but he is no longer his son.
Zhou She took out a stack of memorials, unfolded them, and smoothed them out.
"My first act as emperor cannot afford any mistakes. Does Minister Zhou understand?"
Zhou Xuyan: "..."
This warning and reminder tone made him somewhat uneasy.
“Your Majesty understands,” Zhou Xuyan said helplessly. “The imperial examination is a matter of great importance to the country. I will not allow any kinship or kinship to replace talent as a factor in the decision-making process.”
Zhou She neither confirmed nor denied it.
He certainly knew his father.
Undeniably, Zhou Xuyan was an excellent official; he was adept at social maneuvering and eloquent.
But those who are too adept at social maneuvering are rarely truly innocent. Zhou She knew that no one in the court was absolutely clean, and he had no intention of becoming a judge, so as long as he didn't step on any landmines, he didn't bother with anything else.
Zhou Xuyan is a smart man; he will know how to handle this.
"I heard Zhou Ze is also preparing for the exam?"
Zhou Xuyan: "..." I understand, I understand everything.
The emperor has no intention of allowing Zhou Ze to enter the court!
He said in a deep voice, "Zhou Ze is not up to the task. He will go to Qingya Academy to study next year, but he will not take the exam for the next few years."
Zhou She was quite satisfied; Zhou Xuyan was indeed very perceptive. However, he still prepared to remind him again: "Zhou Ze is not mature enough in terms of talent and character. Minister Zhou, look, it's only been a month, and the mourning period for the late emperor is not over yet, and he is already frequently visiting brothels. It's really inappropriate to say that."
Zhou Xuyan's face almost turned green.
Zhou Ze, an ancestor whose words are useless and who won't change even after being beaten.
This kind of person has their own set of theories.
Zhou She kindly said, "Qingya Academy is indeed excellent. After ten years of seclusion and diligent study, one might change their nature."
After Zhou Xuyan left, another person came to see him.
It is Xiao Yichun.
Since the late emperor passed away, he has aged considerably, his former vigor has vanished, and he looks haggard no matter how you look at him.
Xiao Yichun came to say goodbye to him.
Zhou She observed this and spoke even more gently to the accomplished old prime minister: "Why must Prime Minister Xiao do this? It is a time of transition between the old and the new. Prime Minister Xiao, please stay and give me your guidance."
Xiao Yichun shook his head, his face showing both sadness and joy: "I followed the late emperor for decades. Now that the late emperor is gone, I am old. Your Majesty is in the prime of life, with virtuous ministers and famous generals by your side. The prosperous era of Ning Dynasty is just around the corner. As an old man, I can do nothing more by staying in the court."
He was telling the truth.
Xiao Jianhe had been in court for several years and had already established himself. He was a subject of the late emperor, and if he remained, he would be a symbol of the late emperor's rule.
Xiao Yichun was unwilling to be someone else's raft, so he simply retired and went home to play with his children and raise birds.
"Very well." Zhou She didn't insist. "Since that's the case, Prime Minister Xiao should enjoy his leisurely life."
Xiao Jianhe got married two years ago and has a daughter who is less than a year old. This time, Prime Minister Xiao is really going back to enjoy his grandchildren.
Xiao Yichun said he was leaving, but after worrying for half his life, he couldn't help but say one last thing: "Your Majesty, please don't find me nagging. Xiao Zhiping is capable, but he is not someone who can be consulted or discussed."
He hasn't forgotten to target his own grandson.
Zhou She chuckled to himself, knowing that Xiao Yichun thought Xiao Jianhe was too weak and not a loyal minister.
Although Xiao Yichun was gentle, he never hesitated to offer his advice to the emperor.
"Don't worry, Prime Minister Xiao," Zhou She said with a smile. "Zhiping is very good, I know that perfectly well."
Xiao Yichun remained silent, then bowed deeply and said, "Your subject is leaving."
Zhou She helped him up and solemnly said, "Prime Minister Xiao, I will always remember everything you have done for Ning Dynasty."
On the first day of the tenth month of the thirty-first year of the Hong'an era, Xiao Yichun requested to retire due to old age and declining health, but the emperor refused. Xiao Yichun submitted three memorials in succession, and the emperor finally granted his request. He was specially granted the title of Grand Tutor, bestowed with a thousand taels of silver, and sent officials to escort him.
*
In the imperial examination of the first year of Jinghua, Zhou Xuyan had already figured out the emperor's thoughts, so he added women to the list of candidates.
The emperor praised this slightly.
This is actually quite obvious. The Empress's departure from the capital to establish free schools in Yongzhou was clearly for this purpose!
However, the emperor quickly said, "No special exceptions are needed; everything will proceed as usual."
To be eligible for the imperial examination, one must possess official rank and title. Those women had never taken the exam; they couldn't even cross the threshold.
Therefore, Zhou Xuyan, with his innovative spirit, racked his brains and made an exception, allowing a small number of women to take this as a reference.
Zhou Xuyan was stunned. He hadn't figured out what the emperor meant when he heard the emperor suddenly say, "I wish to select tutors for the princess and the second prince. I need one boy and one girl. The selection should be completed by next month, and the list should be submitted."
Upon hearing these words, Zhou Xuyan had only one thought in his mind: the emperor is about to unleash another big move.
He inquired, "Does His Majesty have any requirements regarding the selection of the attendant?"
"It's entirely up to you," Zhou She said.
Zhou Xuyan: "...Yes."
By the time Zhou She finished reviewing the last memorial, it was completely dark.
The lights inside the hall flickered, illuminating the room almost as if it were daytime.
He shook his aching wrist, the brush now stained with ink. Zhou She felt his eyes were blurry as he stared at the neat handwriting on the memorial. Upon closer inspection, the first half of the page was filled with useless nonsense.
Zhou She: "..."
He remained silent for a long time, then forcefully wrote: Thank you for your concern, but let's get down to business.
I don't know if it's Zhou Xuyan's bias, but many of the memorials I just read mentioned the imperial examination.
They spoke very cryptically, but Zhou She wasn't stupid enough to miss their intentions.
It's hard not to oppose something that involves their interests.
Xiao Jianhe also submitted a memorial. He was indeed not good at giving advice. In a gentle and tactful tone, his long and rambling speech contained only a few words: "Your Majesty, please do not be too hasty."
It probably means they don't support it.
In fact, according to Zhou She's wishes, he did not intend to reform the imperial examination in the first year.
You have to eat one bite at a time, and walk one step at a time. If you're not well-prepared and rush into the exam, your results won't be very good.
But he didn't intend for these people to think that he had truly listened to their advice.
Otherwise, once a habit becomes ingrained, it won't be so easy to change it later.
The free schools were established in the twenty-seventh year of the Hong'an era, but because neither Zhou She nor Gu Xunhui could leave the capital for long periods of time, they rarely went there to supervise them personally.
After Gu Xunhui arrived in Yongzhou, he wrote back to tell him: Although Yongzhou is located on the frontier, it is a place with outstanding people and beautiful scenery, and there are many smart children.
That's good.
Zhou She replied: Everything is going well.
In early November of that year, Enke finalized and announced the relevant policies one by one.
The notice, which clearly stated that "all scholars and candidates, regardless of gender, may take the corresponding exams," caused a stir among everyone.
"Does Your Majesty mean that women can also take this as a reference?"
"That seems to be the meaning."
"But they..." They simply can't pass the exam!
Where did this female scholar come from? This must be a joke!
"Let's all go, let's all go." Someone waved their hand dismissively. "It's no use writing it down, how could they possibly pass the exam?"
Some people didn't care, some frowned secretly, and some were secretly delighted.
Regardless of whether they can take the exam or not, this is a new signal that deserves attention.
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