A fifth-rank official was not qualified to attend the morning court session in the Ming Dynasty. Therefore, Zhu Yunying was relatively unfamiliar with Xia Yuanji.
In the Six Ministries, this would be equivalent to a mere physician. In local government, it would be like a prefectural assistant prefect. While not a high-ranking official, they were certainly a backbone of the Ming Dynasty's official system.
Although Zhu Yunying was considered a relatively benevolent emperor, Xia Yuanji clearly wouldn't receive the honor of being offered a seat. If everyone who came to the Wuying Hall was entitled to a seat, it would seem that the Ming Dynasty emperors were too lenient towards their civil and military officials.
Most importantly, this would not demonstrate that "Jian is in the emperor's heart," nor would it reflect the emperor's favor and trust.
Looking at Xia Yuanji, Zhu Yunying said, "Minister Yu believes you have great talent and are capable of handling the promotion of the bank. The bank is a matter of great importance, concerning the nation's economy. I summoned you here to test you."
This was a rather straightforward approach; Zhu Yunying didn't intend to be overly polite to officials like Xia Yuanji. He didn't have the time to be all smiles and pleasantries with lower-ranking officials.
Xia Yuanji was naturally excited at this moment, knowing that his opportunity had finally arrived.
He was not actually a graduate of the imperial examination system; he entered officialdom directly from the Imperial Academy and did not participate in the metropolitan examination. He was not a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations).
However, in the officialdom of the Ming Dynasty, it was no longer the case that only those who passed the imperial examination could become officials and enter the imperial court. Xia Yuanji, who entered officialdom from the Imperial Academy, was considered quite good. There were also people like Yan Zhenzhi, who were not even considered 'clerks', but still became important officials in the court.
Therefore, in the Ming Dynasty, it could truly be said that "heroes are not judged by their origins," and there was no longer a system where becoming an official was solely dependent on passing the imperial examinations. It was still somewhat difficult for the civil service to control the channels through which officials were selected.
Of course, everyone understands that this is ultimately because the Ming Dynasty was founded relatively recently, and such situations will become less and less common in the future.
If you don't believe me, look at the imperial examination system of the Ming Dynasty. It's becoming more and more standardized now, unlike during the Hongwu era when the imperial examinations were frequently suspended.
Many scholars are now eagerly anticipating passing the imperial examinations, and this year there is the Spring Imperial Examination. It's a system of separate examinations for the North and South, allowing scholars from both regions to take the exams separately. This isn't just to allow some scholars to take the exams "nearby," but primarily to ensure a balance of resources.
Looking at Xia Yuanji, Zhu Yunying said with a smile, "Minister Yu thinks highly of you and believes you have great talent. Then tell me about the advantages and disadvantages of the land tax reform."
Xia Yuanji was still quite agitated. Back then, he had been "valued" by Zhu Yuanwu and given a slight promotion. In reality, Xia Yuanji was also well aware that the Hongwu Emperor only thought he was a promising talent at the time and had forgotten about him afterwards.
This is why Xia Yuanji has been stuck in low- to mid-level official positions for the past few years, but overall it's not bad; he's slowly climbing the ranks step by step.
Now his opportunity has truly arrived, because Emperor Ying Shi is testing him. If he passes the test smoothly, while he may not rise to great heights, there is a good chance he will become a person of great importance.
Yu Xin seemed quite confident. He believed in Xia Yuanji's talent, and most importantly, he knew Zhu Yunying's personality. Xia Yuanji was definitely a talent that Emperor Yingshi could rely on.
In fact, Xia Yuanji's performance lived up to Yu Xin's expectations. He did indeed have a considerable understanding of the land tax reform. He answered the emperor's questions in a very organized and logical manner.
Although some aspects may seem a bit naive or oversimplify the issues, this is simply because he doesn't have a high enough perspective and his understanding of the political affairs of the Ming Dynasty is not comprehensive enough.
If given some opportunities to hone his skills, Xia Yuanji could indeed be given more responsibility and have the chance to showcase his talents.
Zhu Yunying is no longer simply testing Xia Yuanji's views on issues like the land tax reform; he recognizes Xia as a rather promising talent.
Taxes and corvée labor were reduced, strict prohibitions on salt and currency were enforced, warehouses and storage areas were cleaned up, and land reclamation and animal husbandry were promoted to supply the border defenses, reduce the burden on the people, and facilitate merchants' business.
Xia Yuanji had a certain understanding of these matters, and he seemed to grasp the benefits of banks and Zhu Yunying's long-term expectations. He also strongly advocated for revitalizing the market economy and enhancing the economic vitality of the Ming Dynasty.
When Zhu Yunying inquired about the number of fields and households, Xia Yuanji took out a small notebook he carried with him and could answer the emperor immediately.
Zhu Yunying was very satisfied and looked at Xia Yuanji, saying, "My dear minister, you are quite capable and insightful. If I were to entrust you with important responsibilities, you would not disappoint me. My dear minister, you must also remember that if you ever hold a high position in the court, you must keep the people of the world in your heart."
Xia Yuanji immediately knelt down, his expression serious and sincere, "Your subject obeys the decree."
Zhu Yunying smiled and nodded, then said, "If you are in charge of the bank, you will be dealing with money. Remember well, gold and silver are the greatest test of people's hearts. Do not disappoint me."
Faced with Zhu Yunying's reprimand, Xia Yuanji solemnly replied, "Your Majesty, my late father was originally an instructor in Xiangyin. I was thirteen years old when my father passed away. My mother admonished me to 'be chaste and virtuous, and provide for the orphans' needs.' My two younger brothers and I were influenced by our mother's teachings and worked hard to improve ourselves."
While Xia Yuanji might be suspected of playing the victim, it could also be a way for him to analyze his own inner feelings.
Zhu Yunying was taken aback for a moment, then laughed, "Oh? In the past, there was Mencius' mother who moved three times and Yue Fei's mother who tattooed words on his back. Today, there is also Xia's mother who taught her son. My dear minister, you should remember your mother's teachings and never forget her kindness."
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