Chen Huai'an waved his hand, first signaling all the civil and military officials kneeling in the Golden Palace to rise.
Then, he said earnestly, "I am very pleased that my beloved ministers are so understanding. The reform of the imperial examination system is imperative and cannot be delayed!"
"Prince Liu Xinwu of Wuning, hear my decree—"
"Your subject is here!"
Chen Huai'an said, "I hereby order you, together with the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Personnel, to be fully responsible for the first imperial examination of the new dynasty in the Youyun region. The provincial examination will be held in March of next year!"
"Your subject obeys the decree!"
Chen Huai'an then said, "King Liu Zhixin of Chu Xiang, listen to my decree—"
"Your subject is here!"
"......"
Next, in the imperial court, Chen Huai'an specially granted all the former kings of different surnames who had just volunteered the authority to assist the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Personnel in promoting the reform of the imperial examination system and organizing the imperial examinations, so that they could offer advice, suggestions, and efforts for the reform of the imperial examination system in the new dynasty.
It can also be considered a means of winning people's hearts.
Of course, Chen Huai'an also knew that it would be a lie to say that the former dynasty's princes of different surnames had no selfish motives at all when they volunteered to promote the imperial examination reform for the new dynasty.
However, implementing the imperial examination reform was not something that could be accomplished overnight. It required continuous summarizing experiences and lessons learned in practice before a complete imperial examination system could be formed.
The new emperor, Chen Huai'an, who was only twenty-six years old, had plenty of time to wait.
Therefore, in order to speed up the reform of the imperial examination system, he did not hesitate to involve the former kings of different surnames in it.
With the conclusion of this court assembly, the implementation of the imperial examination reform was officially put on the agenda. The next step was to announce it to the world and issue an imperial edict ordering local government offices to assist the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Personnel in organizing the imperial examinations.
After the court session, Marquis Lu Jiang, who was about to leave the palace with all the civil and military officials, was suddenly stopped by Cai He, the eunuch in charge of writing for the emperor: "Marquis, please wait!"
Um?
Upon hearing this, Marquis Zhongyong Lu Jiang stopped in his tracks, completely bewildered. He turned around and stared blankly at Cai He, asking, "Eunuch Cai, is there something you need?"
Cai He said, "My lord, it's not that this old servant has something to discuss with you, but that the Emperor wishes to see you!"
"The Emperor summoned me?"
Marquis Lu Jiang, the Loyal and Brave, raised an eyebrow, his heart pounding for no apparent reason.
This was the first time that Lu Jiang, the Marquis of Loyalty and Valor, had received a private audience with the Emperor since he was enfeoffed.
In an instant, countless thoughts surged through Lu Jiang's mind.
However, he immediately realized what was happening and said, "Thank you for leading the way, Eunuch Cai!"
"My lord, please—"
Soon, led by Cai He, Lu Jiang arrived at the Imperial Study with a heavy heart. The new Emperor Chen Huai'an had just returned to the Imperial Study from the Golden Palace and was enjoying hot tea.
"Your Majesty, the Marquis of Loyalty and Valor has arrived!"
"Let him in!"
As they were talking, Marquis Lu Jiang, filled with trepidation, entered the Imperial Study. Upon seeing Emperor Chen Huai'an, he hurriedly knelt down and bowed, shouting, "Long live the Emperor!"
"You may rise, no need for formalities!"
Chen Huai'an waved his hand and said, "Please take a seat and serve tea!"
Lu Jiang carefully sat down in the imperial study, but only dared to put a third of his buttocks on the chair, and dared not look the new emperor Chen Huai'an in the eye.
Chen Huai'an smiled and said, "Lu Jiang, are you afraid of me?"
Teng!
Lu Jiang instinctively stood up from his chair, making a gesture as if to kneel down and kowtow, while hurriedly explaining, "Your Majesty, I, I did not, I dare not!"
Ha ha!
Chen Huai'an suddenly laughed heartily and said, "I told you to sit down, so sit down properly and don't act so reserved!"
"Back then, when you single-handedly sailed your small boat into my treasure ship at night, the courage and boldness you displayed were nothing like this now!"
As he spoke, Chen Huai'an said half-jokingly, "Or is it that after I bestowed upon you the title of Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery of the New Dynasty, it actually wore away your courage and boldness?"
"If that's really the case, then I've wronged you?"
"Your Majesty, I dare not!"
Over here, Marquis Lu Jiang, the Loyal and Brave, was so frightened that he knelt on the ground and kowtowed!
Seeing this, Chen Huai'an smiled helplessly and said, "Alright, get up and sit down properly to talk. I'm not a tiger, I'm not going to eat you!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
This time, after Marquis Lu Jiang, the Marquis of Loyalty and Valor, got up, he finally sat down in the chair with trepidation, but he was still very tense and looked nervous and awkward.
In fact, the new emperor Chen Huai'an did not exude the arrogant and domineering aura of a monarch; instead, he radiated a warm and approachable feeling that made people feel as if they were bathed in a spring breeze.
But Lu Jiang couldn't relax in front of Chen Huai'an at all.
Even he himself couldn't understand why, as the deputy general of the Liangjiang New Army, he dared to row a small boat alone to the "enemy's" naval fleet to meet Chen Huai'an, who was then the Prince of Jin, and was still able to remain calm and composed.
Now, Lu Jiang, who has long been granted the title of Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery, has lost his former courage and composure. When facing Chen Huai'an, who has already declared himself emperor, he can't help but feel fear, and his nerves become tense.
Perhaps this is what people mean by "serving a ruler is like serving a tiger"?
Lu Jiang's mind wandered.
Chen Huai'an continued, "Lu Jiang, the reason I summoned you here today is that there is something I need you to do for me!"
"I beg Your Majesty to issue the decree, and I will gladly go through fire and water, even unto death!"
As they were talking, Lu Jiang, who had been sitting upright in his chair, stood up again without thinking and knelt on one knee in front of Chen Huai'an to await the Emperor's decree.
Eh—
Chen Huai'an was speechless at Lu Jiang's series of actions, but he acquiesced to his behavior.
Chen Huai'an said, "Lu Jiang, you must have heard it in court today: I intend to implement the imperial examination reform in this new dynasty in order to recruit talented people from all over the country to serve the nation."
"Several princes of different surnames from the previous dynasty, as well as the civil and military officials in the court, have shown their full support for the imperial examination reform."
"but--"
Then, Chen Huai'an changed the subject, saying sternly, "The resistance to this imperial examination reform has never come from the civil and military officials in the court;"
"They come from powerful clans that control the economy and politics of counties and prefectures!"
"My implementation of the imperial examination reform in the new dynasty is tantamount to breaking the monopoly of these powerful families on recommending officials locally and even in the court, which will inevitably affect their vested interests."
"This reform of the imperial examination system in the new dynasty not only requires several highly respected princes from the previous dynasty, along with the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Personnel, to take the lead, but also a supervisory body that is directly under my command to ensure the fairness, impartiality, and openness of the imperial examinations!"
"so--"
As Chen Huai'an spoke, he came to Lu Jiang and personally helped Lu Jiang, who was kneeling on one knee awaiting the imperial decree, to his feet. He then spoke earnestly:
"I wish for you to tour the realm on my behalf during the implementation of the imperial examination reforms in the new dynasty, while the examinations are underway, to ensure that the imperial examination reforms I am implementing benefit every student in the land!"
After saying this, Chen Huai'an turned around and took a Longquan sword from the wall of the Imperial Study, and solemnly handed it to Marquis Zhongyong Lu Jiang.
He said, word by word, "Lu Jiang, you are the first military general in this dynasty to be ennobled, and you are also a loyal, brave, and upright person. I hereby entrust this imperial sword to you and appoint you as the Imperial Commissioner of the new dynasty, with full authority to supervise the reform of the imperial examination system and the examinations!"
"Lu Jiang, you must not let me down, and you must not let down the hundreds of thousands of students in the new dynasty who are eager to become officials and serve the country!"
"Your subject, Lu Jiang, accepts the imperial decree and expresses his gratitude!"
Lu Jiang took the Longquan sword, a symbol of supreme imperial power, from Chen Huai'an's hands with both hands, his eyes filled with tears, and replied firmly, each word ringing in his ears:
"Your Majesty, please rest assured, I will certainly not fail Your Majesty's expectations, much less let down the passionate students of the new dynasty!"
Um!
Chen Huai'an nodded, raised his hand and patted Lu Jiang's shoulder heavily, continuing, "Lu Jiang, I have hereby decree appointing you as Imperial Envoy, wielding the Imperial Sword to tour the realm. Please feel free to make any requests you may have."
"Summarize the personnel you need and I will personally have the Six Ministries coordinate for you!"
"In short, for this first imperial examination of the new dynasty, I only want one thing: to ensure that it is fair, just, and transparent, so that all scholars in the country have the opportunity to enter officialdom and serve the country loyally!"
"My lord, I obey the order!"
......
Chen Huai'an chose to appoint Marquis Zhongyong Lu Jiang as Imperial Commissioner to oversee the national civil service examinations on behalf of the emperor.
This was not only because Lu Jiang was the first person he personally conferred a title upon, but also because the Longcheng Inner Guard had recognized Lu Jiang's loyalty and character through long-term covert investigation.
Lu Jiang, who had just turned 30, was born in the year when Emperor Gaozu of the previous dynasty, Zhao Mang, raised his army. He came from a poor fishing family in the Liangjiang region and showed amazing martial arts talent from a young age.
He joined the army at the age of sixteen and gradually distinguished himself in the anti-piracy operations along the coast of Liangjiang. Eventually, he caught the eye of Su Chen, the Governor-General of Liangjiang, who recruited him and entrusted him with important responsibilities.
In fact, back when Chen Huai'an led the Longcheng naval fleet northward along the Yangtze River to take Nanjing, Lu Jiang, the deputy general of the Liangjiang New Army, single-handedly rowed a small boat to Chen Huai'an's treasure ship to discuss the surrender of the Liangjiang New Army. Chen Huai'an had already become interested in this bold and meticulous deputy general of the Liangjiang New Army.
After Lu Jiang was incorporated into Chang Yuchun's Longcheng Southern Expeditionary Army along with the Liangjiang New Army, Chen Huai'an secretly had the Longcheng Guards observe Su Chen and Lu Jiang.
If Lu Jiang had not been of outstanding character, Chen Huai'an would not have bestowed upon him the title of Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery of the new dynasty, making him the first person to be granted such a title, simply because of his military merit in killing the emperor of Nanzhao on the battlefield.
Furthermore, after being granted the title of Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery, Lu Jiang did not become arrogant or domineering. On the contrary, he became even more low-key after returning to the capital. To this day, he has not yet brought his family to the Marquis's Mansion in Jinling City, and he keeps everything simple in the capital.
This led Chen Huai'an to make the decision to appoint Lu Jiang as Imperial Commissioner, responsible for inspecting the entire country and supervising the first imperial examination since the founding of the new dynasty.
It's not that Chen Huai'an distrusts the former princes of different surnames who volunteered in court today to assist the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Personnel in promoting the imperial examination reform in their fiefdoms, or that he's worried they might manipulate the new dynasty's imperial examinations behind the scenes.
Indeed, as an emperor, he would never trust any party in the court with such a major matter as the reform of the imperial examination system. Only a system of mutual supervision could ensure the fairness of the imperial examinations in the new dynasty to the greatest extent.
This Marquis Zhongyong, Lu Jiang, was under Chen Huai'an's supervision and checks and balances over the Ministry of Rites, which was responsible for organizing and implementing the imperial examinations, as well as several former princes.
In addition, the Longcheng Inner Guard will also be monitoring the entire process.
In this way, after summarizing the information from all three parties and conducting a little analysis, Chen Huai'an was able to obtain the answer closest to the truth.
Recalling all this, Chen Huai'an couldn't help but sigh in his heart, "Being an emperor is tough!"
At the same time.
Holding the imperial edict appointing him as Imperial Envoy in the Imperial Study, along with the Shangfang sword that granted him the privilege of acting first and reporting later, Marquis Zhongyong Lu Jiang felt as if he were walking on air.
This imperial edict and the sword not only represented Lu Jiang's future privilege of inspecting the country as an imperial envoy, but also the emperor's trust in him!
This trust from the Emperor made Lu Jiang feel that the imperial edict and the imperial sword in his hands had become incredibly heavy.
He couldn't help but recall his life. Twenty years ago, he was a naive young man digging for clams on a beach near the East China Sea. He probably never dreamed that he would do such a thing.
Twenty years later, will he one day hold the imperial sword and tour the country in place of the emperor?
At this moment, Lu Jiang, the Marquis of Loyalty and Valor, became even more determined to repay the Emperor's kindness by dedicating the rest of his life to this cause.
He secretly resolved that if he discovered anyone deceiving the emperor or obstructing the emperor's implementation of the imperial examination reform during his inspection, he would pursue the matter to the end and never compromise, no matter who was involved!
......
That night.
The banks of the Qinhuai River remain a place of song and dance, where beautifully made-up women can be seen everywhere singing songs on flower boats while holding pipa. This place is still a place for high-ranking officials and nobles in Nanjing to relax and have fun.
On one of the pleasure boats sat several middle-aged men dressed in fine clothes and speaking with great refinement.
They drank and chatted.
"Brother Ziyu, I really envy you. In the court, whether it's civil or military affairs, the Prince is always there to protect you. You can move forward and retreat with ease!"
"Yes, I hope Brother Ziyu can give me some pointers on matters of state in the future, so that Brother Jiang and I can follow in your footsteps and choose sides!"
On the pleasure boat, the two people speaking and flattering each other were none other than two high-ranking officials from the imperial court: Su Chen, the Governor-General of Liangjiang, and Jiang Ning, the Governor-General of Lianghu.
The man sitting in the main seat, enjoying the pleasure of having beautiful women massage his shoulders and embracing him on both sides, while receiving compliments from two powerful regional officials, was none other than Liu Ziyu, the adopted son of Prince Wu Ning, Liu Xinwu, and the chief military commander of the Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun.
The three of them finally met together after the second court assembly of the new dynasty.
The alliance between the civil and military officials of the North and South seems to be developing in the direction of forming a treaty and jointly resisting the imperial power.
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