Even the people in the Ministry of Personnel felt unlucky!
When the news of the special imperial examination came out last year, the people in the Ministry of Personnel were very happy, thinking that they should be able to "get rich" this year. But now that half a year has passed and the special imperial examination has ended, the Ministry of Personnel has not gained any benefits from these new Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations).
They wanted to find someone to reason with, but unfortunately no one could stand up for them!
Lord Su said, "That can't be!"
Upon hearing this, Lord Hong said mysteriously, "You don't know what kind of person our Emperor is. I suspect he's planning something big. Let me tell you something from the bottom of my heart: be more discreet lately. I think His Majesty is probably waiting for someone to stand out!"
Officials who could move around in front of the emperor and had any influence, even if they lacked ability, still possessed keen insight. With Kangxi's actions, the Ministry of Personnel could only watch helplessly and dared not do anything.
Don't they feel bad about not being able to make any money from it?
They felt sorry for them, but there was nothing they could do, since they simply didn't dare to.
The results of the supplementary exam came out relatively quickly. The answers to the science questions were relatively fixed, so there was no need to worry too much about personal preferences, and the results came out quickly, in early June.
The top 100 in the additional examination will be awarded the title of Jinshi (进士).
This year, the special imperial examination and the additional examination combined produced nearly four hundred Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations), which is not a small number.
The imperial court and the successful candidates in the imperial examinations were all waiting for Kangxi's next move.
Many people also tried to use connections and spend money, but it didn't work well this year. They didn't know Kangxi's next plan, so no matter how good the items were or how tempting they were, they didn't dare to accept them.
It's incredibly frustrating to be able to only look at something and not be able to possess it.
Kangxi was unaware of the thoughts of his court officials. The list of successful candidates had been released, and there were indeed a few talented individuals during the additional examination. Kangxi intended to give them important positions.
In mid-June, Emperor Kangxi made arrangements for the successful candidates in the imperial examinations.
Everyone, without exception, stayed in the capital.
Kangxi did not send these people to other places, but placed them in the Six Ministries and some supervisory departments in the capital. Their official ranks were not high, only the eighth or ninth rank, which was not much in the capital. Compared with the previous Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations), their situation was not good.
In the past, even if a former scholar was assigned to a post outside the capital, he would at least be a seventh-rank official.
Emperor Kangxi's decree naturally caused a great uproar among the newly selected scholars this year.
"What do you think His Majesty means? We are all newly appointed scholars, only eighth or ninth rank officials, and we're just doing odd jobs. We've studied for so many years just to serve the country and the people, but only eighth or ninth rank officials... This is just too much!"
He didn't dare say what came next, but he made his meaning clear.
"How could we possibly guess His Majesty's thoughts? There's a banquet in three days! His Majesty will be attending, and he'll surely say something at the banquet. Let's wait and see!"
They were naturally resentful about being assigned to these places, but they weren't stupid; they dared not be the first to act until a concrete decision was made.
So let's wait a little longer.
After three days of peace and quiet, the banquet arrived.
This banquet didn't have a name; it was specifically set up for these scholars who had passed the imperial examinations. As for its purpose...
Kangxi intended to use it to inspire the fighting spirit of a group of people.
The imperial court also needs fresh blood.
"I am deeply gratified to have gathered here with all of you, my beloved ministers, today."
The people below began to flatter him, and Kangxi felt that it was enough, so he continued: "My dear ministers are all highly talented and learned. It is my good fortune and the good fortune of the Qing Dynasty to have you all. I toast you with this cup of wine."
When Emperor Kangxi offered a toast in his new capacity, everyone was shocked and moved, wishing they could immediately share his burdens and pledge their loyalty to him to the death.
Then they all began to pledge their loyalty.
Kangxi listened to these people's sincere words, but he didn't take them too seriously.
He knew that they were full of vigor and high spirits at this moment, which was true, but the officialdom was the place that could change people the most, and Kangxi dared not take these words seriously; he should just listen to them.
After they finished speaking, Kangxi looked pleased.
The scholars were quite satisfied.
"It is a blessing for all the people that you, my beloved ministers, have such a heart for the people. I raise a toast to you on behalf of all the people."
This made everyone even happier. They all thought Kangxi was a good man and were determined to do their utmost for the Qing Dynasty, to devote themselves wholeheartedly to the cause until their dying breath.
Kangxi felt that was enough, and then he began to talk about what was important to him.
He sighed and said, "Last year, I went to Jiangnan incognito and saw the lives of many people. Only then did I understand the hardships of their lives. I feel deeply ashamed that, as the emperor, under my rule, there are still many people who cannot live in peace and prosperity."
Everyone who heard Kangxi's words felt the same way.
They come from all over the country, and not all of them are well-off. They are not ignorant of worldly affairs either. Naturally, they have seen more injustices in the places where they live.
Therefore, when Kangxi said such things, they all felt comfortable and had a sense of empathy with him. As a result, they spontaneously considered issues from Kangxi's perspective and weighed the gains and losses.
"Because I feel deeply ashamed, I decided to hold a special imperial examination after I returned. Later, I felt it was not enough, so I had additional examinations held. I hope that you will be able to help me govern the Qing Dynasty and help the people of the world live in peace and prosperity in the future."
Upon hearing this, everyone naturally expressed their determination once again.
They spoke one after another with such sincerity that it seemed they could immediately sacrifice their lives for the Qing Dynasty, burning themselves to illuminate its future.
Emperor Kangxi was satisfied with this.
We've given them enough sweet dates; now it's time for a slap.
"My dear ministers, you are very kind. However, I discovered many problems after my incognito visit. I found that many county magistrates, prefects, and assistant county officials acted very domineeringly in their localities. Although I have dealt with a few corrupt officials, I know that there are many more similar corrupt officials in more remote areas that I cannot see."
I pondered this over and over, wondering why this was the case. Later, I discovered that many officials were directly appointed to positions outside the capital after passing the imperial examinations. They made the decision that they would never return and settled down in the places where they were stationed.
I do not object to this idea. After all, it is a good thing to treat the place they govern as their home. However, these people are far too presumptuous. They treat the places they are assigned to as their own homes, taking whatever they want, causing great suffering to the people.
"My heart is breaking, which is why I've decided to allow you all to train in the capital for a while longer. Once you've achieved results, I will arrange your future. I believe you will understand my good intentions."
Honestly, if Youqing were here, she would definitely call Kangxi a "pure white lotus".
After all, Kangxi's last sentence, "I think my beloved ministers will understand my good intentions, right?" is too similar to the famous "white lotus" saying, "I think my brother can understand me, right?"
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