Datang: Longevity for Thousands of Years, Exposed by Xiao Sizi

Chapter 80 Qin Changye returns to the ancient tomb and talks about the matter with Emperor Wu of Han!

"Actually, I... lost my mind for a moment and agreed to the Cui family. Later, I realized that students like me should work hard to become Mr. Qin, and Mr. Qin works for the court. I have an uncle who is an official. He said that His Majesty and the noble families are not in harmony."

"If you are not on good terms with the noble family, you will be Mr. Qin's enemy, so I finally rejected the Cui family."

"I want to follow Mr. Qin and fight for my ideal again!"

Listening to Mr. Lin's story, Li Shimin finally understood why he could not compete with the aristocratic families for talents.

First of all,

The first point is speed!

After the poetry reading, those noble families sent people to visit the residences of the university students or even talk to them on the streets.

There is a strong advantage in taking action.

second.

That is the substantial benefit in all aspects.

By joining a noble family, you can get an easy job, and you can also recommend them to become officials, and you will also get a lot of gold and silver.

But if you join the imperial court, you will only get a small official position and...you must immediately serve the people.

Joining the imperial court would not make it easy for them. After all, even Li Shimin himself worked so hard and had to deal with a lot of government affairs every day.

How could the officials under him possibly feel at ease?

Joining the imperial court would provide a stable position, because Li Shimin was short of people at that time, but joining an aristocratic family would allow one to be employed for a few years and earn almost a lifetime's worth of money.

The aristocratic families control the world's commerce and many industries, they have such power.

If it were Li Shimin, he would be unable to stop being moved.

In comparison, the imperial court had no advantage at all.

"This is really... difficult, harder than climbing to heaven."

Li Shimin felt a terrible sense of powerlessness.

These families,

In every aspect, the pressure on him is really too great.

Seeing your majesty in deep thought,
Changsun Wuji gave Lin Xuezi a look to let him leave, and then he said, "Your Majesty, are you okay?"

Li Shimin lay on the chair, shook his head and said, "I'm fine."

He stood up and took a deep breath.

Look at Changsun Wuji carefully.

"Fuji, tell me the truth, how many of the top thirty students nominated last night joined the Five Surnames and Seven Famous Families?"

"This..." Zhangsun Wuji hesitated, as if he had something to hide, but seeing Li Shimin's determined look, he could only sigh helplessly and said, "In total, 23 students joined the family."

When Li Shimin heard this, his eyes widened instantly.

This….
This, this, this!
There are too many people joining!

The talents he got were few and far between.

So what is the significance of holding this poetry reading?
It turned out that after a long period of preparation, the event directly served as a wedding dress for the five surnames and seven families!
He only got seven talents, and among the seven talents, like the student Lin just now, he turned back to the right path because of Qin Changye. Maybe the remaining six people joined his Li family court more or less because of Qin Changye.

If Qin Changye was not speaking for the court last night, but was a member of a noble family, then doesn't that mean... that he, Li Shimin, can't get a single talent!
This!
How terrible!
But there was no other way. This was his only way to get talents. The only other way was recommendation. And most of the recommended officials were from aristocratic families. After so much recommendation, in the end, the aristocratic families would inherit the official positions.

"Your Majesty, it's alright."

"Look at it from a bright perspective. Of the 23 students who joined the Five Surnames and Seven Famous Families at this poetry gathering, only two joined the Zheng Clan. The Zheng Clan's strength has been weakened."

"And now that we have seven students, we have some new forces joining us, so the vacancies in the various local government posts won't be as serious as they were before."

Chang Sun Wuji automatically threw away those bad worries, which was a bit like trying to cover up his own faults.

Li Shimin looked at him with a complicated expression and said seriously: "Assisted machine, this won't work."

"As one rises, the other falls. The Li Tang royal family will eventually become a puppet of the aristocratic families. I must break this situation!"

This is also real.

The power of the aristocratic families became increasingly stronger, so much so that by the time of Wu Zetian's generation, she had no choice but to use thundering means to destroy them.

Because at that time, the imperial power could hardly suppress the aristocratic families.

They tested and advanced step by step, and by the time of Wu Zetian, they were almost able to cover the sky with one hand.

And now,
Because of the number of students from aristocratic families who joined the poetry meeting, Li Shimin realized the seriousness of the problem.

Li Shimin took a deep breath and said, "This matter... must also be resolved by my generation, because only my generation has an absolute advantage in the military and can slowly suppress the aristocratic families. If my generation fails or does nothing, then I don't know whether the next generation, Cheng Qian or... Qing Que, will still have the power to suppress the Five Surnames and Seven Families."

Saying,

Li Shimin narrowed his eyes and said, "Assistant, I must solve the danger of the family in this generation."

"I plan to reopen the imperial examination!"

what!
Reopen the imperial examination!
Changsun Wuji’s eyes widened instantly. What did he hear?
The imperial examination must be reopened. Was it because my eyes are blurry or my hearing is poor that I heard it wrong?
"Your Majesty, you...what did you say just now? I didn't hear it clearly!"

Changsun Wuji's voice was trembling.

He couldn't help but be shocked.

Imperial Examination Imperial Examination, these two words seem to be nothing wrong, but when combined, they represent a major earthquake!

The previous dynasty, the Sui Dynasty, was destroyed largely because of the imperial examination system!
The imperial examination, a form of entry into officialdom that relied on people's knowledge and talent, broke the traditional practice of entering officialdom through bloodline and family background.

It is truly a move that has touched the cake of those aristocratic families.

Because of this,

During the Sui Dynasty, the aristocratic families all disliked Yang Guang. When the Sui Dynasty was threatened with collapse, they had no concept of country in their hearts. Instead, they hoped that the Sui Dynasty would perish quickly and applauded.

What's more, perhaps before the demise of the Sui Dynasty, many of its opponents received assistance from the aristocratic families!

Changsun Wuji could foresee this.

If Your Majesty really holds the imperial examination, who knows what crazy actions those angry aristocratic families will take.

"Assistant, you heard me right. I do intend to hold the imperial examination system again."

"I'm afraid... only the imperial examination system can truly break the monopoly of the five surnames and seven families and allow me to obtain truly useful talents!"

Li Shimin looked up at the sky outside the study, his eyes burning and full of ambition.

"Your Majesty, this... this is not allowed, Your Majesty!"

"There are all kinds of natural disasters and disaster victims. Our court has not yet dealt with these disasters. If we hold the imperial examination at this time, then...then then then...wouldn't it be adding disaster to disaster?"

"How about this, Your Majesty? Please listen to my advice. I think we should first deal with the victims and the natural disasters in the north."

"Once we have dealt with this, we will have no worries. We will then hold the imperial examination and devote all our strength to fighting against the Five Surnames and Seven Families and other aristocratic families. What do you... think?"

Li Shimin didn't even think about it and shook his head, "No."

"Although this plan is safe, it will take too long. The reason why I need talents so much now is because there is a shortage of officials. Chang'an City is in great need of officials!"

"Every day, there are memorials reporting that there are vacancies in the positions. Those officials also recommend the next official, but most of them are from aristocratic families, so I withhold them and put them aside without processing them."

"There are many vacant official positions, so I wanted to use this poetry meeting to get some available talents, but I didn't expect that most of them were intercepted by aristocratic families. The talents that can be gathered in a short period of time must be from humble backgrounds. Apart from the imperial examination, I can't influence other methods."

Changsun Wuji could understand Li Shimin's difficulties, but this matter was too terrible. The imperial examination was a double-edged sword, and it depended on how it was used.

If used properly, it can certainly weaken the family's foundation.

But if it is not applied properly, and if we think from the worst perspective, the entire Tang Dynasty... will be in danger of destruction!
But what can we do?

Your Majesty has already decided that the imperial examination must be implemented.

My persuasion was fruitless.

Well... as a subject, I can only follow your majesty's line of thought and think about how to implement the imperial examination so that it will be more popular among scholars all over the world, while also guarding against the backlash from the Five Surnames and Seven Aristocrats.

When the previous dynasty implemented the imperial examination for the first time, the aristocratic families of the previous dynasty did not care about it at first. After all, it was a new thing. It was unlikely that it would be shelved after being implemented for a period of time and finding no effect.

However, the emperors of the previous dynasty were extremely enthusiastic about the imperial examinations.

As the imperial examination system became more and more comprehensive, many court officials were scholars from humble backgrounds. Only then did the aristocratic families of the previous dynasty realize that, although the imperial examination system could allow capable people to take office, this examination system... was extremely harmful to their aristocratic families. Many members of the aristocratic families who had been recommended originally were not given official positions, which was a disguised way of weakening the power of their families!

Scold!

Counterattack!

The previous imperial court therefore encountered hostility from the major families.

That was the first time that the aristocratic families discovered the horror of the imperial examination system.

And now, Your Majesty is going to implement the second imperial examination since ancient times. This time, the aristocratic families have experience, and their opposition will definitely be more fierce than in the previous dynasty. They will even... use the forces of all parties to force Li Shimin to stop his plan.

The entire imperial examination system was stillborn.

Therefore,
The imperial examination really requires careful planning.

"Your Majesty, I understand."

"I will go down later and discuss with Wei Shizhong, Fang Sikong and others on how to arrange the imperial examination more appropriately."

Changsun Wuji bowed and saluted.

Wei Zheng and Fang Xuanling were both Li Shimin's confidants. In the past, after Li Shimin discussed important matters with Zhangsun Wuji, Li Shimin would ask Zhangsun Wuji to inform Fang Xuanling, Wei Zheng and others.

Since Changsun Wuji said it himself, there was no need for Li Shimin to remind him.

"Okay, I'll trouble the auxiliary machine then."

"I hope you can bring me a perfect plan."

"But... even though it's perfect, there's no way to take care of both. The imperial examination and the aristocratic families are old enemies. Once the imperial examination appears, the aristocratic families will probably go crazy."

"What you need to consider is how to make this madness less intense."

Li Shimin gave a general direction.

Although he was eager to recruit talents at this time, he also knew that the matter of imperial examination representatives was too important, and no matter how urgent it was, he needed to take a long time to consider.

However, he actually already had a rough idea in his mind.

When it comes to the imperial examination, publicity and promotion must be quick, fierce and accurate!

We must catch the Five Surnames and Seven Families off guard.

Under this condition, the options available are limited.

As long as Changsun Wuji and others could not come up with any other solutions, Li Shimin was ready to take his own approach.

"Your Majesty, I understand."

After bowing again and seeing that Li Shimin had no other instructions, Changsun Wuji slowly took his leave.

Now Li Shimin is thinking about taking the imperial examination.

He did not exist in history because he did not send anyone to participate in this poetry meeting and was not aware of the cruel reality of the aristocratic families snatching away most of the talented people.

Now that he learned about this, Li Shimin felt a sense of urgency and wanted to quickly hold the imperial examination to attract talents.

After he left.

Li Shimin did not deal with government affairs, but instead asked someone to call the commander of the Jinwu Guard.

"Your Majesty, are you looking for me?"

The commander of the Jinwu Guards walked in dressed in armor.

"Ah."

Li Shimin nodded, looked at him and said, "How is the matter I asked you to do?"

After this poetry meeting in Chang'an City, he, as the emperor of the Tang Dynasty, did not do nothing.

This poetry reading.

The Zheng family of Xingyang had many frictions with Qin Changye, and they were always on the opposing side, so Li Shimin sent people to smear them privately. Many storytellers today who are smearing the aristocratic family were also arranged by him.

"Your Majesty, everything is going well."

"It's just that... we encountered several spies from the Longxi Li family on the way, and they knew our whereabouts."

“Maybe we are exposed.”

"Your Majesty, this is also my fault. I was too careless, so my men were discovered by the Wind-Exploring Guards. If you want to punish them, then punish me alone!"

The commander of the Jinwu Guards looked annoyed and regretful.

Li Shimin saw this and smiled, "General Li, you don't need to worry about this."

"The Zheng family of Xingyang is one of the most famous five surnames and seven families in the world. The ancients said that a lean camel is bigger than a horse, not to mention that his family is at the forefront."

"How could an ordinary storyteller have the guts to defame such an aristocratic family? Even if the whereabouts of you and your men are unknown, as long as they speculate more, they will eventually fall on the Li Tang royal family."

"So, don't worry about it. You have done a good job. I am very pleased."

The commander of the Jinwu Guard breathed a sigh of relief after hearing what Li Shimin said.

"By the way, that person...after such a big incident, has he ever been to Wangyun Inn?"

Li Shimin asked again.

The voice trembled slightly.

Since last night, he sent the commander of the Jinwu Guard to carefully observe Wangyun Inn to see if there were any strangers going there.

Last night, Qin Changye became so famous and gained huge fame, but he also received a lot of malicious looks.

Definitely.

The world follows the principles of Tai Chi. After a thing is accomplished, there will be two kinds of views, good and bad.

maybe,
This time, that person will come to Wangyun Inn and explain something to "Qin Wenyuan".

"No, Your Majesty."

The commander of the Jinwu Guard shook his head.

Li Shimin sighed: "Forget it, I don't have too much hope. But we have to continue to observe."

The commander of the Jinwu Guards bowed and saluted: "Your Majesty, I understand."

immediately.

The Jinwu Guards began to report other things to Li Shimin, mostly about what they saw and heard during this trip out of the palace.

…………….….
at the same time.

the other side.

Qin Changye got up this morning and was writing something.

That's a book.

He has recently started thinking about teaching again.

In the past, in the Qin Dynasty, the Han Dynasty, and even other dynasties, Qin Changye would try to teach and educate people soon after waking up. He was inclined to this.

And now.

Qin Changye has an excellent memory and is writing a "Three Character Classic" based on the knowledge in his mind.

Stop to rest halfway through writing.

Qin Changye would then look in the direction of the Imperial Palace. If one followed his gaze and looked through space, one would find that he was looking at the ancient tomb inside the Imperial Palace.

"Have you dug all the way to Emperor Wu of Han? That brat Meng Xing..."

Qin Changye smiled and shook his head helplessly.

I didn't think too much about it,

After a short break, I continued writing.

"Second brother, second brother~!"

"Sizi is coming!"

After a while, the baby voice of little Sizi was heard outside the room.

Qin Changye couldn't help but put down his paper and pen and went to open the door.

I saw Xiao Sizi carrying a lot of bags.

He was surprised and asked, "Little Sizi, what have you brought with you?"

Little Sizi was holding the bundle with all his might, and said with a smile, "This! It's delicious. Sizi specially asked the imperial chef to make it this morning!"

"Hehe~ Second brother, you stood up for Sizi last night and treated Sizi to food. Father and mother always said that we should repay others, so Sizi will treat you to delicious food as well!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Qin Changye's eyes moved.

"You kid..."

Qin Changye smiled softly.

"Oh, hurry up and let Sizi in, I'm so tired!"

Little Sizi "bumped" Qin Changye aside and walked in, then as he couldn't reach the table, he put his bag on the ground.

Then he lay on the ground exhausted.

"Little Sizi, you carried me all the way here?"

"No, the guards helped Sizi move it downstairs in the inn, and then Sizi brought it here!"

"this…."

Qin Changye was speechless after hearing this.

He lifted this thing, and it didn't seem very heavy?

However, Xiao Sizi was so tired after just carrying the load from the first floor to the second floor, a short distance.

I have to say, the little guy’s physical strength is really low.

Give the little one some exercise.

This plan was included in Qin Changye's thoughts.

after that.

He began to unpack his bag, and as he did so he asked, "Little Sizi, what did you bring?"

"Hmm? Osmanthus cake, and chicken soup...they are my favorites. Did you take note of them?"

Upon hearing this, Little Sizi stood up and said, "Of course! Sizi will definitely remember it!"

But just after he finished speaking, the little Sizi started to shrug his shoulders.

"Wow, okay, actually Sizi had forgotten everything. It was Sister who told Sizi."

After all, she still couldn't panic.

Princess Changle...
Qin Changye seemed to be thinking about something, then he smiled and said, "It's okay, Sizi, it's great that you have this intention."

"Do you want to eat?"

Qin Changye asked.

Little Sizi quickly shook his head, indicating that he came here just after finishing his meal.

Qin Changye understood immediately and started eating immediately.

While he was eating, little Sizi climbed onto the chair babbling.

"Little Sizi, be careful."

Qin Changye couldn't help but say.

This little guy is too silly.

Can you believe that sometimes you can trip over yourself while walking?
Therefore, Qin Changye was always concerned about Xiao Sizi, fearing that something might happen to her.

"Humph! I know, second brother, Sizi is not a fool! He can't fall down!"

Little Sizi angrily said that he was very smart, then he climbed onto the table, saw the papers on the table, and looked at them curiously.

"Second brother, what is this?"

Xiao Sizi couldn't help but ask.

Qin Changye said casually: "Some words and sentences for children to read, mainly written for you, you must study hard."

"Ah?" Little Sizi was shocked: "Written to Sizi?"

"Yes."

boom!
Study? Study!!!
Hear the answer,

Little Sizi suddenly felt as if the sky was falling, as if a thunderbolt had struck in a clear sky.

She doesn't like studying.

There were many great scholars in the palace who taught her. Little Sizi thought it was something fun at first, but after learning, she found out that it was a nightmare!

The little guy was completely defeated by the boring atmosphere of studying.

From then on, I seldom had anything to do with studying.

Now that my second brother brings it up again, it’s like a nightmare coming back to life!
"Study... Second brother, wuwuwu... Sizi doesn't want to study."

Little Sizi looks a little pitiful.

And every time studying was mentioned in the palace, she was like this. Studying was really a nightmare for the little one.

Qin Changye rolled his eyes: "How do you know you don't like it when you haven't even learned it yet? Maybe you will like my teaching method."

Little Sizi quickly shook his head: "No no no no no!"

She not only shook her head, but also shook her hands.

It seems as if every organ in the body is resisting learning.

Qin Changye still rolled his eyes: "There's nothing to say about this."

After these days of contact, he realized that little Sizi was not very good at studying, so he decided to write the "Three Character Classic" today, which is mainly used to teach children.

In the past, when he woke up, he would write poems suitable for teenagers or eight-year-olds.

"Wuwuwu, second brother, let Sizi go! Sizi doesn't want to study!"

Little Sizi came to Qin Changye pitifully, and began to hug Qin Changye's thighs and cry.

It looks so pitiful.

In other aspects, Qin Changye might be touched by Xiao Sizi's pitiful appearance, but for this matter, forget it!

"Little Sizi, here... you just need to follow my lead and I will take you to catch butterflies later."

Butterfly!

Little Sizi's eyes suddenly brightened.

I was tempted, but still a little hesitant.

Qin Changye smiled and continued, "Didn't you keep thinking about going to the ancient tomb these days? I'll take you back later to see a brand new place. How about that?"

When Xiao Sizi heard this, his eyes suddenly brightened up like daylight: "Wow, second brother, is it true?"

"Did my second brother lie to you?"

"Hehe, no!"

"That's it, so do you want to try to learn?"

"Yes~! Hehe, Sizi actually likes studying the most. Second brother, let's study later!"

The little guy is easy to win over and he no longer hates studying.
.
….…….….….….
at the same time.

Before the morning court session.

Li Shimin summoned Wei Zheng, Fang Xuanling and Zhangsun Wuji.

Let’s have one final discussion about the imperial examination!
In fact, such a major event requires a long period of consideration and arrangement before it can be started.

But Li Shimin was an emperor who came to power through military campaigns, and the army emphasized swift and decisive action. Moreover, Li Shimin was afraid that if he slowed down a bit, he would not dare to hold the imperial examination.

And in the court,
There are spies from the aristocratic families everywhere. If we take our time, the aristocratic families will definitely get the news in advance.

At that time, the aristocratic families would also deal with this in a targeted manner.

More unfavorable to implement.

"Huh... this is difficult."

Li Shimin was quite emotional and also a little fearful.

He was afraid of what would happen after the imperial examination system was introduced.

There are not many things in this world that scare him. Recently, the immortal is one of them, and the imperial examination is the second.

no way,
The imperial examination was the main culprit that led to the downfall of the previous dynasty. How can we not be afraid if it is reopened now?

"Your Majesty, I think this is inappropriate."

"At present, the natural disasters have just passed. Although there are jobs for the people in all walks of life, there are still some people who have no work to do."

"The entire Tang Dynasty is in a state of recovery, and the court needs people everywhere."

"If we were to hold the imperial examination at this time, those noble families would certainly obstruct it in every possible way. By then, our court would not only have to deal with disaster victims and natural disasters, but also the noble families. This... we really cannot spare the manpower."

Wei Zheng spoke earnestly.

It also makes sense.

It analyzes the disadvantages of opening the imperial examination system at this time from various aspects.

But unfortunately, Li Shimin had made up his mind.

He rolled his eyes and looked at Wei Zheng and the other two.

"Assistant, you three have been discussing this for an hour, and the result is still the same?"

Chang Sun Wuji's face turned red, and he cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, that was Minister Wei's idea. He has been disagreeing with it all afternoon."

"It has been Fang Sikong and I who have been thinking about countermeasures. After thinking for an entire afternoon, we two have come up with no solution. The only solution, I'm afraid, is to be quick, ruthless, and accurate!"

Li Shimin nodded.

This method coincides with what he had in mind.

"Your Majesty, this cannot be possible. This is really..."

"Someone, drive Minister Wei out."

Two guards came in, one on the left and one on the right, and carried Wei Zheng away.

"Your Majesty, this is really...really not possible!"

Until it completely disappeared from sight, Wei Zheng's questioning voice was still echoing.

Li Shimin rubbed his head with a headache and said unhappily: "Assistant, did I give Wei Zheng a chance?"

"Well, Your Majesty, Minister Wei also has great intentions."

It was rare for Changsun Wuji to speak up for Wei Zheng.

This is mainly because if the aristocratic families obstructed the establishment of the imperial examination, the number of places where the court, or more specifically the Li Tang royal family, would need people would increase greatly.

There were already not enough people, and now there will be an even greater shortage of manpower. If Wei Zheng is demoted, his workload will increase a lot, which is not worth it.

"Okay, I'm just talking casually. You guys can go down. I'll announce the decision on the imperial examination at the morning court later. This will catch the noble families off guard and make me...completely resolute in my heart."

Li Shimin narrowed his eyes slightly.

"Yes."

Changsun Wuji slowly took his leave.

……

An hour later.

early morning.

Today's morning court seemed no different from the previous ones. Everything was carried out in an orderly manner, and then some trivial matters in the world that were insignificant to the world were reported.

The reason why it looked like that was because the court officials felt a sense of oppression in the air.

It came from the close ministers of the Li Tang royal family!

Led by Changsun Wuji and others, their morning court today was too quiet, so quiet that not even a murmur was heard.

This happened in the past.

It is absolutely impossible.

There must be a demon in the abnormal situation.

Most officials from aristocratic families felt that this seemed to be the calm before the storm.

at last.

After another official from an aristocratic family reported a trivial matter, Changsun Wuji walked out.

coming!

he came!
What was he going to say?
What's the big deal?

Most of the officials from the aristocratic families were startled and stared at Zhangsun Wuji.

(End of this chapter)