Ancient promotion routine

"It's natural. I originally wanted to wait for the finished product to come out and show it to the emperor." Zhang Yanjin smiled, and he naturally agreed. With the prince's message, it would not be so abrupt to go and speak to the emperor. The prince today It came just in time.

The prince only understood the significance of the engraved book after listening to himself say it once, which showed that the prince was not only an open-minded person, but also a transparent prince. Zhang Yanjin also deepened his understanding of the prince.

Zhang Yanjin handed over the completed Three Character Classic to the prince and took it back to the palace.

At the same time, he asked his subordinates to step up to help make the first batch of hundred surnames. Li Ying was still waiting for Zhang Yanjin to send him books.

Zhang Yanjin planned to sell this batch of books, and donate all the profits to the school. He planned to establish an enlightenment academy in the city, and use the first batch of books to educate children under the age of ten from ordinary families.

On the second day, Zhang Yanjin was summoned by the emperor.

"Good boy, you really surprised me." Zhang Yanjin heard the emperor's hearty laughter as soon as he stepped into the imperial study.

It seems that the prince has done his homework well, and the emperor is very happy.

If the prince hadn't been sick and weak before, the factional disputes in the imperial court would not be as chaotic as before. Zhang Yanjin stood at the head and said nothing after meeting the emperor.

Listening to the emperor talking eloquently for almost a quarter of an hour, the emperor didn't have such a big reaction to the previous incidents, which made Zhang Yanjin a little curious.

"Zhang Qing, how did you know about this carving technique?" the emperor asked.

"Back to the emperor, I went out one day and found that there were very few books outside. After some inquiries, I realized that copying books is time-consuming and laborious, and the price is very high, so I thought of this place." Zhang Yanjin replied.

The emperor nodded when he heard the words, and said: "My Great Wei needs someone like Zhang Qing who is good at discovering and inventing, not the kind of person who knows how to drink and enjoy himself all day long and get something for nothing."

Zhang Yanjin listened to the emperor's words, and kept silent. The emperor seemed to like to hint at something every time he raised others. Fortunately, there were no other ministers in the imperial study room. Making enemies for Zhang Yanjin.

"Great Wei is naturally full of talents, and Zhang Yanjin is just one of thousands." Zhang Yanjin said, the emperor raised himself to a higher place, and he had to go down by himself. Wei.

"Don't be self-effacing, Zhang Qing. Zhang Qing, if my great Wei has this engraving and printing technique, I can educate the people. If more people enter the academy, there will be fewer bandits. If there are more educated people, then There will be fewer robbers and fights, moreover, there is a shortage of talents in the court, if there are more of these scholars, then not only the children of the aristocratic families, but also the common people will be admitted to the Imperial College." The emperor said with emotion.

Hearing this, Zhang Yanjin couldn't help being overjoyed, the emperor actually intended to select ordinary people to serve as officials in the court, how unhappy he was, and he still had to find ways to persuade the emperor.

According to him, Wei's current way of being an official is either hereditary or recommended, which has led to the dispersion of power, chaos in the government, and various parties working independently. The emperor is more focused on maintaining the balance of party power. However, if there is any dominant family, the imperial power may be threatened at any time.

"Why doesn't the emperor adopt the examination system? There are so many people studying here, it's impossible for all of them to be employed in the court?" Zhang Yanjin humbly stopped teaching, and seeing the emperor paused, she put forward her own ideas.

"Entering my Taiyuan Academy naturally requires an examination. Only those who have the character and talents can go to the Taiyuan Academy to study, and only after the teacher's assessment and recommendation can they enter the imperial court to take up a job. It's just that few people enter the Taiyuan Academy. The reason is that there are few." The emperor said again: "With Zhang Qing's new invention, it is only a matter of time for school disciples to hide."

"Your Majesty, I have something to say, I don't know if it should be said or not." Zhang Yanjin said.

Taiyuan College is a school for nobles. Even if ordinary people pass the exam, there is no good fruit to eat there. Even if they have a chance to enter the government in Taiyuan College, they have to die.

It's better to join the army, at least the military exploits are real.

"If you have something to say, why are you still playing charades? Seeing Zhang Yanjin's seriousness, the emperor smiled and said.

This kid is really a real one, the emperor thought that Zhang Yanjin wanted to negotiate some terms with him, so he thought in his heart what he could give Zhang Yanjin.

"Although the Tai Academy is also an exam, it is only for a small number of people after all. Your Majesty, if our Great Wei promotes this way of reading, there must be some goal that the people are willing to invest in. Although this engraved and printed book reduces the quality of books. The purchase price is relatively high, but the living habits and ideas of the people will not be changed by this engraving and printing technique." Zhang Yanjin said.

"Do you think I was imagining things just now?" the emperor asked.

He just said that reading can educate the people, but Zhang Yanjin then said that it is impossible for many people to be willing to study. Isn't this a slap in the face of the emperor.

Eunuch Xu was listening on the sidelines, feeling ashamed for the lord servant, and chatted like this, that is to say, there is this lord, but seeing that the emperor didn't look angry, Eunuch Xu still pretended to be a statue.

In case the emperor gets angry, he will have to ask someone to take down the Minister Zhang.

"Of course not. What the emperor said has benefited the minister a lot, but what the minister is talking about now is how to make the people take the initiative to study?" Zhang Yanjin said.

The ancient people paid attention to farming, and the concept of studying to become an official was not prevalent in the Wei Dynasty. Although there may be a few geniuses who were interested in reading since childhood, most of the people lived a life of weaving and farming step by step.

Naturally, the reduction in book prices may set off a boom, but what will happen after the boom, Zhang Yanjin doesn't need to guess what it will be like, just like the previous war on literacy, it will be a protracted battle.

"Then tell me how to get the common people to study actively?" the emperor asked with great interest.

"I mentioned the exam before. Why didn't the emperor set up a system to give scholars the opportunity to enter the court directly? I am terrified. I heard the emperor mentioned that the court is not good at accepting talents. If there are a large number of people every year If more scholars have the opportunity to pass the exam and go directly to the court, then naturally there will be no problems."

Hearing what Zhang Yanjin said, the emperor seemed to be moved in his heart, and said to Zhang Yanjin: "Since Zhang Qing proposed this exam, doesn't it mean that he already has a plan in mind?"

"I'm terrified, but I have some thoughts, and I don't know whether to say it or not." Zhang Yanjin made a difficult expression.

The emperor had to take the initiative to bring this up, otherwise he, Zhang Yanjin, would become the target of public criticism, but if the emperor wanted it, no one would dare to speak out.

"Tell me to come and see, so that you are not guilty." Seeing Zhang Yanjin's worried and cautious expression, the emperor naturally knew what kind of airs Zhang Yanjin was putting on. He squinted his eyes and thought about the faces of those ministers in the court, looking at Zhang Yanjin was even more pleasing to the eye.

Those ministers know how to calculate their own interests all day long, ignore the common people in the world, and know how to fill their own pockets all day long.

If Chaozhong was like Zhang Yanjin every day and did some good things for Wei, wouldn't this world be peaceful and prosperous?

Seeing that the emperor suddenly smiled at him again, Zhang Yanjin was a little puzzled, if he knew that the emperor was comparing him with other important ministers in his heart, he would only have a wry smile in his heart.

"Your Majesty, since the degree of this examination is to allow scholars to enter the court again as officials and give them an opportunity to display their ambitions and talents, it is called the imperial examination. The selection of officials through examinations can not only allow people with lofty ideals to be reused, but also relieve the imperial court. shortage of employment."

Hearing what Zhang Yanjin said, the emperor already understood three points in his heart. If this imperial examination system is adopted, it can break the family monopoly and the current deadlock in employing people in the Great Wei.

Zhang Yanjin's words can be regarded as reaching the emperor's heart, which made the emperor look at Zhang Yanjin even more with new admiration.

"Zhang Qing continued." The emperor made a posture of listening attentively.

Zhang Yanjin saw it, and knew that the emperor had listened to what he said today. As expected, the concentration of imperial power was a career that every emperor devoted his life to.

"Through the method of selecting scholars by division of subjects, it can not only ensure that the applicants have sufficient knowledge and insight, but also specialize in technical fields. For example, those who are good at algorithms can go to the Ministry of Industry, and those who are good at writing can go to the official Those who understand etiquette can go to the Ministry of Rituals to do ceremonies, and if they meet all-round talents, that's even better, and they can be appointed as commanders and other official positions." Zhang Yanjin said.

The advantages of this imperial examination system are more than these, but the fact that it can break the monopoly of the family is enough for the emperor to pay attention to it.

Hearing what Zhang Yanjin said, the emperor was overjoyed, and immediately made a decision: "Zhang Qing, can you go back and write out the specification for this exam? At that time, I will issue an order to the world, and anyone who has the ability to govern the world and professional ability can go to the capital. Come and take the imperial examination." As for the difficulties, Zhang Yanjin is really easy to use.

"Your Majesty, there are many places to prepare for this imperial examination. We should make proper preparations before announcing it to the world." Zhang Yanjin suggested.

"This is a trivial matter. Zhang Qing is in charge of this matter. This matter is very good, but I'm afraid there will be a lot of resistance."

Zhang Yanjin is already determined to fight, so naturally she is not afraid: "Opening a course to obtain a scholar will win the hearts of the people, and the people will talk about it, and everyone has hope. It is difficult at the beginning, but it will be enough for me to last for generations in the future."

This is enough to convince the emperor.These days, the emperor is aggrieved by being oppressed by the aristocratic family, but he can't help but endure the lessons learned before the collapse of the previous dynasty.

"In Zhang Qing's opinion, when is the most appropriate time to start the imperial examination?" The emperor squinted his eyes and hinted.

"The land of the Wei Dynasty is so large that it will take some time to wait for the edict to be issued to various places. This year may be too late, and the imperial examination should be in time, and the distances between places are far away. It may not be appropriate to squeeze all of them into this capital." Zhang Yanjin road.

This imperial examination is different from building roads. It is a matter that concerns scholars all over the world, and it is impossible to start without anything.

"If you can go to the city to take the imperial examination, the government will pay for the transportation, horses and accommodation. What's Zhang Qing's opinion?"

If money could be used to disintegrate the power of the clan, the emperor would have done so long ago, but those clans are wolves who can't get enough to eat, so the emperor is always on guard.

"The emperor's move must be of great benefit to the people, but the population of Wei is so large, if everyone comes to participate in the imperial examination, wouldn't it be a bit inappropriate."

What Zhang Yanjin didn't say was that if some people came to cheat and abduct them under the guise, their good intentions might turn out to be bad results.

"However, if you go through layers of selection, from the provincial examination, to the government examination, and then to the Chunwei at the foot of the emperor, such a layer of selection, after the Chunwei, you will enter the disciple of the emperor, and then the emperor will be the teacher of the world's scholars."

When the emperor heard Zhang Yanjin's words, not only did he not blame Zhang Yanjin for talking nonsense, but he was very happy, and he recruited all capable people in the world into his sect. When the time comes, whoever dares to form a clique in the court, even if there is one, will be the emperor's faction.

"Your Majesty, the content of this examination can be tentatively divided into Ming Jing and Jinshi. The content of the examination is the classics and current affairs respectively. It can let scholars familiarize themselves with the books and understand the people's livelihood in this world."

Zhang Yanjin simply told the emperor about all the contents of the imperial examination, fearing that the emperor would be interested again, and said that he would prepare for the exam immediately.

"Don't you hurry up and take notes?" The emperor said to the stone statue of Eunuch Xu.

Eunuch Xu immediately took a pen and ink to record Zhang Yanjin's words. The emperor didn't say to record it before, but if he did Eunuch Xu's job, he would naturally not complain.

"The examination should be presided over by the Ministry of Rites, and the imperial examination should be presided over by the emperor, please ask the emperor to judge?" Zhang Yanjin said one by one about the system and content of the imperial examination that came to mind.

Eunuch Xu was rubbing his sweat with a pen beside him. How could he not see Mr. Zhang talking so well on weekdays? His old bones almost fell here today.

"Then you transfer to the Ministry of Rites today, and Zhang Xun asked for an official position a few days ago by relying on the old man and selling the old man, so you can go over and act as the Minister of the Ministry of Rites temporarily." The emperor thought for a while, and began to issue an order while speaking.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Zhang Yanjin was amazed, he didn't expect this official to be promoted so quickly, and felt that the Emperor seemed to have lost a hot potato.

But since the emperor gave him the position of minister of rites, there can be no problems with the imperial examination.

Zhang Yanjin returned to Ningguo Mansion with the imperial decree issued by the emperor.

Seeing that Zhang Yanjin was followed by a large group of people in the palace, Duke Ning asked, "How is this?"

Zhang Yanjin then told everyone in Ningguo Palace what she had said to the emperor again.

"Erlang is promising," Ning Guogong couldn't help but sighed, and was quite proud in his heart.

Ning Guogong published a Book of Etiquette, which spread throughout the capital. Zhang Yanjin is only a young man, so he can take on this responsibility, which is naturally a good story in the capital.

"Father, the emperor has given Erlang a new house, which seems to be close to Duke Ning's mansion." It was Zhang Bowen, the eldest son of Duke Ning, who was speaking. He was helping Zhang Yanjin count the rewards in the palace when he saw the gift list a title deed.

"Let me take a look." Ning Guogong took the land deed, saw that the address was less than a quarter of an hour's walk from Ning Guogong's mansion, and said to Zhang Yanjin: "Since the emperor gave you a house, you must move there , but fortunately the distance is short, and it will be convenient to go home for dinner in the future.”

Ning Guogong originally wanted to keep Zhang Yanjin in the mansion, but since the emperor had this intention, it must be for Erlang's benefit, so he stopped talking about keeping Zhang Yanjin.

"Yes, uncle."

Zhang Yanjin did not expect the emperor to be so careful, presumably it was to keep his mouth shut.

"At that time, the servants in the mansion and the purchases will be handed over to the housekeeper. Those who followed you will also follow. As for the other servants, I will ask your aunt to help you. Since you are now a minister, I will help you arrange them at night. For a celebration banquet, the matter entrusted to you by the emperor must be urgent, and I don't know if there will be time in the future."

Ning Guo was fair and thought everything over for Zhang Yanjin.

Zhang Yanjin didn't know anything about these things. Seeing that her uncle took care of her so meticulously, she could only accept it.

When the old lady of Ningguo's mansion heard that Zhang Yanjin had been promoted to Minister of Rites, she quickly worshiped the Buddha and begged the Bodhisattva, but Zhang Yanjin couldn't laugh or cry.

What grandma talked about was to ask for safety, and she was only going to work, not to go to the battlefield. On weekdays, grandma would only do this when her uncle was going to the border.

"Grandmother, I'm fine. I'm just a minister of the Ministry of Rites. Where does the Bodhisattva have to be so busy? You should have a good rest, and let the Bodhisattva rest if you want." Zhang Yanjin stepped forward to help the old lady up.

"You haven't heard that the officialdom is like a battlefield. Let me tell you, Erlang, if there are any monsters in the court who bully you, you can tell your uncle, and I will let your uncle deal with them."

Hearing what the old lady said, Zhang Yanjin felt a warm feeling in her heart, probably she would never grow up in front of this old lady.

"Got it, grandma, let's go to eat." Zhang Yanjin listened to the old lady's instructions and wrote them down in her heart.

After eating, Zhang Yanjin waited until the crowd dispersed, and immediately left the Duke's Mansion to the restaurant.

"You kid didn't tell us about such a big movement."

As soon as Zhang Yanjin entered the room, Li Ying slapped her with such force that she almost missed Zhang Yanjin's lunch.

"Didn't I come here to apologize to you? First, punish yourself with three glasses." Zhang Yanjin took the three glasses of wine that had been poured on the table and drank them all.

"You must be thirsty. There are people like you who waste wine like this." Li Ying saw that Zhang Yanjin seemed to be drinking and drinking water, and he probably didn't pay attention to the taste of the wine and the price increase.

"But why did you suddenly become the Secretary of the Household Department? Now you are on an equal footing with my father."

Chen Su said from the side.

As soon as the imperial decree in the palace was announced, it was immediately spread to the homes of various government offices and ministers. When Chen Su heard the report while eating, he rushed to the restaurant immediately.

The same is true for Li Ying.

Zhang Yanjin had no choice but to repeat what she had said in the imperial study, and drank a pot of wine during the period, which was really a waste of time.

"Then the emperor asked you to be the chief examiner?" Li Ying asked after listening to Zhang Yanjin's narration.

"That's right, the emperor is so anxious to let me take up the post of the Ministry of Rites. He just wants to start the imperial examination as soon as possible, but the preparatory work has not yet started. The engraved and printed template is only completed with the hundred surnames and the three-character classic. The follow-up Four Books and Five Classics And it needs to be completed as soon as possible." After Zhang Yanjin finished speaking, she looked at Li Ying.

"You won't let me copy books again, will you?" Li Ying said with a bitter face. He finally grew into a handsome young man and escaped from reading and copying books. Could history repeat itself on him.

"Of course not. The Four Books and the Five Classics and current events count. How long does it take for a person to copy? Even if you are willing to copy, I don't have time to wait. What the Emperor means is that the first imperial examination will be held in the spring of next year. Now the Mid-Autumn Festival is just over. Next year is only four or five months away, we have to distribute the books to various places first, I am worried that time is too late, so I ask you for help."

This is also his headache, but the emperor seems to want to see the results of the imperial examination, so he can only improve it step by step.

After the emperor formally announces the call tomorrow, it is estimated that there will be more things.

"How can the two of us help?" Li Ying asked, pointing at himself and Chen Su. The two of them were too late to avoid the exam. Could it be that my friend still wants me to take the imperial examination here? Chen Su has an official position now Leaving aside his body, he was all alone.

"Li Ying, I hope to entrust you with engraving and printing. At that time, you will be responsible for the release and promotion of new books, and Chen Su will help transport the printed books to various places. I will send Chen Su from the Post Road Department of the Ministry of Industry Come over here, Li Ying, now the time has come, also go to the Ministry of Rites and act as Yuanwailang for me temporarily."

Zhang Yanjin said sternly that he needed help from his friends, and he was not familiar with the people in the Ministry of Rites, so he couldn't feel free to hand it over.

"Okay, no problem." Chen Su stepped forward and said, he likes Zhang Yanjin's straightforward style of doing things.

"Okay, it's not bad to be an official of the court anyway." Li Ying didn't care, and although Zhang Yanjin's idea had nothing to do with making money, he felt that it was more exciting than opening a restaurant.

"Both of you will come to the Ministry of Rites tomorrow to find me, and I will send you the official uniforms later." Zhang Yanjin agreed when he saw Li Ying and Chen Su without saying a word. He had asked the emperor for two vacant positions in the Ministry of Rites before. Bring your friends in too.

Zhang Yanjin, Li Ying and Chen Su explained the copying and transportation of books, and then went home and began to write the process and system of the imperial examination.

He was just talking in general in the palace before, but if he really wanted to start the imperial examination, the examination room, students, invigilators, test papers, etc., all needed to be prepared.

Zhang Yanjin plans to hold the first imperial examination in the capital first, so that people all over the world can pay attention to and realize the benefits of the imperial examination. The provincial and government examinations will start again next year. He discussed with the emperor that next spring, the local counties will select three People go to the capital to take the exam, which saves the time needed to prepare for the provincial and government exams.

When the list of admissions in Chunwei comes out next year, there will definitely be a wave of reading enthusiasm in Dawei.