SWDnovel Chapter 110 Making enemies of all the powerful and influential people in the world!
Chapter 110 Making enemies of all the powerful and influential people in the world!
Chapter 110 Making enemies of all the powerful and influential people in the world!
After bidding farewell to Shi Shouxin and the other generals, Zhao Dezhao thought for a moment and then went to Lu Duoxun's residence.
Upon learning of Zhao Dezhao's arrival, a beaming Lu Duoxun hurriedly went out to greet him, inviting Zhao Dezhao into his study. After dismissing the attendants, he respectfully said, "Your Highness, I thank you for your guidance!"
Since following His Highness, life has become more and more comfortable.
First, he made a daring but safe mission to Yangzhou, earning considerable merit. Then, he took on the position of chief examiner for the imperial examinations, a position that offered him a lot of lucrative opportunities.
"Since you've followed me, Lord Lu, I certainly won't let you go to waste." Zhao Dezhao waved his hand, accepted the tea offered by the maid, and got straight to the point: "However, I don't know much about the imperial examinations. I've come here today to ask you about the current regulations and systems for the imperial examinations."
"Speaking of which, Your Highness, you've come to the right person!"
Lu Duoxun's face instantly showed indignation, as if he had recalled some unbearable past events, and he couldn't help but say with dissatisfaction: "The imperial examination system has been a fixed system since the Sui and Tang dynasties, but due to the chaos of the Five Dynasties, not only was the frequency of the examinations not fixed, but the palace examination was also completely abolished, leaving only the preliminary examination and the provincial examination."
"However, in my opinion, there are flaws and injustices in this matter!"
These words immediately piqued Zhao Dezhao's interest. He raised an eyebrow and asked, "What are the drawbacks and injustices? Please explain in detail."
"Your Highness, please take a look." Lu Duoxun took out a piece of Xuan paper and wrote down a number with a wave of his hand—two hundred and fifty-one.
Seeing the doubt in Zhao Dezhao's mind, Lu Duoxun quickly explained, "Your Highness is unaware of this, but this number represents all the top scholars (Zhuangyuan) produced in the entire 289 years of the Tang Dynasty."
"Among them, 220 came from bureaucratic families, and of these, 176 came from prominent families. Even the remaining 44 were still descendants of minor bureaucrats."
"Selecting officials based on their family background is one of the drawbacks!"
"Nominally an imperial examination, but in reality a cover-up for the hereditary privileges of the five noble families and seven prominent clans—a shameful system for the children of high-ranking officials!"
"Even a poet of Li Bai's caliber repeatedly failed the imperial examinations, which shows how unfair it was!"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Dezhao was reminded of someone.
Huang Chao believed that "it's easier to conquer Chang'an than to pass the imperial examination to enter Chang'an!"
No wonder Huang Chao massacred people from five surnames and seven families after he captured Chang'an; there was another factor at play.
If Ludoson hadn't mentioned it, he really wouldn't have known about it.
He thought the imperial examination system had always been a six-stage process: county examination, prefectural examination, provincial examination, township examination, metropolitan examination, and palace examination.
"Besides, during the Sui and Tang dynasties, the practice of soliciting favors was rampant in the imperial examinations. Does Your Highness know of the case of Qian Hui, the Vice Minister of Rites, in the first year of the Changqing era of the Tang dynasty?"
At this point, Lu Duoxun paused, his gaze fixed intently on Zhao Dezhao.
Zhao Dezhao felt a chill run down his spine.
Just say what you want to say, why are you asking me?
I am not a scholar, how would I know anything about the events of the first year of the Changqing era of the Tang Dynasty?
But Zhao Dezhao didn't want to lose face in front of his advisors, so he could only nod slightly: "I've heard a little about it, please continue."
"Ahem, Your Highness has heard of it, but I still need to review the old history. I apologize for bothering Your Highness."
Lu Duoxun coughed twice, looking guilty.
Lu Duoxun had a firm grasp on how to conduct himself in society.
He slowly said, "In the first year of the Changqing era of the Tang Dynasty, Qian Hui, the Vice Minister of Rites, was in charge of the imperial examinations. He accepted requests and favors, which aroused dissatisfaction in the court and among the people."
"Emperor Muzong of the Later Tang Dynasty ordered a re-examination," and as a result, 11 out of the 14 sons of officials who had already been admitted were rejected!
"Besides the prevalence of favoritism, the Tang Dynasty's imperial examinations also had many other practices, such as 'public recommendation' and 'presentation of examination papers.'"
"Even examiners can often recognize candidates based on their names and handwriting, thus showing favoritism."
"Over time, this will create a bad impression."
"Some fathers, sons, and brothers successively held high office, some families were prominent for generations, and some families did not cease to exist throughout the Tang Dynasty."
"When I took the imperial examination, if I hadn't bribed the chief examiner, I probably wouldn't have even been able to take it, and my results would have been stolen!"
"Your Highness, how many talented scholars from humble backgrounds across the land have been rejected by the court due to the flaws in the imperial examination system, spending their lives frustrated and unfulfilled!"
Finally, Lu Duoxun angrily exclaimed, "Your Highness! This is a grave injustice in the imperial examination system!"
this----
After Lu Duoxun finished speaking, Zhao Dezhao's face showed a change of emotion.
So, Emperor Taizong of Tang's saying, "All the heroes of the world are now within my grasp," was just bragging?
"So, in other words, our Great Song Dynasty currently has no way to prevent cheating in the examinations?" Zhao Dezhao frowned.
"There is no other way but to lock down the courtyard!" Ludoson said confidently.
Zhao Dezhao immediately understood. After a moment's thought, he suddenly asked, "Is the 'public recommendation' you mentioned already a common practice?"
"Not only is it customary, but it can even be said that without someone's recommendation, one cannot even take the imperial examination!" Lu Duoxun said with indignation.
Upon hearing this, Zhao Dezhao's eyes lit up instantly. He was about to speak, but then, as if remembering something, he glanced sideways at Lu Duoxun and said, "Let me ask you, has anyone asked you to recommend them?"
"this----"
Lu Duoxun's indignation suddenly froze. He glanced cautiously at Zhao Dezhao, but still truthfully said, "To be honest, Your Highness, some court officials did send me some small gifts."
"How many?" Zhao Dezhao sneered.
"Uh—" Lu Duoxun swallowed hard and said with difficulty, "Four hundred acres of fertile land, three thousand taels of silver, and two mansions in the inner city of the capital—"
"How much??" Zhao Dezhao was also dumbfounded.
"Four hundred acres of fertile land, three thousand taels of silver, and two mansions in the inner city of the capital." Lu Duoxun repeated it again, forcing himself to be brave.
Zhao Dezhao remained silent.
He had considered that there might be many sordid things involved, but he never expected it to come to this!
It's astonishing that Ludoson was appointed as the chief examiner this morning, and by noon he has already received so many lavish gifts!
The imperial examination system has degenerated to this extent!
"How about I abdicate?" Lu Duoxun asked cautiously.
"No need," Zhao Dezhao waved his hand.
Lu Duoxun breathed a sigh of relief. The amount of gold and silver was considerable, and he was always greedy. He would really be reluctant to give it up.
But Zhao Dezhao's next words made his face fall again.
"Take these jewels and go to Tao Gu," Zhao Dezhao said coldly. "Tell him that they were sent by various ministers in the court to seek recommendations for their sons. You don't know how to handle them, so you've come to Tao Gu for advice."
"Your Highness, this—" Lu Duoxun immediately understood Zhao Dezhao's thoughts and couldn't help but feel a chill run down his spine.
Your Highness's actions clearly indicate that you intend to make Tao Gu a scapegoat, thereby drawing out the matter of Gong Jian and reporting it to His Majesty in the hope of seeking change.
The key issue is that the public recommendation system is a tacitly accepted practice among almost all powerful nobles, aristocratic families, and high-ranking officials. Once this is changed—
Wouldn't that offend all the nobles and dignitaries in the world?
They were just poor or even commoner children, yet they were willing to make enemies of the powerful and wealthy.
this----
does it worth?
>
1