Chapter 262: Commentary
Although no victory news had been received from Liaodong, the imperial court was still optimistic about the war based on the information already received.

The main reason was that the number of mobilized troops was not large, and Silla provided a part of the food and fodder, so it was all used for training.

At the end of May, the imperial court's special examination began, with thousands of demoted officials participating. The emperor ordered Xiao Cong, Yu Shinan and Li Baiyao to be the chief examiners.

This time, the selection of officials was not what the court and the public expected. The emperor would only select a few or at most a dozen people as a token of his appreciation.

Instead, he wanted to take exactly 200 people, which surprised the aristocratic families. Especially Guanlong, where the largest number of officials were demoted, took the lead in praising the emperor.

Amidst all the praises, the emperor announced the improved papermaking and woodblock printing techniques, and ordered the mass printing of the classics compiled and unified by the Hongwenguan, which were distributed at extremely low prices.

He also ordered the restoration of the Imperial Academy and county schools, with the main purpose of promoting education and cultivating talents, setting up more schools, strengthening the fundamentals and pacing the trivial, and advocating Confucianism.

In addition to articles and classics, the emperor also ordered the publication of works on mathematics, medicine, astronomy, etc., and set up several disciplines in the Imperial College, with officials from the Imperial Physician, the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, and the Hongwen Academy as lecturers.

Amidst the prosperity, the emperor issued an edict to take the retired emperor and the retired empress on a southern tour.

The army was marching to Liaodong, and the emperor wanted to tour the south. These two things combined made the ministers subconsciously panic.

Fortunately, the emperor issued an order to reduce all ceremonial guards and strictly prohibited local officials from meeting the emperor along the way. All supplies should be provided by themselves, and local governments were not allowed to pay tribute.

But no matter what, the cost is not small, after all, a considerable number of guards are required.

But the southern tour was also necessary. Li Jiancheng had been in the north since he started his army, and after he ascended the throne, he had never left Chang'an, Luoyang and Jiangdu, all of which he had to visit and pacify.

Especially in the Jiangnan region, as the place where the court's control was weakest, Li Jiancheng also had to follow the example of Emperor Yang and go there in person to show favor.

This is also necessary to eliminate the Guanzhong position, but completely destroying Guanlong is definitely not what Li Jiancheng wants.

He could not tolerate Guanlong's influence and control over the court, and naturally did not want to see the Shandong families, who had now become increasingly powerful, monopolize the court. He needed more participation from scholars from Jiangnan.

The Tang Dynasty was not a regime that existed in a remote corner. All people in the world had to participate in it. They could be promoted or demoted based on their abilities, but no one could be excluded because of their regional origin.

Another reason was that Dou's life was coming to an end, and as a son, he had to keep his promise. It would be even better if he could use the moisture from the south of the Yangtze River to nourish his mother's body and let her enjoy a few more years of family happiness.

Fortunately, the boats and other equipment were ready-made, and Li Jiancheng did not dislike them, and was reluctant to order the Ministry of Works to build new ones.

In June, he first went from Chang'an to Luoyang, and then went straight to Jiangdu from Luoyang. After severely punishing several officials who tried to curry favor with him, he became quiet along the way.

On the dragon boat, the emperor and his ministers chatted casually after dealing with state affairs.

Li Jiancheng suddenly asked the newly appointed Right Sergeant Feng Deyi: "Are there any talented people in Jiangnan? Please recommend them to me."

The emperor had asked this question to several of his close ministers a few days ago, but he really didn't know. With these few days' effort, he should have been able to find out a few people worth talking about.

Feng Deyi shook his head and said, "I really don't know."

However, when asking Wang Gui, Du Ruhui, Gao Shilian, Changsun Wuji, Tang Jian and others, they did not get satisfactory answers.

Obviously, in their eyes, having a family of the Xiao family in the court was already uncomfortable. If there were more scholars from Jiangnan, wouldn't it be like returning to the previous dynasty?

"Yu Shinan, Li Baiyao, Cen Wenben, Xu Jingzong and their peers were promoted for their writings, while Wang Gui, Wei Zheng, Lai Ji and Chu Suiliang were prominent for their talents and skills. All of them rose from commoners to become ministers, with graceful attendants and tributes from morning till night. Our dynasty has had a great number of talents!"

It can be seen that all the talented people in the world are already in your majesty's court, and there are no more talented people left out."

Li Jiancheng glanced at the obedient ministers and said coldly: "A gentleman uses people like tools, and takes advantage of their strengths. I am afraid that I cannot recognize the talents of the world and let the outstanding talents be buried. That is why I ask you, how can you be so arrogant and complacent, slandering the world!
Knowing people has always been difficult, and employing people is even more difficult. I am still so cautious, are you jealous of my talent?" The emperor's words were very serious, especially after the massacre some time ago. His majesty was evident, and his words and rebukes were like thunder and lightning.

The ministers knelt in haste and said they dared not. They did not quite understand what the emperor was going to do.

Li Jiancheng pointed at the Minister of Civil Affairs Wang Gui and said, "You are usually loyal and honest. Do you think you can dominate the world now?"

"I dare not. I am a stupid and ignorant person. Fortunately, Your Majesty has not abandoned me and promoted me to be a good person. I am afraid that I am not talented enough and will make mistakes in important matters of the court."

Normally, the emperor would not pursue the matter further if it came to this, but today the emperor clearly had other intentions.

He continued to insist, "Tang Jian just mentioned a lot of people, including you. Since you say that you are stupid and foolish, what about the others sitting here?

Could it be that they are all mediocre people who do not live up to their reputations?"

Minister of Rites Tang Jian was sweating profusely and wished he could swallow back what he had just said.

Wang Gui was silent for a moment and then said, "In terms of serving the country diligently and doing everything he can, I am not as good as Fang Xuanling. In terms of both civil and military talents, he was a general and a prime minister, but I am not as good as Li Jing.

In writing imperial edicts and reporting affairs in detail and impartially, I am not as good as Wen Yanbo; in handling complex and urgent matters properly and thoughtfully, I am not as good as Dai Zhou.

I am ashamed that my king is not as good as Yao and Shun, and I take it as my responsibility to advise and argue. I am as bad as Wei Zheng, who is loyal to the king and the country..."

The emperor waved his hand to interrupt him, his eyes fell on Feng Deyi: "I have heard that when the ruler is virtuous, the ministers are upright. Is it because I am stupid that I make my ministers act like this?"

Feng Deyi was startled and replied hurriedly: "Your Majesty's military achievements and literary virtues are unrivaled in ancient and modern times. Everything you issue orders and orders benefits others. The "Book of Filial Piety" says: 'The general will follow the beauty.'

I am so busy obeying you that I don't see any faults on your part."

Li Jiancheng nodded and said, "As a minister, you should not speak ill of your sovereign; as a son, you should not scold your father. You still know how to be loyal to your sovereign and respect your father."

"I dare not forget loyalty, filial piety and righteousness at any time!"

"What about you? Do you have any suggestions?"

No one said anything. If you really want to be open-minded and accept advice, then just summon Wei Zheng back. Why bother with us?

"You are unable to speak, but as your king and father, can I speak frankly about your strengths and weaknesses?"

"I am waiting to listen to the holy instructions!"

The emperor pointed to his Minister of Rites and said, "Tang Jian speaks eloquently, has a calm temperament and is considerate. He talks endlessly while drinking, but he never mentions the gains and losses of the country.

Feng Deyi was a man of outstanding ability and intelligence, both civil and military, and had assisted in government affairs in the previous dynasty, but he had the shortcoming of suppressing talented people and being good at playing both sides.

Changsun Wuji was good at avoiding suspicion and quick in responding, but he was not familiar with military strategies and had no ability to lead troops as a general.

Fang Xuanling worked diligently day and night, and served the public with all his heart, not wanting anything to be lost. However, he was unable to align with my wishes, so he bowed his head and apologized with fear and hesitation.

Yang Shidao is kindhearted and has impeccable moral character, but he is timid and unable to handle important tasks. He is ineffective in handling matters of any importance.

…………

(End of this chapter)