Chapter 273: Opening of the Course

Luo Yi saw Wei Zheng's serious expression and knew that he was about to have another attack, so he spoke first: "I have also heard from several Silla generals about the Japanese affairs. They have wolfish ambitions and have always been plotting to seize the Liaodong land.

Now you dare to disrespect our emperor. If you are not severely punished, how can we demonstrate the majesty of the Tang Dynasty and let the surrounding barbarians know to respect the emperor! "

Zhang Huli was even more direct: "Your Majesty's order has been issued, and we are only following the emperor's orders."

Wei Zheng knew that these two murderous bastards would not care about any consequences. Luo Yi might even be happy that he could legitimately not rob the Japanese merchant caravans traveling to Liaodong, and even make the Japanese slaves.

Not long ago, Your Majesty rewarded Luo Yi with a large piece of land. Of course, only a part of it belongs to him and can be passed on to his children and grandchildren. The other large part belongs to the Protector of Andong and only belongs to him temporarily.

Zhang Gongjin, who had come here specially on orders, said: "The war in Liaodong has dragged on for too long. Your Majesty wants it to end sooner."

Zhang Huli nodded: "That's easy. Baekje couldn't hold on any longer."

Luo Yi said directly: "We will send out troops after the snow melts, and we will destroy Baekje within a month."

Baekje had been beaten so hard that it wanted to surrender but was unable to do so. Facing an army composed mainly of the Tang army and supplemented by troops from Goguryeo and Silla, such a small country had no hope at all.

Even though there were a few beautiful counterattacks occasionally, most of the casualties were auxiliary troops, and the main force of the Tang army would not take any risks at all.

After Wei Zheng arrived, he improved the treatment of the soldiers from Goguryeo and Silla, and distributed the land forcibly confiscated from the princes and nobles of the two countries among the army in accordance with the emperor's will.

This ensured the morale and loyalty of these auxiliary troops to a great extent. After all, even if Goguryeo and Silla were restored, these lands would only be taken back by the nobles. Only the Tang Dynasty could guarantee that the wealth of these lands belonged to them.

Zhang Gongjin pointed at the topographic map hanging in the back and said, "The Japanese are arrogant and ignorant, and many Liaodong nobles have defected. They may raise an army. You should be careful."

"Don't worry, the navy will always pay attention to the movements at sea."

…………

After the beginning of spring, the imperial examination in Luoyang city officially began. The emperor attached great importance to it and specially appointed Xiao Yu, who succeeded Xiao Cong as Shangshu Zuo Pushe, as the chief examiner, and ordered Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui as deputies.

The main examination subjects are Jinshi, Mingjing, Mingfa and Mingsuan. The Jinshi examination consists of copying scriptures, essays and policy questions, and is aimed at selecting talented people who can govern the country and ensure the people's safety. The Jingfa and Mingsuan examinations are for specialized talents.

Undoubtedly, the Jinshi exam was the most prestigious and had the best future, so naturally, high-ranking officials in the court began to inquire about it for their children and grandchildren, hoping to get some information so that they could make some preparations.

But they were soon scared off by the Embroidered Uniform Guards. The contents of the imperial examinations were kept by the Embroidered Uniform Guards. If anyone dared to leak the examination questions, the entire family would be executed and exiled.

No matter how great the benefits are, they cannot outweigh such cruel consequences. Moreover, I heard that the most crucial test questions will be decided by His Majesty after all the candidates have entered the examination room, so there is no chance to prepare at all.

In Luoyang City, no news can be concealed at this moment. After learning that there is no possibility of cheating or favoritism this time, most of the candidates are relieved and are ready to fight for their future.

The emperor stood in front of the palace wall, gazing at the examination hall in the distance. The long line of candidates going to take the exam were all talents who had come from all over the world, and there were even foreign Hu people.

“Next year, the number of people taking the reference will be even greater.”

The emperor smiled and said, "Of course the more the better. I hope that all the talented people in the world will serve in the court to help me govern the country and usher in a prosperous and glorious era."

Li Jiancheng also wanted to hold a palace examination in the palace, and after the palace examination, a banquet for students was held in the Western Garden. All officials who passed the imperial examination were the emperor's students. The emperor asked Liu Wenjing behind him, "But with more officials, the examination method should be stricter. The Ministry of Personnel can formulate corresponding assessment rewards and punishments."

Liu Wenjing replied respectfully: "The four virtues and twenty-seven are the most accurate, among which..."

The four virtues are to be well-known for morality and righteousness, to be clear, prudent and wise, to be fair and just and to be diligent and conscientious. If one shows these, he will be rewarded for his merits.

As for the twenty-seven, it means that he is decisive and reasonable in giving and taking, which makes him the best judge; he has a good command of the department and is always on guard, which makes him the best guard. He should be commended for these.

However, if anyone betrays the public interest for personal gain, neglects his duties, is deceitful in office, or is corrupt, he should be held accountable.

The final results were divided into nine grades and reported to the Secretariat for announcement. Officials ranked from one to four grades would receive an additional quarter's salary for each grade increase; there would be no increase or decrease for the fifth grade; and those ranked below the sixth grade, if they were still in office after being punished, would have one quarter's salary deducted for each grade reduction.

The emperor nodded after listening, but still reminded: "The examination method is to be fair. If it is unfair, everything will be difficult to accomplish and the rules and regulations will be in chaos. You are in charge of the Ministry of Personnel, so you must not abolish fairness."

"I always keep your majesty's teachings in mind."

After several days, the candidates finally finished the exam. Some were happy, some were sad, but they could only wait for the results to be announced. If they were lucky enough to pass, they could enter the palace examination and face the emperor directly.

Moreover, I heard that the ranking order of the palace examination will not be lowered again. As long as one can pass the palace examination, he can be regarded as a disciple of the emperor.

Scholars who came from wealthy families and who thought they had good answers began to hold grand banquets in the capital, such as the Wedding Banquet and the Cherry Banquet, where they would invite friends to recite poems and compose fu.

The emperor ordered the opening of a royal polo field, allowing scholars and common people to go there to play. Competitions were also held every month, and the winners received generous prizes.

The people of Luoyang now had a place to have fun. The scholars rode on their horses, holding sticks, galloping and playing the flute. They were like lightning. There were pavilions lined up on all sides and the crowds of spectators were like mountains. They shouted and laughed for a long time before they stopped. After they stopped playing the flute, they drank heavily on the Buddhist pavilion.

If scholars from poor families or commoners were not well-off, they could take on some complicated clerical work in the Hongwenguan of the Imperial College in various government offices, and receive remuneration and food and lodging.

Of course, some who have become famous in Beijing for their talent and knowledge have no shortage of financial gifts from wealthy families. Although the phenomenon of choosing a son-in-law from the list has not yet appeared, the signs of it have already appeared.

Everyone wants talented people, and daughters born out of wedlock or from side branches of a family will always have to get married.

But a truly intelligent person will not agree to it. Although joining a wealthy and aristocratic family may bring temporary pleasure, its future will always be affected.

Those who were able to take part in the imperial examination were all well-versed in scriptures. How could they not know why Your Majesty established the imperial examination and allowed people of their backgrounds to participate freely?

It is foreseeable that as long as one can make the list and enter the palace, and serve the office diligently after taking office, he will definitely be promoted to a higher position.

At this time, the military examination in Chang'an officially began. The King of Qin and the Duke of Wei were in charge, and no one was allowed to show favoritism. The Duke of Yangdu, Li Mi, presided over the examination.

Most of the candidates who took part in the military examination were big and strong men. They scratched their heads over the first part of the test on military strategy and tactics. Many of them handed in a blank paper, and their names were written crookedly.

...............

(End of this chapter)