Chapter 339: Ming Dynasty Recommended Student System
When Huang Jin found Yan Shaoting.

Yan Shaoting was wearing a short-sleeved T-shirt, squatting in the back garden of the Yan mansion, with his butt sticking out and a palm-leaf fan in his hand, fanning the charcoal fire under the barbecue grill.

Xu Wei, Lu Yi and Zhou Yunyi, who had finally taken the initiative to give himself a day off, surrounded them.

The three people added charcoal, turned the skewers, or rubbed oil on the skewers from time to time.

The four people were busy and having a lot of fun.

Huang Jin was led here by the manager of the front yard of the Yan family. As soon as he entered the yard, he was filled with tears by the strong smell of charcoal and spices. He looked at Yan Shaoting and his men making the yard full of smoke and fire.

Huang Jin couldn't help but speak loudly: "Guest Yan! The emperor has summoned you, please come with me to the palace as soon as possible."

In the smoke and fire.

Yan Shaoting stopped fanning and glanced at Xu Wei beside him. The two looked at each other and smiled.

Zhou Yunyi, who was just about to grab a skewer of meat to eat, squatted on the ground and moved closer to Yan Shaoting.

"Your Majesty must be asking you for advice on government affairs."

Lu Yi said in a muffled voice: "I just received news that the clerks and servants of Shunyi County colluded to frame and murder the county magistrate."

Yan Shaoting nodded and handed the fan to his good disciple Zhou Yunyi.

He walked out from the thin smoke and appeared in front of Huang Jin with a bow.

"Eunuch Huang actually came in person to deliver the emperor's instructions."

As he spoke, Yan Shaoting reached out and grabbed Huang Jin and led him into the smoke.

Just two or three steps away.

Huang Jin could already smell the rich aroma of meat.

Looking at the middle of the yard, Xu Wei and others were squatting on the ground in a disrespectful manner.

Although Huang Jin was a little surprised, he still bowed and smiled and said, "I have met Lu Tongzhi, Xu Shidu, and Zhou Shaoqing."

Talking.

Huang Jin looked indifferently at Yan Shaoting who was smiling beside him.

This young man really doesn't consider himself an outsider.

If someone else saw this scene, they would probably impeach this Young Master Yan for forming a clique for personal gain.

Just as Huang Jin was muttering to himself.

Yan Shaoting had already grabbed a handful of skewers and handed them to him.

"Eunuch Huang, would you like to try it?"

"Freshly grilled, this beef is the most tender and juicy!"

Still beef!

Huang Jin's brows twitched involuntarily, but seeing that Xu Wei and the others looked calm, he subconsciously took the skewers.

Then Yan Shaoting took Huang Jin and sat on a stool nearby.

Before Huang Jin could react, something seemed to be stuffed into his hand.

After he saw clearly, Yan Shaoting's voice also reached his ears.

"This roast meat tastes best with garlic."

"Don't worry, Eunuch Huang. You can wash up at home after you finish eating, and then we will go to the palace to see the emperor."

As he spoke, Yan Shaoting began to eat with big mouthfuls.

Huang Jin's face was full of surprise, as if he had completely forgotten why he came to the Yan Mansion.

In his sight, Xu Wei, Lu Yi and Zhou Yunyi were also busy eating meat with garlic.

Huang Jin tried to bite off a string of meat and then stuffed a piece of garlic into his mouth.

"Um?!"

Huang Jin couldn't help but stretch his neck and let out a sound full of surprise from his throat.

Yan Shaoting leaned over at this time and said, "Eunuch Huang, how does it taste?"

Huang Jin had no time to answer at this moment. With a bulge in his mouth, he could only stare with his eyes wide open and nod.

After a while.

He then said: "It is truly a delicacy on earth!"

Only then did Yan Shaoting take out an icy cold jar from a wooden barrel under the rockery next to him and put it into Huang Jin's hand.

"I'm going to see the emperor later, so I can't drink alcohol, but this iced sour plum soup is the best."

Huang Jin was already used to it by now, so he took a bite.

Then he raised his eyebrows and finally realized that he still had important things to do!

He glanced at the skewers of meat he hadn't finished eating, then frowned and said, "Guest, let's go to the palace to see the emperor as soon as possible."

Yan Shaoting was chewing his skewers while muffledly asking, "Is it because of what happened outside the Meridian Gate? The Emperor is probably not the only one summoning me, right?"

While Yan Shaoting was talking, Huang Jin hurriedly stuffed some meat into his mouth, nodded, and said in a muffled voice: "It is indeed the incident outside the Meridian Gate. Now all the officials are asking for orders there, hoping that the master and the cabinet can make the decision for them. The master also issued an oral order to summon Zhang Juzheng to the palace to meet the emperor."

Yan Shaoting nodded and ate another skewer of meat: "Then there's no rush. It'll take a while for Zhang Taiyue to enter the palace. Let's fill our stomachs first and then enter the palace."

While talking.

Yan Shaoting did not forget to observe Huang Jin's reaction.

Seeing that Huang Jin did not hesitate too much, he felt relieved.

Some things, some relationships.

In fact, it cannot be said explicitly.

But he didn't delay too long.

After eating only a few skewers of meat and watching Xu Wei and the other two besieging the barbecue grill with an unsatisfied look on his face, Yan Shaoting had no choice but to take Huang Jin and leave the smoky yard.

He went to the front yard, washed his face, changed into his official robe, and rinsed his mouth.

Only then did Yan Shaoting follow Huang Jin to Xiyuan.

After the two of them entered the West Garden, they rushed to the Wanshou Palace.

Yan Shaoting sniffed hard, and under Huang Jin's puzzled gaze, he nodded: "Hmm, there's no smell anymore. Eunuch Huang, shall we go in?"

Huang Jin reached out to stop Yan Shaoting and looked around.

Then he spoke in a low voice.

"The master is very hesitant today. I serve him and rarely see him in such a difficult situation. The guests will be in the audience later. Please be careful."

Yan Shaoting restrained his expression and nodded: "Don't worry, Eunuch Huang."

He was about to continue walking towards the Wanshou Palace.

Huang Jin stopped walking, and after a while he spoke in a low voice: "Guest Yan, you should be more careful when serving in the court. The master is kind, but not everyone in the court is like that."

Yan Shaoting was stunned for a moment and glanced sideways at Huang Jin.

Huang Jin, who had been standing still, walked past him with a smile on his face and went into the Wanshou Palace.

Yan Shaoting thought about it, smiled, and then quickened his pace to catch up.

Entered the Wanshou Palace.

Yan Shaoting followed Huang Jin straight into the inner hall.

He took a quick look first and saw that there was only the old Taoist priest lying on the platform in the hall, with Lu Fang serving beside him.

As for Zhang Juzheng.

not yet.

Yan Shaoting bowed and said, "Your humble servant, I pay my respects to His Majesty."

Jiajing raised his eyes to look at Yan Shaoting, his nose twitched, and then he glanced sideways at Huang Jin who had returned with the imperial edict, with a look of scrutiny in his eyes.

"Have you heard about what happened at the Meridian Gate?"

Yan Shaoting looked up at the old Taoist priest with a calm tone and thought for a moment.

"Your Majesty, I have heard what Eunuch Huang said."

"For this reason, I was delayed for a while."

Jiajing's eyes flickered: "Oh?"

Yan Shaoting bowed and nodded: "Your Majesty summoned me, the Grand Secretary of the Eastern Pavilion, and the Governor of Shuntian Prefecture today. I boldly speculate that it is because of the "Report on the Investigation of Officials and Yamen Runners in the Imperial Dynasty" that was published in the Changping newspaper."

Jiajing's suspicion about Yan Shaoting's late arrival was somewhat reduced, and a hint of curiosity arose.

He smiled, changed direction and supported his cheek with his hand.

"You go on."

Yan Shaoting nodded and said, "I believe that the country should be orthodox, with the rule of heaven, earth, emperor, parents and teachers. The emperor and his subjects should follow the right path, and the officials should be in order! The court officials are all appointed by the emperor, and the clerks and yamen runners hold sticks to majesty the government. There should be a distinction between high and low. The country has been around for 200 years, and officials are like flowing water, while the government is like an iron plate. The clerks are everywhere, like rust on iron. We must prevent them, and we must get rid of the lawlessness that breeds it!"

What he said is actually what most officials would say.

rule!

The decorum of the imperial court!
Respect for superiors and subordinates is the most fundamental thing to maintain a country.

Jiajing's eyes moved around, not expressing his agreement, but also not saying that the remark was inappropriate.

Instead, he looked at Lu Fang.

"When will we arrive at Shuntianfu?"

Just as Lu Fang was about to answer, he heard a report from a young eunuch outside the inner hall.

"Report to the Emperor."

"Zhang Juzheng, the prefect of Shuntian, is here to see you by order."

Jiajing immediately smiled and said, "If you really are talking about Cao Cao, then Cao Cao will come... Let him in."

Yan Shaoting turned around and glanced over.

I saw Old Zhang, who looked like an uncle, walking into the inner hall in a steady and official manner.

"My lord, please see your Majesty."

Jiajing hummed.

He did not beat around the bush and went straight to the point: "Shunyi County is under the jurisdiction of your Shuntian Prefecture. Now, apart from the clerks reporting that the county magistrates are colluding with each other, they are working together to oppress and exploit the people. What do you think of this, as the prefect?"

Zhang Juzheng immediately clasped his hands and bowed his head: "The Shunyi County Magistrate has neglected his duties and indulged in pleasure, which is unforgivable. However, he was incompetent and incompetent when he first took office last year. He was no match for the local forces in Shunyi County and had no ability to collude with those under his jurisdiction to exploit and oppress the people. This is a false accusation."

Yan Shaoting muttered to himself.

Zhang Juzheng's answer was just like how he had just walked in. Steady and steady.

It is an indisputable fact that the magistrate of Shunyi County was derelict in his duty.

But it is also a fact that it is impossible for this official to collude with the clerks and runners of the county government to exploit the people.

Jiajing nodded.

This is what I hope to hear.

Because Zhang Juzheng was the prefect of Shuntian Prefecture, and today's incident at the Meridian Gate was caused by a disturbance in Shunyi County, which was under the jurisdiction of Shuntian Prefecture.

As the prefect of Shuntian, Zhang Juzheng must be given a fair evaluation.

On the contrary, since Yan Shaoting was not involved in it, he could look at the matter from another perspective.

Jiajing looked at Zhang Juzheng and continued to ask: "You are Shuntian Prefecture. This incident happened under your jurisdiction. What do you think we should do?"

"punish severely!"

Zhang Juzheng expressed his opinion without hesitation, in a loud and decisive voice.

Jiajing's eyes narrowed: "How to deal with it severely?"

Zhang Juzheng looked up at the emperor on the platform.

"The magistrate of Shunyi County has been in office for more than a year and has done nothing. It is obvious that his talents are not worth using and he should be removed!"

"The Shunyi County Magistrate is also a floating official, appointed by the imperial court. He does not want to assist the official holding the seal, so he should be dismissed!"

"The chief clerk and the registrar of Shunyi County are both from Shunyi County. They have colluded with cruel officials and runners, committed many illegal acts, disregarded the emperor's orders, and ignored the people. They should be removed and their illegal gains should be investigated and punished according to the law."

"Most of the clerks and runners in Shunyi County were involved in the crime and should be severely punished! They should be handed over to the three judicial departments for conviction, and should be exiled, sentenced to military service, or executed! Even if the remaining clerks and runners did not participate in the crime, they were guilty of knowing about it and not reporting it, and should be expelled from the public office according to the law."

Just as Zhang Juzheng said to Yan Shaoting at the beginning.

At this moment the old Taoist priest asked questions.

He still did not change his mind and was determined to pack up and send the entire Shunyi County away.

Yan Shaoting's eyebrows jumped.

If I remember correctly, I helped Lao Zhang get a document issued by the Ministry of Personnel to reorganize Shunyi County, but the other party didn't seem to use it.

Instead, I brought up this matter again today in front of the old Taoist priest.

Were you tricked?
Zhang Juzheng glanced sideways at Yan Shaoting.

In fact, he did not trick Yan Shaoting, but he later discovered that if he could get the emperor to agree with his solution to the Shunyi County incident, then he would have a precedent for his work in other counties in Shuntian Prefecture, and he would no longer need to mobilize the Ministry of Personnel or other forces.

Inner Temple.

However, it became quiet as Zhang Juzheng wanted to make a big fuss about Shunyi County.

I don’t know how much time passed.

Jiajing began to tap the table lightly with his fingers.

The wooden table was banging.

at last.

The voice stopped.

Jiajing's fingers were suspended on the table, and his eyes were looking at Zhang Juzheng.

"Your report is approved, and Shunyi County will investigate and handle the case according to your advice."

Zhang Juzheng immediately smiled and bowed his head, clasping his fists: "I accept your order!"

Jiajing smiled and said, "The incident in Shunyi County is just a small sore that can be cured with a plaster. However, what do you think about the matter between the imperial officials and the clerks?"

Zhang Juzheng was still clenching his fists at this moment.

Hear this.

He looked up at the emperor with a smile on his face, and glanced sideways at Yan Shaoting beside him.

"Your Majesty, it would be better for you to let guest Yan answer this question."

"I think Guest Yan has a plan in mind."

Jiajing smiled knowingly, but did not say much. He just followed Zhang Juzheng's words and glanced at Yan Shaoting who had been resting for a while.

Yan Shaoting had some doubts in his heart.

I don't know why Zhang Juzheng pushed this matter onto himself.

But at this moment he was being stared at by the old Taoist priest.

He could only speak in a deep voice: "If we want to prevent the harm of local government officials, we should change the heads of local government officials, such as the official officials, and make them all exiles!"

The so-called flow.

Just like the local officials appointed by the court, they are officials sent to other places.

In fact, the best way is to have all government clerks and servants refer to the civil service examination system of later generations.

But it is obvious that the current Ming Dynasty cannot do it.

That is why Yan Shaoting proposed that the heads of clerks and runners in government offices should adopt the same system of itinerant officials as the local officials.

Zhang Juzheng immediately raised his eyebrows.

I had never thought of this solution.

He couldn't help but act as a supporting role, asking on behalf of Jiajing: "What is a wandering official?"

Yan Shaoting smiled and said, "The talents of the world are inexhaustible for Your Majesty!"

At this time, Yan Shaoting did not forget to praise the old Taoist priest.

And in fact, it is exactly as he said.

What is the most abundant thing in the world?
The most people!
Yan Shaoting continued, "At present, the contradiction between the appointed officials and the clerks in the local government offices is actually that the officials appointed by the imperial court are often only one or two in a county, while the clerks and servants are dozens or hundreds of people. The clerks and servants are all local, while the appointed officials are from other places, and the conflicts between the two naturally arise.

Although the imperial court cannot use all the local government officials as temporary officials, it can select the heads of the six departments of the local government and appoint them to other places. Then the imperial court will appoint officials to the posts, which will be helpful when they take office. "

Conflicts among officials are not an easy problem to resolve.

If it was really an easy thing, the old Taoist priest would not have hesitated and lingered in indecision.

Yan Shaoting knew in his heart that his method was only to find more helpers for the county magistrates and prefects of the local government in the future.

But as long as there are more outsiders, there will be more mutual suppression among the localities, so that the localities will not be completely controlled by local gentry and powerful people.

This is actually a trick of adding sand.

Not very clever.

But it is feasible.

Jiajing's expression eased a little.

Because he also saw the feasibility of this method.

But he still asked: "How to take people from other places as exile officials?"

The method is feasible.

But where people look for it is the most crucial.

Yan Shaoting immediately said: "There are hundreds of thousands of scholars and tens of thousands of candidates in the world. There are millions of scholars, but there are only hundreds of Jinshi in each subject. Talents who can govern the people may not be proficient in classics and articles, but they can also be used."

That’s the beginning.

Yan Shaoting finally spoke out his final plan in a deep voice.

"I beg Your Majesty to show your great grace and make it known to the world."

"After that, the imperial court selected scholars and juren from all over the country and made them the heads of prefecture and county officials outside their native places. They were called candidates for official positions. They were examined according to the method of the Emperor Taizu Gao. They served for nine years. If they did not make any mistakes at the end of the nine-year term, they would be granted the same status as jinshi graduates and initially be appointed as county magistrates or county magistrates."

"Then, the talented people who have no hope of passing the imperial examination will not be dissatisfied with being a clerk, but will become students waiting to be officials, and their official careers will also have new prospects."

After saying that.

President Yan Shao let out a sigh of relief.

In fact, after the trick of adding sand just proposed.

What he really wanted to mention was the current system of direct admission to universities, which could be regarded as the Ming Dynasty version.

Naturally, all scholars in the world regard passing the Imperial College entrance examination as their lifelong goal.

But these people are not all fools.

After failing the spring examination or the provincial examination two or three times, one would realize that he had no hope of passing the imperial examination.

However, these people used to be embarrassed by personal relationships and naturally were unwilling to serve as officials in the government.

More likely, like Xu Wei in the past, they would seek refuge under a high-ranking official as an aide or advisor.

but now.

I gave these people a chance to be admitted.

The court now uses them not as clerks, but as official students.

The name is just as it means.

They are students waiting to be granted real official positions.

Although it is still the same thing, it sounds better in name and it also gives these scholars some face to speak out.

Moreover, as long as one works for nine years and does his job correctly, he can be recommended to become a Jinshi and then be granted a real official status.

This has opened up a new path for scholars all over the world.

At the same time, corresponding restrictions have also been made for certain powerful people.

You must complete the nine years and don't try to find loopholes.

The face was taken care of.

The future is also in place.

Even though some stubborn people might think this is a condescension for them, most people would probably be happy to accept it.

after all.

There is a difference between having no hope of passing the imperial examination forever and getting a recommendation quota after working for nine years and becoming a real official.

Even a fool can tell the difference between the important and the unimportant.

As for face?
Being able to be an official is the greatest honor!

Now it depends on whether the old Taoist priest will open this door for scholars all over the world.

…………

Monthly PassMonthly Pass
(End of this chapter)