Li Zhi, don't be a coward

Chapter 833
Chinese people's reverence for knowledge and pursuit of fame and fame have never been surpassed since ancient times.

In terms of the original intention of reading, most of them are not so noble.

In a very simple sentence, reading is for fame and for becoming an official.

As for after becoming an official, of course, the family followed the chickens and dogs to ascend to heaven, and the family business began to prosper. The ancients said that "the family and the country are under heaven", and the "family" ranks in front of the "country", which already explains the problem.

Wait until the official position is stable, climb up step by step, and have interest alliances and party members in the officialdom, then consider the matter of being loyal to the emperor and serving the country and benefiting the people.

It is undeniable that there are indeed people who study in order to serve the monarchy, but the number is very small. Whether most people study or become officials, their original intention is actually for the benefit of individuals or families.

Human nature is not so beautiful. For those who want to be officials, it is too unrealistic to ask them to study in order to serve their country.

The essence of the imperial examination is to curb the development of the power of the aristocratic family, to support the children of the poor, and to win the hearts of the scholars in the world. In all these essences, there is actually nothing to ask for about the human nature.

The original intention of children from poor families to study is mostly to change the fate of individuals and families, after all, it is also to pursue interests.

It is not terrible to pursue interests. A wise monarch knows how to use human nature and turn interests into the motivation for their loyalty.

Li Zhi understood what Li Qinzai said.

"Jing Chu means that there are actually not many scholars in the folk, but it seems that the children of the aristocratic family study more than the folks, right?"

Li Qinzai nodded: "Yes, for decades since the founding of the Tang Dynasty, the world has been peaceful and the people's hearts have been settled. Emperor Taizong and His Majesty have laid a solid foundation for a prosperous age."

"A sign of a prosperous age is food and clothing first. When food and clothing are satisfied, people will have desires, desires for fame, desires for power and sex, whether rich or poor, people's desires are the same."

Empress Wu said indifferently: "Jing Chu said that there are actually quite a few folk scholars, why are most of the people who have been selected in scientific examinations in the past ten years or so descended from aristocratic families?"

Li Qinzai said calmly, "It's because something went wrong in the imperial examination process."

Li Zhi raised his eyebrows: "I would like to hear the details."

"First, scholars from all over the world who are able to come to Chang'an to participate in the scientific examination need to be recommended by the local government. Although His Majesty has repeatedly ordered the local government to recommend children from poor families, it is inevitable that someone will take advantage of the gap when the order is issued."

"So among the candidates recommended by local officials to come to Chang'an for the scientific examination, there are a large number of children from aristocratic families. The base number of children from aristocratic families is huge, and the chances of being hired by the imperial court with high school achievements are also high."

"Secondly, there are also problems with the officials who review the test papers in the Chang'an court. Most of the courtiers come from aristocratic families. They must stand on the side of the aristocratic families and seek benefits for their respective families."

"There are two equally wonderful and excellent test papers in front of you. The first thing the officials look at is the candidate's name and background. Candidates from aristocratic families have a higher chance of being hired than those from poor families. This is an undeniable fact."

Li Qinzai paused, and said: "The imperial examination system started from the imperial court, but there are many obstacles in the way of government orders coming out of the court. If the best system is used by people with good intentions, the taste of the government orders will often completely change when they are issued to the local government. In the end, people will die and the government will end. It is a futile effort. "

Li Zhi sat up straight, and said in a deep voice: "Jing Chu's words are reasonable, today I am deaf and enlightened, and I have been taught."

Speaking of which, Li Zhi looked at Empress Wu, who also had a serious face, nodded slowly and said: "If Jing Chu doesn't say anything, the concubine doesn't know that there are so many disadvantages in the imperial examination."

Li Zhi suddenly sneered: "It's ridiculous that in the past few years, none of the courtiers have spoken out to me about their ills. They are superficially obedient, but secretly they are full of jokes, which makes me feel cold!"

Li Qinzai said slowly: "Your Majesty, as I said just now, most of the courtiers come from aristocratic families, and they have to act in the interests of the aristocratic families. This is unavoidable."

Empress Wu smiled, and said, "Jing Chu said, there is an admonishment today. Is there a solution to the ills of the imperial examinations you mentioned just now?"

Li Qinzai said: "Yes, although it cannot be completely solved, I think it can be cured slowly."

"Say it!" Li Zhi said urgently.

"First, before the imperial examinations, the censors of East and West Taiwan were sent to various states and counties to monitor the matters of local officials' recommendation of candidates, to ensure the fairness of the list of candidates, and to strictly control the ratio of candidates from aristocratic and poor families."

"The recommendation is mainly for the children of the poor family. At the same time, in order not to completely offend the aristocratic family, His Majesty may grant a few official positions to the aristocratic family and make appropriate compromises with them."

"Secondly, in order to ensure the fairness of the imperial examination examination papers, I request Your Majesty to adopt the anonymous system, so as to prevent the disadvantages of the examination paper officials selecting candidates based on their birthplaces."

Li Zhi and Empress Wu looked at each other quickly, and Li Zhi said in surprise: "What is the 'fuzzy name system'?"

Li Qinzai gestured with his hands, and said: "After the exam, the test papers of all the candidates are put together and folded into a pile, and the places where the candidates fill in the names are temporarily pasted with white paper, so that the officials who mark the papers cannot see the names and places of origin of the candidates. It can only be selected based on the content of the candidate's test paper."

"After the results ranking is determined, under the supervision of the supervisory officials, the marking officer will open the place where the name is pasted on the test paper, and announce the candidates for employment based on the results alone."

"During this process, officials at all levels in the DPRK and Central Committee supervised at various levels, and established strict laws to prohibit officials from engaging in favoritism and fraud. In this way, the fairness of the imperial examinations can be guaranteed, and the hearts of scholars in the world can be convinced."

After Li Qinzai finished speaking, he paused, leaving enough time for Li Zhi and Empress Wu to slowly digest.

Li Zhi and Empress Wu smacked the meaning of Li Qinzai's words just now. After a while, their eyes became brighter and brighter.

With a sudden slap on the thigh, Li Zhi said excitedly: "Jing Chu is talented, and his ingenuity is like a god, I admire him so much!"

Empress Wu also smiled and said: "Jing Chu's remonstrance is very appropriate. This can greatly prevent officials and candidates from cheating in the imperial examinations, and prevent aristocratic families from intervening in the scientific examinations with their power. It is very kind!"

Li Zhi laughed and said: "In this way, the imperial examination is a complete selection of talents, and there is no more power and favoritism. At the same time, there are more opportunities for children from poor families in the world to become officials."

Speaking of which, Li Zhi got up, paced back and forth in the hall excitedly, then turned around and pointed at Empress Wu, and said, "Queen, write it down, write down everything Jing Chu said just now!"

Empress Wu smiled and nodded, looking at Li Qinzai with less resentment and more kindness.

Putting personal grievances aside, this time, Li Qinzai's position is the same as hers, so she and Li Qinzai are allies.

Mature politicians will not be affected by personal grievances and minds. Whether it is an ally or an enemy, they will be divided or united because of their interests. Whether they are enemies or friends, their positions cannot never change.

For example, at this moment, Empress Wu suddenly felt that she had formed a temporary alliance with Li Qinzai in the matter of the imperial examination.

(End of this chapter)