I am Li Shen and Li Shimin, the free kings of the Tang Dynasty

Li Shen had proposed the idea of ​​ideological education a long time ago, starting from children's enlightenment, to elementary school, then to university, and finally to the Imperial College. Li Shen even proposed the Hongwenguan and Chongwenguan.

This includes private schools, county schools, and central schools. Whether they are private or government-run, ideological education must be carried out.

However, after he proposed it at that time, there was no further follow-up, and Li Shen did not pay much attention to it, so he did not know whether it was established or not.

Today, Li Shimin said that it was not passed, and Li Shen finally knew the reason.

"Aye, these people only care about their own interests, how could they care about the interests of our Li family?

Loyalty to the emperor and patriotism are inherent in all books, but how many readers care about this?

They only care about whether they can get into high school and whether they can become officials in the future.

The same is true for ordinary people and children from poor families.

Instead of showing them favors, it is better to let them always remember to be loyal to the emperor and patriotic.

There are six subjects in the imperial examination: scholar, jinshi, mingjing, mingfa, mingzi and mingshuai.

Which subject includes loyalty to the emperor and patriotism, and which subject includes loyalty to our Li family.

There are other things like Ming characters, but this one is not included. "

Li Shen counted on his fingers for Li Shimin to hear.

"So you mean to change the imperial examination system?"

Li Shimin frowned. Changing the imperial examination system was no small matter. It involved a lot of issues and there would be even greater resistance.

Not to mention the prince, even if he went in person, he might not be able to pass.

"Aye, if possible, I really want to change the imperial examination system, but the imperial examination system involves a lot of things.

We don't have this capability yet.

Not to mention comparison, for example, the Jinshi examination, which tests poetry, songs and essays, what does this have to do with being an official?

They considered themselves to be men of letters and poets. After becoming officials and having a promising future, they no longer had the heart to care about the people and all they did was indulge in leisure and refinement.

Only the last five policy essays are somewhat useful, otherwise, this imperial examination is really useless."

Li Shen sometimes really doesn't understand that poetry and songs were just a way for scholars to have fun in ancient times.

It's no different than singing and dancing.

But why would the imperial court allow people who were good at writing poetry and songs and had fame to serve as officials?

Many people were recommended for promotion just because they were good at writing poetry and had some fame, without even having to take the imperial examination.

"What you said makes some sense, but it has been like this since ancient times. The imperial examinations in the Tang Dynasty also follow the legacy of the previous dynasty.

That is to say, the method of obfuscating names and transcribing was used as you proposed.

Nothing else has changed.

You said you want to change the imperial examination system, but I'm afraid it will be extremely difficult."

Li Shimin shook his head. Although he was the emperor, he did not have the final say on everything.

As long as there are too many people opposing it, this matter will not be accomplished, and he cannot kill all those who oppose it.

After all, it is impossible for such a big country to be managed by him alone.

The most popular saying at that time was that as long as the five surnames disagreed, the emperor's decree could not leave Chang'an City.

This is also the reason why Li Shimin tried every means to replace the Five Surnames.

"Aye, I know this, of course. What I mean is to add a compulsory course, and add "Ending in the Tang Dynasty" and "Ending in the Li Family".

We can also add some Confucian virtues into it. Doesn't Confucianism also include things like loyalty to the emperor and patriotism, and treating the people well?

When the time comes for the imperial examination, no matter which subject he takes, he must take this subject and pass it. Otherwise, even if he performs well in that subject, he will not be admitted.

In this way, these scholars will naturally go back to study.

It is best to start teaching from childhood, as this will be more profound.

In ten or twenty years, a large number of people who have received education will serve as officials in the court.

Although there is no guarantee that there will be no corrupt officials, most of them are good.”

Li Shimin fell into deep thought. What Li Shen said did make sense, although in many places Li Shen’s words were not comprehensive enough.

After all, Li Shen had never been in politics, but Li Shimin was a very smart man. He had been the emperor for so many years, so it was easy for him to find something good in him.

Li Shen didn't dare to disturb him and came to the tea table, wanting to pour himself a cup of tea.

At this time, a slender hand reached out, picked up the teapot and poured a cup for Li Shen.

Li Shen looked up and found that it was Xu Hui, whom he had always ignored.

Only then did he remember that he saw Xu Hui when he just came in, but he forgot about Xu Hui because he was talking about business.

Li Shen took the teacup and nodded gently. Xu Hui quickly returned the greeting, and they had no more contact after that.

It was useless for Li Shen to look at her any longer, because she was now his father's most favored concubine.

It's not worth it to make his father unhappy just by looking at him a few more times.

But then again, this Xu Hui is young, beautiful, has a good figure, and looks delicate and frail, which makes me feel sorry for her.

It can indeed make a man want to protect and love her, and I heard that Xu Hui is well-educated and proficient in music, chess, calligraphy and painting.

No wonder he loves it so much.

After a long while, Li Shimin woke up from his thoughts, took the tea handed over by Xu Hui, took a sip and said:

"Let's put this matter aside for now. I have my own plans in mind, and it's not something that can be accomplished overnight.

Let’s talk about the Arabs first.

You captured a few Arab merchants and asked them about the situation in the Arab world. Do you have any plans?

The Arabs are thousands of miles away from our Tang Dynasty. Are you planning to attack them?"

Based on Li Shimin's understanding of his son, he would never do anything that has no benefit. He is the type of person who will not do anything without benefits.

He would not inquire about what was happening in the Arab world for no reason.

However, the distance between the Tang Dynasty and the Arab Empire was too far. Even if there were any expeditions, they had never been so far.

"No way, why would I want to target them? They are so far away, they will not be a threat to our Tang Dynasty.

I'm just curious, just asking."

Li Shen shook his head and said nonchalantly.

"Humph, you can deceive others, but you can't deceive me.

Tell me, what are your plans?"

Li Shimin didn't believe Li Shen at all.

"Aye, look at what you said, what can I plan, I really ..."

"Speak quickly!"

Li Shimin saw that Li Shen was still trying to argue and scolded him.

Li Shen shrank his neck and said helplessly:

"Yes, Aye, I heard that the Arabs have been expanding in recent years, and Persia, which does business with us, is at war with the Arabs.

But I heard that Persia has always been at a disadvantage and it seems that it can't hold on for much longer.

In this way, they are not far from Western Turkestan.

Didn’t Aye say he wanted to conquer Western Turkestan?

I was just thinking, if we occupy Western Turkestan, won’t we then be neighbors with the Arab Empire?

The Arabs are ambitious, and our Tang Dynasty is rich in resources. They might covet our Tang Dynasty at that time.

So I'm thinking whether I should create some trouble for them in advance and weaken their power."

（2024年8月26日04:05:31各位早上好。）