Go to ancient times and engage in construction

In the main meeting hall of King Zhao's Palace, Zhao Xuan ordered the waiter to distribute the newspaper that had just been delivered from the state of Wu to all civil and military officials.The newspapers were Wen Wei Po and Nan Bao in February of Wu State, and most of the newspapers were reports on the content of the promotion exam.

"What do you think about Wu's promotion exam?" Zhao Xuan and other officials read the newspaper for a while before asking.

As soon as Zhao Xuan's words fell, the hands of all the officials in the hall paused, and a moment later, Bo Yao came out to report first: "My lord, the promotion examination of Wu country can attract talents from all over the world. Our country should follow suit."

Bo Yao is Zhao Xuan's confidant, and he knows the purpose of Zhao Xuan's discussion today.Zhao Xuan saw from the newspapers that the students from all the princely states gathered for the reference of the king of Wu, and he was very envious. Zhao Guo also planned to hold a similar exam, so as to attract knowledgeable people from all over the country to serve Zhao Guo.

Zhao Xuan attaches great importance to talents, and has ordered Wenzai to start building a college in Zhao Wangdu. As for the primary and secondary schools opened in various parts of Wu State, Zhao State has limited financial resources, and Zhao Xuan has no intentions.

Zhao Xuan nodded slightly, and he focused his attention on the officials in the hall: "What do you love about Wu Zai's words?"

Zhao Xuan asked Baiguan how he felt about Boyao's proposal, but Baiguan knew that what Boyao said was Zhao Xuan's original intention.The promotion examination actually impacted the hereditary privileges of the great families and dignitaries.

If Zhao Wang's court uses examinations to select officials in the future like Wu, it will have the greatest impact on the hereditary official positions of the aristocratic families. After all, no one can guarantee that their children will be outstanding in literature and stand out in the promotion examination.

Because the promotion examination involves the self-interest of the officials, not many officials came out to echo Boyao's proposal.

"Wen Zai, what do you think?" Zhao Xuan was disappointed that only a few courtiers agreed, and most of these courtiers were new nobles, such as Wu Xian who had just been promoted to Sima, who did not occupy the most important position in the royal court.

Zhao Wenzai is an important minister left by King Zhao to his son. He is loyal and highly respected to the Zhao royal family.Zhao Xuan named Wen Zai to speak out, because he wanted to rely on Wen Zai's prestige to finalize the selection of talents through the examination.

Zhao Wenzai was fifty years old. After Zhao Wang passed away, Wenzai felt that his energy was declining day by day.Due to his physical problems, Wen Zai began to think about the affairs behind him.Seconding Zhao Xuan's move would offend many aristocratic families, and Wen Zai did not want to cause trouble for his descendants.

So Wen Zai knew Zhao Xuan's true intentions, but he didn't come forward to respond.Now Zhao Xuan asked directly, without giving him any room to evade, Old Wen Zai could only bite the bullet and step forward to deal with it.

"My lord! I feel that the country of Wu does not distinguish between nationalities, and it is inappropriate to use this test to select talents!" The officials in the hall heard that Wen Zai had doubts about the promotion test. Always support Lao Wenzai.

"Oh! What's wrong?"

Zhao Xuan lowered his eyes and felt disappointed. He didn't expect that half of the officials and nobles in the royal court would object to the promotion exam. Even the trustworthy Wen Zai seemed to disagree with this measure.

"Although the examinees are all the subjects of the emperor, they are divided into the subjects of the princes and kingdoms. The subjects grew up under the protection of the monarchs, and they will only be grateful to their monarchs. Facing the foreign bachelors selected by the whole world, Wu Guo Will you be loyal to Wu Guo?"

As soon as Wen Zai said this, all the officials enthusiastically agreed: "Yes, Your Majesty, it's fine if the students from other countries are not loyal. If they have unfaithful intentions, there will be great disasters for the country!"

"You can't serve Zhao wholeheartedly. What's the use of recruiting such talents?"

Doctor Zhao Guoyou felt that Wen Zai had hit the point.

Zhao Xuan held his breath, looked at Wen Zai disappointedly, and said coldly: "Great virtuous Gongsun Pan is a man from the capital of the emperor. He has served as the director of the Education Department of Wu State for three years. His performance has been outstanding, and his actions have never harmed Wu State! The scholar traveled around more than ten countries for half his life without stopping, but he stayed in Wu with his disciples five years ago. Yu Kui, a native of Chu, is the confidant of Prince Ming. Now he is the deputy prime minister of Wu. I haven't heard that Yu Kui has a rift with Wu Guo!"

Seeing that Zhao Xuan was unhappy, Wen Zai immediately shut up.On the contrary, Dr. You became more courageous because Wen Zai took the lead in questioning. He reminded Zhao Xuan: "Your Majesty, Yu Kui has a great enmity with the King of Chu, and the whole family was copied and beheaded by the King of Chu, so he is determined to serve the court of King Wu." !"

Zhao Xuan stood up, holding the king's sword in one hand, standing on the high platform of the throne and looking down at the ministers: "Yes, Yu Kui has a grudge against Chu, but he has lived in seclusion in Wu for five years and did not serve anyone. Master Ming, why is this?"

Zhao Xuan glanced at his courtiers.

"It's because Mr. Ming used his talents in an eclectic manner! That made Yu Kui, who is proud and arrogant, to be loyal! Mr. Ming is gracious and employs people without doubt, so the country of Wu is flourishing today! Is it here?"

After Zhao Xuan finished speaking, Wang Ting fell silent, only Zhao Xuan's loud voice continued to echo.

"Masters, do you know who else is going to take the Wu Guo promotion exam this time?" Zhao Xuan took a newspaper and shook it, pointing to the list of the top [-] candidates for the promotion exam published in the newspaper.

"The No. 40 six Shen Luo are the nobles of the Xu royal family!"

All the officials of the State of Zhao searched for it in the newspapers in their hands, and sure enough, Shen Luo's name was clearly listed. Shen was the surname of Xu Wang's family, and Daqin was the only one.

"Shen Luo is the nephew of King Xu. For other kings and sons, Master Ming still uses them as county guards. Many of these people have great talents, but they are not reused by their own kings, and they are wasted in the court and the public. Wu Guo's promotion exam does not ask about background, only Only talents are appointed. In the long run, all the talents in the world will return to Wu, if our country does not open its doors to recruit talents, how can it compare with Wu?"

Half of what Zhao Xuan said, all the officials bowed their heads, only the eyes of Boyao and Wu Xian, a group of emerging nobles, were shining with admiration.

"If Zhao Ruoruo doesn't open the door to welcome talents, sooner or later the national power will be at the top of the ranks, and it is imperative to select talents through the examination!" Zhao Xuan made the final decision for this discussion!

After the discussion was over, all the officials came out of the main hall and walked together in twos and threes to discuss.Wen Zai didn't discuss with his colleagues, he just wanted to go home as soon as possible.

"Lord Wenzai! Please stay!" Doctor You hurriedly chased after him.

Wen Zai frowned, reluctantly slowed down and waited.

"What is Doctor You looking for from this old man?"

"The previous kings treated the adults as their shoulders and relied on the community. Now the king is young and vigorous, and acts a bit arbitrary. For the sake of the community, the adults should strongly advise!" Doctor You was obviously disgusted with the promotion exam.

Wenzai stared at Doctor You with a serious face: "Your doctor is wrong! If your king acted recklessly and decisively, how could the former king be so relieved to hand over power when he was in power? Examination and selection of talents is beneficial to our country, and we should support it. That's good!"

Zhao Xuan has already made a decision, as long as Wen Zai does not bear the reputation of offending others, Wen Zai will agree with Zhao Xuan's reform.

Wen Zai didn't wait for Doctor You to speak, so he bowed his hands and left in a hurry.

Doctor You looked at the back of Wenzai going away, and couldn't help stomping his feet angrily: "Old fox! What is good for the country? At the beginning, depriving us of the fiefdom was also said to be good for the country. It was good for the country, but it was not good for us! The promotion exam is one This is the first, and the next step is to abolish hereditary official positions, does Zhao Xuan think this old man doesn't know?"

Doctor You has a bright mind, and he must read every issue of the Wu Guo newspaper.Wu State's conquest and enfeoffment system is a kind of deprivation of the privileges of the big family. If the children of the family cannot get ahead in the promotion examination, after two or three generations, they will be reduced to ordinary people, and the family will be weak.

Dr. You believes that the princes and nobles of the Wu Kingdom suffered from Yi Ji's rebellion a few years ago, and after being purged repeatedly, those who survived have no blood, and they have long since become incapable, so they let Master Ming do as he pleases.

Zhao Guo abolished the feudal title in the hands of Zhao Xuan's father, but did not abolish the hereditary title.Zhao Xuan's actions today are obviously intended to learn from Mr. Wu Guoming, and gradually attack the privileges of the big family.

Doctor You understands this, so why is he not in a hurry, his two sons-in-law are both incompetent, and the son-in-law has not been properly trained as a successor.If talents are selected through examinations, no one in the Youdafu family can aspire to the list.Doctor You can predict that after a hundred years, his family will soon decline.

Zhao Xuan returned to the harem, still in a good mood. In the bedroom, the maid took off the crown and changed into regular clothes, the queen had already gone outside the bedroom to ask for an audience.

The original princess, the current Queen Zhao is still gorgeously dressed.Zhao Xuan didn't feel disgusted when he saw his wife dressed extravagantly this time, instead he had a gentle talk with the saluting wife.

"Ma'am, how are the preparations for Mr. Ming's accommodation?"

Zheng Yuming will come to Zhao Wangdu before mid-April, and Zhao Xuan has ordered his wife to prepare a residence for Zheng Yuming since February.

"My lord, the residence of Mr. Ming has been prepared. The concubine is here to report this matter!" Queen Zhao asked for credit with a smile.

"Oh, it's already arranged?" Zhao Xuan said with satisfaction on his face.

"That's right, according to the king's wishes, all the equipment in the courtyard are selected the best." Queen Zhao looked at her handsome husband obsessively. Zhao Xuan seldom went to his wives and concubines after the Spring Festival. Queen Zhao had nothing important as an excuse , and could not see her husband.

"I'll go and have a look here." Zhao Xuan was very interested, and ordered someone to prepare a car and go to the south of the capital.

Zhao Xuan did not arrange Zheng Yuming's accommodation in a post house, but in a luxurious palace in the southern city of the capital.The palace is very large, full of exotic flowers and plants, and there is a hill with a spring beside the hill with clear water.Surprisingly, the water temperature is around ten degrees all year round.

This palace was originally the favorite residence of Zhao Xuan's mother. After Zhao Xuan's mother passed away, the palace was vacant.Zhao Xuan came to power a few years ago, renovated the palace, and would stay there for a while in hot weather.However, Zhao Xuan went alone for a short stay, and his wives and concubines hadn't lived there yet. Queen Zhao was given the task of arranging the rooms, so she was able to visit the palace.

Zhao Xuan's expression darkened immediately after seeing the room furnished by his wife.

"Your Majesty! Is it not appropriate for the concubine to arrange it like this?" Queen Zhao found that her husband's face was not good. The things in the room were all the most expensive, and even the animal skins for the seats were made of high-quality white tiger skins.

Zhao Xuan glanced at his wife, pointed at the tiger skin on the seat and said angrily, "Madam, do you think there will be heavy snowfall in May?"

Queen Zhao was stunned, and immediately knelt down to plead guilty: "Your Majesty, calm down, this is my concubine's negligence, and I will be replaced!"

The country of Yan is located in the north, and even in May, it is relatively cool. Queen Zhao used to make mats with animal skin mats all year round.This time, Queen Zhao didn't think too much about arranging the cushions of the chairs in Zheng Yuming's room, and used animal skins as usual.She forgot that the temperature in Zhao country after mid-April was more than 20 degrees.

Zhao Xuan turned around in the room and looked at Queen Zhao with contempt. "Madam made this room glittering with golden light, if you live in it, I'm afraid Mr. Ming's eyes won't be able to bear it!"

The utensils placed on the mahogany trellis in the room are mainly made of gold. To Zhao Xuan's annoyance, the quilt on the bed is also made of gold silk. Thinking of Mr. Ming, who is as jade as porcelain, staying in a room that shines with gold, Zhao Xuan really wanted to slap his wife twice for such an incongruous scene.

"Your Majesty, I will rearrange the arrangement!" Queen Zhao heard the anger in her husband's voice, and her voice trembled when she answered.Yan State is located in the north, and it is the latest civilized vassal state, and the taste in the country has always been the most vulgar.Queen Zhao is in a vulgar atmosphere, so of course her taste is not high.

Zhao Xuan closed his eyes, raised his hand and waved: "No need, you go back to the palace, I have my own arrangements here."

When Queen Zhao withdrew, Zhao Xuan ordered his attendants to summon Ai Ji.

"Does my beloved concubine know Mr. Wu Guoming?"

Ai Ji was a bit haggard, she carefully observed Zhao Xuan's face: "My Majesty, I heard something from a businessman from the Wu Kingdom."

Ai Ji used to be punished by Queen Zhao who took advantage of Zhao Xuan to boycott Wu goods because she loved Wu products. Since then, Ai Ji has never dared to buy Wu products again. Until the last year, Zhao Xuan’s attitude towards Wu changed. .

Zhao Xuan's face paled slightly. "Does Concubine Ai know that Young Master Ming likes it?"

Ai Ji thought for a while, and said carefully: "I heard that you don't like luxury utensils, and focus on comfort. You only pay attention to food, and you pay attention to exquisite delicacy."

Zhao Xuan recalled that Zheng Yuming's life was like this. He wore no fancy clothes, simple accessories, and was very particular about his food. Red wine needed to be served in a crystal glass cup.

"Master Ming will stay here for a short time next month. Since my concubine is familiar with Mr. Ming's hobbies, I will deliver the layout here. I hope that Mr. Ming will like the arrangements made by my concubine."

Ai Ji's heart was beating wildly, this is Zhao Xuan's respect for her: "Here! I will do my best!"

That night, when Queen Zhao heard that Zhao Xuan had ordered Ai Ji to rearrange the temporary residence of Young Master Ming, she broke the utensils in the room and fell down on the bed and cried all night.The next day she had a cold and was bedridden, and until Zheng Yuming came to visit, Queen Zhao still couldn't get up from the bed.