Chương 537: The Edict for the Imperial Examinations

The system's voice remained that emotionless, mechanical tone, but for some reason, Liu Ce felt it was somewhat guilty.

[Data confirmation regarding the host's unification of the world requires time. This system needs to verify information from all parties to ensure accuracy before issuing rewards. This is a programmed setting, not a delay.]

"Program settings?" Liu Ce chuckled inwardly.

"Are you suggesting we go through procedures? Does the system also engage in bureaucratic practices?"

The system paused for three seconds, then said: [Host, please do not make fun of this system. This system is free of bureaucracy.]

"Alright, alright, I won't tease you anymore," Liu Ce said with a smile.

"So, what other rewards do you have? Like a few more powerful generals, or some advanced technology or something?"

System: [All rewards have been distributed. There are no additional rewards at this time. Please use existing resources wisely, be grounded, and avoid being overly ambitious.] Liu Ce sighed: "I knew it. So, do you have any other hidden gems? Just bring them out all at once, stop hiding them."

System: [It is recommended that the host focus on the current five-year plan and national development. Rewards will be distributed at an appropriate time. This system is now offline. Take care, host.]

"Hey, don't go! Let's chat for another five cents..."

The system did not respond further.

Liu Ce shook his head, regaining his composure.

He looked up and found eleven children staring at him with wide eyes. Liu Chen even waved his hand in front of his face.

"Daddy? Why are you spacing out? Are you dizzy from the rainbow?"

Liu Ce smiled and patted his head: "It's nothing, it's nothing. Daddy was thinking about something. Come on, let's continue the lesson. Where were we? Oh right, how are rainbows formed...?"

He put away the prism, picked up the globe, and continued to teach the children about natural phenomena.

As he spoke, he secretly smiled again. With these two cards, his five-year plan was in the bag.

...

Half a year ago, around the first month of the first year of Shenwu.

An imperial edict for the selection of officials, issued from Luoyang and carried by fast horses to every province and prefecture in the country, was like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, stirring up huge waves.

The contents of the edict sent chills down the spines of countless people.

"On the day of Renshen in the first month of the first year of Shenwu, an imperial edict was issued:" The abuses of the recommendation system have deepened day by day; the highest ranks are filled with no students from humble backgrounds, and the lowest ranks with no students from powerful families… Many of the nation's talents are buried among the common people. I now reform this system, establishing the imperial examination system, which disregards social status and selects only those with talent…

The imperial examinations were divided into five categories: literature, science, engineering, agriculture, and medicine. Anyone over the age of eighteen and of good character was eligible to take the exams...

One hundred scholars will be selected this year, with the top scholar in each subject being awarded the seventh-rank official title and directly appointed to a central government post.

This proclamation is hereby issued to the world, so that all may know.

The most shocking thing was the division of subjects in the imperial examination.

It was no longer a system where Confucianism was the sole dominant ideology, but rather divided into five disciplines: literature, science, engineering, agriculture, and medicine.

The liberal arts exam covers Confucian classics, current affairs policies, and the "Great Han Law"...

Science subjects include arithmetic, physics, chemistry...

Engineering majors study construction, machinery manufacturing, etc.

Agricultural science research includes agricultural and sericulture techniques, water conservancy and river engineering...

Medical studies include traditional Chinese medicine techniques, herbal medicine, etc.

The final line of the edict, "In every profession, there are outstanding individuals. Anyone with a skill, regardless of background, may take the examination and be appointed to an official position according to their abilities," resonated like a thunderclap in everyone's heart.

Inside a private school in Yingchuan, a commotion erupted.

"Absurd! Utterly absurd!" An elderly scholar with white hair slammed the bamboo slips to the ground, heartbroken and furious, his beard twitching with rage.

"The imperial examination system actually equates the teachings of the sages with strange and frivolous skills? How can mathematics, craftsmanship, and agriculture be considered refined? Rites and music are collapsing, and civilization is being swept away! If Confucius knew this, he would jump out of his coffin! This is destroying the teachings of the sages and the very foundation of Confucianism!"

"Teacher, please calm down," a young student said in a low voice, his expression complex.

"But the imperial edict also states that the civil service examinations will still test classics and policy essays, and Confucianism has not been abandoned. Moreover... this 'Current Affairs Policy Essay' tests practical matters of governing the country and ensuring its stability, and is not entirely useless. His Majesty wants us to learn to apply what we learn, not just to study by rote."

"What do you know!" another scout from a prominent family sneered, his face full of disdain.

"If this happens, won't those peasants and artisans be placed on equal footing with us, competing in the same arena? Where are our ancestral laws and traditions? What about our family's reputation and honor? We've studied diligently for over a decade, are we really going to be on the same stage as those lower classes?"

Panic, anger, and disdain spread among the old intellectual class.

But some scholars from humble backgrounds had a different kind of gleam in their eyes.

They were well-read, but due to their social status, they would never have a chance to rise in society.

Today, the words "imperial examination" are like a ray of dawn that cuts through the darkness, shining into their gloomy lives.

"At least, we have a fair chance to compete." They clenched their fists and began to study the classics more diligently. At the same time, they also secretly found legal provisions and recent political records, burning the midnight oil day and night.

Who cares what the exam is about, I'll prepare first.

When the news reached Xiapi, Zheng Xuan, a master of Confucian classics who was lecturing, dropped the book in his hand with a "thud" to the ground.

His white beard trembled slightly, and he was speechless for a long time.

The surrounding disciples were already in an uproar.

"Absurd! Utterly absurd!" A young disciple dressed in a scholar's robe blushed and brandished his fist.

"Governing the country and bringing peace to the world relies on the way of the sages! Do those mathematicians, craftsmen, farmers, doctors... even deserve to serve in the same court as us? Do they even deserve it? Do they even know what benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness are?"

"Exactly! The recommendation system has been in place for hundreds of years, recommending the filial and incorruptible and selecting the virtuous and capable—this is the right path! Your Majesty's actions are destroying the teachings of the sages! Who among future generations will still read the classics?"

"After years of arduous study, are we to compete with peasants and craftsmen? This is a disgrace to Confucianism! I would rather never become an official than take the exam with those people!"

A chorus of curses erupted, and the crowd was filled with indignation.

Several young disciples even said they would write to the court, asking His Majesty to rescind his decree.

Zheng Xuan slowly bent down, picked up the book from the ground, and gently brushed away the dust. His movements were slow, as if he were caressing a precious treasure.

He remained silent for a long time before sighing, "You guys are still too young."

"Teacher?" The disciples looked at him in confusion, not understanding why their teacher wasn't angry with them. The noisy classroom quieted down.

"Can't you see the drawbacks of the recommendation system?" Zheng Xuan's voice was tinged with weariness.

"The truly powerful families control the official careers, while truly talented people are buried among the common folk. How many of you are truly from humble backgrounds? And how many of you didn't get in because of your family connections? How many talented people from poor families can't even become a county magistrate in their entire lives?"

The disciples lowered their heads.

"Your Majesty's actions may seem unconventional, but in reality, they have opened a path to survival for those from humble backgrounds. This is giving an opportunity to all capable people, not just based on what your surname is."