Time passed quickly, and in a blink of an eye, it was the day for the cabinet meeting.
Early morning, Qianqing Palace.
Jiajing put on his robe under the service of his personal eunuch. Not long after, Lu Fang walked into the Qianqing Palace with silent steps.
"His Majesty!"
"Um."
When Jiajing heard the words, he responded in a subtle way, then waved his hand and sent the personal eunuch away. He turned around and asked Lu Fang.
"By the way, Lu Fang, how prepared are you for what I asked you to do before?"
When Lu Fang heard this, she thought about it for a moment and then immediately responded.
"Your Majesty, I have included the printing of arithmetic textbooks, the establishment of more information offices in the capitals of the two capitals and thirteen provinces in the Ming Dynasty, and the improvement of the scope of newspaper dissemination, among the issues that need to be discussed by the cabinet today. middle."
After listening to Lu Fang's report, Jiajing nodded slightly and immediately spoke.
"Well, Lu Fang, you did a good job!"
When Lu Fang heard this, a look of panic suddenly appeared on her face, and she quickly responded humbly.
"No, compared to Your Majesty, this slave has only done some trivial things!"
After hearing Lu Fang's self-effacing words, Jiajing made no comment. He just raised his eyebrows and gave instructions.
"Okay, it's getting late, come with me to the cabinet!"
As soon as Jiajing finished speaking, Lu Fang responded without thinking.
"As you command, Your Majesty!"
After that, Lu Fang was seen following Jiajing step by step, heading in the direction of the cabinet.
…
Since today was the day for cabinet discussions, everyone did not dare to neglect at all and came to the cabinet early.
At this moment, no one in the cabinet spoke, and everyone was concentrating on processing the memorials in their hands. At this moment, a high-pitched voice was heard.
"Your Majesty is here!"
After the words fell, under the leadership of Yan Song, the chief minister of the cabinet, everyone stopped reviewing the memorials in their hands and knelt on the ground, waiting for Jiajing's arrival.
Not long after, Jiajing was seen stepping into the cabinet, and Lu Fang followed Jiajing step by step as usual.
"I bow to your majesty, long live my emperor!"
After Jiajing sat down in his own seat, he looked around, looked back, and gave instructions.
"Well, everyone, get up!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
After receiving Jiajing's permission, everyone present stood up from the ground one after another and sat back in their respective positions, waiting for Jiajing's instructions.
Seeing this situation, Jiajing glanced at Lu Fan beside him, and the latter quickly understood, took a step forward, and said in a deep voice.
"Today's cabinet meeting will discuss four main things!"
"The first thing is to print arithmetic textbooks, the second thing is to open more information offices in the capital areas of the two capitals and thirteen provinces in the Ming Dynasty in order to increase the sales of newspapers, and the third thing is to discuss the In addition to the imperial examinations, there are pros and cons of holding separate examinations for the clan and nobles. The fourth issue is the selection of the new governor-general of Zhejiang and governor of Zhejiang."
After Lu Fang finished speaking, after bowing respectfully to Jiajing, he immediately came to his position and stood still.
After that, Jiajing nodded imperceptibly, and immediately knocked on the jade pan beside him. With a crisp sound of 'ding', this cabinet meeting officially began!
Jiajing stroked the dragon head carved on the dragon chair with his hand, and after looking around, he spoke slowly.
"Not long ago, Tang Shunzhi came to me and said that he had completed the compilation of arithmetic textbooks. I have read the textbooks he compiled. I think the compilation is very good and can be used in next year's imperial examination!"
As soon as Jiajing finished speaking, Lu Fang stepped forward and brought the arithmetic textbook that Tang Shunzhi had compiled before in front of everyone.
Seeing this, Yan Song immediately put on his reading glasses, took the arithmetic textbook from Lu Fang's hand, and browsed the contents.
Yan Song was very focused on reading, so he spent a lot of time. After he read the contents of the arithmetic textbook, he handed it to Xu Jie beside him, faced Jiajing, and said.
"Your Majesty, I feel that this arithmetic textbook is very well compiled. Compared with the previous edition, the content in it is very easy to understand. It is perfect to use it for the imperial examination next year!"
Hearing Yan Song's words, Xu Jie on the side just glanced at it briefly, then handed the arithmetic textbook to the others, and then added.
"Your Majesty, I also feel that this arithmetic textbook is very well compiled. After deleting the part about the art of slicing circles and replacing it with content that is more focused on solving practical problems, there is no doubt that this textbook will be very good." Arithmetic textbooks have become more practical!”
After Xu Jie, the remaining people also expressed their opinions on this arithmetic textbook one after another, and without exception, they all agreed.
After all, the emperor had already said before that this arithmetic textbook would be used in next year's imperial examinations, and no matter how much he disagreed, it would be useless.
After listening to the opinions given by everyone, Jiajing nodded and said slowly.
"Since no one objects, I will officially use this arithmetic textbook in next year's imperial examination!"
After Jiajing finished speaking, he turned his gaze to Yan Song and immediately gave instructions.
"Yan Song, when you come down later, your cabinet will officially issue an announcement to announce this matter!"
As soon as Jiajing finished speaking, Yan Song responded without thinking.
"As you command, Your Majesty!"
Seeing that the first thing ended smoothly, everyone couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. Lu Fang, who was waiting beside Jiajing, saw this situation, stood up and said softly.
"In this cabinet discussion, the first matter has been discussed, and now we are starting to discuss the second matter, which is to open more information agencies in the capital areas of the two capitals and thirteen provinces of our Ming Dynasty!"
After Lu Fang's words fell, everyone present cheered up. Soon after, Xu Jie stood up from his seat firmly, turned his eyes to Jiajing, and said in a deep voice.
"Your Majesty, I have my own personal report!"
"speak!"
When Jiajing heard this, he just glanced at Xu Jie quite indifferently and then spoke.
After getting Jiajing's permission, Xu Jie just began to describe his thoughts to everyone.
"Not long ago, the imperial court just published the first issue of Daming Daily in the capital. Judging from the results alone, it was very successful!"
"Once the newspaper was put on sale, it was strongly sought after by officials, gentry, and ordinary people. Even though it was reprinted several times, it still could not meet the demand. There was even a craze for reading the newspaper in the capital!"
"Both the common people and the officials and gentry all welcome the new newspapers issued by the imperial court. Therefore, Wei Chen feels that we should strike while the iron is hot and open more newspapers in the capitals of the two capitals and thirteen provinces of the Ming Dynasty. News Agency!"
When Xu Jie said this, he paused and then added.
"In this way, on the one hand, the common people or officials and gentry can have more channels to learn about national affairs. On the other hand, the national treasury can also get more revenue. In Wei Chen's view, this is simply It’s the best of both worlds!”
"It is precisely because of this that Wei Chen strongly supports the establishment of more information agencies and the sale of more newspapers in the capitals of the two capitals and thirteen provinces of the Ming Dynasty!"
After Xu Jie expressed all his thoughts, he unexpectedly did not encounter any opposition.
Because anyone with a discerning eye can see that His Majesty has long wanted to promote the newspaper from the capital to the two capitals and thirteen provinces of the Ming Dynasty!
Your Majesty has made all preparations for this. Although this matter is to seek everyone's opinions, it is just a formality!
Because since the imperial court's newspapers were officially released, everyone present has more or less seen the huge power of newspapers.
It can clearly and accurately convey the meaning that the publisher of the newspaper wants to convey to the people without going through the hands of bureaucrats and gentry.
What's more, the content of the newspapers that are aimed at the common people is composed of many illustrations.
In this way, it not only lowers the threshold for reading newspapers in disguise, but also facilitates the spread of newspapers among the people. It is foreseeable that in the next step, more construction will only be needed in the capitals of two capitals and thirteen provinces in the Ming Dynasty. An organization responsible for selling newspapers. "
"Given time, the newspaper will spread from the capital to the whole country!"
"Could it be said that His Majesty realized the huge power of newspapers early in the morning?"
Everyone was thinking this, looking at Jiajing with awe in their eyes.
"When the newspaper is officially promoted in the two capitals and thirteen provinces of the Ming Dynasty, maybe it can be used for reform?"
"At that time, we only need to publish all the reform measures and the conveniences that will be brought to the people after the reform is completed in newspapers."
"This will not only reduce the resistance to reform, but also make the people less deceived!"
Zhang Juzheng on the side was thinking this, with a different look in his eyes.
Seeing that no one raised any objections to this resolution, Jiajing, who was sitting on the dragon chair, nodded indiscernibly, then quickly withdrew his gaze from Xu Jie and turned to give instructions.
"Well, since everyone has no objections to this, then the matter is settled!"
"Soon, more information offices will be opened in the two capitals and thirteen provinces of our Ming Dynasty to promote newspapers!"
As soon as Jiajing finished speaking, everyone immediately responded in unison.
"As you command, Your Majesty!"
After that, Lu Fang, who was on the side, immediately stepped forward, faced everyone, and said loudly.
"The second matter discussed by the cabinet this time has been discussed. We will continue the discussion after a short break."
When Lu Fang finished speaking, everyone present couldn't help but feel a thump in their hearts, and the expressions on their faces became solemn.
In the final analysis, the few matters discussed by the cabinet previously were just appetizers at best. The matter to be discussed next is the top priority.
After all, this matter involves the interests of the clan and the nobles. Besides, it is unheard of in the past dynasties to hold separate examinations for the clan and nobles in addition to the imperial examinations. If word spreads, it will definitely be spread among There was an uproar in the DPRK.
Because of this, even if they knew that the emperor was actually in favor of holding separate examinations for the clan and nobles in addition to the imperial examinations, they could not stand up and start this.
Because once you stand up, you will definitely incur eternal infamy in the future!
Thinking of this, everyone present looked at the scene with their eyes and noses, and kept praying in their hearts, hoping that time could slow down a little bit more.
Jiajing, on the other hand, was sitting on the dragon chair, closing his eyes and concentrating, not knowing what he was thinking.
Time passed by slowly, and I don’t know how long it had passed. Jiajing slowly opened his eyes, looked around, then looked back, and then asked in a voice that did not contain any emotion.
"Concerning the matter of holding separate examinations for clans and nobles in addition to the imperial examinations, if you have any opinions, just tell me!"
After Jiajing's words fell, the cabinet immediately fell into deathly silence. Everyone lowered their heads in shame and said not a word.
With everyone's silence, the atmosphere in the room suddenly fell into stagnation.
Seeing this, Jiajing's expression turned gloomy. He turned his gaze to Yan Song and asked.
"Yan Song, what do you think about this?"
Jiajing's voice was not loud, but in Yan Song's view, this was a naked reminder. No matter whether he answered or not, he would definitely not end well!
After that, Yan Song hesitated for a long time before he mustered up the courage, turned his eyes to Jiajing, and answered intermittently.
"Your Majesty... Your Majesty, Wei... Wei Chen feels that this matter should be discussed in the long term. After all... after all..."
Perhaps because he was too frightened, Jiajing did not hear the rest of the words clearly.
Seeing that Yan Song wanted to continue explaining, Jiajing waved his hand impatiently and interrupted him.
"Okay, no need to say any more!"
When Yan Song heard Jiajing's words, he felt as if he had been granted amnesty. He quickly bowed to the ground and spoke as if he were walking on thin ice.
"As...as you command, Your Majesty!"
Seeing this, Xu Jie on the side glanced at Yan Song angrily, gritted his teeth and cursed secretly: "Damn Yan Song, you used this trick, what should I use later?"
Just when Xu Jie felt panicked and uneasy about this, Jiajing turned his attention to Xu Jie again and turned to ask.
"Xu Jie, what do you think about this? Are you the same as Yan Song?"
After Jiajing's words fell, Xu Jie seemed to have been greatly frightened. He staggered and almost fell to the ground. However, thanks to Xu Jie's quick eyes and quick hands, he stabilized his body in time and did not fall.
After that, after Xu Jie sorted out the words in his mind, he carefully turned his eyes to Jiajing and spoke.
"Your Majesty... Your Majesty, I think we should be cautious about this matter. After all, apart from the imperial examination, it is unheard of to hold separate examinations for the clan and nobles in all dynasties!" (End of chapter)
