The Chinese people's reverence for knowledge and pursuit of fame are unparalleled from ancient times to the present.
When it comes to the original intention of reading, most of them are actually not that noble.
In a very simple sentence, studying is for gaining fame and becoming an official.
As for after becoming an official, of course the family will follow the chickens and dogs to ascend to heaven, and the family business will begin to prosper. The ancients said that "family, country, world", "family" comes before "country", which is very illustrative.
When the official position is secure, he has climbed up the ranks step by step, and there are interest allies and party members in the officialdom, then he can then think about being loyal to the emperor, serving the country, and benefiting the people.
It is undeniable that there are people in the world who study in order to serve their country, but the number is very small. Most people, whether they are studying or working as officials, actually do so for personal or family interests.
Human nature is not that beautiful. For those who want to be officials, it is too unrealistic to require them to study in order to serve their family and country.
The essence of the imperial examination is to curb the development of the power of aristocratic families, to support the children of poor families, and to win the hearts of scholars from all over the world. In all of these essences, there is actually nothing to ask for in terms of human nature.
The original intention of children from poor families to study is mostly to change their personal and family destiny. After all, they are also pursuing profits.
There is nothing terrible about pursuing interests. Wise monarchs know how to use human nature to turn interests into the motivation for their loyalty.
Li Zhi understood the meaning of Li Qinzai's words.
"What Jingchu means is that in fact there are not many scholars among the people, but it seems that there are more people from aristocratic families studying than among the people, right?"
Li Qinzai nodded: "Yes, in the decades since the founding of the Tang Dynasty, the world has been at peace, the people have settled down, and the late Emperor Taizong and His Majesty have laid a solid foundation for a prosperous age."
"The first sign of prosperity is food and clothing. When food and clothing are satisfied, people will have desires, the desire for fame, the desire for power and sex. No matter whether they are rich or poor, there is no difference in people's desires."
Empress Wu said calmly: "Jingchu said that there are actually many scholars among the people. Why are most of the people who took the scientific examination in the past ten years or so are children of aristocratic families?"
Li Qinzai said calmly: "It's because there was a problem with the imperial examination process."
Li Zhi raised his eyebrows: "I would like to hear the details."
"First, scholars from all over the country who can come to Chang'an to take the scientific examination need to be recommended by the local government. Although His Majesty has repeatedly ordered that the local government must recommend students from poor families, it is inevitable that someone will take advantage of the loopholes in the middle of the order."
"Therefore, 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 of children from aristocratic families is huge, and the chances of being hired by the imperial court with high school merit are also high."
"Secondly, there are also problems with the officials who review the examination 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."
"Two equally exciting and excellent test papers are placed in front of them. The first thing the marking officer looks at is the candidate's name and origin. Candidates from aristocratic families have a greater chance of being hired than those from poorer families. This is an undeniable fact."
Li Qinzai paused and said: "The imperial examination system started from the imperial court. However, there are many obstacles in the way of government orders from the court. No matter how good the system is, if it is exploited by people who are interested, the flavor of the government orders will often completely change when they are issued. In the end, people will perish and the government will cease, and it will be a futile effort. "
Li Zhi sat up straight and said in a deep voice: "What Jingchu said makes sense. I have been enlightened and learned a lesson today."
As Li Zhi said this, he looked at Empress Wu. Empress Wu also had a solemn look on her face, nodded slowly and said, "If Jingchu hadn't said anything, I would not have known that there were so many drawbacks to the imperial examination."
Li Zhi suddenly sneered: "It's ridiculous that in the past few years, no one in the court has spoken out to me about his shortcomings. On the surface, they are submissive, but behind their backs, they are inconsistent, which makes me feel chilled!"
Li Qinzai said slowly: "Your Majesty, I just said that most of the courtiers come from aristocratic families, and they have to act in the interests of the aristocratic families. This is inevitable."
Empress Wu smiled and said, "Jingchu said, I have some advice today. Is there any solution to the shortcomings of the imperial examination you mentioned just now?"
Li Qinzai said: "Yes, although it cannot be completely solved, I think it can alleviate its disadvantages."
"Speak quickly!" Li Zhi said urgently.
"First, before the imperial examination, the imperial censors of the East and West Taiwan were dispatched to various prefectures and counties to supervise the recommendation of candidates by local officials, strive to ensure the fairness of the recommended list, and strictly control the ratio of candidates from aristocratic families to those from poor families."
"The recommendations are mainly from poor families. At the same time, in order not to completely offend the aristocratic family, Your Majesty may also grant some official positions to the aristocratic families and compromise with them appropriately."
"Secondly, in order to ensure the fairness of the imperial examination marking, I request your Majesty to adopt the lake-name system to eliminate the disadvantage of the marking officials selecting candidates based on their place of origin."
Li Zhi and Empress Wu quickly looked at each other, and Li Zhi said in surprise: "What is the 'Lake Name System'?"
Li Qinzai gestured with his hands and said: "After the exam, the test papers of each candidate are put together and stacked into a pile. A white paper is temporarily blocked where the candidates filled in their names so that the marking officials cannot see the candidates' names and places of origin. Candidates can only choose the best based on the content they answered in the test paper.”
"After the score rankings are determined, under the supervision of the supervisory officer, the marking officer will open the area where the names are written on the test paper and announce the candidates based solely on their scores."
"During this process, officials at all levels in the DPRK and the Central Government supervised it at all levels, and established strict laws to prohibit officials from engaging in malpractice for personal gain. In this way, the fairness of the imperial examination can be guaranteed and the hearts of scholars all over the world can be convinced."
After Li Qinzai finished speaking, he paused, leaving enough time for Li Zhi and Empress Wu to digest it slowly.
Li Zhi and Empress Wu smacked their lips at the meaning of Li Qinzai's words. After a while, their eyes became brighter and brighter.
Li Zhi slapped his thigh violently and said excitedly: "Jing Chu is so talented and ingenious, I admire him so much!"
Empress Wu also said with a smile: "The method suggested by Jingchu is very appropriate. This can greatly prevent officials and candidates from cheating in the imperial examination, and prevent aristocratic families from using their power to interfere in the examination. This is very good!"
Li Zhi laughed and said: "In this way, the imperial examination is a complete selection of talents. There is no more power and favoritism for personal gain. At the same time, the opportunities for children from poor families in the world to become officials will be greater."
As he spoke, Li Zhi stood up and paced back and forth in the palace excitedly. Then he turned and pointed at Empress Wu and said, "Queen, write it down. Write down everything Jing Chu said just now!"
Empress Wu smiled and nodded. When she looked at Li Qinzai, her eyes were a little less resentful and a little more kind.
Putting personal grudges aside, this time, Li Qinzai's position was consistent with hers, so she and Li Qinzai were allies.
Mature politicians will not let their minds be affected by personal grudges. Whether they are allies or enemies, they divide and unite because of interests. Whether they are enemies or friends, their positions cannot always change.
For example, at this moment, Empress Wu suddenly felt that she and Li Qinzai had formed a temporary alliance on the matter of the imperial examination.
