Zhu Yuanzhang's muttering to himself made Song Lian nervous. Su Jing's words seemed to have touched Zhu Yuanzhang's heart.
But when he thought that Su Jing had even said the words "rebellion" just now, Zhu Yuanzhang still looked calm, and Song Lian didn't even have the courage to explain.
Good guy, with this relationship between the two of you, if I don’t know how to count, it would be very bad luck.
Song Lian has his own ideals and pursuits, and also has the character of a scholar.
But that doesn't mean he has to jump into the fire pit. The fire pit is not that big.
"Su Jing, what you said is true that the imperial examination is a channel for class transition. In this case, the imperial examination cannot be changed!"
Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Su Jing and said.
Now Lao Zhu's mind has been caught by Su Jing. When he first came here, he thought of settling the matter quickly and going back to deal with government affairs as soon as possible.
Su Jing said calmly: "Uncle, I know you are in a hurry, but don't be anxious first. And Song Chengzhi, I know you still can't accept it at this time, right?"
Song Lian was a little embarrassed when Su Jing asked him. He didn't know whether he should answer.
After all, Zhu Yuanzhang was only looking at himself at this moment.
"Uncle Ren Yuan, let's talk about the imperial examination and your vocational education today."
Song Lian had no choice but to forcefully bring the topic back.
Su Jing smiled, not embarrassing Song Lian, and continued: "Okay, let's talk about the issue of the imperial examination. There are many scholars in the world who participate in the imperial examination, but only 300 people are selected every three years. There are a lot of scholars who are wasted. Three years after another, many scholars are not engaged in childbirth and are supported by their families. They suck the blood of their families year after year. If they survive, they will finally be in high school. At least they can give back to their families, support their parents, and treat their wives well. Son. But what if there is no high school?"
"For Your Majesty, and for Song Chengzhi, the scholars you see are all talents named on the gold list. Have you ever thought about those who failed the list?"
"Those scholars are the majority of scholars in today's world. Should they spend their entire lives just for such an imperial examination?"
The imperial examination is like thousands of troops crossing a single-plank bridge. After all, only a few can win the gold medal.
Su Jing directed Zhu Yuanzhang's attention to those scholars who lacked ability and could not make the list, because he believed that Zhu Yuanzhang was not an emperor who could not see those people.
"Uncle Ren Yuan, I think this is an ordinary matter. To get the title on the gold medal list is to select the best among the best. If you don't have the ability, it's normal to fail the exam. How can you blame others?"
Song Lian said to Su Jing, very confidently.
Of course, for Song Lian, the person in charge of the imperial examination, losers should not be in his eyes in the first place.
"Song Chengzhi, you are right, you cannot blame others for your lack of ability."
Su Jing nodded, and then changed the topic: "But are these top high school students really capable? What if I say that they are just nerds who can read to death?"
When it comes to reading and reading, whether in past or present lives, there is no shortage of bookworms.
He only knows how to read and knows nothing else except books.
"Uncle Ren Yuan, are you going too far? Reading can make you wise and intelligent, but how can you be a fool?"
Song Lian looked at Su Jing and his tone became much tougher.
After all, Su Jing's words are already directly attacking scholars.
Su Jing smiled and said: "Song Chengzhi, it seems that you don't believe it, so how about we make a bet?"
bet?
Song Lian was slightly startled, but then nodded and said: "What a bet, I took it."
Without even hearing what Su Jing said, Song Lian immediately agreed.
He believed that Su Jing would not make any excessive bets in front of Zhu Yuanzhang.
Su Jing said calmly: "Don't worry, Song Chengzhi, how about you listen to uncle's opinion first? Uncle, what do you think? Can you be a witness to our bet?"
Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang is right in front of us, so we can't treat him like nothing.
"Okay, I will give you a witness, Su Jing, what is the content of your bet?"
Zhu Yuanzhang said with a smile, becoming curious about this bet.
Su Jing said calmly: "Now that the children's examination has ended, the provincial examination has also been advanced several months. Those who pass the provincial examination are candidates and are already qualified to be officials. The content of my bet is very simple. I bet on whether these candidates can pass." Uncle’s practical ability interview.”
Even though it is called a rural examination, it is just the second-level examination after the children's examination. However, this rural examination is not a rural examination, but a higher level, that is, a unified examination at the prefectural level.
By analogy, it is the provincial-level exam in Su Jing's previous life. The exam questions were set by the province and the number of places was limited.
Those who can pass the provincial examination are those who have competed among thousands of students.
They will then take the third-level examination. Usually, there are thousands of people taking part in the examination. In most years, there are five or six thousand people, and in some years, there are two or three thousand people.
But these people are not all those who passed the provincial examination in the past few years, but failed in the general examination, there are still those who came here to continue taking the examination.
Considering the number of prefectures in the Ming Dynasty, on average, the number of people who passed the rural examination in one prefecture was only a few hundred.
One can imagine the strength of these people.
"Oh, let me ask a practical question?"
Zhu Yuanzhang was a little surprised, because Su Jing's bet was equivalent to bringing forward the imperial examination.
The normal process should be that after the general examination, the successful Jinshi will go to the Jinluan Hall. After Zhu Yuanzhang personally takes the exam, he will determine the ranking of the top scholar and the second best.
Now that Su Jing asked Zhu Yuanzhang to write the questions himself directly after the provincial examination, wouldn't that be ahead of schedule?
"Yes, I know there are a lot of people to be elected. Song Chengzhi can designate which prefecture to elect people. It doesn't matter to me. I said these people can't answer the practical questions of the uncle."
Su Jing nodded, and the content of the bet was almost covered.
"It's interesting, okay, I agree, Su Jing."
Zhu Yuanzhang smiled and agreed. He also wanted to know how much talent and learning the candidates in this first imperial examination had.
"Song Lian, what do you think? Is there any problem with such a bet?"
Zhu Yuanzhang asked Song Lian again.
Song Lian immediately said: "Master, I don't have any questions. Not one of my Ming Dynasty candidates can fail to answer the master's practical questions."
Song Lian was very confident at this moment, and he still had great confidence in the scholars of Ming Dynasty.
"Okay, it's settled!"
Zhu Yuanzhang laughed, then thought of something and said, "Then what is your bet?"
A bet cannot be made without a stake, and a bet without a stake is not considered valid.
Song Lian was the first to speak: "If I win, how about inviting Uncle Ren Yuan to the Hanlin Academy?"
He opened his mouth to recruit Su Jing to become a bachelor of the Hanlin Academy. Good guy, this bet is really too good.
There are so many scholars in the world, but very few can join the Hanlin Academy. It is a place that countless scholars envy.
Song Lian's words were a great recognition of Su Jing.
"It's a good bet, very good, Su Jing, how about you."
Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and directly agreed to Song Lian's proposal.
He himself wanted Su Jing to become an official in the court. Although the Hanlin Academy was not the best choice, it could at least keep Su Jing.
Su Jing looked at the two of them and felt for a moment that she had been tricked.
However, as the emperor of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang would not deliberately give in when taking practical questions on candidates.
After all, he is the emperor, so he cannot do such a despicable thing just to win, right?
"Su Jing, haven't you thought about it yet?"
Zhu Yuanzhang asked Su Jing.
Su Jing's mind wandered for a while and she said: "Then I want a collection of Song Chengzhi's essays. I want a collection of poems and articles written by Song Chengzhi so far."
The collection of Song Lian's articles and poems is definitely a very precious thing.
After all, money has no attraction to Su Jing, and Su Jing doesn't want power.
Song Lian's anthology is very suitable.
Especially those compiled by him himself, once known by scholars in this world, they will definitely be widely sought after.
Su Jing is still happy to collect such things.
"Okay, then it's Song Lian's collected works."
Zhu Yuanzhang directly agreed for Song Lian.
In fact, no matter what Su Jing said, Zhu Yuanzhang would agree. After all, if Su Jing loses, he will become an official in the court.
This is what Zhu Yuanzhang thinks about day and night.
Song Lian was a little surprised at first when he heard that Su Jing asked for his collected works, but then he became a little confused.
My own level of poetry and writing is still good.
Since ancient times, there has been no first in literature and no second in martial arts. Literati most like their articles and poems to be recognized by others.
"Well, then this matter will be implemented after the provincial examination. Now let's continue talking about the imperial examination."
Su Jing changed the topic back and continued: "For the time being, regardless of whether these scholars who passed the examination have the ability to deal with practical matters, let's just say that among them, there are some scholars who have been taking the examination for many years. They were no longer confused when they passed the examination. Years old, even half a hundred years old. At such an age, even if you are an official, you may not have enough mental and physical strength to take on big responsibilities."
"After all, only a good body and sufficient energy can keep a clear mind at all times and do one's job well. Older and frail people are more likely to have problems."
Not talking about ability but age, Su Jing's perspective is still very novel.
However, after he just finished speaking, Song Lian retorted: "Uncle Ren Yuan's words are wrong. The older you are and the deeper your accumulation, the stronger your natural ability will be. All the officials above the Ming Dynasty are also young. If you look at history, there are countless ministers who are old and strong. How can you use age to judge your work ability?"
Regarding the system of the ancient feudal dynasty, if officials did not commit any crime, they would basically be punished until death.
Therefore, there are many veterans, and as long as nothing unexpected happens, they will all become veterans.
There is nothing wrong with Song Lian's words either.
Zhu Yuanzhang also said: "Su Jing, your words are too biased. How can there be such a connection between age and ability?"
After all, this is a society dominated by Confucianism, and the idea of respecting elders has always been a tradition.
Su Jing's words have already challenged traditional rules.
After all, everyone will grow old, and no one wants to be abandoned when they get old.
Even Zhu Biao was looking at Su Jing with doubts in his eyes.
Su Jing was extremely indifferent and said: "I don't think that older age means poorer ability. I also agree that the older you are, the deeper your accumulation is, but this is based on the premise that a person is deeply involved in an industry."
"For example, if a craftsman has been a carpenter for ten years, then his carpentry skills will definitely be better than those who are new to the industry. The same is true for being an official. After ten years of being an official, he will naturally be able to handle government affairs better than if he just became an official. Of course, There is no shortage of young geniuses, but such geniuses are in the minority after all, so we don’t need to worry about it.”
"There are also late bloomers who suddenly have enlightenment when they are old, or who start a career when they are old, but these are still exceptions."
"Since we are discussing this matter, we must discuss the general situation. Uncle, Mr. Song, it is okay for us to say so."
Su Jing looked at Zhu Yuanzhang and Song Lian and spoke rationally.
Zhu Yuanzhang nodded: "Yes, special cases are not advisable, only general situations are worthy of discussion."
"Uncle Ren Yuan's words are reasonable. Whether they are successful at a young age or a late bloomer, this is not the situation that most people should have."
Song Lian also nodded.
Su Jing said: "Very good, since you agree with this, then what I mean is very clear. These scholars who are half a hundred years old and have finally won the exam will spend more time accumulating experience as officials than younger ones." There are a lot less people to lift, right?"
"The fact that they spent half their lives finally winning the exam shows that their talent in studying is really not at the top level. Of course, their intelligence is undoubtedly excellent."
"My opinion is that such talents may just be used in the wrong direction. If they can be used in the right direction, they can maximize their value."
This is what Su Jing wants to do.
Scholars who can pass the examination must have outstanding brains.
It is really a waste of these people's brains to keep studying the words of sages and discussing internal affairs.
If such a brain is developed in the direction of science, it will definitely promote the progress of science!
Science cannot be achieved by Su Jing alone. In ancient Chinese history, there have been many scientific researchers, and their research is no worse than that of the West, nor is it later than that of the West.
But why is there such a lag?
That's because there is no soil and environment for scientific development. In such an environment, there must first be enough scientific researchers.
"Uncle Ren Yuan, all things are inferior but reading is the best. How can you say that reading is used in the wrong place?"
Song Lian immediately retorted.
In his mind, reading is the only and highest thing, and doing other things is a waste.
But Zhu Yuanzhang is different. As an emperor, he has always valued the practical abilities of officials. He himself is also a pragmatic person. If he can make the Ming Dynasty stronger, then it is worthy of support.
Su Jing's words are not empty words, but are really supported by practical examples.
In the Agricultural College, there are not many people who are good at studying, but it happened to greatly increase the grain production of Ming Dynasty. This is a great thing that benefits the country and the people!
Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Su Jing and said, "Su Jing, what is the right direction you mentioned?"
(End of chapter)
