After the Daqing Hall examination, Zhu Xiu and Wang Pu led more than a dozen reviewers to spend two days selecting ten excellent works and sent them to Chai Rong.

Another 20 or so articles were selected with the most shoddy writing, inconsistent words, and difficult to reconcile logic. They were not published even after their names were removed, and were handed over to the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the Ministry of Personnel for their files, so that these officials could be subject to key supervision.

The rest of the people in the middle are neither rewarded nor held accountable.

The results of this round of exams were shocking. The average quality of Beijing officials was even worse than Zhu Xiu expected.

Among the ten excellent works, there are actually only two or three that are really good. Among them, the two articles by Tao Gu, the Changshi of Yousanqi, and Wang Pu, the Privy Councilor, are the best.

The other so-called excellent ones are just that the writing style is relatively smooth, and individual points can show traces of my own in-depth thinking, that's all.

In this Beijing official evaluation, the good ones are not too good, while the bad ones are quite bad.

What's more, the whole article is full of traces of patchwork. It can be seen that I should have memorized it in advance and ignored the questions in the examination room. I just kept silent.

Many of the articles I recited were articles from the Imperial Palace Newspaper or the Tokyo Times.

Zhu Xiu didn't know whether to laugh or cry while grading the papers. This operation was a bit like the candidates in later generations copying the questions to make up the number of words.

At the end of the evaluation, Wang Pu wiped his cold sweat and warned the judges repeatedly that the results of this exam must not be leaked, otherwise it would definitely cause unrest among the officials in the capital.

Wang Pu even lamented to Zhu Xiu privately, saying that if it were placed in an era when the imperial examination was complete, 90% of the hundreds of fifth-grade Beijing officials would have to be eliminated.

However, the selection of official officials is a major event that affects the whole body. It is impossible to eliminate the entire bureaucracy at once. We can only use the imperial examination system to update and improve the entire bureaucracy bit by bit.

Zhu Xiu and Wang Pu sent the selected articles to the palace in the morning. They thought that Chai Rong was busy with government affairs and it would take a day or two to get the results.

Unexpectedly, when he returned home for a meal at noon and was about to take a nap, someone from the palace came with a message, saying that Chai Rong had urgently summoned him and Wang Pu to the palace for consultation.

Unable to find a solution, Zhu Xiu could only quickly change into official uniform and take a nap while riding into the palace.

In the Qingshou Hall, Wang Pu arrived a moment earlier and was reporting the results of the exam to Chai Rong.

After seeing the ceremony, Zhu Xiu sat aside and saw that Chai Rong's face was not very good-looking. He must have known the results of the exam and was very dissatisfied.

"Zhu Xiu, you have been to Jiangnan and stayed in Jiangning for a while, so you have some understanding of the officialdom of the Tang Dynasty. Can you tell me, compared to Kaifeng and Jiangning, what is the difference in the quality of officials?"

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Chai Rong said in a deep voice, "Tell it truthfully, there is no need to be taboo."

Zhu Xiu mused: "Just looking at the personal knowledge level of the officials in the capital, the officials in Jiangning are indeed far superior to those in Kaifeng!"

Chai Rong's brows tightened and his face looked ugly.

Wang Pu secretly smiled bitterly and winked at Zhu Xiu, telling him not to be too honest and to save some face for the Kaifeng capital officials.

Otherwise, His Majesty will be offended, and if a decree is really issued to punish a group of officials, it will cause people to panic, and I am afraid there will be chaos.

Zhu Xiu smiled again and said: "It is understandable that there is a gap in cultural quality between the officials of the two countries. After all, the imperial examination system has never been discontinued during the decades of peace in Jiangnan. And most of the officials are from the rural gentry and the aristocratic class, and do not have enough food and clothing. Worried, without the pain of war, I can devote myself to learning and concentrate on scientific examinations.

The Central Plains has been in war for many years, the government is unstable, and the imperial examinations are intermittent. Sometimes, even if you pass the exam, you may not be able to become an official. Most of the rich families who have more money and pursue official careers take their children and flee south. What is left behind is nothing more than studying and doing things. Knowledge, food, clothing, clothing, and personal safety must also be considered.

Over time, the disease will take its own form."

Chai Rong also knew that Zhu Xiu was telling the truth and sighed: "There is a long way to go to govern the country!"

Wang Pu took the opportunity and said: "Your Majesty, I suggest that the results of this exam should not be announced to the public, and only the top candidates will be rewarded, and the rest will not be questioned.

The worst batch has been handed over to the Zhongshu Provincial Department and the Ministry of Personnel for record keeping, strict supervision, and gradual removal from important positions."

Zhu Xiu also echoed: "I also agree with Wang Xianggong's words. After all, this major examination involves the vast majority of Beijing officials above the fifth rank. If the investigation goes too far, people will inevitably be uneasy. There is no need to rush to rectify the administration of officials. It must be planned slowly."

Chai Rong threw the "blacklist" of the worst to Zhu Xiu, shook his head and said, "Just do as you say! Take this thing away, I don't want to see it again."

Zhu Xiu smiled and stuffed it into his sleeve robe.

After drinking the fragrant tea, Chai Rong said: "After all, there are articles written by Tao Gu and Wang Pu, which are refreshing to me, so I won't be too disappointed. I have already ordered them to come to the palace to meet each other, and they will be there in a minute."

Wang Pu smiled and said: "Wang Pu was praised by the late emperor and said that he was a great assistant. This time, his article "Pingbian Ce" was written so profoundly and logically that I couldn't put it down after reading it."

Chai Rong said with a smile: "Wang Pu served as the Secretary of Jieduzhang in Chanzhou, and we had a tacit understanding of working together. I have always admired his talent and learning.

The year before last, he was transferred to the Privy Council and I supervised the Kaifeng Mansion, but we rarely met each other after that. In this big exam, he was able to stand out among the hundreds of officials with two articles, which can be regarded as a solid accumulation and he has lived up to his many years of hard study."

After a pause, Chai Rong said with some confusion: "It's just that Tao Gu, I have heard about his reputation. I know that he has written many articles in the Tokyo Times. He is a well-read man with strong knowledge and a wealth of knowledge.

It's just that his character seems to be bad, and the late emperor was very unhappy with him back then."

Wang Pu glanced at Zhu Xiu and did not speak in a hurry.

He knew that Tao Gu and Zhu Xiu had become close recently. Tao Guxian and Mr. Shiyou were both famous writers in the Tokyo Times. They made friends through writing and seemed to have a good rapport.

It is true that Tao Gu is talented, but his conduct is looked down upon by others.

Wang Pu had always kept a distance from him, but he didn't expect that this time, taking advantage of the opportunity of the big exam, this person would come out on top and enter the emperor's sight.

Wang Pu was not sure for a while how deep the friendship between Zhu Xiu and Tao Gu was, so he had to speak hastily to avoid offending others.

Zhu Xiu said with a smile: "Your Majesty said before that this exam does not care about character and morality, but only about talent and learning ability. Therefore, I and Wang Xianggong did not cross out Tao Gu's name after removing the title. If Your Majesty feels it is inappropriate,

, you can not adjust his position after the report, but just give him some rewards and encouragement."

Chai Rong hesitated for a moment, "That's all, let's first listen to what this person will say and answer."

Soon, Tao Gu and Wang Pu arrived hand in hand. After worshiping, they sat behind Zhu Xiu.

Chai Rong smiled and said: "Mr. Wen, since I left Chanzhou, I haven't had a long talk with you for a long time."

Wang Pu hurriedly bowed slightly and said, "I may not have listened to His Majesty's teachings in person for a long time."

Chai Rong laughed and said: "Mr. Wen Bo has become more diplomatic! When I was in Chanzhou, I chatted with you, and how often did I not listen to your teachings? Mr. Wen Bo is the assistant to the superior. In terms of knowledge, I have self-awareness, but

I don’t have the ability to teach you!”

Wang Pu's slightly chapped face turned red. He cupped his hands and whispered, "I'm ashamed!"

Wang Pu, as his name suggests, reveals a sense of simplicity from his appearance.

After leaving the palace, he took off his official robe and blended in the crowd inconspicuously, like a dull and honest woodcutter.

Tao Gu lowered his eyelids and squirmed a little uneasily, feeling like an outsider.

Among the people present, he was the oldest, and his status was the least conspicuous.

Wang Pu was your Majesty's old minister when he was in Chanzhou, and he was praised by the late Emperor in person. It can be seen that your Majesty admires him very much.

Wang Pu was also a minister appointed by the late emperor to manage the affairs of the court. He had outstanding abilities and won the trust of his majesty.

Not to mention Zhu Xiu.

Only he, Tao Gu, was much older and was serving as a regular servant of Yousanqi. He seemed to be a high-ranking official, but in fact he did not have much real power. He was only a marginal figure in the official circles of the capital.

If he had not spoken to Zhu Xiu in advance this time, he might not have had the chance to enter the palace to see His Majesty.

In an instant, Tao Gu was filled with bitterness and grievance, and his eyes almost became wet.

After chatting with Wang Pu for a while, Chai Rong glanced at Tao Gu and said calmly: "The two articles written by Tao Qing's family this time are very good. I was inspired after reading them."

Tao Gu hurriedly bowed respectfully and said: "I dare not win your majesty's praise for my humble work! Your majesty has opened up a wide range of opinions and ordered his ministers to make suggestions and strategies. Even if the old ministers rack their brains, they must do their best for your majesty's new policy!"

Chai Rong smiled, his attitude was quite humble and sincere.

"In the article "Pingbian Policy", the two Qing families advocated 'first the south and then the north'. I want to hear your explanation in person. What is the reason?"

Wang Pu looked at Tao Gu in surprise, but he didn't expect that this person's views were consistent with his.

Wang Pu had also heard of Tao Gu's talents, but judging from his articles published in the Tokyo Times, it appears that he had very little involvement in people's livelihood, government affairs, and military strategy.

I didn’t expect that I would become famous this time through the big exam.

The two exchanged humble words, and Tao Gu spoke first: "Reporting to Your Majesty, the reason why I came to this point of view was actually inspired by Zhu Shilang's previous articles!

One is the "Overview of Intelligence from All walks of life in Jiangnan" that Zhu Shilang presented when he returned from Jiangning three years ago, and the second is the astonishing masterpiece about Huanghuang's achievements not long ago."

Chai Rong smiled slightly and glanced at Zhu Xiu meaningfully.

Zhu Xiuyang lowered his head and held his hands in shame.

Tao Gu added: "Looking at our great Zhou Dynasty, it is located in the Central Plains and can be said to be surrounded by enemies on three sides. Among them, the Liao Kingdom is the greatest threat, followed by the Tang Kingdom in the south of the Yangtze River. The rest are Meng Chang of the Shu Kingdom, Qian Shi of Wuyue, Gao Baorong of Jingnan, and Lingnan

The Liu family is all suffering from scabies, and they are just waiting for the general trend of the world to decide, and these separatist forces will naturally fall apart.

The Khitans occupied the strategic location of Youyan and were spying on the hinterland of Hebei and even the Central Plains, so they had to garrison the frontier with heavy troops.

Due to the danger of the river, the Tang State is unable to advance northward. It only wants to stay in a corner, which is not something to be afraid of. However, if in the future when I go north to the frontier to fight the Khitan people, the Tang State attacks across the river, causing me to be attacked from both sides. I will inevitably worry about one thing and lose the other.

.

It would be better to take advantage of the unstable political situation when the upper echelons of the Liao Kingdom are fighting for power, and attack Huainan first to obtain money, food, and the rich land, and then look at the situation in the world, and then make a judgment to decide whether to march north to regain Youyan, or continue to cross the river to attack the Tang Kingdom."

Tao Gu talked eloquently, but Chai Rong listened carefully and nodded in approval from time to time. Old man Tao was encouraged and became energetic and salivated.

Wang Pu and Wang Pu also looked at him with admiration. Regardless of his character, these remarks really showed his true talent and learning.

Chai Rong thought for a while and said: "According to Tao Qing's point of view, the so-called first south and then north, actually means taking Huainan first, and then turning north to recover Youyan?"

Tao Gu hurriedly said: "First take Huainan to enrich our dynasty's population, money and food, and cut off an arm of the south of the Yangtze River. Then the two countries will face each other across the river, and then decide the order of north and south according to the world situation."

Chai Rong frowned and nodded slowly.

He understood what Tao Gu meant. Although the Tang State was not something to be afraid of, it was not easy to defeat it in a short time. It was better to take the land of Huainan first and divide the river with the Tang State to rule it.

If there are fighters in the north later, you should still focus on Youyan first.
To be continued...