"Although the soldiers are white men, overall the advantages outweigh the disadvantages."

"On the battlefield, military merits are uniformly recorded in the names of village leaders. No matter how much contribution ordinary soldiers make in the war, it is regarded as their original obligation. Military merits will not change their status."

"In this way, no one will fight desperately on the battlefield, and this military merit system greatly motivates the soldiers."

The Taifu argued that he believed that this military merit system could enhance the enthusiasm and combat effectiveness of soldiers on the battlefield, which could completely strengthen the Tianyu Dynasty's military strength.

The prime minister and the tutor wanted to argue, but the emperor interrupted them.

"Okay, let's wait until the court to discuss the matter of military merit and title."

"Now we should first determine which student's article is the first, and he will be the top scholar in this year's imperial examination."

"Your Majesty, I believe that Du Yuebin's strategy is in line with the national conditions of our Tianyu Dynasty, and he should be the top candidate in this year's imperial examination."

It is naturally impossible for the Imperial College to allow a poor family to be the top candidate in this year's palace examination, and it is also impossible for a poor family to harm the interests of their family.

The prime minister, on the other hand, kept silent. Du Yuebin was his son and he needed to avoid suspicion.

But the Taifu didn't think so: "Your Majesty, I think Jiang Zhao's strategy is more practical and streamlined, and he should be the top candidate in this year's imperial examination."

"Jiang Zhao is from a humble family, how can he be the number one scholar with so much virtue?"

Since the founding of the Tianyu Dynasty, there has never been a champion from a poor family, and they will never agree to set this precedent.

"What's wrong with the poor family? Can't the poor family be the number one scholar?"

"At the beginning, the old Prime Minister Pei Zhi came second in the middle palace examination from a poor family, and then relied on his own talents to sit in the position of prime minister."

The Taifu took Pei Zhi as an example.

"Prime Minister Pei Zhi is Old Prime Minister Pei Zhi. How can Jiang Zhao be compared with Prime Minister Pei Zhi."

The Imperial Academy offered wine and said disdainfully, "Pei Zhi sat in the prime minister's position despite being from a humble family. He admired him."

But Jiang Zhao was not from a humble family, so he looked down on him. He was just bullying others and had not yet risen to prominence.

"Why can't we compare? Old Prime Minister Pei Zhi is from a poor family, and Jiang Zhao is also from a poor family."

"To be disrespectful to the old Prime Minister Pei Zhi, Jiang Zhao's talent is far superior to that of the old Prime Minister Pei Zhi. Just from Jiang Zhao's "Born in Sorrow and Die in Peace" exhortation to study, we can see how high his talent is."

"Once the military merit system is implemented, the military strength of our Tianyu Kingdom will definitely increase a lot. In the future, Jiang Zhao's achievements will definitely not be inferior to that of old Prime Minister Pei Zhi."

The Tutor was very optimistic about Jiang Zhao and even believed that Jiang Zhao's future achievements would not be inferior to those of the old Prime Minister Pei Zhi.

He read Jiang Zhao's article "Born in Sorrow and Die in Peace", as well as Jiang Zhao's poems "Compassion for the Farmers" and "Qin Ji Lie", and felt that Jiang Zhao's literary talent was really remarkable.

At least among the younger generation of Tianyu Dynasty and Jiang Zhao, there are very few who can match Jiang Zhao's literary talent.

The emperor nodded and said before the Taifu and the Prime Minister could speak.

"Jiang Zhao's literary talents are indeed rare among the younger generation today that can match him."

"According to my decree, Jiang Zhao will be the top pick, Du Yuebin will be the second pick, and Si Mubai will be the top pick."

Wei Chengyun on the side quickly took the order and went down.

"Your Majesty, I believe that Jiang Zhao cannot be the number one scholar. The policy theory written by Du Yuebin is far superior to Jiang Zhao."

The Prime Minister and the Imperial Prince were shocked. Jiang Zhao and Simubai were both from poor families. Two of the top three in the imperial examination were from poor families. This was because they wanted to recreate the era of Pei Zhi.

But Pei Zhi was only second in the rankings back then, and his younger brother was a military general.

Now that the emperor has appointed Jiang Zhao as the number one scholar and Simu Bai as the third highest prize, isn't this a slap in the face of their aristocratic family and an encouragement to the poor family's arrogance?

The Imperial Academy offered wine to the Prime Minister and wanted to say something else, but was directly interrupted by the Emperor.

"I'm tired. If you have nothing to do, please leave."

But the Imperial College held the wine ceremony and still refused to give up: "Your Majesty——!"

"Back off!"

The emperor didn't give him a chance to speak at all. After speaking, he picked up a memorial on the desk and read it.

When the Imperial Academy offered wine and saw that the emperor was determined to appoint Jiang Zhao as the number one scholar, he bowed somewhat unwillingly and then exited the imperial study.

The Prime Minister and the Grand Tutor also exited together.

On the way, the Imperial Academy offered wine and discussed with the Prime Minister.

"Your Majesty is determined to go his own way now and insists on appointing Jiang Zhao as the number one candidate in the palace examination, and Simu Bai as the top candidate. Today, two of the top three in the palace examination are from poor families, so in the future, it is possible that three of them will be from poor families."

"We will never allow this kind of thing to happen, and Jiang Zhao will never be the number one scholar."

The Imperial Academy's sacrificial wine said somewhat excitedly.

The Prime Minister also nodded. Although what he said about the Imperial Academy’s wine offering was a bit exaggerated, what he said was also true.

Emperors of all dynasties wanted to support poor families and suppress aristocratic families.

This hole must not be opened if the poor family is the number one scholar. Once it is opened, it will be like a flood that cannot be stopped by human power.

"I……"

Before the prime minister finished speaking, Wei Chengyun chased him out.

"The three adults stay."

"What's the matter?"

The Prime Minister was already displeased because he appointed Han Clan as the number one scholar, and now that he was interrupted by a eunuch, he was even more displeased, so he did not give Wei Chengyun any good looks.

Wei Chengyun was just a eunuch and had always been looked down upon by others, so he was not angry, he just smiled.

"My three lords, Your Majesty has a decree."

"Today's palace examination, thank you all for your hard work. I will take a rest for the next two days."

The two adults, the Imperial Concubine and the Prime Minister, looked at each other and saw a little anger in each other's eyes.

The emperor gave them no chance to refute.

Only the Tutor raised his hands in the direction of the imperial study.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your consideration."

After Wei Chengyun finished delivering the decree, he went back to continue serving the emperor.

The Taifu turned around and left the palace.

Only the Imperial College Jijiu and the Prime Minister stood there.

"Let's go to the Zhenguo Duke's Mansion."

The Prime Minister said in a deep voice.

"Previously, Jing Huarong, the eldest son of Duke Zhen Guo's Palace, was not among the top three. Now His Majesty has designated the top three candidates for the Palace Examination. Jing Huarong is also not among them. I believe that Duke Zhen Guo's Palace will go to the emperor for an explanation if he finds out."

"Jing Huarong is talented, and together with my son, your son, and the grandson of the Taifu family, we are known as the four great talents."

"But now only Quanzi is in the top three today. If word spreads, what will happen to the family's face?"

What they care about most is the interests of the aristocratic family and the inside of the aristocratic family.

Of course, except for the old stubborn Taifu.

His grandson failed to pass the imperial examination and the palace examination, and he did not say anything. Instead, he supported the poor family. The Taifu Mansion had already been kicked out of the so-called aristocratic family by the aristocratic family.

"The Duke of Laozhen is a hero of the Tianyu Dynasty. If he comes forward, Your Majesty will definitely have a headache."

"Not to mention that Jing Huarong is not on the list, let's talk about the military merit system. The first thing it infringes is the interests of generals. That old man will definitely not sit idly by."

The Imperial Prince Jian offered wine with a sinister smile on his face. He could already imagine the way His Majesty was mediating with the Duke of Laozhen.


Chapter completed!