Looking at the thick transcript in front of him, Liu Che looked a little heavy.

"Alas..." He sighed longly, feeling a little depressed.

Since the examination was first started nine years ago, the Han Empire has been running the examination system for nine full years.

The method of selecting officials has long since evolved from the previous system of examination and appraisal as the mainstay, with examination and appraisal as a supplement.

Every year, the examination system contributes a large number of officials to the country.

It is very effective in revitalizing and strengthening the vitality of the country, and the work efficiency of the government has also been greatly improved.

But the problem is...

The examination system is not always beneficial.

At least in the eyes of Emperor Liu Che, the examination system still had a major drawback.

The disadvantage is that the examination system amplifies and strengthens the influence and momentum of Confucianism.

Since the second year of Yuande, Confucian scholars have crushed all other schools of thought in every examination.

This year it is even more exaggerated. The scholars from various schools of Confucianism combined actually accounted for 70% of the total number!

this is too scary!

If this continues, sooner or later Confucianism will be able to rely on its own strength to stop all schools of thought from only respecting Confucianism.

After thinking about it, Liu Che picked up the pen and wrote in the memorial: "All Confucian disciples will be reduced by one level and will be appointed as officials..."

In the past few years, Liu Che has been giving instructions on the arrangements for Confucian scholars in this way.

After all Confucian disciples pass the examination, their grades will be reduced by one level compared to those of other schools of thought.

In other words, the second round of scholars is used as the first round, and the third round is used as the second round.

The smell of suppression and restriction is quite obvious.

But Confucians dare not criticize even half a sentence!

Because even they themselves feel that they are too buggy, and they themselves are afraid of being attacked by the crowd.

The examination turmoil in the second year of Yuande is still deeply remembered by Confucians.

The Huang-Lao sect, the Legalists, the Mohists, and the princes and ministers joined forces to besiege them, which frightened them even more.

Therefore, Liu Che's decision is not only not to trick Confucianism, but on the contrary to protect and care for them.

Without Liu Che's arrangement, the Legalists and the Huang-Lao sect would have joined forces long ago to launch a purge of Confucian forces and schools.

How can the various schools of Confucianism dance so joyfully like today?

Over the years, Confucianism has continued to develop rapidly despite such pressure and discrimination.

In every exam, they are the final winners. There is power in numbers. Relying on the crushing number of people, Confucianism can easily gain an advantage!

A large number of Confucian disciples passed the examinations and entered official careers and political circles.

And with such a huge base, no matter how much Confucianism is suppressed, someone can still come forward.

They were like weeds, growing and multiplying rapidly within the Han Dynasty system.

In just a few years, various Confucian schools have taken advantage of the grassroots and middle and lower classes.

Only the upper levels, because of the actions of the Huang-Lao Sect and the Legalists, make it difficult for them to penetrate and control.

However, how long can the Huang-Lao School and the Legalists suppress Confucianism?

As Confucian disciples began to occupy and monopolize the grassroots in large numbers, Liu Che did not feel that they could break through the blockade of the Huang-Lao Sect and the Legalists.

They would first occupy the counties and then march towards the court.

The emergence of Confucian scholars at the level of Jiuqing is just around the corner!

Therefore, Liu Che knew that it would be difficult to maintain balance by relying on the old methods.

"Where is the list of Litian, Duozi, and martyrs reported by the county last year?" Liu Che turned around and asked a eunuch behind him.

Hearing this, the other party quickly said: "Reporting to Your Majesty, I have kept it in Shiqu Pavilion... If Your Majesty wants it, I will go get it now..."

"No need..." Liu Che waved his hand and asked, "Do you remember the number of filial sons and righteous men in Litian reported by the county last year?"

"Your Majesty, there are about three hundred people..." the eunuch thought for a while and replied.

Liu Che pondered for a moment and then ordered: "Go and tell the young man, Taichang, that starting from this year, all the filial sons and righteous men reported by the county will be sent to various Legalist universities for training...The tuition fees and other expenses will be paid."

The account of the inner treasury..."

"No..." Upon hearing this, the other party immediately took the order and left.

Liu Che looked at the other party's back and began to make calculations in his mind.

The Han Dynasty has always had a tradition of cultivating filial sons, righteous men, and Li Tian as reserve officials.

However, this system was not perfect in the past.

Those who are recommended as officials are usually given an official position and left to fend for themselves.

Under such circumstances, it was naturally difficult for these recommended men, righteous men, and filial sons to stand out.

After Liu Che came to the throne, he improved this situation and launched a training system.

These Li Tian, ​​righteous men and filial sons who were reported by the county and local governments were all sent to Taichang Yamen, and Taichang arranged for them to go to various universities to study and receive education.

Then they will be allocated based on their performance and ability.

This system has developed to this day and is already very complete.

It has become a good governance praised by people all over the world, and the value of good people must be rewarded has been established.

These students who were entrusted with training became Liu Che's loyal supporters.

Nowadays, Confucianism is extremely difficult to control. In order to prevent Confucianism from becoming dominant, Liu Che can only use policies to divert attention.

Or weaken, suppress, or support an opponent.

Now, the path of weakening and suppressing has almost come to an end, and Liu Che can only resort to methods of support and strengthening.

As for, you want to say that this is unfair and that it violates neutrality.

Then I can only say that you are too naive.

Only the common people pursue fairness and justice, while the emperor always only seeks balance.

This is the so-called emperor's mind.

The reason for choosing Legalism for targeted support is also very simple.

Today, only Legalism can assume the responsibility of suppressing and balancing Confucianism.

For example, the Mohist family, including apprentices, disciples, and officials who sympathize with and agree with the Mohist path, only has a total of only two or three thousand...

The number of people in any Confucian sect is several times that of the Mohist school!

As for the old school Huang...

That would be unbearable...

Except for Jixia Academy, there is no one who can fight!

Qinghe Academy and Luoyang Academy are all the scum of war!

Legalism is unique. In recent years, it has also begun to imitate and learn from Confucianism, opening its doors widely and recruiting a large number of disciples.

Especially in the northern counties, Legalist schools and private schools blossomed everywhere, effectively checking and suppressing the expansion of Confucian power.

However, they are only checks and balances and restrictions.

It is almost impossible to suppress or even control!

Apart from anything else, the Legalists had already lost in terms of numbers.

There was no other way, Liu Che could only strengthen Legalism's power through adjustments, policy inclinations and targeted support.

One of the methods was to send the powerful people, righteous men and filial sons of the county to the Legalist academy.

But this is still not enough.

How many powerful people, righteous men, and filial sons can there be in the county in a year? There are only a few hundred people, and there are not so many people every year.

Therefore, Liu Che had to continue to strengthen Legalism.

After thinking for a moment, Liu Che made a decision.

He put a pen on a piece of white paper, wrote down an order, and then handed it to a eunuch and told him: "Go, give it to the Prime Minister, and let the Prime Minister do as he is told!"

"No!" The eunuch took the edict and bowed.

"If this is the case, Legalism cannot compete with Confucianism, then it can really only be said that it is a helpless man!" Liu Che said in a low voice.

………………………………

An hour later, Prime Minister Zhou Yafu received this order.

He held it in his hand and looked at it for a long time, with a doubtful expression on his face.
To be continued...