The ruthless emperor at the end of Ming Dynasty forced Chongzhen to abdicate at the beginning Chapter 300 Many Problems Exposed by the Imperial Examination
Chapter 300 Many Problems Exposed by the Imperial Examination
Chapter 300 Many problems exposed by the imperial examination
"Whether it is advocating for widows to remarry or opposing widows to observe austerity, it is not in line with the concept of humanized governance. Real humanization should neither promote widows to observe abide by virtue nor oppose widows to remarry. It is all based on voluntariness, which is most consistent with people-oriented."
Seeing her staring blankly at him, waiting for an answer, Zhu Cixiang said directly without giving in.
Zhang Yan twisted her eyebrows thoughtfully, remained silent for a long time, and then nodded and said: "I understand, if a woman really wants to keep the rules for her husband, there is no need to advocate, she will also choose to keep the rules and not marry. On the contrary, if the woman doesn't
If she is willing, even if she is forced to observe the rules for her husband, it does not come from her heart, and such rules are meaningless."
"That's right. If you can figure this out, it means you have a general understanding of what it means to be people-oriented."
Zhu Cixiang smiled and nodded, and did not dare to underestimate the understanding ability of the ancients. In fact, the understanding ability of the ancients was no worse than that of later generations. However, it has been restricted by Confucianism for a long time and has been limited to a corner.
Now, with just a little nudge from him, Zhang Yan knew how to think about the problem in a different way, and she suddenly understood the essence of the problem.
"It seems that my mother-in-law thought that governing the country with human nature was too simple just now, but she is worried that many things will cause endless debates in the future." She said with a worried look on her face.
It is obvious that he has fully understood that this people-oriented approach may seem simple, but the impact it can cause is probably no more severe than when Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty eliminated hundreds of schools of thought and only respected Confucianism.
"Haha, it's unclear if you don't argue. The more you argue, the clearer it becomes. This is the true core of people-oriented. If you are afraid of arguments and rely on Confucian benevolence and righteousness in everything, then what does your child's people-oriented approach have to do with other emperors' practices?
the difference?"
Zhu Cixi laughed and waved his hand.
"What about this edict?" Zhang Yan seemed to be infected by his pride and domineering, and didn't mention it any more, but looked at the rice paper unfolded on the table.
"It's up to my uncle to write this edict, and let me dictate it!"
Zhu Cixi also stood up and took the initiative to take over the task of sharpening ink. He knew his writing style and handwriting clearly.
Although the predecessor was also good in this aspect, and he also inherited all the memories of the predecessor, it would not work without long-term study and practice on these things.
In the past two years, his energy has never been focused on this, and his level has dropped to the point where he can read calligraphy and understand classical Chinese.
So if he could not write, he would never do it.
Zhang Yan just thought he was lazy and didn't say much. She sat down and dipped her pen in ink. When Zhu Cihong said something, she would write one. After finishing writing, the two of them carefully considered and checked it several times until Zhu Cihong was satisfied.
Zhang Yancai once again took a real blank imperial edict and filled in the contents of the draft. Zhu Cixi also took out a large seal and stamped it, and an imperial edict of the highest standard in the Ming Dynasty was drafted.
Zhang Yan picked up the edict and blew the ink on it, feeling filled with emotion.
If in the past, such an important edict had not been discussed by the cabinet and ministers, even if it was drafted, it would have been kept in the imperial study room for the emperor to read for himself, and he would not have been able to leave the palace at all.
But now, we can directly ask the postal inspector to spread the news to the world, and let the royal newspapers publish it immediately and advertise it widely.
Even if the ministers object, it is meaningless. Once the edict is issued, it is a done deal.
However, Zhang Yan naturally would not suggest issuing it directly, but asked: "Hang'er, will the edict be released at the court meeting next month, or will an impromptu court meeting be held tomorrow and be released immediately?"
"There's no need to be in such a hurry. It's better to publish it at the regular court meeting next month. I'll keep the edict for now. Let's talk about the imperial examination. What are the problems? I'll explain them all in detail.
Come out and let me listen first."
Zhu Cixiang waved his hand, held the teacup, and sat lazily on the dragon chair.
Zhang Yan nodded, locked up the imperial edict, sat aside, and turned out a booklet on the table.
She didn't say much to his lazy look. She also knew that it was simply unrealistic for Xun'er to handle government affairs in the royal study as seriously as his father did. She asked him to read the memorial in person.
Even more impossible.
Now as long as he can personally handle government affairs in the imperial study, she doesn't bother to care whether he is sitting or lying down. Anyway, outsiders don't know the emperor's character. Since Xinger likes to be casual, she can just let him.
"Hong'er, this is a memorial from each state government on some problems and shortcomings that occurred in this provincial examination. Auntie has selected some issues and suggestions. Let's talk about the most important issue first.
The number of people who pass may be as high as 70%. Even if half of these 70% of talents decide to take the provincial examination in May, there will be hundreds of thousands of people in provinces with a large number of people, and hundreds of thousands of people with a small number of people. Such a large number of candidates will gather in the provincial offices to take the examination.
When the time comes, even if the exam is held in the open air outside the city, it will not be able to accommodate it."
"Furthermore, the provincial examination is no better than the college examination. Although there are more people in this college examination, there should not be so many candidates next year. However, the township examination and the joint examination are different. In the future, I am afraid that there will only be more and more candidates every year.
Many officials have suggested that the rural examinations should also be devolved to state capitals, and some officials have suggested that restrictions should be imposed on the rural examinations and the joint examinations."
After Zhang Yan finished speaking, she looked straight at him. This matter had tortured her so much that she couldn't sleep at night. She didn't know what to do. And the distance of five months was neither long nor short.
"Well, it seems that these officials in Jiangnan have changed a lot. They are no longer as busy as before, and they only care about making money all day long."
Zhu Cixiang nodded with satisfaction at first, then pondered for a while and said: "Delegating the provincial examination to all state capitals will definitely not work, but if there are no restrictions, it will indeed be a big headache for some ghosts and snakes to take the provincial examination every year."
"Yes, if according to what Xun'er said, everyone will be a scholar from now on, wouldn't it mean that everyone should take the provincial examination every year?" Zhang Yan shuddered when she said this, and she shuddered just thinking about that scene.
"What restrictions did those officials put forward?" Zhu Cixiang decided to listen to the suggestions of those officials first to see if there was any merit.
"The prefect of Luzhou proposed that if you want to participate in the provincial examination, you must be among the top 100 in the provincial examination. The prefect of Yangzhou proposed that if a scholar wants to take the provincial examination, he must pay a test fee of ten taels of silver. The prefect of Xuzhou proposed that scholars take the provincial examination.
Once you fail, you will not be allowed to participate again within five years..."
Zhang Yan rummaged around on the table for a while again, pulled out a book, opened it and read slowly.
Apparently, he not only read all the memorials one by one, but also copied down some of the questions and suggestions, waiting for Zhu Cihong's arrival.
Zhang Yan read out the suggestions of more than a dozen officials in one breath, which she had filtered out repeatedly. She felt that some of the more reliable suggestions would not be recorded in a booklet.
Because as soon as the imperial examination was over, almost all the prefects, magistrates, and governors submitted a memorial. If it weren't for the memorials from the officials of the Rites Department of each province and state, they were all transferred directly to the Ministry of Rites. I'm afraid Zhang Yan would have been killed by those officials.
