"Do you have a way to solve this problem?" Li Shimin thought for a moment, and he had to admit that what Lin Xuan said was very reasonable.
Lin Xuan smiled and said: "Your Majesty, just change the exam from once a year to once every three years."
"After all, only a small number of people are admitted to the imperial examination. There is no need for everyone to come to Chang'an to take the exam. It is entirely possible to select them locally. In the first year, county-level exams can be held, and the top fifty in the county exam will be awarded the title of child. Child students can participate in the next
In the state examination of the year, the top fifty in the state examination will be awarded the title of scholar. The scholar can take the Taoist examination in the following year, and the top fifty in the Taoist examination will be awarded the title of Jinshi. They can come directly to Chang'an to take the examination. Those who pass the examination will be awarded the title of Jinshi.
Then you can become an official. After such layers of selection, those with poor grades will not have to come all the way to Chang'an."
"For those students who have won the title, the imperial court can distribute some money and food every year, or reduce taxes. Seeing the profits, the common people will definitely be willing to let their children go to school. If this happens in a few years, is your Majesty still afraid that there will be no official available?
"
Many people believe that the decline of the aristocratic family was due to Wu Zetian's suppression.
In fact, it was not the case. What Wu Zetian really suppressed was the Five Surnames and Qi Wang. There were so many aristocratic families in the world. If the Five Surnames and Qi Wangs declined, other aristocratic families would naturally rise.
What really caused the decline of the aristocratic family was the prevalence of imperial examinations.
Many people believe that the popularity of the imperial examination was due to the movable type printing technology.
But by the time movable type printing appeared, the family had already declined.
What really brought down the family was the reform of the imperial examination.
Ordinary people are worried about food and drink. How can they have spare money for their children to study?
The reform of the imperial examination made them feel that it was profitable. Even if they could not become an official, it would still be beneficial if they could pass the imperial examination or something like that.
Therefore, many common people wanted their children to study, and a large number of children from poor families entered the officialdom, which directly led to the decline of aristocratic families.
When many people see this, they will definitely say that the aristocratic family has a monopoly on books, so where can the children from poor families get the books?
In fact, the imperial examinations at this time were not as strict as those in the Song and Ming Dynasties, and students needed to read a lot of books.
Just some common books are enough, although many people still cannot afford them.
But it doesn't matter, you can copy the book.
Compared with buying books, although the cost of copying books is still high, many people can still afford it. It just so happens that those from poor families can practice calligraphy while copying books.
"The method you mentioned is good, but there are two problems. Most of the local officials are from aristocratic families, and they mainly recruit children from aristocratic families. You said that those who are admitted to the Tongsheng School will be given financial and food rewards every year.
This is a huge expense, and the court simply cannot afford it." After Li Shimin thought about it for a moment, he understood the benefits of doing so, but he also saw some disadvantages.
Lin Xuan smiled: "Your Majesty, the first question can be easily solved. During the exam, the court can send officials to invigilate the exam, and the candidates' scores can be linked to the evaluation of local officials. Most officials, just for the sake of their hats,
If someone dares to mess around, wouldn’t it give His Majesty a reason to remove him from the position?"
Li Shimin shook his head and said: "Although I don't want to admit it, most of the children from poor families are not as knowledgeable as those from aristocratic families. Most of the people who eventually pass the Jinshi examination are children from aristocratic families."
"Your Majesty, it can be divided into the general examination and the palace examination. The palace examination is personally presided over by your majesty, who will ultimately determine who will be the Jinshi. The palace examination is the main one, and your majesty has the final say on who to choose?" Lin Xuan said.
There is a drawback to this. The emperor chooses whoever he chooses. In the long run, it will do more harm than good.
But Li Shimin was a wise king, and when the students from poorer families improved their knowledge over the years, there would be no need to do this.
Li Shimin said angrily: "You mean to tell me to open my eyes and tell lies? What will other ministers think of me?"
"Your Majesty, what is the purpose of the imperial examination? It is not to select officials. During the examination, Your Majesty, you can ask questions to test how they can govern a country and benefit the people. Those children from aristocratic families who do not know the sufferings of the people will definitely not be able to benefit the people as much as those from poor families.
Who dares to gossip like this?" Lin Xuan said.
Li Shimin's eyes lit up after hearing this, and he had to say that Lin Xuan's method was very good.
"What about money?" Li Shimin asked.
"Your Majesty, aren't we going to increase the commercial tax? The money from the commercial tax is enough to distribute rewards." Lin Xuan said.
Li Shimin sighed and said: "Since the beginning of winter last year, foreign tribes invaded the border many times. The border wall was damaged and needed to be repaired. The soldiers' weapons and armor were damaged a lot and needed to be replenished. The treasury had no money at all, and they were just waiting to receive business taxes.
It’s an emergency.”
Although he was indeed short of money, it was not as serious as he said. His intuition told him that Lin Xuan had a way to solve this problem.
Lin Xuan thought for a while and said: "Your Majesty, I heard that the Tang Dynasty was short of salt. I have a way to make a large amount of salt. This should solve the money problem."
The method of making salt is simple, but it is a necessary skill for time travellers.
Li Shimin's eyes lit up and he asked hurriedly: "What method? How is the output?"
"The method is simple and the output is very high. It can not only meet the needs of the people of the Tang Dynasty, but can even be sold to foreign races." Lin Xuan said.
Li Shimin was shocked and said: "Is everything you said true?"
"How dare I deceive Your Majesty?"
Although there is no machinery now and the output is not as good as that of later generations, there are only a few people in the Tang Dynasty.
Li Shimin muttered: "I will ask the Ministry of Industry to listen to your arrangements. You should teach them the method of making salt as soon as possible."
"Your Majesty, the method of making salt is very simple. They can understand it at a glance. I just need to write it down and give it to the Ministry of Industry." Lin Xuan said.
Salt and iron are a national monopoly, and he can't take advantage of it. He doesn't want to suffer from that.
"Then you go back and write now." Li Shimin said.
Lin Xuan secretly cursed: "I was called to the palace as soon as I got home. After talking so much, I didn't even give a reward, so I sent myself back."
He gave advice to Li Shimin, not only because he wanted to cause trouble for the aristocratic family, but also because he wanted Li Shimin to give him a title or something.
He didn't care about food and other things. What he valued was that the Marquis could have two hundred soldiers.
After an assassination, Lin Xuan felt deeply that there were too few personal soldiers.
He can also recruit some guards, but there is no point if the number is small, and if the number is large, it will arouse Li Shimin's suspicion.
There are no personal soldiers, as weapons, armor, and salaries are all provided by the court.
He only dared to think about these things in his mind, but he did not dare to say them out loud.
Lin Xuan chuckled and said: "Your Majesty, I will go back and write immediately. But does your Majesty still remember what you promised me last time?"
Li Shimin was stunned and asked: "What did I promise you?"
Lin Xuan became anxious and said: "Your Majesty, you promised me a marriage years ago, but the first month is almost over, and Your Majesty hasn't even issued the decree yet."
"Oh? I seem to have some impression." Li Shimin said pretending to be confused.
I make you angry. Now you know how to beg me? Why did you go there so early?
Lin Xuan hurriedly said: "Your Majesty is so eloquent that he always keeps his word. He doesn't keep his words, right?"
Li Shimin said angrily: "I only said after the new year, and I didn't say when. Why are you in a hurry? Go back and write down the method of making salt."
"Resign!" Lin Xuan also saw that Li Shimin was deliberately retaliating against him, but there was nothing he could do.
Li Shimin nodded and said: "Go, remember to come to court tomorrow morning!"
Lin Xuan was stunned for a moment, then reacted immediately and said happily: "Thank you, Your Majesty!"