But everyone knows the shortcomings of the imperial examination system. The so-called talents are definitely not limited to being an official. Scholars, farmers, industry and commerce, and the thirty-six professions, can all promote social development.
In ancient times, the selection of talents in these industries was very unreasonable and there was serious discrimination.
The Han Dynasty also discriminated against people, but it was far less than in the late feudal society. Liu Zhang had the basis for change. The official examinations in the four subjects could be extended to many subjects as needed, which was beneficial to the court in selecting talents from all walks of life.
It is also beneficial for people with talents in other industries to give full play to their talents. If they are in an era of discrimination or cannot get ahead through these talents, then these people will be buried.
And Liu Zhang knew that it was these people who were promoting social development. If the West had always used the imperial examination system to select only officials and discriminated against other industries, there would never have been an industrial revolution.
Maybe one talent can invent a new textile machine and drive the development of the entire society. This is the power of other industries.
However, China has always used the imperial examination system. It seems that only by being an official can you get ahead. It has trained a group of political talents who are proficient in playing with the rules of the officialdom and the sophistication of the world. This has to be said to be a kind of sadness.
Liu Zhang felt that it was understandable that people with noble titles, that is, people who had made meritorious service to the Han Dynasty, would be given extra points in the four civil service examinations. For example, if a soldier retired from the army and wanted to be a carpenter in a government craftsman's workshop, appropriate extra points would be necessary.
The policy of extra points for ethnic minorities is still in use two thousand years later. Many Han people think it is unreasonable, but it is actually reasonable.
Ethnic minority areas basically have lower education levels. The obvious consideration is to bring the levels of each region closer to each other. Otherwise, it will be too difficult for ethnic minority students with relatively low education levels to enter good universities.
And secretly, there is another benefit: it alleviates the grievances of ethnic minorities integrating into the Chinese nation. At the same time, it accelerates assimilation, which is the need to maintain the stability of the Chinese nation.
But in this era, Liu Zhang urgently needs the benefits in secret.
Nowadays, the Sichuan army is expanding its territory on a large scale, relying on force, including Dawan cavalry, horse archers, vine armored soldiers, and powerful crossbowmen. Regardless of mountain warfare, water warfare, plain warfare, or city defense warfare, they are invincible. Of course, it is easy to expand land.
However, the people in these lands have not surrendered at all, let alone the Western Regions, Western Qiang, Grasslands and Goguryeo. Even Dianzhou, after such a long time, still does not identify themselves as Han people in their hearts.
And if there is a general public examination of the four civil servants, these ethnic minorities have to absorb Han culture and choose to be officials of the Han Dynasty in order to stand out. This will complete the most important step of assimilation.
The first is cultural assimilation. Ethnic minorities learn Chinese and receive the education "I am a Han Chinese" from an early age, and this gradually becomes subtle.
In addition, the elites of ethnic minorities have been networked. Those who participated in the Four Civil Service Examinations and obtained official positions are not elites of ethnic minorities. When these people are given official positions and other benefits, they instantly become vested interests.
This group of people is the chain that binds the ethnic minorities to depend on the Han.
Conquest by force is only the first step. If there is no subsequent assimilation, the places conquered by force will be a shadow. Therefore, it becomes very necessary to take the official examination in the four civil servants.
As for the bonus points for ethnic minorities, it is to encourage ethnic minorities to participate in the four civil service examinations, which is definitely beneficial to the Han nation.
The execution continued. When Huang Yueying read out the three major political orders, countless people's heads fell to the ground, and blood seeped into the ground paved with stone slabs, like small streams flowing to the feet of many Sichuan military officers and soldiers.
Huang Lan, Li Cai, Sima Hui, Pang Degong, Lu Su and others suffered the punishment of Lingchi, and their flesh and blood were already mutilated.
The Pavilion of Heroes was built on the mountain of corpses and the sea of blood. The map of broken mountains and rivers was displayed on the mountain of corpses and the sea of blood. The three major political orders were read out in the mountain of corpses and the sea of blood. Liu Zhang was about to ascend the throne, and he also had to walk on the already blood-red ground.
"All bodies were buried on the spot."
"But this is under the Tower of Heroes..."
"That's all."
Like mud and water, Liu Zhang stepped on the bloody ground, followed closely by all the civil and military officials. It was as if he was wading through paddy fields and walking towards the palace. Everyone's shoes were stained with blood.
The people watching from a distance never thought that Liu Zhang would not only kill Huang Lan and other criminals before he ascended the throne, but also kill them on the day he ascended the throne, and walk towards his throne in such a tragic environment.
"Lord."
After leaving the stargazing platform and walking a long way, until the smell of blood dissipated, Guan Yinping looked back, rode up to Liu Zhang, took out a scimitar from his waist, and said to Liu Zhang: "My lord, I'll give this back to you."
Well, I don’t think you need it.”
Liu Zhang looked sideways at the scimitar. He knew what Guan Yinping meant. Although this scimitar had been replaced once, from the dull scimitar at the beginning to Han Sui's exquisite scimitar, its function
The same one.
Although it was impossible for Guan Yinping to actually kill Liu Zhang with this scimitar, at least seeing it was a wake-up call.
But now, when he was about to proclaim himself emperor, he had killed so many people and announced three major decrees on the spot. Guan Yinping felt that Liu Zhang would not change. Even if everyone changed, Liu Zhang would not change. There was no need for this scimitar at all.
Ever since Huang Yueying read out the decree, Guan Yinping felt that it was superfluous to wear this scimitar.
"Keep it, there's still a long way to go," Liu Zhang said.
Liu Zhang's tone made it difficult for Guan Yinping to return the second sentence. He put the scimitar on his waist and was about to ride his horse to his position. Liu Zhang suddenly called to Guan Yinping.
Liu Zhang and Guan Yinping were talking in front, followed by civil and military officials. They were far away from the Stargazing Tower. Only then did many ministers dare to breathe loudly. A civil servant walked up to Huang Quan and lowered his voice: "Huang Quan
Sir, are you okay?"
Huang Quan's face was as calm as water. He didn't say a word and seemed to have something on his mind. The official who was close to him asked him. When Huang Quan heard the civil official's words, he was stunned for a moment, then he realized what he was saying casually: "
It’s nothing, Huang Lan and others are solely to blame.”
"Alas." The civil servant sighed and said, "My lord is too ruthless. Even if your cousin commits a crime, only Huang Lan can be killed. The other children of the Huang family will just embezzle some funds or pay some bribes.
Why die?
What's more, Mr. Huang has been assisting the master for ten years, and no one else has done the hard work. This punishment is too much, let alone Mr. Huang. Who doesn't have any ideas?"
"I have no ideas, and I advise you not to have any ideas either." Huang Quan said coldly. Seeing this, the civil servant quickly retreated obediently.
…
"His Royal Highness, King of Shu, please come up and crush me with your imperial chariot."
When we arrived at the palace gate, we were greeted by many civil and military officials who had not gone to the stargazing platform. Fu Shou stood at the front, followed by Huang Yue, Liu Xun, Liu Kang and others.
The chariot drawn by thirty-two horses was huge and luxurious. On both sides, the palace maids and eunuchs stood one after another. Wang Xu and his soldiers were assigned to both sides of the chariot. Huang Yueying was so powerful, one on the left and one on the right. She followed Liu Zhang into the chariot, and then stood on both sides.
.
"What a big carriage." Liu Zhang felt really empty sitting in it alone.
Fu Shou entered the main hall with all the civil and military officials. At the door, the eunuch took the edict from Fu Shou and read aloud the edict in support of the new emperor.
After the reading was finished, thousands of civil servants and tens of thousands of soldiers bowed together: "Long live my emperor, long live, long live, long live."
"The new emperor ascends the throne and the country's fortunes prosper."
As the eunuch screamed, Liu Zhang was supported by a eunuch and slowly walked towards the palace gate. Behind him were Huang Yueying, Zhang Ren, Huang Quan, Jiang Wan, Zhe Lanying, Fan Lixiang, Zhao Yun, Ma Chao and others in turn.
follow.
"Long live my emperor, long live me."
Liu Zhang stepped onto the jade steps and sat on the dragon chair, and all the officials in the palace paid their respects.
On December 12, 209 AD, Fu Shou issued an edict to establish Liu Zhang as the new emperor of the Han Dynasty, with Yuan He as his reign name, and 210 as the first year of Yuan He.
"My lords, it has been nearly thirty years since the Yellow Turban Rebellion and now the world has been unified. It has also been twenty years since Dong Zhuo entered the capital. The Han Dynasty has finally returned to unity, and the people can enjoy peace. You have all worked hard and made great achievements.
Huang Yueying, King of Yan, followed from Xiangyang and repeatedly defeated powerful enemies. He has many ingenious political strategies and meritorious deeds. I canonize Huang Yueying as Grand Master, receive orders from the Central Committee, and participate in military affairs."
"Thank you, my emperor." Huang Yueying bowed down. The system of three provinces and six ministries has been reconciled with the ministers. These people also know what Zhongshu Ling is.
The emperor's power can be determined by the decree, and the power and position can be large or small.
As for Grand Master, that is just an honorary title.
"Now the King of Yan will read out the imperial edict."
Huang Yueying took a step forward: "The new emperor ascended the throne and honored the Empress Dowager Fu Shou as the Empress Dowager. Starting from the first year of Yuanhe, the Han Dynasty implemented the system of three provinces and six ministries.
The three provinces are Shangshu Province, Zhongshu Province, and Menxia Province. The six departments are the Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of Husbandry, the Ministry of Punishment, the Ministry of Rites, the Ministry of War, and the Ministry of Industry. The functions and powers of each ministry are detailed in the book, and all ministers are granted titles.
There is also a Censorship Desk and a Letters and Calls Department.
The authority of the Yushitai is to supervise all civil and military affairs in the three provinces and six ministries. Corruption and fraud, abuse of power for personal gain, and eating without food after corpses are all included in the supervision.
Yushitai is directly under the emperor and is not under the jurisdiction of any department. The highest department is the same as the three provinces, and there are subordinate agencies in each place."
The civil and military officials were shocked. When Huang Yueying was communicating with the ministers, she only mentioned the three provinces and six ministries, but did not mention the extra Yushitai.
The Three Provinces and Six Ministries were originally complete. The Ministry of Punishment and the Ministry of Personnel could both evaluate officials and investigate and deal with criminal officials. However, now there is a Yushitai, which can supervise hundreds of officials.
Moreover, the Yushitai is directly under the emperor and is not subject to the jurisdiction of any department. How powerful is this power? I am afraid that in the future, any officials will have to rely on the Supervision Department.
If there are no restrictions, the Supervision Department will definitely be the most popular department.
"The functions and powers of the Petition Department are all remonstrance officers, responsible for summarizing administrative malpractices and people's sufferings. The highest department is the same as the six ministries, directly under the emperor, and has subordinate agencies in various places, reaching the township level.
Township-level petition departments need to survey public opinion on a timely basis and accept direct petitions from people. Petition departments at all levels accept reports from officials and people.
Officials of the Ministry of Letters and Complaints will never be punished for their words unless they are treasonous, including the emperor's mistakes. They can speak frankly. If there are reports, they refuse to report them. If they refuse to accept petitions, they will be dismissed from office. If they cause major impact, they will be admitted.
penalty.
There is also a Jinyiwei, which is directly under the emperor. The commander of the Jinyiwei is personally appointed by the emperor. Their duties are to supervise the Yushitai and the Petition Department, and have the power to follow, sneak in, disguise, etc.
Anyone found to be incompetent in the Yushitai, colluding with administrative officials, and blocked by the Petitions Department to suppress petitions can be arrested by anyone from the Minister of Petitions of the Yushitai to the township-level officials of the Petitions Department of the Yushitai. There is no need to report to any department.
Report.
If an official of the Petition Department commits a crime, the crime will be increased to one level; if the Yushitai commits a crime, the crime will be increased to third level. Any department that prevents the Jin Yiwei from handling the case will be regarded as treason.
Jinyiwei is only responsible for supervising the Yushitai and the Petition Department. The other administrative departments are not within the scope of supervision. If there is a crime committed by the three provinces and six departments and the Jinyiwei detects it, it can be reported to the relevant departments and has no law enforcement power.
The Jin Yiwei overstepped their authority to enforce the law and severely punished them without mercy."
The civil and military officials lamented that each of these three departments had greater powers than the other, but they also limited their scope of responsibilities.
Liu Zhang has always felt that although the three provinces and six ministries system has strict powers, it has very weak constraints on the officials themselves, so the two departments that were originally embedded in the three provinces and six ministries in later generations were separated from the supervision and admonishment departments.
It was already known in ancient feudal society that public officials are not guilty. However, except for a few bold public officials, other public officials were afraid of offending others, making this department the most useless department.
In some periods, the Yanguan directly became a decoration in the court, filled with a large number of imperial literati and people praising their virtues.
Liu Zhang separated this department into the Department of Letters and Complaints, which was directly under the emperor and not subject to any departmental restrictions. This was to give them the space to speak out without fear of offending others.
Although the common people at the bottom have little awareness of claiming their own rights, if local officials go too far, such as cheating in the execution of land orders, setting more land for relatives or wealthy families when measuring standard land, or restricting official examinations in the four imperial examinations,
Fraud, etc.
These will definitely arouse the anger of the people, and the people need an outlet to vent their anger, so petitions are necessary.
The Yushitai itself was responsible for supervision in later generations and had great power. However, because it also belonged to the Baiguan system, there were many constraints. Only by stripping them away could they be given space to enforce the law safely.
It is obvious that these two departments are really only directly under the emperor. Even the emperor cannot take care of them, especially Yushitai. If they are not suppressed, it will not be a big deal.
The Complaints and Complaints Department also needs checks and balances. Even if this department does not need to fear retaliation from other officials because it does not belong to the Baiguan system, it may still reject some reports and petitions, conceal reports, or omit reports due to bribery and official protection.
Wouldn't the emperor become blind?
Of course, such a department must have strong constraints. Liu Zhang immediately valued the famous Jinyiwei invented by Zhu Yuanzhang. This frightening and supposedly pervasive department must have posed a huge threat to the Supervision Department and the Yushitai.
The Yushitai does not need to be afraid of any officials, but the Jin Yiwei is pervasive. If he practices favoritism and profits from his authority during the supervision process, he must face the Jin Yiwei. This kind of deterrence should still be there.