Free Web NovelChapter 1237: Chapter 1215: Consensus (Part 2)
So now, in the court and beyond, the number of officials from Jiangnan can be counted on one hand, and their ranks are still very low.
Zhao Hanzhang said, "The territory of Wu and Chu once belonged to the Wu Kingdom, but before the Wu Kingdom, whether Wei, Shu, or Wu, all belonged to Han. The reunification of the realm is the great wish of the people. In my view, the waters of the world all converge into the Yellow River and Yangtze River. We drink from the same rivers, eat the rice and wheat produced by the same land, our bloodlines are connected, and we ought not to be separated again."
"I naturally hope that officials in the court are all concerned with the world, treating the people from their hometown and those in the entire country equally, but I also know that most of the people in this world are ordinary folks, and partiality cannot be avoided. Therefore, to ensure that people everywhere benefit without too much grievance, we must ensure that each region has officials in the court."
Instantly, a dazzling light burst forth in the eyes of Zhou Qi and other Jiangnan Aristocratic Families, their gaze fixed on Zhao Hanzhang.
Zhao Hanzhang: "Previously, Lord Cao implemented the Nine-Rank Merit System to determine rank by talent and virtue. Later, it completely changed to rank by family lineage. Considering the chaos of the two dynasties, ranking talent by family lineage is no longer suitable."
No one opposed these words.
Among those present were the Jiangnan Aristocratic Families constrained by the ranking system, the humble families like Ji Yuan’s, or the Jiangbei noble families who had fallen due to escaping calamity. Of course, they would not oppose a new system beneficial to them.
Someone immediately proposed restoring the old system of the previous dynasty, demanding the removal of family lineage as a condition, and determining rank by talent and character instead.
And let it turn into today’s system again in twenty years?
Zhao Hanzhang wasn’t that foolish. She said, "If discussing fairness, is there any method of selecting talent more fair in this world than examinations? Therefore, I want to hold recruitment examinations in Jiangnan and invite talented individuals to the court."
Zhao Hanzhang praised them, saying, "I know that your families have many talented young members. These years, constrained by the Merit System, they mostly stayed at home studying rather than entering government. With today’s recruitment exam, they can display their talents."
Zhou Qi thought for a moment, believing that the young members of his family would not have much problem with the examinations. He heard that the top-level recruitment exam in Luoyang not only involved literary tests but also martial tests, those excelling in both would stand out, and the young members of the Zhou Family were completely capable.
Lu Yuan, expressionless, suggested, "But I heard that anyone can participate in the recruitment exam, even commoners and newly emancipated slaves. This is too insulting. Why doesn’t the Great General combine the Merit System and divide the recruitment exam into three tiers? Upper-tier for the aristocratic families, middle-tier for humble families and small noble families, and for the lower tier, let the commoners and craftsmen take the exam."
The more Lu Yuan spoke, the more he felt his suggestion was good, "Then determine the official rank for them after passing. Those from the lower-tier recruitment exam for commoners can serve as village chief or minor officers in counties, middle-tier can be County Magistrate and Chief Clerk level, and the highest must not be promoted beyond Fourth Grade. Upper-tier can be appointed as County Magistrate and other official positions. Wouldn’t this be more efficient?"
The anger within Ji Yuan surged instantly, and he sneered coldly, "I thought Lu Family Master would propose that those passing the upper-tier recruitment exam should directly be granted Marquis title and prime ministership, or replace the Great General."
Lu Yuan’s spine stiffened, he turned his head to look at Ji Yuan, sneering inwardly, but his expression remained unchanged. He said warmly, "Ministers of the nation like Ji Shizhong are naturally not restricted by family lineage."
He considered himself warm, but how could perceptive individuals like Ji Yuan and Ming Yu not see the contempt beneath his facade?
So, he still looked down upon people like Ji Yuan and Ming Yu, coming from humble backgrounds.
The Zhao Family members, Zhao Cheng, Zhao Ming, and Zhao Xin did not dare to despise them. What position did he have to so blatantly disparage them?
Ji Yuan and Ming Yu only sneered inwardly, but Chang Ning was more direct, sneering coldly, "No wonder King Langya barely moved after going to Jiangnan. It’s indeed a barbaric land, utterly devoid of enlightenment. Such wonderful national policies of the Great General turn into meat tainted by fly droppings at your hands."
Lu Yuan glared angrily, "You call Jiangnan a barbaric land?"
Chang Ning: "If it’s not barbaric, what is it? All you think about is decimating clans or suppressing commoners. How can you be so unconfident, knowing beforehand that you can’t surpass the commoners in the exam?"
"Bullshit, how many words can you recognize? Vulgar commoners, how many books can you have in your home? I think you participating in the recruitment exam is just a waste of paper and ink, a waste of court officials’ effort."
"Bah, not measuring up is not measuring up, don’t make excuses. Does the court lack those few sheets of paper?" Mentioning books and paper, Chang Ning couldn’t help but resent, "Do you think it’s still the time of yesteryears? Nowadays paper mills are blooming everywhere, paper is no longer valuable."
