Datang: Longevity for Thousands of Years, Exposed by Xiao Sizi

Chapter 81 How could this happen? An earthquake in Chang'an City!
Changsun Wuji completely became the focus. Among all the officials who reported the trivial matters of the world today, none of them looked at Changsun Wuji as much as they did.

now.

Changsun Wuji held the tablet in his hand and bowed gently to Li Shimin.

"Your Majesty, the food disaster in the Tang Dynasty has been resolved some time ago. This is a great blessing for you."

"Now that the famine has been resolved and the people no longer have to worry about survival, it is naturally time to hold the imperial examinations!"

"I, your humble servant, dare to suggest that the court should hold the imperial examination at this time to welcome all the talents in the world to the court. Then, the fortune of our Great Tang will be completely continuous and pass on the foundation for eternity!"

Changsun Wuji spoke with some excitement.

Arrived!

The time has finally come!
Upon hearing this, Fang Xuanling stepped out directly.

"Yes, Your Majesty, I think what Changsun Pushe said is absolutely right!"

"Our Tang Dynasty is now providing relief to the victims and eliminating natural disasters. If we hold the imperial examination at this time, it will surely bring the people of the world back to their roots!"

"I, like Changsun Pushe, beg Your Majesty to open the imperial examination!"

His voice was extremely firm and resolute.

immediately.

Wei Zheng also stepped out holding a tablet and spoke in a high voice: "Your Majesty, I also think that it is time to hold the imperial examination. Students all over the world have a lot of enthusiasm in their hearts, but they have nowhere to serve the court."

"The court should give them a place where they can show themselves. The imperial examination is the most ingenious and most appropriate way!"

After the three people's voices fell, the hall, which had been too quiet today, suddenly became extremely quiet, as if... dead silence!

Pei Ji, Gao Shilian, Chen Shuda and others all widened their eyes.

Be it the duke or the official, their breathing seemed to have disappeared all of a sudden.

Blast!

terror!
sluggish!

Is the imperial examination true or false?
They all thought they heard wrongly.

At this moment.

No one expected that such an unprecedented event would happen at today's morning court session!
As early as when the officials of the aristocratic families felt that the atmosphere of the morning court was dull, they had speculated that something big was happening, but this...isn't it too big?
Big...bigger than the sky!
Imperial examination?

This is the imperial examination. Li Shimin actually wants to hold the imperial examination?

This Li Shimin is going crazy! !

The officials from the noble families present here are not stupid enough to be in this court.

They are clear.

If it weren't for Li Shimin's nod, Changsun Wuji and the other three would never have come out at the same time without any hesitation. Even if they understood the other party's meaning, they would not have said it so directly.

Everything was definitely instructed by Li Shimin!
Damn!

Li Shimin, where does you get the courage from!

How long had it been since the previous dynasty was overthrown?
This world,
Do you, Li Shimin, and your Li Tang royal family still want it?
Who gave you the courage?
But just when all the officials were stunned, Li Shimin had already stood up.

"it is good!"

"This national policy is brilliant. I approve it! Changsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling, and Wei Zheng, I order the three of you to work together to do this."

"Retreat!"

After saying that, Li Shimin turned around and slipped away.

It really did cut the Gordian knot, fast, ruthless, and accurate!
All the dignitaries:? ?

All the dignitaries: ! !

The entire morning court hall was silent. All officials stared stiffly at Li Shimin's departing back, their minds going blank.

........................

Changsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling and others did not feel relieved because of Li Shimin's approval.

On the contrary, it is extremely solemn.

From now on.

These pro-Li officials really want to draw a clear line between themselves and the aristocratic families!
What does this mean? This means that they will really face the aristocratic families and a large number of aristocratic officials in the court!

One side supports the imperial examination system.

One side was opposed to the imperial examination system.

They, including His Majesty, will thoroughly carry out this will, and will also carry the expectations of poor students all over the world!
This pressure makes people feel suffocated and terrifying!
But they all knew.

The matter is done and must be carried out!
After Li Shimin announced his retirement from court, Changsun Wuji and Wei Zheng were the first to leave.

They are going to post the imperial edict immediately to announce to His Majesty that the imperial examination will be reopened. It has to be quick!
Just like when Li Shimin announced the imperial examination and then withdrew from court, before the aristocratic families could react, he had completely confirmed the matter.

"How could this happen! How could this happen!"

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, you are fooling around, you are fooling around!"

"I don't agree, I don't agree!"

"Your Majesty, the imperial examination is too arbitrary. Such a major event that affects the direction of the world must be discussed carefully!"

"Since ancient times, every dynasty has ruled the world with filial piety and integrity. Only the previous dynasty started the imperial examination, but the end is clear. It died in the second generation. Your Majesty... Don't be deceived, Your Majesty!!"

"Your Majesty already has a treacherous minister by his side, who actually led Your Majesty to make such a decision. He deserves to be killed!"

……

When the officials of the aristocratic families reacted, it could be said that it happened in an instant, and the entire hall was thrown into complete chaos.

Outrageous!

This is really outrageous!
No one could have imagined that the officials in the temple had such a violent side.

Eyes are red!

His face was ashen!

Purple lips!

They were crazy, holding high the banner of opposition with a clear flag, and shouting wildly in the hall.

However, no one responded to them.

Li Shimin and pro-Li officials had already left.

Pei Ji, Gao Shilian and other representatives of aristocratic families were all at a loss at this time and could not react.

what's the situation?
What the hell?

The imperial examination begins!

This... Is this Li Jia Erlang crazy? Doesn't he know how the previous dynasty fell? Is he really going to follow in the footsteps of the previous dynasty?

It's been quiet for more than ten years, and now you're stirring this up again?
This is asking for humiliation and self-destruction!
"What do you think, Brother Gao?"

Pei Ji couldn't help but ask.

The incident happened suddenly, and he was extremely confused at this moment.

"Your Majesty took less than a quarter of an hour from the beginning to the end to decide on such a major event. Zhangsun Wuji and others were not surprised at all. It is obvious that they are ready to fight against our noble families."

"Because the previous dynasty fell at the hands of the aristocratic families, Your Majesty has always been cautious about the aristocratic families. Now that you are so decisive... you must have something to rely on! You and I are still unsure how to make the decision."

"I'm afraid we need to go look for the heads of the Five Surnames and Seven Famous families."

Gao Shilian narrowed his eyes slightly.

Since the Tang Dynasty began its Zhenguan Reign, these aristocratic families and the Five Surnames and Seven Families have rarely interacted with each other.

That's not necessary!
And now….
The imperial examination was very powerful.

It is not just their own family that can decide what to do. They must work together to fight against Li Shimin's decision on the imperial examination!

We must safeguard our own interests!

"Brother Gao is right, let's go there now!"

Pei Ji also deeply agreed.

He and Gao Shilian quickly pulled a few more officials and walked outside anxiously.

This matter...is really a big deal!
Last time, the Five Surnames and Seven Families tried to use the famine to put pressure on Li Shimin but failed. Instead, Li Shimin actually wanted to reduce the power of the aristocratic families.

A reasonable counterattack.

But very unexpected!

Because Li Shimin had a lot of things to do at this stage, and the imperial examination was held before he had any free time...
How can it be!

The aristocratic families are deeply rooted and have penetrated deeply into the world. What can you, Li Shimin, an emperor on horseback, use to fight them?

Wouldn't it be better for you to just be your emperor honestly?

If you want to get rid of the aristocratic family, you’re dreaming!
………………

Chang'an City.

A certain restaurant.

"Recently, Chang'an City has become quiet and peaceful."

"Hey~ That's right. After all, the disaster victims in the north are well fed, so they don't have the mind to cause trouble."

"Hahaha, that's true! After being disturbed by the disaster victims in the north for several months, it's actually quite strange to suddenly return to my old life in Chang'an."

"Peaceful? That's not peaceful at all. Something big happened at the poetry gathering in Chang'an last night. A scholar from a humble family actually entered the imperial court."

"What? This... How is this possible? The last time a scholar from a poor family entered the court was during the imperial examination in the previous dynasty. Could it be that... this is a foreshadowing of something?"

"Reopen the imperial examination? Impossible. After all, the previous dynasty fell because of this. Your Majesty will not repeat the same mistake."

"Well... that's true."

…………

"Oh my god, big news! Something big has happened. Someone just saw the imperial edict, saying that just like what happened to the Tang Dynasty, they will also follow the example of the previous dynasty and hold the imperial examination!"

"What, is this true? No, seeing is believing. I'm going to go over and take a look!"

"They are actually going to hold an imperial examination! Where is the person who questioned me just now? Where is he?"

"What is the imperial examination? You all seem so excited."

"Hey, don't you know about the imperial examination? The imperial examination is a way for the scholars of our Tang Dynasty to have a channel to serve as officials in the court! Of course, this channel is subject to a screening of ability!"

"What? This, this, this is fake. How is this possible? Scholars can also participate in the imperial examination. This has never happened before."

"Who said it was nonsense? If you don't believe me, go out and take a look. Now, the news has spread all over Chang'an City."

"Oh my god, is this true? I remember that in the previous dynasty, we only had a few days of peace because of the imperial examination. And... the imperial examination is about to be held again. Will our era be in chaos again because of the imperial examination?"

"Who knows? But judging from the trend of the imperial edict, His Majesty is determined to hold it."

"Hahaha, apart from anything else, this is really a great thing, a huge good thing, we ordinary people can also become officials!"

……

In the teahouse.

Originally, a group of people were discussing the recent events concerning the disaster victims, but when the news about the imperial examination came, the content of their conversation changed completely.

Imperial examination!

The impact on the people can be said to be huge.

The selection system of selecting filial and honest people completely blocked the avenues for the common people to rise.

When those officials from aristocratic families recommend talents, they will never recommend common people, they will only recommend their own family members.

And now.

The imperial examination is about to begin!
This is a relatively fair road, and the most important thing is... scholars all over the world have hope!

Matters related to the imperial examination.

After Li Shimin confirmed it in the morning, Changsun Wuji and others had already started making arrangements.

So after His Majesty's announcement at the morning court, all parties came out together, and the news spread throughout the streets and alleys in just two hours. Even the farmers working in the fields heard about it.

When the scholars in Chang'an heard the news about the imperial examination, they burst into tears. They believed that studying was finally useful and they were madly grateful to His Majesty for his grace.

Those southern scholars who had originally come to Chang'an to attend the poetry meeting and were preparing to return home also stayed in Chang'an again because of the imperial examination. They went to bookstores to buy books, preparing to stay in Chang'an for a long time and prepare for the imperial examination.

Strive to be on the list one day!
Not only did they buy books, but many ordinary people also rushed to bookstores to buy books. For them, since the imperial examination was a channel to become an official, they had to try their best to strive for it.

They know best how powerful and powerful those officials are, and they also want to become one of them.

A short time.

Countless people poured into bookstores. Those bookstores in Chang'an City, which originally had poor business, suddenly experienced a terrifying boom, and the doors of the bookstores were completely trampled down.

…………

Longxi Li family.

Lobby.

Although the Longxi Li family is one of the five surnames and seven noble families, there have never been many guests in their home.

The head of the Longxi Li family likes peace and quiet, so unless it is a very important matter, he usually asks those people to go to the branch office to discuss it with the person in charge.

And today.

The threshold was broken!
One by one, the heads of the noble families who had rarely interacted with him in the past came to his house, even the heads of the Five Surnames and Seven Families came.

"Ridiculous, Li Jia Erlang! Too much bullying! He actually dared to put the imperial examination into practice!"

"Humph, we tricked him during the last food disaster, and he wants to get back at us. It's normal for a young man to be so angry." "Normal? Such a stupid decision, no matter how angry he is, he shouldn't have made it!"

"But he stepped down. Has he had enough of being the emperor? Does he really want to...take the initiative to turn the world around?"

"Li Shimin is just an emperor on horseback, and he is not qualified to take on such an important task in politics."

"...."

A group of prominent figures from aristocratic families were discussing the matter.

at this time.

The host, the head of the Longxi Li family, did not speak, but his brows were filled with anger and his mood was not much better than those present.

Imperial examination!

He hasn't heard these two words for more than ten years.

"Li Jia Erlang, you want to weaken our family through the imperial examination. You are really digging your own grave!"

The head of the Longxi Li family spoke slowly.

Seeing him speak, everyone present stopped talking.

Since they were able to negotiate and choose the Longxi Li family, they were already prepared to follow the arrangements of the head of the Longxi Li family, as long as the decision was not too outrageous.

"Master Li, tell me, what should we do?"

"Yes, Li Jia's Erlang acted swiftly, and together with Zhangsun Wuji and others, he had thoroughly publicized the matter of the imperial examination. In just two hours, the people of Chang'an City all knew about it. It is estimated that it will not be long before the whole world will also know that the Tang Dynasty will reinstitute the imperial examination!"

"We should have an idea."

"...."

Everyone looked at the head of the Longxi Li family.

"Everyone, it seems that you all trust me. I am very pleased."

"Regarding this matter, I do have a plan, but... to be more specific, it is a plan shared by the seven heads of our five surnames and seven clans."

"Everyone, my father and the six family heads have already begun to plan a solution to this problem. Originally, if the Li family's Erlang had been at peace, it would have been fine, and they would have kept to themselves. But now... hehe, he has crossed the line."

"Then... don't blame us for being ruthless. It's time for people all over the world to suffer a little."

The head of the Longxi Li family laughed instead of being angry, and drank the tea happily in front of everyone, looking confident.

"This... Patriarch Li, what is this brilliant plan?"

Pei Ji couldn't help but ask.

The other family heads also subconsciously moved closer, wanting to hear this brilliant plan first.

"Well, this is a banned book!"

Patriarch Li's voice was extremely calm.

Ever since the drawbacks of the imperial examination system in the previous dynasty became apparent to aristocratic families more than a decade ago, the heads of the Five Surnames and Seven Clans began to discuss what to do if the current emperor held the imperial examination in future dynasties.
Have a discussion.

After discussing this matter for several months, we finally found a safe solution.

That is, banned books!

If the imperial examination is to be held, it requires scholars to be knowledgeable, and where do scholars get their knowledge from?
Of course it’s a book!!
As long as the books are banned, only the children of their aristocratic families can read them. With the support of aristocratic officials in the court, then what's wrong with opening the imperial examinations throughout the country?

They, the noble families, participated after they had studied, while the people in the world participated without having studied. Even if the noble family members were pigs, they could pass the exam higher than those "scholars" who had not studied, right?

After finalizing the "banned books" plan, the Five Surnames and Seven Families began to make plans.

then.

Not all the books in the world are managed by their family.

Therefore, the Five Surnames and Seven Families worked together to gradually devour all the individual bookstores or other family bookstores. They had to firmly control all the books in the world in the hands of the Five Surnames and Seven Families.

It was difficult at first.

The Five Surnames and Seven Famous Families spent a lot of effort to acquire a total of more than a dozen bookstores across the world.

but….
After gaining experience in acquisitions, their acquisition speed became faster and smoother, and they also developed a set of reasonable acquisition experiences of their own.

We have completely turned the acquisition of bookstores into an industry.

Acquisition of bookstore terminals, bookstore front-end printing boards and other industries.

After more than ten years, we have controlled at least 90% of all the books in the world, if not all of them!

It can be said that as long as these five surnames and seven families have an idea, 90% of the bookstores in the world will tremble.

"Banned books? Can this plan really be realized?"

Pei Ji was a little bit unconvinced.

This move is indeed cruel as it physically clears out all the scholars in the world.

By then, people all over the world will see the results of the imperial examinations, but they will have no books to read. They may even turn against the imperial court, saying that the court is just pretending to give those people from aristocratic families a chance to gain a reputation.

What a great plan!

but……

Can it really be done?
He knew how powerful the Five Surnames and Seven Families were.

But...how big is the world?
No matter how powerful the Five Surnames and Seven Families are, can they ban all the books in the world?
"Haha, Pei Ji, I know your worries very well. I think it is impossible. This is why your Pei family, with you in charge and a high position, can never squeeze into the top family."

"I am one of the Five Surnames and Seven Famous Family. Whenever I encounter something, I will turn the impossible into possible, no matter how outrageous it is. But you, Pei Ji, are not like that."

Looking at Pei Ji meaningfully, the head of the Longxi Li family withdrew his gaze and continued speaking.

"The whole world, haha, it sounds scary, but if you look carefully, you will find that you only need to control a part of the books."

"Since the imperial examination was abolished more than a decade ago, ordinary people have realized that studying is useless, and have thrown away and burned books. Even if there are people who are on the sidelines, they will be shaken psychologically in the past decade or so without any progress in the imperial examination, and will continue to abandon books in disappointment."

"For ordinary people, practicality is the most authentic thing. Reading books is useless and has no future. In their eyes, it is just a waste of time. Naturally, they will not spend a lot of money to buy books."

Books were extremely precious in the Tang Dynasty.

Each book costs a lot of money and is not affordable for ordinary families.

Over the past decade, there are very few books in private collections. In addition, 90% of the bookstores in the Tang Dynasty are controlled by aristocratic families. As long as they ban it, where can the common people buy books?

The number of readers will definitely decrease greatly!
In other words, there will be fewer obstacles for members of their family to achieve success in the imperial examinations.

"Just wait and see, Pei Ji, and everyone else, how will I show you a jaw-dropping show!"

The head of the Longxi Li family smiled even more.

He immediately finished his tea and walked out at a rapid pace.

He will arrange everything!
Logically speaking, he could just give an order to his subordinates to do these things.

but….
The imperial examination was a very important matter, and he had to make a promise in front of many heads of aristocratic families, so he could not afford any mistakes!
The dignity and power of the Five Surnames and Seven Families must be maintained forever!

…………

When the decision of the head of the Longxi Li family was announced.

In an instant.

The secret guards belonging to their family went out in groups and rushed to bookstores in various directions in Chang'an City.

Suzaku Street.

A bookstore.

"Shopkeeper, I want to buy a copy of Mencius!"

"The Book of Songs, I want the Book of Songs!"

"I want [The Art of War], I want to be a great general!"

"...."

The bookstore was packed with people, and the sound of countless people buying books could be heard.

"Okay, okay, everything is there."

The bookstore owner was grinning from ear to ear. Such a grand occasion had not been seen in nearly ten years. It was not easy.

Just as he was about to instruct his clerk to sell the books, he saw from the corner of his eye that the Longxi Li family's exclusive secret guards were walking towards them.

The bookstore owner was startled.

Immediately stop everything you are doing and wait for that person to arrive.

The secret guard walked into the bookstore, leaned close to his ear, whispered a few words and then left.

The bookstore owner's eyes widened when he heard the order.

Immediately, as if facing a great enemy, he told the employees not to open the store, not to sell any books that day, and to close the store.

"What's going on? Why did the shopkeeper close the shop?"

“Ahhh, I haven’t bought my [Book of Poetry] yet.”

"Open the door, boss! Open the door! The children at home are waiting anxiously for their books to be read!"

"Why are you suddenly stopping selling books? What did that person say to you just now? Shopkeeper, open the door quickly! Stop making trouble!"

"..."

The students who were buying books were all banging on the door of the bookstore.

Bang bang sound.

noisy!

anxiety!

They were panicking. The imperial examination decree had just come down and it was already the sprint stage, but why were there no books for sale now?

What's going on!

The flames that had been dormant in the hearts of these scholars for a long time were ignited again because of the imperial examination, but now it was as if the wind had been taken away. The flames would eventually burn out, and they were now in a state where the flames were constantly fading.

People gathered in front of the bookstore, and no one was willing to leave. After all, this was the opportunity they had been waiting for all these years!
The previous dynasty introduced the imperial examination system, and from that time on, many people began to study, and the term "children from poor families" appeared throughout the world.

Then, the previous dynasty fell.

The young man from a poor family who had just risen to prominence suddenly fell back into the ice hole.

From the founding of the Tang Dynasty until now, the selection of officials has still been based on the idea of ​​recommending filial and honest people. However, over the past decade or so, although the number of children from poor families among the people has decreased, it has not disappeared, and the seeds of poor scholars have always been there.

After all, there are lessons from previous dynasties. Many scholars became successful by passing imperial examinations and brought their families to become new aristocratic families. They were second only to the emperor and above everyone else. How majestic!

This ladder leading to the top of society has been opened before, and countless people are eagerly waiting for it to be opened again.

Just like the saying goes, if I have never seen the light, I can always endure the darkness, but the light has once illuminated the world, naturally, countless people will miss the light.

When that light appears again, I will hold on to it.

And this time, they finally got what they waited for!
How could the people not be excited?
But no one expected that something like this would happen.

The bookstore is closed!

It's not just this bookstore.

In just a stick of incense's time, all the bookstores in Chang'an City closed, as if they had agreed upon it.

"The bookstore on Antianpu is closed, and the one on Suzaku Street is also closed."

"Hey, I just came from Zhili Shop. Is Antian Shop closed too?"

"Damn it! What the hell is going on? Why are all the bookstores closed?"

"...."

The people are puzzled!
At the same time, I was extremely shocked.

They couldn't believe that in such a big city like Chang'an with countless bookstores, there would be a day when there would be no books to buy.

Some people did not believe in it and ran from the east to the west and from the south to the north of the city, until their legs were almost broken, hoping to find a bookstore that was open.

but.

They were all disappointed.

"Ahhh, why is this happening! Shopkeeper, open the door!"

"Open the door quickly, I have money! Lots of money!"

"...."

People everywhere were frantically banging on the doors of bookstores.

Some bookstore owners couldn't stand all the noise, so they told the people that the books were sold out and asked them to go to other bookstores and not to gather in front of their bookstores.

How could the people believe this wording?

They saw with their own eyes that there were numerous poetry books on display in the bookstore. There were all kinds of books, so how could they be gone?
Completely lying with open eyes!
The people were extremely unwilling.

Instead, he banged on the door of the bookstore even more fiercely.

This side of Suzaku Street.

What's worse, some people even broke into the bookstore directly, but there were guards arranged by the Five Surnames and Seven Famous Families to protect it. They were tall and strong, holding guns and blades and looked extremely ferocious.

In addition, the people were simple and honest. They knew that they were in the wrong if they broke into someone else's house, so they did not dare to rob the books in front of them.

"Let's go. The books in my bookstore are sold out. Let's go somewhere else. If someone breaks in and dies... then you can't blame anyone."

The shopkeeper snorted coldly and ordered everyone who had barged in to be driven out. With the loud slam of the door, the people were completely cut off from looking at the book.

"I can see that those guards are from aristocratic families. They are the ones preventing us from studying!"

"Damn it, it's them again. Do they really think the Tang Dynasty is their destiny?"

"After all the hard work of establishing the imperial examination system, people from aristocratic families can read books, but we are born in poverty. Are we destined to be at the bottom of society our whole lives? This is unfair!"

(End of this chapter)