Wait, please don't call me Emperor Zhaolie

Chapter 229: Examinations have existed since ancient times
"Your Excellency..." Xun Yu considered for a moment, then decided to speak out. He bowed and said, "The nobles of Yuzhou have written to us to inquire about the examination of the clerks and officials in each county, as well as the examination of the selection of filial and honest officials. They suggest that we relax the standards a little. After all, filial piety and honesty cannot be obtained through examinations."

"They said that this action violated the fundamental principle of the Han Dynasty to rule the world with filial piety and to establish the country with rites and teachings. Lord Xuande is a relative of the Han Dynasty. He should open up the way for talents, restore the benevolent government, and use the virtuous and capable to pacify the world."

After hearing this, Liu Bei couldn't help laughing and said, "Isn't it that I am constantly examining officials to avoid missing out on talents and to better select and employ those who are capable of hard work?"

"And the wise men who are highly respected and hidden often do not care about fame and wealth, but only want to live in leisure among mountains and rivers. Confucius said: Do not impose on others what you do not want others to do to you. In my opinion, it is better to let the wise men live in seclusion in the mountains and enjoy their old age."

"What's more, the assessment we are taking now is just a modification of the recommendation system of Zuo Gong in the past. The new system of Yangjia has been in effect for more than ten years, and it has made the world dare not make arbitrary selections. For more than ten years, it has been called the right people. Such a good policy came to an abrupt end after the death of Emperor Xiaoshun. It is really a pity."

Liu Bei couldn't help feeling deeply moved.

The embryonic form of the imperial examination system had already appeared during the reign of Emperor Xiaoshun of the Eastern Han Dynasty. Minister Zuo Xiong saw that many of the filial and honest officials recommended from various places were in name only, and that a large number of children of powerful and wealthy occupied the places. So he submitted a petition to reform the system requiring that those who recommended filial and honest officials must be over 40 years old and have practical experience and knowledge.

Filial and honest people must also pass examinations on classics and policy essays, and then take a re-examination on their writing skills for official documents. The original moral requirements of filial piety and honesty were expanded to include many subjects such as Confucianism and civil service, for a comprehensive examination and evaluation.

What is even more troublesome for the powerful is that if the filial and incorruptible person recommended by the county governor or the prime minister is rejected by the Secretariat of the imperial court, not only will the recommended filial and incorruptible person be returned, but the prefect, governor and other officials who recommended him will also be held accountable, and in serious cases, they may be dismissed.

In comparison, at least Liu Bei relaxed the age limit. As long as one passed the assessment and was confirmed to be talented, he could be employed no matter how young he was. This was so considerate, so why would the scholars still be dissatisfied and demanding?

After listening to the envoy's explanation with a sigh, Xun Yu was stunned for a moment, then he smiled bitterly.

Liu Bei just smiled and did not mention any intention of relaxing the policy.

In fact, as long as the scholars and officials do not cause trouble and pay taxes on time, it does not matter how they live in seclusion.

I can also guess which aristocratic families wrote to Xun Yu to get his bearings. They wanted to rise to a high position by relying on their little reputation. It can only be said that they had too much in mind.

He was not a member of the royal family who had been influenced by Confucianism for a long time, and it was simply a dream for the gentry to restrain him with Confucian etiquette.

These scholars are still unable to tell that times have changed and that different methods are needed to adapt. They still want to use the methods from decades ago to constrain themselves. Do they really think that his land measurement and equal distribution have no effect?

Previously, the power of the Han Dynasty had slipped from the court to the hands of local tyrants. If power was tightened a little, the tyrants would force the people to rebel.

But now he gradually separated the common people and created a new social class with strong political power and economic foundation by rewarding military officers and soldiers based on military merit. Both combat soldiers and auxiliary soldiers were assigned to farm land, combat soldiers were exempted from corvée labor, and all taxes for auxiliary soldiers were halved.

Countless people were willing to follow you and fight in the army, and the best ones were selected to join the army.

Soldiers were recruited in turns to fight alongside Liu Bei, wearing armor and holding weapons and galloping across the battlefield, becoming Liu's most powerful supporters.

Taking into account that the descendants of these people will be selected to enter the Military Academy and the Agricultural Official School, and with their continuous meritorious service and various official title rewards, the future officers, officials, and their families will all become the beneficiaries of Liu Bei's military merit. When the world is unified, these soldiers from the lower classes will be distributed in various states with the military government, and can be used to curb the increasingly large gentry in the world.

Moreover, these people's close relationship with Liu Bei will make them more enterprising.

Just like in the early Han Dynasty, Emperor Gaozu rewarded the soldiers who destroyed Qin and Chu with 500 acres of land and houses. This is also why when the meritorious officials executed the Lu family, Zhou Bo said: those who support the Lu family will be favored on the right, and those who support the Liu family will be favored on the left. He was able to successfully take over the Northern Army and directly suppress the rebellion.

Han Xin was able to be easily seized by Emperor Gaozu during his military campaign, perhaps because of this reason. All the meritorious soldiers were rewarded by Emperor Gaozu according to the military law of the Han army. Who would want to go against the emperor who gave him a lot of money? Liu Bei and Xun Yu were walking and talking, and Xun Wenruo also took the opportunity to briefly talk about many matters in Qingzhou.

When passing by the fields, many people saw Liu Shijun, and they were all cheering and jumping for joy from a distance, and couldn't help wanting to get closer.

"Greetings, Lord Envoy!"

"The envoy is finally back."

"Pingyuan should be the envoy's hometown."

"Long live Lord Xuande and enjoy eternal happiness!"

The farm boys who were helping in the fields were also very excited. They stepped forward to maintain order. Fearing that the people would become agitated, they ignored the obstruction of the armed soldiers and rushed straight to Lord Xuande.

"Don't bump into people, don't crowd them... Who stepped on my shoe?"

A student cried out in surprise as his hemp shoes were stepped on and fell off in the chaos. He did not dare to bend down to pick them up, for fear of falling to the ground and being trampled.

Liu Bei hurriedly said, "Don't be anxious, everyone. I have been in Pingyuan for such a long time. Haven't you seen me, Liu Bei?"

After a pause, Liu Bei pointed at himself and said to the common people who wanted to approach him, "Liu Xuande is not a rare sight in the world, nor is he a beauty. He looks just like you, without an extra nose or eyes. Why are you all gathering here to watch?"

Then he pointed at a person in the crowd and said with a chuckle, "When I was a county magistrate, I went to the village to check the household registration with the household registration certificate. Ah Mu, you lied that you only had two sons, and Ah Jiao almost suffocated to death in the rattan box."

"If I hadn't seen something strange, I'm afraid something unbearable would have happened."

The middle-aged farmer with dark yellow skin touched his head with his hand, smiled rather embarrassedly, and said with emotion: "If it weren't for the envoy who saved my daughter and took pity on my poor harvest and gave me money to supplement my tax for several years, I really don't know what to do."

Liu Bei then said with a smile: "It is the duty of an official to save the people from danger. Besides, Pingyuan is also my hometown. It is natural for me to help the elders who are drowning and thirsty. Since you are all from the same hometown, you are not unfamiliar with me. You should disperse as soon as possible and do your own things."

Liu Bei bowed and smiled at everyone.

Everyone was finally willing to disperse and go to the fields to work on the farm, but they still looked up at Envoy Liu from time to time.

"Wen Ruo, let's continue talking while walking."

Liu Bei saw that Pingyuan County was not far away. Since Xun Yu was so responsible, he might as well listen to his report. He estimated that they could just reach the city gate.

He told Xu Chu to tell the others waiting to go into the city first, as he wanted to chat with Xun Yu for a while.

(End of this chapter)