The First Uncle of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 129 You want a quota, I'll give you a test

Ma Xun didn't think that he was doing serious military training now, he was just busy with military exercises.

Especially at this stage, we are basically keeping an eye on Zhu Chong, Chang Mao and others.

Even Zhu Chong and others did not have to train all day long. They still had to study in the morning and had military training in the afternoon. This was true "elite education".

There is nothing much to say. These people have a lot of resources, so it is understandable that special attention is paid to their training.

After sorting out the training outline and content, Ma Xun asked, "Do you think I'm a little too cruel?"

Liu Shuning, who wrote for Ma Xun, smiled and said, "If jade is not polished, it will not become a useful tool; if people do not learn, they will not know."

Ma Xun nodded seriously, and then said, "I am willing to train other people's children, but I don't know if we will spoil our children too much when we have them in the future."

Liu Shuning quickly said, "My husband and I are both educated, and we both know that it is not good to spoil your children too much."

Ma Xun smiled and pinched Liu Shuning's pretty face, "It's easy for you to say that. Once you have children, you may not think so."

Liu Shuning was used to Ma Xun's "frivolity". This was only in the study, so naturally it was nothing to talk about. Outside, her husband was always well-behaved and respected her very much.

It's normal for couples to have some romance, but it would be meaningless if they treat each other with respect from an early stage.

"I'll have someone deliver it to you later. I won't be watching over it tomorrow." Ma Xun laughed. "I fish for three days and rest for two days. I'm not very persistent in doing things."

Liu Shuning also knew that Ma Xun was just being modest. He didn't mean to be lazy, but he had a lot of other things to do.

Because of the trust of the Emperor and Empress, Ma Xun had many official positions and responsibilities, so he had no time to be lazy.

It was true that he did not attend court and did not like sitting in the government office, but there were still some things that came to him. When there was no way to shirk it, he would naturally go and do it.

Wei Guan and others had been waiting for a long time. The uncle of the emperor, who was in charge of the Imperial College, had only come to the Imperial College a few times, which made Wei Guan and others a little anxious, and they also felt that Ma Xun was very irresponsible.

But it was useless to complain. Ma Xun pretended not to hear it, and the emperor had no opinion on it. Song Lian and others conveyed their meaning to Zhu Biao in a subtle way, but the elegant prince seemed to just listen and do nothing.

Although he had many opinions about Ma Xun, when he saw Ma Xun, Wei Guan immediately led all the teachers and students of the Imperial College to pay their respects.

Ma Xun smiled and bowed, "You are polite. I am originally from the military, so I am not used to these etiquettes. You don't have to be so polite. If I am impolite, don't take it personally."

Wei Guan and others quickly agreed that what Ma Xun said was just his personal matter.

He was of noble status and held a high position, so if he was disrespectful to some people, they would just be unhappy. But if others were disrespectful to Ma Xun, they might be considered to be disrespecting their superiors.

So it is better to be polite. They cannot find fault with Ma Xun, and naturally they don't want to be picked on by Ma Xun.

Since everyone understands the principle, they naturally know what to do.

Ma Xun also got straight to the point and asked, "I heard that the Ministry of Personnel selected a few people to go there?"

Wei Guan immediately sent over the list and said, "There are still vacancies in the court. Although Your Majesty has sent people to search for talented people, it is still not enough."

This was also Zhu Yuanzhang's helplessness. He was still seeking talents, regardless of their background or knowledge, and those who were capable would be officials.

However, there are still many people who are unwilling to enter the officialdom for various reasons. Perhaps they are discouraged after their early experience in officialdom, or they are solely loyal to the Yuan Dynasty, or they may be too old, and so on.

Ma Xun looked at the list carefully. It was a list of students who were wanted by the Ministry of Personnel to go to the Imperial College, as well as their performance in the Imperial College.

It's not just about reading, there are also some comments from teachers and students.

After taking a closer look, Ma Xun smiled and said, "It's a good thing to be able to share your majesty's worries. We still need to seize the opportunity of the Imperial College. After all, this is where the Ming Dynasty's reserve officials are located, and it is a place of culture and elegance."

Wei Guan said, "You are too kind, uncle. I am just doing my duty."

Putting aside the question of whether it is their duty or not, just from the perspective of the management of Wei Guan and others, it is still good.

Visiting many wise men may not have much effect, but fortunately some students can be recruited from the Imperial College to take over, so there will not be too many vacancies in official positions, and both the court and the local governments are managed by officials.

Ma Xun then asked, "Next year, the first imperial examination will be held. How are the people in the Imperial College preparing?"

There are less than four months left before the first imperial examination of the Ming Dynasty is about to begin, and the civil service system is taking this matter extremely seriously.

In the first imperial examination, it is more likely that more students from the Imperial College will pass the exam.

These can also be considered the advantages of civil servants. In the early years of the founding of the country, their power was indeed not as good as that of nobles, relatives by marriage, etc.

However, with the continuous improvement and selection of the imperial examination system, countless outstanding students entered the officialdom, so there are more talents, and they are more capable than the noble groups. So now it is just a temporary "hibernation". After a few decades or hundreds of years, civil servants will have a chance to come out.

However, for Wei Guan and others, they certainly cannot wait for decades. They hope to complete their political ideas now and lay the foundation now.

Wei Guan immediately spoke up, "My uncle also knows that the court is short of talented people, and the governance of the Ming Dynasty has only just begun."

Ma Xun nodded and then said, "Are you saying that the Imperial Academy doesn't have enough students? I remember that His Majesty also ordered that all prefectures and cities recommend students to enter the Imperial Academy every year."

This is also the main source of students for the Imperial Academy. The provincial governments in various places will recommend some outstanding students to study at the Imperial Academy. After all, this is the highest institution of learning in the Ming Dynasty, and its faculty is also very strong.

Wei Guan was a little embarrassed, then he gritted his teeth and said, "I think the uncle must know that there was still an imperial examination during the Yuan Dynasty. It's just that the imperial examination has been suspended for so many years, and the path to education for many people has been cut off."

Ma Xun corrected him unsatisfiedly, "It is true that we will hold the national examination next year, but the provincial and imperial examinations have already been held."

Ma Xun was not bragging when he said this. The examination to be held next year will be the joint examination, and if you pass it you will directly become a Jinshi.

However, the previous provincial examinations and academician examinations had already been carried out in an orderly manner in various prefectures and cities, which meant that the first batch of scholars and juren in the Ming Dynasty had actually appeared.

Those who are able to take part in the imperial examination are essentially juren, and in theory they can be directly appointed as officials.

However, since the juren were juren, they were eligible to enter the government. However, if they were not capable enough, they could only wait in line to become officials.

It is true that the Ming Dynasty lacks officials, but not everyone can become an official.

Hearing what Ma Xun said, Wei Guan couldn't help but have a headache. This uncle of the emperor was really too difficult to deal with. He had already seen through some things.

Then Wei Guan could only say, "My uncle is right. The provincial examinations in various places have already been held. The governance of our Ming Dynasty will definitely get better and better, and more and more talented people will enter the government."

"Reading the books of sages does not necessarily mean becoming an official, it can also be for seeking truth and enlightening the mind." Ma Xun said casually, "But it is definitely best to have a heart that benefits the world, and those people in the Imperial College should also step up."

Wei Guan was speechless, because all the good and bad things were said by Ma Xun alone. What a shame!
Many people read books of sages only to become officials. Although this is their true inner thought, they cannot say it out loud, otherwise it will be too utilitarian and not in line with the image of a sage's son.

However, everyone is aware of the reality that the court is short of officials, so these people in the Imperial College really need to work harder.

They are the best among the scholars, and it is no exaggeration to call them young talents.

Wei Guan thought for a moment and said, "Uncle, the country was in turmoil before. Although many people could not seek fame, they still had the path to study."

Ma Xun nodded, "Yes, I know. Many people passed the imperial examinations and became scholars and juren at the beginning. I know these people have been studying hard."

Reading is a process of accumulation, and it is difficult for someone to understand everything all at once.

Wei Guan could only say it more bluntly, "My Lord, if we were unemployed in the early years, we could have taught the children of our family carefully. But in recent years, we have been officials, and many of the children of our family have no one to teach them."

Ma Xun understood all at once that Wei Guan's intention was actually to ask for benefits and quotas for some people.

From a longer-term perspective, we hope that some groups will be able to enter official careers more easily.

Ma Xun's face also turned serious. "I remember that in addition to students recommended by various places, there are also some children of civil and military officials in the Imperial Academy, right?"

This is also a normal operation. It is a form of care for officials. Their children do not need to have particularly outstanding talents to enter the highest institution of learning in the Ming Dynasty.

It seems unfair to some people, but we have to consider that these officials have also made contributions to the court.

Wei Guan immediately said, "Although there are indeed such students in the Imperial College, they are just a few. Many children of ministers' families are talented and will surely make greater progress if they enter the Imperial College."

Ma Xun didn't believe it. "The children of close relatives can enter the Imperial College, and the children of the side branches can study hard and take the imperial examination. It would be better if the Imperial College is given to the children of the civil servants."

Wei Guan's expression changed drastically, and he quickly said, "I have absolutely no such intention!"

"I think that's what you mean!" Ma Xun stared at Wei Guan and asked, "If there are talented children in your clan, but they can't pass the exam? Since they can't pass the exam, they can come to the Imperial College, so that they can become officials in the future. You are fine, but what about those students who studied hard?"

Wei Guan was sweating profusely and hurriedly explained, "My uncle has misunderstood. I just feel sorry for delaying the advancement of some students. I have no other intentions!"

Ma Xun gave the order directly, "I will be in the classroom to start the examination tomorrow. Before the examination, I want to see the level and talent of these students. Those who fail, I will punish them severely!"

Not only was Wei Guan panicking, but the other teachers and students were also panicking.

Originally I wanted to ask for favors and a quota, but why did the king's uncle directly arrange an exam?
Tests, I keep testing you to see how you respond!

(End of this chapter)