I was compiling the daily records during the Wanli reign

Chapter 135 On a Prosperous Era! A Startling Statement by Shen Ziheng
March 8th.

Yin Zhengmao, the Minister of Revenue, arrived in Kaifeng Prefecture, Henan Province, to begin investigating the matter of the false measurement of land by the imperial archer in Henan.

at the same time.

The news that a number of provincial officials in Henan had been dismissed, along with the message from the young Wanli Emperor to Yin Zhengmao that "if the princes do not cooperate with the land survey, I will strip them of all their privileges, demote them to commoners, and even take their heads," spread throughout the capital's various government offices via the Office of Transmission.

The official gazettes issued by the imperial court to local prefectures and counties also recorded these contents.

This was deliberately done by the young Wanli Emperor and Zhang Juzheng.

Measuring land is a matter for the whole country, and the fact that princes and nobles violated the law to annex land is an even greater matter for the whole country.

This move.

The intention was to let the officials and princes of the two capitals and thirteen provinces of the Ming Dynasty know the court's attitude.

Anyone who dares to outwardly comply but inwardly defy, anyone who dares to enrich themselves at the expense of the public, anyone who dares to break the law and oppress the people for personal career advancement and benefit, will be severely punished by the imperial court.

This news also spread to the streets and communities.

Because of the discussions among various schools of thought and the autumn imperial examinations held before the new year, the scholars' impressions of the imperial court have greatly changed.

now.

The court's ruthless attitude towards provincial officials and imperial princes was applauded by many young scholars.

They even wrote articles praising the court's actions.

Who says imperial clans are untouchable? Who says local officials protect each other? Who says the common people have no recourse? Who says the imperial court's policies are all bark and no bite?

In particular, the fact that the young Wanli Emperor personally met with Master Zhou made countless people feel that the emperor was wise and that the Ming Dynasty was slowly getting better.

……

The ninth day of the third month, near noon.

Inside the Wenhua Hall.

The young Wanli Emperor buried himself in reviewing the candidates for the palace examination.

Ma Ziqiang, Shen Shixing, Wang Xijue, Wang Jiaping, Shen Nian, and other examiners for the palace examination stood below.

Because the chief examiner for the palace examination was Emperor Wanli (the young emperor), those who set the questions, such as Ma Ziqiang, could not be called examiners.

They were called "exam readers".

The task of the group was to draft the examination questions for the young Wanli Emperor to choose from, as well as to grade and correct the papers.

Except for the top three in the first-class ranking, which were personally selected by Emperor Wanli (the young emperor).

The remaining rankings were basically determined by the examiners based on the total scores of the provincial and palace examinations.

This time, all three cabinet ministers recused themselves, and those in the palace held the fate of all the examinees in their hands.

The imperial examination of the Ming Dynasty consisted of only one question: policy essay.

Also known as: Practical Strategy.

The requirements are: to be straightforward and not to be ornate, and to be no less than one thousand words.

Unlike the rigid and formulaic eight-legged essays of the imperial examinations, the policy essays of the palace examinations were more closely related to current affairs.

The content covers a wide range of topics, including politics, border defense, civil affairs, etiquette, and laws. Candidates are free to express their opinions and propose new political ideas.

For example, in the imperial examination of the second year of the Jiajing reign, the theme of the palace examination was the reform of the Great Rites Controversy because the Jiajing Emperor posthumously honored his biological father; in the imperial examination of the fifth year of the Longqing reign, the core theme of the palace examination was the tribute ceremony of Anda Khan because of the peace talks between the Ming Dynasty and the Mongols.

The essays in the palace examination have always been closely related to current affairs and emphasized practical application.

The current political situation is naturally one of new policies and reforms.

Therefore, the topics for the palace examination provided by Ma Ziqiang, Shen Shixing, Wang Xijue and others were basically centered around the new policies such as the performance evaluation system, land measurement system, post station regulations, and the Single Whip Law.

Shen Nian also devised the exam questions based on the Examination and Assessment Law.

Wow! Wow! Wow!

After reviewing the more than thirty essay questions prepared by the examiners for the palace examination, Emperor Wanli frowned and shook his head.

"My lords," I said, "I find these policy essay questions rather vague. When I see these questions, I can already imagine the candidates' answers. Most of them will be no different from the memorials submitted by officials regarding the new policies. Such questions are too conservative. Can any of you come up with policy essay questions that fully demonstrate the candidates' talents rather than their knowledge reserves?"

Vague? Conservative?
Immediately, all the examiners were speechless.

Some people didn't even understand what the young Wanli Emperor meant by "showing talent rather than knowledge reserves".

Isn't this always the case with the questions for the palace examination?
At this time.

Ma Ziqiang added: "Your Majesty, do you mean that when candidates answer these questions, they tend to cite the views and understandings of current officials, and the competition is more about their understanding of the memorials submitted by current officials than their personal insights into the affairs of the court?"

Little Wanli nodded.

"Recently, the number of book stalls selling documents related to the new policies on the streets and alleys of the capital has increased several times over. Some documents can be sold out quickly just by bearing the name of the Grand Secretary. There are also people who forge articles by Editor Shen, claiming that I like these contents the most, obviously to curry favor with me."

The young Wanli Emperor enjoyed sending the Embroidered Uniform Guard to hide among the people in the streets and alleys, listening to their voices and sentiments.

He was able to learn about some of the major events that happened in the capital that day, and that same evening.

When Shen Nian heard the young Wanli mention her, she couldn't help but smile helplessly.

Merchants in the capital will come up with any means to make money.

Shen Nian had seen articles in tabloids that imitated his style many times. Although they were not convincing, they were enough to fool those readers who only had a superficial understanding of Shen Nian.

Shuntian Prefecture shuts down every single one of these tabloid shady workshops it investigates.

However, the profits from this kind of counterfeit trading are too high; as soon as one is banned, another one will emerge.

They sprang up like bamboo shoots after a spring rain.

Emperor Wanli added, "Furthermore, candidates from commoner families are no match for those from official families. I find this unfair. I want to hear unique and authentic voices, not mature and uniform ones."

Upon hearing this, Ma Ziqiang and the others couldn't help but look at Shen Nian.

This phrase, "a unique and authentic voice rather than a mature and uniform voice," is exactly what Shen Nian taught in his lectures in Japan.

However, what Shen Nian meant at the time was to suggest that the young Wanli Emperor listen more to the voices of young officials, rather than the voices of the current candidates.

Unexpectedly, the young Wanli Emperor used these words here.

Shen Nian gave an awkward smile.

Although the young Wanli Emperor paraphrased Shen Nian's words elsewhere, he did not say anything wrong.

If the palace examination only tests candidates' understanding of new policies such as the Examination and Assessment Law, the Land Measurement Law, and the Single Whip Law, then the sons of officials would indeed have a great advantage.

For example, Zhang Sixiu and Lü Xingzhou.

Zhang Juzheng and Lü Diaoyang only needed to provide them with some insights into the new policies on a daily basis, and they could leave many candidates far behind.

According to these two people, during the exam, one only needs to refine the wording to write a good essay.

Therefore.

Emperor Wanli wanted the candidates to answer questions that required them to think critically.

However, this unfairness objectively exists.

The imperial examinations were never a solitary endeavor for a poor young man, but rather a matter of the entire family's dedication.

For example, Shen Nian.

If his father hadn't given up teaching to go into business and sought out renowned teachers for him, Shen Nian might still be preparing for the next provincial examination!
"Do any of you gentlemen have a good plan?" asked the young Wanli Emperor.

Just as everyone was still trying to come up with a plan, the young Wanli Emperor said, "I want to use the Henan false land survey as the background for the exam questions. On the day of the palace examination, the Henan problem will certainly not be resolved yet. I want to see what the candidates think about this matter."

The young Wanli Emperor wanted to set the topic of the palace examination as a specific event.

"However, I have not yet decided on the angle from which to set the questions. If any of you have any ideas, please feel free to speak them."

With this pretext, all the examiners had new ideas. "Your Majesty, I believe that the most eye-catching aspect of the Henan land survey is that Master Zhou, holding the Great Proclamation, brought corrupt officials to the capital, which can test the value of the Great Proclamation in the current court."

"I believe that the reason why the county magistrate of Xiangfu County forged the bow and arrow is that he prioritized his personal career over the affairs of the court. At present, there are many officials who cannot distinguish between what is important and what is not. This can be used as a topic for candidates to discuss!"

"In my opinion, what Xiangfu County exposed was a major problem in the relationship between local officials and the people. We should examine the strategies for peaceful coexistence between officials and the people."

……

The examiners began to speak.

Some young Emperor Wanli shook his head, while others nodded slightly, but he still couldn't find that idea that would truly spark his interest.

After Shen Nian offered a topic that was rejected by Xiao Wanli, she suddenly had a bright idea and stepped forward again.

"Your Majesty, I believe the core reason for the false land surveys in Henan is the bad practice of levying excessive land taxes!"

"In the ninth year of the Zhengde reign, Emperor Wuzong built a palace and increased the national land tax by one million taels of silver; in the thirtieth year of the Jiajing reign, the Mongol leader Altan Khan invaded, and military expenses were urgent, so Emperor Shizong increased the tax by 1.2 million taels in wealthy areas such as Southern Zhili and Zhejiang, adding about 3 li per mu; in the thirty-second year of the Jiajing reign, Japanese pirates caused trouble, and the court added 1.4 fen per mu of land in the southwest region..."

“Building palaces increases land taxes; fighting on the border increases land taxes; the national treasury is empty, so land taxes are increased; now, in order to complete the task of measuring land and avoid offending the imperial family, Henan officials are also finding ways to increase land taxes on the people.”

"Forgive my bluntness, but while increasing land taxes is the fastest way for the court to raise funds, it is a short-sighted solution that is like drinking poison to quench thirst!"

“Every time taxes are levied, ordinary people become refugees, and land that belongs to the common people becomes the land of high-ranking officials who do not have to pay taxes. If this continues, the people will become poorer, the number of refugees will increase, land annexation will become more serious, and the Ming Dynasty will be in grave danger!”

"This matter deserves careful consideration, and His Majesty should see what these newly appointed officials really think about it!"

……

After Shen Nian finished speaking.

Wang Xijue, the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy, immediately stepped forward.

“Ziheng, this matter is indeed worth discussing in detail, but it cannot be used as a question for the palace examination, because... because the court may very well have to increase land taxes in the future due to some unforeseen circumstances.”

Upon hearing this, Ma Ziqiang and the others nodded in agreement.

The young Wanli Emperor nodded slightly.

The imperial court was short of money, so levying additional land taxes on all the people was indeed the fastest way to raise funds.

If this were used as a question in the palace examination, allowing the candidates to criticize it, then the court would inevitably be criticized if it increased land taxes in the future.

The imperial court was in the wrong in this matter, and it was not appropriate to publicize it widely.

Shen Nian shook his head slightly.

"It is precisely because the imperial court may increase land taxes in the future that using this as a question for the palace examination is even more meaningful."

"The people's money is all hard-earned money, all life-saving money. It is only appropriate to use the people's money when the court is extremely short of money and cannot squeeze money out from other places."

"Before that, in the event of war or disaster, could we first order the government offices to reduce their daily expenses? Could we reduce the salaries of officials? Could we get the imperial clansmen to donate their land? Could we get those wealthy merchants to serve the country?"

"The court can tolerate officials overstepping their bounds in banquets and collecting customary fees, can tolerate princes seizing land through their privileges, and can allow some wealthy merchants to make a fortune according to the court's policies. Why can't it reach out to them when it's time to spend money, instead of eyeing the meager sums of the common people?"

……

Upon hearing these words, Shen Shixing stepped forward.

"Ziheng, your thinking is too idealistic! There are some things that the court is unwilling to do, but doing them would endanger the stability of the Ming Dynasty." "Increasing land taxes and dividing the people is always the way to minimize harm. If it is transferred to the 'minority' you mentioned, it will easily lead to chaos! This has been the case in every dynasty!"

After saying that, Shen Shixing shook his head at Shen Nian, signaling him not to continue.

Shen Shixing did not speak directly, but his meaning was very clear.

The common people are always the managed and the majority who obey them; rulers of all dynasties have drawn sustenance from them.

This is the way to ensure the long-term stability of the imperial court and the consolidation of the nation.

Shen Nian shook his head.

"Just because it's always been this way, does that mean it's right?"

Shen Nian first solemnly cupped his hands towards the young Wanli Emperor, and then looked at the examiners.

"May I ask you all, what constitutes a prosperous age?"

"Is it a wise and virtuous ruler, favorable weather, a full treasury, and thriving commerce? Is it that all nations pay tribute, and our Great Ming is the sovereign of the world, with no foreign land daring to wage war? Or..."

"I don't think this counts as a true golden age."

"In my eyes, only when everyone in the world has enough to eat can it be considered a golden age of the Ming Dynasty!"

Upon hearing this, everyone frowned.

Shen Nian's words sounded simple.

But for thousands of years, no dynasty has been able to feed everyone in the world.

"Ziheng, you're thinking too far ahead!" Wang Jiaping couldn't help but say.

Shen Nian shook his head.

"All great things seem impossible to everyone until they are achieved."

"If we can't do it in this life, we might be able to in the next life by following our path. There are three more lives, ten more lives, and countless talented young people!"

……

After saying this, Shen Nian bowed deeply once again.

"Your Majesty, I humbly request that the theme of this year's palace examination be: Using the case of the false land survey in Henan as an example, discuss the advantages and disadvantages of our dynasty's historical practice of increasing land taxes!"

At that moment, Ma Ziqiang suddenly smiled.

He was moved by Shen Nian's words, "A prosperous era is one where everyone in the world can fill their stomachs."

Although Shen Nian is an official, he always thinks from the perspective of the common people and has a kind of upright and honest youthful spirit.

Ma Ziqiang admired this youthful spirit and hoped to pass it on to the young Wanli Emperor.

immediately.

Ma Ziqiang strode forward and said, "I second that proposal!"

Shen Shixing, Wang Xijue, and others were very surprised to hear that Ma Ziqiang actually agreed with Shen Nian's point of view.

At present, the three Grand Secretaries are avoiding any appearance of impropriety and are not getting involved in this matter.

Ma Ziqiang's opinion is very important.

Emperor Wanli stood up and said, "I approve of Editor Shen's suggestion."

"I believe that if you gentlemen had participated in the palace examination when you were young and encountered such a question, you would have remembered it for the rest of your lives. After the examination is over, I will release Shen's theory on the prosperous era so that the whole world can know about it!"

Hearing the young Wanli's approval, Shen Nian couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

He knew that the young Wanli Emperor currently enjoyed this feeling of "caring for the people," but once he took power and experienced some complex events, he might not think that way anymore.

Creating such a prosperous era is extremely difficult due to numerous obstacles!
Seeing that everyone had fallen silent, the young Wanli Emperor immediately said, "Very well, the theme is settled. I will personally draft the topic. Remember, everyone, do not leak the topic!"

All the examiners nodded.

They had all sworn an oath before the imperial examination and were constantly monitored by the Imperial Guards.

Anyone who dares to leak the questions will be beheaded.

It's simply not worth it.

Furthermore, even if this question were revealed to the test takers, no one could devise a standard answer.

This is the question from the palace examination.

This is not only for these candidates, but also for all the people of the world to see; this is the direction that all officials of the Ming Dynasty should strive for.

(End of this chapter)