My older brother is Gao Huan.

Chapter 566 All the Talented People in the World Are Now in My Hands
The greatest significance of the imperial examination system was actually that it expanded the channels for selecting talent.

Governing a country requires a large number of talented people.

Since Qin Shi Huang set the standard for unification, the demand for talent in a unified country has been increasing day by day, given its vast territory.

The larger the entity, the more difficult it is to govern, and the more the upper echelons need to have sufficient governing capabilities.

In the past, the emperors had a very limited pool of talent to choose from.

After all, the most valuable asset of aristocratic families was their collection of books. Knowledge was recorded in these books, and only the children of these families could access them to learn. This resulted in the emperor having a very limited pool of talent to choose from.

Because regardless of whether the scions of prominent families they encountered were truly talented, at least they were literate and had received instruction from their elders.

As long as they aren't like the fools in the Lü family, who learn nothing from following the politically astute Empress Lü, and whose entire family can't even protect themselves once Empress Lü falls...

If the emperor has a need, he will naturally find a way to achieve it.

The recommendation system, the recommendation of filial and incorruptible individuals, and even the later Nine-Rank System were all essentially aimed at expanding the pool of talent selection, rather than limiting it to a small circle of aristocratic families.

With a larger pond, more carp will be able to leap over the Dragon Gate.

Moreover, emperors also need people from humble backgrounds and lower classes to check and balance the power of aristocratic families and consolidate imperial authority.

But politics is always like this.

Regardless of the policy's motivation, its ultimate success depends on how the people at the implementation level carry it out.

Just like the Nine-Rank System, the people who implemented the policies were the officials in charge of the central government in each prefecture and county. Those who could serve as central government officials all came from prestigious families. People would not kill their own class, just as the emperor would not really kill the landowners, because the emperor was the biggest landowner in the world.

Even if a very few individuals were willing to recommend talented people for the country, most of them simply conformed to the status quo.

Now that you hold the power to recommend talents, giving other powerful families face is a way to leave your own family a way out and a guarantee.

Ultimately, the Nine-Rank System degenerated into a tool for aristocratic families to sell favors to each other.

The emergence of the imperial examination system can be seen as an inevitable step for the emperor to break the monopoly of aristocratic families on the selection of officials.

After all, before the imperial examination system, emperors of all dynasties had tried various methods, and the final conclusion was that instead of delegating power, it was better to keep it under their control.

Whether it was the recommendation system or the Nine-Rank System, the essence was the same: to send someone to the local area to select talents, thus decentralizing power.

This is similar to the question of whether to choose the eldest son or the most virtuous heir.

What constitutes a virtuous person?

What are the measurement standards?
Without a quantifiable standard of measurement, anyone can think they are virtuous and then start a fight for the throne!

The eldest son, as the heir, has no worries.

Because the status of the eldest son is a quantifiable standard.

The imperial examination system completely quantified the criteria for selecting talent using exam scores.

Admittedly...

This doesn't necessarily mean it's fair.

Distinguished families can hire renowned teachers to enlighten their children and impart knowledge from a young age.

They even had their own connections and channels to understand the preferences of the imperial examination examiners, thus enabling them to predict the questions or employ various intensive question-solving strategies.

Even so, using exam scores as a quantitative measure is already the most 'fair' system for the underprivileged and ordinary people.

After all, the quantitative standards are there.

If we were to truly revert to the "Nine-Rank System," where there were no clear quantitative standards and a "letter of recommendation" from a powerful family was required to qualify for selection, that would completely block the upward mobility of those at the bottom.

Absolute fairness is impossible and cannot be achieved.

Achieving relative fairness is already quite difficult.

"Oh, right, there's also the battle report that Quan Jun sent back."

Gao Yu took it and glanced at it briefly. He had already known about it half a day in advance.

On the speed at which news is received from the front lines.

Gao Yu is the fastest in Ye City, and he has multiple channels.

"This brat has finally improved a bit; he's stopped just fighting and killing all the time."

To capture Gaodu and Jianxing at such a low cost is a great achievement.

The growth of his subordinate generals is one of the reasons why Gao Yu can be a hands-off manager and stay in the rear to manage internal affairs with peace of mind.

Seeing this, Gao Huan knew that Gao Yu obviously already knew the details, so he didn't say anything more.

"Brother, I heard that Ah Hui has also signed up to participate in this year's imperial examination?"

Gao Huan nodded. "There are countless heroes in the world. It's good for him to suffer some setbacks. If he stumbles a little when he's young, he won't cause any trouble."

“Zhaojun and I spoiled him too much, which led to his current temperament.” When the topic of offspring came up, Gao Yu didn't say much more. “Ahui has been exceptionally intelligent since childhood; she might become famous throughout the land in this imperial examination…”

"I hope so."

Gao Huan sighed.

Ten days passed, and the candidates arrived one after another.

In fact, all the candidates came from Hebei, Henan, and Shandong. The journey was not far, and there were no rugged mountain roads, but rather flat plains.

June twenty-seventh.

Temperatures are rising steadily, and we are about to enter the hottest period of the year.

This timing is indeed not good.

But Gao Yu had no choice.

When the autumn air is crisp and clear, he will personally lead his army back to the front lines to prepare for the attack on Beizhong City. If he can capture the river bridge in one fell swoop and send the vanguard of his army to the south bank of the Yellow River before winter this year, then...

So……

He could then begin to plan and strategize the capture of Luoyang.

Defeating Erzhu Rong is the most important thing right now, so the imperial examination can only be conceded.

Let's make things tough for the students.

Outside Jin Feng Terrace.

A large number of students have already gathered here.

The soldiers of the Xuanjia Army were responsible for maintaining order at the scene. Even in such hot weather, they were all wearing armor, holding long halberds, and with solemn and dignified expressions.

"Is this the Prime Minister's personal guard, the Xuanjia Army, which is said to be open to only the bravest?"

"Since the Prime Minister established the Xuanjia Army in Huai Shuo, the Xuanjia Army has followed the Prime Minister in his campaigns, winning every battle!"

"........."

Among the crowd, the students from the military academy felt an inexplicable sense of kinship when they saw the soldiers of the Xuanjia Army.

After all, they had heard about it from their fathers since they were young, and even considered it an honor to join the Xuanjia Army and follow Gao Yu in battle.

The scions of aristocratic families, however, disagreed.

Risking your life for a better future is the worst possible choice.

They could gain recognition and become officials in the imperial court by studying the classics.

Both sides have their own circles, clearly defined...

Clang clang clang!
The iron plates on his armor clanged together with a crisp sound. Gao Yang, who was also in charge of maintaining order today, walked out of the Golden Phoenix Terrace and crossed an arched bridge.

Cao Cao built the Three Platforms not only for drinking and pleasure, but also primarily as a military facility.

Just like Jinyong City in the northwest corner of Luoyang.

Ye City was also a large city. If the enemy army really attacked, it would be impossible to hold Ye City. Santai was such a military fortress.

Therefore, ditches were dug and water was diverted to serve as a moat. This arched bridge was built after it was decided that the imperial examination would be held in Jin Feng Tai, to bring good luck to the students.

Gao Yang's appearance attracted everyone's attention, and he quickly scanned the crowd, searching for a figure.

soon.

He then saw Gao Cheng surrounded by a large group of people.

"Hmph, there are countless talented people in the world. Why did you come here, brother? Are you just asking for humiliation?"

"In the imperial examination, Lord Cui cannot help you cheat!"

Seemingly noticing the gaze of 'stupid little bean' in his eyes, Gao Cheng also looked up at him.

The two brothers looked at each other.

Gao Yang then withdrew his gaze, looked at the crowd, turned to the side, and pointed to the arched bridge behind him.

"This bridge was personally named 'Dragon Gate' by the Prime Minister. He asked me to convey a message to you all: he hopes that as you cross this bridge, you will be like carp leaping over the Dragon Gate! From then on, you will transform into dragons and soar to great heights!"

"The Prime Minister has high expectations for you students, and I hope you will not let him down!"

"From this moment forward, all unauthorized personnel are to halt. Candidates, please enter!"

Gao Yang made way.

The students walked forward one after another, heading into the Golden Phoenix Terrace.

(End of this chapter)