Song Xiu

Chapter 143 Zhou Wei, a Famous Minister Who Doesn't Ask About Background
After Xue Juzheng strongly expressed his will, Zhao Guangyi, who had been silent, stood up and bowed to Zhao Dexiu, saying:

"I have something to report."

As soon as Zhao Guangyi finished speaking, not only the officials in the hall, but even Zhao Dexiu's gaze fell on him.

Zhao Guangyi didn't care much about the gazes of others, but Zhao Dexiu's gaze made him feel uneasy.

That gaze was filled with the scrutiny of someone in a superior position.

Fortunately, Zhao Dexiu didn't scrutinize him for long before he uttered a few words:
"If you have any good ideas, please speak freely."

The very purpose of establishing the Consultative Department was to gather diverse opinions.

With Zhao Dexiu's permission, Zhao Guangyi spoke:
"Since the Sui and Tang dynasties, it has been common for candidates to solicit favors during the imperial examinations."

Even worse, some examiners openly hosted banquets for the candidates.

If this unhealthy trend is not curbed, it will be insufficient to uphold justice.

Your subject believes that the current dynasty should implement a system of "avoidance in imperial examinations".

Anyone who has a past relationship or family relationship with the candidates is not allowed to serve as an examiner. In addition, examiners are not allowed to meet with any candidates privately.

Anyone who dares to violate this rule will be dismissed from office at the very least, and exiled at worst.

Upon hearing Zhao Guangyi's words, Zhao Dexiu nodded in agreement.

Zhao Guangyi's political talent was indeed remarkable, and the strategies he proposed were conducive to further strengthening the fairness of the imperial examination system.

If it is beneficial to the country, Zhao Dexiu will not reject it.

“What Youqing said is very true. Vice Minister Xue, please record it.”

Xue Juzheng's expression changed.

After Zhao Dexiu expressed his approval of Zhao Guangyi, Shen Yilun could no longer sit still.

Shen Yilun came from a poor family and had a personal understanding of the unfairness of the imperial examination system.

Shen Yilun then rose and bowed, saying:

"I have another plan."

During the imperial examinations, a censor would be dispatched to supervise the process.

In addition, a petition drum should be set up outside the imperial city for the Consultative Department.

This allows students to beat a drum to voice their grievances if they encounter injustice.

Your Highness should inform the people that if the drum of petition is sounded, court officials will personally investigate the case of unfairness in the imperial examinations.

In this way, the students will have someone to rely on, which will be enough to deter treacherous officials.

As soon as Shen Yilun finished offering his advice, Xue Juzheng's expression changed again.

Shen Yilun's words brought a smile to Zhao Dexiu's face.

The predecessor of the Dengwen Drum appeared as early as the pre-Qin period.

By the Tang Dynasty, the function of the petition drum had been clearly defined:

“If someone beats the drum to appeal, the chief official must accept it immediately; if he does not accept it immediately, he will be punished one degree more severely.”

"The drum for petitioning and the stone for petitioning placed in the imperial court do not need to be guarded. If anyone beats the drum or erects the stone, the censor shall receive the report and submit it to the emperor."

From the late Tang Dynasty to the Five Dynasties period, due to the loss of the court's authority, the system of petitioning the emperor's death by drum had long since disappeared.

Now that the Song Dynasty is increasingly rebuilding its central authority, re-establishing the Dengwen Drum to prevent unfairness in the imperial examinations is indeed a good strategy.

Once the Consultative Department establishes the Petition Drum, it will be able to directly hear the voices of the people regarding any grievances in other aspects of the new policies.

However, Zhao Dexiu felt that Shen Yilun's strategy could be improved upon.

Zhao Dexiu looked at the assembled officials and said:

“Since the drum for petitioning was set up by the Consultative Department, and the person in charge was the Consultative Director, he was the chief official of the relevant department.”

When the people are informed that the drum for petitioning has sounded, I will personally handle the case.

After Zhao Dexiu finished speaking, he glanced at Xue Juzheng naturally.

Zhao Dexiu's original intention was to have Xue Juzheng record this measure.

Upon seeing Zhao Dexiu's gaze, Xue Juzheng's expression changed again, becoming as lifeless as deep water.

With the additions of Zhao Guangyi and Shen Yilun, the matter of maintaining the fairness of the imperial examination was temporarily put to rest.

Zhao Dexiu then turned his attention to other aspects of the imperial examination system.

"During the Sui and Tang dynasties, the number of people admitted to each imperial examination was usually only twenty or so. How can a mere twenty or so people be considered as talents for the country?"

I intend to hold the imperial examinations today without regard to social status, and to accept all candidates.

Zhao Dexiu's idea was undoubtedly another major shock to the assembled officials.

According to the old system of the Sui and Tang dynasties, people with the status of "merchant, merchant and miscellaneous" were not allowed to participate in the imperial examinations.

Although the Tang Dynasty ostensibly defined "commerce, industry and commerce" as a legitimate category, in reality, the definition was quite vague.

For example, Huang Chao's family had been salt merchants for generations, so if he didn't even have the qualifications to take the exam according to the regulations, how could he have failed the exam repeatedly?
It's easy to see that Huang Chao secretly bribed many officials in the process of obtaining the exam slots.

This example clearly shows that the restrictions on the status of candidates during the Tang Dynasty were useless for the wealthy and powerful.

Those who truly suffer are the vast number of talented but penniless and powerless scholars from poor families.

Without changes to the scope of enrollment, no matter how fair the imperial examination process is, it will not be able to fulfill Zhao Dexiu's expectations for a new policy on the imperial examination.

At this moment, Xue Juzheng had already given up the struggle.

"Please speak plainly, Your Highness."

Your Highness, I will do whatever you say.

Upon hearing Xue Juzheng's question, Zhao Dexiu replied directly:

"Starting this year, except for those who are unfilial, disrespectful to their elders, resist the new policies, or have committed crimes, all other students, regardless of age or social status, are eligible to take the exam."

The area demarcated by Zhao Dexiu surprised all the ministers present.

I had already guessed that Zhao Dexiu would further expand the scope of recruitment.

But what they didn't expect was that Zhao Dexiu's actions were not a further expansion, but rather a direct severing of the shadow of power and privilege that had shrouded poor students for hundreds of years with the sharp blade of power in his hands.

When Zhao Dexiu's actions are made public, countless students from impoverished families across the country will be deeply grateful to him.

Zhao Dexiu's bold and decisive actions put Xue Juzheng in a difficult position.

"Your Majesty.

The preliminary examinations of the previous two years have been completed, and the students who participated in the provincial examinations have basically gathered in Bianjing.

There's not enough time for a hasty reform; the number of students taking the provincial exam this year is unlikely to be very high.

Worried that Zhao Dexiu might misunderstand, Xue Juzheng nervously explained the situation.

The imperial examination system of that time was mainly divided into two steps according to the process.

The first step is the provincial examination held by the local state government, usually around August, hence it is often called the "autumn examination".

After passing the preliminary examination, local students would receive a certificate issued by the prefectural government. With this certificate, they could go to the capital to participate in the provincial examination organized by the Ministry of Rites.

The provincial examinations were usually held in February of the year, hence the name "Spring Examinations".

In the spring of the first year of the Jianlong era, two major events occurred in the court: Lu Duoxun's discussion of etiquette and Zhao Dexiu's selection of a concubine.

These two major events kept the Ministry of Rites busy, so the imperial examinations were not held that year.

At the beginning of this year, the imperial court was busy with disaster relief, and Zhao Kuangyin intended to reform the imperial examination this year, so the provincial examinations for this year have not yet been held.

Therefore, the provincial examination to be held this time is essentially the same as last year's and this year's.

Although the provincial examination has not yet been held, the local preliminary examinations have been ongoing, and those participating in this provincial examination are students who passed the preliminary examinations in the past two years.

According to past practice, the number of students who have obtained their certificates in the first two years will not be too large.

Moreover, many of them may be opportunists taking advantage of the situation.

Xue Juzheng wanted to give Zhao Dexiu a heads-up by analyzing the actual situation.

Zhao Dexiu did not consider Xue Juzheng's concerns a major issue. "I will advise His Majesty to grant him leniency and allow students in the capital, even those without a written explanation, to participate in this year's provincial examinations."

Zhao Dexiu was referring to the special imperial examination system established during the Northern Song Dynasty.

Enke, as the name suggests, is a selection of officials by bestowing favors.

This usually manifests as the emperor using the occasion of celebrating important national events to increase the number of admissions outside of the regular examinations, or to relax the admission standards or the examination requirements.

The special imperial examination system was established in the Northern Song Dynasty, but it had already appeared in the Tang Dynasty.

During the Five Dynasties period, due to frequent wars, many emperors made certain modifications to the imperial examination system.

For example, during the Later Tang Dynasty, there were several years when central government officials were directly allowed to preside over local examinations.

As for the pretext for holding this special imperial examination, Zhao Dexiu had already thought of it long ago—to celebrate the imperial army's pacification of Hunan and Hubei.

There may not be many students who have passed the imperial examinations, but there must be quite a few talented students in Kaifeng who are not recognized for their abilities.

Many students who were unable to participate in the provincial examinations would gather in Kaifeng, hoping to gain recommendations by becoming retainers of high-ranking officials.

When Zhao Dexiu brought up the name of Enke, Xue Juzheng wisely kept quiet.

Xue Juzheng, the head of the Ministry of Rites, had no objections, so naturally the other remonstrance officials would not.

After seeing that no one objected, Zhao Dexiu said to Xue Juzheng:

"Write down the contents of what we just discussed in a memorial, and I will have someone deliver it to Prime Minister Zhao."

The Council of State Affairs was the central decision-making body of the imperial court. Any policy had to pass through Zhao Pu's hands first before being reported to Zhao Kuangyin for a decision.

Upon receiving the instruction, Xue Juzheng rose and bowed:
"promise."

With Zhao Pu's deliberate leniency, the State Council reacted swiftly.

A few days later, an imperial edict with Zhao Kuangyin's own handwriting, outlining the new policies for the imperial examinations, was posted throughout the streets and alleys of Kaifeng.

Since the beginning of the year, the imperial court has been vigorously implementing new policies, and students often gather under the bulletin boards in Kaifeng.

This group of students mostly comes from underprivileged backgrounds.

Having no power or influence at home, they could only express their opinions by closely following current events in the imperial court in order to gain the favor of the powerful and influential in Kaifeng.

Although the chances are slim, it's better than doing nothing.

Under a bulletin board on Zhuque Avenue, a student named Zhou Wei was intently reading the imperial edict on the board.

Zhou Wei was from Lingnan.

Zhou Wei was orphaned at a young age and came from a poor family. He was raised by his fathers in the clan.

Zhou Wei was quite studious as a child, and was enlightened by a Confucian scholar in the county, where he was able to learn poetry and literature.

After Zhou Wei grew up, Liu Chang of the Southern Han Dynasty became dissolute and tyrannical, imposing heavy taxes, which caused the Zhou family to become refugees.

Zhou Wei led more than 600 people from his hometown across mountains and valleys to seek refuge in Hunan.

Before even reaching Hunan, the Zhou clan encountered bandits one after another, not only running out of food but also suffering heavy casualties.

Finally, Zhou Wei and a small number of surviving clansmen fled in panic to the Central Plains.

It can be said that Zhou Wei's early life roughly represents the tragic situation of ordinary people and poor scholars of that time.

Upon arriving in the Central Plains, Zhou Wei was initially one of hundreds of thousands of refugees.

The snowstorm at the end of last year almost killed Zhou Wei, who was starving.

Fortunately, the emperor and the King of Jin were benevolent and generously provided relief to the displaced people, which allowed Zhou Wei to survive the disaster.

Later, the imperial court sent officials to register the household registration information of the displaced people outside the city.

Zhou Wei was always a capable administrator. Under his organization, he was able to get a general idea of ​​the household registration details of more than a hundred refugees around him before the officials arrived.

This talent earned him the appreciation of the Ministry of Revenue officials who came to register.

After learning that Zhou Wei was also skilled in poetry and calligraphy, the officials of the Ministry of Revenue kept him by their side as a minor official.

To put it nicely, he was a minor official, but in reality, he was an attendant to that official from the Ministry of Revenue.

But this small opportunity was enough to make Zhou Wei feel satisfied.

At least thanks to this opportunity, Zhou Wei was able to successfully enter Kaifeng from the refugee camp outside the city.

Since arriving in Kaifeng, Zhou Wei would often visit the bulletin board in his spare time to keep up with the current affairs of the court.

In the previous proclamation, Zhou Wei learned of the current court's determination to eradicate the corrupt practices of the Five Dynasties, a determination that made Zhou Wei's sense of belonging to the Song Dynasty grow stronger.

The tragic life he had led in the first half of his life had made Zhou Wei deeply resent the chaotic world.

Zhou Wei, who considered himself to have achieved great learning, was determined to use his talents to bring peace to the world.

The six large characters "Jianlong Imperial Examination New Policy" were clearly written in bright red ink on the left side of the edict.

Upon seeing that the newly announced policy was related to the imperial examination, Zhou Wei's expression became even more focused.

Zhou Wei knew that given his status, it would be very difficult for him to participate in the imperial examinations.

If Zhou Wei could learn the examiner's identity from the notice, he planned to use his connection with that Ministry of Revenue official to submit a "political essay" to the examiner.

Even if the official from the Ministry of Revenue were willing to help him, the examiner would most likely still treat his "political discourse" like toilet paper.

But haven't all students from poor families been like this for hundreds of years?

Even if there is only a one in ten thousand chance, we should try our best.

Zhou Wei's one in ten thousand hope quietly turned into one in a thousand when he saw the first part of the new imperial examination policy.

The first part describes a series of new systems established by Zhao Dexiu to ensure the fairness of the imperial examinations.

To seal, to transcribe, to avoid, to publish.
Every system reflects Zhao Dexiu's efforts to uphold the fairness of the imperial examination system.

Justice is in the heart of the people.

Every effort Zhao Dexiu makes is something that every student from a poor family can directly feel.

"Prince Jin!"

As Zhou Wei looked at the contents of the new imperial examination policy, he recalled the true face he had seen outside the city that day.

Looking back now, Zhou Wei felt that it was the appearance of a true dragon.

As his gaze shifted, Zhou Wei saw the latter half of the notice.

"Regardless of background, anyone can take the exam."

"To celebrate the national war, a special imperial examination will be held."

When Zhou Wei saw these two policies, tears welled up in his eyes.

"Am I eligible to take the imperial examination?"

"I can participate in the imperial examination now!"

The first sentence reflects Zhou Wei's uncertainty.

The second sentence was shouted out by Zhou Wei, who was overjoyed.

At this moment, that one in a thousand chance has become one in a hundred.

When Zhou Wei exclaimed these words with joy, the students from poor families who arrived later were unaware of what was happening and mostly looked at him with puzzled eyes.

But then, one after another, students from poor families, like Zhou Wei, began to cheer.

"I can participate in the imperial examination now!"

A wave of emotions, including relief, joy, and surprise, began to emanate from the notice board.

Every student from a poor family, like Zhou Wei, wept with joy.

After the initial burst of joy, a series of urgent sounds began to ring out.

"Let's go, let's sign up!"

"Yes, there won't be any spots left if we wait any longer."

As soon as these urgent sounds were heard, many scholars from humble backgrounds hurriedly headed towards the examination hall.

For centuries, students from impoverished families have been disappointed; today is a day filled with hope for them!
(End of this chapter)