Water Margin: The opening scene involves assassinating Emperor Huizong of Song and forcibly taking L

People over seventy years of age can also ride in horse-drawn carriages.

Firstly, it would give officials a respectable appearance.

Secondly, it also improves efficiency.

The palace also had some large carriages specially prepared.

It can accommodate twelve people at the same time.

There were already three people in the "waiting room," and they all stood up and bowed.

"Greetings, Mr. Zhong!"

Master Zhong quickly returned the greeting.

A female official immediately came to serve tea.

She was a female official, not a palace maid.

Although this is the imperial city,

But this does not refer to the Eastern Palace and the Imperial Harem.

It is an office area within the imperial city.

Adhering to the principle of avoiding eunuchs whenever possible.

The officials were all honest and upright people.

And there are both men and women.

They have special uniforms and name tags.

They can only move around in certain office areas.

Even cabinet and other institutions are not allowed to approach.

A charcoal fire was burning in the waiting room.

There are also snacks and hot tea.

It's quite comfortable in the dead of winter.

We've gathered about ten people.

There was no further waiting.

The officials rode together in a carriage to the Hall of State Affairs.

Today is not a grand court assembly.

It was a meeting of senior cabinet ministers.

Some vice ministers were also invited to attend.

After sitting down in the Hall of State Affairs,

After a short wait, another group of ministers entered.

Before long, even the Crown Prince arrived.

"The emperor has arrived!"

With several shouts coming closer,

All the ministers stood up in unison.

He bowed and greeted Zhao Yuan.

Zhao Yuan smiled and said, "Please sit down."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

The group sat down one after another.

Zhao Yuan said, "Let's talk about the Ministry of Revenue first."

Qian Chen stood up and said, "The maritime trade system is still under revision."

"It should be able to be issued after the start of spring."

"The unpaid taxes of Zhejiang, Jiangxi, and Fujian provinces,"

"An order has been issued to exempt all [them] this year,"

“Reliable officials must be arranged as soon as possible,”

"Accepting supervision from various locations in these areas."

"Especially gold, silver, and bronze ware,"

"We should change to minting new coins for the Ming Dynasty."

"Is the Ministry of Personnel facing any difficulties?" Zhao Yuan asked.

Li Hanzhang replied, "The third batch of officials has been selected."

"But it snowed today, and a heavy snowfall is expected soon,"

"I'm afraid I won't be able to take up my post until the spring."

Zhao Yuan said, "Have them set off immediately."

"We'll go as far as we can before the heavy snow closes the roads,"

"Strive to take over the work as soon as possible."

"Yes!"

Li Hanzhang accepted the order.

Zhao Yuan then asked, "I have heard that ministers in the Tang Dynasty could sit and attend court sessions regularly."

"Have you found the exact source?"

Meng Zhao replied, "I have searched through the Tang Dynasty history books, but there is no definite record of the Tang Dynasty's regular court ceremonies."

"But there are some clues between the lines,"

"Officials in the Tang Dynasty frequently attended court and paid homage,"

"Officials of the fifth rank and above are allowed to sit."

Zhao Yuan nodded and said, "Then let's restore the Tang system, with officials of the fifth rank and above."

“To be given a seat during court sessions.”

"Officials below the fifth rank shall still stand during court sessions."

"Your Majesty, Holy Might!"

The ministers in the Hall of State Affairs immediately shouted,

From now on, they can all attend court sitting down.

Zhao Yuan then asked, "Are you preparing for the Ministry of Rites' examinations this spring?"

Meng Zhao replied, "Preparations are already underway."

"The selection of examiners and invigilators must be decided by His Majesty himself."

Zhao Yuan said, "The affairs of state are currently very busy, and all the senior ministers in the cabinet have important matters to attend to."

"We only need to find a vice minister to be the chief examiner,"

"The chief supervisor is a censor from the Censorate."

"The remaining examiners and invigilators,"

"They were all selected from among the Hanlin scholars."

The Song Dynasty learned from the lessons of the Tang Dynasty's imperial examination system.

Officials from the Ministry of Rites could only act as organizers.

This involves preparing and arranging the examination venue and examination numbers.

Responsible for reviewing candidates' qualifications, etc.

The actual process of setting questions, invigilating, and grading papers,

The Ministry of Rites was not allowed to participate in this.

This rule was also adopted by the Ming and Qing dynasties.

Zhao Yuan then asked, "Have the Fan family uncles and nephews from Jiangxi not surrendered yet?"

Minister of War Zhao Yu was practically invisible.

He represented the Zhao Song imperial family.

They had little say in the new Ming Dynasty.

Crown Prince Zhao Yuan is more like the Minister of War.

Zhao Yu replied, "The Fan family, uncle and nephew, have already occupied the entire territory of Jianzhou."

"The report from a few days ago stated that they were also found on the border of Shaowu Army."

"The Fujian Provincial Governor repeatedly sent envoys to persuade them to surrender,"

"The Fan family uncle and nephew kept haggling over the price."

"He killed too many gentry and monks,"

"Perhaps there are still doubts,"

"They were afraid of being punished after being granted amnesty."

Chapter 1831 The Clock of the New Era

Wen Huanzhang suddenly said,

If the Fan family does not surrender, Zhang Shun can be ordered to send troops to attack them.

"This uncle and nephew indiscriminately killed innocent people,"

“The sins are truly grave,”

"If caught, they must be sentenced to death."

Even if they were willing to surrender,

"He cannot be entrusted with important tasks."

"Letting them serve as county lieutenants is already a great favor."

The ministers all agreed.

The Fan family uncles and nephews killed landlords and divided their land in Jianzhou.

His methods were far more radical than Zhao Yuan's.

It's almost as famous as the clock tower on Jinghu Road.

Zhao Yuan laughed and said, "Let Zhang Shun lead his troops to press the attack."

"If they are willing to be granted amnesty, then send them to the capital,"

"I've come to ask a few questions myself."

Wen Huanzhang hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.

In the end, he said nothing more.

Shi Qian also attended the meeting.

"This year, the Jin dynasty has seen a large-scale migration of Bohai and Xi people,"

"They were settled and cultivated in various prefectures of Youyun."

"I heard the wheat harvest was good,"

"The nation's strength has greatly increased!"

The Jurchens did not march south this year.