Rise of a Lonely City: From Exiled Prince to Ruler of the Nine Provinces

Spring of the fourth year of Xuanji.

While the construction of Chang'an was still in the process of laying the foundation, and the land survey controversy caused by the Equal Fields Edict was still brewing in the local areas, another edict, which was equally powerful enough to shake the foundation of the empire and even more profoundly affect the pattern of the next few hundred years, was issued from the capital and proclaimed to the world: "Edict to Reopen the Imperial Examination System".

Since the end of the Yongchu era of the previous dynasty, the world has been in turmoil, with frequent wars, local warlords carving up the land, and the court's discipline has been neglected. The imperial examination system, which had been suspended for decades, was like the Dragon Gate buried in dust, rusted and almost forgotten.

Powerful clans and local magnates firmly controlled the ladder of officialdom through old systems such as the "Nine-Rank System" and the "Recommendation and Appointment System." Even if a son from a poor family had extraordinary talent, he would have little chance of advancement without the recommendation of a high-ranking family or the protection of his family background.

At the beginning of the founding of the Great Xia Dynasty, Xiao Chen promoted talents in an unconventional manner, including military merit, official talent, old officials, and surrendered generals, which stabilized the court. However, that was ultimately a method of employing people in a chaotic world, not a long-term strategy for stability.

Now that the country has been initially stabilized and everything needs to be rebuilt, the court urgently needs a large number of capable individuals who are well-versed in the classics, knowledgeable in the law, skilled in administration, and adept at financial management to fill the vast bureaucratic system from the central government to the local level, implement new policies, and govern the country.

The old system of selecting officials was clearly no longer able to meet the needs of a brand-new empire, and it also contradicted Xiao Chen's ambition to weaken powerful clans, centralize power, and appoint officials based solely on merit.

The imperial council was convened once again in a side hall of the Zichen Hall. The debate remained intense.

"Your Majesty, the imperial examination system for selecting officials is an old system from the Sui and Tang dynasties. While it has the effect of attracting many talented people, its drawbacks are also profound!"

An old minister from the Cui family of Qinghe, known for his erudition and literary talent, held an ivory tablet and spoke in a loud voice: "The imperial examination selects officials based on their writings, emphasizing poetry and prose while neglecting practical learning. Those selected are often skilled in rhetoric but lacking in administrative ability."

Moreover, the examination process is complicated and prone to cheating, resulting in a mixed bag of candidates, which is probably not a good thing for the country.

It would be better to continue using the system of recommendation and recruitment, whereby local officials and high-ranking ministers would recommend virtuous, upright, filial, and capable officials who are well-versed in the classics. In this way, we can ensure that the recommended individuals are both virtuous and talented, and we can also maintain the bond between the local government and the central government, and between the aristocratic families and the court. This is the foundation for the stability of the nation.

Behind him, many officials from prominent families nodded slightly.

The newly appointed Minister of Rites, an official known for his integrity and pragmatism, immediately retorted: "Lord Cui is mistaken! The practice of selecting and appointing officials through recommendation and appointment is even more problematic!"

The saying goes, "Those recommended as scholars are illiterate; those recommended as filial and incorruptible have fathers who live separately. The poor and honest are as muddy as dirt, while the high-ranking officials and virtuous generals are as timid as chickens!"

This system, which has been in place for hundreds of years, has become a tool for powerful clans to monopolize official positions and form cliques for personal gain!

Those recommended are either relatives or friends, students or former officials. How can talented people from poor families possibly get promoted? If this continues, officials will all come from high-ranking families, forming a tangled web of connections. They will deceive the emperor and oppress the common people, which will be a major cause of the collapse of the previous dynasty!

Although the imperial examination system had its flaws, its open examinations and merit-based selection at least provided a relatively fair path for advancement for scholars from humble backgrounds, ensuring that no talented individuals were overlooked in the countryside and that the court had many capable officials.

"Openness? Fairness?"

Another official from a powerful clan sneered, "Within the examination hall, connections run rampant; during the grading process, factionalism deepens even further! Moreover, most of the nation's talented individuals come from scholarly families; how many from humble backgrounds are truly well-versed in the classics? Even if the examinations were held, those who passed would likely still be mostly of our caliber, requiring only a bit more effort. Besides, with the sudden opening of the examinations, scholars from all over the country would gather. What if someone took the opportunity to incite unrest, discuss politics, and create trouble?"

"Precisely because it is difficult for poor families to receive education, the imperial court should vigorously promote official schools to benefit prefectures and counties, so as to popularize education. How can we throw the baby out with the bathwater and permanently close the path for poor families to advance?" The officials who supported the imperial examination system retorted sharply.

"Official schools? Where will the money come from? Where will the teachers come from? It's easier said than done!"

"..."

The debate, ostensibly about the merits and demerits of the official selection system, actually points to a redistribution of power—whether to maintain the political dominance of aristocratic families or to break the monopoly and open the door to a wider range of intellectuals from the lower and middle classes.

Xiao Chen sat high on his throne, calmly listening to the heated debate between the two sides.

He needs these debates, as they allow him to see more clearly the bottom lines and demands of all parties involved.

But he had already made up his mind.

That's enough.

Xiao Chen's voice was not loud, but it carried an undeniable authority, and the hall immediately fell silent.

"What you all have said is reasonable. The problem with the recommendation system lies in favoritism; the problem with the imperial examination system lies in its potential for abuse and bias. However, we should choose the lesser of two evils."

Xiao Chen's gaze swept over the assembled officials, lingering particularly on the faces of those from powerful clans.

"My founding of this nation was not for the selfish interests of any one family or clan, nor to protect the interests of any particular family or clan. What I desire is to bring all the talented people of the world under my control!"

There are no worthy men left undiscovered in the countryside, nor are there any lucky men promoted to the court! They are capable individuals who can wholeheartedly serve and assist me in governing the country and ensuring its stability! The system of recommendation and selection is bound by family background and obscured by personal feelings; how can it possibly find true talent?

Even though the imperial examination system has its flaws, its openness, competition, and selection of officials based on their literary skills at least opened a door and lit a lamp for the poor scholars of the land! Even if there is cheating, I can establish laws to severely punish it!

Even if there are biases, I can adjust the subjects! How can I abandon them forever just because they have flaws, causing the nation's talents to be relegated to low-ranking positions, and filling the court with only the wealthy and powerful?

He stood up, walked to the imperial steps, and said with increasing determination: "The previous dynasty perished because of the blockage of power at all levels, the obstruction of the path for the virtuous, the annexation of territory by powerful clans, and the suffering of the people. If I continue with the old system, I will only repeat the same mistakes. The newness of the Great Xia lies in its system, in its atmosphere, and in the fact that everyone can make a difference! The imperial examination is the beginning of this new atmosphere!"

"Your Majesty is wise!"

Han Yu bowed first. Although he came from a decent background, he knew that consolidating imperial power and weakening powerful clans were necessary measures, and that the imperial examination could indeed select talents more broadly to serve the implementation of new policies.

Pragmatic officials like Shen Du echoed this sentiment.

Those officials from powerful clans, seeing that the emperor was resolute and that reason and righteousness were on his side, and that the new dynasty was newly established, the emperor's authority was at its peak, and the military merit group was giving him strong support, and that the equal-field decree had already shown the emperor's determination to reform the land system and suppress powerful clans, would not be wise to forcibly oppose it at this time.

They had no choice but to suppress their dissatisfaction and worries, and bowed their heads, saying, "Your Majesty is farsighted, while we are foolish and dull."

"Since there are no objections," Xiao Chen sat back on the dragon throne, his tone becoming more specific, "I hereby order the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Personnel to convene with the Hanlin Academy to discuss the regulations for the imperial examinations in detail. I have a few points that you must keep in mind:

"First, the subject setup. Abolish the previous dynasty's overemphasis on poetry and prose. Establish four subjects: Mingjing (proficient in Confucian classics), Jinshi (emphasizing both poetry and policy essays, but with policy essays as the main focus, requiring attention to current affairs), Mingfa (proficient in laws and regulations), and Mingsuan (proficient in arithmetic, especially in land, taxation, and engineering calculations)."

Among them, the Jinshi degree was the most important of the regular examinations and was highly valued. Those skilled in law and mathematics were practical talents urgently needed for governing the country and should be placed on the same right path as those skilled in classics and the Jinshi degree, and should not be underestimated.

In addition, special examinations will be held irregularly, with the Emperor personally conducting the tests to select exceptional talents.

"Second, the examination levels. It is divided into three levels: the provincial examination, the metropolitan examination, and the palace examination."

Scholars had to take the provincial examination in their native prefecture or county first. Those who passed became Juren (举人), and could then participate in the provincial examination in the capital city the following year, which was administered by the Ministry of Rites. Those who passed became Gongshi (贡士).

Finally, the candidates were personally examined by the Emperor in front of the palace, which was called the Palace Examination, to determine the final rankings (first-class Jinshi, second-class Jinshi, and third-class Tongjinshi).

After the palace examination, officials were immediately appointed. The best candidates entered the Hanlin Academy or the Censorate, or were appointed as local county magistrates, while the next best were appointed as assistant county officials.

"Third, candidate qualifications."

In principle, any registered citizen of the Great Xia Dynasty with a clean background and not descended from entertainers or servants is eligible to apply.

Some of the restrictions imposed by the previous dynasty on merchants and other miscellaneous households were lifted.

However, a guarantor from a local government-run school or a private school or academy recognized by the government is required to certify their character and academic performance.

Impersonation and taking exams on behalf of others are strictly prohibited; violators will be severely punished.

Fourth, exam content and cheating prevention.

The examination questions were drafted in secrecy by the Ministry of Rites, and the palace examination was personally determined by the Emperor.

The exam papers were anonymized and copied to prevent examiners from showing favoritism based on handwriting or place of origin.

The examination room was strictly disciplined, and searches were thorough.

The examiners avoided contact with relatives and friends.

Anyone found cheating will be banned from taking the exam for life, and the examiners and guarantors will also be implicated; those with serious offenses will be exiled.

I will dispatch imperial censors and the Embroidered Uniform Guard to investigate both openly and covertly.

Fifth, its connection with schools.

The imperial examination system required schools to cultivate talent as a foundation.

The imperial court ordered the restoration or construction of official schools in various prefectures and counties, providing them with financial and teacher support.

Private schools and academies were encouraged to be established. Outstanding students from official schools and academies could be recommended by local officials to participate directly in the provincial examinations.

This made the imperial examination system and schools complement each other.

"Sixth, the first course was held."

The first provincial examination will be held next year, in the autumn of the fifth year of Xuanji.

In the spring of the sixth year of Xuanji, the provincial examination and the palace examination were held in Shenjing.

Give all scholars in the world a year to prepare.

The imperial edict must be publicly issued throughout the land, so that even remote areas can know about it.

"This is the grand ceremony for selecting talents for the nation, which concerns the rise and fall of the country and the flourishing of its talents. The Ministries of Rites and Personnel should do their utmost to formulate detailed regulations, ensuring fairness, rigor, and feasibility. Chancellor Han will oversee its completion."

"Your Majesty, we have received your decree and will do our utmost to live up to your trust!" The Minister of Rites, the Minister of Personnel, and others bowed and accepted the order.

In the spring of the fourth year of Xuanji, the edict to resume the imperial examination system was officially promulgated throughout the land.

The news spread like wildfire, traversing mountains and rivers to reach every corner of the empire.

"The imperial examination system has been reopened!"

"We don't care about social status, only talent and learning!"

"Even children from poor families can rise above their circumstances and achieve great things!"

From thatched cottages in Guanzhong to water towns in Jiangnan, from bamboo houses in Sichuan to humble alleys in the Central Plains, countless poor young men who had given up hope of a career in government or could only rely on powerful families as advisors or clerks have had their eyes rekindled with a burning passion.

They unearthed dusty scriptures, lit dim oil lamps, and either studied diligently alone or formed small groups to discuss the meaning of the scriptures and study strategies.

Some families with better financial means sold their property and traveled to prefectures and counties to seek out renowned teachers and enroll in official schools and academies.

The long-dormant private schools and academies suddenly became bustling with activity.

The prices of paper, pens, ink, and books have quietly risen.

Official schools and academies across the country began to bustle with activity, preparing for enrollment and inviting teachers.

Local officials also knew that this matter was a major event of the imperial court and was crucial to the examination, so they dared not be negligent and urged the education officials to repair the school buildings and prepare for the state examination.

After their initial shock and dissatisfaction, the powerful and aristocratic families quickly took action.

They have better educational resources, a richer collection of books, more profound family learning, and a wider network of connections.

They may be unhappy that the imperial examination system broke the monopoly, but they would never sit idly by and watch the opportunity slip away.

The family's children were subjected to even stricter academic supervision, with renowned teachers hired at great expense to study new examination directions, especially the "policy essays" and "current affairs" emphasized by the emperor.

They believed that even with genuine talent and learning, the advantages of family members remained enormous.

The capital city, and the future Chang'an, instantly became the focus of attention for scholars across the land.

Teahouses and taverns were filled with scholars speaking in various regional accents, engaging in lively discussions.

Current affairs articles, policy essays, and interpretations of classics have become the most popular topics.

An unprecedented vitality and restlessness surged within the empire's cultural heritage.

Deep within the palace, Xiao Chen read the reports from various regions about scholars eagerly pursuing their studies, a faint, almost imperceptible smile appearing on his lips.

He knew that the reopening of the imperial examinations was like throwing a boulder into a calm lake; the ripples would profoundly affect the future of the empire.

It is not merely a system for selecting officials, but also a guide, a signal that will reshape societal values, break down rigid social classes, and bring countless talented individuals eager to change their fate into the orbit of the empire.

The gate to the dragon has been opened; we await the leaping fish.

A war without gunpowder—a competition of knowledge and a contest of talent—will unfold in the future examination arena.

The outcome of this competition will determine who will dominate the central and local areas of this nascent empire for decades, or even centuries to come.

The foundation of the empire's civil administration was quietly being laid with this imperial edict.