My family has been wielding knives for generations, but now it's my turn to wield a pen!

"Your Majesty, we are innocent!"

Upon hearing Jiang Xiaobai's words that he would execute them on the spot, Chen Zhanqiu and An Zhiyuan knelt down simultaneously with a thud, their faces pale with fright and their foreheads covered in cold sweat.

An Zhiyuan, in particular, was trembling in his voice: "Your Majesty, please understand! I...I was only threatened by Jiang Xiaobai and acted foolishly for a moment. I had absolutely no intention of causing trouble in the examinations!"

"His Majesty!"

Chen Zhanqiu hurriedly kowtowed, saying, "Jiang Xiaobai bought an official position and took the exam for someone else; all the witnesses are there! Now he's just trying to pin the blame on us when he's about to die!"

Xiao Jinxuan ignored the two of them and simply looked at Jiang Xiaobai: "Jiang Xiaobai, you said you put yourself in the game to fish out the bad apples of the imperial examination for me."

"Then I ask you, do you... have any proof?!"

Upon hearing this, the entire court fell silent, and all eyes turned to Jiang Xiaobai.

That's right, everyone can talk, but evidence is still needed.

Chen Zhanqiu, who was kneeling on the ground, felt a little more at ease.

Right, the evidence!

If no evidence can be provided, then it's just nonsense.

What evidence does Jiang Xiaobai have?

However, just as Chen Zhanqiu sneered, Jiang Xiaobai also put on a smile and said, "Your Majesty, the evidence... of course I have it."

The civil and military officials present were all surprised to hear this.

But the next moment, Jiang Xiaobai neither produced any letter nor summoned any witnesses. He simply cupped his hands and smiled, saying, "Although I am renowned,... that does not diminish my exceptional talent!"

"Even without someone else writing the pen, students can still become top scorers in the national college entrance examination."

At this point, Jiang Xiaobai paused, his eyes brightening: "If Your Majesty doesn't believe me... you can pose a question right now!"

Ok? !

In the imperial court, the civil and military officials were instantly in an uproar.

Questions presented on the spot?

Or should His Majesty set the questions himself?

This Jiang Xiaobai has quite the big mouth!

A glint of joy flashed in Chen Zhanqiu's eyes, and he immediately said, "Your Majesty, this matter concerns the fairness of the imperial examinations. If we are to conduct an examination, we absolutely cannot only test your knowledge of poetry and prose!"

"The top scholar should be well-versed in the classics, understand political principles, know the people's livelihood, and be familiar with national policies."

"Otherwise, even if he were to manage to compose a line or two of poetry, it wouldn't be enough to prove his talent as the top scholar!"

Judging from his demeanor, Jiang Xiaobai clearly came prepared.

If that's the case, then he'll make Jiang Xiaobai's preparations completely futile!

Moreover, if Jiang Xiaobai were to test him on the spot and he couldn't answer, that would be a crime of deceiving the emperor!

At that point, even Jiang Jingcheng won't be able to protect himself!

"Oh ho, Lord Chen has thought of everything."

Jiang Xiaobai glanced at him sideways and laughed, "What, are you afraid that the poem I prepared in advance will happen to be a perfect match?"

"this……"

When Jiang Xiaobai saw through his thoughts, Chen Zhanqiu's face immediately stiffened.

"Alright!"

Xiao Jinxuan raised his hand, looked at Jiang Xiaobai, and slowly said, "Since you want me to give you a question, then I will give you a chance."

"I will not test your knowledge of poetry or classical texts."

Xiao Jinxuan paused, then said, "I ask you, our Great Hua has been at war on the border for years, and the military expenditures are extremely heavy. The grain and provisions allocated by the court to the border each year account for nearly 30% of the national treasury expenditures."

"If military spending is cut, the border troops will become unstable; if it is continued to be increased, the national treasury will be strained."

Xiao Jinxuan's gaze swept over the assembled civil and military officials, his voice deepening: "If you were in charge of the court's finances, how would you alleviate the national treasury's needs without harming the border troops or increasing taxes?"

The moment the question was posed, the imperial court fell silent.

Yes, border military expenses, border troops' food and pay, and an empty national treasury—none of these issues can be discussed casually.

Giving a shallow answer makes one appear incompetent, while giving a deep answer... risks offending people.

Generally, only seasoned veterans can handle this kind of situation.

Jiang Xiaobai, a newly crowned champion... this time he's probably met with a setback!

Moreover, this title of top scholar was actually fabricated.

At this moment, Li Bingzhang turned his gaze back to Jiang Xiaobai, and of course, some officials from the Ministry of Revenue also focused their attention on Jiang Xiaobai.

They were clearly curious whether Jiang Xiaobai could explain it.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xiaobai smiled, but he did not answer immediately. Instead, he said, "Your Majesty, I am now... suspected of buying an official position and taking the exam for someone else."

"If I answer first, and answer well, others will say I am making excuses! If I answer poorly, others will say I have given myself away."

"How about this... we let the second and third place winners answer first, and then the students answer last."

At this point, he glanced at Guo Zhan and Zhong Yu and said, "In that case, let all the officials see whether my becoming the top scholar was worth the price."

"..."

Upon hearing this, many officials' lips twitched slightly.

Was it worth the purchase?

Jiang Xiaobai dared to say such things in the imperial palace; that's incredibly audacious!

Li Bingzhang remained smiling. He knew Jiang Xiaobai was audacious, so he wasn't surprised.

Tang Kui inwardly admired Jiang Xiaobai's quick thinking since he came in.

You know what, he really is cut out to be a civil servant!

Xiao Jinxuan also gave Jiang Xiaobai a deep look and nodded, saying, "Granted."

Guo Zhan and Zhong Yu were stunned, clearly not expecting that this would suddenly happen to them.

But since His Majesty asked personally, they naturally dared not be negligent.

"Return to your majesty!"

Guo Zhanxian stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "In my opinion, the priority for addressing the national treasury's difficulties should be to cut spending."

"The expenses of the various departments of the imperial court are enormous, and there are quite a few local prefectures and counties that falsely report their losses."

"If redundant expenses can be eliminated, deficits can be thoroughly investigated, non-essential expenditures can be reduced, and all regions can be required to resubmit their actual amounts of money and grain, the immediate crisis may be somewhat alleviated."

After these words were spoken, many officials nodded slightly.

This answer, while not particularly impressive, was nonetheless mature.

It must be said that Guo Zhan, as the runner-up, does have some talent.

"It's acceptable."

Xiao Jinxuan calmly replied, "But it's rather conventional!"

Guo Zhan's heart tightened, and he lowered his head and stepped aside.

At this moment, Zhong Yu, who was ranked third in the imperial examination, immediately stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I believe that the root cause of the empty treasury lies in the lack of fertile fields."

"Local powerful families have seized land, concealed their fields and households. The imperial court records show three thousand mu of land, but in reality, they may own ten thousand mu."

"If the common people pay taxes while the powerful evade them, how can the national treasury not become empty if this continues?"

At this point, Zhong Yu's voice gained a sharper edge: "Your Majesty, I request a thorough survey of all land in the realm, the re-establishment of the Yellow Registers, the investigation of hidden land, and the clarification of tax records!!"

Upon hearing this, many officials in the court changed their expressions slightly.

Land survey?

This... is going to shake up the very foundation of local powerful families!

That's ruthless!

"Oh?"

A hint of interest flashed in Xiao Jinxuan's eyes.

After pondering for a moment, Xiao Jinxuan quickly shook his head and said, "No, this strategy is sharp, but it also carries great risk."

"A land survey is a complex undertaking with far-reaching consequences. Local powerful families will inevitably retaliate. If handled carelessly, before the national treasury is full, popular uprisings may break out first!"

"this……"

The third-ranked scholar's face paled slightly, and he cupped his hands in apology, saying, "It was my ignorance that led me astray."

Xiao Jinxuan didn't say anything more, but instead turned his gaze back to Jiang Xiaobai: "Jiang Xiaobai, both of them have said it, now it's your turn."

In an instant, all the eyes of the court officials were focused on Jiang Xiaobai.

Guo Zhan seeks stability, while Zhong Yu seeks ruthlessness.

One is to cut costs, and the other is to clear the land.

Although each has its shortcomings, they are all quite insightful.

If Jiang Xiaobai cannot answer at the next level, his title of top scholar will become a complete joke.

However, this is something Jiang Xiaobai brought upon itself.

Jiang Xiaobai simply smiled and said, "Brother Bangyan seeks stability, while Brother Tanhua seeks ruthlessness. Both of you have a point."

"Unfortunately, one was too slow, and the other was too risky."

Upon hearing this, Guo Zhan and Zhong Yu's expressions changed simultaneously.

In the imperial court, many officials also frowned.

What a boastful tone!

Xiao Jinxuan narrowed his eyes slightly: "Then tell me, what does 'neither too slow nor too dangerous' mean?"

"The students thought..."

Jiang Xiaobai raised his head and looked directly at Xiao Jinxuan: "An empty national treasury does not necessarily mean there is no wealth in the world."

"Instead, wealth lies among the people, profits accrue to the powerful, silver is kept outside the accounts, and grain is transported on the road."

"What the court lacks is not to cut the common people, but to transform the money scattered throughout the country into money that can flow into the national treasury."

"Oh?"

Xiao Jinxuan paused slightly as he tapped his fingers on the armrest of the dragon throne.

Jiang Xiaobai's words are quite interesting!

"So, regarding this matter!"

Jiang Xiaobai continued, "Student, there are four strategies in total..."