Even emperors have it tough, so don't be too picky about the entries.

Chen Shao ignored the Empress Dowager's eager expression and left Kunning Palace.

Eunuch Wei immediately came over.

"Your Majesty, I think I hear the Empress Dowager crying inside. Should this old servant go and see?"

"Forget it, the yin energy inside is too heavy, you can't stand it."

Eunuch Wei was only acting out of concern.

Follow Chen Shao's footsteps immediately.

"Your Majesty, all the young ladies-in-waiting have already entered the palace and settled in. Shall we go and see them?"

"The dresses and clothes you drew are all finished..."

Upon hearing this, Chen Shao stopped in his tracks.

"But whose daughter is missing?"

"This time, Prime Minister Han is really ruthless, ordering them to send their daughters to the palace."

"Every family in the Great Yan Dynasty that can be named has submitted a list."

"Your Majesty, since the Empress has not yet been chosen, they may well have their own ideas as well."

"That's good."

Chen Shao didn't care about the struggle for the empress's position.

It doesn't matter who is the empress.

For those families, being their own empress is not necessarily a good thing.

"Don't rush to watch. Let them all learn those dances first, like the Pure Land of Bliss and the Train Dance. Get them all practicing."

"Once you've mastered it, I'll go and make the selection."

The purpose of selecting imperial concubines was to detain the legitimate daughters of those families.

Chen Shao wasn't lacking in that one shot either.

It doesn't matter whether I see him or not, as long as he's in the palace.

Eunuch Wei's eyes lit up, and he gave a thumbs up.

"His Majesty is trying to suppress their arrogance. Brilliant, brilliant!"

"Letting them learn to dance not only makes them lose their dignity, but also familiarizes them with court etiquette. What's more, it's a test of obedience."

Damn... Chen Shao glanced at him. Don't eunuchs ever think about that kind of thing?

This is clearly selfish desire and personal fetish.

"Alright, alright, go ahead and get busy."

Chen Shao then ended this discussion about chickens.

Go to Luming Academy immediately to find Shen Qingci.

The reason it wasn't a summons was because I was feeling dizzy from being cooped up in the tunnel, and it was a good opportunity to get some fresh air and clear my head.

Chen Shao felt a little smug.

Many people may not understand why this imperial examination and the selection of imperial concubines were both so rushed.

It wasn't that he was impatient for quick success or wanted to enjoy the rights of a holy emperor.

Rather, these two aspects complement each other and work together!

With the big exam approaching, Luming Academy has become less noisy.

Most students are preparing for exams.

Hiding in classrooms and dormitories, they would hang themselves from beams and prick their thighs with awls.

Shen Qingci's residence is a small, independent building located at the deepest part of the academy.

During the Qing'an era, she had previously named it: Wuchenju (Dustless Abode).

It symbolizes finding tranquility amidst the hustle and bustle, and staying away from worldly troubles.

After gaining Chen Shao's favor, it was changed to:

Zhaodanju.

The house symbolizes unwavering loyalty and dedication, reflecting the aspirations of its inhabitants.

A bamboo grove grows in the courtyard, and a cool breeze carries the fragrance of bamboo.

Chen Shao entered the courtyard and pushed open Shen Qingci's door.

Step inside.

Meanwhile, Shen Qingci was lying there completely naked, making incense and comprehending the Dao.

Damn!

Chen Shao was startled, forgetting that he had the entry for "Jade Body Lying Down".

However... this Shen Qingci actually has dimples on her lower back.

This is one in a million.

Shen Qingci was initially startled when she heard footsteps, but when she turned around, she saw Chen Shao.

He finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Then she stood up, calmly picked up the clothes hanging next to her, and put them on one by one.

"Your Majesty, please remember to knock next time you come. Otherwise, it would be quite embarrassing to encounter this situation."

Chen Shao immediately said:

"I don't feel embarrassed at all; I'm only excited."

"shallow!"

"The matter is urgent; I just didn't know Mr. Shen had this hobby."

"Does His Majesty sleep in clothes? Isn't that perfectly normal?"

Shen Qingci scoffed and said disdainfully:

"Aren't all the concubines in the palace enough for you to see? You're just eyeing my few ounces of flesh?"

"..." Chen Shao was speechless.

"A man should conquer what he wants, not resort to such despicable means."

"If you can conquer me, Shen Qingci, you can make me wear a collar, crawl in front of you, and be at your beck and call. You can even pile me on top of someone else, it doesn't matter to you."

Chen Shao thought for a moment.

He nodded: "Then I'm somewhat looking forward to it."

Shen Qingci got dressed.

"Speak, what's the matter? Why did you come in such a rush?"

"Would we have stumbled upon this place without making a ruckus?" Chen Shao laughed.

"I came here for the imperial examinations."

"The imperial examination system?"

"What topic are you going to write this time? Policy essay."

Policy essays were the final and most challenging question in the imperial examinations.

The topics often represent the issues that the imperial court is most concerned about.

Those who set the questions often include sensitive and controversial topics to allow test takers to express their opinions and test the public opinion.

The policy proposals that are selected as the top scholar in the imperial examinations will likely directly determine the future policy direction of the court.

Its importance is self-evident.

Shen Qingci was also confident.

Even if Chen Shao hadn't come to her, she would still have reported this matter.

"Your Majesty is ambitious and determined. I intend to use the topic of the Northern Expedition to allow scholars from all over the land to discuss strategies for waging war against the Northern Barbarians."

"Firstly, it can test the attitude of the Shih-lin towards the Northern Expedition, and secondly, it can also discover some military talents in advance to prepare for the future."

It's similar to what Chen Shao guessed.

No, most scholars should be able to guess the question.

Upon ascending the throne, he immediately attacked the Northern Barbarians, conquered Weibo, and even went to Lulong alone, while sending his trusted confidant Wu Song to the north.

Furthermore, it was to inform Yu Qi'an about preparing for the Northern Expedition.

The Northern Expedition seemed to be what Chen Shao most desired.

Chen Shao shook his head slightly:

"The Northern Expedition is a must, but war is based on deception, so there's no need to let the students have their opinions on this matter."

"As the Minister of Revenue, I ask you, what is the greatest need of the Great Yan Dynasty right now?"

"Money, food."

She added in her mind, "Especially food."

Grain must be planted before it can be harvested.

There are wars and famines everywhere now, who would still want to farm?

Without food, there will be refugees; with many refugees, there will be Yellow Turban Rebellion and Black Turban Rebellion.

To everyone's surprise, Chen Shao shook his head again.

"No, it's the population."

"During times of war, many self-employed farmers go bankrupt and become refugees. In order to survive, they often seek refuge with powerful armed groups."

In exchange, they naturally became tenants and retainers.

"However... once they do this, they will disappear from the registered population of the country, no longer pay taxes to the court, and will not have to perform military service or corvée labor."

"Look how many armies I've managed to win over, traveling all over the country!"

Shen Qingci was an exceptionally intelligent person; she understood things immediately.

She immediately understood what Chen Shao meant.

Tax base depletion.

The source of soldiers is being lost.

Powerful clans were secretly competing with the imperial court for people.

They became the court's greatest enemy.

"Does Your Majesty mean to use this as the topic?"

"No, the problem is that the imperial court is short of money and grain."

Shen Qingci rolled her eyes beautifully.

How did we end up back here again?

"Only those who can see the root cause of this problem are the talents that the Great Yan needs."

Shen Qingci suddenly realized.

She paused for a moment, "Isn't this too difficult? After all..."

"It's difficult to create a significant gap," Chen Shao waved his hand.

"By the way, find a way to let Huang Chao know the exam questions in advance, so it will be easier for you to cheat."