met free Page 1445
Page 1445
"You must have already worked on these scholars, right?"
Zhao Mingcheng nodded and said, "I studied at the Imperial Academy when I was young."
"There are many close friends in the Imperial Academy,"
"However, the student who led the boycott of the exam this time was Chen Dong,"
"This person comes from a distinguished family; his ancestors for generations were prominent scholars."
Chapter 1744 Forbidden to Participate in the Imperial Examination
"Born with a strong and unyielding nature, he was in power under Cai Jing and Wang Fu,"
“He dared to criticize. I asked people to persuade him many times,”
"This person is unwilling to participate in the imperial examinations,"
"Unless our dynasty destroys the monument to the treacherous officials,"
"Issue another decree to clear Li Gang's name."
Zhao Yuan laughed and said, "Does he mean to make the Emperor issue an order to admit his mistake?"
Zhao Mingcheng saw that Zhao Yuan was smiling as he spoke.
But I always felt there was a hint of murderous intent in Zhao Yuan's tone.
He hurriedly nodded and said, "This person is stubborn, and there's nothing I can do about it."
Zhao Yuan laughed and said, "It's alright, there are still many scholars willing to participate in the imperial examinations."
"After this session, there will be more scholars participating in the future."
"The next one?"
Zhao Yuan sneered, "I will make sure that they will never be able to participate in the imperial examinations for generations to come."
"Issue an imperial decree that Chen Dong and his descendants shall never participate in the imperial examinations of our Great Liang, nor be allowed to enroll in schools,"
"It is also strictly forbidden for others to teach their descendants this knowledge,"
"Anyone who disobeys the imperial decree will be executed."
"I'd like to see how long his prestigious family name can last."
Upon hearing Zhao Yuan issue such a cold-blooded order, everyone...
It was also chilling.
One could become a scholar even without participating in the imperial examinations.
However, if their descendants are not allowed to attend school, the family will disappear from the academic community.
Chen Dong can directly teach his descendants.
However, it is rare for a student to surpass their teacher.
More often than not, each generation is worse than the last.
Therefore, the most likely outcome for the Chen family is that its descendants will become fewer and fewer.
He might end up as an illiterate farmer.
Zhang Shuye frowned and said, "Your Majesty, isn't this a bit too harsh?"
Zhao Yuan turned to Wu Song beside him and asked, "What do you think of my actions, Second Brother?"
Wu Song replied without hesitation, "The King is kind and generous to his people, as all the soldiers of Liangshan have witnessed."
Zhao Yuan nodded and said, "My approach is a balance of leniency and severity."
"Be kind to your brothers, but be harsh to your enemies."
"The sins should not be borne by future generations,"
"But Chen Dong actually dared to threaten the Emperor, which is an unforgivable crime."
"I want the whole world to know that no one can threaten the Emperor."
"With this imperial edict issued, I believe there won't be many scholars left who dare to resist our imperial examinations."
Zhang Shuye sneered, "If you do this, even if they get into the examination hall..."
"They just go through the motions and don't really put their hearts into the exam."
Zhao Yuan laughed and said, "A person who excels in scholarship is not necessarily destined to become an official."
"I think people who are pragmatic are more likely to achieve success."
"As long as they participate in the imperial examination, I can't control whether they secretly comply or not."
"If they weren't afraid of losing face, they could take the imperial examinations their whole lives, failing every time."
Zhang Shuye said with dissatisfaction, "A prime minister's belly can hold a boat; an emperor should be even more tolerant."
"Even if a subject occasionally makes a mistake, the emperor must be able to forgive him."
"Only in this way will ministers dare to speak frankly and offer honest advice."
"By doing this, you'll only make everyone fawn over you."
Zhao Yuan laughed and said, "I'm afraid you still think of me as a tyrant, don't you?"
"If Chen Dong hadn't encouraged the scholars, probably not many people would have refrained from taking the imperial examinations."
"Chen Dong has done such a heinous thing, and you expect me to tolerate him?"
"You scholars were spoiled by the Song Dynasty."
"But there is no such law in our Great Liang,"
“Cai Jing, Wang Fu, and Cai You were all scholars. According to the law, anyone who should be executed should be executed, regardless of who they are.”
Wu Song and Wang Jin heard that the privileges of scholars had been abolished.
He immediately praised, "Your Majesty is wise."
Although Zhang Shuye felt it was somewhat disadvantageous for scholars...
But he couldn't very well object.
Although governing the country requires the help of scholar-officials
However, Zhao Yuan and his son, who came from humble backgrounds,
They clearly trusted martial artists more.
If he voices his opposition,
Who knows what ruthless tricks Zhao Yuan might pull?
The group talked for a while in the Hall of State Affairs.
The sky darkened, and the light inside the room dimmed.
Zhao Yuan watched as his personal eunuch, Li De, came in to light the lamps, and smiled.
"No need to bother, everyone's had a long day."
"Go back and rest. We'll deal with the rest tomorrow."
Xu Guanzhong and the others then got up and took their leave.
Zhao Yuan watched as Wang Jin and Wu Song walked out together.
Suddenly he said, "Instructor Wang, please wait."
Wang Jin stopped and asked, "What are your orders, Your Majesty?"
Zhao Yuan laughed and said, "Your old house probably belongs to whoever it is by now."
"I'll give you another house."
Zhang Shuye had only taken a few steps
Hearing Zhao Yuan's concern for his subordinates,
He seemed quite respectful and courteous to scholars, which surprised me.
Upon hearing this, Wang Jin hurriedly said,
"I will not accept rewards without merit. I will simply buy a house myself."
Zhao Yuan laughed and said, "It's alright. We've acquired quite a few houses from those corrupt officials and members of the Zhao family clan these past few days."
"Besides those given as rewards to everyone, some are still empty,"
"Let Li De take you to choose one."
Chapter 1745 Eunuchs and Palace Maids
Wang Jin saw that the Emperor had already issued the decree.
He dared not refuse again and said respectfully,
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for the reward."
……
Zhao Yuan arrived at the inner palace,
Then the entire harem appeared dark and gloomy.
Only the Funing Hall at the front had lights on.
Zhao Yuan asked curiously, "Where are the eunuchs and palace maids?"
The eunuch beside her replied, "Lady Li said that the harem is only short of people; there's no need for so many servants."
"So they left behind several dozen people,"
"Give the rest some silver and send them home,"
"They are all pitiful people too."
"Hmm, not bad,"
Zhao Yuan nodded.
They had already entered the Funing Palace while they were talking.
Li Shishi, Hu Sanniang, and Qiongying are also here.
Upon seeing Zhao Yuan, they all hurried forward to greet him.
"When did you return, sir?"
Zhao Yuan smiled and said, "I just got back."
Li Shishi asked a few more questions.
The eunuchs had already brought out dinner.
"My lord, please have dinner with me."
"Um,"
Zhao Yuan nodded and sat down.
"Emperor Huizong of Zhao was a foolish ruler who couldn't govern the country well."
“They are quite adept at building palaces and gardens.”
"Yanfu Palace was indeed built with mountains and lakes,"
"They also raise many rare and exotic animals, making it much more vibrant than this palace."
Li Shishi smiled and said, "Yanfu Palace was originally a place for the emperor to enjoy himself."
"Later, it was expanded considerably by Emperor Huizong (Zhao Ji). The scenery is naturally superb,"
"Oh, and there's also Genyue. Although it's not finished yet, it's almost done."
"The scenery there is also excellent; you sisters can visit it more often."