Chapter 272 Denying Li Linfu, a debate in the court

"Examiners can judge whether a candidate can advance to become a scholar based on his reputation. If the candidates are anonymous, it is difficult to judge their character."

Li Longji listened carefully to the suggestion of hiding the names in the imperial examinations, and he immediately understood what Li Xuan meant.

Although I think this makes sense, I also have some concerns.

Because Wu Zetian had previously established a system of anonymous examinations for the imperial examinations, but it was later abolished.

Even during the reign of Wu Zetian, it was only used occasionally.

"Character can be created. As the saying goes, you can know a person's face but not his heart. Who would deny the corrupt officials in the world when they take the exam? If the names are covered up, the imperial examination will be improved. This is the general trend."

Li Xuan solemnly persuaded Li Longji.

"Qi Lang is right! Whether an official is loyal to the country is not determined by his resume and reputation, but by how he treats the people after he becomes an official. The imperial examination system allows commoners like Zhang Jiuling to stand out and serve the country."

Li Longji nodded.

Wu Jing once said that the key to governing a country lies in fairness and integrity.

Every time Li Xuan said "holy king", Li Longji felt ecstatic, just like Li Linfu said "there are no virtuous people left in the wild".

Now that he has realized his mistake, he wants to restore his reputation.

Anyway, Li Linfu's reputation was not very good, so he had to take the blame.

"The saint is wise! I heard that the saint is planning woodblock printing and movable type printing. As long as woodblock printing and movable type printing are established in counties, the literary style of our Tang Dynasty will flourish and the national strength will soar."

Li Xuan knew that he couldn't be happy too soon as he still had to pass a hurdle in the court.

This is more or less related to the interests of the gentry throughout the world.

During the Wei and Jin dynasties, the reason why the northern gentry were able to monopolize the court was because they possessed knowledge.

If common people want to acquire knowledge, they can only join the aristocratic families and be appreciated by them. Then they will become the spokesmen of the aristocratic families and sing their praises.

It also caused more poor literati to be buried in the dust of history, with no way to go to heaven or door to enter the earth.

The main reason for breaking up this aristocratic family system was the improvement of papermaking technology, followed by the imperial examination system.

The Tang Dynasty had been suppressing the gentry since Li Shimin.

The nobles were not as powerful as imagined.

Because Li Longji would no longer allow the children of gentry to become border generals or even military envoys, there were almost no gentry left.

Poor Han generals and Hu generals were Li Longji's priority selection criteria.

Unless another royal family general like Li Xuan appears.

Therefore, as long as they act tough, the gentry will be helpless against the fact that their names are not covered in the imperial examinations.

The promotion of papermaking and woodblock printing would also eliminate the influence of the gentry without any notice, just like boiling a frog in warm water.

"Although movable type has appeared, I suddenly discovered that woodblock printing has infinite uses for classics. Why didn't I discover the benefits of woodblock printing before?"

When talking about woodblock printing, Li Longji was filled with emotion.

In the past four or five years, he appointed Gao Lishi as the printer and trained woodblock printmakers.

I thought movable type printing was the most meaningful, but woodblock printing was too efficient.

Especially the dozens of books that are frequently read, if they can be printed in tens of thousands and distributed to counties, more poor children will be able to read.

He heard that the prices of famous classics such as "Tao Te Ching", "Records of the Grand Historian", "Book of Han", "Book of Songs", "Book of History" and "Diamond Sutra" are three times lower than they were three years ago.

As more woodblock printmakers are trained, the prices of major books will fall even lower.

Movable type printing made it possible to print some relatively unpopular books.

It would be uneconomical to carve a large number of woodblocks for those unpopular books.

After all, it takes craftsmen at least several months to complete the carving of a book.

In addition, there are imperial edicts issued to counties and villages, which can be quickly conveyed to the villages through movable type printing.

“A fine jade before it is cut is like a tile or stone; a famous horse before it is run is like an inferior horse. The kings of all ages have not had the wisdom of a saint.”

Li Xuan said to Li Longji, implying that it was Li Longji's wisdom that enabled him to seize such an opportunity.

"Qi Lang is right. No emperor in ancient or modern times has the civil and military skills of San Lang."

Yang Yuhuan assisted Li Xuan from the side.

When she spoke, her eyes were on Li Xuan. She dared to be so bold because Li Xuan didn't dare to look up at her.

"Hahaha...Qi Lang will bring up this matter in the court tomorrow."

Li Longji stroked his beard and smiled. His most beloved concubine and the most trusted ministers were all praising him. How could he not be satisfied?

"I think we can continue to prevent favoritism and fraud in the examination hall and set an example for future generations."

Li Xuan decided to do it to the end to make the imperial examination more perfect.

"Qilang, please speak!" Li Longji asked Li Xuan to speak directly.

"The transcription system is a sound confidentiality system that can further prevent favoritism and corruption..."

Li Xuan told Li Longji about the transcription process.

The anonymous examination system has appeared before in the imperial examinations and is not surprising.

However, the transcription system originated from the later Song Dynasty and was a very long-lasting system.

The transcription system and the name-masking system complement each other. If the names are only covered without transcription, there is still a lot of room for cheating.

Because some examiners can easily confirm a candidate's identity through his or her handwriting.

In this era, handwriting is like a person's appearance, each one is different.

The transcription system is to set up transcription officials. After the candidates finish the imperial examination, the transcription officials will rewrite the candidate's test paper, cover the candidate's name, and give the transcript to the examiner for review. This is to prevent the examiner from identifying the candidate by recognizing handwriting, marks or code words, thereby ensuring the fairness of the examination.

During the implementation process, we must act strictly to ensure its effectiveness.

The scribes were not allowed to bring ink pens, and the number of papers and ink colors used for transcription had to be consistent, and they had to use cinnabar red pens to transcribe the test papers. If any scribe violated the rules, he would be severely punished if found out.

The implementation of the transcription system not only prevents cheating technically, but also ensures the fairness of the examination system. By transcribing the excerpts, examiners cannot identify candidates through handwriting, markings, or code words, thus reducing the possibility of cheating.

In this way, the gentry would not say that the anonymous system was aimed at them, but rather at all candidates with bad intentions.

As long as you have confidence and ability, you can go to the examination room to prove yourself.

Let the scholars give up the idea of ​​taking shortcuts and focus on the exam. Use the results to prove themselves.

"Great, great! Let's talk about it together at the court tomorrow. This way, the civil and military ministers will not disagree."

Li Longji clapped his hands and praised.

Just as Madam Yuhuan said, Li Xuan was truly an advisor sent from heaven to help him become a sage monarch.

"According to the order!"

Li Xuan bowed and accepted the order.

After this matter was told, Li Xuan discussed some non-political matters with Li Longji, and then said goodbye to Li Longji and Yang Yuhuan.

The snow has not melted completely yet, so Li Longji just asked Li Xuan to go hunting at the foot of Mount Li after the snow melted.

Of course Li Xuan agreed.

Before Yan Zhenqing, Cen Shen and others took up their posts, Li Xuan was unable to carry out many things.

The next day, there will be a court meeting.

This time, the court meeting was held in the right court hall.

The three prime ministers took turns reporting the affairs of the Secretariat to Li Longji.

When it was Li Linfu's turn, Li Linfu said to Li Longji, "Your Majesty, the magistrate of Sanyuan, Jingzhao, reported to the Secretariat a few days ago that the people in various counties were in an uproar because of the new law. Now the powerful families are unwilling to leave the government. I hope Your Majesty can revoke the order!"

After saying this, Li Linfu took out a document and had Gao Lishi present it to Li Longji.

This was not said by Li Linfu, but by the local Sanyuan magistrate.

He was just delivering the paperwork.

Because Li Linfu knew that soon there would be more people like Sanyuan Ling who would submit memorials throughout the world.

Even worse things could happen.

As soon as Li Linfu finished speaking, the ministers looked around and realized that such a thing had happened in just ten days.

"Li Xiang is the ambassador of Changping's new law. What do you think of this matter?"

Li Longji turned his gaze to Li Xuan and asked in a deep voice.

"The new Changping Law was decided by your majesty, the prime minister, and all the civil and military officials. It represents the most suitable policy for implementation and cannot be changed. Some local small clans still want to influence the big policy, which is simply like an ant trying to shake a tree and overestimating their own capabilities." "The Sanyuan magistrate has no opinion of his own and actually reported to the court because of such a small matter. Is he condoning the local big clans to abuse their power? How can the local parents be held hostage by the local small clans? I suggest that the Sanyuan magistrate be dismissed to warn the county magistrates all over the world."

Li Xuan came out of the class and bowed to Li Longji.

The new laws must be strong.

Difficulties are like springs. When you are weak, they are strong. When you are strong, they are weak.

Li Xuan didn't believe that the prefect and county magistrate could not deal with the local powerful families.

If he compromised, he believed that local officials would pass on memorials like snowflakes.

The most direct method is to let local officials strengthen their confidence and resist the pressure from the powerful families. When necessary, send out county soldiers to suppress the rebellion.

"Just do as Prime Minister Li says!"

Li Longji agreed with Li Xuan's words to prevent more county magistrates from following the trend.

"Your Majesty, I think the Sanyuan magistrate has done nothing wrong. If you dismiss him for such a trivial matter, the officials of the world will not be convinced."

The Minister of Rites, Da Xixun, stepped out of the ranks, bowed to Li Longji, and asked him to revoke his decision.

"This is a summer insect's suspicion of ice. The news of the new Changping Law has spread to the entire Jingzhao, and the county magistrates have not submitted a petition, only he has submitted a petition to the court. If this is not incompetence, what is it? Since ancient times, the court has dismissed officials who were not good at managing disasters. In the implementation of the new law, local officials must be as rigorous as they would be in the face of natural disasters. Officials with weak wills are defying the will of Your Majesty, so why can't they be dismissed?"

When Li Longji looked over, Li Xuan immediately started to criticize Da Xixun.

Da Xixun was speechless for a moment, dared not speak, and bowed and retreated.

The ministers were all shocked. As such, local officials must suppress the powerful families.

Whether it is appeasement or deterrence, the local officials must not be allowed to act recklessly and the new Changping Law must be implemented smoothly.

The new Changping Law did not threaten the lives of the powerful families.

We can only sacrifice the interests of the powerful families.

From a justice perspective, curbing land annexation is in the best interests of the country and the people, and the powerful families are motivated by selfish motives.

"Your Majesty, I have a memorial to tell you..."

After finishing his daily affairs, Li Xuan bowed to Li Longji again.

"Prime Minister Li, please speak!"

Li Longji knew what Li Xuan was talking about.

"The imperial examination has been in existence for more than a hundred years... However, I feel that there are still many loopholes in the imperial examination, and there are cases of favoritism and fraud. The Lüshi Chunqiu says: Fairness comes from fairness, and fairness comes from morality. We should fill in the loopholes and make the scholars in the world who participate in the imperial examination convinced..."

"Therefore, I propose two strategies: the anonymous examination system and the transcription system. The anonymous examination system is for..."

Li Xuan formally proposed strategies to improve the imperial examination system to Li Longji and all civil and military officials.

As soon as these words came out, a stone stirred up a thousand waves.

Because all the civil and military officials thought of the "no talented people left in the wild" incident which had just happened.

The system of covering names in the imperial examinations and the system of copying and recording were clearly aimed at Li Linfu.

This was to expose Li Linfu's ugliness to the public and humiliate him by pressing him to the ground.

Of course, there were also officials from aristocratic families who felt uncomfortable because they benefited from the fact that the imperial examinations were conducted without concealing the names of the candidates.

Everyone's name is revealed, and the nobles always have more opportunities than the poor.

It’s about the same level. A surname determines one’s destiny.

However, the ministers had no time to think deeply, and everyone's eyes turned to Li Linfu.

At this time, Li Linfu was so angry that he was fuming. His chest heaved violently and he almost vomited blood.

It's bad enough that the little thief is usually arrogant in the Secretariat, but now he actually humiliated him in public in the court.

He looked at Li Longji with pitiful eyes. After all, Li Longji agreed that "there are no talented people left in the wild" and he was very happy at that time.

"I have heard that in the current imperial examinations, many candidates and examiners seem to have a myriad of connections, and bribery in the name of submitting papers has been rampant. I think this method of covering up the names and transcribing the papers may be worth a try, so as to find truly talented and good people to serve our Tang Dynasty. If this method can prevent talented people from being buried and select people fairly and impartially, it will be a blessing for our dynasty."

Li Longji deliberately avoided Li Linfu's gaze. After telling Li Linfu what he thought, he asked the ministers, "What do you think?"

After the sage said this, the civil and military officials immediately understood.

It turned out that Li Xuan had already communicated with the saint.

Anyone can see that they are singing the same tune.

Judging from Li Linfu's confused look, he must still be kept in the dark.

As the chief prime minister, you feel a bit cowardly!

Just like the saying that has been circulating recently: The pen is not the chief in governing, Zhuge Liang's sword is the real prime minister.

The promulgation of new policies has always been presided over by the chief prime minister, but now it is controlled by Li Xuan!
If Li Xuan had not introduced new laws and had lived in harmony with the ministers, Li Linfu would have been unable to fight against Li Xuan.

"Your Majesty is wise. I think the method of covering names and transcribing names is very good. If the names are not covered, the examiners will be biased based on the candidates' origins, backgrounds, and closeness. In this way, many talented people from humble backgrounds will never have a chance to succeed. In the long run, it will be detrimental to the foundation of the country. There is already an example. In the past, Zhang Shi, the son of Zhang Yi, the Chief Censor, passed the palace examination as a 'Yibai'. If the names were covered in the imperial examination, this ridiculous thing would never have happened."

Prime Minister Pei Kuan came out and spoke to the ministers just after a breath.

Good guy!
He must also know about the issue of failing the imperial examination.

Li Xuan privately persuaded Li Longji and Pei Kuan, pointing his finger at Li Linfu.

"Your Majesty, the purpose of the Tang Dynasty's imperial examinations is to select the pillars of the country. There are some unfavorable trends in the court today. If real talents are lost due to some shameful things, it is our fault. Covering the names and transcribing the papers will allow the examiners to only look at the quality of the test papers without being disturbed by other factors. It is a good way to ensure fairness and make those candidates who want to take shortcuts give up the idea and concentrate on studying poetry, essays and strategies, which is more conducive to promoting the trend."

Secretary General Wu Jing also stood up and spoke.

At this time, Wu Jing's temples under his hat were all white hair, he was thin and had a long white beard.

Wu Jing is already nearly 80 years old.

He was the most knowledgeable historian and one of the most learned men in the Tang Dynasty, famous for his frank criticism of the emperor.

The famous "Zhenguan Zhengyao" was written by him.

Originally, Wu Jing was demoted to the position of prefect of Ye County, but at the suggestion of Li Xuan, Li Shizhi transferred Wu Jing back.

After He Zhizhang stepped down as Secretary General, he was succeeded by Wu Jing, a respected old minister.

In fact, Wu Jing did not know about it in advance, but as an old minister who had served since the reign of Tianhou, he always believed that the system of obscure names was conducive to benign circulation.

So he immediately agreed to remain anonymous in the imperial examination.

The emperor, prime minister, and senior ministers all agreed, and the situation was very good for Li Xuan.

Li Linfu was both angry and anxious. He immediately signaled his loyal ministers to come out and explain.

"Your Majesty, I think the method of covering the names is not advisable. The imperial examination should be a comprehensive assessment. If we only judge by one exam and one essay, how can we know the character and conduct of the candidates in their daily lives? If we select only talented but immoral people, wouldn't they bring disaster to the people when they serve as officials in the future? Our Tang Dynasty will also be in danger."

Chen Xilie, the Minister of Works, stepped forward and objected.

He still repeats the same old things, always talking about both moral integrity and talent.

"Does one have to wait until the Imperial Examination to find out about a candidate's moral character? The candidate's moral character should be investigated before he or she signs up. What Minister Chen said is really alarmist. Does it mean that if a candidate passes the Jinshi or Mingjing exam, there will be no corrupt officials?"

Li Xuan refuted Chen Xilie and believed that Chen Xilie's words were not reliable.

"Your Majesty, after the names were covered, the examiners were like blind men touching an elephant, and had no idea of ​​the candidates' backgrounds. If there were great talents who were already famous, but were missed because of the covered names, then wouldn't our dynasty have missed out on true talents? Furthermore, if there were great talents that the nobles had carefully cultivated, but had to compete with ordinary students because of the covered names, it would be unfair to the nobles."

Li Yan, the Minister of Rites, explained his defense from another perspective.

Many ministers actually whispered and agreed with his perverse logic.

"This is also absurd. If a person of real talent passes the examination, can't he be directly recommended for official appointment? Like Gao Shi and Yang Wan, whom I recommended to the court before, they are talented and the court can also employ them. Besides, the saying that the gentry cultivates talents, if they are really talented, will they not be admitted? A needle in a bag, its tip will be seen immediately. Under your Majesty's wisdom and power, can you miss Guan Zhong and Xiao He?"

Li Xuan also disagreed with Li Yan's words.

He used Sima Qian's saying that a needle is placed in a bag, but its tip is immediately visible to illustrate that gold will always shine.

Don't always do crooked things.

"Your Majesty... the system of anonymous names appeared during the reign of the Empress, but it has long been abolished, which shows that the anonymous name system is not advisable. Your Majesty, please think twice."

Xiao Yinzhi, the assistant minister of the Ministry of Justice, also stepped out and spoke.

They also wanted to rely on Li Linfu's power to deal with Li Xuan. They couldn't let Li Linfu fight alone and lose faith.

However, Xiao Yinzhi did not intend to argue with Li Xuan, he just asked Li Longji for help.

Because Li Xuan is so good at talking, he always insults and criticizes people and quotes classics.

And always stand on morality.

The ministers had never seen such a tactic before and could only avoid it.

(End of this chapter)