Chapter 261 No One Can Stop It

When Liu Ju reached the second county, Youfufeng Xianxuan arrived. When he reached the third county, Zhang Anshi, the chief academician who was in charge of the official school, also arrived.

A lot of high-ranking and low-ranking officials followed him.

Seeing this situation, Liu Ju gave up the idea of ​​continuing the inspection and simply stopped at the Huaili County School.

The children in the school were all concentrating on their studies. The teacher who was teaching today was also much more serious than usual. Outside the school, a group of people were deliberately standing a little further away and talking in low voices.

“This year’s autumn preliminary examination is also the first time that it is held locally. Many procedures may not be mature yet. The court can allow mistakes, but corrections must be made quickly.”

Liu Judian said to the two people around him, “Moreover, the mistakes made this year must not be repeated in the future, otherwise the court law will not tolerate them.”

“Please keep this in mind.”

The magistrate of Huaili County was cautious and nodded repeatedly.

Zhang Anshi, who was one position ahead of him, also nodded and said, “Before the autumn examination, I have improved the official school system as much as possible and issued a written decree.”

“While reducing administrative ambiguity among officials, it also clarifies the norms for rewards and punishments, and this autumn exam should be able to cooperate properly.”

The imperial examination for selecting officials has become a custom of the Han Dynasty. It is held every two years, and the system is gradually becoming more perfect. In the autumn of this year, a preliminary examination, namely the autumn examination, will be held in the counties and states.

In the spring of the next year, which was the first year of Yuanfeng, they gathered in the capital for the re-examination and the palace examination.

“According to the imperial decree, this year’s candidates were classified. Judging from the reference list, students from government schools accounted for a smaller proportion, while students from private schools accounted for a larger proportion.”

“kindness……”

Liu Ju groaned, “It’s normal for a government school to be newly established, but examiners must treat everyone equally, whether they are from a government school or a private school, and must not be partial to or cheat.”

The candidates who were able to attend private schools were those who were already literate and generally came from well-off families. As for the candidates for official schools, since Liu Ju was keeping a close eye on them and did not set high thresholds, most of them came from poor families.

It is clear at a glance what Liu Ju wants to point out in this sentence.

“I cannot guarantee for other places, but Youfufeng will definitely be fair and just.” Xian Xuan, the chief officer of Youfufeng, the area where the crown prince is currently located, said in a deep voice.

At this time.

Zhang Anshi added: “In addition to the examiners selected by the local government, I have discussed with the Guanglu Cheng that deputy examiners will be sent down from the capital officials to provide a balance of supervision.”

“Cheating and cheating will be strictly checked in the examination room, and all names will be covered during the examination…”

Liu Ju walked and listened, and a group of officials behind him followed him out of the county school. Zhang Anshi was rigorous and steady in his work, and had already inherited his father’s style.

“Zi Ru will do his job with confidence.”

Zhang Anshi, whose courtesy name was Ziru.

After walking to the street, Liu Ju first affirmed it, and then reminded him: “Afterwards, you should discuss with Ni Kuan to see whether the test papers of candidates should be re-transcribed during the county and capital examinations, so as to prevent the examiners from recognizing the handwriting and taking the opportunity to show favoritism.”

“Don’t be afraid of complicated procedures, just be afraid of the evil nature of human beings.”

Zhang Anshi seemed to understand something and said, “Your Highness has thought it through. I was negligent.”

“Don’t underestimate yourself. Let’s stop here today.”

“Farewell, Your Highness…”

Huaili County is not far from Chang’an City. When Liu Ju rushed back to the Prince’s Palace, it was not yet 3 p.m., which meant that the busy day was not over yet.

Be it advising on marriage strategies or killing alchemists with lightning bolts, these were now just embellishments in Liu Ju’s life and took up very little energy.

He spends more time on government affairs.

Inspecting the Daitian Law and the imperial examinations are two examples. In addition, there are also the assessment and transfer of officials in each county, taxation, criminal law and penalties, etc.

That’s why there is so much work.

It still has to come down to the words ‘the two small palaces are combined’.

The emperor is now becoming more and more arbitrary, with one main goal: he decides major matters and doesn’t care about minor matters. All the minor matters that the emperor doesn’t care about are pushed to the prince’s palace.

With so many tasks to do, Liu Ju naturally couldn’t set up a table and arrange two beautiful girls to help him like before…

In order to keep up with the times, he upgraded himself to a better one!

There must be people to help, but they were replaced. The guests of the Prince’s Palace, such as Zhuang Qingzhai, Su Wu, and Jin Midi, were always online. Dongfang Shuo, Wang Heng and others who also held court officials would also come to the Prince’s Palace to discuss matters in their spare time.

Except for them.

Liu Ju often summoned Liu De, who was of the same age and clan, to the Prince’s Palace.

Although this master is extremely talented, at such a young age he has a mentality that many older people do not have. He does not fight, compete, or seek fame.

I heard from his colleagues that after Liu De entered the Zongzhengfu, he would do the work when there was work to do, and wait when there was no work to do. He would sit for the whole day with a pot of tea and a newspaper, report in on time, and leave work at a designated time.

Rain or shine…

How could Liu Ju let such a good seedling waste his youth?
Are you kidding? He must be summoned to help the Han Dynasty shine!
After Liu De joined the “small inner court” of the Prince’s Palace, Liu Ju also brought in his uncle Wei Qing’s eldest son Wei Kang.

To govern a country and its government, to put it bluntly, is to govern people. Some people need to be punished, some people need to be checked and balanced, and some people need to be won over.

Nepotism is a reality, and meritocracy is also a reality.

No conflict…

……

Ganquan Palace.

In the empty and silent hall, a memorial was held in the man’s hand. He read it several times, but he still couldn’t calm down. He threw the book away and said in a slightly irritated tone:
“Take it away.” “Yes.” The eunuch replied in a low voice and hooked his finger implicitly. The two eunuchs waiting on the side hurried forward and took away all the memorials on the table.

The emperor stood up and asked casually, “What has the prince been doing recently?”

The old eunuch followed behind him in small steps. He knew that His Majesty was in a bad mood, so he spoke in a positive way: “The Crown Prince knows that it is not easy for Your Majesty, and he has been helping your father and king recently.”

“The prime minister praised the prince for his proper handling of government affairs. Whenever he had time, the prince would personally go to the three prefectures to inspect agricultural affairs, and he also kept an eye on the upcoming autumn examination…”

The eunuch talked a lot and recounted almost all of Liu Ju’s recent itinerary.

Hear the words.

The emperor did not say anything, but the annoyance between his brows disappeared a lot.

Walking to the high platform outside the palace, gazing at the trees in the mountains that were gradually turning golden, a cold wind blew, and the emperor’s restlessness finally dissipated.

“I’ve been waiting for a few days. Let him come over.”

The eunuch’s expression slightly changed, and he immediately realized who His Majesty was talking about. He bowed and replied, “Yes…”

Not long after.

An old man was led forward by the eunuch, “Dong Zhongshu, I pay my respects to Your Majesty.” Dong Zhongshu, who was over 60 years old and had gray hair, stretched out his hands and bowed.

Liu Che did not go to help him, nor did he turn around. He just said calmly: “I heard that Mr. Dong returned to his hometown and devoted himself to writing books. Why did he come to Chang’an now?”

Are you still coming to Ganquan Palace to ask for a meeting?
The emperor did not say the last sentence, but Dong Zhongshu understood it. He stood up and said slowly:
“In the first year of Yuanguang, Your Majesty summoned talented scholars to the capital. At that time, I was full of vigor and vitality, and proposed to the Imperial Academy to promote Confucianism. Your Majesty was also full of vigor and vitality…”

“I remember that I was only twenty-two years old at that time.”

“Yes.”

Dong Zhongshu sighed, “Your Majesty was so heroic in those days. Whenever I think of those days, I still feel excited.”

“But now I am old, Your Majesty, and no longer young.”

Liu Che stood there motionless with a deep gaze. The breeze from the mountains blew over, blowing the hem of his hair and across his gray temples.

That vigorous emperor is no longer in his prime…

“When I offered advice in Chang’an in the past, Confucianism was already the only school of thought, and universities were already taught in the country. The recognition of great unification and the divine right of kings is now even more deeply rooted in people’s hearts.”

Dong Zhongshu said in a deep voice: “The parts that Your Majesty is willing to approve have been implemented thoroughly. Facts have proved that my advice and Your Majesty’s decision were not wrong.”

“But, to this day…”

He looked at the emperor’s back and said, “Your Majesty should make a decision on the part that he is unwilling to approve.”

Liu Che stared at the falling leaves in the distance for a long time, his tone neither happy nor sad, “Do you want to say that the two thunderbolts in Chang’an were warnings from heaven?”

“Exactly!”

At this moment, Dong Zhongshu’s old body seemed to be infused with an unknown force. His cloudy eyes became clear again, and his voice was sonorous and powerful:
“When heaven and man come together, it is truly awe-inspiring!”

“Heavenly thunder is the will of heaven. It is absolutely beyond human control. This is a disaster sent by heaven!”

“Just like the fires in the Gaoyuan Palace of Changling and the Gao Temple in Liaodong, this kind of phenomenon is by no means accidental. Your Majesty, this is a warning from heaven and a warning to you!”

The platform was silent for a moment, with only the rustling of fallen leaves in the mountains.

At some point, the eunuch waiting nearby had already prostrated himself on the ground with his forehead pressed against the ground, not daring to move.

When the Son of Heaven loses his virtue, evil spirits will accumulate throughout the world, leading to disasters.

Then, either condemn or warn…

Liu Che had no expression on his face, and said calmly: “I defeated the Xiongnu in the north, expanded the Yue in the south, conquered Hexi in the west, and offered sacrifices to the gods at Mount Tai. With so many achievements, how can I not satisfy the heavens?”

Dong Zhongshu took a step forward and said to him, “Your Majesty has abused the use of punishment, used excessive weapons, indulged in war, and built massive projects!”

“How can I satisfy God?”

He took a deep breath, stretched out his hands again, bowed deeply and said: “Your Majesty, you cruelly abused the good people to fight for the land, abolished morality and education and used punishment, and then the disasters were sent down from heaven.”

“The current plan must change!”

The emperor’s counter-question came quickly, “How?”

Dong Zhongshu had already prepared a plan in his mind, and answered even faster, “Follow the principle of the interaction between heaven and man, and implement benevolent policies!”

What is benevolent government?

For the current emperor Liu Che, benevolent government is what he is doing now, what he is preparing to do later, and what he wants to do in the future, he has to put it all aside!
Can he let it go?
If he could let it go, would he still be called Liu Che! ?
There was silence on the high platform, the hem of the clothes moved without wind. The emperor turned his head, and a smile finally appeared on his face, which had been irritable for many days, and then it slowly revealed… a grin.

“I would not be bound by you then, and I will not be bound by you today. You have experienced ups and downs throughout your life, but you still don’t understand one thing.”

“You are only useful when I need you. When I don’t need you, even if the gods help you, you are worthless!”

Dong Zhongshu’s pupils trembled violently and he was speechless.

The emperor walked down the stairs, his expression no longer confused and bewildered, returning to his former indifference and coldness. He strode into the palace, leaving only a few words echoing loudly.

“What I want to do, I must complete in this lifetime. No one can stop me. Not even God can stop me! As for benevolent governance…”

“Someone gave!”

(End of this chapter)