After Ouyang Mu 'er entered the palace, Ouyang Xiu also became a relative of the Emperor, but his respect for the Emperor increased.
The emperor did not treat him well because his granddaughter had entered the palace. The task he was given was still temporary, and the rank was still the same. The cabinet did not enter.
The Minister of Rites, Xu Lirong, was well-read in poetry and books. He had been in the Ministry of Rites for thirty years and was affirmed by Emperor Renzong and Emperor Yingzong. Although he was sixty years old, he was still energetic and clear-headed.
"Greetings to the emperor, long live!”
"Stand up, no need to be so polite. Stand up and speak. Wang Yong, give me a seat.”Zhao Xu said.
Wang Yong had already ordered his eunuchs to bring a chair and place it in front of the dragon table.
"Tell me, how are the preparations for the imperial examination? Are there any loopholes?" Zhao Xu said slowly.
Xu Lirong bowed and said,
"Your Majesty, I have already inspected the examination hall three times. The imperial guards have not made any mistakes in protecting the examination papers. This year, the imperial examination will begin a system of sealing names and copying as soon as possible.”
The name sealing system was to cover up the names of the examinees so that the officials who examined the papers would not know.
As soon as possible, the examinees 'papers were all hand-copied by the Hanlin Academy scholars, preventing the examiners from identifying the examinees based on their handwriting.
These two systems had existed during the time of Taizu Zhao Kuangyin, but they were gradually abandoned, resulting in the widespread fraud in the imperial examination.
"This won't do. I'll add two more rules. One, all examinees entering and leaving the examination hall must change their clothes. It's strictly forbidden to carry any goods. Two, if the examiner has any evidence of cheating with the examinees, kill them without mercy!”
Zhao Xu said loudly.
"Your Majesty has considered it thoroughly, and I am sincerely convinced.”Xu Lirong said sincerely.
"The imperial examination is held once every three years. It's a waste of time. The country is in urgent need of talents. Time was tight this year, so some of the exam contents would not change. Next year, useless studies such as Ming Jing, poetry, Moyi, and Tie Jing would be abolished. Instead, they would test the use of people's livelihood, policy theory, farming, merchants, weapons, and strategy.”
As soon as Zhao Xu finished speaking, Ouyang Xiu and Xu Lirong were shocked. The pace of the Imperial Examination reform was getting bigger and bigger. How could the examinees pass the examination in the future?
Even the Life Scroll Officer had learned these skills.
"Your Majesty, this humble subject believes that the Imperial Examination reform should be carried out slowly. Confucianism is still very beneficial to governing the world.”
Ouyang Xiu bowed.
After a few confrontations, Ouyang Xiu was completely convinced by the Emperor. The Emperor was simply familiar with governing the country. He was proficient in the art of the Emperor and had the bearing of a commander who could win a battle thousands of miles away.
Right now, Ouyang Xiu only wanted to tactfully express the difference in his heart, but he did not dare to express his thoughts directly.
"My reform is to change the old system and the hearts of the people. For thousands of years in China, only the Song Dynasty was peaceful. There were Khitans in the north, Xixia in the west, and Jiaozhi in Dali in the south.”
Zhao Xu said seriously.
"In order to defeat the barbarians, we must reform ourselves and implement a reform to suppress the gentle Confucianism. We must speed up the implementation of the imperial examination reform.”
Ouyang Xiu was shocked by his words. This…was too ruthless! One had to know that he had just sent his granddaughter to the emperor. If there was any objection, he would be dismissed and questioned.
"I understand." Ouyang Xiu could only shut his mouth immediately.
"Xu Lirong, from tomorrow onwards, anyone who enters or leaves the Examination Hall, no matter who it is, no matter how high their official position is, no matter their identity, will be detained.”
"This lowly subject obeys the decree!" Xu Lirong was deeply shocked. This was the first time such strict discipline and supervision of the imperial examinations had been implemented.
"The examiner will be led by Su Dongpo. Review it as soon as possible. Zhen wants to check it personally.”
"We obey your orders. We will take our leave."
After Zhao Xu finished speaking, he stood up and walked out of the Hall of Heroes with his hands behind his back.
The weather outside was very comfortable. Zhao Xu was enjoying the autumn scenery along the stone path in the imperial garden.
Although this place was not Jiangnan, it still had the beauty of autumn. The imperial garden was filled with fruits, oranges, plums, and persimmons hanging on the treetops.
The royal guards were shuttling outside the palace walls. There were faint roars coming from the north drill ground. They were training.
According to the reform, all soldiers had to be tested for physical fitness and martial arts. Those who failed would be dismissed, and those who caused trouble would be beheaded.
The Minister of War, Yu Hui, was in charge of this matter, and within three months, 200,000 redundant soldiers had been eliminated.
These redundant soldiers were not only the village soldiers and prefectural soldiers, but also the old, weak, sick, and disabled soldiers of the Imperial Army.
The weather gradually darkened. Zhao Xu, accompanied by Wang Yong, went to Long Hua Palace after eating. Tonight, Ouyang Mu 'er would be taking care of him.
Ouyang Mu 'er had already finished bathing and was anxiously waiting for the arrival of the emperor.
Ouyang Mu 'er was a literary talent. A woman from a scholarly family was very polite. The moment she entered the palace, she understood the situation in the palace. Empress Xiang's status was unstable and Consort Yun was favored.
In order to win the favor of the emperor, one had to first serve him and be favored. Only with a prince could one reach the heavens in one step.
When Zhao Xu arrived at Long Hua Palace, Ouyang Mu 'er had already led the palace maids and eunuchs out to greet him.
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