However, although Cao Cao was excited and interested in the implementation of the imperial examination system, he couldn't lower himself to personally supervise the imperial examination. Therefore, they could only compromise and summon Cao Zhi to inquire about the progress of the imperial examinations. Sometimes, they even summoned him twice a day.
Cao Zhi also reported the truth. He had always thought that Cao Cao was a courageous person. In history, the reason why Cao Wei was replaced by the Sima Clan was not really because of Sima Yi's power. The more important hidden danger was the development of the Nine Ranks system.
Dong Zhongshu, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, had suggested the recommendation system. The judges at all levels recommended talented people with superior moral character and ability to serve as officials. The nine-grade system began in the early days of Cao Cao and was finally established during Cao Pi's time. At that time, the world was in chaos and it was very difficult to recommend real talents through the recommendation system. Cao wanted to control talents and also win the support of aristocratic families. He had to set up nine grades for talents to make the relationship legal and transparent. In this way, they could achieve the goal of selecting talents to win over the nobles.
However, the disadvantages of doing so were also very obvious. It allowed the great clans to control the selection of officials, which would further expand the power of the great clans. As the great clans became more powerful, the Cao family had to make more concessions in order to rope them in.
This happened again and again. In fact, the Cao family's prestige was already like the current Liu family, no longer existing. However, the Sima Clan took the opportunity to become the leader of the Wealthy Clans and gave these Wealthy Clans the power to control the country. As a result, Cao Wei was able to be replaced by the Sima Clan so calmly.
The reason why Cao Zhi created the imperial examination system so early was to prevent history from repeating itself. He wanted to think of a way to make the Humble Class rise in the early days to resist the aristocratic families.
Otherwise, when the aristocratic families absorbed more and more blood, their strength would become stronger and stronger, and they would become more and more uncontrollable. At that time, if they wanted to develop the imperial examination system, they would definitely encounter even stronger resistance than now. It would also be even more difficult, and it would be too late to regret.
However, Cao Cao's interest in the imperial examination system had exceeded Cao Zhi's expectations.
Originally, Cao Zhi had expected that because Cao Cao was a scholar, he would have some scholarly aura. Therefore, he would definitely be able to see the implementation of the imperial examination system clearly. He knew that once the imperial examination system was released, it would cause a huge reaction. Therefore, he probably wouldn't reject Cao Zhi's suggestion, but that was all.
However, Cao Zhi did not expect Cao Cao to be so attentive. No one could resist summoning him every day.
The etiquette of the Han Dynasty was extremely complicated, which made Cao Zhi feel a little helpless. Every time he was summoned, he had to tidy up his clothes and pay his respects. He was mentally and physically exhausted.
However, Cao Pi was the one who was most troubled at this moment.
Seeing Cao Cao calling Cao Zhi for a secret meeting every two or three days, Cao Pi was extremely anxious. He stayed in his room all day in a daze. When he heard that Cao Cao had spread the news of Cao Zhi's secret meeting, he threw things and flew into a rage. He felt that he had lost hope in his life.
Sima Yi saw Cao Pi's negativity and asked despite knowing the answer,""May I ask what Young Master is worried about?"
Cao Pi looked at him angrily.""Now that Zi Jian is so doted on by my father, I think it won't be long before this eldest brother of mine is beheaded!”
Sima Yi laughed and said to Cao Pi,""I don't think so." Stroking his beard, he looked at Cao Pi's expectant expression and explained,""Young Master, you don't have to worry about this.”
"Oh? What do you think, Zhongda?" Hearing Sima Yi's words, Cao Pi seemed to have grabbed onto his last life-saving straw and asked anxiously.
"This one dares to guess that although Young Master Zhi has now obtained the recognition of the Prime Minister and has begun to implement the imperial examination system, this one thinks that he is playing with fire and burning himself.”
"How do you know?"
"Young Master, do you know what Young Master Zhi's goal is in implementing the imperial examination system?”
"It's to increase his own power and Cao Zhi's strength to win father's favor.”Cao Pi replied confidently.
Hearing Cao Pi's words, Sima Yi glanced at Cao Pi and shook his head in his heart. Although Cao Pi was right, he was still a little narrow-minded.
"In my opinion, Young Master Zhi's goal is not just to please the Prime Minister and expand his strength.”
"How do you know?" Cao Pi was a little stunned. He could not figure out why Cao Zhi had made such a big move.
"It's because of this imperial examination system." Sima Yi said decisively," Young Master, do you know what will happen if this imperial examination system continues? It will arouse the strong resistance of the aristocratic families!"
"Up until now, knowledge has always been the right of the aristocratic families. Only the aristocratic families are worthy of learning the Dao of Confucius and Mencius. This is also the difference between us and the commoners.”
"However, Young Master Zhi is indulging in whimsical thoughts. He actually wants to break the tradition and let the commoners learn knowledge, so that the commoners and nobles can enjoy the same power. What was the difference between nobles and commoners? If the commoners also obtained knowledge, would they have second thoughts? What did the aristocratic families rely on to intimidate them? Was there going to be another Yellow Turban Rebellion? Therefore, I can almost conclude that Young Master Zhi's actions will definitely attract the opposition of the aristocratic families, oh no, the people of insight in the world. Therefore, this imperial examination system must not succeed!”
"Zhong Da is right!" Hearing Sima Yi's words, Cao Pi felt enlightened. He felt like the clouds had opened and the moon had appeared.
"Zijian's actions are really foolish, he's just asking for humiliation!”Cao Pi, who understood what Sima Yi meant, became happier and happier.
So what if you, Cao Zijian, have temporarily obtained father's favor? You've already lost the hearts of all the scholars in the world!
Cao Pi suddenly felt that all the depression he had felt in the past few days had been swept away. He burst out laughing.
.........
Today, when he met Cao Cao, Cao Zhi suggested a new idea to Cao Cao.
It was the Three Provinces and Six Ministries system! It was an extremely perfect bureaucracy formed by the establishment of the Three Lives and Six Departments.
This was a bureaucrat system that had only been perfected after the Tang Dynasty, and Cao Zhi had directly brought it out to Cao Cao.
This advanced point of view made Cao Cao's eyes light up.
Cao Zhi's detailed explanation made Cao Cao feel more and more intoxicated. The more he listened, the more he sighed and praised in his heart," What a good Three Provinces and Six Departments system!
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