The Lone Star of the Tang Dynasty

Qin Qiong nodded, having heard a little about the imperial examination.

"Naturally, I know that His Majesty has followed the imperial examination system of the Sui Dynasty, and has made an astonishing move in it - allowing women to participate in the imperial examination. Even my daughter, who didn't make it, was eager to try it. Qin Qiong responded.

"Well, Shubao, listen to me first, as soon as this imperial edict comes out, who do you think will be the happiest?"

"Naturally, there are all the aspiring and capable young people in the world. Qin Qiong replied without thinking.

The eldest grandson Wuji smiled slightly, his eyes flashing with deep meaning: "Uncle Bao, as a loyal servant of His Majesty, you have always looked at problems from a fair and selfless standpoint, but in the hearts of some people, the word 'young man' represents not all the young talents in the world, but the children of their own blood. "

Qin Qiong was stunned, unable to understand the truth for a while.

The eldest grandson Wuji indifferently glanced at the group of officials gathered in front of him, and his voice was low and powerful: "In the eyes of those great families, only their descendants are worthy of being called 'people', and everyone else is dispensable. "

Qin Qiong was stunned, and it was difficult to accept this concept of ignoring benevolence, righteousness and morality: "How is this possible? How can there be such a selfish person in the world?"

"If there were such people in the army, I am afraid that they would have been spurned or even eliminated by their comrades long ago. Qin Qiong said indignantly.

The eldest grandson Wuji sighed helplessly and further explained: "This is the difference between a civilian official and a military general. Most of the military generals are promoted step by step by virtue of their exploits on the battlefield, and no matter whether they are of high or low origin, they may become fierce generals who command thousands of troops; however, this is not the case with the civil official system, from the Tang Dynasty to the present, and even back to the pre-Sui and earlier eras, before the emergence of the imperial examination system, civil official positions were almost monopolized by the big families. At that time, civil officials were all recommended by other civil officials. "

Qin Qiong nodded, remembering the Han Dynasty's filial piety and honesty system: "I know this, it is through the promotion of filial piety and honest people as officials." "

The eldest grandson Wuji smiled bitterly and shook his head: "Xiaolian, Shubao, you are still too idealistic." Even in the Han Dynasty, there was no shortage of people who were bloody-stained and guilty because of their deep family background. In the final analysis, the so-called filial piety is often just a cover to protect the interests of the family. "

Qin Qiong was dumbfounded, and gradually understood why these families were so resistant to the imperial examination system. He looked around again, and the doubts in his heart dissipated and were replaced by deep disdain. It turned out that these people were only making a fuss about defending the privileges of their own children, rather than really caring about the fairness of the country's selection of talents. Moreover, the imperial examination did not deprive the children of the family of the opportunity, but only required them to prove their ability through the examination just like the children of other common people.

"Now this situation, I'm afraid it will not end easily. Qin Qiong's brows tightened, "Brother Auxiliary Machine, what is Your Majesty's response to this?"

"Well, how can there be a countermeasure that is so easy to come up with. "

Facing Qin Qiong's inquiry, the eldest grandson Wuji was full of sadness, he knew that the predicament in front of him could not be solved overnight. The family is not an isolated family, but an intricate and deep-rooted interest group, and it is even more difficult for so many officials to gather to pressure His Majesty today to find a way to calm the situation and preserve the imperial power.

"It seems that today...... His Majesty may have to take a step back for the time being. The eldest grandson Wuji pondered in his heart for a long time, and finally shook his head regretfully.

Qin Qiong frowned, trying her best to think of a way to deal with it, but the reality was like a mess, and it was difficult to sort out the clues. In his eyes, these ministers who forced the palace were like the rebels and rebels under the penmanship of Confucius in the Spring and Autumn Period, but behind them were the deep roots of the states and counties all over the land of Shenzhou. Even if His Majesty kills the killers, it will be difficult to shake their roots, but may provoke greater turmoil and reproduce the situation of division in history. Seeing that the country that had just settled down was about to fall into chaos again, Qin Qiong could only sigh secretly, could it be that Your Majesty really had only one way to compromise?

At this critical juncture, Cheng Yanjin hurried over.

"Uncle Bao, have you heard about today's events, come with me to the barracks outside the city!".

Qin Qiong responded helplessly: "Zhijie, this matter is not so simple......

".

Cheng Yanjin didn't know why, and said eagerly: "It's useless? What are you kidding! Now that things are clear, why don't you hurry up and transfer troops to clean up these rebellious ministers and thieves?"

Qin Qiong patiently explained the dilemma just analyzed.

Cheng Yanjin listened, an expression of surprise and confusion appeared on his face, and he muttered to himself: "That...... Doesn't that mean that Your Majesty can only ......?"

"Uncle Bao, then what should we do?" Cheng Yanjin looked dazed.

Qin Qiong's gaze turned to the other key figures around him—Wei Zheng, Fang Xuanling, and Du Ruhui, who were the most relied on strategists by Li Er's side.

Qin Qiong knew in her heart that today's solution would probably depend on how the three of them strategized. Although he is a military general, in such a political whirlpool, he really can't find a way to solve it alone.

Just as Qin Qiong was about to ask the three strategists, he unexpectedly discovered a puzzling little detail: although the situation inside and outside the imperial court was grim at the moment, Wei Zheng, Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui had a mysterious smile on their faces. Qin Qiong immediately ruled out the possibility of them betraying His Majesty, after all, they were all people who had experienced the test of the Xuanwumen incident and were loyal to Li Er. So, behind this smile, it is a sign that they have a way to deal with it?

Just as he was about to open his mouth to ask, he suddenly heard a sharp and solemn singing voice from inside the Xuanwu Gate: "Your Majesty has arrived!

With that loud singing, the two factions that were gradually heating up and tense in waiting immediately quieted down.

On one side are the officials represented by the big families, and on the other side are the ministers who resolutely support Li Er.

At this moment, they all held their breath and waited for His Majesty to appear.

After a while, the Vermilion Bird Gate suddenly opened, and Li Er's figure slowly walked into everyone's sight.

He had a lazy smile on his face, and his voice was easy-going but implied: "Ladies and gentlemen, why don't you come to the Ganlu Hall to discuss the country? Is it because the Ganlu Hall is too simple, and compared to the mansions and huge rooms in your family, it seems that you have been wronged?"

As soon as these words came out, those family officials couldn't help but feel indignant in their hearts, and gritted their teeth at Li Er, the veteran emperor. They are planning to make Li Er guilty of his own edict, to see how Li Er gets through today's difficulties, and he will definitely look good then!

In the face of everyone's silence, Li Er easily turned his neck and continued: "Since you are silent, I will announce two ......

."

Before he could finish speaking, someone in the crowd suddenly squeezed out to interrupt him.