Chapter 2173 Proposal for Imperial Examination Reform
Because of the coming of the imperial examination, the whole capital became very lively. Talented people from all over the world were constantly showing off their talents in various parts of the capital. Various activities such as poetry gatherings, drinking parties, literary gatherings and so on were also endless.
The imperial court is also preparing for this imperial examination. There are too many people coming to take the imperial examination this time. More than 50,000 people have come to the capital to take the examination. To hold such a huge imperial examination, all aspects are needed
Be well prepared.
Gongyuan, the place where the examination was held.
At this time, Liu Jin and Wang Shouren, accompanied by Fang Yongliang, Minister of Rites, were inspecting the preparations for the Gongyuan. This was the first time Zhu Houzhao had held an imperial examination since he came to the throne. Zhu Houzhao also paid special attention to this matter. The examiner this time was Cabinet Minister Wang Shouren.
, the level is much higher than before, which also shows how seriously the emperor takes this matter.
"How come it has been so many years and there is still no change in this Gongyuan? This is not okay. Our Ming Dynasty has developed in all aspects, and the Gongyuan has also made some changes."
Liu Jin walked around the Gongyuan, constantly inspecting. It was already the second year of Zhengde. When he took the imperial examination, it was still the twelfth year of Hongzhi. Thirty years have passed.
However, apart from the larger size of the Gongyuan, all other aspects of the Gongyuan remained the same as before. The examination seats were still cramped and cramped, so it was okay to sit in them, but if you wanted to sleep in them, you couldn't stretch out at all.
In addition, the sanitary conditions in Gongyuan are still the same as they were decades ago. The exam seats near the toilets are still smelly. If anyone is unlucky enough to get a bad number, his combat effectiveness during the exam will be reduced by more than half.
Seeing this, Liu Jin was quite dissatisfied.
It can be seen from the small Gongyuan that the progress of ancient society was extremely weak. Over the past few decades, earth-shaking changes have taken place in the Ming Dynasty, but here, it is still so simple and without any changes.
.
"Mr. Liu, this place for scientific research has always been like this. It wouldn't be good if it were to be changed easily, right?"
When Fang Yongliang heard this, he thought about it and said.
"What's wrong?"
"This candidate has studied hard for decades, just to stand out one day, but how can he take the exam well in such an environment?"
"Seize the time to make rectifications, such as installing electric lights. It was already winter during the exam, it was getting late and early, and it was hard to see clearly. The brightness of candles is limited, and it is not safe and convenient. So I just replaced them all with electric lights, which are brighter and more efficient."
Safe and convenient.”
"The hut needs to be renovated. It needs to be flushed with running water and a sewage system should be built to prevent the smell from spreading to the sky and affecting the candidates. In addition, a boiling water room should be added in the examination room so that candidates can drink boiled water during the examination. Drinking cold water in winter will cause diarrhea.
, affecting the exam.”
"In addition, there are a very large number of people taking the exam this time. More than 50,000 people came to the capital to take the exam. The relevant preparations must be prepared and not messed up."
Liu Jin looked around and said.
"yes!"
When Fang Yongliang heard this, he nodded quickly.
As long as Liu Jin opens his mouth, it will be easy to handle. Anyway, the court now has money. This money is spent on the imperial examination, and everyone has nothing to say. Besides, if this is improved, students who take the imperial examination will be more praised in the future.
word.
"The conditions are indeed too crude."
Wang Shouren smiled and sighed: "I think we also walked out of here back then. The exams lasted a few days. It was really difficult."
"Now times have changed, and some things really need to change."
Wang Shouren was also filled with emotions. When he took the scientific examination, he was still a young man under 30 years old. Thirty years have passed in the blink of an eye, and he will soon be in his 60s.
What was once a scholar has now become a powerful cabinet minister. Time flies too fast.
I think back when I struggled through a few days in this small examination room, it was really not easy to think about it.
"Yes, I will make corrections carefully."
Fang Yongliang also said quickly.
"Old Wang, time flies so fast. When you and I were at the same time, thirty years have passed. Time is not forgiving!"
Liu Jin smiled and recalled with Wang Shouren how they took the imperial examination together.
"Yes, it's been thirty years, but I still remember it fresh. I took the exam in booth No. 23, C."
Wang Shouren also smiled and nodded, then came to an examination booth and said.
"Haha, then you are not very lucky. It is not too far from the hut. My location at that time was very good."
Liu Jin immediately laughed.
"It's okay, it's okay. If I had gone a few more places, I guess I might have lost my reputation."
Wang Shouren also laughed.
Next to him, Fang Yongliang and officials from the Ministry of Rites also listened carefully.
I was also recalling the scene when I took the imperial examination in my mind. Of course, there was no comparison with the two people in front of me.
I have already reached the position of Minister at a very old age, and I guess I won't be able to hold the position for much longer. However, the two people in front of me not only became ministers early, but the key is that they are still very young.
Wang Shouren will only be 60 years old next year, and Liu Jin is just 49 years old. The comparison between people is so irritating.
There were also Liu Jin and Wang Shouren who produced many celebrities in the imperial examination in the twelfth year of Hongzhi. Liu Jin and Wang Shouren in front of me were the most famous.
At that time, Liu Jin was the number one scholar, and Wang Shouren was the second. Now Liu Jin is the chief minister of the cabinet, and Wang Shouren is the second minister. Both of them are highly valued and trusted by the emperor. They are both talented and capable officials in governing the country. They have long been famous.
It's all clear.
In addition to these two people, many people who took the imperial examination in the twelfth year of Hongzhi have now reached middle- and high-level positions. For example, Fengxi, the governor of Tianjin Prefecture, is now a third-rank official. If there is an opportunity in the future, he will definitely be able to enter.
The six ministers and ministers.
There is also Lun Wenxu of Liaodong Province, who was a third-rank official back then and is now a border official of the third rank. In addition, there is Tang Bohu, the governor of Hong Kong, an official of the fourth rank. It is said that he will be promoted to the third rank soon.
In addition, there was Liu Long, the chief envoy of Hezhong Province, who was also a third-grade feudal official. It can be said that the generation who took the imperial examination in the twelfth year of Hongzhi was called the golden generation by the students who followed him.
Because there are too many outstanding candidates among this generation of candidates.
And as the older generation gradually retired, people of their generation were rapidly emerging and became the mainstay of the Ming Dynasty.
Of course, this also has a lot to do with Liu Jin and Wang Shouren. The two of them hold the power. Naturally, these friends of the same period will have more support. As long as they perform well, promotion is indispensable.
After visiting the Gongyuan, Liu Jin and Wang Shouren came to the palace to report to Emperor Zhengde.
"Your Majesty, I have just inspected the Gongyuan. This Gongyuan is completely the same as it was a few decades ago. Nowadays, our Ming Dynasty is flourishing, changing with each passing day, and the atmosphere is ever-changing."
"This imperial examination is related to the country of Ming Dynasty and the well-being of the people of Ming Dynasty. I believe that some reforms should be carried out appropriately. Not only some changes should be made on the Gongyuan side, but also on the content of the imperial examination.
.”
In the study room, Liu Jin also spoke to Zhu Houzhao.
"oh?"
"How to change it?"
When Zhu Houzhao heard this, he immediately became interested.
This was the first imperial examination since he ascended the throne. Zhu Houzhao attached great importance to it and hoped that there would be some new changes and changes.
"The first is the Gongyuan side. I think we need to add electric lights. The lights will be brighter and more convenient to use. The second is to change the toilets in the Gongyuan and make them more hygienic so as not to affect the surrounding examination sheds."
"There is also a need to add a boiling water room. It is already October during the exam, and the weather is very cold. Drinking cold water will not be good for the candidates' health. Adding a boiling water room will also allow the candidates to drink hot water."
Liu Jin also stated in detail some of the things he felt he needed to change.
"Um!"
"What you say makes sense. Our Ming Dynasty is developing rapidly and changing with each passing day. It is indeed time for the Gongyuan examination shed to keep pace with the times and make some changes."
"Just do as you say."
After hearing this, Zhu Houzhao nodded in agreement. He had also been to Gongyuan and knew that the conditions in Gongyuan were extremely poor. Candidates had to stay there for several days during the exam, which would definitely be uncomfortable.
Making some appropriate changes now is to keep pace with the times and for the sake of candidates.
"Secondly, regarding the content of the examination, I believe that we should learn from the new study, add a new subject of content, including mathematics, history, geography, physics, chemistry, etc., and change the status of this new subject in the examination
improve."
Liu Jin thought for a while and suggested again.
Now, Liu Jin feels that it is time to reform the traditional imperial examination content. Rote memorization and out-of-context imperial examinations will only constrain people's thinking, constrain the imagination and creativity of talented people, and have no impact on the progress of society.
and development are useless.
It is necessary to add content to the new learning, so that the new learning can gradually replace the old learning and become the mainstream of the Ming Dynasty. Only in this way can the progress and development of the Ming Dynasty be truly promoted.
Now that the New Learning has developed to this point, it cannot always stay outside the center of power. If it continues in the long run, it will inevitably produce huge problems and contradictions. The final result may be bourgeois revolution and the overthrow of everything old.
Of course, in Liu Jin's view, the most important thing is to emancipate the mind. Only in this way can we truly promote the scientific and technological progress and social progress of the Ming Dynasty, and establish the foundation for the Ming Empire to be invincible in the world.