Chapter 102: It is better for all the people in the world to be dragons than for only one person to be a dragon
"Reopen the imperial examination?"

"Third brother, you must know why we stopped the imperial examination in the sixth year of Hongwu, right?"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang simply shook his head.

"They are full of knowledge, but most of them are just nerds. How can they help the country?"

Zhu Gang did not speak, but Zhu Biao raised his head and spoke.

"Yes, the old ones are too old, and the young ones are too young."

"Moreover, he has spent his entire life studying. Even if he could pass the imperial examination, he would not have the talent to govern the country."

"It's even more annoying to listen to all the nonsense all day long. It would be better to stop the imperial examination and reintroduce the recommendation system."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded.

"Not all of them?"

"Is it more because no students from the north made the list?"

Zhu Gang glanced at Zhu Yuanzhang and said.

"Ah."

Zhu Yuanzhang was slightly stunned, nodded and sighed: "This is also one of the reasons."

In the third year of Hongwu, Zhu Yuanzhang issued an edict to conduct imperial examinations, and the following year he took special measures to strengthen the imperial examination system.

However, after three years of practice in selecting scholars, Zhu Yuanzhang found that there was a considerable gap between the talents selected by the imperial examination and his previous expectations.

Because most of the successful Jinshi candidates are young men with a wealth of knowledge.

Or, he might be a middle-aged official who studies hard throughout his life in order to gain fame and honor.

In other words, he has read a lot of books and his mind is full of classics, but he lacks personal ability. How can he be competent for the important tasks of the court?

Become a parent official who benefits the people?
Of course, there is another point, that is, the number of high-school scholars in the south is greater than that in the north.

This also made Zhu Yuanzhang furious. Could it be that the Ming Dynasty only controlled half of the country?
But it is also true that the North suffered greatly from the war and could not be compared with the South.

After all, the South is always richer than the North, while people in the North are still struggling for food.

Scholars in the south have begun to review their books in preparation for taking the imperial examinations.

So this is the ironclad fact.

In order to prevent dissatisfaction among the northern students, Zhu Yuanzhang simply overturned the table.

Since it is impossible to satisfy both the north and the south, then don't satisfy either of them. Stop the imperial examination, allow recommendations, and restore the old system.

As for the outside world, Zhu Yuanzhang could not disappoint the students all over the world.

It is said that nowadays the officials recruit mostly young men and women, and judging from their writing skills, they seem to have potential, but when they are put to trial use, very few of them can put what they have learned into practice.

I am seeking talents with sincerity, but the world is responding with empty words. This is not in line with my intention of seeking talents with sincerity.

These are what Zhu Yuanzhang said exactly, meaning that they were not capable of handling administrative affairs, so the imperial examination was suspended.

But it is worth mentioning that Zhu Yuanzhang’s intention was to stop the imperial examination, not to abolish it.

This is why Zhu Yuanzhang hoped to change the style of scholars by restoring the recommendation system, so as to avoid repeating the mistakes of the Tang and Song dynasties when the imperial examinations focused solely on literary skills.

Of course, Zhu Yuanzhang did not close the door to the imperial examination system, but left room for reopening it in the future.

But the time is not right yet, so don't act rashly.

"So, Dad, it's time to prepare for the imperial examination."

Zhu Gang smiled and began to speak.

"What do you mean?"

Zhu Yuanzhang didn't understand what Zhu Gang meant, so he frowned and asked.

"It lays the foundation for the imperial examinations in the future, so as to seek useful officials and serve the Ming Dynasty."

Zhu Gang said without even thinking about it.

"Tell me what you mean."

Hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand.

"Dad, I have a sincere question for you!"

"Do you think that there can really be a dynasty that lasts for thousands of years in this world?"

After saying this, Zhu Gang took a slow breath, looked solemn, knelt on one knee, and lightly brushed the ground with the corner of his brocade robe. No dust was raised, and only respect filled the room.

This kneeling is not only a ritual of blood relationship, but also a contemplative question about the rise and fall of the ages.

This question is not only asked by Zhu Yuanzhang's son, but also by countless people in later generations!
It also concerns the future direction of the Ming Dynasty!
So, Zhu Gang had to ask!

"What do you want to say?"

Seeing this, Zhu Yuanzhang lowered his head, looked at Zhu Gang and said softly.

"I am stubborn and unruly, you should understand."

"So this question is not for Ming Dynasty, but for the whole world!"

"Ask you!"

"In your heart, which one is more important, the Ming Dynasty or the people?"

Having said this, Zhu Gang raised his head, his eyes bright, and looked directly at Zhu Yuanzhang.

There was an unyielding edge in those eyes, as well as a hint of expectation and uneasiness.

"If we choose Ming, what will you do?"

Zhu Yuanzhang's voice was still light.

"From now on, I will shut up and respect my father. I will give up my military power and return to Taiyuan. From now on, I will be a subject of the king and enjoy a lifetime of glory."

Zhu Gang's words were sonorous, fearless and resolute.

"You are not a quiet person."

Zhu Yuanzhang shook his head.

“There is no greater pain than a dead heart, and no greater sorrow than silence.”

"If your Majesty is worried, I can take the sword and kill myself. From now on, the Jin vassal will be removed from the list, and your Majesty can rest assured."

Zhu Gang still spoke in a resolute voice.

"Third brother!"

Before Zhu Yuanzhang could speak, Zhu Biao was startled. He shouted, then knelt down quickly, looked at Zhu Yuanzhang and said, "Dad, that's not what I meant!"

"The third one!"

Even Empress Ma wanted to stand up, but Zhu Yuanzhang grabbed her hand and said in a deep voice: "Do you know what you are talking about?"

"I understand. I just want peace of mind. I will never regret it!"

Zhu Gang still said resolutely.

For a moment, the atmosphere in the entire Kunning Palace fell to freezing point. Only the sound of anxious heartbeats trembled in the silence.

"Your intelligence, your ambition, and your ability have destined you to become a great man in the future."

After a long while, Zhu Yuanzhang's deep voice finally rang out: "Your future achievements will be no less than ours, but I can't figure out what you are thinking."

"Forget it. Since you asked, I will tell you that there is no dynasty in this world that lasts for thousands of years. Even the powerful Han Dynasty only lasted for 400 years."

Looking at Zhu Gang who was still indifferent, Zhu Yuanzhang sighed again.

I understand the truth, but it is not easy to come here today.

As a founding emperor, it is normal for him to want to have a dream that will last forever.

Because it is not just Zhu Yuanzhang, but it has been like this from ancient times to the present.

The fate of one lifetime, ten lifetimes, a hundred lifetimes, a thousand lifetimes, and ten thousand lifetimes!
But is it really possible?

Zhu Yuanzhang naturally understood that it was impossible!

Things go round and round, and after reaching their peak they will inevitably decline. This is destined by heaven and cannot be reversed by human power!
I just hope that the Ming Dynasty can last longer, longer.
Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes seemed to see through time and space, looking into the distant future, and saw the rise and fall of the Ming Dynasty.
In the end, it turned into a long sigh!
"It's better for all the people in the world to be dragons than for me to be a dragon alone!"

Facing this long sigh, Zhu Gang straightened his body and said with a sharp look in his eyes. Don't seek to be self-sufficient, the flying dragon is in the sky!
May everyone in this vast land be able to display the spirit of a dragon and a phoenix and paint a glorious picture of China together!
As soon as the voice fell, suddenly
"Clang-crack-"

A loud thunderclap suddenly exploded in the air, shocking people's hearts.

Then, the sky seemed to be torn open, and heavy rain poured down in an instant. The raindrops as big as beans hit the tiles of the palace with a crackling sound, so fast and fierce.

But it cannot erase the impact that Zhu Gang’s words had on Zhu Yuanzhang!
This is the most direct attack on imperial power!
If these words had not come from Zhu Gang's mouth, Zhu Yuanzhang would have been ready to kill someone!

Everyone is like a dragon!

Doesn't that mean everyone can be emperor?
How could the emperor possibly agree to this!

Especially a founding emperor like Zhu Yuanzhang who was so decisive and ruthless!
"The Ming Dynasty cannot be passed down for a thousand generations or even for ten thousand generations. This is a fact."

"Even if it is what you wish for, even if you consolidate the imperial power, close the minds, and restrain the people of the world, it will not be achieved!"

"Because there will always be people who don't believe in fate, and there will always be people who question the so-called "fate"!"

"The reform and eternal peace should lay the foundation for this!"

"To prevent the foreign races from bringing disaster to our country and causing our people to suffer and be humiliated!"

“So, my whole life is to make them stand up and not kneel down!”

Looking at Zhu Yuanzhang who was full of gloom, Zhu Gang still showed no sign of weakness.

"Even if this overthrows the imperial power, I don't care!"

Zhu Yuanzhang slowly raised his gloomy eyes and said.

"Dad! No one can deny your achievements in civil and military affairs!"

"But in the final analysis, you will always be the son of the people!"

"It was Zhu Chongba who herded cattle for the rich man on Fengyang Mountain that year!"

"My parents died. To make a living, I became a monk and a beggar. I was forced to travel around!"

"Even that year, you didn't really want to join the army, but if you hadn't been desperate, how could you have joined the army and achieved unprecedented achievements!"

"Until you set foot on Huaixi Road, ascended Yingtian Prefecture, founded the Ming Dynasty, and established the Hongwu Era!"

"You think that heroes are made by the times, but in thousands of years, Zhu Yuanzhang is the only one who came from a very poor family and conquered the world!"

"But since the end of the Han Dynasty, the Sui and Tang Dynasties, the gentry and the powerful have left no way out for the common people!"

“Isn’t this an explosion, a revolution?”

"A hundred years of accumulated resentment has created a grassroots emperor like you!"

"But do you think that if we continue to use the old system, the dynasty will not fall and the world will not change dynasties?"

"I can tell you very clearly that for thousands of years, everything in the world has its own consequences!"

"Because there will always be someone who can take over what you cannot accomplish, but that person will not be like you, who is only focused on consolidating the imperial power and seeking eternal rule!"

"What he wishes for is not just one person becoming a dragon, but for millions of people in the world to become dragons!"

There was a deep respect in the depths of Zhu Gang's eyes as he spoke.

Anyone who has his country and family in his heart will have nothing but respect and love for that person!
Therefore, since we have come to the Ming Dynasty, we will naturally strive for reform so that future generations will not suffer from foreign invasions!
Let the Chinese people no longer suffer from turmoil!
Lay the most solid foundation for reforms thousands of years later!

Because Zhu Gang understood that even if he spent his entire life and devoted himself to his work, he could only lay a solid foundation for the world!

"you!"

Faced with Zhu Gang's aggressiveness, Zhu Yuanzhang was also furious, but facing Zhu Gang's fearless gaze, he fell silent again.

"Let's talk about the imperial examination system."

After a long silence, Zhu Yuanzhang just waved his hand and changed the subject.

It was obvious that Zhu Yuanzhang didn't want to continue the previous topic.

"Instead of fooling the people or playing tricks on them, we should implement a dual-track approach, giving equal weight to farming and official careers."

Zhu Gang glanced at Zhu Yuanzhang before speaking.

"Ok?"

In response to this, Zhu Yuanzhang frowned again, obviously not understanding what Zhu Gang meant?
After all, there is no way that farming and official career can be linked together, right?
"What do you think is the most important thing in the world today?"

In response to Zhu Yuanzhang's doubts, Zhu Gang asked softly.

"food."

Zhu Yuanzhang answered without even thinking.

"Yes or no."

Zhu Gang first nodded, then shook his head.

"What do you mean?"

Zhu Yuanzhang was puzzled.

From ancient times to the present, food is the most important thing for people, so grain is naturally the most important. After all, having enough to eat is the most important thing.

"There was no shortage of food in any dynasty. It was just a matter of how much food there was."

"So increasing food production is the top priority, and everything else is just a passing fad."

Zhu Gang sat back in his chair and nodded.

“Indeed, there is food every year, but the problem is the yield.”

"Sometimes, in years of great abundance, there is plenty of food, but in years of great disaster, there is not enough food to feed and clothe people, and some people may not have enough to eat, and many of them may starve to death."

Zhu Biao also sat back in his chair and nodded slightly.

But I finally felt relieved.

Fortunately, their old Zhu restrained himself, otherwise there would have been a quarrel today!
I just don’t know what Zhu Yuanzhang was thinking?

But to be honest, perhaps because he grew up with Zhu Gang, Zhu Biao actually identified with Zhu Gang to some extent in his heart.

“So we put equal emphasis on both tracks, taking into account both farming and career.”

"What do you mean?"

"Combining official schools with local schools, establishing official schools in the capital and prefectures and counties to teach classics, literature, law, etc., and train officials and scholars."

"At the same time, rural schools are set up in rural areas, with agricultural knowledge, basic reading and writing, and moral ethics as the main teaching content, to encourage farming and the study of farming."

“First, we should set up agricultural schools among the people in towns and villages to teach them farming knowledge, crop rotation, pest and disease control, etc., to improve agricultural productivity.”

"Second, send officials or scholars who understand agriculture to go deep into towns and villages to guide the people to practice new knowledge and improve farming efficiency through seasonal lecture tours."

"Third, the imperial examination system was innovated by adding farming subjects to the examination system, selecting outstanding agricultural talents, giving them official positions or rewards, and improving the status of farmers."

"Fourth, combine farming and studying, encourage students to 'study half a day and farm half a day', ensure the combination of knowledge and practice, and also solve the problem of labor shortage."

"At the same time, legal regulations were established to prohibit the arbitrary abandonment of cultivated land."

"This way, we can promote agricultural development while maintaining civil stability, so that everyone can fulfill their respective responsibilities."

"As for official education, my suggestion is to start from all aspects, gather the knowledge of hundreds of schools, and select useful talents rather than scholars who memorize by rote."

"For example, if a student likes law, he or she can major in law, and then if he or she passes the imperial examination and enters the government, he or she can work in the Ministry of Justice."

"If students are interested in classics, they can be transferred to the Ministry of Revenue or the Ministry of Commerce."

"Similarly, all kinds of knowledge have their own significance in the world, and the Ming Dynasty only needs to teach students according to their aptitude."

"In this way, talents will not be buried, and the Ming Dynasty will become more prosperous."

After saying this, Zhu Gang looked at Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao, who were both in deep thought.

In fact, Zhu Gang had a bolder idea in his mind, but he felt it was a little unrealistic.

After all, it is impossible to apply the template of future generations to the Ming Dynasty at present.

What's more, we should not be too anxious about everything, otherwise, the building will collapse and it will be difficult to recover!

Furthermore, there is no need to rush into reform.

Moreover, it was under the rule of a feudal dynasty.

(End of this chapter)