novelaction Chapter 300 The Spread of the Imperial Examination System in Xianyang
Chapter 300 The Spread of the Imperial Examination System in Xianyang
They gathered in small groups of two or three, or four or five, each face etched with anxiety and unease as they racked their brains for a solution. However, recalling the King of Qin's undisguised protection of Ying Wuyou earlier that day, they all knew that even if they all stood up to oppose him, it would likely be futile.
Just then, someone in the crowd cautiously suggested, "Why don't we all boycott court tomorrow? That might be a good way to find out the king's true attitude toward this matter."
The proposal immediately caused a stir. Some people shook their heads firmly in opposition, saying worriedly, "What if the king gets angry and really dismisses us all from our posts?"
Another person countered, "If all the officials in the court were to boycott the court, would His Majesty dismiss them all? After all, how could this vast Qin court function properly without officials like us?" His words drew slight nods of agreement from many present. After a heated discussion, a consensus gradually emerged—a collective boycott seemed to be the most feasible solution at the moment.
Immediately, someone else had a flash of inspiration and added, "Besides that, we might as well spread some rumors. As long as we spread the word about Princess Jiayang's suggestions, not only will we ministers object, but even the princes and nobles will definitely not agree." This idea was immediately echoed by the others, who all thought it was a brilliant plan. Thus, this group of people with ulterior motives quickly devised a specific action plan and swiftly split up to carry it out.
At this moment, Ying Wuyou was completely unaware that a huge storm was brewing behind her like an undercurrent, about to unleash a raging torrent.
In less than a day, numerous ministers at court claimed to be ill and needed to remain at home to recuperate. The following morning, the King of Qin sat as usual, his gaze sweeping over the seats that should have been filled with ministers, only to find that nearly half were empty. However, his dignified face showed no obvious joy, anger, sorrow, or happiness, as if he had expected this. The King of Qin calmly issued orders, continuing the discussion on bureaucratic reform.
Of course, with nearly half of the ministers absent from court that day, the discussion, which should have been heated and in-depth, ultimately failed to make any substantial progress. After court, Ying Wuyou had just returned to Chaohua Palace when she heard news: her previous suggestions regarding bureaucratic reform had spread like wildfire throughout Xianyang City!
For a time, all the restaurants, big and small, in the city were packed with people, and the streets and alleys were bustling with noise. People gathered in groups of three or five, discussing with great interest the important topic of whether or not the imperial examination system should be implemented.
Among those participating in the discussion were many ambitious and learned individuals. Most of them came from humble backgrounds and lacked the connections to recommend them, thus hindering their path to officialdom and the realization of their ambitions. Hearing of the potential establishment of the imperial examination system was undoubtedly tremendous news for them. The thought of finally having the opportunity to earn fame and fortune through their own talent and learning, thereby changing their destiny, filled these learned men with immense excitement, their emotions overflowing.
However, at the same time, some people in the city did not approve of the implementation of the imperial examination system. In their view, one could easily obtain an official position by relying on family background and connections, so why bother to take the exams with those lowly "commoners" and struggle in fierce competition? Such behavior was nothing short of a great humiliation to them.
The entire city of Xianyang seemed to be engulfed in a noisy ocean, a cacophony of voices. In the streets and alleys, in teahouses and restaurants, the sounds of heated debates filled the air, with voices of support and opposition mingling together. Scenes of people even resorting to fists and kicks due to differing opinions were not uncommon.
However, the vast majority of ordinary people showed indifference to the series of policies that established oversight and evaluation of court officials. After all, they were neither officials nor had any relatives in official positions, so questions about whether officials should be evaluated had little practical significance for them. As for the behavior and performance of officials, these were even more distant from their daily lives.
Initially, a small group of people with ulterior motives attempted to incite the public to oppose several new policies proposed by Ying Wuyou. They thought they could use this to provoke resistance to the reforms, but to their surprise, everyone's attention was focused on the imperial examination system. Contrary to their expectations, they not only failed to cause trouble for Ying Wuyou, but also made the imperial examination issue escalate and become a hot topic of discussion.
The fervent discussions among the people about the scientific expedition spread like wildfire from Xianyang to other regions. The news seemed to have wings, reaching every street, alley, and village. Upon hearing this, many aspiring students shouldered their heavy bags, filled with anticipation and hope for the future, and embarked on their journey to Xianyang without delay. They had only one thought in their minds—to see Xianyang for themselves.
Ying Wuyou had long anticipated this situation. Although she knew that launching the imperial examinations now might not be the best time, the Qin Empire was indeed facing a severe shortage of talent. While there were many outstanding individuals among those selected through recommendations in the past, the complex web of interpersonal relationships involved inevitably made Ying Wuyou hesitant. In contrast, those selected through a fair and just imperial examination were more likely to become truly trustworthy confidants.
Time flies, and the few days passed in the blink of an eye. However, as the days went by, the number of officials who skipped court increased daily. Faced with this situation, the King of Qin remained calm and composed, showing no sign of panic; even Ying Wuyou seemed unconcerned. In stark contrast, the number of students flocking to Xianyang City like a never-ending tide was steadily increasing.