Chapter 251

"Your Majesty, the imperial examination selects officials; what matters is quality, not quantity. If we admit this many presented scholars at once, I fear the good and bad will be mixed, the worthy and the worthless together, which would tarnish the court's pure reputation for selecting talent!" Zhao Pu also stepped forward and said.

The Household Department minister also joined in lamenting: "Your Majesty, adding two hundred officials at once—how will we assign their posts? Where will their salaries come from? Our dynasty's offices are already redundant; adding this many more will place an unbearable burden on the Household Department!"

What they said is all true.

But Zhao Jiong wouldn't listen at all.

What he wants is not "quality"—he wants "quantity"!

He intends to use this fresh blood to shatter the entrenched old powers in the court. He wants these newly graduated presented scholars to occupy every position in the court. These men are all his disciples from the Taiping Xingguo era; their futures lie in his hands—if they aren't loyal to him, who could they be loyal to?

As for money and posts, those are minor concerns.

"Zhao Pu, you worry too much." Zhao Jiong waved his hand impatiently. "I have my own arrangements. As for the Household Department's worries, that's just needless fear. I am about to enact new policies, open maritime trade, promote industry and commerce; within three years the state treasury's revenue will surely double! What are the salaries of a mere two hundred officials?"

He turned to Wang Xu: "Beloved Minister Wang Xu, you and the Ministry of Rites will jointly oversee this. Immediately spread the news throughout the realm! I want every scholar to hear of it and come to Kaifeng to take part in this gracious examination of mine!"

"Your servant obeys the decree." Wang Xu bowed and accepted the order.

He understood the emperor's thoughts all too well.

He intended to use fame, rank, and profit as bait to win over the hearts of all scholars under heaven.

The news quickly spread nationwide via the court gazette and official announcements.

In an instant, all scholars of the Great Song went mad.

Jiangnan, a remote village.

A nearly thirty-year-old poor scholar named Li Hang, having repeatedly failed the exams and grown despondent, was making a bare living as a village schoolteacher.

When he heard the news from fellow villagers returning from the county seat, he was stunned.

"Two hundred presented scholars at once?" he grabbed the villager's arm, unable to believe his ears.

"Yes, Mr. Li! The notice clearly states it's a decree from the new emperor—he says he will broaden the channels of speech and employ talent without restriction!"

Li Hang shoved aside the onlooking villagers and ran madly toward the county seat.

He reached the county yamen gate and read the enormous imperial notice, word by word.

When he read the words, "I want all scholars under heaven to know that if they have talent, they can rise high and bring honor to their clan in my Great Song," the nearly thirty‑year‑old man could no longer hold back; amid the crowd on the street, he burst into loud wails.

He wept for a long time, then wiped his tears and ran home.

He wanted to pull out the book chest he had locked away, and reread the volumes that were on the verge of molding.

He had to go to Kaifeng!

He had to take part in the new emperor's gracious examination!

He felt that his life had hope again!

Similar scenes unfolded in every prefecture, county, and village of the Great Song.

Countless scholars like Li Hang, who had been buried and forgotten, rekindled their yearning for fame and rank.

In their hearts, the newly enthroned emperor, whose conduct was somewhat unconventional, instantly loomed as a towering figure.

He was a true sage‑ruler who cherished talent and was willing to give opportunities to the children of humble families!

At the same time, another summoning of talent edict was issued from Kaifeng.

"By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor declares: The study of investigating things is the foundation of national prosperity. I have established the Institute of Investigating Things in the Capital to devise devices that benefit the state and the people. I hereby proclaim to all under heaven: any artisan or craftsman possessing a skill, regardless of background or past, may come to the Capital and apply for admission. Once hired, they will be granted official fields and residences, receive generous rewards, and hold a rank equal to that of a court official."

This decree likewise caused a tremendous uproar.

In an age when the saying held that "all pursuits are base except scholarship," artisans had always been regarded as a lowly profession.

Now the emperor actually issued an edict saying that artisans should be granted the same status as officials!

This was utterly unprecedented!

Countless artisans and inventors, whom the populace had dismissed as mere purveyors of frivolous tricks, now saw a chance to rise. They shouldered their toolboxes, carried their small inventions, and converged on Kaifeng from all directions.

Zhao Jiong stood atop the high palace wall, watching the endless streams of people flowing from the various official roads toward the Capital.

There were scholars carrying book chests, and artisans shouldering their tools.

A satisfied smile appeared on his face.

He knew he was using his own means to firmly grasp the nation's two most precious resources—knowledge and technology.

A brand‑new era belonging to Zhao Jiong was just beginning to unfold.