Chapter 369: Holding an Imperial Examination?

Heh... No wonder I always felt something was off; you brat, idle, bringing the beautiful lady and Gao Yang, prancing into the palace, you actually intend to dump this hot potato on me!

When I issue the so‑called newspaper, the predatory gaze I originally had on you will naturally shift from you to me!

Li Shimin's gaze turned sour, "Chen Zian, you came up with a fine idea!"

Chen Yan thought to himself that something was wrong, glared at Li Chengqian, whose expression was guilty yet he did not regret exposing Chen Yan's intention.

After all, "Sincerity is the ultimate move," a line Chen Yan had once said to himself.

Saying it now is better than Father Emperor discovering it later.

Relying on bluffing alone won't work; even if Father Emperor gains benefits, who wants to be kept in the dark?

"His Majesty." Chen Yan forced himself to speak, "This is a mutually beneficial arrangement; how can you say I came up with a fine idea?"

"I didn't deceive you, sir."

"Now you have a point?" Li Shimin pretended to be displeased, "Concealing part of the truth, how is that different from lying to me?"

"Speak to me properly; would I not help you?"

Upon hearing that, Chen Yan stiffened his neck and said, "It can't be put that way, Your Majesty!"

"The newspaper matter is of great importance; I haven't even clarified all its intricacies. The crucial points are unfinished, how can we discuss personal affairs?"

"For example, we haven't explained the many benefits the newspaper brings, nor mentioned the various minor and major precautions; let alone the response methods for the aristocratic families after publication, or the series of policies we could implement this year to deal with them—we haven't even talked about those."

"This isn't something that can be clarified in a short time, so I intend to move into the palace!"

"Originally I planned to resolve the main matter first, and when it's time to leave, casually bring up my personal issue to you."

"Never thought..."

Chen Yan glanced at Li Chengqian, shook his head and sighed; he said nothing, yet seemed to have said everything.

The three Li father‑son pair: "......"

At the banquet table, the atmosphere suddenly fell silent for a moment.

Li Tai couldn't help but exclaim, "Impressive, you can turn black into white; truly admirable!"

"No wonder Father Emperor values you so much; aside from anything else, just with your silver‑tongued skill you can make a name anywhere."

Li Chengqian covered his face.

Didn't you say earlier in the Eastern Palace that you came to avoid disaster?

Now, appearing before Father Emperor, it turns into a discussion of state affairs?

Truly worthy of someone who can call a visit to a brothel 'appreciating beautiful things'!

Li Shimin, watching Chen Yan's forthright demeanor, felt a headache and said, "Fine, fine, say what you will; I know what's going on in my mind."

"You just… just said you wanted to discuss what with me?"

"The methods for dealing with the aristocratic families, and a series of targeted policies we could implement this year," Li Tai reminded.

"Right!" Li Shimin recalled, gesturing to Chen Yan, "There are no outsiders now; speak, I want to see what blossoms you can produce."

Chen Yan did not panic upon hearing this; as soon as he contemplated moving against the Wei family, he had already considered all the consequences.

Otherwise he wouldn't have so decisively taken his wife to smooth things over.

He organized his wording and slowly began, "If we wish the Court to approve the newspaper's publication, the difficulties are considerable, since this concerns the very lifelines of all aristocratic families and even officials."

"Therefore, if Your Majesty wishes to proceed, do it directly; initially I will supply the paper and handle the printing, and you only need to control the newspaper's content."

"Once the first edition is finalized and we begin selling, even if the aristocratic families oppose vehemently, they won't dare cause a scene, because once the newspaper is out, the sword of profit hangs over their heads; they can only try various hard or soft means to force Your Majesty to cancel it."

"Do you agree with me, Your Majesty?"

Li Shimin pinched his little upturned moustache, a subconscious habit when he thinks.

In just a few breaths, he had grasped Chen Yan's point and nodded in agreement, "From what I know of them, they'll say something like 'Major state affairs cannot be disclosed to the common people,' and so on."

"But as you said, once the newspaper is out, everyone will be wary; they won't dare cause a scene, at least on the surface."

Chen Yan immediately replied, "Therefore, we must fight them; Your Majesty must withstand the pressure, laying the groundwork for our second step toward eliminating the aristocratic families!"

"Hmm?" At this mention, Li Shimin perked up, his eyes instantly brightening, "Elaborate!"

Li Tai watched the excited emperor and the expectant Li Chengqian, his mind buzzing.

He must not have misheard; Chen Yan said… it's about eliminating the aristocratic families, right?

And a second step?

Li Tai knew Father Emperor had always wanted to eliminate the aristocratic families, but since everyone is still pulling at each other, no one can force anyone else.

Is this thing eliminated just by saying it should be eliminated?

Do you know how long the aristocratic families have taken root on this land?

Just as Li Tai found it absurd, Chen Yan, urged by Li Shimin and Li Chengqian, began speaking, disregarding Li Tai's thoughts.

"This second step, then, is to hold an Imperial Examination!"

Chen Yan spoke confidently; that brief sentence seemed to strike Li Shimin's heart.

"Yes, hold an Imperial Examination, and make it a grand event!"

"The aristocratic families have long monopolized the upward channels; now is the time to break this situation!"

"But…" Li Chengqian replied tactfully, "How exactly should we proceed?"

"We held an Imperial Examination in Zhenguan Year One; the results…"

He didn't finish his sentence, but everyone understood his meaning.

Especially Li Shimin, whose exhilarated expression faded, his face darkening instantly.

Why, from Zhenguan Year One to now Zhenguan Year Five, has the Imperial Examination only been held once?

Because it couldn't be continued.

First, the Imperial Examination system is imperfect, riddled with problems; second, those selected are essentially family scions, with virtually no candidates from humble backgrounds, contrary to Li Shimin's goals.

Thus holding it is worse than not holding it; it's dominated by family heirs, nepotism, recommendations, and the academy—what's the point of the effort?

Thinking of these, Li Shimin gets angry, but there's nothing he can do about it.

Because commoner offspring truly cannot compare to aristocratic offspring; this is not saying their minds are inferior, but rather the gap comes from innate exposure to environment.

He let out a long breath, raised his head, suddenly thought of something, stared intently at Chen Yan, and gave a kind smile: "Zi An, I heard you're quite idle in Weinan County; Du Gou, Fang Yizhi, and Ma Zhou are enough to handle all affairs."

How about this: I will order a grand Imperial Examination this year, with you presiding and serving as chief examiner?

"Huh?" Li Chengqian immediately understood what Li Shimin was planning.

The Imperial Examination system is imperfect, but isn't there a heaven-sent great talent right before us?

Since it's imperfect, why not let Chen Yan improve it?

Father Emperor! Brilliant!

"....."