Chapter 577: The Imperial Examination Arrives

The sixth year of the Zhenguan era, February 15!

Today is a rather special day for the court, for all scholars across the realm, and even for Li Shimin.

Because today is the day of the Imperial Examination, commonly called the spring examination!

Normally, the spring examination is held in the first month, either late in the first month or early in the second month.

But this time, because Li Shimin became overbearing, he insisted on constructing a 'Wen Ming Dian' for future Imperial Examinations, while the Ministry of Works was inefficient and full of corrupt officials, so it was not fully completed until early this February.

After Li Shimin and many officials inspected it, the court urgently announced the examination date in the 'Tang Dynasty Daily' and on government notices.

That day, even the regular court audience was canceled, because Li Shimin and the Crown Prince Li Chengqian went to serve as examiners or to preside over the spring examination.

Many scholars who had already passed successive examinations arrived early today and waited in front of the Wen Ming Dian.

Li Shimin, along with many officials, gathered together today, standing on a pavilion overlooking the excited crowd of scholars before the hall.

"The time should be about right, Cheng Qian; go with the assistant and let the many scholars enter the hall."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The two bowed and withdrew, then left.

"Zi An, who do you think will take first place this year?" Li Shimin asked lightly.

Chen Yan's gaze swept over the crowd of scholars, finally settling on two rather similar faces that were somewhat familiar to him: "I can't say who will take first place, but I hope it is a child from a poor family."

"But this year is probably difficult; perhaps the next Imperial Examination will be somewhat different."

"However, overall, it depends on the specific numbers of clans and poor-commoner examinees who pass; who takes first place is not important."

Li Shimin seemed to notice his gaze and said meaningfully: "But I heard that before the Imperial Examination began, you personally recruited two individuals and brought them to Weinan County's Bureau of Diplomacy to train, even going so far as to invite an elder from the Yan family to teach them."

"You also urged the Crown Prince to compete with me for these people, insisting they must be brought into our fold; if I refuse, you would have the Crown Prince contend with me."

"You have high hopes for them."

When Li Shimin's words left his mouth, the other officials were stunned, even Du Ruhui was startled.

"Isn't that so?"

"You really dare to say anything!"

"Have the Crown Prince compete with Your Majesty for people?"

"I can't believe you thought of that!"

Chen Yan coughed lightly and said, "Then, Your Majesty, do you want the Crown Prince to heed my advice and contend with you, or not adopt my opinion and simply steady yourself as the host?"

Li Shimin gave no clear answer, dropped the topic, and asked: "Then what do you think, how many poor-commoner examinees will pass this year?"

Regarding this question, Chen Yan dared not be too optimistic, reflecting: "Since the library's establishment, time has still been too short; I think it unlikely that poor-commoner examinees will now emerge in large numbers."

"But at least it won't be like the first year of Zhenguan, when only a single poor-commoner examinee passed; this time we should be able to reach twenty percent."

"Twenty percent?" Li Shimin laughed after hearing it, "If it truly reaches twenty percent, I will be satisfied."

"You are more optimistic about the next examination, and so am I."

"Moreover, twenty percent already shows a great deal; this time it's twenty percent, next time perhaps forty percent, and the time after that, exceeding fifty percent is not impossible."

"If that is truly the case, the Imperial Examination is about to usher in prosperity."

Chen Yan nodded slightly, "Step by step; affairs of the world cannot be rushed, just like our proposed new tax policy—I recall first raising it in the fourth year of Zhenguan, and we are still laying the groundwork to this day."

"Even the first step of investigating households and land across the realm, I have been gradually planning and seeking a suitable opportunity."

Upon mentioning this, everyone became interested.

Because concerning the progressive tax system, Li Shimin had previously discussed it thoroughly with them, but everyone felt it had some feasibility, yet it must be pursued slowly and cautiously.

Otherwise, it would only backfire.

After all, this represents standing in opposition to all landowners, wealthy gentry, clans, and meritorious nobles of the realm.

Wei Zheng, on the other hand, strongly advocated it, but he also understood how difficult it would be to implement.

Now that Chen Yan has brought it up again, does this mean we can begin?

"Zi An, when do you think is the appropriate time?" Fang Xuanling asked.

"When..." Chen Yan nodded his chin toward the scholars orderly entering the Wen Ming Dian under the guard of the imperial troops, "When the examination results are out and the number of poor-commoner examinees who pass exceeds twenty percent, that can barely be considered an appropriate time."

"The principles of the world are written by those who hold the brush, and coincidentally, what the realm lacks least are poor-commoner youths."

"If we give them hope, this group will spontaneously support us, preventing us, who provide them with a path upward, from falling."

Fang Xuanling blinked, shook his head with a wry smile, "Your words have some merit, but merely that would likely not be enough to break through layer after layer of shackles."

"It is true that the world's principles are written by those who hold the brush, yet although poor-commoner youths are many, they are lowly and their voices light, so they may not achieve much effect."

"No!" Du Ruhui retorted, "Precisely because they are numerous and previously were not valued by clans and meritorious nobles, only we value them."

"When they twist together into a single rope, the force they can unleash is still not to be underestimated."

Wei Zheng pondered, "Minister Chen just said that barely counts as an appropriate time; may I infer that Minister Chen believes there is still a better time?"

"Or perhaps after the examination, at that time which barely qualifies as appropriate, we could first mention it, giving everyone a mental preparation, then wait for a truly suitable time to arrive and settle the matter in one fell swoop."

His words drew the attention of Du Ruhui and Fang Xuanling, who had originally held their own views and wanted to argue.

Li Shimin also turned his head, "Zi An, is what Wei Zheng said correct?"

Chen Yan spoke frankly, "I indeed have this idea; after all, the term 'progressive tax system' itself, even without discussing specifics, makes its meaning clear just by hearing the name."

"This is almost equivalent to cutting flesh from every landowner, wealthy gentry, clan, and meritorious noble, striking a blow at the very base of the benefits they gain from land annexation; even we cannot escape it."

"How great the difficulty therein!"

"If we do not wish to cause great turmoil and wish to implement it smoothly, a time that is not really appropriate is absolutely unacceptable."

Speaking, he paused, then continued: "My idea is that after the examination ends, if the results are favorable, we should directly investigate households and land across the realm, without mentioning this progressive tax system."

"Then, at year's end, let the Tang iron cavalry, with the force of crushing dry weeds and snapping brittle branches, trample the Tuyuhun; this will not only deter neighboring tribes, but also intimidate the interior of the Tang!"

"Then, that will be the appropriate time!"

"......"