Chapter 596: Your Majesty, Please Call Me Minister Chen!

"...... Stop messing around, okay?"

Chen Yan, with a pained expression, said, "My young little heart can't endure too much turmoil. Moreover, today's Imperial Examination results were so good; His Majesty, you should be pleased."

Li Shimin said in a sarcastic tone, "Hmm, I am very pleased. Your close friend, the Crown Prince of our Tang Dynasty, just said that the Lai brothers were cultivated by you for him, and he is asking me for people. I truly should be happy, huh."

Chen Yan: "......"

Tsk!

He turned his head to glance at Li Chengqian, who tilted his head back at a forty‑five‑degree angle to stare at the palace ceiling, as if he hadn't heard what was just said.

Chen Yan was instantly at a loss for words.

Sure enough, it's still because of these petty matters.

Zhangsun Wuji chuckled, stepped forward and shifted the topic: "His Majesty, now that the Imperial Examination results are out, what arrangements do you have for those who made the list?"

"Ministry of Works... should it be settled now?"

Bringing this up, Li Shimin no longer cared about such trivialities, and mused, "Settling is certainly necessary, but we can't replace everything all at once; otherwise the Ministry of Works might cease to function for a period."

"Furthermore, even with Labor-to-Land Redistribution, I cannot instantly promote him to a very high position; that would violate protocol."

"We should start with the Ministry of Works, replace it gradually from the bottom up. I want a reasonable, stable transition of posts."

"I understand your meaning," Zhangsun Wuji nodded.

He is now the Minister of Personnel, so these issues certainly require extra attention.

The specifics of which positions to assign will need to be discussed carefully later.

Wei Zheng spoke at this moment: "These are actually minor matters; we can resolve them gradually. However, this Imperial Examination outcome surprised everyone and likewise proves the unparalleled importance of libraries!"

"Minister Chen has publicly pledged that today five libraries in Chang'an City will open. I suggest we supervise this area, regularly monitor each library's situation, to cultivate more talent and prepare for the next Imperial Examination."

"Oh?" Li Shimin asked in surprise, "Duke, you have again spoken publicly before the people? Five libraries opening today? Have you completed all the preparations?"

"Are those the five we discussed with the aristocratic families last time?"

"Didn't they just agree to cooperate with you not long ago?"

Chen Yan nodded, "They indeed just agreed to cooperate with me, but in fact I have long ago selected sites and begun constructing the libraries, and simultaneously ordered the workshops in Weinan County to start printing books."

"I fronted all the money myself; later, when the aristocratic families saved funds, they gave me that portion."

"Therefore, today or tomorrow the Great Tang Daily can publicize the news, ensuring the libraries' and future Imperial Examination's status."

Hearing this, Li Shimin instantly understood.

He was not surprised; Chen Yan has always been cautious, planning ahead, so pre‑preparation is no wonder.

Moreover, the library expansion has indeed been in Chen Yan's preparation for a long time.

"Actually..." Chen Yan continued, "Our current focus should no longer be on the libraries."

"Since the Examination results are out, the libraries' role is unquestionable; we just need to keep monitoring them."

"What we should do now is strengthen the cultivation of children, rather than continue focusing on those already on an upward ladder."

He paused, then said, "To nurture a person, the best method is naturally to start from childhood."

"Therefore, I think what we must do now is devise a comprehensive cultivation plan, expand schools, and enable even modest families to send their children to study, giving everyone a chance to succeed."

"In this way, the Tang Dynasty can continuously produce talent and remain enduringly prosperous."

Everyone pondered carefully and nodded in agreement.

Wei Zheng mused, "Is it like the system you established for the schools you expanded in Weinan County?"

"Then using the Money Shop to provide assistance to families who wish to send their children to school but lack the means?"

"That's just a rough approach," Chen Yan said. "For the cultivation of children, I consider it paramount; the methods must be careful, careful, and more careful!"

"In fact, the Yan family has already taken notice of this, which is why they place great importance on the few enlightening articles I wrote."

Li Shimin couldn't help but nod.

Indeed, the Yan family has been overly attentive to this matter.

However......

"Don't speak so lightly. I know about the schools you set up in Weinan County; they are basically all operating at a loss, and a substantial one at that."

"Weinan County is a small county, and you have left it with many ongoing revenues."

"Its area is small, population not especially large; spending a sum each year to open schools is fine, but if we aim at the whole Tang Dynasty, where would we get enough money to cultivate children?"

"You are now the Minister of Revenue; aren't you aware of how much money the Tang Dynasty has?"

Chen Yan sighed, "So this cannot be rushed. We can allocate a fixed sum each year from the Ministry of Revenue, implement it first within Chang'an City, and once we gradually achieve a prototype of Labor-to-Land Redistribution and, with vigorous development, increase Tang's tax revenue, we can slowly expand outward."

"This is destined not to be accomplished in a short time; it may take several generations, but I believe it is something we must persist in doing!"

Wei Zheng, hearing this, nodded emphatically, "Your Majesty, Minister Chen's words are reasonable; I concur!"

Du Ruhui added, "Targeting the whole Tang is indeed difficult; it requires the Ministry of Revenue to subsidize school establishment, but if we start only within Chang'an City... and with the discreet support of the Money Shop, this is still feasible."

"I share the same view," Fang Xuanling said.

Hearing that all the ministers agreed, Li Shimin stroked his chin, thought for a moment, and said, "Very well, let the five of you discuss first; later produce a charter, and we will examine the issue in detail."

As he spoke, he gave Chen Yan a casual glance, "Anyway, the Ministry of Revenue provides the funds; it has nothing to do with me."

"Moreover, this matter was originally raised by the Duke, who is also the Minister of Revenue. Since the Minister of Revenue says so, what opinion could I have?"

"Indeed, Your Majesty," Chen Yan said quietly. "If this matter is handled jointly by the royal household and the Ministry of Revenue, a portion of your treasury funds could be used, and we could call it a Royal Academy."

"In that case, the whole realm..."

"Chen Yan!" Li Shimin's eyes widened, "You just said it differently!"

"You said the Ministry of Revenue would provide a fixed sum each year, and it has nothing to do with me!"

Chen Yan cleared his throat, "I haven't just suddenly thought of a better idea; isn't it beneficial to you?"

"Also, please, Your Majesty, address me as Minister Chen!"

Li Shimin: Damn it!