Chapter 135

Yu Xu held the candle high, gazing at the ink slowly flowing from Shaobao's brush.

"Appoint only based on talent, regardless of background!"

The eight characters written down!

In the eyes of Zhou Cheng, Liu Wen, and the others, it was like a bolt of thunder striking the paper.

There was the sound of thunder beneath the brush!

As they stared, before anyone could recover, the brush tip continued.

"In times of chaos, do not distinguish between high-born and low-born, do not differentiate between nobility and commoners, and even less, do not regard the difference between the maimed and the whole; appoint only based on talent."

After writing, Shaobao's brush tip turned sharply, adding another line:

"And there is no distinction between men and women!"

Subsequently, he wielded his brush and splashed ink:

"Open wide the gates of the imperial examination, broaden the paths for talent, recruit the brilliant minds of the world, and greatly promote private schooling, teaching according to aptitude."

"It takes ten years to grow trees, and a hundred years to cultivate people!"

A few brief words!

Yet they were like heavy hammers striking a drum, causing the hearts of those present to surge, making it difficult to breathe!

Yu Xu held the candle, hot oil quietly sliding onto the back of his hand, yet he felt no pain at all.

He only felt!

The heart within his chest was unbearably scorching.

He was originally a eunuch in the deep palace, stepping onto this path of power through arduous effort and illustrious military achievements.

Yet he knew well that in this Daqing Dynasty, a eunuch holding military power was ultimately a vassal under imperial authority, finding it difficult to break free from the shackles of humility.

Born as a human, yet without the dignity of one!

"Appoint only based on talent!" Four simple characters.

Enough to make the people of the world "dazzled and enchanted," with countless heroes and gallants falling for it.

You must know!

In the lands of Daqing, noble families were towering and clans were like forests; the steps to promotion had long been blocked by the copper-walled, iron-clad concept of lineage.

The beautiful names of the ancient systems, such as recommending the filial and incorrupt or the impartial evaluation, had become jokes here.

On the path of the imperial examination, it was difficult to find people with true talent and learning.

"Ten years of cold-window study, yet unable to see the light of day."

People often use the slang:

"Dragons beget dragons, phoenixes beget phoenixes, and a mouse's son can dig holes."

Although this saying is crude, it pierces the cold reality of the world; the prejudice of lineage is like a rock, deep-rooted and difficult to shake.

However, can all things in the world be generalized?

A tiger father occasionally sees a dog son, and a phoenix can also give birth to a cold crow.

Among the humble, there are also noble sons.

Are kings, nobles, generals, and ministers born with a special seed!

The true noble families monopolize knowledge, holding the core of power tightly in their hands, as if everything between heaven and earth is within their grasp.

When will the people see the bright moon?

Imperial power is nothing more than the most powerful noble family!

Throughout history!

Among those in high positions, who can say, "Appoint only based on talent, regardless of background."

This is digging one's own "grave."

Zhou Cheng, not knowing he would see this string of characters, suddenly remembered that couple on Mount Zhongnan years ago.

That couple, carrying a child not yet grown, traveled thousands of miles just to fulfill a vow on Mount Zhongnan.

The two sentences were still in his ears.

"Regardless of whether Shaobao knows it or not, we as a couple must come."

"We call it fulfilling a vow!"

Zhou Cheng finally understood!

Why, after many years in the north, Shaobao resigned from office to cultivate the Dao, while those prominent noble families in the south still refused to let him go.

So that was it!

In Shaobao's heart, there had never been just a corner of Daqing.

In Shaobao's heart were the people of Daqing!

If you place the people in your heart, the people will naturally lift you high.

This is the true contradiction.

The "deep hatred" between the two sides that cannot be resolved.

Dou Gu stood to one side, his heart surging.

He was born in poverty, yet with an unyielding will, he read extensively and was full of talent; he originally intended to display his grand plans through the imperial examination, but fate was unkind, and after repeated setbacks, he finally had no choice but to become a bandit and enter the green woods.

You must know!

The pursuit of justice in his heart had never been extinguished.

Yu Ke's brush tip lightly touched the paper, continuing to pour out his insights.

He knew deeply that the rise and fall of a place, or even a country, besides the fundamental principle of putting the people first, requires even more emphasis on the cultivation and utilization of talent.

As his thoughts flowed, Yu Ke wrote sonorously on the paper: "Promote private schools, value talent."

As a conclusion!

However!

Yu Ke's thinking did not stop there.

Only if the north is wealthy can there be long-term stability!

Therefore, he continued to write:

"Money!" and "Population!"

These two keywords revealed two other important aspects of the north's development.

Liu Wen nodded on the side.

The current wars between the nations, when traced to the root, are simply!

If a place has no common people, then any government decree has no opportunity to be implemented.

Liu Wen, although a merchant, had unique insights and strategies for the art of governance.

In his early years!

He studied under a great Confucian scholar of the Chu State; not only was he well-versed in the way of commerce, but he also mastered the essence of Confucianism, and this academic experience laid a solid foundation for his later achievements.

In addition, he had served as a county magistrate, prefect, and other official positions, accumulating rich administrative experience, which made him worldly-wise, neither pedantic nor yielding.

His worldly wisdom was refined!

Liu Wen was able to leave the north without a single piece of gold and, in just under ten years in Chaoling, became the richest man in Chaoling.

He was confident that among the Lu Family Army, no one could surpass him.

Even "Shaobao" could not!

In leading troops to battle, he naturally could not catch up, unable to see the back of his neck.

But!

Everyone has their own strengths, and there is a specialty in every trade.

If one were to achieve the ultimate in every aspect, that would not be a human, but an immortal.

However, for Shaobao to have such insights.

He was already a great talent of the age.

Yu Ke held the brush, thinking slowly.

At the same time!

How could there be a population?

Very simple!

Yu Ke wrote again.

"Give birth to more babies!"

The logic is crude, but the words are not!

Liu Wen looked over faintly, but there was no extra expression on his face.

It was a very normal national policy.

Daqing was doing it, and the four nations were also doing it.

But how to make the people give birth!

Only with money, and only with peace of mind!

Similarly, if the people cannot earn money, giving birth to more will only drag down the family.

This is the key!

Especially in times of chaos, the people all have worries about the future.

Liu Wen shook his head slightly; it seemed Shaobao had never been exposed to such government affairs.

Not knowing the "depths"!

Yu Ke continued to write, but this time it was in long paragraphs.

"To encourage childbirth, all families with household registration in the north, for every additional child born, will receive real gold and silver to provide encouragement and reduce the initial burden of raising the family."

"In view of the fact that some families may face difficulties in raising children, a Northern People's Bank will be specially established, managed under the guidance of the government."

"If a family cannot afford it for any reason, they may apply to hand over the child to the government for upbringing."

"Establish the Northern People's Bank; the People's Bank will be funded by the northern prefectures and donations, and expenses such as upbringing will be fully funded by the bank."

"To encourage the people to engage in business, purchase land, and build houses, all northern people can enjoy..."

"The funds from the bank have a wide range of uses, including but not limited to business, agriculture, and other fields; institutions need to be established to evaluate and decide on the uses..."

"..."

"..."

Yu Ke, at this time, was not writing in just a few characters.

But writing in paragraphs.

Yu Xu had already changed the paper again and again, and behind him, eunuchs were also busily copying.

Gradually!

Liu Wen looked at the items of government decrees one by one!

Slowly, he was stunned.

His face was full of disbelief.

PS: There is another chapter tonight.

(End of chapter)