Chapter 558

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Protagonist:

Yan Qianqian

The Emperor pondered hard for a long while, finally deciding to leave this matter for discussion at tomorrow's morning court.

After all, he truly couldn't think of a perfect solution at this moment. An Wang and Yan Qianqian naturally agreed with the Emperor's decision.

Just then, Eunuch Sun brought over two plates of exquisite pastries. Seeing this, Yan Qianqian was not polite at all as she reached out, grabbed a piece of pastry, quickly stuffed it into her mouth, and then looked at the Emperor and An Wang with satisfaction as they continued their back-and-forth chess game.

However, these two seemed completely unaffected by Yan Qianqian eating pastries; their game remained tense and fierce. Both were fully focused, every move carefully considered, neither yielding to the other.

After a fierce battle, An Wang finally won narrowly with a slight advantage.

Regarding this result, the Emperor was obviously somewhat displeased. After all, over so many years, in his games against An Wang, his victories could be counted on one's fingers. And An Wang was someone who would never deliberately let the other win just because the other was the Emperor.

The Emperor puffed his cheeks and muttered, "I'm not playing anymore, I'm not playing anymore, Seventh Brother, I don't want to see you again! If there's nothing else, you may retire!"

Looking at the Emperor's childish appearance, An Wang couldn't help but a smile appear at the corner of his mouth, and he chuckled as he said, "Then this younger brother will take his leave first."

As soon as he finished speaking, he reached out and grabbed Yan Qianqian by the collar in one hand, preparing to turn and leave.

Seeing this, the Emperor hurriedly shouted loudly, "Wait! Don't carry the child like that, she'll feel uncomfortable!"

However, An Wang seemed to completely disregard the Emperor's words, not even giving him a glance. Only to see An Wang's figure flash, like a ghost, instantly employing lightness skills, rushing toward the palace gate like a flying bird.

And at this very moment, Yan Qianqian still tightly held half a pastry in her hand; that bite of pastry had just been sent into her mouth, and she hadn't even had time to swallow it, when she was stunned by her father's sudden action.

Her collar was tightly stuck around her neck, making her somewhat unable to breathe, and that half pastry was stuck in her throat, neither up nor down.

Yan Qianqian desperately waved her hands and feet in the air, trying to break free from her father's restraint, but it was all in vain.

Because her movements were too large, the crumbs of that half pastry actually scattered like snowflakes, falling in profusion onto An Wang's face.

An Wang finally couldn't bear it anymore; he stopped his steps and looked at Yan Qianqian with a helpless expression.,

When Yan Qianqian's feet finally landed firmly on the ground, she breathed a sigh of relief as if unburdened, and at the same time quickly patted her own chest, with great force.

She rolled her eyes while with difficulty swallowing the pastry in her mouth that she hadn't had time to chew, that appearance made people unable to help but laugh.

And An Wang standing to the side only now came back to his senses as if waking from a dream; looking at Yan Qianqian's disheveled appearance, he hesitantly asked, "Did... did you not choke to death?"

Yan Qianqian finally caught her breath with great difficulty; hearing An Wang's question, she gave him a white look in displeasure, and only after a while did she reply, "It's fine, Father, but if you let go any later, I'm afraid I'd have to go see King Yan!"

Hearing this, An Wang showed a trace of embarrassment and guilt on his face, and hurriedly explained, "It's Father's fault, Father didn't do it on purpose..."

Yan Qianqian waved her hand, interrupting his words, and said, "Alright, Father, I know you didn't do it on purpose. I know lightness skills, so you can rest assured. Let's go!"

After speaking, she leapt up lightly, flying away first like a flying swallow.

Seeing this, An Wang did not dare to be slow, immediately employing lightness skills, closely following behind Yan Qianqian. The two, one in front and one behind, like two bolts of lightning, quickly flew back to An Wang Fu.

After returning to the Wangfu, Yan Qianqian went straight to her own courtyard, plopped down on a chair, and began to think about the matter of the Spring Imperial Examination.

And An Wang was the same; he paced back and forth in the study, his brow tightly furrowed, obviously also worried about the Spring Imperial Examination.

The next morning, the time for the morning court arrived. At the imperial court, the ministers, as usual, came forward one by one to report their memorials.

After everyone finished reporting, the Emperor finally spoke slowly, his voice echoing in the imperial court: "Today, I wish to discuss with all my Grand Councilors the matter of after the New Year, the Spring Imperial Examination next spring.

Regarding the Spring Imperial Examination, I believe this examination is of great significance; we must select a large number of excellent talents to enrich our dynasty's bureaucratic system. Therefore, this Spring Imperial Examination should be open to the entire nation, giving more talented people the opportunity to show their skills.

However, there is currently a problem: some people do not yet have Dachang household registration. This will bring many inconveniences for them to participate in the Spring Imperial Examination and for their future development.

So, Minister of the Hubu, I specially instruct you here: within two months, all household registrations must be properly implemented.

Specifically, not only must they be implemented down to the county level, but also refined to the village level, even precisely to each person's head. Ensure every Dachang citizen has their own Dachang household registration, with no omissions or errors allowed.

The Minister of the Hubu, hearing this, hurriedly stepped forward and shouted loudly, "I am here!" He deeply understood the importance and urgency of this task, and immediately expressed that he would certainly do his best and not fail the Emperor's expectations.

"I order you to complete this task within two months. If there is any delay or poor execution, I will certainly not forgive lightly!" The Emperor's words were serious and firm.

The Minister of the Hubu knelt on the ground to receive the order; although he felt enormous pressure in his heart, he also understood this was the Emperor's trust and heavy use of him.

He made up his mind that he must complete the household registration implementation within the prescribed time, contributing his strength to the smooth progress of the Spring Imperial Examination and the long-lasting peace and stability of the state.

The Emperor nodded slightly, then immediately said: "All my Grand Councilors may now speak freely. First, I believe the Spring Imperial Examination should select talents, not allow the unqualified to fill positions, and cannot lower the standards of the Spring Imperial Examination just because of vacant positions.

Secondly, a small number of people temporarily have no sense of belonging to our Dachang Kingdom, but if we deprive others of the right to participate in the Spring Imperial Examination because of this small number of people, it is truly not a wise move, and it may also cause us to miss out on people of great talent.

Dachang Kingdom has weathered wind and rain, and now enjoys stability and prosperity; this is truly a blessing for all the people. If we can widely recruit worthy talents, regardless of their background, all can be used by our Dachang Kingdom—isn't that better?"

The Emperor paused, looked around, saw that all the ministers were thoughtful, and then continued: "As for those who have no sense of belonging to Dachang Kingdom, I believe that as long as our Dachang Kingdom governs with benevolence and cares for its people, we can surely influence them and make their hearts turn toward Dachang."

At this time, another minister stepped forward, bowed with clasped hands to the Emperor, and said: "The Emperor is sage and wise! This old minister also believes that the Spring Imperial Examination is an important path for selecting talents and should not have restrictions. Moreover, Dachang Kingdom currently needs talents; if we can open the path to worthiness widely, it will surely make Dachang Kingdom even stronger."