Chapter 1090

It was precisely because of support from mid- and lower-ranking imperial clansmen like Zhu Laosi that the imperial reforms, though met with resistance, could still proceed.

Once the pilot programs showed results, the imperial court began formally extending reforms to all imperial clansmen.

As the reforms took effect, local expenditures dropped sharply, and even the state treasury's related spending decreased, freeing up funds for other uses.

Thus, vast amounts of labor and land were released in the regions; the Emperor ordered these lands used to settle refugees.

So much land~~

Public sentiment grew restless, and all manner of demons and goblins emerged; last year, the Censorate and the Court of Judicial Review were both overwhelmed.

Xue Shao, stationed in the Censorate, had barely returned to Jingcheng until this time, when he was ordered back for Pan Yun's birthday.

Even so, he remained swamped; he and Pan Yun only exchanged a fleeting glance at the state banquet.

Xue Shao was planning his schedule, intending to request an audience before leaving Jingcheng again, when the two unexpectedly met on the street.

Xi Jin was delighted; seeing Pan Yun and the others, he rushed over: "Your Majesty… Daoist, are you out for fun too?"

Pan Yun said: "No, I'm seeing someone off."

Pan Yun looked at Xue Shao behind him and smiled: "I heard the Censorate is so busy you can't even put your feet on the ground—Your Majesty is adding more staff. How come you're out today?"

"First, today is a day off; second, look at these dark circles—do I look like I've been slacking?"

Pan Yun couldn't help but laugh.

Xue Shao glanced at the several people around her, laden with bundles: "What's this?"

"Oh, Miaohe and Tao Yanbai are heading to the grasslands; we're out stocking up on supplies."

Each city on the grasslands is far apart, and supplies are scarce; carrying extra goods lets them use them themselves and also sell them.

Wang Cong leaned out from the neighboring shop, seeing the two groups chatting across the street, and sighed: "How come you're still standing out here? Can't you find a place to sit and talk?"

Wang Cong, who had just returned from sea and made a fortune, was generous; he waved his hand and offered to treat them to the best restaurant in Jingcheng, eating and talking together.

Pan Yun declined: "I have to go to the Ministry of Agriculture this afternoon; better to finish shopping and disperse early."

Xue Shao also sighed: "I have to go to the Court of Judicial Review's prison this afternoon too—I can't spare time. I came out today to buy books and writing supplies as gifts."

Pan Yun immediately said: "We're going to buy books too—let's go together; maybe we can haggle with the shopkeeper."

Coincidentally, they both bought many books, and the types were nearly identical—mostly beginner texts; Xue Shao also picked up several sets of annotated Four Books.

These few sets were the most expensive, costing as much as their large stack of beginner texts.

The price of a hundred sets of beginner texts could buy only three sets of annotated Four Books.

Xue Shao sighed: "Annotated texts are too expensive and rarely circulated, so candidates in remote regions lack the scholarly depth of those in Jingcheng or Jiangnan. Though the imperial exams now have northern and southern lists, I see the trend these past few years is again favoring Jiangnan."

Pan Yun: "Just say it's Zhejiang, Fujian, and Jiangxi."

Xue Shao fell silent.

Pan Yun snorted: "I think they've forgotten their scars—they've forgotten how the Taizu Emperor used to execute people."

Xue Shao: "Your proposal to open community schools is excellent, but the north, especially remote areas, lacks teachers. Even if local offices build schools, buy books, and recruit students, there aren't enough instructors, let alone learned ones."

Pan Yun's eyes flickered: "How many Licentiates and Provincial Graduates have already given up pursuing the Metropolitan Graduate degree—or are biding their time during the process?"

"You mean putting these people to use?" Xue Shao pondered: "But why would they leave their homes to teach in remote regions?"

Pan Yun said: "Give them bonus points."

"What?"

"Support education in the north and remote regions for one year: add one point; two years: three points; three years: five points… and so on. When they take the autumn and spring examinations, tally these points and add them to their official exam scores."

"This," Xue Shao's pupils contracted slightly as he seriously considered it: "I've never seen such a method."

"All new methods have a first time—during the Song, the imperial exams adopted full anonymization, but anonymization was originally created under Empress Wu Zetian for civil service exams; clearly, the method works."

Pan Yun paused, then said: "If Wu Zetian had applied this method universally to the imperial exams back then, perhaps Huang Chao's rebellion might never have happened."

"In our Great Ming, anonymization no longer prevents cheating in the exams, so original exam papers must be copied into vermilion scrolls, and examiners grade only the vermilion scrolls to prevent cheating through handwriting." Pan Yun raised an eyebrow at him: "Clearly, everything has a beginning—how can you know a method won't work unless you try it?"

Xue Shao: "Should I propose this method?"

Pan Yun thought a moment, then said: "No, you're already hated enough—don't make it worse. I'll go see Hu Ying tomorrow."

As Minister of Rites, it's his duty; I'm giving him this method for free—won't he owe me thanks?

Xue Shao couldn't help but smile, bowing: "On behalf of students in remote regions, I thank the State Preceptor."

"No need for courtesy," Pan Yun waved her hand, leaning in curiously: "I heard you were attacked five times on your return to Jingcheng, yet none succeeded—instead, the perpetrators' families were confiscated, and the Court of Judicial Review even seized several courtyards to house those prisoners?"

Xue Shao rubbed his forehead: "I'm going to the Court of Judicial Review precisely to handle this matter."