【It was under the series of national policies established by Emperor Taizu of Song, Zhao Kuangyin, that the Song Dynasty's military generals became increasingly weak, while the civil officials rapidly expanded. This was also the deeper reason for the subsequent power struggle between the old and new parties. 】
【Emperor Taizu's series of measures also successfully resolved the issue of warlords' separatism that had persisted since the late Tang Dynasty, strengthening central authority and allowing the court to effectively suppress local forces. For a time, peace and stability prevailed within the country, creating an atmosphere of prosperity.】
【After Emperor Taizu's passing, his successors generally adhered to the national policies he established, continuously deepening and expanding them. This is what the later "Old Party" would refer to as "ancestral rules and old laws"!】
……
Qin Shi Huang's realm, outside the Xianyang Palace.
“Does the Song Dynasty actually treat its civil officials so well?"
“And this 'strong central government, weak regional power', it's utterly absurd! While the court's strength has indeed been enhanced, what about the border defenses? If a foreign enemy invades, wouldn't they be able to advance unimpeded, burning, killing, and pillaging within our borders?"
Qin Shi Huang snorted coldly, expressing his dissatisfaction.
In Qin Shi Huang's view, the Song Dynasty's inflated civil officialdom wasn't a major concern, but this "strong central government, weak regional power" was a serious flaw!
As Qin Shi Huang pointed out, if foreign enemies invaded, and the border defenses were insufficiently equipped, wouldn't they be allowed to penetrate the country's borders without resistance?
This was entirely different from the Qin Dynasty!
The current Qin Dynasty could be considered "weak central government, strong regional power". The court's military strength was not formidable, but vast armies were stationed along the northern and southern borders!
On the Great Wall in the north, thirty thousand troops under Meng Tian defended against the Xiongnu, while fifty thousand troops under Ren Xiao, who had conquered Nanyue, were stationed in the Lingnan region!
Could it be that the Song Dynasty's borders didn't face formidable enemies?
But that didn't make sense either. Didn't the Golden List say that the Song Dynasty had a Liao Kingdom to the north and a Western Xia to the northwest?
Could it be that these two countries weren't strong? But if that was the case, how could the Song Dynasty have suffered more defeats than victories?
Qin Shi Huang fell into deep thought, his gaze returning to the Golden List…
……
Han Gaozu's realm, outside the Weiyang Palace.
“Oh my! Seems like the Song Dynasty is going for a government run by civil officials!"
Liu Bang smacked his lips, marveling in amazement.
“But this old man is puzzled, where do they get all these civil officials from? Could it be this thing called a 'civil service examination'?"
Upon seeing the Golden List mentioning Emperor Taizu of Song expanding the civil service examination and elevating the status of scholars, Liu Bang became intrigued!
The current Han Dynasty didn't have such an abundance of civil officials. If the court wanted to recruit talented individuals, they could only select from among the group of meritorious officials or the royal clan and feudal lords. Even if they didn't do this, they would basically be recommending individuals from those two categories!
If you were to say that the Song Dynasty was a government of civil officials, then the current Han Dynasty was a government of meritorious officials!
“Zifang, do you know what this 'civil service examination' is?"
This question left Zhang Liang dumbfounded.
“This… Your Majesty, your minister doesn't know what this 'civil service examination' is either. Perhaps Your Majesty should ask Xiao He?"
“Xiao He is well-versed and has thoroughly read the laws and historical records of various dynasties. He might be familiar with this 'civil service examination'!"
Hearing Zhang Liang's words, Xiao He's face darkened, and he silently cursed Zhang Liang a hundred times in his heart!
“You're right. Xiao He, tell me, what is this 'civil service examination'?"
Seeing Liu Bang's question, Xiao He could only grit his teeth and explain:
“It must be some kind of system for selecting officials…”
Upon hearing this, Liu Bang immediately became displeased. Waving his hand, he shouted:
“Of course, I know that! I want to know how the Song Dynasty selects them, how they have so many civil officials?”
Xiao He's lips twitched. “Your Majesty, your minister doesn't know that.”
Liu Bang sighed. “Alright, if that's the case, let's see what the Golden List says…”
He hoped that the Golden List would provide an explanation. Even if he had to rely on civil officials, it would be much better than relying on this bunch of meritorious officials!
……
The Taikang realm of the Jin Dynasty, before the Taiji Hall.
“Civil service examination…”
At this time, Sima Yan was also looking at the Golden List with sparkling eyes, muttering to himself.
But quickly, He Shao's voice interrupted Sima Yan's thoughts!
“Your Majesty, this Song Dynasty's system is wonderful! Elevating the status of scholars will ensure peace and stability within the empire for a hundred years!”
“Yes, yes! Your Majesty, perhaps our Jin Dynasty can emulate this system!”
The crowd murmured their agreement, and He Shao's words immediately won the approval of most of the court officials!
Importance given to scholars? In the current Jin Dynasty court, who were the scholars?
Of course, they were those who could afford to read and write! So, who had the ability to read and write?
Needless to say, it was their group of scholarly and well-versed aristocratic families!
Elevating the status of scholars was essentially elevating the status of their aristocratic families!
Sima Yan gave a wry smile. He understood the underlying meaning of their words:
“My lords, it's certainly right to value scholars. But, which scholar in the current Jin Dynasty court hasn't received due respect?"
“Besides, the Golden List says that the Song Dynasty is burdened by a system constraint. This constraint is probably the system that prioritizes scholars.”
The smiles on everyone's faces froze, and they all stood there stunned.
They hadn't expected that the Emperor would dismiss their suggestion with a few simple words!
Well, if they couldn't be valued, then so be it. After all, the current status of their aristocratic families wasn't low…
Thinking this, He Shao put on a smile and bowed, saying:
“Your Majesty is wise!”
……
The Kaihuang realm of the Sui Dynasty, outside the Xingqing Palace.
“Brilliant, brilliant! This Song Taizu's system is brilliant!"
Seeing the contents on the Golden List, Yang Guang's eyes lit up, and he couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.
Yang Jian also nodded in agreement.
Regardless of whether this system had any drawbacks, it was a good system because it strengthened central authority!
Besides, the current Sui Dynasty court was controlled by the Guanlong Group, even the four armies were under the control of the former Eight Pillar Dukes of the Zhou Dynasty!
Could this be considered a true court?
“Father, with a few decisive actions by this Song Taizu, the power of military generals and aristocratic families would inevitably suffer major blows. Our Sui Dynasty can emulate this as well!”
Yang Guang excitedly said.
“Yes, Guang'er is right. But your father is now too old and weary. This matter of consolidating power can only be entrusted to you.”
A hint of sadness flashed in Yang Jian's eyes as he heavily patted Yang Guang on the shoulder.
Yang Guang was overjoyed. “Father, rest assured! Your son will not disappoint your expectations!”
Yang Jian nodded approvingly, and a glimmer of determination also shone in Yang Guang's eyes.
And there was also the civil service examination. If he wasn't mistaken, it should be a system of specialized examinations.
The current Sui Dynasty also had some examinations, but they were mostly insignificant and even passing them didn't guarantee a position in the court.
The current Sui Dynasty's system for selecting officials still primarily relied on recommendations from scholars, aristocratic families, and high-ranking officials, and the civil service examination was not the mainstream!
But he never imagined that the later civil service examination would have such a significant impact?!
This stirred a sense of excitement within Yang Guang. If he ascended to the throne, why not expand the civil service examination and elevate the status of scholars?!
This Golden List was truly a treasure!
……
At this moment, there were other emperors from different Tang Dynasty realms who shared the same thoughts. Especially those who had suffered from the scourge of warlords, they all jumped up in excitement…
……
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