Chapter 352: My heart is like a mirror

"Your Majesty, the ancestral system cannot be violated, and the emperor's legacy cannot be abolished!" As soon as Emperor Xian of Han finished speaking, Situ Kong Rong had already bowed to Danji and sang with the first penis, "Since Emperor Gaozu founded the Han Dynasty, only nine people with different surnames were named kings, and they were all founding heroes. After more than four hundred years, no other surnames were named kings. The old ministers thought that this was the case!

"Your Majesty, what Lord Situ said is extremely true. You cannot be granted a king in another surname."

"Yes, don't set this precedent."

"The Prime Minister has made great contributions, but he has not reached the point of being a king."

"Your Majesty, this example will be opened soon. The country will not be a country..."

After Kong Rong finished speaking, all civil and military officials such as Sikong Kong Qi, Taichangqing Sima Fang, Taifu Dong Zhao, Dahonglu Man Chong, Shaofu Sima Lang, Dachangqiu Chen Jiao, Grand Sima Yuan Shang, General Yuan Tan of Cavalry, General Yuan Xi, General Yuan of the Cavalry, Du Ji, Zongzheng and Liu Zhang, and other civil and military officials fell to the ground one after another and agreed in unison. Even Ma Yue's father-in-law Cai Yong and Shizhong Zhen Yi also opposed it in unison.

Looking around, except for Guangluxun Chen Qun, Henan Yin Zhongyao and other several people in the palace, most of them firmly opposed the title of Ma Yue as a king of a different surname.

Emperor Xian of Han frowned and said, "Since Dong Zhuo's rebellion in the capital, tyrants and powerful people have emerged, and the world has been quarreled, the people have been hanging over, and the imperial regime has lost their rule. If it weren't for the Prime Minister's efforts to turn the tide and Xingyi's army to fight against disobedience, how could this day be? Such a world-class achievement, for more than 400 years in the Han Dynasty, who is comparable to? Would you rather be a king than be named?"

Situ Kongrong said: "Your Majesty, the Prime Minister has reached Liang Duke, and his fief is already the most important minister, and he cannot be promoted again!"

Emperor Xian of Han said: "My intention has been decided..."

"Your Majesty!" Before Emperor Xian of Han finished speaking, Situ Kongrong had already stood up suddenly, and the white beard on his chin was floating up without wind, and he shouted sternly, "If Your Majesty does not follow the instructions of Emperor Gaozu, he will insist on arbitrarily signing the Prime Minister as a king of a different surname, and the old minister will be killed under the golden rank today!"

"His Majesty!"

"His Majesty!"

"His Majesty!"

As soon as Kong Rong said this, Kong Yichang, Sima Fang, Cai Yong, Sima Lang and others knelt down one after another.

Emperor Xian of Han saw that the county ministers were ruthless and had no intention of concession. Although he was unhappy, he could only take back his orders. He said coldly: "Since that's the case, we will discuss this matter again. Today's court discussion will end here and leave the court!"

After saying that, Emperor Xian of Han ignored the civil and military officials in the palace and left without a smile.

As the emperor left, the ministers in the hall also left one after another. In less than a moment, only Guangluxun Chen Qun and Sili's captain Zhong Yao were left in the huge golden hall. Chen Qun looked around and saw no one around, so he walked a few steps to catch up with Zhong Yao and asked in a low voice: "Just just now, Your Majesty wanted to confer the Prime Minister as a king of a different surname, but all officials opposed it. Lord Du did not object, but for some reason?"

Zhong Yao smiled faintly and asked, "Didn't Lord Chen object, either?"

"This..." Chen Jun smiled awkwardly and said, "The lower official just thinks that it is imperative for the Prime Minister to be crowned king."

"Haha." Zhong Yao smiled and said, "Mr. Chen is a smart person, so he will not follow Kong Rong. Those who don't know the current affairs make trouble. Hehe, the emperor intends to grant the Prime Minister the king of a different surname. Can they stop it even if they are?"

Chen Qun said: "So, sir, do you agree with the title of king?"

"Enjoy the King?" Zhong Yao smiled faintly, and a mysterious smile suddenly appeared on his face. He looked up at the sky and suddenly said something stupid, "This day... is about to change."

Hulao Pass, Ma Yue’s military tent.

Ma Yuesu signaled Jia Xu, Li Su, Lu Su and Kuai Yue to sit down, and then said, "I invite you today, because I have something big to discuss with you."

Jia Xu bowed and said, "Please speak with lord."

Ma Yue said: "Now the imperial court has already owned all the twelve prefectures of Yong, Si, Liang, Qing, You, Ji, Shuo, Yu, Yan, Xu, Yi, Jingzhou Nanyang County, Yangzhou Lujiang County, Huainan County, and a vast grassland in the north of the Mobei Province. The territory of the Han Dynasty stretched tens of thousands of miles east-west, south-west, and far exceeded any previous dynasty or any period."

Kuai Yue bowed and said, "This is all the achievements of the Prime Minister."

"Okay." Ma Yue shook his hand and said, "I am not here to show you my merit today. Now there is a very urgent and serious problem in front of us, that is, the vacancies of officials in each prefecture, county, and county are very serious. There are more than 40 counties in Hebei, and there are actually 36 prefects and more than 160 county magistrates. The remaining chiefs, chief ministers, Gongcao, chief magistrate, county magistrate and other officials are thousands of!

"Yan, Yu, and Xuzhou have not yet found a suitable candidate to serve as governors. Due to the lack of governors, county magistrates and county magistrates, these areas have been chaotic and poor public security. The court has to send a large number of troops to garrison for a long time to implement military control in these areas. However, military control is not a long-term solution."

Jia Xu observed his face and knew what Ma Yue was thinking, so he said: "Xu thought it was time to implement the national imperial examination and take the imperial examination!"

"Select a scholar in the imperial examination?"

"Select a scholar in the imperial examination!"

This was the first time Lu Su and Kuai Yue heard this statement and couldn't help looking at each other.

Li Su explained: "The so-called imperial examination is a talent selection mechanism first created by the prime minister. Its core content is a two-level examination system. First, the county magistrates conduct first-level examinations on scholars in the county. Those who pass the examinations are scholars. Then the prefects of each county conduct second-level examinations on scholars in each county under their rule. Those who pass the examinations are scholars. Those who pass the examinations are scholars. If they become scholars, they can become officials. This system has been tried in Liangzhou, Yongzhou and Shuozhou for many years and is highly praised by scholars in Guanzhong."

Jia Xu said: "In fact, the imperial examination system created by the Prime Minister also has a third-level examination, which is to concentrate the juren admitted to each county in the capital and then conduct the third-level examination. The admitted person is a Jinshi! After passing the Jinshi, he can be sent to each county as a county magistrate. After several years of training, if someone has talent, he can be promoted to county magistrates."

"This..." Lu Su said in confusion, "Can ordinary people also take the exam?"

Li Su said: "As long as you are a Han person, no matter the common people or scholars, you can take the exam."

Kuai Yue said: "Isn't this a mess of etiquette?"

"Etiquette? What is etiquette?" Ma Yue said coldly, "Is it ritual that must be distinguished from high and low? Why do we have to divide the three, six, and nine levels of the Han people and the Han people? Zi Jing, although Yidu was born in aristocratic family, I would like to ask the two, didn't your ancestors come from the cold?"

"this……"

Kuai Yue and Lu Su were speechless.

Ma Yue stood up and said coldly with his hands behind his back: "Good etiquette can educate the people, so it should be followed, but these bad etiquettes must be eliminated. I am going to tell all scholars in the world with practical actions that as long as they are knowledgeable and talented, no matter whether they are from a humble or noble family, they have the opportunity to become officials! I am going to be talented only!"

"Lord." As soon as Ma Yue finished speaking, Dian Wei suddenly stepped into the tent and shouted with his fists, "Guanglu Xunqing Chen Qun's tent, seeking a meeting outside the tent."

"Chen Qun?" Ma Yue said in a deep voice, "Xuan him come in."

"Affect the order."

Dian Wei bowed with fists and turned around and left.

In less than a moment, Chen Qun, who was slender and handsome, floated in, bowed to Ma Yue, and said aloud: "Chen Qun, please see the Prime Minister."

"Hehe, long articles are free from gifts." Ma Yuesu said, "Come on, come on, sit here."

"Thank you Prime Minister."

Chen Qun held his fists and bowed, and walked to Kuai Yue's head to the right and sat down.

Ma Yue said: "Chang Wen came to Hulao Pass not far from Luoyang, I don't know what is important?"

Chen Qun looked at Jia Xu and others, but he stopped talking.

Ma Yue said: "It's okay to say a long article."

Chen Qun then said: "There is a matter for me to come here."

Ma Yue said, "What's the matter?"

Chen Qun said: "The emperor wanted to confer the title of Prime Minister as a king of a different surname, but he was firmly opposed by all civil and military officials headed by Situ Kongrong! Only a few people, including the lower officials and the Yin Zhongyao of Henan, supported the emperor, but the people were slight, so they did not dare to comment on the court. I thought it was of great importance, so I rushed to Hulao Pass overnight to inform the Prime Minister."

Ma Yue smiled faintly and said, "I'm worried about the long article, haha."

"Work to the Prime Minister, I am the official's official's duty." Chen Qun said this, his face suddenly turned serious, and said, "Is there a word that Qun said, "I don't know whether to say it or not?"

Ma Yue said, "But it's okay."

Chen Qun said: "As the saying goes, there is no master in the world, but those with virtue live in it. The Han Dynasty lasted for more than four hundred years, and the twenty-four emperors have passed away. Now the prime minister has banished the four barbarians and expanded the borders outside, which has a great influence on the country. His achievements have been shattered in the past and present. Even if the Qin emperor and Han and Wu were not as good as those in the Han Dynasty, why not follow the will of heaven and establish the Han Dynasty?"

Ma Yue's face changed and he shouted, "Let's be careful with your words!"

Chen Qun did not care and continued: "Today, the military power belongs to the Prime Minister. It is natural to establish the Han Dynasty. What is the only thing that is worrying is nothing more than the criticism of the civil and military officials of the court. They think late in the night and sometimes have small achievements. Drafting the Nine-rank Zhongzheng system may help the Prime Minister clear the obstacles!"

"Enough!" Ma Yue slapped the table and shouted, "If Changwen dares to talk nonsense again, don't blame the lone and ruthlessness!"

Luoyang, the imperial palace back garden.

Princess Liu Ming of Yiyang bowed to Emperor Xian of Han, Liu Xie, and sang: "I have met the emperor."

"The emperor's aunt is not a gift." Liu Xie hurriedly signaled Liu Ming to get up and said, "I sent someone to invite the emperor to the palace. There is nothing else, I just want to talk about family matters with the emperor."

"Oh." Liu Ming sighed softly when he heard this and asked, "Your Majesty should be twenty years old this year, right?"

Liu Xie said: "It's exactly twenty."

"It's time to perform the ceremony." Liu Ming said, "and it's time to accept a concubine."

Liu Xie said: "The state affairs are not yet decided, so I have no intention of accepting a concubine."

"You are not as good as Liang Gong in this regard." Liu Ming said half-seriously and half-jokingly, "Although the state is not yet determined, Liang Gong has never stopped taking beauty pageants and concubines. Over the years, Liang Gong has been fighting abroad for many years, and he will bring back many young and beautiful women every time he goes to the place. Now, there are hundreds of resentful wives in the deep boudoir of Liang Gong's mansion."

Liu Xie smiled slightly and said, "It seems that the emperor is also dissatisfied with the prime minister."

"I dare not be dissatisfied." A trace of bitterness flashed across Liu Ming's pink face and said with a bitter smile, "I am so old that I can't compare to those young girls. You don't know that the slutty foxes in the Duke's mansion heard that Liang Gong was going to return to the court. They were all dressed up in a colorful manner. Tsk tsk, I really don't know what to say."

"I can't help you with this matter." Liu Xie advised, "As a man, it's normal for him to be more romantic, not to mention that the prime minister is the most powerful minister and the hero in the hearts of all the people of the world. The emperor should be more open-minded."

"I've been thinking about it for a long time." Liu Ming said self-deprecatingly, "Now, my thoughts are all on Ji'er. I just hope that Ji'er will grow up happily. When he grows up, he will choose a good husband. Whether it is an official or a wealthy businessman, even if he is a civilian, it's okay to fight for the common people. It's the same, and you must not show mercy like Ji'er's father."

Liu Xie covered his mouth and laughed secretly, then straightened his face and said to Liu Ming: "Actually, I have something to ask the emperor."

Liu Ming said: "What's the matter?"

Liu Xie said: "I want to confer the Prime Minister as a king of a different surname, but all the civil and military officials in the court opposed it..."

"Do you want to confer Liang Gong as the king of a different surname?" Liu Ming's expression narrowed and he said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, you have to think clearly about this."

"Actually, I have thought it through." Liu Xie sighed quietly and said, "I know better than anyone else."

Liu Ming said: "The emperor means..."

"Nothing." Liu Xie avoided the topic, "I just wanted to ask the emperor whether he should be appointed as the prime minister as a king of a different surname."

"I really can't tell you about this." Liu Ming smiled bitterly, "It's better for the emperor to make the decision himself."

Hulao Pass.

Chen Qun, Li Su, Kuai Yue and Lu Su have left, and only Ma Yue and Jia Xu are left in the tent.

Jia Xu said: "Although Chen Qun's words are ruthless, the nine-rank Zhongzheng system he proposed is very insightful. Xu thought that the system of the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers inherited from the Qin Dynasty was not reasonable in many places, such as loose institutions, overlapping or lacking powers, and inefficient officials' work. However, the nine-rank Zhongzheng system proposed by Chen Qun can make up for these shortcomings well."
To be continued...