Chapter 34 How do I become an emperor? Do you want me to learn from your Confucianism?

The next day, as the morning glow began to rise, all civil and military officials gathered in front of the jade steps on the palace floor.

Li Si walked steadily, his robe sleeves fluttering, bowed deeply to the First Emperor, and said in a clear voice: "Your Majesty, I have something to report."

The First Emperor looked at Li Si with deep eyes and raised his hand slightly: "Speak."

Li Si took a deep breath, calmed his face, bowed deeply to the First Emperor, and said in a clear voice: "Your Majesty, I have recently met a great scholar named Ye Chi! He has mastered the Five Classics and the Six Arts, and has a talent that can control the world. I think I am not as good as him!"

He paused for a moment and saw that the First Emperor's eyes were burning and his face was full of curiosity. The ministers were also concentrating, and the whole court was silent!
Then he continued, "Master Ye is well versed in state governance, and has presented a plan for governing the country! It elaborates on the system of the imperial examination."

"This system is designed to select the best talents in the world, regardless of their status or origin. Only talents are selected. I think this policy is very good. If it can be implemented, it will surely help our Great Qin to embrace all rivers and become strong for eternity!"

When the First Emperor heard this, his eyes gleamed with a gleam of light, and he said in a deep voice: "Oh? The imperial examination system? Li Si, please tell me in detail."

Li Si nodded in response, turned to face the ministers, and said in a loud voice: "My Lords, the system of the imperial examination, in short, is to set up examination halls, hold examinations regularly, and let scholars from all over the world compete on the same field."

"The exam content is mainly based on classics, and also covers the studies of various schools of thought!"

“Anyone who is interested in a career in government can sign up for the exam, and those who pass the exam can obtain an official position and serve the country.”

He paused and glanced at the ministers, and saw that everyone had different expressions on their faces, some were surprised, some were confused, and some were dissatisfied.

He sneered in his heart.
Why are the children of aristocratic families able to serve as officials for generations?
It is not because they are talented and virtuous, but because they have monopolized resources such as knowledge and careers! !
Ye Chi's imperial examination system is precisely to break this monopoly and allow talented people all over the world to have the opportunity to realize their ambitions!
This Tian Ce, what is determined is the heaven of the Qin Dynasty!!!
At this point, Li Si raised his voice a little: "Your Majesty, I think the imperial examination system is the general trend and the will of the people."

"If it is implemented, it will surely inspire the enthusiasm of scholars all over the world to study and improve the country's overall cultural literacy!"

"At the same time, we can also select more talents for the country to help the Qin Dynasty unify the world and bring eternal peace!!"

After listening to Li Si's statement, the First Emperor pondered for a moment and said slowly: "My dear minister, what you said is very true. This imperial examination system is indeed worth a try."

"But this matter involves a lot of things, so we need to think about it carefully!"

After saying this, he glanced at the ministers and asked, "What do you think?"

The court immediately exploded, and a debate about the imperial examination system began! !

Clan shock!!
Those sons of wealthy and powerful families all had shocked expressions on their faces, whispering to each other and talking about it!

This imperial examination system means that they will no longer monopolize official careers, and countless children from poor families will have the opportunity to be on an equal footing with them, which undoubtedly touches their fundamental interests!
Chunyu Yue was standing in the court, and when he heard this, he was furious.

His eyes were like knives, shooting straight at Li Si, thinking to himself: "Ye Chi! It's Ye Chi again!!!"

"How could this Li Si know Ye Chi's classics?!"

Back then in Fengchang Temple, he had personally seen some of Ye Chi's books and was well aware of the wisdom and mysteries contained therein.

He didn't understand how Li Si got these books, and he was even more worried that Ye Chi's talents would be used by the First Emperor and threaten their position.

The Confucian scholars of Fengchang Temple also looked sullen. They thought highly of themselves and had always monopolized knowledge and official careers!
Now that they heard about the imperial examination system, they felt that their status was in jeopardy!

For a moment, the atmosphere in the court was tense and solemn.

Li Si observed the man's expression and sneered in his heart.

He had expected such a reaction, but for the future of the Qin Dynasty, he had to stand up. He took a deep breath, and said in a firm and powerful voice: "My Lords, the imperial examination system is to select talents from all over the world, not for the selfishness of one person or one family."

"As officials appointed by the imperial court, we should take care of the country. How can we sacrifice public interests for personal gain?!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the court fell into silence!
Li Si's voice echoed on the jade steps, shaking everyone's heart.

Although the clans were unwilling, they also knew that what Li Si said was true.

They looked at each other, speechless for a moment...

Sitting on the imperial couch, Qin Shi Huang was greatly shocked when he heard what Li Si had said, and a rare look of joy appeared on his face.

He looked at Li Si with burning eyes, as if he saw the hope for the future of the Qin Dynasty in him!
The First Emperor was also very interested in the imperial examination system. He believed that if this system was implemented, it would be able to attract talents from all over the world and inject new vitality into the Qin Dynasty's great cause.

However, he was also well aware of the far-reaching implications of this plan, which would inevitably affect the interests of the clan nobles and arouse their opposition.

As his most trusted and important minister, Li Si had always been loyal and assisted him in handling state affairs. The relationship between the two had long surpassed the boundaries between monarch and minister, and they were more like close friends.

Then, Emperor Qin Shi Huang looked at Li Si with a smile and said gently, "Li Si, I haven't had a meal with you for a long time. After the court session today, you should stay and have dinner with me."

"It just so happens that I want to discuss the imperial examination system with you in detail, so that we can understand its details and decide on its strategy!"

Li Si was moved when he heard this! !

He knew that His Majesty was very busy and it was not easy to receive this honor!
He immediately knelt on the ground and thanked the emperor for his grace: "Your Majesty, I, Li Si, thank you for your grace! May your majesty live forever!!"

Seeing this, the First Emperor laughed loudly and said, "Stand up!"

Li Si stood up as he was told, his heart filled with gratitude and respect!!

He knew that this was a sign of His Majesty's trust and respect for him, and also an opportunity for him to be loyal to the Qin Dynasty.

He secretly made up his mind to do a good job in this matter and live up to His Majesty's expectations.

However, some people in the morning class expressed dissatisfaction! !
Chunyu Yue saw this and came out to report: "Your Majesty, it is against etiquette for the emperor and his subjects to eat together. I am afraid it will cause criticism!"

The First Emperor was extremely displeased when he heard this, and said in a deep voice: "I used to eat with Li Si regularly, and there was nothing wrong with that. Besides, this was my will, who dares to object?!"

Chunyu Yue looked solemn and stepped out to say, "Your Majesty, etiquette is the foundation of the country and should not be neglected. Even if the emperor and his subjects dined together in the past, this practice should not be violated today."

"Back then, the Zhou emperor would never eat with his subjects!"

"In addition, there are strict levels of hierarchy when the emperor eats, and people of different identities eat different things!!"

"All of this is to demonstrate the dignity of the Son of Heaven and maintain the order of the country!"

"Your Majesty is the supreme ruler. Your every move is related to the dignity of the country! If you easily eat with your subjects, it may damage the dignity of the emperor and easily cause unnecessary criticism! Your Majesty, please think twice!"

After hearing this, the First Emperor frowned and was extremely unhappy!

"Do I need you Confucians to teach me how to be an emperor?"

(End of this chapter)