bayedsolid Chapter 445: Hanging the head on the beam and piercing the thigh with a needle
Chapter 445: Hanging the head on the beam and piercing the thigh with a needle
Mo Li continued, "In recent years, the number of people who buy or donate to become officials has been increasing. Officials below the rank of Langzhong in the capital, and below the rank of Daotai in the outer courts, can all donate money. As long as they submit the money to the Ministry of Personnel, they can be considered for the position."
Mo Li paused and continued, "Um... Your Majesty, let me give you an example. If you were in the Ministry of Personnel, no one would dare to offend Lord He. As long as they took the money, used Lord He's connections, and paid Lord He the silver, they would definitely be the first to fill the vacancy."
He Shen smiled and said to Emperor Gai Zhang: "For example, Your Majesty, you heard it clearly, he said for example."
Emperor Gai Zhang hummed and looked at Mo Li, "Then what do you say we should do?"
Mo Li said, "Stop donating money to get an official position. Donating money to get an official position means exchanging money for an official position. It's like buying an official position. Officials educate the people and govern the local area. How can they be bought with money? If money can buy an official position, it's like buying a cow. When you get home, you naturally have to let it farm and make a profit. The same goes for officials who donated money. After they take office, the first thing they have to do is to get the money back. Then, harsh and excessive punishments are inevitable, Your Majesty."
Emperor Gai Zhang thought it made sense and nodded repeatedly.
Mo Li continued, "Now that the donations have ceased, I ask His Majesty to employ more officials and hold a special examination to select more young talents for Daxuan. This will surely clean up the bureaucracy. Currently, public opinion is surging throughout the country, expressing dissatisfaction with our administration. Scholars also feel they have no way to advance their careers, and are filled with resentment."
Emperor Gai Zhang uttered an "oh" and said, "I have also heard a folk proverb that goes, 'Spending money to buy an official position only makes money, while studying hard only makes one lose the books.'"
He Shen frowned and said, "Your Majesty, I think what Lord Mo said just now is biased. The so-called "Enlightenment Examination" is only held on occasions such as the Emperor's wedding, the Empress Dowager's birthday, or in short, when the country is celebrating a happy event. How can it be held at will? Moreover, our Emperor's civil and military achievements all require money. The money collected from river works, disaster relief, military supplies, and donations has always been a great help. We cannot give up easily."
Emperor Gai Zhang nodded repeatedly and said, "That's right. The reason why the Enke exam was so easy to hold is that it makes the scholars in the world feel lucky and unable to study with peace of mind."
He Shen smiled and said, "Your Majesty is absolutely right."
Mo Li said, "Master He, you are so opposed to the Emperor's opening of the Imperial Examination. Have you already accepted bribes from many officials? If the Emperor opens the Imperial Examination, you won't be able to explain to the officials who bribed you, right?"
He Shen frowned and said, "Mo Li, you're joking too much."
Emperor Gai Zhang said, "Alright, alright. Regarding such a major matter as the Imperial Examination, I must make the final decision. Go and take care of yourselves."
"The Emperor's Holy Might."
"My minister retire."
Mo Li and He Shen said at the same time.
The two looked at each other and went their separate ways.
……
Du Xiaoyue was standing on a chair, a rope hanging from the beam. She was about to put it around her neck when Mo Li walked in and said, "Hey, Xiaoyue, what's going on?"
Du Xiaoyue said: "You asked me to do this."
"I asked you to do this. How could I ask you to do this? I asked you to..." Mo Li wanted to say something but stopped, suddenly remembering something.
Du Xiaoyue only said two words - study.
Only then did Mo Li realize that she was trying to emulate the ancients' practice of hanging herself from the beam and piercing her thigh with a needle. She said, "Oh, you're learning this the wrong way."
Du Xiaoyue said: "No, look, I've even prepared the iron spike."
Mo Li said, "Oh my god, I thought you were going to hang yourself."
Let her come down quickly.
Du Xiaoyue was stunned.
Mo Li walked over and said, "You don't have to study like this. Did I ask you to study like this? You're really scary." He took off his officer's hat and put it on the table.