dognovel Chapter 540 Is this old man the CPU himself? (910)
Chapter 540 Is this old man the CPU himself? (910)
Just as Wang Guangyang was pacing back and forth, Emperor Zhu and Yang Shaofeng's entourage also arrived in Jinan.
Looking at the streets of Jinan and then at the streets of Dengzhou, Emperor Zhu couldn't help but slightly purse his lips.
The streets of Jinan were not as dirty, chaotic, or bad as those of Dengzhou.
More importantly, the people in Jinan were inferior to the people in Dengzhou in both clothing and spirit.
After observing for a while, Emperor Zhu suddenly turned to Yang Shaofeng and asked, "Tell me, when will the people of Jinan Prefecture be able to live like the people of Dengzhou Prefecture?"
Yang Shaofeng paused slightly, then replied, "It shouldn't take long, right?"
Pointing to the constables patrolling the streets, Yang Shaofeng continued, "When I passed through Jinan last time, there were no constables patrolling the streets."
"Whether it was the Jinan Prefect's own idea or he was guided by Governor Wang, Jinan is slowly getting better."
"When a prefecture develops, the people in the city will benefit first, and then the nearby prefectures and counties will also develop."
Emperor Zhu hummed in agreement, then suddenly remarked with emotion, "These past few years have been quite difficult for you too."
Yang Shaofeng immediately became wary.
Not right.
Given Zhu Chongba's consistent style, it was common for him to curse his own official as a scoundrel or a dog, so asking him to call him "my worthy son-in-law" was harder than climbing to heaven.
Now he's actually lamenting that even I, an official, have it tough?
This difficulty goes beyond simply ascending to heaven.
This is even harder than witnessing Pangu create the world and then successfully surviving the Investiture of the Gods.
So, what exactly is this old man trying to do?
Just as Yang Shaofeng was secretly grumbling to himself, Emperor Zhu continued, "Tell me, can the success of Dengzhou Prefecture be replicated in other coastal areas?"
Yang Shaofeng was slightly taken aback, then frowned and said, "Confucius once said, 'Adapt to the times and to the place.'"
“Dengzhou Prefecture’s location and environment are quite different from other coastal prefectures. For example, things like salt production and fishing can be copied to some extent, but things like markets and universities are not so easy to copy.”
The development of a place involves many aspects, from public security to people's livelihood, from economy to education, from industry to sanitation. How can it be solved by simply copying the development model of Dengzhou Prefecture?
At the very least, each of the counties in a prefecture needs to be visited in turn. After that, a plan needs to be developed and then gradually implemented.
We don't know how many troubles we'll encounter and need to solve during the implementation process.
Only after resolving these messy issues can we slowly start talking about development.
After a slight pause, Yang Shaofeng continued, "Besides these, the most important issue is the labor shortage in the workshops."
Just like Huo Lingyue and Hu Dechang secretly running illegal coal mines and even trying to steal gold mines.
Driven by the lure of huge profits, the gentry who ran workshops would never miss any opportunity to exploit the common people.
For example, a task that originally required three people can be reduced to two.
This directly saves the cost of one person's wages.
Another example is trying to extend working hours by various means.
The gentry of the Ming Dynasty could do all the things that capitalists of later generations could do, and they could even do them more skillfully.
……
When Emperor Zhu saw the official document stating that "the imperial examination system will be completely abolished in ten years, and a special imperial examination will be held every year for the next ten years," he did not struggle with the same dilemma as Wang Guangyang.
Especially after the first imperial examination in the third year of Hongwu's reign, Emperor Zhu was even more eager to abolish the imperial examination system completely.
Those exam papers, those scores—if it weren't for the twenty-six students from Ningyang County standing ahead of them, Emperor Zhu might have even questioned his own existence.
Setting aside the official document abolishing the imperial examination system, Emperor Zhu smiled and said, "I know Minister Wang is in a hurry, but don't rush."
"We already knew about the abolition of the imperial examination system."
"I originally planned to start implementing it after returning to Beijing, but I didn't expect Biao'er to get there first."
Emperor Zhu, looking pleased with himself, stroked his beard and laughed, "Good, our Biao'er has finally learned to share our burdens."
As Emperor Zhu finished speaking, Wang Guangyang felt a surge of frustration, with a belly full of complaints but no way to express them.
Turning his head to glance at Yang Shaofeng, Wang Guangyang felt even more heartbroken.
Yang Shaofeng was sipping tea, seemingly oblivious to the official document abolishing the imperial examination system.
Seeing Wang Guangyang looking at him, Yang Shaofeng curled his lip and said, "Prefect Wang, don't be in such a hurry. The imperial examination system should be abolished. It's not very useful anyway."
Wang Guangyang said urgently, "What are you saying, Your Highness? The imperial examination is not only for selecting talents for the country, but also for inspiring countless students to study hard."
"What will happen to those students if the imperial examination system is abolished?"
"Doesn't Your Highness worry that those students who take the civil service exams are only aiming for promotion and wealth?"
Before Yang Shaofeng could answer, Emperor Zhu said unhappily, "If you're not here for promotion and wealth, are you here to advocate for the people?"
"We don't care what their motives are. As long as they care about the people and can help them live a good life, we are willing to let them become officials."
At this point, Emperor Zhu's face darkened again.
"Like Huo Lingyue, and that Pang Zhen."
"Both of them are genuine graduates of the imperial examination system."
"But look at what they've done!"
They colluded with local gentry, illegally mined, and enslaved people; they did almost anything immoral.
If all the officials in the Ming Dynasty were like this, what difference would it make if they all came from the imperial examination system?
Emperor Zhu sighed inwardly.
Yang Shaofeng said sarcastically, "Money can be earned back, but if you lose your conscience, you can earn even more!"
Emperor Zhu was almost driven to his death by Yang Shaofeng.
Is this something a person can say?
What the hell is this bastard who's always causing trouble for his father-in-law?!
It’s his mother’s fault!
While cursing inwardly, Emperor Zhu glared fiercely at Yang Shaofeng and scolded, "If you don't speak, no one will think you're mute!"
"Also, after you return to the capital, take a good look at those memorials impeaching you and reflect on them carefully."
"Why do those censors and officials not impeach others, but instead target you for impeachment?"
Yang Shaofeng was slightly taken aback.
Is this old man the CPU official himself?
It must be in the CPU itself!
Yang Shaofeng smirked and continued in a sarcastic tone: "A certain sage once said that a person who is not envied is mediocre."
"The reason why the censors and officials are targeting the son-in-law is because they are jealous of him."
"Anyway, I have a clear conscience and I am not afraid of their impeachment."
Yang Shaofeng spoke with increasing confidence: "Just like Huo Lingyue and Pang Zhen, they feel guilty, so of course they will resent my son-in-law. But Governor Wang doesn't feel guilty, so naturally he won't resent my son-in-law."