kvmb Chapter 172 Regardless of background or social status, only talent matters!
Chapter 172 Regardless of background or social status, only talent matters!
The next moment, tens of thousands of people below the stage knelt down!
They kowtowed frantically to the figure standing on the high platform, sword in hand.
"Your Majesty is wise!"
"Long live the Qin Dynasty! Long live Your Majesty!"
The cheers of the people gathered together, sweeping across the entire city of Xianyang and soaring into the sky.
In stark contrast to this fervor was the chaotic scene of disarray within the ranks of officials.
Many civil officials, after witnessing this scene, could no longer hold on, their legs gave way, and they collapsed to the ground. Some even urinated and defecated.
Ying Zheng ignored the shouts of "Long live the Emperor!" and did not look at the officials.
He held the blood-dripping Tai'a sword in his hand, its tip pointing diagonally at the ground.
Blood slid down the blade and dripped onto the stained stone slab, making a soft "drip-drip" sound.
Amidst the fervent support and cheers of the people!
He slowly turned around, his gaze sweeping over the officials, over the common people, and finally, looking up at the heavens.
He slowly raised the Tai'a sword in his hand and spoke calmly.
"What exactly caused all of this?"
Ying Zheng's voice carried a hint of weariness.
This is not only a question to Heaven, but also a question to himself and to all the officials in the court!
of course……
They were also waiting for Zhang Fan!
Upon hearing this...
Zhang Fan immediately understood. He stepped forward and faced the thousands of excited people below the stage.
He did not answer Ying Zheng immediately, but first addressed the people.
"Fellow villagers! Elders!"
"Having killed Wu Liang and Luo Lang, is the problem solved?"
The cheers of the people gradually subsided.
They stared blankly at Zhang Fan, not understanding why he said that.
"No!"
Zhang Fan's voice suddenly rose!
He whirled around, his arm like a sword, pointing directly at the ranks of officials, and shouted sternly:
"If we have Wu Liang today, who knows if we won't have Li Liang or Wang Liang tomorrow?"
"As long as the breeding ground for these evils exists, as long as the 'recommendation system' for selecting officials remains!"
"As long as official positions can be controlled by money, power, or family background!"
"Then, the tragedy that befell Shangdang County today will surely happen somewhere else in the Qin Dynasty!"
"A repeat of the same thing!!"
This statement came out.
A commotion broke out in the ranks of officials, and many people's expressions changed again.
Zhang Fan ignored them and resolutely turned to face Ying Zheng.
He bowed deeply, and then proclaimed in a loud voice:
"Your Majesty! I believe that to eradicate corruption, we must first destroy its foundation!"
"Your Majesty, I humbly request that you abolish the centuries-old 'recommendation system' and establish a new law!"
He raised his head, his gaze intense, and his voice resounded through the sky!
"Regardless of background or social status, only talent matters!"
"All scholars in the world, regardless of their humble origins or noble birth!"
"All can pass a unified and fair examination to enter the court as officials, serving His Majesty and the Great Qin!"
"This method, I call—the Imperial Examination!"
The Imperial Examination!!!
These two words struck Xianyang Square like a thunderclap!
In an instant, the ranks of officials erupted into chaos!
If the emperor's massacre just now instilled fear in them!
At this moment, Zhang Fan's two words brought them even greater shock!
This is going to wipe them out completely!
"What?!"
"Abolish the election system?!"
"He's insane! He must be insane!"
At this moment, all the officials from prominent families turned deathly pale, their faces drained of all color!
They stared at Zhang Fan in utter horror, their eyes filled with unbelievable rage.
What utter nonsense about the Qin Dynasty's governance!
Killing Wu Liang and Luo Lang was just the prelude!
Stirring up public anger and intimidating the court are merely means to an end!
His ultimate goal is to use the overwhelming power of the people to undermine their foundations!
Cutting off someone's livelihood is like killing their parents!
Zhang Fan's actions were intended to cut off their descendants' official careers and to bring them down from their lofty positions to the mundane world!
In stark contrast were the thousands of ordinary people in the audience.
After a brief moment of shock and confusion!
Among the crowd, especially those poor scholars who were simply dressed but could not hide their scholarly air, they were the first to react!
"Regardless of background...only talent matters..."
A young scholar murmured to himself, tears welling in his eyes.
"Passing an exam...can lead to becoming an official?"
The next moment, a cheer that was a hundred times more enthusiastic and frenzied than when the emperor had just executed the corrupt official erupted from the crowd like a volcanic eruption!
"The Immortal Master is truly wise!!!"
"God bless the Great Qin! God bless us poor scholars!!"
Countless scholars from humble backgrounds!
At this moment, I could no longer control my emotions.
They all knelt down on the ground, facing the high platform, tears streaming down their faces, and kowtowed heavily!
To them, Zhang Fan's proposal of the "imperial examination" was nothing short of a parental blessing!
Can!
Just now.
A discordant voice suddenly rang out from the ranks of officials!
"I object!!"
An elderly scholar with white hair and beard, dressed in a doctoral robe, stepped forward shakily from the crowd.
It was none other than Chunyu Yue, the Doctor and Assistant Minister!
His face flushed red, and he pointed at Zhang Fan, his voice trembling.
"Your Majesty! You mustn't!"
"How can the laws of our ancestors and the systems established by past kings be changed so easily?"
"Throughout history, when selecting and appointing virtuous and capable individuals, one has considered not only their talent and learning, but also their moral character and family traditions!"
"Children of noble families, having been immersed in literature and poetry since childhood, are naturally influenced by their surroundings, learning etiquette and understanding righteousness, thus enabling them to share the burdens of the nation!"
"This is the cornerstone that maintains the stability of our Great Qin Dynasty!"
He continued, heartbroken:
"The 'imperial examination' mentioned by the immortal master seems fair, but it is actually utterly absurd!"
"If those ignorant country bumpkins are allowed into the imperial court, how could they possibly understand the fundamental principles of governing the country and ensuring its stability?"
"At that time, it will inevitably lead to the rise of villains and the rampant spread of treacherous officials!"
"The court is in chaos, shaking the very foundation of our Great Qin Kingdom!"
"Your Majesty, please investigate carefully and do not be misled by these erroneous words!"
"Lord Chunyu is absolutely right! I second that opinion!"
As soon as Chunyu Yue finished speaking, another noble marquis with military merits stepped forward from the crowd.
His face was full of anger, and he shouted:
"Your Majesty! Our ancestors all followed Your Majesty, fighting bloody battles and dying on the battlefield to conquer this vast land!"
"This official position was earned by our ancestors with their blood and merits!"
"Why should we be on equal footing with those peasants?"
He looked around and rallied the other officials:
"Zhang Fan, of unknown origin, spreads heresies and misleads the public; his intentions are despicable!"
"If he dares to abolish the recommendation system today, he'll dare to shake the military merit system of our Great Qin tomorrow!"
"This man is truly the root of all evil that will plunge our Great Qin Dynasty into chaos!"
"Please, Your Majesty, punish us!"
"Please, Your Majesty, punish us!"
"The imperial examination system is a scourge to the country and its people; it must never be implemented!"
"This is an act of political chaos! Your Majesty, please reconsider!"
For a time, more than half of the civil and military officials...
Representatives of prominent families, in particular, stepped forward, knelt on the ground, and tearfully voiced their opposition.
The roar of voices almost drowned out the cheers of the people.
On the high platform, on one side, the people's hearts were with joy and jubilation!
On one side, officials kowtowed to the palace, vehemently opposing the move.
All the pressure and all the attention ultimately focused on the man who still held the bloodstained longsword.
Ying Zheng remained silent, his face ashen.