The evening breeze was gentle, and in March, the weather was gradually warming up. Xiao Ming and Fei Yue’er had both taken off their thick winter jackets.
The spring flowers in the royal residence had already bloomed, and the willow trees near the pond were sprouting tender green shoots.
“Your Highness, this matter of administrative reform is far too important. I don’t dare to comment on it lightly,” Fei Yue’er suddenly said nervously.
Hearing this, Xiao Ming paused for a moment and asked, “Do you not want the Fei family to be involved in Qingzhou’s government affairs?”
“Exactly. I don’t want my family involved in politics. Once someone from the Fei family enters Qingzhou’s officialdom, I won’t be able to stay uninvolved. Even if I remain silent, people will still see them as the Princess Consort’s relatives,” Fei Yue’er replied with a frown.
Xiao Ming looked steadily at her. He had to admit that Fei Yue’er was a very intelligent woman. In the Great Yu Empire, most women would be eager to push their family into politics, but Fei Yue’er was doing the opposite.
He smiled gently and said, “You don’t need to be nervous, Princess Consort. I won’t reject someone just because they’re family. Besides, the Fei family has many accomplished students and former officials all over the country. Even if they’re not direct family, maybe some of them can recommend capable individuals.”
Hearing this, Fei Yue’er relaxed a little. She said, “If that’s how Your Highness sees it, then my father could recommend some talented officials who haven’t had the chance to shine.”
“Oh? In that case, why don’t you write him a letter right now, and ask Grand Secretary Fei to suggest a few names?” Xiao Ming said.
Fei Yue’er hesitated for a moment, then nodded and turned back toward the sleeping quarters.
Xiao Ming shook his head. He wasn’t doing this because he wanted to rely on the Fei family, but because he needed to diversify the officials in the government and avoid forming political factions.
During a recent council meeting, he noticed a growing divide between officials recommended by Pang Yukun and those from Qingzhou.
At the banquet, Chang Yuchun and Zhan Xingchang were clearly one group, while Yang Chengye and Kong Yong’an were another. This emerging rift had caught Xiao Ming’s attention.
After studying history using the technology crystal, he realized that even under wise rulers, officials often clashed with each other. The bureaucracy had its own unwritten rules and darkness.
Some officials might remain clean despite all this, but most would eventually turn into slick veterans of the system.
Xiao Ming trusted Pang Yukun, but there were some things even Pang couldn’t control. As the saying goes: it’s easier to fight a tiger than to deal with flies. So involving the Fei family to balance things out seemed like a good move.
If he could create a system where officials monitored each other, it would help keep the government honest.
Once he settled the plan for the administrative reform, the civil service exams were officially announced.
The news quickly spread across Bowen Academy. The Department of Public Administration, always the largest, instantly became abuzz with excitement. The students were all fired up, waiting eagerly for the examination day.
“It’s been two years. We’ve been studying hard at Bowen Academy for two whole years. Now, the day has finally come!” a student shouted to the sky.
“Thank you, Your Highness! Thank you, Chief Secretary Pang! We finally have the chance to use what we’ve learned to serve the people!”
“I never imagined that law students like us would get this chance too. His Highness even set up the Supervisory Court. That was unexpected.”
“…”
After the exam dates were announced, the students from the Department of Public Administration were buzzing like bees. Many never let go of their books and were busy preparing.
While they were discussing the exam, Xiao Ming and Pang Yukun arrived at Bowen Academy.
This time, Xiao Ming had decided to hold the exam right there at the academy.
“Your Highness, look at the students. They must be thrilled right now. We’ve trained them for years, and now it’s finally time for them to show what they can do,” Pang Yukun said with a smile.
Watching the students bobbing their heads as they read their books, Xiao Ming smiled too. “This exam is not just for picking officials. It’s also a test of how much they’ve actually learned. As for those who’ve been slacking off, they won’t be overlooked either. I don’t keep freeloaders around.”
Pang Yukun nodded. “You’re absolutely right. With such great benefits at Bowen Academy, if they don’t study seriously, there’s no excuse.”
He paused, then added, “But Your Highness, the public schools in each province are almost ready too. Should we start selecting some students to go teach in those schools?”
In general, the literacy rate in Xiao Ming’s territory was still very low. Most of the people couldn’t read at all, and that would be a serious problem for future development.
Only through widespread education and public examinations could they stop new aristocratic families from forming. Back in the day, Emperor Taizong of the Tang dynasty weakened the old aristocratic clans by using the imperial exam system. Xiao Ming planned to take that even further. But his version wouldn’t test boring memorized knowledge—it would be a competitive knowledge-based recruitment process.
As the two men walked through the academy, they drew the attention of the students. Some started reading out loud in hopes of being noticed. Although their eyes were on the books, they were sneaking glances at Xiao Ming and Pang Yukun.
“Heh, those public administration students are finally proud of themselves. Now they’ve got a real shot at joining the government.”
“Yeah. Before, all they did was read books and badmouth the chemistry and physics departments.”
“Ugh, when will it be our turn in the medical academy?”
“Physician Sun only takes care of his own disciples. He just teaches us the most basic stuff. Proud? In your dreams.”
“…”
While Xiao Ming and Pang Yukun were touring the academy, they overheard some students whispering in a corner.
Pang Yukun said, “The medical academy is still under Physician Sun, right? They’ve been awfully quiet lately. They’ve definitely fallen behind the others.”
“You’re right,” Xiao Ming replied, clearly displeased. “I originally thought Physician Sun was focused on studying medicine. But now it seems his thinking is outdated. He hasn’t passed down real medical knowledge to the students. No wonder they’ve lost motivation.”
“All those physicians have bad tempers. They’re arrogant and full of themselves. I think it’s time we give Physician Sun a wake-up call,” Pang Yukun said.
“Not only that, I’m going to bring in new physicians. Physicians are officials too. Like any other position, those who perform stay, and those who don’t get replaced. I won’t let someone hog the seat and do nothing,” Xiao Ming said coldly.
Pang Yukun suddenly laughed. “Your Highness, that was a great metaphor. Just like how a useless official should go home and sell red beans instead of wasting space.”
Xiao Ming chuckled and said, “No time like the present. Let’s go pay Physician Sun a visit right now and see if he still wants to stay at Bowen Academy.”