I run a training class in Shu Han

Chapter 49 Initial Success

The monthly exam lasts for seven days, serving not only as a test of what students have learned, but also as a demanding task for the examiners.

After each exam, officials from the Prime Minister's office would count and anonymize the exam papers, then transport them to the rear hall of the Imperial Academy, where they would be guarded by the Imperial Guards.

When all the exams were over, the bamboo slips piled up in the rear hall looked like small mountains, a sight that was enough to give anyone a headache.

However, the Prime Minister's residence had made preparations in advance.

To cope with such a heavy workload of reviewing documents, the Prime Minister's residence gathered teachers and scholars from Chengdu, and everyone worked together to review them.

They are mainly responsible for memorizing Confucian classics. Although the workload is large and the process is tedious, it is not difficult.

Before the imperial examination system, there had never been such a large-scale examination and such a mountain of papers. The examiners were amazed as they carefully graded the papers.

As for the other papers, they were graded by examiners selected by the Prime Minister's office.

Some court officials, after finishing their official duties during the day, were also responsible for grading examination papers at night.

Besides being responsible for grading papers, the officials in the Prime Minister's office were also the busiest.

They were responsible for distributing, classifying, and moving the exam papers, all of which were physically demanding and required a great deal of energy.

Jiang Wan of the Prime Minister's Office calculated that the manpower and resources required for just one monthly exam at the Imperial Academy were almost more than the Imperial Academy's daily expenses for three months.

The imperial court has only just recovered and cannot withstand such a huge drain on resources.

"Prime Minister, look at this..."

Faced with the enormous daily expenditure on money and provisions, Jiang Wan found it difficult to speak out.

After all, this training course was the first new policy implemented by Liu Shan after he ascended the throne, and the court attached great importance to it. No matter how difficult it was, no one dared to say it out loud.

Zhuge Liang simply waved his hand and sighed, "His Majesty once said that no matter how poor we are, we must not neglect education. This is a matter of great importance for the Han Dynasty for centuries to come and cannot be ignored."

"The Empress has once again reduced the daily expenses of the palace this month. No matter how difficult things are, we must get through this."

Since Liu Shan ascended the throne, the palace has twice reduced its daily expenses in order to save money and food to get through the current difficulties.

Jiang Wan couldn't help but exclaim, "The Empress is truly wise!"

Lady Zhang was the principal wife personally chosen by Zhuge Liang for Liu Shan, so he was naturally aware of her character.

"Next spring, Yizhou will truly cease its wars and begin to recuperate. This year, no matter what, we must grit our teeth and persevere."

"The revival of the Han Dynasty is in sight."

In the Chengdu Imperial Palace, Liu Shan continued to review memorials in his study.

Although there was a Prime Minister's Office and a Secretariat, Liu Shan's daily memorials were piled up on an entire desk.

This is the negative impact of excessive concentration of imperial power.

Liu Shan rubbed his eyes, and in his daze, the candlelight flickered.

"His Majesty."

With such a gentle voice, who else could it be but Empress Zhang?

"Your Majesty, why are you still awake?"

"Seeing that Your Majesty was still dealing with state affairs, I personally went to the kitchen to cook some porridge."

After saying that, a bowl of steaming white porridge was placed in front of Liu Shan.

Liu Shan smiled and picked it up. The rice had a rich and mellow aroma, indicating that a lot of effort had been put into it.

"Your Majesty has worked hard."

But then he noticed that the food box was empty, so he ordered the eunuch to bring him a bowl.

Under Zhang's puzzled gaze, Liu Shan divided the porridge in his hand in half, then shifted his body and said, "Yun'er, sit over here and eat with me."

Zhang lowered her head, gave a soft reply, and then sat down next to Liu Shan.

"Your Majesty, the court is currently facing difficulties. I took it upon myself to further reduce the palace's expenses, so tonight there is only a bowl of plain porridge. I am ashamed before Your Majesty."

After saying that, Zhang turned her head to the side, secretly sniffed, and looked very aggrieved.

"Yun'er, you did well. It is my incompetence that made you, an empress, share a bowl of porridge with me," Liu Shan said with heartache.

"Your Majesty is destined for great things. As the sages often said, 'When Heaven is about to place a great responsibility on a person, it first tests their will, strains their muscles and bones, starves their body, empties their resources, and frustrates their endeavors.'"

"A bowl of plain porridge may seem ordinary, but there are still many people in Yizhou who cannot afford it. If Your Majesty is determined to be a good emperor, then let all the people of Yizhou have porridge to drink."

No wonder he comes from a wealthy family; he speaks so eloquently.

With such a capable wife, how can one not achieve great things?

Unconsciously, Liu Shan's right hand slowly wrapped around that slender waist.

Zhang's delicate body trembled slightly, but she did not resist; her cheeks began to flush.

Since the misunderstanding was cleared up, the relationship between the two has warmed up rapidly, and they have become more and more intimate with each other as a married couple.

However, Liu Shan was preoccupied with state affairs, and their relationship was just one step away from becoming a real one.

Why don't we just give in today?

Liu Shan secretly made up his mind, his eyes burning even more intensely.

Zhang's eyes began to glaze over.

Upon seeing this, the chief eunuch Wang Gui gently waved his hand, and the palace maids all lowered their heads and quietly left the study, leaving the man and woman alone.

Just then, the Imperial Guards reported that Prime Minister Zhuge had entered the palace to request an audience.

If it were anyone else, Wang Gui would have stopped them to prevent them from interfering with the emperor's good deed.

But who is Zhuge Liang?

The emperor's father was a prime minister who could directly reach the emperor's presence.

Wang Gui dared not be careless and braced himself as he said outside the study, "Your Majesty, Prime Minister Zhuge has come to the palace to request an audience."

cough~

An awkward cough came from the study, followed by a "Your Majesty, I take my leave" and Zhang slowly walked out of the study.

After walking a few steps, Zhang saw Zhuge Liang approaching quickly, his face full of smiles, followed by several officials carrying bamboo slips.

"Prime Minister!"

Zhang bowed slightly, and Zhuge Liang returned the bow with clasped hands.

"The Prime Minister seems so pleased; it must be that he has good news to share with His Majesty."

"Greetings, Your Majesty. I do indeed have some joyous news to share with you."

"Very well. It has been a long time since the court has received any good news, so this will surely bring some joy to His Majesty. I shall take my leave now."

"Take care, Your Majesty!"

Watching Zhang's departing figure, Zhuge Liang nodded with satisfaction.

The Empress was still thinking about His Majesty late at night; it seems I didn't choose the wrong person.

After entering the study, Liu Shan had already finished the last mouthful of porridge in his bowl.

"Your Excellency has come here so late at night; is there something important that you must have to do?"

Zhuge Liang waved his feather fan lightly, and the officials behind him placed bamboo slips in front of Liu Shan one by one.

"Your Majesty, these are the exam papers for the monthly test of this training course. Please take a look."

As Liu Shan picked up the bamboo slips, he asked curiously, "Aren't the papers graded by the chief examiner? Is there some kind of accident?"

While Liu Shan was reviewing the papers, Zhuge Liang said, "Your Majesty, this is not only an accident, but also a great surprise."

Listening to Zhuge Liang's tone, Liu Shan became increasingly interested and carefully read through the bamboo slips.

You wouldn't believe it until you read it; once you do, you're shocked by how perfect the case file is.

This is a Confucian classic exam paper. Not only were all the answers correct, but the handwriting was also very neat, without any corrections, making it a pleasure to look at.

This not only reflects the candidate's solid knowledge base, but also demonstrates his extraordinary will and patience.

"good!"

Liu Shan then picked up another bamboo scroll, which was a historical record.

The opening section briefly analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of the enfeoffment system and the prefecture-county system, and then elaborates on his own views, arguing that the Han dynasty inherited the Qin system and that the prefecture-county system was an inevitable trend.

He then devoted considerable ink to analyzing the current internal and external situation of the Han Dynasty, and, taking the reform of the seven commanderies in Nanzhong as an example, emphasized the importance of strengthening imperial power.

Of course, there were also many flattering remarks among them.

They believed that the Han emperor's diligent governance and strengthened imperial power had stabilized the country. They argued that if the emperor were young and the nation insecure, the concentration of imperial power could lead to the country's eventual disintegration.

Liu Shan finally understood why Zhuge Liang was so happy and went to the palace in the middle of the night.

The results of the training course are evident from the exam papers.