bullyxtreme Chapter 409: Six subjects were abolished, and only the Jinshi degree was honored!!!
Chapter 409: Six subjects were abolished, and only the Jinshi degree was honored!!!
"What do you mean, Master Zhuang?"
Kong Yingda frowned, obviously not quite understanding.
Zhuang Zhou smiled and said:
"What I mean is that we can refine the test questions and make them more specific, so that we can better test the true talents of the scholars."
Li Chengqian's eyes lit up and he quickly asked:
"Oh? What do you think, Mr. Zhuang?"
Zhuang Zhou smiled slightly and said:
"For example, we can ask a question about farming, asking scholars how to improve agricultural production in the Tang Dynasty and increase grain production."
Li Chengqian and Kong Yingda looked at each other, both showing admiration in their eyes.
Kong Yingda stroked his beard and smiled:
"Master Zhuang's words make sense. Making the test questions more detailed can indeed better test the true talents of the scholars."
Zhuang Zhou continued:
"Not only that, we can also combine the test questions with the actual problems of the current court, so that while answering the questions, the scholars can also think about how to contribute to the court and the people."
Li Chengqian nodded in agreement. He knew Zhuang Zhou's talent very well and was naturally convinced by Zhuang Zhou's suggestions.
"Mr. Zhuang is absolutely right!"
Li Chengqian exclaimed:
"Such exam questions can not only test the scholars' knowledge, but also cultivate their practical problem-solving ability, so that they can better serve the court."
Kong Yingda nodded and agreed:
“Yes, Master Zhuang’s suggestion is indeed insightful.
It is indeed possible to include such questions as part of the imperial examination, but how should the questions be set?"
Now Zhuang Zhou has proposed an idea for the question, but after all, they have never done anything like this before.
For Zhuang Zhou, it was too easy to understand.
In modern society, civil service examinations include essay tests.
then.
Zhuang Zhou elaborated on his understanding of the essay:
The court provided a piece of written material reflecting a specific practical issue.
Then, candidates are asked to read these materials carefully and summarize the main issues they reflect.
And propose practical solutions to this problem.
Finally, explain and justify your own views in more detail.
Wait until Zhuang Zhou finishes speaking.
Kong Yingda grabbed him and said with a smile:
"Master Zhuang, I have something to ask of you?"
"Mr. Kong, please speak!"
Kong Yingda calmed down and said loudly:
"After listening to Master Zhuang's words, I would like to ask Master Zhuang a question."
When Zhuang Zhou heard this, his heart moved slightly. He naturally understood Kong Yingda's intention.
Kong Yingda wanted to further understand his knowledge through the test questions he set.
Zhuang Zhou smiled slightly and said:
"Since Mr. Kong has said so, I will give it a try."
Kong Yingda was overjoyed when he heard this and said quickly:
"Okay! I'll wait and see!"
Zhuang Zhou nodded and began to ponder.
In fact, he had no idea and had to rely on the Ural.
After some "careful consideration", Zhuang Zhou finally came up with an idea.
He raised his head, looked at Kong Yingda and Li Chengqian, and said with a smile:
"The imperial court wants to strengthen agricultural development, and His Majesty also attaches great importance to it. Why not use agricultural development as the topic?"
"Please say!"
Zhuang Zhou responded and said slowly:
“The Tang Dynasty has a vast territory, and agriculture is the foundation of the country.
The people should have worked hard in the fields, made use of the seasons and solar terms, and seized the right time and place to ensure a good harvest of crops and thriving livestock.
In the hope that there would be a good harvest every year, the Tang treasury would be filled, and the people would live and work in peace and contentment.
However, in recent years, the agricultural development of the Tang Dynasty has stagnated, coupled with frequent droughts in the north and floods in the south, resulting in the people having no harvest and making their livelihood difficult.
Although the imperial court provided disaster relief many times, it was not a long-term solution.
The question is coming:
I would like to ask, how can we fundamentally solve the agricultural difficulties in the Tang Dynasty so that the people can live and work in peace and contentment and the country can become prosperous and strong?
Candidates' answers are required to be comprehensive, accurate in language and clear in structure.
No more than 800 words. "
"..."
Upon hearing this, Li Chengqian and Kong Yingda couldn't help but fall into deep thought.
This question seems simple.
Very concise!
In fact, it involves all aspects of Datang agriculture.
To answer this question well, you need not only profound knowledge, but also keen observation and unique insights.
But how to answer this?
After thinking about it, Kong Yingda still had no idea.
"Master Zhuang, how should I answer this question? Please teach me!"
"It's not even a teaching!"
Zhuang Zhou waved his hand and said:
“The key to this issue is to find the bottleneck of agricultural development and then propose practical solutions.
For example, we can start by improving farm tools, promoting high-yield crop varieties, and developing water conservancy projects.
At the same time, we can also consider how to rationally utilize land resources, increase food production, and promote agricultural products.”
Kong Yingda nodded and exclaimed:
"Master Zhuang is absolutely right!
This question not only tests the scholars’ knowledge, but also guides them to think about how to contribute to the court and the people. It is indeed a good question! ”
Li Chengqian also agreed:
"That's right. This question can not only test the scholars' talents, but also cultivate their practical problem-solving ability. It is indeed very helpful for selecting talents."
"That's all!"
Kong Yingda thought about it and expressed his doubts:
"Master Zhuang, this question you asked is all about agricultural planting.
But most of the students don’t know the difference between grains, I’m afraid they can’t answer it at all!”
"That's all right!"
Zhuang Zhou smiled slightly and continued:
"The imperial examination should select students with strong comprehensive abilities to enter the government. Since it is a comprehensive consideration of many aspects, I suggest that we implement a total score system and admit students according to the total score ranking."
Total score system?
This is a new word!
Li Chengqian asked first:
"Mr. Zhuang, what does this total score system mean?"
Kong Yingda looked over again, waiting for Zhuang Zhou's answer.
Zhuang Zhou asked:
"How many subjects are there in the imperial examination?"
Kong Yingda replied:
"It is mainly divided into six categories: Mingjing Category, Jinshi Category, Mingfa Category, Mingzi Category, Mingsuan Category, and Xiucai Category."
It was similar to what Zhuang Zhou knew beforehand.
The imperial examination system of the Tang Dynasty was inherited from the Sui Dynasty.
Originally there were only the Mingjing and Jinshi categories.
Later, the subjects of scholar, law, calligraphy and mathematics were added, and they were called the six subjects.
The most difficult of them is the Scholar subject, which is the first of the six subjects.
Mainly examines major national policies.
Because the exam is extremely difficult, the number of applicants is very small.
It was finally abolished during the reign of Emperor Gaozong of Tang (Li Zhi).
Looking at the entire Tang Dynasty, there were only twenty-nine scholars in total.
Among them, Li Yuan selected six people, Li Shimin selected twenty-two people, and Li Zhi selected one person.
Judging from the subsequent historical developments.
These subjects don't really mean much.
Historically, after the Song Dynasty there was only the Jinshi degree.
This is equivalent to all students entering the government as officials having to pass the Jinshi examination.
Although it is still the early Tang Dynasty.
But Zhuang Zhou has already arrived in this era.
Some things can naturally be avoided directly.
"Mr. Kong, I think it is necessary to advise His Majesty to make some adjustments to the subjects of the imperial examination."
"Oh, how to give advice?"
Zhuang Zhou said:
"It would be best to make the imperial examination system the only way for the court to select talents, and completely abolish all other ways to enter the officialdom, such as the recommendation system."
"..."