We have fought to the Arctic Circle, and you want me to inherit the throne?

Chapter 951 Let the Bullets Fly a Little Longer

Inside the Yangxin Hall.

Wang Jin bowed respectfully before the imperial desk and reported to Li Che in detail his conversation with the double-pupiled elder at the foot of Yunmeng Mountain.

He felt a little uneasy, after all, their method of taking turns disturbing the peace was hardly honorable.

Little did they know, Li Che did not blame them at all; on the contrary, he listened with great interest.

Do you really think this emperor is some kind of moral gentleman? He's the most inhuman person ever!

Especially when Wang Jin described the old man with dark circles under his eyes, he couldn't help but clap his hands and laugh heartily.

"Hahaha... So, you guys just served that person meat-filled pancakes and stuff?"

Wang Jin nodded quickly, a strange smile appearing on his face: "Your Majesty, that's right."

"The old gentleman seemed to be hungry. After taking a cake, he ate it slowly and carefully, but finished it in a few bites. Then he naturally took the rest of the cakes as well."

He paused, then added, "On the contrary, the gold and silver rewards, silks and satins that His Majesty specially prepared were only glanced at by the old gentleman, who then had us take them back as they were and distribute them to the poor people at the foot of the mountain."

Upon hearing this, Li Che laughed even more heartily.

"I miscalculated. For such a master, a hearty meal is more to his liking. If we have the chance to meet again in the future, I will definitely prepare more delicious food."

Although the desire for food is the lowest level in Maslow's hierarchy of needs, it is still a basic human instinct.

Even hermits and sages cannot endure not having enough to eat or not eating well.

Wang Jin scratched his head and sighed, "Even someone as great as the old immortal would worry about this thing in his belly... I never expected that."

Li Che shook his head: "A disciple of Guiguzi will never lack food."

"I think it's probably because I caught all eight of his favorite disciples and brought them into the court."

"He's the only old scholar left on the mountain, and he doesn't know how to cook, so he probably hasn't had a proper hot meal in a long time."

Wang Jin suddenly realized and laughed along, making the atmosphere in the hall much more relaxed.

After laughing, Wang Jin's expression turned serious, and he continued with the most crucial part of his report: "As for His Majesty's invitation to come to the capital... the old gentleman ultimately declined."

He claimed to be a disciple of Guiguzi, specializing in the art of diplomacy and strategy.

"The situation in the world is still unsettled, and there are still separatist regimes in the south. This is not the time for him to come down from the mountain and enter the world. It is not appropriate for him to meet with His Majesty at this time."

Upon hearing this, Li Che's smile faded slightly, and a glint of shrewdness flashed in his eyes.

From this perspective, the old man had good intentions.

What did the strategists do?

A ruthless character who appears in a time of great chaos, stirring up trouble and manipulating the world's affairs!

Now that the false dynasty in the south has not yet been pacified, if he were to descend the mountain at this time, wouldn't that be tantamount to announcing to the world that Li Che's Great Qing dynasty is not yet secure?

At this point, he explicitly stated that it was "not advisable to meet," the subtext of which was: I have faith in you and believe that you can maintain your power; there is no need for me to interfere.

Having figured this out, Li Che felt increasingly relieved.

The reason he cared so much about Yunmeng Mountain was partly due to his eagerness to find talented people, but also because he had some concerns.

After all, the strategists' record is well-documented; they always cause trouble whenever they emerge. Now that Daqing is just beginning to stabilize, the court and the people cannot afford any more turmoil.

He hesitated for a moment, then said, "Wang Jin."

"The minister is here."

"Go and make arrangements to select a few skilled chefs and find a suitable place at the foot of Yunmeng Mountain to open a restaurant."

"Do not worry about profits or losses. All ingredients and expenses shall be drawn from my private treasury. Make sure to take good care of the old gentleman."

Li Che joked, "His eight disciples are still serving in the court. We can't really leave their master to suffer in the wind and rain on the mountain, can we?"

"Since the old gentleman has expressed his goodwill, I should also reciprocate."

Wang Jin immediately understood and replied with a cupped hand: "Your subject understands, and will certainly handle this matter properly so that the old gentleman... uh, can have a hot meal."

Li Che nodded in satisfaction, his gaze falling on Wang Jin as he carefully examined him.

This person is quick-witted, adaptable, and hardworking.

Most importantly, he is also commendably loyal and knows how to share the burdens of his sovereign, making him a rare talent.

Having transmigrated for so many years and served as a monarch for so long, Li Che's fastest-improving ability is... cough cough cough, it's discovering talent.

So he asked, "I remember you were among the first graduates of Fengguo University, weren't you?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Jin trembled, his face flushing red: "Your Majesty... Your Majesty is so busy with state affairs, yet you still remember such a trivial matter of mine. I am indeed a member of the first cohort of students at Fengguo University!"

Seeing his excited expression, Li Che said gently, "How could I forget a loyal subject?"

That simple sentence made Wang Jin feel that all the hard work and toil of the past few months had been worth it!

A surge of emotion welled up in his eyes, and he quickly lowered his head to hide his tears, choking out, "Your Majesty... Your Majesty... Your Majesty..."

Li Che smiled and continued, "Starting from the next session, your Fengguo University will also have to participate in the imperial examinations to enter officialdom. You, as an older graduate, are still getting an advantage."

Previously, Fengguo was short of talent, and university graduates in Fengguo were guaranteed job placement, a truly secure job.

Now that the whole country is about to be unified, everything must be in line with national policies.

It would be inappropriate for Fengguo University to continue guaranteeing job placements. Students from other places would probably have to rack their brains to move to Fengguo and get a Fengguo household registration.

Of course, Fengguo University mainly trains science students, and liberal arts students like Wang Jin are a minority.

Li Che then said, "You will continue to follow up and coordinate the follow-up matters concerning the newly appointed Jinshi."

"Assign them to specific ministries and departments. Let the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Personnel discuss and draft a plan as soon as possible based on their expertise and performance evaluations, and then submit it to me."

"Your subject obeys the decree and will serve with all his might!" Wang Jin immediately straightened his back and loudly agreed.

Li Che was amused by his statement and laughed again.

He was clearly born in Fengtian and was deeply influenced by the military atmosphere. What normal civil official would constantly talk about "dying for someone"?

However, he admired this sharpness.

Civil officials should also have backbone, even more so than military generals. It's always better to be willing to "die for someone" than to say "the water is too cold" when it really matters!

"Alright, no need to be so tense." Li Che waved his hand, his tone becoming more casual, and asked as if chatting, "You've been traveling back and forth between the capital and the provinces. Besides Yunmeng Mountain, do you have any other thoughts? Tell me about them."

Wang Jin knew that His Majesty was testing him and giving him a chance.

He thought for a moment, organized his thoughts, and replied respectfully:

"Your Majesty, wherever I go, the families of the successful candidates are all deeply grateful to Your Majesty. Many elderly people, upon hearing the good news, are moved to tears, saying that Your Majesty's grace is boundless and has changed the fate of their generations."

"After the news of erecting a monument and building a shrine for the Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) spread, it attracted people from all directions to watch and discuss the matter."

"I have personally witnessed that many poor students who were originally disheartened with studying have picked up their books again."

"Even the local government is very interested in this matter and is eager to try. Several county magistrates have already suggested to me that we consider setting up schools in the county so that more children can study and prepare for the imperial examinations."

Li Che nodded slightly; this was exactly the effect he wanted.

His benefits for Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) were substantial: those who achieved the highest rank in the first class were exempt from taxes in their hometown for three years, those who achieved the second class for two years, and those who achieved the third class for one year.

The tax revenue from just one county is a drop in the ocean for the entire Daqing treasury; it won't cause any major damage. However, the incentive is extremely effective.

For local officials, the emergence of a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations) from their jurisdiction is a tangible achievement in education and moral transformation.

Moreover, during the tax-free period, there is no need to worry about collecting taxes and grain, and one can free up time to do other things.

The people of the entire county will benefit from this and will naturally be grateful to the Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination).

This effectively eliminated the worries of the newly appointed scholars, laying a solid foundation for these newly promoted disciples of the emperor.

As long as their family members don't commit heinous crimes, they are absolutely untouchable in the local area and enjoy a superior status.

With such a role model established, the local government in Daqing will inevitably place greater emphasis on the imperial examination system and encourage students under its jurisdiction to study and strive for advancement.

After all, which official doesn't want political achievements?

At that time, if Li Che wanted to take advantage of the situation to promote official schools and popularize education, he would likely encounter much less resistance.

"However..." Wang Jin changed the subject, his tone becoming cautious, "I have also heard that some powerful families have privately expressed their dissatisfaction with this year's imperial examination."

"After all, since His Majesty ascended the throne, he has suppressed and purged many aristocratic families. Those that have survived by chance have had a large number of their collections of books confiscated, which has damaged their foundations."

"They harbored resentment and fear towards the imperial court, and for this imperial examination, they did not send any of their clansmen to the capital to take the exam."

Upon hearing this, Li Che sneered disdainfully, "The fact that I did not forbid them from taking the imperial examinations to enter officialdom is already a great favor."

"They themselves were hesitant and even resistant to taking the exam, so what face do they have to complain now? Do I have to beg them to take these official positions?"

Wang Jin carefully chose his words and cautiously advised, "Your Majesty, please calm down. I am not trying to exonerate them."

"However, aristocratic families have a long history and many members are literate, making them the group with the most scholars in the world."

“It would be a pity for the country to completely abandon it.”

Li Che glanced at Wang Jin, knowing that he spoke out of public interest.

He stood up, walked to the window, and looked out at the palace complex: "I understand your concerns."

"It's alright, let the bullets fly a little longer."

Wang Jin didn't know what it meant to let the bullets fly for a while, but a few days later, several pieces of news spread from Xuanzheng Hall.

When this news broke, the powerful families in the north could no longer remain silent.