Looking at the officials prostrate on the ground, Jiang Chen nodded in satisfaction.

If it hadn't been for this assassination attempt, he really wouldn't have had the opportunity to start a killing spree and cleanse the previous dynasty's harem!

In fact, the person behind the scenes had done him a great favor.

Jiang Chen gently stroked the ferocious dragon head on the chair, and put forward the policies he had been preparing for many days.

"The investigation must be thorough!"

"Next, I want to implement the imperial examination to select truly talented people to serve in the court!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the officials looked at each other.

In the past, they would have stood up to oppose this news.

But now, none of them dared to speak out.

After the staff beatings at Yingtian Gate and the great purge of the court, they clearly realized that His Majesty had really changed!

He had become ruthless, shrewd, and allowed no one to question him!

Faced with such an emperor, they were very wary and unwilling to clash easily.

Moreover, the fact that the family members of the guilty officials had infiltrated the palace could potentially affect more than half of the court's officials.

If they resisted His Majesty and caused this fire to burn them, losing their official hats, wouldn't that be penny wise, pound foolish?

The huge Jinluan Hall fell into dead silence.

Seeing this, Jiang Chen singled out Prime Minister Pei Zheng, who had served two dynasties and was highly experienced and respected, to appease the crowd.

"Prime Minister Pei, what do you think of this matter?"

Pei Zheng was a well-known shirker who only knew how to pass the buck and smooth things over.

Hearing the emperor's question, he stood up unhurriedly and played Tai Chi, saying, "Your Majesty, the imperial examination involves a wide range of issues. This old minister dares not speak rashly. It is better to gather wisdom and listen to the opinions of my colleagues!"

Jiang Chen was not disgusted by this old man.

How could he have no real skills if he had survived two dynasties without falling and withstood the pressure from powerful officials such as Mei Wenshi to secure his position as prime minister?

It was just that the original owner was too foolish and he was unwilling to use them!

Jiang Chen was confident that with his strategy, he could win Pei Zheng's loyalty.

"Prime Minister Pei, you are the head of all officials. Your opinion is enough to represent the ministers in the court, so don't decline." Jiang Chen's tone was light.

Pei Zheng stroked his beard, his eyes showing scrutiny, and said thoughtfully, "Since Your Majesty has ordered, then this old minister will dare to speak."

"The Ministry of Rites' negligence this time shows that the imperial examination is still necessary, but since we want to select talents, we naturally cannot only allow the poor to participate in the examination."

"You are the supreme ruler of Great Wei, the father of all people. Whether they are from noble families or poor families, they are all your subjects. Naturally, you must treat them equally without bias."

Jiang Chen frowned upon hearing this.

Pei Zheng's words sounded very reasonable at first glance, but upon closer inspection, they were full of fallacies!

The material conditions of noble families and poor families were worlds apart. At the same age, children from poor families were farming and squeezing time to read a book, while children from noble families had famous teachers to tutor them from a young age and did not have to worry about making a living, only focusing on learning.

Were these two comparable?

If he, the emperor, did not favor one side, how many poor people would be on the list of successful candidates in the imperial examination?

His purpose in holding the imperial examination was to select ministers with clean backgrounds who were loyal to him, not to give noble families a chance to show off their superiority!

Ministers such as Mei Wenshi listened to Pei Zheng's memorial without interrupting.

Judging from His Majesty's attitude, the imperial examination was a foregone conclusion.

Since the fact could not be changed, the most urgent task was to find ways to gain more benefits for their own people.

Pei Zheng was the prime minister, representing the interests of the officials, and knew what to do.

Jiang Chen sat at the head, taking in the expressions of the officials. He knew that they would not give in anymore.

So he took a different approach and said, "What Prime Minister Pei said makes sense."

"But since we want fairness, let's carry it through to the end!"

"I think this imperial examination can be divided into two lists. One list will be for children from noble families, and the other will be for children from poor families. The number of people admitted and the examination process must be the same, so that it can be considered truly fair!"

Upon hearing this, Pei Zheng raised his eyebrows slightly, a look of surprise flashed in his eyes, but he did not object.

But Mei Wenshi, Zhang Kang, and others could not sit still.

If they really did as the emperor said, wouldn't the outstanding younger generations in their clans have to fight among themselves?

Seeing this, Jiang Chen snorted coldly.

"I have already gone this far. If you still have any objections, then don't blame me for disregarding the relationship between ruler and subject!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the ministers' faces twisted slightly, recalling the tragic situation of their colleagues in the Ministry of Rites. They all said:

"Your Majesty, I think this plan is excellent!"

"Your Majesty, I second that!"

"Taking scholars from two lists is very fair, I..."

Like chickens pecking at rice, the ministers nodded frequently, as if they would be dragged to the suburbs for beheading if they were a step slower.

Zhang Kang's eyes flickered. He exchanged a glance with Mei Wenshi, slowly stepped out, and cupped his hands.

"Your Majesty, now that the imperial examination has been decided, should we arrange this matter as soon as possible? Set a date?"

"After the purge of the court a few days ago, there are many vacancies in the six ministries, which is precisely the time when manpower is needed... This humble minister is willing to be responsible for organizing the imperial examination and contributing to this matter!"

"You?"

Jiang Chen propped up his chin and squinted at Zhang Kang.

He suddenly jumped out, and his attitude was so active. He must have received instructions from Mei Wenshi. I will not let this old thing get his wish!

"Sir, you were beaten with a staff a few days ago. It is not easy to force yourself to attend court. Don't worry about the imperial examination."

Saying that, Jiang Chen looked to the right and said without doubt:

"The Ministry of Rites is responsible for organizing the imperial examination, and I will serve as the chief examiner. If there are any more mistakes in this task, the entire family will be confiscated!"

Li Xin, the only remaining Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, was called by name and stepped out in a daze, with a wry smile on his face.

Why did this troublesome matter fall into my hands?

But when the emperor has an order, the minister must obey.

Restraining the urge to scratch his head, he knelt on the ground and thanked the emperor in a deep voice.

Seeing this, the ministers also knelt down and shouted in unison, "We will obey Your Majesty's decree."

Next, after dealing with some tax and engineering issues, the court meeting ended.

Mei Wenshi looked at Jiang Chen's back with cold eyes, his face very gloomy.

The original plan had completely failed. Not only did Consort Shu not die, but she also gained more favor from the emperor!

Those aristocratic children who were instigated were even more useless. It was fine if they didn't play any role, but they were actually caught by the soldiers of the Five Cities and thrown into prison, used by the emperor to force their fathers to compromise!

Moreover, the spies he had planted in the palace for many years had also been cleared out... And the officials in the Ministry of Rites who were loyal to him had all been dismissed!

Even the imperial examination was being promoted according to the emperor's wishes!

Mei Wenshi recalled, his heart burning with anger. He had been in the court for so many years, and this was the first time he had suffered such a loss!

Worthless, more than enough to ruin, but not enough to accomplish!

When those royal relatives provided him with poison, they boasted about how miraculous and effective it was, but when it came to using it, it didn't work at all! It was a waste of his trump card!

Walking out of the Jinluan Hall, Mei Wenshi looked back at the dragon chair high above.

His eyes were cold and piercing: "Your Majesty, the game has just begun. It is not yet known who will win!"