I haven't held the imperial examination for two years, and I'm not even going to hold the imperial examination for next year. This is like a thunderbolt for scholars who have been preparing for many years. Although many young scholars have begun to look for other ways out.

But there are still many scholars who can't think about it, especially for some older scholars. They have not received any rewards for their hard study for many years. They see that their hair is white and young people can afford it, but they can't.

It was also under this situation that some scholars in the capital began to complain about the court, and some even wrote articles to newspapers, angrily denounced the court for not enrolling the imperial examinations, blocking the path of scholars to learn, etc., and there were more and more similar articles, which showed that scholars were dissatisfied with increasing dissatisfaction.

"Actually, I have discussed this with the ministers, but I have not discussed the results. After all, if the court wants to reduce the number of officials, it must reduce the number of officials hired. It is imperative to postpone the imperial examination. I was even considering whether to set rules to hold the imperial examination every four years in the future?" Zhao Zhen also replied helplessly at this time.

Hearing that Zhao Zhen wanted to hold the imperial examination every four years, Li Zhang frowned. Even in the Ming and Qing dynasties, the imperial examination was only once every three years, while the Song Dynasty was uncertain. Sometimes it was held several times in a row, sometimes once every other year, but generally it did not exceed three years.

"Is it too long for once every four years? I am worried that some scholars can't wait, and maybe they will go to Liao Kingdom and Dangxiang?" Li Zhang asked after thinking for a moment, frowning.

Li Zhang's concerns were not aimless. In fact, in the original history, Zhang Yuan, who helped Li Yuanhao become emperor and founded the country, ran to Dangxiang because he failed the exams in the Song Dynasty. As a result, he caused serious losses to the Song Dynasty. Of course, Zhang Yuan has been dealt with by a wild dog, but no one knows whether there will be a Li Yuan or Liu Yuan in the future?

"This... probably won't be there. No matter what, they are also my people of the Song Dynasty. How could they go to fund the enemy country?" Zhao Zhen asked disbelief when he heard Li Zhang's words.

"Your Majesty, people's hearts are unpredictable. For some people, national justice is nothing compared to their personal future." Li Zhang warned very seriously. After all, with the example of Zhang Yuan in front, no one is sure if there will be other people.

When Zhao Zhen heard Li Zhang's warning, he also felt it made sense, but then he smiled bitterly and said, "My cousin's words do make sense, but the legs are on others, so we can't tie their legs up."

"I'm just telling you a worst guess, and even if they want to surrender to the enemy country, it's not easy to find a way, but you still have to be vigilant. So I think the best way now is to guide and try not to let those who have affected themselves due to the postponement of the imperial examination, and reduce their resentment towards the court." Li Zhang saw that Zhao Zhen's face was wrong, so he comforted him.

"But this is too difficult. They are eager to participate in the imperial examination, but the court does not want to hire too many officials. This is simply a dead end. I really can't think of any way to solve this problem." Zhao Zhen smiled helplessly again.

"Not necessarily, don't forget that if they want to participate in the imperial examination, they are nothing more than seeking a future for themselves. If they can give them a future without participating in the imperial examination, they may reduce their resentment." Li Zhang suddenly smiled indifferently.

"Cousin, what do you mean is that even if they are not allowed to participate in the imperial examination, they can still be granted official positions? How about holding the imperial examination?" Zhao Zhen was confused at this time, and he looked at Li Zhang with an incredible look on his face and asked.

"It's completely different. If you are admitted to the imperial examination, then after these people are admitted, the court will have to arrange official positions for them. Even if you have to wait for a few years, it will not have much impact on them. Moreover, if you are not satisfied with the official position, they can refuse to take office. However, if you are not admitted to the imperial examination, then we can recruit some specific positions, and there will always be someone willing to take office." Li Zhang smiled again and said.

The officials of the Song Dynasty can be said to be the happiest group of people. Most of them are scholars and have extremely free and status. Even if the official positions assigned to them by the court are not satisfied, they can even refuse to take office. The court has no choice but to reassign them. Therefore, no one is willing to hold official positions in some remote places. This is the problem that Li Zhang wants to solve now.

"I understand. In the past, I was awarded the post-school students the official position and then let these people slowly choose official positions. Now, they directly list the vacant positions and then recruit them from scholars. In order to get the official position, they can only accept the arrangements of the court in order to get the official position." Zhao Zhen also showed a sudden expression when he heard this.

"Yes, actually I thought about the Nanyang incident. For example, if the Li Dynasty was conquered this time, how would the court send officials to govern the government? When Dong Qing and his team conquered Gantuli Port, they relied on some criminal exiled officials to govern the port. If they were not guilty, I'm afraid no officials would be willing to go there. Now the court can do the opposite and recruit officials for specific positions. When the willing people take the bait, they can't blame the court for not giving them a chance!" Li Zhang also showed a proud expression at the end.

In fact, Li Zhang's idea also refers to the civil servant examination in later generations. For the public examination of civil servants in specific positions, who can pass the examination, the Song Dynasty can copy it and take exams for some remote official positions. At that time, the problem of dispatched officials can be solved and the dissatisfaction of scholars with the court.

"Wonderful, this method is good. I'll call Lu Xiang and the others to discuss it!" Zhao Zhen suddenly slapped his thigh after hearing this. He really didn't think about this method. If it works, it could even be implemented in the imperial examination, thereby completely changing the imperial examination method.

Seeing Zhao Zhen's excited look, Li Zhang also smiled calmly. In fact, the most effective way to solve the problem of redundant officials is the "combination of officials" he mentioned to Zhao Zhen before. As long as the identity gap between officials and officials is completely eliminated and the circulation channels between the two can the problem of redundant officials be completely solved.
Chapter completed!