355: Chapter 356 The Eldest Son is Born! The Foundation of the Nation is Set.

The joyful news from Kunning Palace seemed to grow wings, instantly spreading to every corner of the Forbidden City and rushing out of the palace gates toward every direction of the capital without pause.

"The birth! It happened! Her Majesty the Empress has given birth to a prince!"

"His Majesty returns in a great victory, and the Crown Prince is born; Heaven blesses Great Ming!"

"Have you heard? His Majesty just bestowed the name 'Cheng-yu' upon the young prince and established him as the Crown Prince on the spot!"

"The Crown Prince! The eldest legitimate son! The foundation of the state is set!"

Palace maids and eunuchs ran to tell one another, their faces brimming with uncontrollable joy. The guarding Imperial Guards straightened their backs, feeling a shared sense of pride.

The commoners of the capital were even more ecstatic; in every street, alley, teahouse, and tavern, the sounds of discussion and cheering rose and fell, and firecrackers spontaneously thundered through the sky as if it were a festival.

"His Majesty has defined the distinction between Hua and Yi, exalting our Huaxia!"

"Expanding the territory by ten thousand miles, his prestige covers all within the seas!"

"Now that the Crown Prince is born, the national destiny will be long-lasting!"

"A triple blessing! A triple blessing indeed!"

Countless people were moved to tears, bowing from afar toward the direction of the Imperial Palace.

The morale of the people was invigorated like never before.

The next day.

The Hall of Supreme Harmony.

Lu Chen took his seat once again.

Sitting upon the Dragon Throne, his complexion looked even better than yesterday; no fatigue was visible between his brows, replaced instead by a hint of softness.

However, his gaze as he scanned the assembled officials remained as sharp as an eagle's.

"Proclaim the decree."

A calm, indifferent voice rang out.

An attendant unfurled the bright yellow imperial decree and read it aloud in a rhythmic, festive tone:

"By the Grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:"

"We have received the Mandate of Heaven to govern all lands. Relying on the protection of the heavens and the dedication of our soldiers, we have expanded our borders by ten thousand miles, suppressed the rebellious, won the hearts of the four seas, and brought all directions to our court!"

"Last night, Empress Yin gave birth to the eldest legitimate son. Auspicious signs descended from heaven, a great fortune for the ancestral shrines! We are deeply gratified!"

"Having received the blessings of Heaven, We do not dare to enjoy them alone. To manifest Heaven's grace and celebrate with the people, We specially decree:"

"All descendants of the 'Inner Nine Provinces' of Great Ming, the noble progeny of Yan and Huang, the children of Huaxia—regardless of age—shall each be rewarded with one thousand coins and one bolt of cloth!"

"By Imperial Command!"

Once the decree was read, the officials in the hall were stunned for a moment before erupting into a mountain-shaking, sea-tsunami roar of shouting!

"Your Majesty is wise!!"

"Your Majesty is benevolent!!"

"Long live the Emperor! Long live, long live!"

This reward, in its scope and magnitude, was unprecedented!

It directly benefited all descendants of Yan and Huang within the 'Inner Nine Provinces'!

What kind of favor! What kind of glory!

The national policy established yesterday of 'Inner as Primary, Overseas as Secondary' was vividly manifested today through hard currency and supplies!

Living in the Inner Nine Provinces truly was different!

Yang Xiao led the civil and military officials in prostrating, so moved they could hardly contain themselves.

"We, on behalf of all living souls under heaven, thank Your Majesty for your grand benevolence!"

Lu Chen looked at the excited crowd below, the corner of his mouth curling into an imperceptible arc.

He raised his hand and pressed down slightly.

"You may rise, ministers."

After the officials stood, the hall grew slightly quieter.

Lu Chen spoke again; his voice wasn't loud, yet it entered everyone's ears clearly.

"The Crown Prince has been established; the foundation of the state is solidified."

"However, for the rivers and mountains of the state to enjoy long-term peace and stability, it cannot rely on the strength of one man alone. We must broadly recruit talented individuals to join in this grand endeavor."

"It is Our intention—"

The officials' spirits lifted, knowing the main topic had arrived.

"To hold a Special Grace Examination! To recruit scholars!"

Boom!

These words were even more explosive than the previous rewards!

Holding an examination to recruit scholars!

It had finally come!

Since the founding of Great Ming, there had been constant warfare; although there were sporadic selections of talent, there had never been such a formal Imperial Examination!

This was the ultimate dream of all scholars under heaven!

However, before they could be happy for long, Lu Chen's next words were like a bucket of cold water poured over their heads.

"For this Special Grace Examination, the eligibility of candidates is set as follows:"

"First: They must be from the 'Inner Nine Provinces,' with a clear ancestral record, a clean background, and be descendants of Yan and Huang!"

"Second: They must be from the Great Ming Official Schools—"

—Graduates of the University!"

His words were powerful and resonant!

The entire Hall of Supreme Harmony instantly fell into a dead silence.

One could hear a pin drop.

Official school... graduates?

What did that mean?

Did it mean not all scholars could participate?

Many scholars who were well-versed in the classics and considered themselves highly talented but had not entered the official schools... were they no longer eligible?

A flash of insight crossed Yang Xiao's eyes, and he immediately understood the Emperor's deep meaning.

He stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty is wise! The Imperial Examination is a major affair of the state, concerning the very foundation of the country; it should naturally be handled with caution."

"Official schools are established by the court to teach the Way of the Sages, explain the great ming code, and cultivate practical talents."

"By using official school graduates as the basis for the examination, we can ensure the selected talents possess both scholarship and reason, and are more likely to be loyal to the court and one with the nation!"

"This is a foolproof strategy, a display of great foresight!"

These words were spoken flawlessly, providing an explanation while also flattering Lu Chen.

Lu Chen glanced at him and nodded slightly.

"What Yang Xiao says is correct."

He stood up, his gaze sweeping over the officials below who wore various expressions.

"Perhaps some do not understand, and some are indignant."

"Today, We shall clear your doubts."

He paced to the front of the red steps, his voice steady yet carrying an unquestionable power.

"The Great Ming Official Schools, from Primary School to University, are all supported by the court!"

"Primary School for literacy, Middle School for reasoning, and University for general knowledge."

"All citizens within the Inner Nine Provinces of Great Ming may enroll; the tuition fees shall be borne by the court!"

"Those who graduate from High School and pass the assessment shall be known as 'Xiucai' and enter the University!"

"Xiucai may enter local governments as clerks to handle basic affairs, or they may continue their advanced studies."

"Advanced studies at the University will be categorized: some will study the classics, some will research the law, some will master mathematics, some will investigate the nature of things, and some will train in military arts..."

"Those who graduate from the University and pass the assessment shall be known as 'Juren'!"

"Juren are already the reserve talent of the nation. They can be selected by the Ministry of Personnel to be directly granted official posts, entering various ministries, provinces, and armies as 'clerks' to handle specific duties and accumulate experience."

He paused and emphasized his tone.

"Only Juren shall be eligible to participate in this 'Special Grace Examination'!"

"Those who pass the Special Grace Examination shall be known as 'Jinshi'!"

"Only after achieving the rank of Jinshi can one enter the Hanlin Academy, join the central government, and become an 'official' to participate in national policy and manage the world!"

"From Xiucai to Juren, and then to Jinshi."

"From serving as a clerk to serving as an official."

"This is the new rule for Great Ming's talent selection!"

"Step by step, grounded and steady, serving the nation!"

"For all students in the official schools, from the moment of enrollment, their food, lodging, clothing, brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones shall all be provided by the court!"

The officials finally understood completely.

How was this a simple examination to recruit scholars?

This was clearly the establishment of an entirely new system for talent selection and cultivation, completely controlled by the court!

Starting from Primary School, the children of Great Ming were brought into the official education system.

Cultivated with the court's resources.

Learning the knowledge prescribed by the court.

Accepting the court's ideologies.

After graduation, they would start as grassroots 'clerks.' Only 'Juren' with actual achievements and abilities would be eligible to become true 'officials' through the final 'Special Grace Examination' and enter the core of power.

This path was clear, explicit, and... the only one!

The era of the past, where one could reach the heavens in a single bound by reading a few books and writing some bitter poems, was completely over!

The path for great clans to monopolize educational resources, privately cultivate disciples and subordinates, and then insert them into the court through the Imperial Examination was also blocked!

Because the only entrance was the official school!

And the official schools were, in theory, open to all citizens of the 'Inner' provinces and supported by the court!