Traveling through Du He, Li Chengqian's rebellion begins

Li Chengqian turned around and asked Du He, "Du He, how many scholars do you think I should recruit?"

Du He smiled and said, "Your Highness, the Eastern Palace is short of talent now, the more the better."

"After the assessment, as long as there are people with the potential to be the best in the county, they can be admitted to Chongwen Hall."

This group of scholars were recruited into Chongwenguan, not as formal bachelors, but just ordinary apprentices.

Moreover, the purpose of recruiting them was not to serve in Chongwenguan, but to serve as local county magistrates in the future.

It is not difficult for the Eastern Palace to support a hundred people.

Li Chengqian nodded and asked, "What should we do with the other scholars who were not selected?"

"If they are not chosen by me, will they go and work for Li Tai?"

On-site assessments are not completely accurate and some talented people will always be missed.

Since these people cannot find any opportunities in the Eastern Palace, they will definitely run to Prince Wei’s Palace.

Li Chengqian was eating from the bowl while looking at the pot.

He couldn't recruit all of these people into Chongwenguan, but he didn't want to be recruited by Li Tai either.

Du He thought for a moment and offered a suggestion: "Your Highness, you can tell those who are not selected that the Donggong Chongwenguan will set up a station outside Chang'an City and recruit a group of scholars every three months."

"Three months is not a long time. Scholars who are not selected can wait. It can also prevent talented people from going to the King of Wei."

The imperial examination selection has one chance every year, and the Eastern Palace Chongwenguan gives four chances.

These scholars can see hope, so during this period they will frantically make up for their deficiencies and then take part in the Chongwenguan examination.

Du He continued, "Your Highness, you can even give these scholars some relevant books according to the talent selection requirements."

"When these people get the books distributed by the Eastern Palace, they will study them like crazy, and you can select talents in a targeted manner."

This tactic is similar to the imperial examination of the imperial court.

The current imperial examinations of the imperial court are aimed at selecting talents in a targeted manner, and the subjects of examination are the interpretation of classics, current affairs, and classics and history.

Therefore, candidates will continue to improve their shortcomings according to the assessment requirements.

Talent is accumulated like this, little by little.

Li Chengqian smiled and said, "Du He, you still have a solution!"

"Okay, let's do as you say. Let's go meet these scholars now."

In the East Palace Garden.

Because there were so many scholars, the several halls of the Eastern Palace could not accommodate them, so they were temporarily arranged to stay in the shade of the trees in the garden.

At this time, three or five of them gathered together and chatted in low voices, with expressions of nervousness, anticipation, and even a bit of pride on their faces.

"Hehe, Brother Zhang Guang and his gang are so short-sighted that they actually went to Prince Wei's mansion to look for opportunities."

"The King of Wei has lost face this time. The common people are scolding him. What future can we have by following him?"

"That's right, they don't have the patience to wait for the prince to recruit them."

"If they knew that the prince had sent someone to recruit him, they would probably regret it."

"They will not only slap their thighs, but they may regret it for the rest of their lives! What they have lost is not only the opportunity to pursue a career in government, but also the opportunity to have their poems selected for anthology and become famous."

"..."

Because the King of Wei had sent people to recruit them first, about a hundred people could not wait and followed the servants of the King of Wei's mansion without any hesitation.

They were a group of smarter people, so they weren't in a hurry and waited a little longer.

Sure enough, the people sent by the prince came to recruit him.

While the scholars were discussing, Li Chengqian and Du He walked over together.

With the reminder from the attendants of the Eastern Palace, these scholars also knew the identity of the noble person who was coming towards them.

They quickly stood up and saluted respectfully towards Li Chengqian and Du He.

"Greetings to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, and greetings to Prince Consort Du!"

Li Chengqian waved his hand and said with a smile: "No need to be polite, please stand up quickly."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

After everyone saluted respectfully, they lowered their heads slightly with a reserved look. They did not dare to look at the Crown Prince Li Chengqian.

Li Chengqian, escorted by his personal guards, walked to the center of the crowd.

Looking at the group of relatively young scholars, Li Chengqian felt somewhat delighted, and then asked loudly.

"Where are you all from, fellow scholars?"

The students were stunned for a moment. They didn't expect that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince would be so approachable, so they started talking at once.

"Your Highness, I am from Wanquan County, Jiangzhou."

"I'm from Pingcheng County, Yizhou."

"Xing County, Lanzhou."

"Lingqiu County, Weizhou."

"..."

As everyone named their hometowns one after another, the atmosphere on the scene suddenly became a lot more relaxed.

Everyone felt closer to Li Chengqian, the high and mighty prince.

Li Chengqian nodded, waited until everyone's voices quieted down a little, and then continued.

"Everyone, you are all talented people who are well-read in poetry and literature, and my Chongwen Academy just needs to recruit a group of outstanding talents."

"It's just that the number of places is limited, and I can't recruit all of you."

"In order to ensure fairness, relevant people will come to assess you later. Those who rank high will be admitted to the Chongwen Pavilion of the East Palace."

"Don't be discouraged if you were not selected this time. Chongwenguan recruits a group of talents every three months. You can go back and read more books and study, and try again next time."

These scholars, who had all taken part in the imperial examinations, expressed their understanding of what Li Chengqian said.

The prince certainly cannot recruit more than a thousand people into Chongwenguan, and the people he recruits are not random people, but talented and outstanding talents.

However, the prince was also very sincere and allowed Chongwenguan to recruit every three months.

Even if you don’t get selected this time, there will be plenty of opportunities later.

"Your Highness, when will the assessment begin?"

"I can not wait any more!"

Everyone was enthusiastic.

Li Chengqian raised his hand to signal everyone to be quiet, and after a while he said loudly: "It's very hot now, I have asked someone to cook you some malt soup, you can eat it later and then proceed with the assessment."

Wow!

There was an instant commotion among the crowd.

For these sentimental students, a thought suddenly emerged in their minds: If you treat me like a national hero, I will repay you like a national hero.

"Thank you, Your Highness."

"Your Highness is wise."

Hearing the cheers like waves, Du He was filled with admiration for Li Chengqian.

Li Chengqian's calligraphy is brilliant and his methods are also brilliant.

A simple action can win the favor of these scholars.

...

Wude Hall before dusk.

Li Tai, spy leader Wei Suan, and a group of staff were all inside.

The atmosphere was extremely solemn.

The spy leader Wei Suan reported to Li Tai with a nervous mood: "Your Highness, more than half of the people in Chang'an City have already blamed Du Shangshu for last night's mistakes."

"However, there are still many stubborn people who think that this is your fault..."

Wei Suan didn't finish his words.

Because Li Tai's face already looked a little ugly, it would be extremely risky to continue talking.

Li Tai's face was cold, and he continued to ask: "What's the news from the prince?"

Wei Suan went on to say: “The prince summoned more than 1000 scholars to the East Palace and recruited 85 of them to the Chongwen Hall.”

"What! There are more than a thousand people going to the East Palace!"

Li Tai's eyes widened and his voice became much louder.

It's amazing to think that his cultural center only attracted more than 100 people in total, and only 5 of them met his requirements.

Li Tai looked as if he had eaten a fly.