Traveling through the emperor, overthrowing the empress dowager at the beginning

In Taiqian Palace.

Ye Chen sat upright on the dragon throne, his eyes like torches, and the imperial aura he exuded was breathtaking.

He glanced at the officials below, his eyes quickly stopped on Yang Dechang, and his voice was steady and powerful.

"The assessments for the commanders of the Beijing Camp and the Northwest Frontier Army have been successfully completed."

"I see that the results are good, so I have decided to implement the civil service examination system. Not only will I conduct civil service examinations among all officials, but I will also recruit children from humble backgrounds to join the court to fill the vacancies of the six ministers and vice ministers."

These words were like dropping a bombshell.

There was an uproar in the court.

The expressions of many officials changed suddenly.

Yang Dechang's face instantly darkened.

He stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, this action is absolutely unacceptable! This violates the laws of our ancestors and could cause chaos throughout the land. The scholars are horrified!"

Yang Dechang's face was as sullen as the abyss, and his voice was steady.

He knew very well that he had to protect the interests of the aristocratic families.

This is also the biggest support behind him!

Hearing this, Ye Chen's eyes revealed a hint of sharpness.

"Lord Yang, what is the ancestral law? Times are changing, and the country must keep pace with the times. The examination system has been tried before and can indeed select truly talented people for the country. What's wrong with that?"

Hearing this, Yang Dechang just glanced at the person behind him.

An imperial censor immediately stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, how can children from humble backgrounds be allowed to serve as officials at court? Without family background or the bearing of an aristocrat, how can they possibly be qualified for such important positions at court?"

Another Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue echoed, "Your Majesty, this move will shake the foundation of the country and chill the hearts of officials across the country!"

Some military generals and nobles could not hold back and stood up to express their opposition.

"Your Majesty, this move will also cause instability in the military. Not only can it not be implemented among the civilians, it must not be continued in the military either. Otherwise, it will affect the safety of the country!"

The ministers stood up one after another.

They all spoke in unison and opposed the imperial examination system.

Ye Chen looked at these people and a surge of anger surged in his heart.

He stood up suddenly, emitting a powerful aura.

"My mind is made up, and there can be no doubt! The system of selecting civil servants through the imperial examination is imperative!"

Ye Chen's voice resounded in the court like thunder, causing pain in everyone's eardrums.

At this moment, his eyes were full of dominance and determination, like a towering mountain, unshakable.

Even if all the officials opposed it, he would force it through.

Seeing how strong he was, many officials were shocked.

When Yang Dechang saw this, he was secretly annoyed.

How could Ye Chen dare to do this when he was in power?

He gritted his teeth and decided to use his trump card.

"Your Majesty, if you insist on doing this, the governors of the various states in Dayu will likely disobey, and the world will be in chaos! We, your servants, are also concerned about the country and the people! Your Majesty, please, for the sake of the people of the world, do not make such a mistake!"

Upon hearing this, Ye Chen glared at Yang Dechang and shouted, "Yang Dechang, are you threatening me? Are you planning a rebellion?"

Hearing this, Yang Dechang's expression remained normal.

"Your Majesty, please calm down. I have absolutely no such intention. However, your Majesty's action is truly too risky, and we have no choice but to dissuade you."

Ye Chen sneered: "Risk? I have thought it over carefully. This is not a risk, but a reform. I have made up my mind. Anyone who dares to oppose it will be severely punished!"

"Empress Dowager, I will issue an imperial decree today to recruit talented people from humble backgrounds in the capital!"

Upon hearing this, Su Mengjiao's voice soon came from behind the bead curtain.

"I grant the Emperor's request."

Hearing this, Yang Dechang gritted his teeth, then took a deep breath and suppressed all the anger in his heart.

"Since Your Majesty is determined to do so, then this old minister has nothing to say!"

Yang Dechang waved his hand and retreated.

His face was as dark as the depths of the sea, but he didn't utter a word.

Seeing this, Ye Chen frowned slightly.

Yang Dechang did not confront him anymore and seemed to be backing down.

But this made Ye Chen feel a little uneasy.

An opponent who knows when to advance and retreat, who bides his time and hides his claws, is more terrifying than an opponent who directly reveals his methods.

"The imperial examination will be held in seven days."

Ye Chen finally announced that no matter how Edward Yang planned, he would definitely make the imperial examination a success.

When Yang Dechang saw this, he snorted in his heart.

He needs stability now.

"I'll let you be proud for a while. After twenty-five days, if you can't make the Tatars withdraw, I will come and deal with you."

A cold light flashed in Yang Dechang's eyes.

"If there's nothing else, please leave."

Seeing that Yang Dechang didn't seem to be about to speak, Ye Chen waved his hand and said.

"Your Majesty, please leave!"

All the officials left.

However, behind Ye Chen, Su Mengjiao lifted the bead curtain and walked out from behind Ye Chen.

With a hint of worry on her face, she said, "Emperor, the civil officials and nobles will definitely cause trouble. Yang Dechang's behavior is also strange. There may be a bigger conspiracy here."

Ye Chen smiled slightly.

"Queen Dowager, don't worry too much. I also want to know if the Jingzhou army will move after Yang Dechang retreats."

"If they won't move, it means there's a 90% chance that Yang Dechang won't dare to use the Jingzhou army to cause trouble."

"As long as he doesn't dare, there won't be any trouble in the imperial examination."

"Today, I am also testing you."

Hearing this, Su Mengjiao was slightly stunned, and then looked at Ye Chen with mixed feelings.

Su Mengjiao asked herself if she had the ability to think ten steps ahead before taking one step.

Ye Chen's political schemes really shocked her.