Fearing being killed for his overwhelming merits, the empress decided to marry him.

The original intention of the imperial examination system was to select capable people from the common people to enter officialdom, so as to fill the ranks of outstanding officials and break the situation where powerful families controlled the government.

However, throughout Chinese history, the imperial examination system was drafted during the Northern and Southern Dynasties, formally established during the Sui and Tang Dynasties, but was not perfected until the Ming and Qing Dynasties, spanning more than a thousand years.

Moreover, from a practical point of view, the effect is rather complicated. The biggest effect is that it has stabilized the turbulent situation and made becoming an official the only way out.

Ye Fan's idea of ​​achieving everything in one step is rather far-fetched.

But as the saying goes, ignorance is bliss, and Ye Fan intentionally or unintentionally ignored all the risks involved, only seeing how the success of the imperial examination system would change the entire Song Dynasty court.

"Your Majesty, once the imperial examination system is implemented in the Song Dynasty, it will surely benefit all the people. I urge Your Majesty to continue implementing it no matter what, and not to let external interference shake your resolve."

Zhao Huan nodded vigorously: "Your Majesty, you are overthinking it. Since I trust you..."

Naturally, we will support our elder brother at all costs, but how should we begin?

Ye Fan replied, "Your Majesty, do not worry. I have already come up with a solution. You can draft an edict to announce to the world that a month later, scholars from all over the country will be invited to come to the capital for the palace examination, and then select capable talents from among them."

"Very well, I grant your request. We shall proceed as you have suggested, Your Majesty."

Zhao Huan agreed without hesitation.

"Brother, just unleash your power. I'll be right here to protect you. Anyone who dares to disrespect you is disrespecting me."

Ye Fan looked grateful: "Thank you for your trust, Your Majesty. I am willing to give my life to repay your kindness!"

After saying this, he knelt heavily on the ground and kowtowed to Zhao Huan.

"Brother, please rise quickly."

Zhao Huan quickly helped him up from the ground and said with a troubled expression, "I originally wanted to grant my elder brother a title, but unfortunately, the court and the public have deep prejudices against your elder brother's status."

Therefore, regarding the matter of bestowing titles, I can only wait for the right opportunity. Now, as long as my elder brother can successfully implement the reforms, I believe that when the time comes to bestow titles, the entire court will have no objections.”

Ye Fan clasped his hands in a fist and bowed: "Your Majesty, I have left my homeland to serve in the Great Song Dynasty."

I have endured countless scornful looks and grievances, all for the sake of titles and wealth, but for His Majesty's trust in me.

"A ruler is willing to die for one who understands him; having received such imperial favor, how could I not wholeheartedly assist Your Majesty?"

Zhao Huan grabbed his hand, his voice choked with emotion, and said, "Brother, I have wronged you. You have helped me so much, yet I cannot even grant you a title. I am truly ashamed..."

Ye Fan hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, there is no need for this. If Your Majesty is truly uneasy, please grant me a request."

"Tell me, whatever it is, I will grant your request."

Ye Fan immediately took out a prepared memorial and handed it to Zhao Huan.

"Your Majesty, these are all my junior brothers. They are all martial artists, each with extraordinary strength. If we can place them in the army, it will surely make the Song Dynasty's military prestige even greater."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Huan didn't even glance at the memorial in his hand and immediately replied, "Alright, I promise you. I'll have the Ministry of War make the arrangements immediately, and I will absolutely not let my fellow disciples suffer any injustice."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Upon hearing this, Ye Fan's lips curled into a wicked smile.

……

The reform movement, spearheaded by Ye Fan, officially and vigorously commenced.

The first step, naturally, was to overturn the nearly thousand-year-old system of recommending military officers and replace it with the civil service examination system of the Wu Zhao Kingdom.

Inside the Hanlin Academy, hundreds of scribes were copying down the contents of classical texts, none of them daring to raise their heads.

A month later, Zhao Huan will hold the first palace examination in the palace to select talents on the spot.

These scribes were responsible for copying the content to be tested, and then selecting questions from it to make exam papers for students to write.

This was a massive undertaking. Without printing technology, relying solely on hand-copying was enough to drive anyone crazy.

Meanwhile, the scions of various aristocratic families who received the news immediately gathered together to discuss countermeasures.

The residence of Yao Heng, a renowned scholar in Bianjing, is now filled with heads of households from various regions who oppose the reforms.

"Ye Fan is a wolf in sheep's clothing; it seems he has quite a lot on his mind."

"The imperial examination? Hmph, I'd like to see if this imperial examination can really change the Song Dynasty."

"Change what? Isn't our Great Song Dynasty doing well? Why should we change it! It's obvious that Ye Fan wants to throw our Great Song Dynasty into chaos!"

Yao Heng calmly took a sip of tea and did not interfere with their argument.

After the argument had subsided, he slowly spoke up: "Why are you all in such a hurry? It's just the imperial examination. If Ye Fan wants to do it, then let him do it."

Upon hearing this, everyone looked puzzled: "Mr. Yao, what do you mean by this?"

Yao Heng snorted: "This Ye Fan is just too young and arrogant. He thinks he can control the Song Dynasty's officialdom with just a few words?"

Didn't he want to appoint people based solely on merit? Didn't he want to overthrow the Song Dynasty and make the country prosperous and powerful? Fine, let's grant his wish.

Upon hearing Yao Heng's words, the others all smiled.

The head of the Qian family asked in a low voice, "Mr. Yao, do you already have a plan? Why don't you tell us so that we can feel at ease?"

Yao Heng beckoned with his finger: "Come closer, everyone."

He shared his thoughts with everyone, and they immediately understood.

"It has to be Mr. Yao. When he does make a move, it's truly amazing."

"Now, let's see how Ye Fan stirs things up. After seeing the ugly side of the reform, let's see what face he has left to stay in the Song Dynasty."

Yao Heng laughed and said, "The imperial examination is nothing serious. It's just a reminder to Emperor Zhao that we still need our own people to be reliable."

The most important aspect of this reform is taxation. Have you found out how Ye Fan determined the taxes?

As soon as he finished speaking, a family head surnamed Meng stood up and said, "I have already found out. My nephew works in the palace and happened to overhear some things outside the Imperial Study yesterday."

Ye Fan proposed that the gentry should pay taxes as a whole, and that they should pay taxes according to the amount of land they owned.

Yao Heng: "Ye Fan thinks too lightly of himself, that gentry and commoners should all pay taxes? That's wonderful."

Patriarch Meng: "Mr. Yao, do you have any countermeasures? The preferential treatment of the gentry is the system of our Great Song Dynasty. Ye Fan's move is intended to eradicate the roots of our gentry."

If all else fails, then we'll jointly submit a petition to impeach him. I truly refuse to believe that, faced with such overwhelming public pressure, the Emperor Zhao can protect him for long.

Yao Heng smiled and waved his hand: "No, doing this will only cause discord with the Emperor Zhao. After all, the Emperor Zhao is young and has been bewitched."

What we need to do is not oppose, but comply. Let's fully support Ye Fan's reforms. As for the results, well...

Yao Heng placed the teacup in his hand on the coffee table and slid the lid down heavily.

"Then it's not our responsibility!"

Upon hearing this, everyone immediately agreed.

The aristocratic families have enjoyed a superior status in the Song Dynasty for hundreds of years. How could Ye Fan, an outsider, change it at will?

Originally, everyone was getting along well, degenerating together, and giving up together. Wouldn't that have been a wonderful thing?

But if you insist on being different and try to disrupt everyone's comfortable state through involution, then don't blame everyone for being ruthless and giving you a hard punch!