At the tender age of eight, he was hastily dragged out and made emperor!

"Lin Dong, ranked seventeenth in the second class, is in the Taiji Hall—"

The roll call continues.

The direction of Tai Chi Gate.

On the red carpet.

He was slender and handsome, especially with his thick eyebrows and big eyes, which left a deep impression. His long robe accentuated his unique temperament.

"Is he Xia Rui, the newly appointed top scholar?"

"You look quite young."

"I remember Xia Rui was ranked thirty-first on the academic ranking list. How did he become the new top scholar?"

"Being first in the imperial examination does not necessarily mean being first in the imperial examination. Besides, the questions in the palace examination convened by His Majesty are extremely difficult."

"Indeed, governing a country seems easy, but in reality, it requires combining one's own thoughts with the current situation to write a logically clear essay, which..."

When officials at the end of the court saw figures appear on the red carpet guarded by the Imperial Guards, some murmurs arose among them.

"Whoo~"

The newly appointed top scholar, Xia Rui, walked down the red carpet with his right hand raised to his waist and his eyes fixed straight ahead, but his slightly rapid breathing revealed his inner tension and excitement.

Even now, Xia Rui was still somewhat bewildered.

He never expected to be the top scholar in the imperial examination!

"Remember, once the top scholar enters the Taiji Gate, he will be watched by many ministers, and there will be a lot of discussion. The top scholar must remain calm and steady, rather than lose his composure."

"You are the first top scholar summoned by His Majesty to the palace examination in order to seek fairness for all scholars and to reform the long-standing problems in selecting talents. Your every move will attract a lot of attention. Remember not to lose your composure. When you enter the Taiji Gate to pay homage, you represent not only yourself, but also countless students!!"

Deep in Xia Rui's mind, the words of Cai Jie from Ganlu Supervisor surfaced.

Xia Rui, who was initially nervous, gradually began to calm down.

Born into a poor family, he studied diligently for more than ten years. Only he knows best the hardships and suffering he experienced. Now, he has been appointed as the top scholar in the imperial examination this year based on his talent. He will go to the Taiji Hall to pay homage to the emperor in a grand manner.

"As expected of the top scholar chosen by His Majesty, he remains calm in the face of adversity, quite impressive." In the court, Liu Chen looked at Xia Rui, who was walking straight ahead without looking to the side, and said to Luo Zhi beside him with a hint of emotion.

"Yes."

Luo Zhi sighed softly.

Liu Chen looked at Luo Zhi with suspicion.

Seeing Luo Zhi's complicated expression and slightly furrowed brows as she stared at Xia Rui walking on the red carpet, Liu Chen immediately knew what Luo Zhi was thinking.

Luo Zhi, once full of ambition, went to Yudu, hoping to be selected for the imperial examination, but unexpectedly got involved in the imperial examination.

In that year's imperial examination selection, Dayu adopted the anonymous system for the first time to ensure the fairness of the selection. However, Luo Zhi failed to pass the exam that year.

That year, Xiao Jing, the newly crowned top scorer in high school, was in the limelight!

This year, the selection of candidates for the imperial examinations in the fourth year of the Zhengtong era has been fraught with even more turmoil. The selection process was postponed due to the leak of the examination questions, and a number of people involved were arrested. The reopened selection process, after its conclusion, added numbering and copying measures to the existing system of anonymizing the names, in order to further ensure the fairness of the selection.

That's not all. The introduction of the palace examination and the emergence of imperial protégés further improved the central government's system for selecting talent, ensuring that this year's new graduates would be different.

'Could it be true that Emperor Taizu appeared to you in a dream?'

Thinking of this, Liu Chen stopped looking at Luo Zhi and instead looked at the emperor in front of him. The emperor, sitting on the dragon throne, looked down at the front with an indifferent expression. Liu Chen subconsciously lowered his head.

But as soon as this thought came to mind, Liu Chen's heart started racing.

This matter was discussed not long after the emperor ascended the throne.

When this news first spread from the Yu Palace, some believed it and some did not; opinions were divided. Later, due to the rebellion of the rebellious vassals and the shock caused by the attack of a powerful enemy, this trend subsided.

With internal and external troubles already causing enough headaches, who would want anything else?

But now that Liu Chen has remembered this matter, he is absolutely convinced of it!

Otherwise, it doesn’t make sense.

The emperor stayed in the Shanglin Garden for three years, keeping a low profile. There were even rumors that the Empress Dowager wanted to depose the emperor, but what happened?

On the eve of Han Qing's triumphant return to the capital, the emperor returned to the palace. What happened after that? So much happened!! Especially that night, which Liu Chen would never forget.

Including this grand ceremony of announcing the success of the imperial examinations, Liu Chen finally understood that while the newly appointed scholars were indeed remarkable figures, this was also a show put on by the emperor for the entire court and for the world to see.

This is a silent message: the world belongs to the emperor. If the emperor wants you to be the center of attention, he can make you the center of attention; if the emperor wants you to fall into the abyss, then you will surely fall into the abyss!

On this basis, the arrival of the Grand Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager further solidified this foundation. Anyone who wanted to do something would be going against the greater good. At that time, even without the emperor's intervention, those who were loyal to the Great Yu would rise up and attack them.

Isn't Han Qing the most typical example?

He rose from a bandit to a military officer, eventually becoming a nobleman of the Great Yu and a leading military general. When the Great Yu faced turmoil, he stepped forward without hesitation.

and also.

Just as the emperor ascended the throne, Li Jin, the Duke of Xun, who was far away in Xiliang, risked his life to ensure the stability of Xiliang!

"Your subject...Xia Rui greets Your Majesty!!"

"Your subject... Su Qi greets Your Majesty!!"

"Your subject... Lu Jun..."

As the sounds of bowing echoed, Liu Chen snapped out of his reverie and looked towards the sound. He saw one after another the newly appointed scholars, standing in order, then kneeling before the emperor in a grand ceremony. At that moment, Liu Chen's heart was filled with even more complex emotions. These newly appointed scholars, the first group to be recognized as the emperor's protégés, were beginning to establish themselves in the central government and local governments. Even if, in the end, only a few dozen, or even fewer, remained, those who had not forgotten the emperor's favor would still bring about a different kind of change to the Great Yu Dynasty and the world. This was the true essence of selecting talent!

The sound of bowing continued unabated.

Chu Ling sat on the dragon throne, looking down at the newly appointed scholars kneeling before the Taiji Hall. Chu Ling's expression was neither joyful nor sorrowful as he quietly looked at the kneeling crowd before him.

This is the fresh blood of Dayu.

The three-year cycle may seem long, but it is actually a good way to ensure a smooth transition. The true leaders will emerge during these three years, while the dregs, the corrupt, the decadent, or the decadent will inevitably meet a bad end. Once the path for the leaders of Dayu is paved, a new batch of fresh blood will be added.

"Empress, you have raised an ambitious and aspiring emperor for the Great Yu and the Chu clan!!" When Sun Li, who was sitting, saw this scene, she looked at Chu Ling sitting on the dragon throne, her eyes flashing with a sharp light, and stretched out her hand to Huang Hua and said, "I must thank you."

"Mother."

Huang Hua hurriedly reached out to shake hands, but the moment he did, his expression changed, his eyes reddening slightly. He looked at Sun Li, but when Sun Li looked at him, Huang Hua held back. "It was Mother Empress who, for the sake of Dayu and the Chu clan, nurtured an ambitious and aspiring emperor, Mother Empress..."

But Huang Hua stopped talking at this point, tears streaming down her face.

"Don't cry, don't distract Ling'er."

Sun Li held Huang Hua's hand tightly and said softly, "Ling'er has suffered too much. We, mother and son, should not let Ling'er suffer too much."

"it is good."

Huang Hua forced himself to nod.

"Gentlemen, you may dispense with the formalities."

Chu Ling's voice rang out, causing Sun Li and Huang Hua to look in the direction of the sound.

Chu Ling, who was sitting on the dragon throne, slowly stood up and walked down the steps. Chu Hui, who was standing, shifted a few places and followed his elder brother down the steps.

"Your humble servants kowtow in gratitude for Heaven's grace!!"

Amidst cheers and shouts, Chu Ling led the way, followed by Chu Hui, as the two brothers walked toward the newly appointed scholars. However, when the civil and military officials gathered in front of the Taiji Hall saw this scene, some of their expressions changed.

One of them wore a twelve-tassel crown.

One of them wore a nine-tasseled crown.

This is quite a shock!!!

"Selecting and appointing talented individuals is the foundation of a nation. You have been selected through multiple rounds of screening, standing out from among thousands of students based on your own talents."

Under such intense scrutiny, Chu Ling walked up to the group of newly appointed scholars. Chu Hui stood behind him with his head slightly bowed. Chu Ling's voice was very soft, but it was as loud as a bell in the ears of the newly appointed scholars.

"I know that even on the eve of the palace examination, many of you have faced doubts and criticisms, but today, I want to tell you!!"

"You are the newly appointed Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) personally selected by me from six hundred examination papers. I have seen your talents. I hope that after you pass the examinations and enter officialdom, you will set an example and work diligently to realize your aspirations step by step, instead of letting your ideals and ambitions become empty talk!"

"I hope that the Great Yu can become better, and you are a part of the Great Yu. I hope that you, together with all the civil and military officials, can govern this vast Great Yu well."

"I will remember this forever!!"

The newly appointed scholars, including Xia Rui, Su Qi, and Lu Jun, were extremely excited. After listening to the emperor's speech, they all bowed and paid their respects.

My elder brother is truly the emperor!

Standing behind him, Chu Hui, upon hearing these words and seeing the newly appointed scholars and the changing expressions of the court officials, felt a surge of emotion.

This isn't just something said to the newly appointed scholars.

This was clearly addressed to all the officials in the court.

It is also a message to the whole world.

"Royal brother, proclaim the imperial decree!!"

Just as Chu Hui was feeling sentimental, Chu Ling's voice rang out.

"Your subject obeys the decree!"

Chu Hui quickly bowed and greeted them.

"Eighth Prince~"

Minister of State Ceremonies Yin Yu, holding an imperial edict, bowed his head and walked toward Chu Hui.

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: The Imperial Court shall select talented individuals for official positions..."

As Chu Hui read the imperial edict, Chu Ling turned around and walked up the steps toward the dragon throne. The moment Chu Ling stepped onto the throne, his eyes met those of Sun Li and Huang Hua, and a smile appeared on his usually cold face.

Sun Li and Huang Hua both smiled as they looked at Chu Ling.

Sun Li, in particular, nodded slightly to Chu Ling without saying a word. This affirmation and recognition made Chu Ling's smile even wider. He had done it!

At this moment, he was connected with the world. From now on, no one would dare to question him in the slightest on matters of righteousness or law. If anyone did, he wouldn't need to do anything; someone would naturally eliminate them. This is the power of orthodoxy!