Chapter 12: King Shen's Great Talent-O Pequeno Príncipe Ocioso da Era Zhenguan(Caminho da Iluminação)

Outside the hall, faint footsteps approached. A young girl’s voice drifted in:

“Your Highness, the servant has brought them.”

Upon hearing this, Li Shen quickly stepped outside the hall and took several sheets of paper from Dongmei’s hands before returning inside. During this, Emperor Taizong of Tang paid no mind to Li Shen’s breach of protocol.

“Your Majesty, these are some thoughts I had last night when I couldn’t sleep, regarding reforms to the imperial examination system. I have recorded them all. Please review them,” Li Shen said solemnly.

With a glance from Li Shimin, Wang De went downstairs to deliver Li Shen’s pages to the emperor. Emperor Taizong examined the documents carefully, growing increasingly delighted the more he read. This was exactly what he had hoped for. Li Shen had detailed a new process for grading the imperial exams.

The system began with anonymizing the candidate’s name, then recording the exam entries, followed by a double-checking process. There were six stages in total: anonymization, recording, double reading, initial grading, recommendation, and finally the chief examiner’s decision. The grading process was complex, with responsibilities clearly assigned and supervised by designated officials.

Accordingly, each red-inked exam paper bore at least six signatures from those responsible for each step. The names and origins of the scribes and double-readers were also recorded and marked at the end of the inked exam for verification.

Li Shen’s explanation was thorough, including specific operations for each stage. For example, during anonymization, measures were taken to prevent tampering by the scribes: scribes were forbidden from carrying ink brushes, and the paper and ink used for copying had to be uniform, with red cinnabar ink employed consistently for copying the exam papers.

For the double reading stage, the double-reading officers would hand over both the inked and red-copied papers to the double-checkers to verify accuracy. Once confirmed without error, the double-reading officer would seal the papers with an official stamp before they entered the actual grading phase.

Finally, the grading itself was conducted under strict supervision. Exam papers were allocated by lottery in the presence of the chief and deputy examiners so that graders would not know whose paper they were scoring.

Graders would recommend papers they favored after initial grading, known as “recommended papers.” The deputy examiner would then mark a “selected” character on preferred papers. Those marked would be passed to the chief examiner, who, if also satisfied, would mark a “passed” character, thus determining the candidate’s fate.

Moreover, Li Shen proposed a re-examination and review process that allowed failed candidates to inspect their papers. This was to prevent corruption or negligence from unfairly affecting scores. The chief examiner held the authority to randomly review papers that had failed and could also reassess recommended papers the deputy examiner had rejected. Additionally, the humane provision permitting failed candidates to review their papers served as a safeguard. If a worthy paper was unfairly marked down, and the candidate protested, the responsible official would face imperial punishment.

Emperor Taizong remained silent after reading but was inwardly thrilled. He handed the papers to Wang De and instructed him to read them aloud. The emperor then fixed his gaze on Li Shen, as if trying to see through the boy completely. The hall fell utterly silent.

Only Wang De’s voice filled the room, stirring unease among the gathered officials. They were men of talent; otherwise, they would not have attained their positions. They understood the significance of Li Shen’s proposed examination reforms.

Yet no one could accept that these ideas came from a mere seven-year-old child. After fifteen minutes, Wang De’s reading concluded. All eyes turned toward Li Shen, making him feel quite uncomfortable.

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Emperor Taizong was the first to speak. “Very well, now that we have heard the proposal, what are your thoughts?”

“Your Majesty, reforming the imperial examination is a significant matter. Sudden changes may unsettle the scholars. We must proceed cautiously. Moreover, Prince Shen’s method is complicated and requires vast human and material resources. Should it fail, the losses would outweigh the gains,” spoke Cui Renzhi. If enacted, it would become harder for the aristocratic families to secure official positions.

“Yes, Your Majesty, the examination system cannot be changed lightly. It would cause unrest among scholars everywhere,” added an official from the Wang family.

“I concur with Censor Cui.”

“So do I.”

“Count me in as well.”

In a moment, many aristocratic officials voiced their opposition.

Emperor Taizong looked at the aristocrats below with rising anger but masked it with a calm expression and asked, “Wei Qing, what is your opinion?”

He asked Wei Zheng first because Wei was known for his integrity and loyalty to the Tang dynasty. A leader was needed to champion the reform.

“I think this proposal is excellent. Prince Shen is truly talented,” Wei Zheng replied, neither humble nor arrogant. They had prepared extensively for anonymization over the past few days, yet Prince Shen had produced so much more.

“Your Majesty, with slight modifications, this plan could be implemented. I believe it is feasible and would greatly benefit the selection of officials in our great Tang,” Wei Zheng added.

“Hmm, Fu Ji, what do you think?” Fu Ji was the courtesy name of Zhangsun Wuji.

“I believe this proposal is workable,” Zhangsun Wuji answered. Li Shen had read many novels and television dramas from his previous life, which often depicted Zhangsun Wuji as a villain. But Li Shen understood that Zhangsun Wuji was capable, efficient, and above all, loyal to Emperor Taizong—qualities any leader would appreciate in a subordinate.

“I concur.”

Following them, Fang Xuanling and others also voiced their agreement.

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When other officials saw so many high-ranking figures in support, they realized opposing would be futile and joined in. Soon, over half the assembly supported the reform.

“Very well, let us convene the Three Departments to refine the examination system, with the other six ministries cooperating. Aim to implement it in the spring examination. The court is dismissed.”

“Farewell, Your Majesty,” the officials bowed as they escorted Emperor Taizong from the hall. Once outside the Hall of Supreme Harmony, Li Shen sensed they were being watched. He glanced around and saw Cui Renzhi, Censor Wang, and several other censors eyeing him. Li Shen guessed they were aristocratic officials.

Unwilling to engage, he headed toward the Imperial Academy but was stopped by Cui Renzhi.

“Prince Shen, do you know there are things one can do and things one must not?” Cui Renzhi confronted him. At this time, the aristocracy did not fear a mere prince.

“I don’t want to be enemies with your aristocratic families. You provoked me. This was a trivial matter, yet you persist in holding onto it. What is your intent? Are you bullying me because I am young?” Li Shen stood his ground.

“Prince Shen, you should be cautious,” Cui Renzhi warned.

“Censor Cui, are you warning me? I am a prince and must serve the Tang dynasty. Should our dynasty collapse, whom would this prince serve? The matter is done; there is no turning back. If you wish to punish me lightly, I also wish to retaliate. Otherwise, I would not have presented these proposals. I hope from now on we keep to our own affairs until I am assigned my fief,” Li Shen said boldly.

He was certain the aristocrats would not strike against him over such a minor issue. The risk was too great—if Emperor Taizong found out, it would be the perfect excuse to eliminate them all. Emperor Taizong held military power in his hands.

Without waiting for Cui Renzhi’s reply, Li Shen turned and walked away. Just as he was about to return to the inner palace, a young eunuch called out to him.

(Note: This set of procedures reflects the later imperial examination process, as depicted in the television series "Iron Teeth Bronze Teeth Ji Xiaolan.")