Three Kingdoms: Prince of the Great Wei, Prime Minister Cao

“The system of scrutiny and appointment initially aimed to select virtuous and talented individuals as the backbone of the imperial court. When the policy was implemented, those recommended as accomplished scholars, filial and incorruptible candidates, or those directly appointed didn’t disappoint.”

“However, have you noticed, Father, in the past few decades, who are the ones being recommended as accomplished scholars, filial candidates, and appointed officials? What is their background?”

A disdainful sneer appeared at the corner of Cao Ju’s mouth. Not directed at Cao Cao but at those aristocratic families and powerful figures within the Han court.

“If those individuals were somewhat restrained initially, recent decades have shown that the aristocratic families and the influential elite have utterly abandoned any semblance of decency.”

“Among the talents selected by the court each year, nearly eight out of ten are scions of the aristocratic families. The remaining two are not commoners either; they are offspring of the influential and powerful.”

“Under the practice of favoritism, there’s hardly any room left for commoner sons in the court’s selection of talents. How can there be any place for those without influential connections?”

Cao Ju’s words laid bare the corruption and nepotism that had seeped into the once-noble examination system.

In later eras, Cao Ju heard people mention that the imperial examination system was established based on the Han dynasty’s selection through a recommendation system. He scoffed at this notion. The reason was quite simple. Despite the Han dynasty’s selection through recommendation and the later imperial examination system involving court examinations, there existed fundamental differences between the two.

The essential difference lay that the later examination system leaned towards maintaining absolute fairness in the examination process, regardless of the candidates’ social status. On the other hand, the emphasis on examinations was not as significant in the Han dynasty’s selection through the recommendation system.

In other words, the Han dynasty relied more on recommendations than examinations. Whether a person could enter officialdom and take that crucial first step toward a career was determined primarily by recommendations.

The power to recommend individuals was held by bureaucrats at various levels below the emperor and by prestigious families, aristocratic clans, and influential individuals in different regions. For instance, if a county had only two or three candidates recommended as outstanding talents or virtuous individuals, individuals without the extensive backgrounds of scions from aristocratic families or the privileged children of officials had almost no chance of being recommended through this selection process.

Later, Chen Qun’s creation of the Nine-Rank System was even more extreme. It effectively removed the word “virtually,” completely sealing off the pathway for commoners to rise.

Cao Cao looked at his son’s unrelenting criticism of the court’s talent selection system, and his lips twitched with a hint of bitterness.

There was a reason for it.

When Cao Cao entered officialdom at the beginning of his career, he was also one of the beneficiaries of this flawed selection system. If it weren’t for his grandfather Cao Teng, who once served as a palace eunuch, and his father Cao Song, who held the position of Colonel-Director of Retainers, not to mention the considerable influence of the Cao clan in Qiao commandery…

Given his youthful recklessness and impulsiveness, how could Cao Cao have been recommended for virtuous conduct if it weren’t for his family background?

It wasn’t just him; the likes of Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu, who used to boldly abduct brides and run off with them, shared the same background. Perhaps, as they matured and broadened their horizons with age, their perspectives changed, and they became more restrained. However, Cao Cao was well aware that at the age when he, Yuan Shao, and Yuan Shu were recommended as virtuous individuals, the majority of their recommendations were due to family connections rather than their abilities.

He knew they were recommended not purely on merit but on the intricate familial relationships orchestrated by their elders.

Though he believed they possessed some personal strengths, these were not the primary factors in their recommendations. Of course, Cao Cao wouldn’t openly admit this. Therefore, taking advantage of a pause in his son Cao Ju’s speech, he interjected. He rested the elbow joint of his right hand on his sitting knee, propping his chin with his palm. Leaning slightly forward, he began:

“My son!”

“Since you have criticized the current selection system for its many flaws, do you happen to possess a better system for talent selection to offer to me?”

Even Cao Cao himself hadn’t realized it.

Compared to his initial anger and instinctive denial towards Cao Cao, his tone had now transformed into one of negotiation with Cao Ju, with a hint less skepticism.

Faced with Cao Cao’s inquiry, Cao Ju had long prepared his response in his mind and confidently answered: “Father, your child indeed has a new talent selection system to present.”

“Tell me about it.”

“Father, let’s call it the ‘Imperial Examination System.\'”

“The Imperial Examination System?” Upon hearing Cao Ju’s words, Cao Cao’s expression turned puzzled.

Continuing, Cao Cao signaled for Cao Ju to speak: “My son, go on and explain.”

Cao Ju, interrupted midway by Cao Cao, remained undeterred.

He continued:

“Yes, precisely, the Imperial Examination System.”

“It differs from the current observation-based system, and the Imperial Examination System has three key features.”

“Firstly, applications should be open to all!”

“All scholars should be able to register for the exams held by the court without necessarily requiring recommendations from officials or local authorities.”

“Secondly, candidates will be tested in specialized subjects, with exams held at regular intervals.”

“The court shall arrange various examination subjects, such as classics, legal codes, arithmetic, Confucian texts, Daoist studies, and political strategy.

Afterward, a unified examination date will be set, gathering scholars from all corners of the realm to rush to the capital for the exams.”

“Thirdly, rigorous examination.”

“All evaluations for passing or failing shall be based on the performance of examinees during the exam, judged by the quality of their written responses.”

“The capable shall pass, while the mediocre shall be eliminated.”

Cao Ju didn’t halt his explanation after presenting the three core characteristics of the imperial examination.

He further extended and elaborated on the system based on the imperial examinations in subsequent dynasties like the Tang, Song, Ming, and Qing.

All of this was done to help Cao Cao grasp the essence of the Imperial Examination System.

Under Cao Ju’s uninterrupted narration, Cao Cao listened…

Enthralled and captivated. He found it truly remarkable. When Cao Ju finally ceased speaking. For a moment, Cao Cao snapped back to reality.

Gazing at his son standing quietly…

At this moment, Cao Cao had only one thought.

“This child!”

“Could it be that he is truly the auspicious child granted to the Cao family by the heavens?”