It turns out that Fan Zeng’s downfall is actually related to the unification of the Han Dynasty.

Juchaocheng where Fan Zeng was originally a territory of Chu. Later, Chu was destroyed by the Han Dynasty, so it naturally became the territory of the Han Dynasty.

After the Great Han Dynasty occupied this place, it continued its previous policy in other places, that is, the Great Han Dynasty sent officials to serve as major official positions, and some other secondary official positions were held by those more powerful or more prestigious people who were willing to surrender to the Great Han Dynasty.

Fan Zeng was originally a clerk in the government, but he was defeated in the subsequent reorganization.

The reason for the failure to be elected is actually very simple, that is, he did not receive the support of the local people with more capable and prestigious skills. In short, it was not received the support of the Lu family.

After losing his clerk job, a scholar could not do anything at home at that time. He had tried to do some small businesses, but it was obvious that he was not the only one who did this business, so he went bankrupt later.

After bankruptcy, Fan Zeng went to borrow money from the Lu clan to repay the debt, but he never expected that the Lu clan had secretly tampered with the document contract for borrowing money, which resulted in the interest rate that had far exceeded the principal borrowed at that time in a few years.

This huge amount is obviously unrepaid for Fan Zeng. On the contrary, the debt is getting more and more, and finally it can't be paid back. This is why what happened today.

After hearing this, Zhao Kuo couldn't help but ask: "Is the Lu family you mentioned very powerful in this city?"

Fan Zeng nodded and said, "This city was once one of the territory of the Zhao clan among the three major families of the Chu State. The Lu clan was responsible for assisting the Zhao clan in governing the city at that time.

But after the soldiers of the Han Kingdom came here, the Li family directly betrayed the Zhao family and surrendered to the Han Kingdom, which led to the officials sent by the Han Kingdom still trusting the Li family.

On the other hand, the Li family has been very famous for so many years, so the local positions held by locals have basically been monopolized by the Li family. They are either their tribe members or some puppets from their family."

After hearing these words, Zhao Kuo couldn't help but nodded slightly.

From the perspective of the system, this system was actually formulated by Zhao Kuo at that time, and there was no illegal or irregular situation.

However, judging from Fan Zeng's current situation, there are some problems in the implementation of this system.

Zhao Kuo said calmly: "Since this is the case, why don't you respond like the local officials sent by the Han Kingdom?"

Although the officials sent here by the Han Kingdom seemed to be airborne and had no real power, the problem is that the Han Kingdom had stationed certain troops in every city to prevent rebellion from occurring in the local area.

In other words, the officials sent here by the Han Dynasty can directly mobilize the troops in an emergency. In this city, no matter what local tyrant you are, how can you directly confront the troops of the Han Dynasty?

After hearing Zhao Kuo's news, Fan Zeng smiled bitterly and said, "In fact, in the past two years, Juchao Ling sent from the Imperial Capital was indeed a relatively outstanding official. Under his rule, the Lu family did not dare to act rashly.

However, at the end of last year, a new Lord Zhang was replaced. I heard that he had a deep relationship with the Lu family, so the Lu family has become so arrogant now.

It’s not that no one has sued it, but those who sued it will often be retaliated against, and over time, they will naturally not dare to continue suing it.”

Zhao Kuo didn't actually have too many unexpected expressions when he heard this. He could only say that everything was really in line.

Collusion between officials and gentry is what happens in every dynasty, every country, and every era.

Therefore, such a thing happened in the Han Kingdom. In fact, in the past few years, the Han Kingdom has investigated and punished some of these officials every year to serve as a warning, but it is obvious that such things will always be hit.

While talking, Fan Zeng's wife had prepared the dishes and asked Zhao Kuo and others to eat.

This dish is actually quite simple, but both Zhao Kuo and Tian Wan were quite calm and talked and laughed calmly. After finishing the meal.

Before leaving, Zhao Kuo said to Fan Zeng: "This matter will still be solved after all. I actually have some connection with the Imperial Capital City. Then see if I can help you clear it up. I think the problem should not be big, and you don't need to worry too much."

After hearing this, Fan Zeng was naturally overjoyed and saluted Zhao Kuo.

After leaving Fan Zeng's house a few steps, Mao Sui said, "Master, where are you going to stay today?"

Zhao Kuo smiled slightly and said, "Let's find an inn first, and then send someone to investigate the Lu family and the highest officials in this city."

For Zhao Kuo, since he has encountered this, of course there is no reason to ignore it.

Moreover, Fan Zeng is a relatively rare talent. Zhao Kuo also wants to try it out when he meets it. If it is really easy to use, Zhao Kuo doesn't mind giving Fan Zeng a place in the political arena of the Han Dynasty.

When leaving, Tian Wan also spoke curiously: "Your Majesty, why don't Fan Zeng study in the Imperial Capital Academy?"

From the perspective of the Han Dynasty, in fact, if you want to become an official, you don’t have the only requirement to recommend it to the local gentry. If no one really recommends it, then going to the Imperial Capital to get into the academy is also a way out.

In fact, after entering the palace, because of the teacher and other classmates, it is easier to get along with the inside as an invisible connection resource than in the local area.

Zhao Kuo smiled and said, "This question is actually very simple, because he still has a wife and two children.

If he went to the Imperial Capital on the one hand, he really had no money, and on the other hand, even if he found a way to take root in the Imperial Capital, what should he do with his wife and two children?"

This is the problem faced by Fan Zeng or many people. If you want to live in the capital of the Han Dynasty, that is not something that ordinary people can do.

It’s like everyone in the future wants to go to Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen, but how many people can truly take root in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen?

After hearing this, Tian Wan realized it and said with some regret: "My husband may be able to solve a Fan Zeng, but there may be more Fan Zeng in the world, which is a big trouble."

After all, Tian Wan is also the queen of the Han Dynasty, so when she thinks about problems, she is of course thinking from the perspective of the entire Han Dynasty.

Zhao Kuo let out a long sigh and said slowly: "Actually, there is no way to do it if you really say it. It's just that I was a little hesitant before, but now it should be time to implement it."

Then the question arises, what is the solution?

The answer is also very simple, that is, the ultimate selection model of Chinese feudal society and the imperial examination system.

As long as the imperial examination system is implemented, a large number of talents can be selected among the people. Moreover, those who want to participate in the imperial examination do not need to live in the imperial capital for a long time. They only need to study this knowledge at home and wait until the exam is taken before setting off.

Of course, the imperial examination system does not mean that it is flawless and impeccable, but compared with other selection systems in ancient China, the imperial examination system is undoubtedly the most advanced and the system with the least problems.

The reason why Zhao Kuo was reluctant to fully liberalize the imperial examination system before was because Zhao Kuo felt that the officials who graduated from the academy were actually enough.

And on the other hand, the graduated officials in the academy can be controlled by Zhao Kuo, because the academy has been promoting and instilling the concept of loyalty to the Han Dynasty.

So basically all those who graduated from the academy will be very loyal to the Han Kingdom.

However, if the imperial examination system is fully liberalized, most of the examinees actually study their own homework at home. So even if they pass the exam, they will feel that it is their own ability and will not be grateful to the Han Dynasty for this.

Driven by this idea, these scholars in the exam had consumed too much family resources when preparing for the imperial examination, so they often tend to double the resources they paid after becoming officials.

This is a psychological driving force for many officials selected by the imperial examination system to be greedy.

Zhao Kuo was a little worried before that if too many such officials were released, would it have any negative impact on the Han Dynasty?

However, after encountering Fan Zeng's incident, Zhao Kuo's concepts undoubtedly changed a little.

Simply put, if it weren't for taking care of Fan Zeng today and he rescued him, Fan Zeng's wife would have been taken away from Lu's family and became a female slave.

In this case, Fan Zeng's heart would inevitably be full of resentment. Maybe he would resolutely embark on a path against Zhao Kuo and the Han Kingdom in the future.

If an ordinary person objected, it would be fine, but if a guy like Fan Zeng really rebelled, no one could guarantee the big deal.

Instead of doing this, it would be better to give these people a hope for the imperial examination system and let them study at home peacefully, so that they will not cause any big trouble. Anyway, will there be a next time if they fail the exam?

Thinking of this, Zhao Kuo also made up his mind and after he returned, he would discuss with the important officials of the Han Dynasty about the full liberalization of the imperial examination system.

When Zhao Kuo was thinking about the imperial examination system, in the Lu family mansion that lived in Chaocheng, Lu Yu, the leader of the Lu family, was also thinking about Zhao Kuo's identity.

Lu Yu was very unhappy because for him, he hadn't heard of such an unpleasant thing in Juchao City for a long time.

"Where did this Li You come from?

He is so bold and dared to make trouble for our Lu family in Juchao City. Does he not want to live anymore?"

Lu Yu's eyes were cold and there was obvious anger on his face.

In front of Lu Yu, the man who had gone to Fan Zeng's house to collect debts before stood tremblingly and said to Lu Yu: "Clan leader, I see that the so-called Li You do have the demeanor of being an official, and I'm afraid it's an official who passed by somewhere."

Lu Yu snorted heavily and said, "According to your description, Li You didn't even have a carriage. Even if he brought a few entourages, how big could this official be?

When this incident spreads, we, the face of our Lu clan, has been lost to you. We are such a fool.

Come on, pull this idiot down and hit the big 20th board!"

Amid the screams from outside the door, Lu Yu fell into thinking.

Soon he called a confidant manager. After a few instructions, the confidant manager quickly left.

Soon, the confidant manager returned to Lu Yu again and said to Lu Yu: "Carriage Chief, Li You and his wife and entourage moved into the largest inn in the city."

After hearing this, Lu Yu nodded, a ferocious smile flashed across his face, and he stood up.

"Prepare a carriage for me, and I will set out to Lord Zhang's mansion to have a good visit to him."

The so-called Lord Zhang is actually the highest-ranking official in Chaocheng, and the ruler of Chaochao Zhang Xiaodong.

Zhang Xiaodong is about 40 years old this year and has just been transferred to Juchaocheng for a while, but with Lu Yu's deliberate friendship, the two have become close friends.

In the final analysis, there is a very important reason behind this close friendship, that is, Lu Yu gave a lot of generous benefits to Zhang Xiaodong, and also helped Zhang Xiaodong solve many government difficulties.

So after learning that Lu Yu was visiting, Zhang Xiaodong naturally met him immediately.

Lu Yu was also not talking nonsense and said straight to the point: "Mr. Zhang, I came here today because I actually encountered a little trouble."

Zhang Xiaodong was stunned for a moment, then said, "What trouble did Brother Lu encounter?

You can tell me something.”

Lu Yu didn't hide it, and directly told the whole story of today's game, and said to Zhang Xiaodong: "Sir Zhang, 50% of these debts are yours. If this guy is dealt with, if more and more people don't pay back the money in the future, it will be difficult for us to deal with it."

It turns out that this is the real reason why Lu Yu and the Lu family were able to unscrupulously lend usury in Juchao City, because 50% of the income was taken away by Zhang Xiaodong, the highest official in Juchao City.

Sure enough, after hearing this, Zhang Xiaodong was furious and sneered: "No matter where Li You came from, he will be in big trouble!"
Chapter completed!