The officials followed close behind, arriving together at the Front Hall.
Liu Xie walked to the Dragon Throne and sat down without a word. The officials also kept their heads lowered in silence, leaving the Great Hall terrifyingly quiet.
At last, Jia Xu stepped forward and broke the silence. "Your Majesty, what should we do next?"
He knew Liu Xie was distraught, but at a time like this, the Son of Heaven was their pillar, and everyone needed to follow his instructions.
Liu Xie rubbed the jade thumb ring he wore and slowly rose at those words. "Summon all the officials-"
"Convene court!"
With Guo Jia bedridden, Liu Xie delayed reform of the imperial examination system no longer.
He held a Court Assembly that very day, formally announcing to the civil and military court officials that the recommendation system, which now existed in name only, would be abolished and replaced with the imperial examination system.
Many ministers at court voiced opposition to Liu Xie's decision, led, naturally, by the Great Aristocratic Families.
But Liu Xie displayed a domineering side he had not shown in a long time, suppressing every voice of opposition.
There was no telling how much longer Guo Jia could live. Time was Guo Jia's life now, and Liu Xie did not want to waste another moment.
He wanted this true right-hand man of his to fulfill his dream before he died and see this reform succeed.
Soon, the news spread like the wind from Chang'an to every corner of the realm.
Countless scholars cheered and leaped for joy upon hearing it!
As the Imperial Court's orthodox path for selecting officials, the recommendation system had declined in recent years, but its position remained unshakable.
For as long as the Imperial Court refused to abolish it, it would