"Earlier, I spoke to Pei Xiu about this matter."
"Pei Xiu has already explained the advantages and disadvantages to me."
"I have given it much more thought. The current admissions system may be the most advantageous, since the great clans are powerful and possess abundant resources and numbers. But compromising for short-term gains cannot possibly solve the problem!"
"If even I cannot solve these problems, there will be still less chance of solving them in the future."
"I have decided. Only by establishing dedicated assessments, led by the court's Academic Instruction Officials, using fair procedures and eliminating all unjust privileges, can we change the current situation."
"The humble families are weak now, but they will not remain weak forever. More and more books are circulating among the people, and the common people no longer go hungry all day. In terms of population, the humble families will sooner or later overtake these great clans. When that happens, these privileges will instead become enormous obstacles."
"I would rather endure the growing pains than ever give a malignant tumor the chance to take root and sprout!"
Cao Mao stated his thoughts with unwavering resolve.
Yang Zong stared in astonishment at the young Son of Heaven before him.
At that moment, he was like steel tempered by a thousand hammer blows, unyielding and strong. His eyes shone as he looked at Yang Zong.
"Lord Yang, you are the only one I can entrust with this."
"Now is the best opportunity."
"The State Schools throughout the realm must have admissions assessments, and so must the Imperial Academy. These assessments cannot be conducted by the schools themselves; the court must oversee them. Cheating must also be punished severely, just as in the Imperial Examination. Once discovered, it must receive the harshest punishment!"
"We must establish a