"How will we live in the future? Your Majesty lets our clan make a living on our own! We can only receive one more year's salary and rice."
As soon as Zhu Shunxian's father returned home, he complained with a sad face.
"Let me tell you, Your Majesty has been deceived by those ministers. How much money do we spend every year? Although the usual salary and salary are a little less, we can still barely live on, but now..." Zhu Shunxian's mother said , couldn't help but feel sad and cried.
Zhu Shunxian's family is a branch of Prince Hui's Mansion. When usually receiving Lumi, Prince Hui's Mansion collects all the money and food in advance and then distributes it to the branches below. In this process, there will inevitably be embezzlement and making things difficult, so every time After Zhu Shunxian's father went to his master's house to collect his salary and rice, he would lose his temper when he returned home.
Now that Prince Hui's Mansion was raided by Jin Yiwei, his salary and Lumi were naturally missing. He had to rely on the food stored at home to feed a family of four, and Zhu Shunxian also had a two-year-old brother.
"Father, didn't His Majesty say that the clan is allowed to choose their own profession? We can also learn from the common people in farming or doing business?" Zhu Shunxian, who was studying in the house, heard the complaints of his parents outside, put down his books, and walked out of the house, wondering.
"Huh, what do you know? Our family is a royal family! How can we be like those common people..." Zhu Shunxian's father turned dark when he heard his son's words and sneered.
"Father, please forgive me for being presumptuous. It doesn't matter whether this royal nobleman has a title or not."
"You rebellious son, what did you say?"
"Every time we branch clan go to the master's house to collect salary and rice, we always encounter difficulties from the stewards. The total number of my Ming Dynasty clan is millions, but I think that the titles of royal relatives and nobles are not precious. But when you are in a high position and have enough ability, the title of royal noble is even more precious."
"That's why I want to take part in this year's child exam!"
"What? You are going to take the imperial examination!" Zhu Shunxian's father couldn't help but widen his eyes when he heard what his child said.
"Yes, I want to give it a try anyway!"
As a member of the Ming Dynasty clan, they are not allowed to engage in other industries. Therefore, most of the clan members have nothing to do all day long and look for fun in various ways. They are either hanging out in gambling houses or sleeping in brothels at night. They can also receive enough money from the court on a regular basis. Money and food are needed to support the family. Without the pressure of life, a person can easily fall into this kind of depravity.
But because Zhu Shunxian loved reading, he was regarded as an alien by other members of the clan and was ostracized. They called him a nerd behind his back. What was the use of reading so many books? He couldn’t take part in the imperial examination, let alone be an official!
Therefore, Zhu Shunxian did not have many friends and could only study hard at home every day.
"Okay, if you want to take part in the imperial examination, then prepare well! Let outsiders see that my clan in the Ming Dynasty is not just a restaurant meal bag." After seeing the determined expression on his son's face, Zhu Shunxian's father said He sighed and stopped blocking him.
…
Forbidden City, Cabinet.
After correcting the memorials in their hands, everyone breathed a sigh of relief, called out the clerk, and sent the memorials to the Supervisor of Ceremonies for approval.
"You'll be able to try it in a few months, right? This winter is almost over." Yan Song said, putting his hands on the stove to bake.
"It will be held in March next year. Hasn't the candidate for this year's examiner been decided yet?" Xu Jie took over the conversation and asked doubtfully.
"No, no one wants to be the examiner. Usually the Ministry of Etiquette appoints someone, and this year the Ministry of Etiquette is not willing to appoint someone." After his palms warmed up, Yan Song rubbed his hands, then picked up the tea cup and began to sip.
"I remember when I was an examiner, I came across an article. The rhetoric was extremely gorgeous and shocking, but the article was not on topic. I had no choice but to kill it. There is nothing good about being an examiner. I just sit there. I was so nervous there for a few days that I couldn't even sleep well." Xu Jie also picked up the teacup and took a sip, as if reminiscing.
"Well, according to the practice of previous years, the candidate for the examiner should have been decided long ago! No one wants to be the examiner now. Apart from other things, few people can resist the temptation." Yan Shifan was also nervous. Then he sighed and complained.
Everyone in the room understood what Yan Shifan was referring to. Last year, some well-connected candidates wanted to buy test questions through various connections. Later, they were discovered by the court. Starting from the independent examiners, none of them escaped, and they were all sent to prison. Those candidates were also severely punished and banned from participating in the imperial examination.
During the chat, a new memorial was handed over, and everyone immediately stopped chatting and continued to immerse themselves in reviewing.
"Hey, has the land survey in Zhejiang been completed?" Xu Jie looked at the memorial in his hand and said.
"The progress is so fast?" Yan Song said, taking the memorial from Xu Jie's hand.
"I heard that the person responsible for measuring land in Zhejiang was personally recommended by Mr. Xiaoge. It seems his name is Gao Hanwen, right?" Xu Jie said, turning his eyes to Yan Shifan and asked.
"Yes, Gao Hanwen is my student." Yan Shifan replied.
"Mr. Xiaoge is really smart and discerning. He recommended such an efficient, smart and capable official to the court!" Xu Jie said with a warm smile on his face, praising.
"Mr. Xu Ge was joking. This boy is too stupid to be useful! That's why I sent him to do such a small thing as measuring the land." After hearing Xu Jie's words, Yan Shifan couldn't help but be more vigilant and spoke slowly.
"No matter how talented you are, it is great to be able to do things step by step! At present, the court is lacking such officials who can do practical things. Are you right, Mr. Xiaoge?" It seems that he is not satisfied with Yan Shifan's statement and is nervous. Then he added.
"That's what Mr. Xu Ge said." Yan Shifan had no choice but to respond.
…
Night, Forbidden City, Yangxin Hall.
"Your Majesty, Mr. Yan Ge wants to see you!" After Jiajing came out of the state of meditation, a eunuch came in to report.
"Let him in." Jiajing waved his hand and said calmly.
"Yes!" The eunuch who came to report the news quickly bowed and left after hearing this.
"Old Yan Ge, please come in, His Majesty is waiting for you inside."
"Thank you, father-in-law."
Immediately afterwards, with the support of a young eunuch, Yan Song tremblingly stepped onto the stairs and entered the Hall of Cultivation of the Heart.
"Weak minister Yan Song, please see your Majesty!"
"Excuse me, please get up and come to see me so late. What's the matter?"
"Your Majesty, the land in Zhejiang has been measured. Please take a look at it!" Yan Song said, kneeling on the ground and holding up the memorial.
"Oh, so fast."
Jiajing said, taking the memorial from Yan Song, reading it carefully, and then put it aside.
"Now that the land has been measured, how soon will it be possible to convert rice into mulberry?"
"Your Majesty, the autumn harvest is almost over now, and the people have a surplus of food. When the weather warms up, half of the fields in Zhejiang can be used to officially plant mulberry trees! If we have to give an exact time, it should be February next year."
"Is it February next year? I'm sure! In addition, we will inform you that we must do a good job in publicity and let the neighboring provinces prepare food in advance to be prepared."
After listening to Yan Song's report, Jiajing held his chin and ordered.
