Gu Qing did not stay in Suzhou for a few days, and after leaving Lu Derun in charge of the security affairs of King Yan, he went to the Huaihan front line in person to supervise the deployment of the Military Intelligence Department.
On the fifth day of September, by increasing the number of examiners and working overtime, the results of the government examination came out early and the results were announced. Wu Qian had to end his more than a month of being locked up in the hospital.
According to the regulations at this time, the number of places for each imperial examination to participate in the provincial examination is about 2,000, but there are three to four hundred thousand scholars nationwide taking part in the examination. In other words, only two to three hundred people can take one quota. .
This is the real situation where thousands of troops and horses crowd the single-plank bridge.
In view of the uneven education levels in various places, in order to balance the admissions ratio in each place, it is generally higher in remote and backward areas, and dozens of people can take one. However, in places such as Jiangnan and Fujian, where culture and education have always been prosperous, most of them are three hundred Only multiple people can get one solution.
More than 13,000 people from Pingjiang Mansion participated in the government examination this time, and only forty-three people finally made the list.
Under such circumstances, it is not surprising that many talented people fail throughout their lives.
The five Lu Shangming people that Zhao Mengqi met at Yuewan Teahouse not only had real talents and knowledge, but also received good luck. Although they were not ranked too high, they were all on the list.
After the five people read the list, they naturally gathered together to celebrate.
I don’t want to be too arrogant, after all, I’m just getting an understanding, and there are frustrated people everywhere. If you overstimulate them, it’s hard to guarantee that you’ll cause trouble.
In this world, there is always a shortage of people who have pink eyes and hate others' kindness.
Instead of going to the restaurant, the five of them drank and had a good time in the courtyard of the Lu family.
After a few glasses of hot wine, Lu Shangming sighed, "I finally lived up to His Highness's hopes..."
"Yeah, for the past two months, I've been studying hard behind closed doors, and I just had to stab my buttocks. I finally got over it," Zhang Qing said.
Cui Feng smiled and said, "Who wouldn't be? If it weren't for His Highness's encouragement, the five of you and I would be able to enjoy ourselves, and I'd be afraid that we would only be nowhere on the list."
"Then should we go and thank His Highness?"
Qiu Lehe was so drunk that he seemed to be drunk even before he had a few drinks.
Xu Xiangqing next to him was more calm, "In my opinion, it's better not to go. Wu Xiang, the examiner, has repeatedly stated that he refuses all offers of thanks. I guess His Highness doesn't like this either. If we go, there may be some The villain is gossiping, saying that His Highness gave and received privately."
"Xiang Qing's words are reasonable, and His Highness doesn't care about these false etiquette." Lu Shangming agreed. "What Your Highness values and expects is that we can do practical things. For example, during the Battle of Wujiang, we organized and coordinated the people, and His Highness was very Happy."
"To be honest, I used to look down on those vulgar warriors. But after I went to the battlefield and saw the scenes of people risking their lives and bleeding, I realized how shallow and narrow-minded I was. I originally planned to do this if I fell back. If I get the exam, I will go to His Highness's Eastern Guards to apply. Now it seems that I can only wait until the provincial examination."
Xu Xiangqing Wenwen was so weak that he actually began to have the ambition to become a martial artist.
Qiu Lehe nodded in agreement, "I have already thought about it. No matter what the result of this imperial examination is, I will try to work for His Highness, even if I am a small official."
Zhang Qing pursed his lips and said, "It's true to think so, but we still have to do our best to take the exam. If we can pass the exam and have good skills, we can go further and work better for His Highness and the Song Dynasty. .”
"That's a very good statement!" Cui Feng clasped his hands, "No matter what, we have to continue to work hard and not relax at all."
"Well, I plan to leave for Lin'an the day after tomorrow to prepare for the exam." Lu Shangming stretched his body, "Speaking of which, these days I have not heard anything outside the window, but I have missed a lot of exciting things. Even the Oiran Convention, we didn't go... …”
"I'm not interested in fun-seeking things like the Oiran Convention now. It's a pity that I couldn't see His Highness' talent and grace in person." Qiu Lehe was full of regrets.
Xu Xiangqing couldn't help but get excited, "Yes, yes, His Highness's Ten Fragrance Poems are truly unparalleled..."
The Ten Fragrance Cis stolen by Zhao Mengqi were passed down from generation to generation and became known as the Ten Fragrance Cis for short.
Lu Shangming sighed,
"Hey, I used to be quite proud of my poetic talent, but now I know that I am shit. After taking the exam this time, I will never write poetry again in the future, so as not to make people laugh."
"Haha, we are all mortals. How can we compare with His Highness's talents from heaven? Isn't that asking for trouble? But having said that, Your Highness is right. Poetry is just a small talk, so we don't need to worry too much. , but should focus on practical learning..."
Like the five people from Lu Shangming and others who have been enlightened, they are all excited and looking forward to a bright future.
But the vast majority of scholars can only feel sad, helpless, or even feel resentful!
From the Sui and Tang Dynasties to the promotion of science and technology, the bottom class of society had a way to rise. By the Song Dynasty, people all over the world were encouraged to study, the number of students admitted was expanded, and the internal conflicts in society eased a lot.
However, there are many monks, so the number of admissions is limited, and there are many people with unsatisfied ambition, which creates many hidden dangers.
Some unsuccessful people, like Huang Chao and Li Zhen, started or participated in rebellions and wildly retaliated against society, causing endless harm.
Some extreme ones, such as Zhang Yuan and Wu Hao, did not hesitate to betray their country and betray their ancestors, surrender to the enemy country, and then kill their own clansmen as a way to advance into the ranks.
In order to avoid these disasters as much as possible, the imperial court gradually increased the number of scholars and repeatedly issued appeasement measures, but they only addressed the symptoms rather than the root cause.
The fundamental contradiction is that "if you take too little, you will be deposed too much; if you take too much, you will be superfluous and redundant."
At the beginning of the Song Dynasty, there were about 10,000 scholars who were eligible for the imperial examination, and dozens or hundreds of scholars were selected for each term. Nowadays, there are three to five hundred scholars, and nearly 400,000 candidates are eligible. The imbalance between supply and demand has become more and more serious.
The Song Dynasty did treat scholars very favorably, and provided many financial subsidies to "support scholars."
But just keeping it up and letting them attack the single-plank bridge again and again was actually a huge waste in Zhao Mengqi's opinion.
It cannot be said that reading is a talent, but literate people are better than illiterate people.
Therefore, after the rankings were released, the industries under King Yan began to openly recruit personnel with generous salaries. The new subjects established by Pingjiang Fu School also recruited a large number of students, with free tuition, room and board, and subsidies.
Among them, the one with the greatest fanfare was undoubtedly the recruitment of troops by the Eastern Guard.
Group after group of Eastern Guard soldiers, wearing bright armor and holding swords that shimmered with cold light, slowly drove into the city of Gusu.
The Dongwei camp is located in the south of the city. It often goes outside the city for training on weekdays, and sometimes goes into the city to patrol the streets. The people in the city are already familiar with it and know that its military discipline is strict and it does no harm to the people. In addition, the government has notified it beforehand, so it is not included in the plan. There was no panic or riot.
After they entered the city, they dispersed in company units to perform "road show" tasks.
"Don't you see, the Han Dynasty's army has weak crowns, and the prisoners are asking for long tassels.
I don’t see you, Ban Ding is far away, Jueyu Qingqi urges Zhan Yun!
A man should be in a dangerous career, why should he let a scholar's crown ruin his life?
Kuang Nai's country is in danger as if it were full of eggs, and the feathers and feathers are racing without stopping! "
The impassioned singing, with a tune that was very different from the current times, roared out from the mouths of the energetic young sergeants, attracting the attention of men, women, old and young in the city.
"Abandon my pen of old and keep my pen of war,
More than 100,000 comrades were called upon to join the army together, singing war songs.
Qi joins the army, cleanses the dust, and vows to sweep away the Tartars regardless of his own safety!
He could bear to let go of his homesickness, and generously show his heart to serve the country.
Go to the battlefield with a proud smile, the flag is fluttering and the sun is fading,
The air blows the Taibai into the high moon, and pulls the long arrow to shoot at the wolf. "
When the people heard the song's heroic and heroic aspiration of fighting against the enemy, their blood boiled in their hearts.
"Everyone is united to restore Tokyo, and the homeland of the Central Plains will be leveled.
The powerful army comes out of Yanshan, and the endless cavalry rushes into the desert!
The Huns' nest was smashed overnight, and the Lili grassland was completely red.
Helan Mountain is short of drunken concubines, and wolves are raising red flags. "
Hearing this, the unparalleled domineering power in the song swept across all directions and encompassed the world, arousing the hidden pride in the hearts of countless people.
"When I came back, there were thousands of people watching, and flowers were thrown in front of the horse.
The lintel of the door is shining with white hair, and the house is full of joy and beauty.
national history
Clearly marked as the first meritorious service, China will be called Changxiong from now on.
There is still some power left to punish the unjust, so that the whole world can enjoy the great Song Dynasty! "
Yes, although over the past hundreds of years, the martial arts of the Song Dynasty has become weaker and weaker, and it has been repeatedly ridden by foreigners, and more and more of the Han family's homeland has been lost.
but! For most of the time, we, the Chinese people, have stood at the top of the world, respected by all the barbarians!
What our ancestors could do, why can't we do it? ?
If one's martial arts skills are not demonstrated, then it is overcorrecting, so one is bound to one's own hands and feet. As long as one corrects his evil ways and returns to the right path, why can't he regain his glory and regain his glory!
The song was finished, but before it was over, the young sergeants changed a tune and sang again.
"If ten thousand people are united, Mount Tai can be shaken!"
Only loyalty and righteousness come, and the bullfight is full of anger.
The Lord will kiss me better than a parent.
If you violate military orders, you will not be free.
The orders are clear, the rewards and punishments are communicated,
You are going through fire and water, do you dare to stay later?
Report to the emperor, and save the head of Guizhou.
Kill all the Tartars and find a prince! "
There are no gorgeous words, no condescending sentences, and no difficult allusions. Even a three-year-old child can hear the arrogance and ambition in it.
Listening to it, many people can even hum a few words along with it.
"This song is really exciting to listen to. A wave of heat rushes to the top of my head, and my forehead is buzzing!"
"The old man felt so courageous that he wished he could rush to the battlefield with a rake and break the leg of that *** horse."
"In the past, Xiaosheng always felt the humiliation of Jingkang and the hatred of Wu Mu, but he could only sigh. Today, listening to this song, he has the urge to pour out his blood."
"Is this song composed by His Highness King Yan? Tsk tsk. Although it is not as elegant and exquisite as Shi Xiang's lyrics, it is more exciting. King Yan is indeed a great talent, and will be appreciated by both the refined and the popular!"
"The lyrics of Tohka are mumbled, and I can't even understand them. If you ask me, this is the music that men should listen to."
The people were talking a lot, and many people even followed the East Guards Company unconsciously. The scene was like a massacre.
"These baby soldiers are so spirited, they all look like calves!"
"Look at them walking in a hurry, as if there are more than a hundred people walking alone, and they don't know how to practice."
"I heard that His Highness King Yan really loves his soldiers as much as his sons. His soldiers always have meat to eat."
"It's nonsense. Yang Laocai, the richest man in our village, has more than 300 acres of land, and he only gets some meat during the New Year. King Yan's thousands of soldiers, if they eat meat all the time, that's not good. Poor him."
"You are a man who just came to the city. You have more than 300 acres of land and you don't want to talk about wealth. In this city, eating meat is nothing. My wife works in the weaving mill. I can buy a lot of money every now and then." Eat the tail fish."
"That is, don't be dissatisfied even if you say you are ignorant. His Highness is the King of Wealth. When he first entered Gusu, he gave hundreds of cash to every household in the city as greeting gifts. Is this how you can become poor easily?"
It seems that the image of King Yan as a wealthy man has been deeply rooted in the hearts of the people.
Seeing everyone's comments, the man couldn't help but believe it, "Mother, if you really eat meat every time, this soldier is worth it. I just haven't found a job yet, so I might as well apply."
"Come on, do you think anyone can be King Yan's soldier?"
"Why don't you just become a soldier? If you have the strength, then you can do it. Is there anything more important?"
At this time, they happened to reach a relatively wide place, and the young sergeants stopped.
The company commander of this company was none other than Zhao Mengxi. He straightened his clothes, stepped onto a dismounting stone, and shouted loudly.
"According to the order of His Highness King Yan, we are recruiting troops openly!"
"Anyone who is in good health and is between the ages of fifteen and twenty can apply!"
After hearing this, the people still looked like they were watching the excitement, but they had no interest in serving as soldiers.
Perhaps, everyone hopes that their country will be strong and their army will be invincible, but in war, people will die. It is better for others to do such dangerous things, and just call six from behind.
What's more
, the social atmosphere of the Song Dynasty valued civility over military affairs, and soldiers had little status. Who would be willing to suffer this crime.
Zhao Mengxi felt the inner thoughts of the people from their eyes, but his face did not change and his tone remained sonorous.
"Those who pass the inspection will immediately enter the camp, be given thirty guan of settlement money, and be exempted from the Ding tax and corvee for the whole family..."
Hearing this, some people began to be interested. Thirty guan was a "huge sum" that ordinary people couldn't save in a year or two.
"After entering the camp, even if you are a low-level soldier, you will have a regular salary of six dollars, which will be paid in full and on time every month. The rest of the food and clothing expenses will be covered by the army. The rewards and military merits are no less than those of other armies."
"Furthermore, if you are literate, one more character will earn you one more stipend. If you know a hundred characters, your stipend will be increased by 100 metric tons. If you know a thousand characters, your stipend will be increased by 1 guan. The maximum can be 3 guans. Moreover, it will be considered as having learned the skills after joining the camp. The character also increases the salary in this way."
Mom, you can actually give me money as long as you can read?
Some young scholars couldn't help but be tempted. With their literacy level, these three guan of money could be safely put into their pockets. That would be the monthly salary of nine guan of money.
Zhao Mengxi continued, "In addition, there are regular assessments in the military, and those who meet the standards will be promoted accordingly, and it is absolutely fair and just. For example, I was only a top soldier five months ago, but now I have commanded more than a hundred people, and I have a full salary." Twenty guan, if you perform well or make contributions in the future, it is not impossible to become a general."
"Also, those who have served in the military for fifteen years are free to retire. If they are injured in battle, they will receive subsidies, ranging from one to one hundred dollars. Those who are disabled due to injuries will receive a hundred dollars' subsidy, retire and provide placement, guaranteed No worries about food and clothing, no casualties in the war, a pension of 300 yuan, and tax exemption for twenty years according to the household status."
"Those who are interested in joining the army, please bring your household registration status and apply at the south camp of the city on the eighth day of September!"
