After the first "Basic Ming Dynasty General Education Examination" was successfully completed in Meng County, the immediate direct impact was not significant.
Because this exam is confidential, even after the exam is over, the relevant personnel are not sure whether it can be made public, so there is no discussion when the unwilling personnel are present.
However, the status of the members who took the exam had changed significantly.
Hao Jizhi and his wife were in particularly high spirits, and they became even more affectionate when they saw their brother shouting.
I was smiling all day long, and I became more attentive and careful when practicing my cooking skills, checking hygiene, and taking inventory of the food before and after cooking.
Many acquaintances greeted Hao Jizhi and joked with him when they saw him:
"Why are you so happy, chef? Are you going to be a father?"
Hao Jizhi just smiled happily and said nothing, but when he was with his wife at night, he worked harder.
As a result, after more than ten days, my daughter-in-law’s menstrual period did not come.
Hao Jizhi became even happier.
At the same time, the second exam finally came, and this time the exam was directly open to the public.
After the first exam was over and wages were paid, announcements were posted on the bulletin boards in each factory area.
It explains the existence of the "Daming General Education Basic Examination" and the treatment after passing the exam.
The scope of people who can take the exam is "adjusted at any time according to the situation." The scope of this exam is "those with outstanding work ability among Koreans and He tribesmen."
Since most of the workers were illiterate, when posting the notice, the management directly notified the specific individuals who could participate through the workshop director, squad leader, and line leader.
And let these managers who have taken the exam personally interpret it.
These managers who had taken the exam before were surrounded by people whenever they were taking a break, asking questions about the exam process and difficulty, and some were simply practicing their speaking skills.
In this way, things related to the exam quickly spread.
Workers quickly understood the importance of this exam.
An exam that can change your identity and income, or in other words, completely change your destiny.
The popularity of related matters quickly overwhelmed everything else.
Those who are qualified to take the exam this time are extremely excited to prepare for the exam.
Every day during the break, there were people everywhere talking in a funny tone, warning them not to speak indigenous mantras even if they died.
I also work extra hard because I was selected this time because of my "outstanding work ability."
Let the line leaders explain it, and everyone will know that it actually depends on whether the work is done diligently and carefully.
The first group of people selected are those who are capable and sophisticated.
Those who were not qualified to take the exam this time also worked harder.
Because the line leader and the announcement said that exams will be held from time to time in the future.
The screening method is still based on work ability as the core criterion.
They all look forward to being selected in the next exam, qualifying to participate, and receiving treatment like a Ming citizen.
The scope of the second examination was enlarged to 500 people, and the examiner was no longer Lin Zexu himself.
Lin Zexu seconded a group of clerks from the Royal Railway Company. Zhu Jingyuan also sent out those who were literate among his maids and servants, and soldiers from Guan Tianpei's department who were literate were also sent over.
The test method is the same as the first time, except that it is taken in multiple rooms at the same time.
The exam was still relatively fast, it only took one day to complete, and the passing rate dropped to about 95%.
Twenty-eight people were removed from the more than five hundred people.
The pass rate is lower than that under the original management, mainly because there are more indigenous people taking the exam this time.
Just as Zhu Jingyuan expected, the indigenous people knew a lot of indigenous languages.
When you are nervous, you are more likely to use indigenous words or accents. In this case, you will be eliminated directly.
However, overall, the vast majority still pass, and the passing rate for Bumiputeras alone is over 80%.
After the exam, the entire factory area was extremely lively.
Most of the workers who passed the exam went out for dinner with their friends.
Others go shopping with their families, going to fabric stores to buy satin or rayon fabrics in preparation for making new clothes back home, or they go directly to tailors and clothing stores to order or buy new clothes.
Ten days after the second exam, Lin Zexu went to Zhu Jingyuan again to report:
“Your Highness, the results of the General Studies Examination have been very good so far.
“Before and after the second general education examination, the production efficiency of the entire factory has been significantly improved.
“According to feedback from the grassroots, the fluency of actual production management has also improved.
“The workers who have passed the exam are very enthusiastic to cooperate with the management and statistical work.
“The enthusiasm of workers who take the exam but pass it may seem higher, which may be the result of painful lessons learned.
“The enthusiasm of workers who have not taken the exam has also increased significantly, and almost all of them are looking forward to the next exam.
“At the same time, sales in canteens, restaurants, clothing stores, tailor shops and other markets have also increased.
“According to actual survey results, canteens and restaurants are mainly occupied by people entertaining guests and having dinner parties.
“Some people who have passed the exam treat their relatives and friends to dinner.
“Some colleagues invite people who have passed the exam to dinner and inquire about the details of the exam.
“There are also people who have passed the exam at the same time and have dinner together to build relationships.
"In terms of clothing, many people feel that since they are from the Ming Dynasty, they must have clothes worthy of their status."
After Zhu Jingyuan listened, he said something unexpected:
“I didn’t expect that in addition to improving work efficiency, it can also increase market vitality.
“But it’s also reasonable. When your identity changes, your image requirements will also be different.
"Now it seems that this policy is very effective."
Lin Zexu also nodded and said:
“Yes, it seems to be going very well so far, but the impact of this policy will be long-term.
"As for the long-term impact, students think it is too early to say..."
Zhu Jingyuan smiled and nodded and said:
"Shopkeeper Lin is right, we should be cautious and continue to make long-term observations.
“Then this kind of exam, according to the current plan, will be held every two months, in small quantities and multiple times.
“After a while, a group of people’s identities changed and they gained a better social and psychological status.
“Then you can enter a state of high spirits, and your work ability and consumption ability will increase at the same time.
“This state should also drive up other people’s emotions and spending power.
"At the same time, we will continue to observe and collect statistics on possible problems that may arise in this state."
Lin Zexu also smiled and agreed:
“Students understand.”
Lin Zexu said goodbye to Zhu Jingyuan and went back to continue his work.
After that, Lin Zexu basically followed the direction discussed with Zhu Jingyuan and held exams once a month.
The scope of workers receiving inspections continues to expand, as does the scale.
After three consecutive months, with Zhu Jingyuan's permission, the coverage of the exam was expanded to include road construction workers.
Since the workers building railways and roads are mainly recruited by the Royal Railway Company, they may not stay after the work is completed.
Therefore, it is only open to workers who are willing to become immigrants and stay in Mozhou, a large food country.
This policy is actually increasing workers’ intention to stay.
At the same time, immigrants from around Dongming are also increasing.
Because half a year has passed, the situation around Meng County and eastern Mozhou is spreading to the outside world through various channels.
Edo Castle, Fugui Restaurant.
A middle-aged postman rode his bicycle to the door of the restaurant.
The postman tied up his carriage, quickly took out two large envelopes from the mail bag, and ran into the restaurant quickly.
He went directly to the counter and said to the man inside very familiarly:
"Hao Boren, your brother's letter to your father, as well as the money, were really sent to Mozhou by your brother."
Hao Boren is the eldest brother of Hao Zhongyi and Hao Jizhi. He was obviously very happy when he heard the postman's words:
"Did you get a letter from me? Did you also send money? I'll call my dad right away!"
This was not the first time Hao Zhongyi sent a letter. He wrote once not long after arriving in Mozhou, but he did not send any money at that time.
There was a rope next to the counter of Fugui Restaurant, and Hao Boren pulled the rope quickly and continuously.
After a while, Hao Fugui, the father of Hao Zhongyi brothers, a somewhat fat middle-aged man, walked out quickly:
"What's the hurry? The bell is ringing so urgently?"
The postman immediately delivered Hao Zhongyi's letter and reminded him that there was still cash of 600 silver notes to be mailed.
When the postman counted the bills clearly and handed them to Hao Fugui, both Hao Fugui and Hao Boren were a little stunned.
"Six hundred silver notes? The two brothers have only been here less than a year, and they have a family to support. How can they have so much money left?"
"Mother, my brother is really making a lot of money now!"
Under the urging and reminder of the postman, Hao Fugui and his son woke up from their shock.
Hao Fugui checked the authenticity of the banknotes very carefully, and finally signed the remittance receipt for confirmation.
After the postman left, Hao Fugui carefully collected the money, then opened the envelope and read the letter.
Not long after looking at it, Hao Fugui's eyes widened:
"The waiter... can earn more than a hundred dollars a month. He is indeed my Fugui's son..."
Hao Boren leaned close to his father and read the words on the letter from behind his shoulder. He couldn't help but scream in shock:
"The second brother is so capable. He is in charge of hundreds of people. Oh my, he even met the King of Food!
"According to what Xiao Er said, this great king is really a great king and a living Bodhisattva."
Hao Fugui looked at it for a while, then sighed again and said:
"He is indeed a great king, and our Majesty's biological son... better than our Edo... ahem...
“Their Meng County is really a good place.
“It’s not cold all year round. During the Chinese New Year, it feels like summer, and other times it’s almost like the beginning of summer.
"There is no miasma there at all. Meng County is full of factories, and there are large tracts of fertile farmland outside.
“There were originally Mo people and savages around, but they were all driven away by the Ming Dynasty’s troops.
"Wait, what does this mean..."
Hao Boren also saw where his father was looking:
“As long as you can speak the Ming Dynasty Mandarin and don’t leak any harmonious words when the examiner asks you questions, you will be treated the same as the Ming Dynasty people.
"The fourth child has passed the exam, and now the basic salary standard is the same as the second child, which is more than 70 a month."
Hao Fugui swallowed his saliva and turned back the page with slightly trembling fingers:
"The second child wants the third child to go there too, and the third and fourth brothers and sisters from their parents' families to go too.
"He can find people to arrange work for him. As long as he passes the exam, he can earn twenty-five silver coins a month as an ordinary worker.
"Girls there are more popular than men, and there are many bachelors who earn a lot of money.
“Both girls and wives can also enter the factory. There are production lines and factories dedicated to female workers, and all of them are female workers.
"Female workers can keep up with the manufacturing speed and earn twenty-five silver notes!"
When Hao Boren saw this, he shouted directly:
"Hurry up and call your aunt and ask her to go back to her parents' house to call someone.
"Let the third and fourth cousins go over and don't waste time at home.
"If I didn't have to support you in your old age, I would even want to go..."
Hao Fugui glared at his eldest son, "Can you, the eldest, not support me in my old age?" Then he sighed and shook his head and said:
“Now that all the men in Edo are running away, it’s hard for girls to find good families to marry.
"Boys whose families have some wealth are now very selective in their wives, and no matter how good a girl they are, they have to be treated as underdogs.
"But if you let Huanghua's eldest daughter run out so far, what if something happens on the sea?"
Hao Boren frowned and said:
"If you are worried, let parents go with their children, or let brothers go with sisters."
Hao Fugui thought for a while:
"Well, I'll discuss it with your aunt later, and then go to the recruitment office to inquire..."
Hao Boren nodded, and then said immediately:
"Xin, have you read the letter? Let me take a good look..."
Hao Fugui raised his hand:
"I haven't finished it yet. I'll give it to you after I finish it."
Hao Fugui continued to turn over the letter paper and read the words on it with a smile.
Due to the long distance, the mailed envelope had to follow the passenger ship and took several months to arrive.
Because they also served as messengers, early large ocean liners were also called cruise ships.
When ordinary people write a letter, they always want to write as much as possible and say everything they want to say clearly.
Because it takes several months to come and go.
It's impossible to go on and on with "are you there", "are you", "something happened", "what's the matter", "are you free tomorrow".
This letter was written by Hao Zhongyi himself, but the matter belonged to two families, namely him and brother Hao Jizhi.
Both Hao Zhongyi brothers have money now and don't care about extra postage.
Hao Fugui flipped through a few pages and suddenly said with a smile:
“The fourth child’s family also has one! The second child said that their children will be able to attend primary school for free in the future!”
After hearing this, Hao Boren was a little impulsive again:
"I really want to go."
Hao Fugui glared at his eldest son again and finally turned the letter to the last page.
Finally, there was a small paper packet containing several black and white photos.
Hao Zhongyi is considered relatively wealthy among the middle class. His annual income is almost 1,300 silver notes, which is over 100,000 yuan in modern RMB based on his purchasing power.
It’s okay to find someone to take some photos, especially when you want to write letters to your loved ones thousands of miles away.
Hao Fugui took out a few photos, and the top one was a group photo of Hao Zhongyi and Hao Jizhi, a family of five.
They all put on new silk clothes and stood in a very spacious restaurant-style house with smiles on their faces.
Hao Boren couldn't help but admire and said:
"Oh, everyone has gained weight and looks moist. This courtyard should be the one mentioned in the second brother's letter. The courtyard where the rich food nobles used to live is now for the second brother to enjoy..."
Hao Fugui also smashed it and said:
"Tsk, tsk, tsk, you can gain weight better than in our hotel. It seems that this Meng County is really a good place."
The father and son continued to scroll down the photos. The following pictures showed the places where the two families worked and lived.
There are also the streets of the city, the fields outside the city, the docks and big ships on the seaside.
After reading it, Hao Fugui sighed and said:
"It's really a good place...you're not lying to us..."
