On September 29, the passenger ship Dengke docked at Tianjin Pier.
Scholars from the Nanyang region, after months of life on board, finally landed in the interior of the empire.
Tong Yan walked down the pier happily, and she looked at her friend Zhao Shiheng, with whom she was already very familiar.
The girl showed an expression of joy, but did not dare to express her feelings.
After the imperial examination, the lives of those who succeeded and those who failed were very different.
As a direct descendant of a wealthy merchant family, if she could not pass the Jinshi examination.
She could only obey the family's arrangements and marry her family's allies.
Tong Yan did not pass the Jinshi examination. She had no control over her own destiny and was not qualified to pursue her own happiness.
Unless the person you like is a top three scholar, the family will compromise.
She passed the Jinshi exam, but Zhao Shiheng failed, and there would be no result between the two of them.
The relationship between the two is now more pure.
Tong Yan looked at the prosperous Tianjin and said excitedly: "When my father was young, he followed his grandfather to Nanyang to work hard.
When I was a child, I didn’t remember the prosperity of the interior of the empire at all. My memories were all about Nanyang.
Now we can finally see the prosperity of the empire. "
Zhao Shiheng looked at the bustling streets and said happily: "The capital of the empire, the capital, is the most prosperous place. We will soon be able to reach the prosperity of the capital."
Tong Yan breathed a pungent smell. She choked twice and shed tears.
She took out a handkerchief and wiped away the tears and snot that fell from her nose.
“I think the only bad thing about Tianjin is that the air is not very good.
Of course, there is no way around this.
The cost of developing industry is that the living environment becomes worse. "
Zhao Shiheng said with emotion: "The environment is indeed not good, but with the development of industry, the average life expectancy is increasing rapidly.
Before industrialization, the average life expectancy was only over 30 years.
After industrialization, the average life expectancy of people in the empire's major industrial cities has reached over fifty.
People's life expectancy has increased by twenty years on average.
In the past, except for officials and wealthy businessmen, ordinary people in their thirties had to prepare coffins.
Now in my thirties, I am at my peak.
It is good to think more about this issue. The pros and cons of industrialization have always been the key questions in the imperial examination policy. "
After Zhao Shiheng finished speaking, he looked at Tong Yan's slightly thoughtful eyes and pointed to the crowded train station ahead.
"The captain told us to meet at the train station. Someone will be at the train station to pick up and drop off those of us who are rushing to take the exam."
The two of them followed the flow of people to the train station.
In the square in front of the station, there were several officials from the Ministry of Education holding signs to welcome the Nanyang scholars.
They followed the instructions and boarded the train to the capital one after another.
Many Nanyang taxi drivers boarded a train for the first time.
They are very curious about everything in the car.
Tong Yan heard the train's whistle sound, and then the behemoth was driving quickly on the railroad tracks.
She said excitedly: "This is my first time taking a train.
The Nanyang Islands area is composed of large and small islands.
Apart from a small railway transporting some minerals, there are no freight railways on the island at all.
The most common form of transportation on the island, besides asphalt roads, is various forms of transportation.
The island only needs asphalt roads to meet travel requirements.
For cross-island transportation, various steamships are most suitable, and there is no room for railways at all.
My family started out as a boat builder, so I understand this situation very clearly.
Brother Zhao, how are you doing in Luzon? "
Zhao Shiheng immediately replied: "Our Luzon is also a big island, but it is a big island with depth.
There is also a railway around the island, and I took the railway when I went out.
But that railway was a very slow first generation steam railway.
Its speed and ride comfort are simply not comparable to the second-generation diesel locomotive railway. "
When the Nanyang scholars boarded the train, they felt relaxed and did not have to worry about the passenger ship crashing and not being able to catch up with this year's imperial examination.
While they were relaxing and chatting, the speaker in the car sounded.
"Hello fellow Nanyang scholars, there are some changes in the imperial examination this year.
The newspaper on the seat records the changes in the imperial examination in detail. Please be sure to read it. "
After all the scholars heard the broadcast, they immediately picked up the newspapers on their seats and read the contents carefully.
The imperial examination was closely related to their future destiny, and changes in the imperial examination would inevitably have a certain impact on them.
After Tong Yan finished reading the newspaper, she looked at Zhao Shiheng with confused eyes and said happily: "Brother Zhao, you are really amazing.
When I heard that the number of places in the imperial examination would be increased a few months ago, I already expected that the imperial examination would be reformed.
The court was very determined this time. We thought that if Nanyang was divided into two, we would get more places for Jinshi.
Now the imperial court directly cancels the allocation of Jinshi places according to the province's tax payment quota, leaving only one guaranteed person in each province.
If you don't make it to the overall list, you will have to enter the bottom list. The place where you work must be a bitter and cold place on the frontier. "
Zhao Shiheng said modestly: "I am also lucky, I just got it right.
This is the reform of the imperial examination, which is beneficial to you scholars who are not considered to be extremely outstanding. It will do more good than harm to you. "
When Tong Yan heard this, she puffed up her cheeks angrily and was about to refute.
She considers herself to be a genius and ranks high in Xiabei Province.
From Zhao Shiheng's words, how could he become a person who might fail the exam?
Huang Da was sweating profusely and came over holding a newspaper.
"Brother Shiheng, everyone admires your knowledge. Tell us about the pros and cons of this reform of the imperial examination."
After Huang Da said this, most people on the train focused on Zhao Shiheng.
He has been on the passenger ship for such a long time and has been recognized by most scholars.
Zhao Shiheng saw everyone's expectant eyes. He spread out the newspaper with his left hand, cleared his throat and said:
“This year’s imperial examination reform is divided into two parts.
One part will take effect next year, that is, imperial examination immigration.
The imperial court's attitude clearly did not recognize imperial examination immigration.
All scholars must take the provincial examination in their place of birth.
As we all know, the competition in the provincial examination is the most complicated.
Sometimes, it’s not just about ability. "
When Zhao Shiheng said this, he glanced at Tong Yan subconsciously.
His friend's ranking obviously did not match his strength.
Zhao Shiheng can also understand why the Tong family does this?
The ranking in the provincial examination, as long as it is not first, generally has little impact.
By doing this, the Tong family created the character of a female genius.
Prince Su Shu married a talented princess, who was of great help to the prince's career.
The nobles of the empire follow suit and like to marry geniuses, and no longer believe that it is virtue for a woman to have no talent.
As long as Tong Yan is established, if the Tong family wants to marry a powerful noble, the resistance will be reduced a lot.
Her current persona is so established that even she believes it.
Zhao Shiheng continued: "If you want the imperial examination to be easier, you will pass it this year.
If it is postponed until next year, the rural examination will be much more difficult in wealthy places. In poor areas, the difficulty of rural examinations will also increase. "
When Huang Da heard what Zhao Shiheng said, he asked in confusion: "Is this wrong?
It will rise no matter what, it should rise and fall one at a time. "
Tong Yan glanced at her with disdain and said carelessly: "This is not easy. Even wealthy places are willing to raise children.
The level of local scholars must be higher.
What's more, those immigrants who take the imperial examination usually have strong backgrounds. Will they be able to take the imperial examination safely when they return to their hometowns?
As for poor areas, the admission quota for rural examinations must cater to certain people.
Now that these people are gone, the situation will definitely become more stringent.
It is obvious that next year's imperial and provincial examinations will be more difficult.
Everyone is working hard to pass the Jinshi this year, otherwise it will be another wasted year. "
Zhao Shiheng took the lead in applauding and said happily: "Tong Yan is right, but don't be too pessimistic.
Next year will be very strict. When this system is on track in three to five years, there will not be so many problems. "
Many scholars were even more depressed when they heard the news.
If we don’t succeed this year, it will probably be wasted three to five years.
Zhao Shiheng changed his voice and said: "The remaining reforms are very detrimental to some people, but beneficial to most people.
The basic purpose of the imperial examination reform in the imperial court was to take care of the majority of people.
The most important thing is the allocation of Jinshi quotas, which no longer limits the maximum number of people in each province.
To take an extreme example, a certain province is full of geniuses, occupying the top twenty places in the imperial examination.
However, due to the quota limit, even if you are on the overall list, you can only admit the people in front of you due to the quota.
This policy benefited scholars from wealthy provinces.
Wealthy places can devote more resources to education and have more talents.
With the elimination of quotas in each province, those who can reach the overall ranking will be awarded the Jinshi quota.
Even if one province accounts for thirty people, it means that this province has the ability.
The condensation of imperial examination subjects is beneficial to everyone.
Everyone has participated in the imperial examination, and everyone can have a rough idea of the experience of a subject.
Now there are only three subjects in the imperial examination, so everyone can go all out and do well in these three subjects. "
Their moods were constantly ups and downs with the sound of the train.
At first, they thought that the imperial examination reform was for ordinary people like them. After Zhao Shiheng's analysis, these people found that the imperial examination reform was more beneficial to them.
The train was traveling very fast, and Zhao Shiheng explained the imperial examination reform to everyone in detail.
He finally said: “These contents are just my own opinions and may contain fallacies.
Our most important task now is to adjust our state quickly and prepare for the scientific examination on the tenth day of October. "
Zhao Shiheng felt extremely thirsty and drank the boiled water handed over by Tong Yan.
Just then, the train whistle sounded.
Yanjing Railway Station arrived, and their journey reached the final destination.
The Nanyang taxis dispersed from the train station.
Some people sought refuge with relatives and friends in the capital, while others went to inns that had been booked in advance.
Zhao Shiheng was asking the staff at the train station where there were cheaper inns.
Tong Yan suddenly walked up to him and invited: "My father booked me a floor in the inn because he was afraid that other people would affect my preparation for the exam.
The imperial court suddenly changed the content of the scientific examination this time. I don’t know much about history.
Please ask Brother Zhao to tutor me in history. The tuition fee is the accommodation fee for these few days. "
Zhao Shiheng thought for a moment and then agreed.
He knew that the imperial court wanted to let the scholars who were waiting for the examination have a good rest.
The scholars were allowed to come out of the Gongyuan after completing one subject.
In this way, whether you can have a better rest living in a quiet place or in a noisy place.
That is closely related to achieving good results in the imperial examination.
With the silver coins in his pocket, he couldn't find a good place in the capital.
As a friend, Tong Yan gave him a step up, and Zhao Shiheng could not continue to hold it.
From the day he ate Baijiafang, he knew that survival and future were more important than dignity.
They took a car and headed to the inn they had settled on.
When Zhao Shiheng got off the car and saw the location of the inn, he knew it was an inn he couldn't afford.
It is only more than 500 meters away from Gongyuan, where the imperial examination is held.
He saw that the people in the inn were all wearing silk and satin. These people all came from wealthy families.
What surprised Zhao Shiheng was that none of these people looked at him in plain clothes and showed disdain or made a mockery.
Tong Yan contacted the innkeeper and went through the check-in procedures.
A fat man in his twenties, wearing silk and satin, had a fat head and big ears, and looked very rich.
"This brother is the top three in the provincial examination somewhere in Nanyang.
I am Yuan Zhixu from Suzhou, please make friends. "
Zhao Shiheng was very surprised and asked: "Brother Yuan, how did you know that I was the top three in the provincial examination.
I am under Zhao Shiheng of Luzon. "
Yuan Zhixu cupped his fists and complimented him even more: "It turns out to be Brother Zhao Shiheng Zhao of Lu Song Jiayi.
Brother Zhao's outfit obviously does not come from a wealthy family.
Those who can afford to stay at the Qingyun Inn are from wealthy families.
When Brother Zhao saw it, he was a genius who invested in advance from a wealthy family.
Those of us who are worthy of investing in the marriage contract in advance before the results come out can only be the top three in each province. "
Zhao Shiheng was about to refute, but then he swallowed the words that came to his lips.
It's impossible for Tong Yan not to know this situation.
She is using her reputation to tie her up. Only by getting good grades in the imperial examination and ranking among the top three will she be able to live up to the beauty's love.
Tong Yan quickly completed the check-in procedures, and they entered the top floor of Qingyun Building, which was the quietest room.
After they each selected their rooms, they went downstairs to taste the delicacies of Qingyun Tower.
Zhao Shiheng heard that the scholars in Qingyun Tower were discussing the impact of the imperial examination reform.
“This reform of the imperial examination was so sudden that we were not prepared in any way.
The content of the imperial examination is subject to change. Fortunately, the content is deleted instead of adding new content.
Otherwise, just don’t take the imperial examination at all, which will make people exhausted. "
"I heard that Wang Shangshu of the Ministry of Education made an impromptu decision and persuaded His Majesty the Emperor, and the imperial examination reform was implemented in a hurry.
The officials of the Ministry of Education were all confused after receiving the order. They worked overtime until late every day to deal with matters related to the imperial examination. "
“It’s over, this is the first imperial examination after the imperial examination reform.
The imperial court will definitely take it extremely seriously and strictly review this year's imperial examinations, leaving no room for movement. "
“I heard that the proportion of women participating in the imperial examination this year has broken the record, reaching 15%.
I don’t know how many female Jinshis there will be this time.
We men must live up to our standards and never let these female Jinshi surpass us. "
"We have a female civil servant living upstairs. The level of female civil servants who can live here will not be much different."
"I'm so nervous now that my heart is about to beat. I hope the imperial examination will start soon."
Zhao Shiheng heard that some people were confused and some were anxious.
These are people who cannot recognize themselves.
As long as he has no health problems, he doesn't have to worry about failing the exam.
Zhao Shiheng was only worried that his ideas were too different from those of the examiners and he would not be able to get high scores.
He now has to recuperate his energy and wait for the imperial examination to come. (End of chapter)
