County government.
Gu Zhengchen flipped through the files and frowned.
Yang Liang waited for a long time, and when he saw Gu Zhengchen holding up the tea bowl, he quickly asked: "My lord, do you have any clues?"
Gu Zhengchen took a sip of tea and put it down when he saw that the tea had cooled down: "From the clues we have so far, Xiu Niang did commit suicide by jumping into the well. The person who caused her to commit suicide by jumping into the well is the real murderer."
Yang Liang nodded slightly and stepped forward and said: "The official believes that this case still needs to be investigated from the men of the Ge family. The reason why Xiu Niang committed suicide was because she was defiled, lost her virginity, and died unwilling to be humiliated. According to the Ge family After investigation, there was no intrusion, so it can only be the work of someone in the house."
Gu Zhengchen looked at Yang Liang and closed the file: "What you said makes sense, but among the servants of the Ge family who can enter the back house, there are only two old servants. And if you want to enter the embroiderer's boudoir, you have to You need to pass through the maid Qiuyue's room, and the slightest movement will spread out. Also, the embroiderer's boudoir is only more than twenty steps away from the room where Ge Huan lives. If you shout out at night, someone will definitely call for help, but you also know that, Xiu Niang never asked for help."
Yang Liang guessed: "Could it be that someone drugged her and made the embroiderer unconscious, so she didn't call for help?"
Gu Zhengchen did not deny the possibility. Drugs that could cause coma existed, but if he wanted to use the drug on Xiu Niang, he would at least need to be close to her.
If you don't get close, you won't be able to administer the medicine.
But the only person who can get close to Xiu Niang is Chun Niang. And Chun Niang is a girl, so naturally it is impossible to tarnish Xiu Niang.
"Your Majesty, the county school's teachings and instructions are here."
Yamen servant Han Qiang came to report.
Gu Zhengchen ordered Han Qiang to invite the two of them in, and then said to Yang Liang: "Send Zhang Bo from the Zhang family. I want to ask questions."
Yang Liang agreed and turned around.
Liu Gui came with a spring breeze on his face and cupped his hands: "My lord, it's been more than a month since I passed away. I'm already a man from Quanzhou County in the Ming Dynasty. I'm a knight. It's really admirable. I'll be polite here." "
Sun Tong followed beside him and congratulated him: "I have been granted a title to honor my ancestors, and there are flowers and candles in the bridal chamber. Congratulations, congratulations."
Gu Zhengchen raised his hand and returned the salute: "Don't be so quarrelsome between the two of you. The so-called men of Quanzhou County, anyone with a discerning eye knows that I have been framed by others, so it's okay not to mention it. After all, we are still the seventh-rank magistrate of the county. Come and take a seat."
Liu Gui and Sun Tong looked at each other and relaxed when they saw that Gu Zhengchen was as easy-going as before.
Although the title of nobility is a bit scary, Liu Gui and Sun Tong are scholars and know the court system, so they know that this county man is very sinister. If so-and-so expects you to be granted the title of county boy, he will probably be beaten to death. This is no different from cursing someone to death.
Gu Zhengchen exchanged a few pleasantries and said: "Jurong College needs to be dealt with urgently. It is best to enroll students before February. I heard from the chief registrar that there are already twenty-six gentlemen in Hexian College. This number is not enough." , I propose to recruit a group of gentlemen locally in Jurong, and again, the gentlemen do not have to be completely proficient in the Four Books and Five Classics, even old farmers, craftsmen, and businessmen, as long as they can teach, they can be recruited."
"My lord, is it appropriate to recruit these people?"
Sun Tong didn't agree with it.
Gu Zhengchen smiled and said: "What's inappropriate? When three people walk together, there must be one teacher. This is the teaching of Confucius. Every scholar respects Confucius as the teacher of all ages. What's wrong with listening to his words? What's more, the coursework of Jurong College, The Four Books and Five Classics only need to account for 30%.”
"Thirty percent?"
Liu Gui and Sun Tong were shocked.
The Four Books and Five Classics are the most important knowledge for scholars. If one day the imperial court reopens the imperial examination, the test will be on the Four Books and Five Classics, and will never go beyond these few books.
You must know that in Fuzhou and County schools, even in Guozi studies, the Four Books and Five Classics are the first priority. Every day from morning to night, they recite, understand, memorize, and write the Four Books and Five Classics. It is said that this coursework accounts for 99% Nothing wrong with that.
Gu Zhengchen also knew this situation. Although Lao Zhu later became a bit "perverted" and stuffed the "Da Ming Code" and "Da Gao" into the curriculum of Guozixue and Fuzhou County School, the content of these laws and regulations was not At most, it only accounts for 20%, which cannot shake the status of the Four Books and Five Classics at all.
Faced with Liu Gui and Sun Tong's questioning, Gu Zhengchen knocked on the table and said seriously: "Liu Jiaoyu and Sun Xundao, you need to think clearly and see clearly that the Jurong College I want to create is not for the present. It is not only for readers, but for illiterate children! Jurong Academy is to teach children skills, not only to understand the Four Books and Five Classics, the principles and etiquette of living in the world, but also to know how to live and how to live better!"
"I don't mind if the children from Jurong College become farmers after graduation, I don't mind if they become merchants, craftsmen, or sergeants! What the college gives them is knowledge, skills, and wisdom. As for where they go in the future, it's up to them. Choice. If there is someone who is outstanding and willing to continue to study the Four Books and Five Classics, then let him study it. If someone likes to be a carpenter, then let him do it."
"It is not easy to recover from the imperial examination, nor is it easy to pass the imperial examination. Instead of reading the Four Books and Five Classics over and over again, it is better to give children a broader vision and broader knowledge, so that they can have more choices in the future. Gentleman It’s true to consolidate poverty, but the people cannot consolidate poverty, and the country cannot consolidate poverty!”
Liu Gui heard this and remained silent.
Sun Tong said uneasily: "But the Four Books and the Five Classics only account for 30%. Doesn't it mean that it has become the lowest level of learning?"
Gu Zhengchen waved his hand and said seriously: "The Four Books and Five Classics are still the main subjects, accounting for 30%, and the study of calculation and mathematics also accounts for 30%. The remaining 40% of the subjects are divided into craftsmanship, archery, painting, art of war, agriculture, Business..."
Liu Gui frowned: "My lord, why can calculation and calculation be compared with the Four Books and Five Classics?"
Gu Zhengchen chuckled, picked up the tea bowl and said to Liu Gui: "The Four Books and Five Classics are immeasurable, immeasurable, and indescribable. Calculation is measurable, measurable, and indescribable. As high as the sky is and as deep as the sea, How much sand does the Yellow River carry, how many winds does the Yangtze River have, all are beyond calculation, and all are beyond calculation."
Liu Gui sighed, stood up and said: "Jurong College was established at the initiative of the county magistrate. The magistrate wants to arrange it this way, and we will comply. It's just that it's hard to find such planners."
Gu Zhengchen said bluntly: "The accountant and shopkeeper are all proficient in planning, so it is not impossible to invite them as teachers."
Liu Gui and Sun Tong had no choice but to agree.
Gu Zhengchen tapped his fingers on the table: "You can also ask about some of those women and children. If they are willing, they can stay in the college to study. As for the women, the weaving and tailoring compound will absorb them and find some work for them. , let them stay in the college for the next few days, and the food will be provided by the county government."
Liu Gui and Sun Tong had no objections.
After seeing off Liu Gui and Sun Tong, Yang Liang had brought Zhang Bo.
Zhang Bo was uneasy and didn't know why the county magistrate summoned him.
Gu Zhengchen picked up the file on the table and said seriously: "The little girl of the Ge family committed suicide by jumping into the well. I think you must have heard about it."
Zhang Bo only sat half a chair and replied nervously: "Master, I heard about it, but this matter has nothing to do with me. Why did you summon me to the county government?"
Gu Zhengchen stood up and walked towards Zhang Bo: "I heard that your daughter had hanged herself and wanted to commit suicide. If the maid hadn't rescued her in time, she might have ended up like the little girl of the Ge family. Zhang Bo, is there something hidden in this? You must be better than me. It’s clearer.”
Zhang Bo looked very ugly, stood up and said: "There is no hidden secret, it's just that my daughter was scolded by me and couldn't think about it for a moment. County Master, no one has complained about this kind of thing, so there is no need to ask anymore, right?"
Seeing Zhang Bo's resistance, Gu Zhengchen squinted his eyes and his eyes became sharp: "I don't want to ask about what happened to your daughter, I only want to ask one thing."
"What's the matter?"
Zhang Bo looked at Gu Zhengchen warily.
Gu Zhengchen looked serious and said in a cold tone: "Does your daughter also have a close friend who used to play with her and even stay at home?"
Zhang Bo looked at Gu Zhengchen in shock: "How do you know?"
"As expected!"
Gu Zhengchen turned around and ordered Yang Liang to take out the portrait of Chun Niang.
Zhang Bo looked at the portrait, the corners of his mouth trembling.
"What, do you know me?"
Gu Zhengchen asked.
Zhang Bo nodded heavily: "This girl's name is Chun Niang. She is my daughter's best friend in the boudoir. She was also married to Jinlan. The two of them have a very close relationship. I saw that my daughter was in a much better mood than before when she was there, so I agreed to stay with her. "
Gu Zhengchen took the portrait and asked, "What is the identity of this Chun Niang? Have you ever asked?"
Zhang Bo looked at the portrait in Gu Zhengchen's hand: "Of course I asked, she is the adopted daughter taken in by Grandma Wang's family, a poor person."
"Grandma Wang?"
Gu Zhengchen stared.
Yang Liang said from the side: "It must be Granny Wang from Dongjia Lane, she is an old tailor."
"Okay, you can go back."
Gu Zhengchen ordered someone to send Zhang Bo off.
Yang Liang looked at Gu Zhengchen in confusion and asked: "Your Majesty, Chun Niang is involved in these two incidents. It's not a coincidence. It's just that Chun Niang is a weak woman and doesn't look like a criminal."
Gu Zhengchen moved his wrist slightly, and a copper coin appeared on his fingertips, circling slightly: "Two little girls, two places, two people seeking death, and a common close friend, it cannot be a coincidence. It is likely that in the spring There are other men behind my mother, and this Chun Niang is just a tool."
Yang Liang nodded repeatedly: "What should we do now?"
Gu Zhengchen stood up and held the copper coin in his palm: "Send someone to secretly keep an eye on Chun Niang to see who she will come into contact with next. This kind of person will act once or twice, and naturally there will be a third time. When she takes action again , that’s when it’s exposed.”
Yang Liang responded and turned around to make arrangements.
Gu Zhengchen looked back at the files on the table and shook his head. Compared with a case, what is more important right now is the people's rice bowls. Keeping the people fed is the most important thing.
It is already spring, and although there is still some time before spring plowing, the busyness is not far away. This year is my second year in Jurong. This year, I will at least make the people’s granary fuller.
Gu Zhengchen summoned Luo Shao, the county magistrate, to discuss: "I want to have a lot of food, how can I plan for it?"
Luo Shao spread his hands and said, "I don't even know if I'm a low-ranking official..."
Gu Zhengchen looked at Luo Shao depressedly. He was an outstanding scholar.
