Youzhou.
The throat of the north.
County Governor He Yuting was writing something and said at the same time: "How are the preparations for the paper mill and bank?"
This time when he returned to the capital to report on his work, he did not receive any serious commendation from the court, but his political achievements were good and he was also given some encouragement. When he came back, he got hundreds of pieces of paper from the Good Works Department.
Now he uses paper to write official documents or letters to relatives and friends. The more he uses it, the more convenient it becomes, so he is very interested in this papermaking workshop.
There was also a county official standing below. Hearing this, he said: "My lord, I used the government treasury to buy two places. They only need a little repair, and they are almost ready now."
"Has the paper-making process come down to the Imperial Court Good Works Department?" He Yuting asked again.
"A craftsman was sent, saying that he would teach the craftsmanship. He would give guidance in the papermaking workshop first, and then go back after everyone has learned it. Now he has settled in." The official returned.
"Well, that's good." He Yuting nodded, put away the brush and put it away, checking what he had just written: "The papermaking mill does not need to be located in a busy city. The two places purchased by the treasury should be turned into banks. First, With all the preparations done, when the new imperial coins arrive in Youzhou, you won’t be in a hurry."
"Yes." The official responded first, and then couldn't help but ask: "Sir, do you need two banks?"
"I'm afraid two places are not enough." He Yuting said with a smile: "Youzhou City is so big and there are so many people. Let's build three places first. Then you can choose a place in the market to spread them out."
"Yes, my subordinate will do it now."
"Wait a minute." He Yuting stopped him and changed the topic: "By the way, the government examination just passed two days ago. How many scholars from Youzhou can enter the capital?"
He Yuting had just come back not long ago, and he hadn't had time to ask about the general examination.
When the official heard this, he immediately returned: "There are thirty-seven people in total."
"What? In the entire Youzhou, only thirty-seven people have passed the imperial examination?" He Yuting frowned.
"That's right." The official was also a little helpless: "We northern scholars really couldn't pass the Jiangnan exam. It was the same in the last imperial examination, and more than half of the people from the south were on the list."
There's nothing you can do about it, Youzhou is still more martial.
He Yuting didn't say anything more, just said: "In this way, after the bank's affairs are settled, you can find some candidates who failed the government examination but are good at calculation and recruit them to the bank."
"Okay, what about wages?"
"Let's give you 2,000 yuan a month."
"What? Sir, is this, is this too high?"
Nowadays, people basically have no income. Even in some textile and handicraft industries, the general income is only a few hundred cents. Therefore, 2,000 yuan is already very high, so no wonder the officials were surprised.
He Yuting said: "What do you know? Although these candidates failed this year, they are all arrogant. There are only so many scholars in Youzhou. If you don't give 2,000 essays, do you think they will do it? That's it, do you believe it or not?" Most people don’t want to?”
He Yuting can be said to have understood the psychology of scholars thoroughly. That's it, why they don't give up their waists for five measures of rice, and why a gentleman doesn't eat what he comes to complain about, that's what they talk about.
"Okay, sir, don't worry, my subordinates will take care of it." The official smiled bitterly.
"Well, you can go down now. I still have official business to deal with." He Yuting waved his hand.
"Yes, I am resigning."
March.
The whole of Chang'an became lively, because scholars from all over the country who had passed the prefectural examination had gathered here to prepare for the big examination on the eighth day of March.
This is equivalent to the final hurdle, which is of great significance. Even if you don't enter the top three, as long as you are on the list, it is the capital of being an official or a official, and you may even be able to enter the Hanlin Academy.
It is no exaggeration to say that those who can go to Beijing to take the exam are basically all talented in literature. Therefore, poets and ink writers can be seen in every restaurant, and the literary style flourishes for a while.
Zui Chun Tower.
This is a time-honored brand that has opened many locations, including in Chang'an.
At this time, the people on the second floor were basically all scholars who came to take the Chang'an exam. They all wore the same clothes. They were all dressed up as scholars, which is also equivalent to exam uniforms, and most of them were in their early twenties. The older ones were also Only thirty years old. In the imperial examination of Qin State, the age limit was forty years old, and there was no such thing as the old one.
More than a dozen scholars were divided into two groups. Someone on one side sneered: "This is the strength of northern scholars? How dare you dare to fight for poetry?"
This remark attracted the echo of another classmate and friend: "That's right. I see that you are thirty years old and you must have failed many times. I'm afraid that this time you come to Chang'an, you will come back in vain. Why bring shame on yourself."
The man in question was indeed in his thirties. Hearing this, his face turned red and he wanted to refute, but he couldn't.
And this also caused a burst of ridicule from the southern scholars: "I am afraid these poor people have never seen such prosperity as Chang'an. How could they write this poem?"
"That's too much!" Several people from the north were furious, and they started shouting at each other. Seeing that the civil fight was about to turn into a physical fight.
At this time, the waiter ran up quickly and said with a smile: "Dear guests, please calm down, please calm down. You are all scholars, but you are the hope of the local area, and you all know Qin Fa. If there is going to be a fight, I'm afraid It’s about giving away your future.”
These words were like a basin of cold water, waking everyone up at once. They stopped moving almost instantly and retreated one after another. A northern scholar said angrily: "Today I have seen what it means to be a scholar. He is victorious and arrogant. He only knows evil people." , How dare you talk about a gentleman, it’s so ridiculous!”
After saying that, he walked away.
A group of northern scholars also snorted coldly and followed him away.
On the contrary, the face of the person who was mocking him before turned red. Now that he thought about it, he really felt that he had gone too far. Wen Dou had won, and to say that he had failed in many attempts, and the same was true this year, was to humiliate himself.
After a moment of silence, the scholar said with some shame, "I did go too far just now. I shouldn't have done this."
Scenes like this kind of literary fights happen almost every day these days. Some people win the ridicule, and some people give each other gifts. There are also some scholars who have just come to Chang'an. They are full of prosperity, and they take their classmates and friends to visit the mountains and rivers. .
There are even those who often stay in brothels, and these are also popular with brothel girls.
Of course, there are also some who are still immersed in studying after entering Chang'an.
An inn.
This store is very small, with only a few rooms.
There was a knock on the door, and the young man in the room put down the letter, stood up and opened the door. Before the other party could speak, he lowered his head slightly and said in shame: "Store, I... I used up all my money on the way to Beijing. Can you please give me some time?"
The innkeeper looked the scholar up and down. Well, he was good-looking and well-behaved. As soon as he came to Chang'an, he studied hard behind closed doors and never went out. Unlike other scholars who lived and drank all day long.
He rolled his eyes and immediately put a smile on his face: "Haha, what are you talking about, young master? The money for a small shop is not worth mentioning. You can stay as long as you want."
"Ah? Thank you very much, shopkeeper. If I hadn't been taken in by the shopkeeper, I might still be sleeping on the street."
"No, no, just give it a try and I won't bother you."
The shopkeeper said and left.
The scholar's name was Wang Yuanju, a native of Shushan City in Sichuan. (End of chapter)
