"Title, title, title, title?"
Facing the classmate's question, Tang Shunzhi nodded solemnly: "Grade titles are naturally simple, as there are official titles, there are eighteen grades in total. The title of grace was originally a false title, but from the time when a civil servant was trained as a doctor to a doctor as Guanglu, every official has a rank. Eighteenth rank; military attachés range from Colonel Zhongxian to General Longhu, and all rank 20. From then on, the title of grace will only have another salary. However, the title of grace is not limited to civil and military officers, there are also eighteen ranks of rural sages, and there is no official The body can still be taught.”
"...What is the eighteenth-grade rural sage?"
"He is called Qin Ye Lang, Qi Jia Lang, An Xiang Lang, Zuoxian Lang, Shen Fu Lang, and Jun Wang Lang, each of the upper, middle, and lower grades. These local sages are first registered with the government, and the road guides are given to them. From the lowest grade As a county magistrate, he is given a stipend and services, and can attend the county, prefecture, and provincial level township colleges as non-voting delegates, and recommend two persons to accompany him to participate in the county affairs, government affairs, and provincial affairs meetings every three years. You can send a letter to the emperor. The county magistrates in the provincial Xiangxianyuan can also jointly submit memorials in the name of the provincial Xiangxianyuan, making suggestions, complaints, and impeachments."
After hearing this, someone suddenly said angrily: "This is not just the censor in white, but also the censor of the profiteer and the head of Guizhou!"
Tang Shunzhi looked at them a little strangely, and then he understood in his mind: These fellow supervisors and the graduates in Beijing have naturally chosen themselves as future officials. The eighteenth-grade rural sages are not their goal. Instead, they will become local officials in the future. There is pressure to be supervised by these three levels of rural virtuous institutions.
Others shook their heads and said: "The local government will naturally recommend anyone who is a wise man in the countryside. Once this move is made, it is nothing more than an open and honest collusion between local officials and big households."
"Don't forget your titles and titles." Tang Shunzhi reminded, "Civil and military officials, as well as local sages above Zuoxianlang, will all be able to obtain titles based on their merits. After the new system, Yinzi, salary and posthumous titles after becoming official , only related to the title. Collusion is inevitable, but once the title is removed, it will be a major matter affecting the descendants. As for the ninth-grade rural sages, if there is no hope of official career, how can they not focus on seeking a title and be able to hide it? Son, can I be given a posthumous title by the Ministry of Rites, and can I be awarded a township or county title based on my merits?"
The sixth-class titles could also start to flow up and down, and the supervisors soon felt that this move to open up the door to rewards was unknown what kind of changes it would cause in the Ming Dynasty.
It was difficult to talk about the reasons for the moment, and the topic returned to simplified Chinese characters, the new layout of the book, and next year's exam.
"You won't answer the exam with these simplified characters and this new style next year, right? That's it for simplified characters. If everyone in the Ming Dynasty can do this, it will be a good thing to write fewer strokes on a page in the future. But I really can't think of it. Understand why this new left-to-right, top-down system has to be changed."
Nowadays, all books are written and printed from top to bottom first, and then from right to left.
Once this standard is changed, it will be a confusion caused by reading old books and writing new experiences, and it will be difficult for people to adapt.
As the supervisor said, none of them understood why this was necessary.
After Tang Shunzhi thought for a while, he suddenly dipped his hand in tea and wrote a few lines on the table.
"...Ying De, what is this?"
Tang Shunzhi looked at his classmates: "The students of the School of Arithmetic at Huangming University are not talented. This is nine, this is seven, this is four, this is one, this is three, this is eight. These two symbols, one is called The plus sign is called the equal sign. Do you know this calculation now?"
"...the sum of ninety-seven and four-one is one hundred and thirty-eight?" The Confucian scholar didn't understand mathematics, and he immediately realized it.
"Compared with calculations, is it much simpler?" Tang Shunzhi looked at the calculations that were slowly being done on the table, his eyes deepened, "I personally think that this new calculation formula and new mathematics are one of the reasons. Among the new methods, Accounting laws are quite heavy, including purchasing laws, commercial laws, tax laws, future money, grain, salt, silk and silk... I don’t know how many places are inseparable from arithmetic, and officials especially need to know arithmetic."
"...Is it because of this new calculation?"
"Maybe there's another deeper meaning, but that's beyond my ability to guess."
Writing in rows from top to bottom is partly due to the bamboo slips used in the first place, and also because the wrist of the writing brush must be suspended in the air, making it appear more coherent from top to bottom.
China is not without hard pens. Wooden pens, bamboo cone pens, reed tube pens, bone pens, red willow pens, etc. all appear, and some people use them occasionally. If you can rely on your wrist when writing, it will be easier and faster.
But Tang Shunzhi's guess was absolutely correct. Arithmetic was indeed one of the reasons why Zhu Houcong decided to push this matter together with simplified Chinese characters now.
Mathematics is of great significance to the further development and standardization of technology. Whether it is because of the need for officials to cultivate mathematics after the new law, or to tap mathematical geniuses on a larger scale, Zhu Houcong must give it a try.
Under the imperial order, the official document system requires this across the board. It is possible to change this inertia in a few decades.
Inertia is just inertia, and although it is powerful, it is not unchangeable.
The habit of observing things with the eyes is that left and right are better than up and down.
Changing to this format, coupled with simplified characters and punctuation marks, will make reading and receiving information more efficient.
Now in the Yangxin Hall, Wen Zhengming respectfully watched Wen Suyun leave before saluting Zhu Houcong: "Concubine Shu was the first to write a draft of simplified Chinese characters for your Majesty. After listening to Concubine Shu's advice, I Your Majesty has told me many times, how can I not take it to heart? I can start classes at any time."
"Then let's make arrangements, starting with the Ministry of Rites."
In official documents, etiquette and etiquette are everywhere.
Throughout the country, academic administration is basically the overall responsibility of the Ministry of Rites.
Now, the three talented people who had failed in their academic career have to teach other elites in the imperial examination.
It's very simple: teach them how to use the "Jiajing Dictionary" and teach them to standardize the use of punctuation marks and new formats in official documents.
They are all carefully selected from the imperial examinations, so naturally there is no need to teach simplified characters to each one. After explaining the usage of the dictionary clearly, it's up to them to figure it out on their own when they go back.
There will be an adaptation period and a transition period. The emperor does not force the national official documents to be changed quickly. However, the emperor himself will have to read the memorial and see whether you are an official who can adapt to the new standards and whether you have taken the initiative to change your attitude. The emperor will look at it. In the eyes, there is some judgment.
In Huangming University, such classes are held very quickly.
Half a day is enough for each group of people. If you don't memorize or listen carefully, it will affect your career.
But the master craftsman training class where Zheng Kui is in has to recognize each word one by one.
The people who taught them were not only the scholars and juren who came to work here with an attitude of trying in the early years, but also the eunuchs in the inner study hall of the palace's ceremonial supervisor.
In the field of recognizing new characters, even these eunuchs are more professional.
It's close to the water and the terrace.
But Zheng Kui and the others need to learn not only literacy, but also arithmetic, as well as classes taught by other skilled craftsmen in the engineering college.
"Take this newspaper back today and read the words on it carefully. Now, let me first talk about this title, title, and title."
After introducing the new system, the person in charge of their class was the high-ranking right minister of the Ministry of Works.
Since Zhu Houcong returned to Beijing last year, before he was promoted to a third-rank official or above, he had actually been studying for about a month, and the person taking the class was Zhu Houcong himself.
Of course, it does not take a month to learn simplified Chinese characters. The main thing is about thinking.
Now that he had finished reading the straightforward new regulations in the newspaper, he looked at them seriously.
"I will tell you the truth. Now the factories you belong to have become a new kind of yamen. Your Majesty calls them enterprises."
"We have selected you to come here for further study in the hope that you will become chief engineers of your respective companies in the future."
"If you don't pass the final exam of this training class, you will only be awarded the rank of Qin Ye Lang. If you pass, you can be appointed as an engineer in a factory. This engineer has an official rank, starting from the seventh rank. If you are ranked among the top ten, Then you can be appointed as the deputy chief engineer of a factory, starting from the sixth grade."
"In addition, if you are among the top ten in the performance evaluation, you will see Your Majesty when you enter the palace." He paused and said, "I might as well explain it a little more clearly. If you are in the top ten in the performance evaluation, you will be able to see Your Majesty often in the future. It is Jian who is the emperor." A person with a heart has an unlimited future.”
After he finished speaking in one breath, he handed over his time to the teacher who taught them how to read.
"Do you understand? No more complaining or saying why we have to learn so much." Their calligraphy teacher was just a scholar. He looked at these craftsmen with envy. "If you pass the graduation exam, you will be ranked from the seventh grade to the seventh grade. Salary. It is said that one can jump over the Dragon Gate, but nothing can be better than this."
Zheng Kui has been here for a few days, but today, after many things were publicly announced, they were informed of the real benefits of this master craftsman training class member.
The grades are set as the first factory engineer from the seventh grade, the deputy chief engineer from the sixth grade, and the chief engineer from the sixth grade.
There is also the vice president of technology at the headquarters above this, from the fourth grade. Technical president, fourth grade.
This is an official rank, Zhengliu is the county magistrate, Zhengsi is the magistrate. The important thing is that this official title can also be transferred to a government office in the future!
Promoted to a higher position and made a fortune, his ancestors were honored... Zheng Kui looked at the other companions and saw a warm light in everyone's eyes.
And those who had been complaining about laziness these days now regretted it endlessly.
One step is slow, each step is slow.
But they have to stay here for another three years, which is still plenty of time!
At this moment in the capital, about ten people rushed to the Ming Pao Shop outside Donghua Gate.
"Manager Jiang, do you still have Ming Pao? The 100 copies in the small book store have been snatched up. Can you still make up 500 copies?"
A newspaper is now priced at fifty cents, which is quite low.
Among the books on the market, the printed ones are the cheapest, but depending on the quality of the paper binding and the number of pages, the price ranges from one or two hundred to two or three taels of silver.
Manuscripts, rare ancient books, and unique copies are more expensive.
An ordinary printed book has about 500 words per page.
A book would be good if it could have dozens of pages. Ten thousand words are a book.
The total number of words in this "Ming Pao" is no less than that of a normal book, but the price is only 50 words.
The distribution department of Ming Pao Bank only gave thirty books to these capital booksellers.
These booksellers originally just had the mentality of giving it a try, and each promised to take some for a look.
However, the simplified Chinese characters, the new format, and the explosive amount of information conveyed in the newspaper made this first issue out of stock in an instant.
After the imperial court has decided that official documents will use simplified characters and a new style, and those who are preparing to take exams to become officials, although they may have some complaints, who can ignore them?
"There is also the "Jiajing Dictionary". Manager Jiang, I wonder if it is still in stock? Also, does the imperial court allow our library to be engraved?"
"That's all for this time. The "Jiajing Dictionary" must first be sent to all provinces and yamen, civil and military officials, and official schools in various places. Writing is an important matter, how can it be printed at will? If there are errors and omissions, won't it mislead people? "
It was launched as a trial run and 10,000 copies were printed. Now I can see that the effect is unstoppable.
After Manager Jiang dismissed these booksellers from the capital, he hurriedly went to find Zou Shouyi, the president of Ming Pao Bank.
"President, our bank is probably going to need a big engraving factory!"
We might as well print 50,000 copies of the next issue, and maybe more in the future.
There is an account that can be calculated. This cost is mainly the cost of engraving. However, the layout is certain. If the number of copies is greater, how much less will the cost of each copy be after even distribution?
If we can print hundreds of thousands or even millions of copies, maybe... we can make money by selling newspapers.
This newspaper does not need to be bound, which saves a lot of work.
"The Qiao Gong Park heading to Tongzhou in the southeast of the city has already been planned for the newspaper engraving factory. The earliest we can start engraving there is next year. Until then, there is no rush."
Zou Shouyi took the provincial examination at the age of seventeen, ranked first in the high school examination at the age of twenty, and was the top scorer in the sixth year of Zhengde.
After serving as editor of the Hanlin Academy for one year, he resigned and returned to his hometown to devote himself to the study of knowledge. He was especially puzzled by the knowledge of "studying things to gain knowledge".
He was from Jiangxi. In the 13th year of Zhengde, Wang Shouren went to Ganzhou to serve as an official. He heard Wang Shouren's story of "investigating things", so Zou Shouyi naturally went to ask for advice.
After going back and forth, Zou Shouyi was impressed by Wang Shouren. He became half disciple and half friend, and from then on he took teaching and education as his own responsibility.
But after Zhu Houcong succeeded to the throne, Zou Shouyi had new answers to his doubts about "studying things to achieve knowledge".
Now he serves as the president of Mingbao Bank, and he strongly agrees with Zhu Houcong's words: This newspaper will be the most important tool in educating the world and spreading knowledge in the future.
Simplified characters are easier to learn, and this new layout style and the method of adding sentences to read make it easier to read.
Since "Ming Pao" is now rare and expensive in the capital, people will naturally circulate it, read it, and even copy it.
In this case, should they learn this simplified Chinese character? What word does "self" correspond to?
This new system, which is related to the fate of millions of people in the world, cannot be ignored.
But some people are focused on something else: job advertisements from 16 state-owned enterprises.
"It is necessary to be literate and practical, and those with merit and fame can be directly tried out. If their performance is excellent after the probation, can they ask for an official rank? At the age of appointment in the industry, after being awarded an official rank, it can be counted as seniority, and they can be transferred to a practical position in the future. official?"
Naturally, the salary and benefits are also mentioned, but it is difficult for them to ignore this statement.
Doesn’t this mean that now we don’t have to wait to pass the exam to be promoted, to be admitted to the imperial examination, or to wait for official vacancies?
The provincial examinations in various places have just ended, and next year’s national examinations are about to begin.
How many of the candidates for the new imperial examinations and the old scholars who failed would give up the possibility of other scholars and candidates for official positions and go directly to these sixteen companies?
Looking at the densely packed various positions on it, as well as the official titles marked after these positions have been regularized, many people are thirsty.
Isn't it very difficult to transfer from these records, offices, bureaus, and supervisors to actual officials?
But after all, this is an official position with a salary recognized by the Ministry of Personnel, and because the power is not as great as that of a real official, the salary of these positions seems to be 20 to 30% higher than that of a real official of the same rank.
Several large pieces of paper, like this, first sent out continuous ripples in the capital city, and then spread to the wider Ming Dynasty.
Changes in the world's taxation are imminent. The gentry who are not local officials will have one less way to make a lot of money by evading land taxes and corvee burdens, but they will suddenly have a new way.
The monopoly resources controlled by 16 state-owned enterprises are no more than 16 super-large yamen that are only slightly inferior to the actual power of a department or a province.
Want to go?
The middle and low-level officials in various yamen in Beijing were talking about it, but no one above the fifth rank had the intention to care about this trivial matter.
Because at the Shuori Grand Meeting on November 1, the same day that the first issue of Ming Pao appeared, a new decree was read out in Fengtian Hall.
Fengtian Hall was renamed Guoyi Hall, Huagai Hall was renamed State Affairs Hall, and Jinshen Hall was renamed Guoce Hall.
The national policy meeting, which has been postponed for one year, will start after the Wangri Palace Meeting in November and last for half a month.
In addition to participating in the policy, Nanjing's "nine ministers", governors of various provinces, political envoys from the left, commanders of various border towns, Yin of Shuntian and Yingtian and other important ministers were present.
The important matter discussed was the reform of the central government office of the imperial court.
These middle and low-level officials are unclear and uncertain about how to change it.
But Guangdong has a model, and various ministries and government agencies have just dismantled many "enterprises."
Since the city of Hengyang was destroyed last year and His Majesty returned to Beijing, the counselors and His Majesty have been in peace for more than half a year without much new news.
Now, the big one is coming.
Please stay in the hall and have a ventilation meeting first.
Those present here now include current counselors and senior counselors.
Fei Hong and Yang Yiqing, who had just returned to Beijing, both stared at the emperor in stunned silence.
Prime Minister and Minister of State... Ming Dynasty is going to pay homage to the Prime Minister again?
Taizu, can your old man sleep peacefully underground?
(End of chapter)
