The palace examination has just ended, and this year's martial arts examinations have begun to be held in some places.
The martial arts examination system of the Ming Dynasty has long been established. The rule during the Zhengde period is: Military examination candidates are allocated quotas in various places.
The first is the pro-military system. There are martial arts schools in both capitals. There are a large number of low-level general banner and small banner officers in the pro-military army, as well as those who have not yet grown up to join the army. They are all eligible to participate. There are fifty places for martial arts students in the two capitals; there are a total of twenty places for martial arts examinations for other in-service general flag officers, small flag officers, sheren, and sheyu who are not enrolled in school.
Then there are the northern and southern Zhili guards, the special Liaodong, Wanquan, and Liangdu divisions, plus Shanxi Xingdu division, which is closest to the border, all have thirty places. The number of seats for the remaining provinces and other specially-designated Xingdu Division and Left-behind Division ranges from ten to twenty.
Finally, there are the civilians, Sheren is the son of an officer, and Sheyu is the other male members of the military family. This civilian refers to people who are not members of the military. For those who participate in the martial arts provincial examination with such status, the northern and southern Zhili provinces each have 20 martial arts examination quotas, and the other provinces each have 10 quotas.
Preparations for the martial arts examination take time, and the first to take action are naturally the pro-military system in Beijing, which was the first to know the news, and nearby places such as Beizhili, Shandong, Shanxi, Liaodong, and Hebei.
Zhang Fujing was very aware of the emperor's ambition to open up new territories in the future. He had already "ruined" the Kong family in Qufu and now seemed even more "barbaric".
"Sun Wu, Sun Bin, Wu Qi, Tian Dan, Meng Tian, Peng Yue, Chen Tang, Zhuge Liang, Tai Shi Ci, Yu Jin, Wang Meng, Li Ji, Qin Qiong, Cheng Zhijie, Xin Qiji..." Zhang Fujing rattled off these names, and then in Shandong The newly-established provincial council said, "I have been in Shandong for more than a year, and I deeply feel that the people of Shandong really understand the righteousness, are brave in public battles, and timid in private fights! Such outstanding people and places coincide with the great times, and they are heroes. It’s time to come out in large numbers!”
After a pause, he said: "Today is not what it used to be. The military system is changing. Which one of the martial arts examinations, the martial arts Jinshi, and the martial arts champion is not more promising and glorious than before? This year's provincial examination Enke, the generals of the generals in Shandong Are you willing to be lonely? Your Majesty's heavenly grace and edict must be announced to all guards, prefectures and counties. Regardless of the rest, as long as you pass the martial arts examination, you will lose your halberd in the military test. Shandong Camp General, Public Security Bureau, and this Governor There will also be at least fifteen official positions left, ranging from seventh grade to fifth grade!"
Qi Jingtong's eyes lit up when he heard this.
Although Zhang Fujing does not have the power to directly appoint high-ranking officials, low-ranking officials can be considered very secure as long as he and Zhang Fuking recommend them together.
Shandong was the second province to implement the new law on a trial basis. The guard station was divided into two systems, the Shandong Battalion and the Public Security Department, which recruited soldiers. Shandong was also the first batch.
Rewards from high-ranking officials and generous salaries are for them a good tool to support and win people's hearts.
As long as you stand out in the Shandong martial arts examination, that's a very good starting point. It would be even worse if he failed again in the martial arts examination. And if he wins the first prize in the palace examination, he will be favored by the Emperor and be given a banquet by the Wuying Palace!
After the meeting, officials at all levels were asked to divide the military and civilian lines to publicize and get people to sign up.
Are Shandong folk customs tough?
It cannot be said simply. Zhang Fuking is right in what he said. Shandong is a place where culture and education are prosperous. In fact, the people are very polite and obedient. Therefore, the culture of loyalty is also very strong. If it is for public service, Shandong people are not afraid of war.
As long as the emperor and the court widened the path for joining the army, there would be a large number of lower-level officers, soldiers and people willing to give it a try.
But joining the army means you have military status.
Propaganda in the military system is easy to talk about, but propaganda directed at ordinary people still faces considerable suspicion.
"Don't you get Enke every year in the rural examination now? Being a soldier is a good way out. You haven't seen a scholar. If you want to be an official, you can go to the county. If you don't want to be an official, you can also be a rural sage!"
Faced with his half-grown son coming home excitedly and talking about this, the old father was very angry: "If you pass the exam, every generation of men in the family will have to join the army! Why do your majesty and Zhang Dutai have such high expectations?" Reward? You have to work hard! I still hope that you will continue the family lineage, so you don’t die outside one day!"
"...You can go to the county Sheriff's Department."
"Don't listen to those nonsense! It's so easy to be an official? What kind of connections does our family have? What's the relationship? To put it nicely, aren't you just a clerk in the county government? Listen to me! In front of the county magistrate, there are thousands of talented people. Master Hu has face! Master Qianhu, that’s the fifth grade!”
After so many years of emphasizing culture over martial arts, this kind of scene has been staged in countless places.
Young people are passionate and old people have more experience.
The rural examinations for the common people were organized by the Chief Envoy, and the Shandong Chief Envoy arranged for people to be dedicated to this matter. But the time has come to the fifth day of April, and it is only more than a month before the martial arts examination is held, and the registration situation in each county is still not optimistic.
We still have to leave time for the examination organization and candidates to arrive in Jinan. The actual registration time is less than twenty days.
"There are only more than ten people in Fantai, and the least is only five people. Instead of choosing one from a thousand, is it possible that our ten places are only selected from the total of more than a hundred people?"
It can be seen from the fact that only dozens of people can be selected for each subject in the Ming Dynasty. Military examinations have always been unpopular. They are basically some officers and soldiers in the guard system who are motivated or want to be gilded. Only then will I go and participate.
Even if attractive rewards are offered now, in the face of the similarly "expanded" enrollment in civil and martial arts exams, they are still being discriminated against.
Everything is inferior, only reading is good. This concept has existed for so long, how can it be so easy to change?
"...There are still more than twenty days to draft the document for each prefecture and county. Each county shall have no less than twenty members, and each prefecture shall have no less than thirty members."
They had no choice but to give up the mission. Even if they recruited some people to make up the numbers, they would not make the scene of the provincial martial arts examination too ugly - in Jingli, the Zuo Governor of the Zuo Army Governor's Mansion in charge of Shandong Dusi was Cui Yuan.
He is the consort, the Marquis of Jingshan, and more importantly, a counselor, the most important official representing the military among the counselors, and a loyal emperor who will never change his stance!
In the Shandong Martial Arts Examination Enke, the Zuojun Governor's Office will send a second-grade Governor Qianshi to come and take the exam!
The martial arts examination does not require the status of a scholar like the civil examination. If, apart from the officers and soldiers of the guard station, only a few hundred people from the entire Shandong Province take the examination, wouldn't it be ugly?
Fan Taisheng, who is responsible for this matter, is very worried: "If the counties randomly recruit people to make up the numbers, then the bows and horses will be unfamiliar, and the situation will be even more ugly."
"...The governor has granted fifteen official positions! These stupid people!"
The Chief Envoy Si Yamenli didn't know how to solve this problem. He was worried when the secretary walked into the official hall and said: "Master Fantai, the new issue of Ming Pao has been delivered."
"Set it aside for now."
"Master Fantai." The clerk did not move his feet. "The results of the palace examination are out, and the number one winner is Changzhou Tang Shunzhi. In the newspaper, there are articles about the number one, second place, and top pick. In addition, there is another news. In February next year, the system will be held. Branches. The two branches of Dingguo Anmin and Jingguo Military Strategy. The leader of each branch... Feng Bo!"
"What?" Shandong Zuobuzheng's beard trembled, and he stood up forgetfully, "Uncle Feng? Show it to me!"
He was not so anxious to care about who the top pick was.
However, it is really shocking that the manufacturing department should be opened, and the leaders of these two departments should be granted the title of earl.
The new newspaper was in his hands. After he opened it, his eyes were first attracted by the imperial exam questions on the front page.
After taking a closer look, he couldn't help but take a breath: "...Is it so difficult?"
The political leader also leaned his head over, looking equally shocked.
The format of the palace examination questions has changed!
He was also a Jinshi, so he naturally took part in the palace examination.
When he saw such a form of palace examination questions, especially the amount of information in the questions and the difficulty of the answers, he, who had been promoted to the third level of political participation, couldn't help but be stunned.
If he was asked to answer the question in the palace examination...
"Tang Shunzhi from Changzhou? Who is he?"
he muttered.
If you can win the first prize in this subject, you must read carefully the articles about the first prize, the second prize, and the top prize.
Such a topic is closely related to the new law and is already a very specific government matter. Since such a question has been raised, the policies of these three people must be extremely brilliant, and may even represent many subsequent reform directions related to money law.
The two of them forgot for a moment that it was difficult to register for the martial arts examination, and they also forgot to read the news about Uncle Feng's examination. They also forgot to arrange for the following to use this news to attract more people to sign up.
"...This person, this person..." Ambassador Zuo was already reading Tang Shunzhi's article on a certain page at the back. As he looked at it, he could only mutter in surprise.
"What a talented Prime Minister!" Shenzheng praised, and then commented with his own eyes, "Although he has not taken the new study exam, this person is actually selected as the number one scholar by His Majesty because he understands the new study!"
Ambassador Zuo nodded solemnly.
Since we want to promote new learning, what better sign is there than the No. 1 pick?
But not only that, Tang Shunzhi's policy is indeed quite insightful.
"...the three coins are running in parallel until the value of the banknotes gradually stabilizes. The silver coins are cast as treasures to avoid the fire of weighing and exchange. The new banknotes replace the old banknotes and are used as banknotes..." Zuo Buzheng was lost in thought.
Of course, I already have the banknotes.
Bao banknotes were originally of large denominations, but later gradually depreciated.
But it is quite difficult to turn a worthless treasure into the most valuable bank note.
Tang Shunzhi gave a way to gradually change this: first, let today's treasure money really buy things, and it is necessary things. For example, since we need to provide subsidies for the popularization of iron farm tools, it is better to include this cost in the recycling of today's treasure banknotes, so that people can directly use the banknotes to buy iron farm tools sold by government organizations. For example, Huimin Pharmacy, primary and secondary school tuition fees, and many other good policies that benefit the people in the future can do this.
The court will naturally bear a huge cost for this, but banknotes cannot be discarded lightly, as discarding them will cause chaos. First, a large number of old banknotes are recovered, and then new banknotes are printed. Finally, some old banknotes can be exchanged for new Tongbao and Yinbao, while the new banknotes can be used directly as the largest amount of banknotes.
For this reason, since the imperial court has established eighteen enterprises, in order to facilitate the exchange of money, and to avoid the waste and waiting pains in sending money, why not follow the example of private banks and set up official treasure houses in each government?
"...How brave..." Shenzheng sighed, "Business associations and banks everywhere should not be underestimated. Replacing them with official banks is, after all, a scholar's opinion."
Zuo Buzheng glanced at him and said calmly: "Businessmen? Officials and gentry? Who dares to say anything now? Who can say anything? After the tax department is established, if all taxes are collected and transported by the official village, where will the merchants' money come from? Is it more convenient to pay?”
"...I can't believe it."
"If you really want to change the old banknotes into new banknotes, the court must be trustworthy." Zuo Buzheng Envoy still has more experience, "Besides, isn't there a local sage?"
Participating in politics was dumbfounded.
Yes, there are rural sages. After being elected by the government and appointed by His Majesty, he can always respond.
This is a slow process after all.
"...This policy article is really solid..." Zuo Buzheng quickly browsed from the beginning again, "I selected him as the number one scholar because every word in this line of writing is true. Although the national policy is discussed, it is just like the policy. The question is general, start with the details, and there are concrete and feasible methods.”
"...Master Fantai, the leader of the manufacturing department, Uncle Feng..."
The clerk came to remind me so rudely because he knew what the yamen was worried about recently.
The Chief Envoy Zuo then woke up as if from a dream: "Yes, yes, yes! Just wait and see if I can survive!"
He turned back to the front page. This news was on the front page, along with the results of the palace examination.
There are two news articles on the front page, "The results of the imperial examination are released, Tang Shunzhi of Changzhou is rated as the number one scholar, and five hundred Jinshi enter the palace for a banquet", and "The imperial imperial edict system will be held in February of the sixth year of Jiajing, and the emperor has promised that the leaders of the two subjects will be awarded the title of earl."
Now, the shock of being crowned an earl came to their hearts again.
Dingguoan Civil Affairs Department, Jingguo Military Strategy Department.
One article, one weapon.
There is no subject that tests knowledge and literary talent.
What is important now is the qualifications to take the exam.
During the Song Dynasty, there were nine major medical subjects, three of which were open to civilians, including Gaoduoqiuyuanke, Shenluncaozeke, and Maocaiyi. The other six subjects are open to those with official status, which are: the virtuous and upright person who can speak out and give advice, the Botong Dianfen who can reach the education subject, the talented and knowledgeable person who can learn from the physical and practical subject, the detailed official management can take the political subject, and the insight and strategy. The decisive department of operational planning and the department of military planning with great and far-reaching talents are sent to the border department.
Later, the qualification to take the examination was changed to require two ministers as recommenders.
This time, there are only two subjects in the Jiajing six-year system. Only people with official status are allowed to participate. Only those with a sixth grade and below are allowed to participate. They are limited to those under thirty-five years of age. A total of three senior and fourth grades are required. Recommendations from the above officials.
This means that a large number of county magistrates in the Ming Dynasty can also participate if they are recommended.
But correspondingly, each recommender can only recommend up to two people to participate. There are only so many officials of the fourth rank and above in the Ming Dynasty, which has determined the total number of people who will participate in this examination.
The content of the exam is as difficult as the exam system in the Song Dynasty.
The first item is still to enter the paper. Fifty pieces of daily policy papers have to be submitted. This is the first screening process. Only those who pass will be allowed to enter Beijing to take the test.
This policy test will be conducted by the counselors of the National Policy Conference, and the exam will be held in the National Policy Hall. In the five hours of examination time a day, a total of five policy essays must be completed.
I also passed this one, which is the Royal Examination. The emperor will only ask one question, but it must be completed in person in the Qianqing Palace. After completion, there is a duet session. The emperor asked three questions face to face and must answer them immediately.
Shandong Zuo Buzheng murmured: "This earl... is not easy to get..."
To be qualified to take the exam, it means that the recommended person has good interpersonal skills and can be appreciated by at least three high-ranking officials.
Being able to pass the examination test shows that they do not rely entirely on interpersonal skills. The recommender must be of a dignified fourth grade or above. You cannot randomly recommend a trusted person to slap yourself in the face in front of the emperor.
The Ce Examination directly involves the twenty-four most important ministers of the Ming Dynasty taking the exam together. If you can pass this level, even if you can't pass the last level, you will be appreciated by at least a few advisers, and your future official career will not be a problem.
The last level of the Royal Examination involves answering policy questions as well as correct performance. It is certain that the Emperor's favor will be favored by the emperor. In the future, the literary ministers and ministers and the warriors will be hereditary to become marquises and Dukes. They will only wait for new achievements.
"...The Ladder of Qingyun!" What Shenzheng saw was an opportunity.
Neither of them is qualified to take the exam, but they are qualified for recommendation.
They looked at each other, and then their eyes lit up and they felt a little more emotional.
"With the implementation of the new law, if the county magistrate and below want to climb the ladder to the blue sky, how dare they neglect this year?" Shen Zheng tsked, "The time has come to sacrifice your life!"
The responsibility for implementing the new law first falls on the heads of provincial officials. If local governments and counties are not enterprising, they will inevitably do it half-heartedly and offend as few people as possible.
But the temptation to gain the favor of a fourth-rank official first, and then gain the favor of a counselor, and maybe even soar into the sky is too great.
The provincial officials have a new tool in their hands: do you want to do it well? I don’t recommend you!
If we take the performance of this year's implementation of the new law and the actual implementation of His Majesty's concerns as the starting point, then even if the person recommended cannot pass the first hurdle, he will still have merit!
"Wonderful." Ambassador Zuo suddenly had his thoughts brightened and felt comfortable.
Of the two people I can recommend, one is a seed player and the other is a reward for meritorious officials. This principle must be unified!
It is easy to count the people above the fourth rank in Shandong Province. All together, how many places can be recommended?
He burst into laughter: "The governor will definitely convene another provincial meeting. Don't rush, let's discuss everything!"
He was not in a hurry, and the newspaper did not avoid anyone.
After half a year, the new printing press was gradually being built, and the "Ming Pao" was printing better and better, and more and more copies were printed. People who made a living in handwriting felt that business was gradually becoming difficult.
But the Ming Pao, which was shipped to Shandong in just five days, has already caused a stir among Shandong officials and people.
On the one hand, it was the difficulty of the imperial examination questions, and the many discussions brought about by the direct discussion of Qian Law. On the other hand, it was the glory of the new scholars, especially the discussions on Tang Shunzhi, the number one scholar, Tang Shu, and the flower king Shenzhong.
"If it were in previous years, I'm afraid the number one scholar would be Wang Shenzhong! Look at his literary talent!"
"It's only because of his literary talent that he was chosen as Tanhualang, right? Among the top three, there must be someone with better literary talent."
"That's wrong! Brother, do you really think that this top scholar can't write colorful articles?"
"Tang Shunzhi, Tang Shu, there are two people with the surname Tang in the first three square meters of the first armor! My Tang family is very popular!"
"...A person from Changzhou Prefecture and a person from Huai'an Prefecture are both from Nanzhili. What is their connection with the Qiu Tang family in Qinnan?"
"The ancestors are naturally from the same clan! My Nanqiu Tang family is also from Qingzhou Tang family who moved to Linzi. I don't know how many Tang families from Shandong moved south in the past!"
In the official circles, everyone looked at the news about the system with dry mouths.
Those who are in the sixth grade and below are eligible to participate.
This is the sixth level, very subtle. The magistrates of Ming Dynasty are all in the sixth grade. Among the new scholars, even if they are number one, their initial rank will not be higher than the sixth rank.
Now some people know that they actually have no chance, but after all, it is an opportunity for their policies to reach the center and be seen by important officials in the court. Those who are ambitious and want to make progress are eager to try.
There are also some county magistrates and lower-ranking officials who do not expect this at all, but they do not lack political wisdom.
After seeing this news, I just sighed repeatedly: "It's so painful!"
Shangguan had another whip in his hand.
Don’t do it well? Perfunctory?
Can.
But during the performance appraisal, I will be given a sentence saying that I am not enterprising enough.
Just because you don't want to fly to the sky doesn't mean you will be satisfied with only climbing to the sixth level in your life.
Nowadays, the provincial examination of Enke is held every year, and there will definitely be more and more candidates who are promoted to the second place and those who are admitted to the second place.
What if the good official position of the sixth rank cannot be kept and is moved to another poor yamen?
The news continued to spread southward, and when they arrived in Huai'an, Liu Tianhe was naturally very happy, but at the same time a little sad: suddenly he was ranked second in high school, how could it be easy to invite Tang Shu to the Hedao Yamen?
The news spread to Nanjing again, and Nan Zhili won the top two, occupying ten seats in the first class. The situation of Nan Zhili being the most popular in culture and education has not changed. But Xu Jie, who was serving as a doctor in Nanjing's Ministry of Civil Affairs, felt disappointed: he was promoted too quickly because of Yan Song's support, and he kind of wished he was still a sixth-rank county magistrate.
The news then spread to Changzhou Mansion, east of Nanjing and northwest of Hangzhou. The glory of the No. 1 Scholar really ignited the Changzhou Mansion. Wujin County, where Tang Shunzhi was born and raised, is decorated with lanterns and colorful gongs and drums. Tang Shunzhi's father, an old scholar, wept with joy. The prefect of Changzhou and the magistrate of Wujin were still congratulating him one after another: "Tang Weng, it's still early! I have read the Xiongwen of the number one scholar, and I will be a man of virtue. If he wins the first prize in the system of science next year and is awarded the title of earl, that will be a great success." Hopefully! By this time next year, this place will probably be the old residence of the earl, and Mr. Tang will also need a gift!"
When the news reached Hangzhou, Yan Song was wondering who to recommend and who to support.
The news has reached Fujian, where registration for the martial arts provincial examination is being organized.
There was a Tanhualang from Quanzhou Prefecture, and Gong Yongqing was also ranked among the top and twenty-fourth. Yu Dayou was happy while staring at the words "Jingguo Wuluoke".
There are so many policies and articles to write about science and technology, but in the end, you are still a Confucian general. Among the generals, how many can take the exam?
This might be his best chance!
People like Tang Shunzhi, Tang Shu, and Wang Shenzhong naturally aimed at establishing national security and civil affairs.
As for the Dingguo Martial Arts and Strategy subject, the test must be on the art of war and strategy. How many of these "literary stars" are good at these?
Among Zhao Benjia, as a descendant of the Zhao and Song royal families, he felt more favorable when he saw that Zhu Houcong followed the Song Dynasty and opened a new system of education. At the same time, he also focused more on the special training of Yu Dayou.
"This is your best opportunity. After being granted the title of Uncle, the general's position will never be lowered! I have learned all my life from my master, and I hope you will pass on the mantle and return to the country again!"
At this time in Beijing, Tang Shunzhi had just arrived at the Ministry of War to report.
In order to prepare for the exam, the top students in this subject no longer go back to their hometown to enjoy the glory or get married like some people in the former department.
Tang Shunzhi was appointed as the head of the Ministry of War and was promoted to the sixth rank.
The reason why he went to the Ministry of War was very simple: Wang Shouren was the Minister of the Ministry of War, and he was also one of the people who studied the new learning most deeply.
Wang Shouren also had great military exploits, and his literary and military skills were equally good.
"Don't delay the errand." Wang Shouren solemnly told him, "Near the water, if the errand is done, you will be able to understand the military affairs of the Ming Dynasty."
"Your Majesty, please take note!"
"Are you really willing to take the Jingguo Martial Arts Examination?" Wang Shouren asked this question because Fei Hong was itching to see Tang Shunzhi's imperial examination policy, and he greatly hoped that Tang Shunzhi would develop in the direction of civil affairs in the future.
Tang Shunzhi sighed: "Xiaguan's policy document did not mention the shortage of silver in the Ming Dynasty. If we want to set up a bank, how can we not have millions of silver treasures stored in various places for withdrawal? If we want to solve the problem of the shortage of silver, I'm afraid They want to expand the territory and find silver mountains. Since Your Majesty said that Baozhuang's strategy is very good and it is named after a bank, how can I not solve this problem?"
Wang Shouren felt relieved and nodded: "Then it will be once every five days. Come to my house after duty."
"Thank you, Mr. Student, for your generous teachings!"
Yu Dayou, who was far away in Quanzhou, didn't know that Jinke No. 1 Scholar had become his competitor.
However, the martial arts examination and the examination in February of the following year have ignited the emotions of low-ranking officials, low-level generals and even folk warriors in the Ming Dynasty.
After Zhu Houcong listened to Zhang Bor's report in the Yangxin Hall, he nodded happily: "Anyone who is a hero, come here! I have always liked heroes and heroes in my life!"
Zhang Boring and Huang Jin felt a little strange, because when His Majesty said these words, he deliberately adjusted his tone and tone for some reason, and then laughed to himself.
Zhu Houcong felt the joy of Tang Taizong saying in the history books that "all the heroes in the world have fallen into my trap."
Everything in the Ming Dynasty is now new. Zhu Houcong still has a big blueprint in mind, but what he lacks is a steady stream of talents and new blood.
Recruit talents in an eclectic way!
(End of chapter)
