"This is Guangzhou..."
A small sea-going ship slowly approached the Pearl River Estuary. There were a group of large and small scholars standing on the bow deck. Hai Rui, who had left Qiongshan for the first time, opened his eyes wide and looked at the sight of sails in front of him.
"Yes! This is Guangzhou!" A scholar in his twenties next to him kept fanning his hand. "Not to mention those of you who are coming to Guangzhou for the first time. I come here every year and see them every year. The scenes are all different, really changing with each passing day!”
"Brother Luo, should you win the exam this year?"
The scholar's face froze: "The syllabus for the national and rural examinations has been changed this year, so who can say for sure? I have just studied arithmetic, physics, practical studies and dialectics this year, and try my best."
It is midsummer now, and the provincial examination for the seventh year of Jiajing is about to be held.
Guangdong was the first province to implement rural examinations every year. Nowadays, Guangdong has produced a large number of candidates.
Every year, in addition to the candidates for the main list, some candidates for the deputy list are not reconciled and have to take the exam again. Some became officials because there were more official positions now and the new law made it impossible for the gentry to fish in troubled waters like in the past.
The most important thing is that the syllabus is finally changing.
Before the Spring Festival, the news that His Majesty personally conquered the northern barbarians and killed the Great Khan of the Northern Yuan Dynasty spread to Guangdong, and the whole province was excited. Later, in the first issue of Ming Pao in the seventh year of Jiajing, His Majesty still published a congratulatory message. The theme of this year's congratulatory message is "Only talents are the best".
With the prestige brought by his illustrious military exploits, His Majesty reset the official school, but this official school is different from what everyone thought.
The student named Luo mentioned this topic, and everyone immediately started talking about it.
"There are so many disciplines. Do we have to be like the Tang Dynasty, where we select scholars from many disciplines?"
"Brother, don't mention it. You must take the arithmetic test. This is quite the ancient custom of the gentleman's six arts."
"Doesn't it mean that everyone needs to know music theory, be good at archery, and know how to ride?"
"Should engineering and agriculture be the subjects to be recognized as scholars? Should scholars be allowed to become craftsmen and farmers, or should craftsmen and farmers be allowed to be educated and become officials?"
"..."
Amid the commotion, the fifteen-year-old Hai Rui only continued to look at the scene in front of him.
He studied at Huangming Primary School in Qiongshan County - no, according to the latest plan of the imperial court, it will only be called a primary school from now on - and after completing his studies, he was recommended to Guangzhou Prefecture Middle School.
What will the middle school that is converted from a government school look like?
The people talking around me are all former students. They went to Guangzhou to participate in this year's provincial examination. Therefore, they are only concerned about the provincial examination and next year's general examination.
There is not much time left for them, but Hai Rui is still young.
The changes in the Ming Dynasty are really fast. For scholars, the changes will be even faster in the next few years.
In the city of Guangzhou, the government officials regard the government orders as the most respected ones and follow the fourth rank. Above him, there is the fourth-grade prefect, but civil affairs are only supervised by government orders.
Under the government office, each of the original rooms is now also called a bureau. The execution chamber no longer exists, that is the job of the execution bureau. The barracks no longer exist, that is the job of the Department of Public Security. The household houses are still there, but all taxes other than land and grain taxes are in the tax bureau.
Provincial, prefecture, and county, and now under the line of civil affairs, there are still six main departments: officials, etiquette, experience, engineering, archives, and business.
Now the Guangzhou Prefecture orders the six-level director of the Ethical and Educational Bureau, which was converted from the ceremonial room: "This Huangming Middle School will start after the autumn. It's easy to say that the philosophy and literature teachers are good, but the arithmetic, finance, history, and geography teachers , you still need to find them as soon as possible."
"The official is stepping up the recruitment process. But in addition to these, the province also wants our Guangzhou government to help recruit professors from Guangdong University, which will be difficult..."
"This is not urgent. According to the imperial decree, each province should set up a university, but it will take several years to build, and it does not require all subjects to be completed. Which subject professors can be found, they will open that subject." The government order then looked at The engineering bureau that was converted from a workshop was in charge of the sixth rank, "It is the matter of the location and construction of Guangdong University that the province has given this important matter to the Guangzhou government. There is a lot of money allocated, but this matter is related to the cultural context of Guangdong. According to the governor The meaning of the platform is that it was built on Xiqiao Mountain."
"Xiaguan has already gone to investigate. But there are many old residences and studies of officials and gentry there, and Xiqiao Mountain is in the mountains, so the money may not be enough."
"It doesn't matter, you just make a survey and make a custom order, and then discuss the construction plan with the Provincial Department of Etiquette. For other matters, I will discuss with the governor, and ask the governor and all the adults to write to discuss. If there is a shortage of money, I will raise it myself. "
Another house in the city also looks like a government office. The front door is majestic, but the sign of Huang Mingji Sea Trade Co., Ltd. is hung above it.
In the five-bay main hall of the house, Wei Bin was coughing from time to time, listening to the reports from the people below.
His adopted son brought him tea. Wei Bin took two sips and nodded slowly: "I understand."
After saying one sentence, he coughed twice more.
Slowly turning his head to look at his adopted son who was gently stroking his back with a worried look on his face, Wei Bin smiled slightly: "Help dad grind..."
"Father, my son will be the ghostwriter."
Wei Bin shook his head: "I submitted it to His Majesty with my father's own handwriting."
Then he closed his eyes and rested his mind, also thinking.
In the blink of an eye, eight years have passed. Liang Chu left last year and received the posthumous title of Wenzhong. Since this year, my health has been getting worse and worse, and I'm afraid it will soon happen.
He actually spent the last few years of his life in Lingnan, and single-handedly helped His Majesty create such a huge company as Huang Ming Ji. In terms of power and actual influence, I'm afraid it's no less than being a guard eunuch in any province, or it's much greater.
It is a fulfilling and wealthy old age.
But now that my body is dying, Huang Mingji, a giant, should suggest some arrangements to His Majesty, as well as the Jiaozhi matter...
He slowly opened his eyes and picked up his pen. After stabilizing his wrist, he concentrated on writing: [Your Majesty, Wei Bin, greets His Majesty the Holy Ann...]
In the Guangzhou Mansion, a provincial affairs meeting was also held in the Yamen of the Governor-General's Guangdong Branch.
Wu Ting raised his eyes and looked at the chief officials of the Guangdong departments and the attendants of the Provincial Xiangxianyuan, and slowly said: "After the autumn period, the governor and Song Shengtai will leave for Beijing to attend the triennial major national policy conference. During this period There are a lot of things going on in the day, so let’s discuss them carefully first.”
"Du Tai, this national policy meeting has been attended by many ministries and government offices for three years. I'm afraid there are changes in the central government. The lower officials and others are looking forward to Du Tai returning to the central government. You have been in Guangdong for many years, but you have to think more about the people of Guangdong. .”
Wu Tingju smiled: "Who can say for sure? In any case, Guangdong is the first to trial the new law, and everything cannot be delayed because the governor and Song Shengtai went to attend the meeting..."
This is true in Guangdong and also in other places.
In Xuanda, Wang Shouren was patrolling the border with Tang Shunzhi.
"The defense of the two towns was carefully planned by you and I. The time when I returned to Beijing was also the time when the Tatars invaded the border most often. We had a great victory last year, so we cannot worry your majesty this year."
"Don't worry, Governor. Marquis Wu Ding and Uncle Yu Lin both know the importance of this."
"You must also pay attention to your own safety." Wang Shouren turned his gaze back from the direction of Xuanning's Fifth Fort. "Xuanda is trying to reform the military garrison. This first year is particularly critical. Even though His Majesty has the prestige of last year's victory in the military expedition, most of the generals I still don’t want to give up the benefits of military garrison and military households.”
Tang Shunzhi smiled: "In this regard, Dutai can rest assured. My spear skills are better now, and my swordsmanship, archery and horse training are getting better and better."
Wang Shouren was stunned, and then he could only shake his head helplessly.
The monster was really a monster, and even Wang Shouren was shocked by Tang Shunzhi's talent.
"Let's go. After seeing the actual distribution of the reward money and food for this trip, we will know whether the figures for the Qingzhang of Datuntian are true or not."
"Xuan Da is easy to say. No one is dissatisfied with the prestige of Dutai. Several elite troops under the command of the generals of the two towns only listen to His Majesty's orders. At the beginning of Xuan Da, he commended his merits and rewards, and also mobilized a large number of side generals. I am worried about Xia Guan. In other border towns, this Xuanda is trying to transform the army into a military camp, and the generals in other border towns are just worried. They are not like the Xuanda generals who have made meritorious deeds in the past year, and their past sins can be offset by their merits and demerits..."
"There will always be trouble." Wang Shouren was very calm, "How can it not hurt when scraping bones to treat poison? It is inevitable. Even so, the Marquis of Xiangcheng still wants to continue to perform meritorious services. This year's training in the Beijing camp is better than in previous years. Even more ruthless. Everyone said that he was just accompanying him on the expedition. Although he could risk his own life to chase the enemy, the merit of guarding Bodi's body and the big banner was given to him by the Marquis of Chicheng. For this merit, he was promoted to the rank of Marquis. Just good luck."
Tang Shunzhi sighed: "Luck is very important. Your Majesty promoted his uncle to the rank of marquis, which indeed means to inspire honorable ministers and loyal ministers. Now the Marquis of Xiangcheng is just training troops and sending them to the governors and general soldiers of various border towns. A pacesetter and a private soldier, he really still lacks a convincing achievement."
"So take care of the immediate things first. Your Majesty will consider the hidden dangers in the other border towns." Wang Shouren heard the footsteps and looked back, "Both doctors are here."
Walking towards them were two doctors assigned to Xuanda by the newly established Tuntian Qingli Division under the Ministry of War. Starting from this year, starting from Xuanda University, the management of military camps will be the responsibility of civilian officials from the Ministry of War. The Ministry of Works originally had the Division of Farming and Cleaning Officials, but now it is constantly improving various systems, all of which point to one point: in actual government affairs, His Majesty no longer plays with checks and balances between various ministries, but instead allows them to work in their respective Focused areas have greater power and a heavier voice.
As for the supervision and checks and balances on civil servants and generals, that is a matter for the Metropolitan Procuratorate, the Criminal Division, and the factory guards.
As the military camp trial reform begins, there is actually an even bigger reform, which will be a focus issue at this national policy meeting.
Tang Shunzhi looked at Zheng Xiao, a doctor in the Datong governor's camp, who was coming towards him. They met again after the examination.
His official status has not changed, but now that he has come to Xuanda University, he is also entrusted with important responsibilities.
With Wang Xian's return to Beijing, Xuan Da's military garrison was undergoing trials and reforms. This year's Xuan Da border generals were mobilized. In addition to Wang Shouren, Xuanda was already a new generation of civilian and military generals who had made contributions here.
But in the capital, at this year's major national policy conference, the older generation and the backbone generation are about to compete for many important positions.
It is another round of larger central government office reforms. His Majesty is constantly creating opportunities to allow more ministers who agree with his ideas on rebuilding the Ming Dynasty to stand by his side and entrust them with important responsibilities.
Tang Shunzhi was deeply impressed by this - this was probably the most spectacular reform since the Sui and Tang Dynasties established three provinces and six ministries and opened the imperial examination.
From the sixteenth year of Zhengde to the present, there have been fewer and fewer people who can oppose the emperor's will, not to mention the direction of his will, which is really allowing the world's virtuous talents to have a bigger stage and a more prominent position.
The palace in the Forbidden City is now filled with joy, because last year, the wedding of Princess Yongchun in Beibei was postponed for more than half a year and was finally held.
Lu Bing has not made any achievements, just because he has always accompanied him as a guard, but it can also become a qualification.
And the Prince Consort, the Commander-in-Chief, is already above average.
Now Zhu Houcong looked at Lu Bing, who was dressed in wedding clothes and came to the palace to welcome the bride, and just smiled and said: "Go. After the wedding, serve me well."
"I obey the decree!"
Watching them leave, Zhu Houcong asked Gu Shilong's son Gu Huan: "How is Duke Jingguo's condition these days?"
Gu Huan is now serving as a bodyguard. Hearing this, his eyes turned red and he saluted, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty! My father takes medicine every day, but his condition still does not improve."
Zhu Houcong sighed in his heart: He is only forty-five, he is in his prime.
Although famous doctors from Taiyuan Hospital, which had been converted into a medical nursing home, had many consultations, they could not come up with any good solutions.
Zhu Houcong vaguely guessed that Gu Shilong was suffering from some kind of cancer.
"Go back home on vacation, Haosheng will take care of you."
Gu Huan returned home and arrived at Gu Shilong's bedside. Gu Shilong's face was already sallow.
Seeing his son's worried look, Gu Shilong forced a smile: "It's a pity... Dad is in poor health. If you can make great achievements again, you... will attack the Duke."
Gu Huan gritted his teeth and said resolutely: "Father, my son will definitely make great achievements again and pass on Duke Jingguo to three generations!"
Gu Shilong shook his head: "Don't be obsessed... first be promoted to a prince, and then not be demoted for three generations, then... what a life and death..."
He was the first newly appointed Duke of the Jiajing Dynasty. After the Great War, no more Duke was born.
If he is healthy, he can probably fight for three generations without being demoted.
Although the son is ambitious now, his talents and strategies are not enough.
So Gu Shilong warned: "You don't have to go to the battlefield to make meritorious deeds. Huan'er, the first thing is to take good care of your four younger brothers and don't let them harm the Gu family. As for you... I have asked General Staff Yang to ask him I'll protect you to go to the General Armament Department. Doing this well is a special achievement. There are several people, and you must ask for advice..."
He knew that the end was approaching, and Gu Shilong's thoughts at the moment were to take care of his funeral arrangements.
Gu Huan's body and bones are much better than his, and he probably has a long life. In this case, there is no need to rush. There is a path that a middle-aged person with a middle-aged person's talent can take, not to mention that he, Gu Huan, was the eldest son of the first newly appointed Duke of the Jiajing Dynasty?
Now, the son of another important minister is extremely smart and is analyzing his father's possibility of becoming Prime Minister and Minister of State.
Yan Song was dumbfounded: "What nonsense are you talking about? Dad just returned to Beijing last year to be the Minister of Rites."
"Mr. Fei must resign! Among the state affairs, there are still two people who are old and lack energy. When it comes to holy family members and talents, who else can I do except you, dad!" Yan Shifan, who is already sixteen years old, said plausibly, "I and I We have such a good relationship with Brother Lu, why don’t we ask him to help us say a few kind words to His Majesty?”
Yan Song slapped him on the head: "What do you think is this important minister's position? Don't mess around!"
The princess's wedding naturally involves a large banquet with guests. Right now, the father and son are waiting in the side room of the princess's mansion for the big gift.
Yan Shifan put on an eye patch, looked around with one eye, and said dissatisfied: "Dad, my son has grown up!"
"You are becoming more and more disobedient to discipline! Dad is following an order to discipline you well so that you can be entrusted with big responsibilities in the future!"
Yan Shifan became more energetic now: "I will definitely pass the provincial martial arts examination this year!"
"...You haven't worked hard to practice martial arts!"
"I'm prepared this time. I'm sure to win the imperial examination. If you become a state official, dad, I will definitely try to become a Tiangang Divine General next year!"
Yan Song became alert: "What did you do?"
Yan Shifan clenched his fist: "My martial arts skills are not bad!"
Yan Song stared at him for a while, and then couldn't help but said: "You are only sixteen, so you are not allowed to take the exam this year!"
"..." Yan Shifan was dumbfounded. Which sentence was wrong?
Yan Song said seriously: "Dad has been busy with the new academic system throughout this year. I plan to be the Minister of Rites for at least three more years."
As the Minister of Rites, he understands the significance of what has been spread to the entire Ming Dynasty since the Spring Festival this year.
Everything in Ming Dynasty needs to be completed by people. The new official school and new academic system that started this year are to re-establish the steps for people in the world to advance.
Nothing is more important to His Majesty than this.
His Majesty said in his congratulatory message that knowledge will continue to evolve, and the imperial court is compiling more complete teaching materials. The three principles of heaven, matter, and man are the great knowledge, which inherits the philosophical thoughts of the sages, so it is called philosophy.
Among the various disciplines, philosophy is the first, followed by many other disciplines that can lead to the great path. These knowledge are not only consistent with natural principles, but also have wonderful practical applications in the world. Among them, under the avenue of humanities, there are philosophy, literature, history, law, finance, management, art, education, and under the avenue of physics; there are arithmetic, physics, refining, chemistry, agriculture, engineering, medicine, astronomy, and geography. Study, architecture...
The era in which being familiar with the Four Books, Five Classics and Confucian classics can last a lifetime has completely passed. Scholars in the Ming Dynasty will face completely new rules when they become officials.
Now it seems that the past few years and the next few years are just a transitional period before the new rules are stabilized - it is necessary to take into account the emotions of the current generation of scholars, and also to allow the next generation of scholars to have a new direction.
The social schools in various places will be called primary schools from now on, and the county schools will be named Huangming. There is a syllabus and an academic system. After five years of study and passing the county examination, you can enter Huangming Middle School, which is converted into a government school. Anyone who has passed the government examination within four years of this middle school has a student background.
After that, there are three ways out.
Starting from a minor official of the eighth or ninth rank, he became an official.
Continue to take the provincial examination and the general examination, and become an official with a better background.
If you enter the provincial universities in the imperial examination, after five years of studying in the university and passing the examination, you will also have the status of a civil servant and can take the imperial examination. It will also be easier to pass the newly established imperial examination subjects.
Your Majesty will use provincial colleges and universities to train batches of talents in each province into talents with solid foundation in various disciplines. There is no doubt that obtaining the status of a candidate after graduating from a university will be a more certain path than taking the provincial examination directly.
After embarking on this path, I embarked on the path of starting from the new subject system planned by His Majesty.
One of the exits of this road will lead to official positions that will increasingly require some practical knowledge in the future, so that when they first take up their first official position, they will not only talk high-pitched words and be stained beyond recognition by officialdom.
The other exits are various positions other than official positions in the huge Ming Dynasty system, which His Majesty calls establishment: teachers, professors, state-owned enterprise titles...
Your Majesty not only needs Yan Song, but also a group of important ministers.
His old man has the world in his heart, and what he wants is a steady stream of talented people.
Is there any mission that can be completed that can win the Sacred Heart more than this?
(End of chapter)
