After all, Chen Li and Chen Shu were only fourteen or fifteen years old and had not seen much of the world. Even when facing the peaceful Zhu Yunwen, they would inevitably feel uncomfortable.
After all, he is Emperor Jianwen of the Ming Dynasty!
Yang Shiqi saw that the two of them were nervous, so he stepped forward with a smile and said gently: "It's just a normal test. I won't embarrass you. You can answer whatever you think."
Chen Li and Chen Shu bowed and stood up to wait for Yang Shiqi's exam.
Yang Shiqi thought for a moment and said, "Young men should have ambitions. Tell us about your ambitions."
Chen Li and Chen Shu looked at each other, a little surprised in their eyes. The first question in the exam did not involve knowledge, but only about ambition. Chen Li relaxed and answered first: "Sir, my ambition is to become a teacher."
"Why?"
Yang Shiqi asked.
Chen Li replied seriously: "Sir, you should also know that we are people who immigrated from Shanxi to the vicinity of Peking. Our ancestors have been regarded as white people for generations and do not know a few words. Fortunately, the imperial court opened social schools and revitalized culture and education, so we were able to I can read and write, and understand the knowledge and principles of this world. In the future, I also want to be a teacher like Zhang Bozhi, who selflessly teaches and solves doubts, so that more people can read and write."
Zhu Yunwen nodded repeatedly and praised: "It's a good thing that you have such an ambition. Culture and education is not a one-day policy, but a century-old plan. In the future, the court will invest more in education every year. When you are successful in your studies, , I believe you are also willing to join the ranks of sir."
Yang Shiqi knew that after defeating Timur's army, the imperial court's pressure on foreign enemies had become very low. Even though Oara and Tatars were still a threat, this threat had become extremely limited.
After receiving the report from the local government, King Anle of Wala brought Tupolo personally with a delegation, thinking that Wala would be honest for a while. Although the Tatars have the Great Khan Guilichi, Guilichi lacks prestige after all, and it is difficult to say whether he can control the situation well. I am afraid it will be a bit difficult for him to directly confront the Ming Dynasty.
With the threat of foreign enemies weakening, the imperial court could only focus on internal governance, and education was the top priority of internal governance, the second most important thing after official governance.
Education is a major event that continues from generation to generation. It not only requires the efforts of this generation, but also requires the participation of young people. Only in this way can future students step on the shoulders of their predecessors and reach a new height.
A century-old plan is not an exaggeration at all.
Yang Shiqi looked at Chen Shu, who raised his hand to wipe his forehead and said, "My ambition is to enter the navy, become a hero like Zheng He, and lead the fleet on voyages."
"Zheng He--"
Zhu Yunwen was a little emotional and didn't know where Zheng He's fleet was now.
It has been more than a year since Zheng He led the naval fleet on his third voyage in September of the fifth year of Jianwen. Considering that they need to escort the Western envoys home and wait for the monsoon currents, if everything goes well, they should take the It boarded the Benguela Current on the west coast of Africa and reached the west coast of central Africa.
This is an unprecedented voyage with immeasurable risks.
Zheng He is a hero and a representative figure of the Ming Dynasty's voyage. He is very well-known among the people. When talking about voyages, this name is inevitable. There are even some bookstores in the market that specially hired someone to write "Zheng He's Journey to the West". Although it is mixed with sea monsters, pirates, and magic weapons, which obviously deviates from reality, the sales are not bad...
Chen Shu clenched his fists and said, "What I think is that in recent years, the imperial court has lifted the sea ban, and voyage trade has increased day by day. Even some merchants from Southeast Asian countries have appeared in Peiping. In order to ensure voyage trade, the imperial court always needs a navy. Voyage to the east and west. After Zheng He, another Zheng He is needed."
Zhu Yunwen burst out laughing: "After one Zheng He, another Zheng He is needed. Yes, I need countless Zheng Hes to keep the voyage going."
Yang Shiqi was a little pleased. Chen Li aspired to teach and educate people, and Chen Shu aspired to the vast sea. In terms of ambition alone, their direction was very clear, and they had role models in front of them, rather than being vague and making broad false accusations.
"What are you going to do in order to realize your ambition?"
Yang Shiqi asked with a smile.
Chen Li felt no more pressure and replied
: "Mr. Zhang said that if you want to become an outstanding teacher, you must enter the Imperial College for further study. He also said that the knowledge of the Imperial College is the most profound and comprehensive. Only by entering the Imperial College can you obtain complete knowledge and become a erudite and talented gentleman. .”
Zhu Yunwen and Yang Shiqi nodded.
As a leader in educational innovation, the Imperial College is top-notch both in terms of teaching staff and the deployment of various resources. With the support of the imperial court, if it is short of money, it can ask for money, if it is short of goods, it can ask for goods, and if it is short of people, it can be transferred to various places.
In addition, the reform of the Imperial College has gone through many years, and various academies of science have been basically established, forming a relatively complete teaching system, and relevant explorations are constantly yielding results. If you want to become an outstanding student, studying at the Imperial College is indeed a good choice.
Chen Shu also wanted to enter the Imperial College for a simple reason. In May this year, the Imperial College opened an oceanographic college, which is specifically responsible for cultivating maritime and voyage talents.
Zhu Yunwen was very satisfied with Chen Li and Chen Shu. They had a position and a path. All that was left was to do it. In addition, they were born in a farming family and had emigrated thousands of miles with their parents. They already had a tenacity in their nature, let alone being able to be Zhang. Recommended by Bo Zhi, I think he has a good character.
"After the spring begins, you will go to the Capital Junior College to study for your studies. Then someone will test your knowledge and see where you belong in the sixth level. I hope you remember your aspirations and understand the principle of sailing against the current. If you don't advance, you will retreat. Times are changing rapidly, and no one can stay where they are."
Zhu Yunwen warned seriously.
Chen Li and Chen Shu quickly replied: "I will never forget today's ambition."
Zhu Yunwen nodded slightly, looked at Chen Mu and Cui Niang, and said with a smile: "I heard that you encountered some troubles when you entered the capital. Are you disappointed in the capital?"
Chen Mu and Cui Niang didn't expect the news to spread so quickly, and they were embarrassed and didn't know how to answer.
When Chen Yu heard this, he was very worried. He took Cui Niang's arm and asked, "What trouble have you encountered?"
Cui Niang didn't know how to explain it. Huang Eryue said from the side: "It's nothing serious. It's just that the groom is not trustworthy. The matter has been solved."
"Yes, fortunately Mr. Huang helped me."
Cui Niang thanked her.
Chen Yu glanced at Huang Eryue and said to Zhu Yunwen: "I just said that business has been too active in the past few years and people's hearts are not old. The emperor should put things in order to prevent him from paying private visits incognito in the future..."
Chen Mu and Cui Niang looked at Chen Yu nervously. Is it really okay to speak to the emperor so boldly?
Zhu Yunwen did not get angry, but nodded seriously: "What you said is not unreasonable. In recent years, business has developed too fast, people are pursuing profit, and many businessmen have lost their conscience. There was a golden pheasant case in Jiangsu some time ago... "
"What is the Golden Pheasant Case?"
Chen Mu asked.
Yang Shiqi explained: "Businessmen sell golden pheasants for eight taels of silver. A Chen family in Suzhou bought golden pheasants for treatment because their father had bloody hemorrhoids. However, after buying the chickens, they found that the golden pheasants had lost color and had grown longer. The tail of the hen was also inserted, and it was just an old hen. When the merchant couldn't find it, he sued the government."
"How abominable!"
Chen Mu, Cui Niang and others said angrily.
You must know that eight taels of silver is not a small sum for ordinary people. It cannot be said to be the savings of many years of hard work. As a result, I don't know how I can afford to be deceived.
Zhu Yunwen looked at Yang Shiqi: "If business wants to develop, people's hearts must not be chaotic. The cabinet needs to discuss countermeasures with the Ministry of Household Affairs and the Ministry of Rites, and must increase the punishment for dishonesty and fraudulent transactions. If there is serious breach of trust, their trade certificates will be banned and they will not be allowed to do business again. license."
Yang Shiqi agreed: "It's time to rectify the situation. Businessmen must be allowed to maintain the most basic integrity."
Zhu Yunwen said seriously: "If integrity and basic trust are lost, how will business develop? This matter should be considered as the beginning of next year and cannot be postponed."
"I accept the decree."
Yang Shiqi agreed.
When Zhu Yunwen came here, it was natural that he was not just taking the exams for Chen Li and Chen Shu. He looked at Chen Mu and Cui Niang and said, "I heard that you are here. Chen Yu is very happy to come."
Yes, but I can't wait for you to reminisce about the past. First, tell me about the construction of the new capital in Peiping. The report in Peiping will inevitably avoid the important and trivialize the important, and delete too many things. I hope you will tell the truth. "
Chen Yu smiled and said, "Then I'll go and order people to prepare the food and drinks."
Zhu Yunwen looked at Chen Yu leaving and said to Chen Mu and Cui Niang: "You have a good and capable daughter. Of course, Huang Eryue is also good."
Huang Eryue's face suddenly turned red and he quickly said: "I'd better leave first..."
"Stay, it's not the first time to eat at Yingchun Nuannuluo Pavilion."
Zhu Yunwen walked towards the house.
Chen Mu and Cui Niang looked at each other. They were still worried about their daughter's marriage along the way. Now it seems that their daughter has someone she likes. Huang Eryue is a young man who is very energetic and organized. I heard that he is The manager of the bookstore is more or less worthy of his own daughter...
The construction of a new capital in Peiping has not been smooth sailing.
There are usually 300,000 civilians working, so it is inevitable that there will be management deficiencies. For example, under the banner of the government, people's homes were requisitioned, and they dared to eat and drink for free just because they were the craftsmen who built the new city. There were also some petty officials who took a lot of credit from people's homes and refused to pay them back, so the people could only swallow their anger. …
As for these things, Yao Guangxiao and others are in charge of the overall situation, and it is difficult to see and control them. But it is this kind of trivial matter that hurts people's hearts and minds the most.
Zhu Yunwen needed the censor's report, but also the people themselves. Whether it is the censor or other officials, there are always times when they want to protect their own interests, and the people also want to protect their own interests, but they are the weaker party and do not even have a chance to speak.
One incident after another was told, accompanied by sad accusations...
