In the beginning, the guild hall was just a gathering of fellow villagers to help each other.

However, with the popularity of the imperial examination, it gradually became a semi-official organization, responsible for accepting local officials to settle in Beijing, scholars to stay in Beijing temporarily, and even helping businessmen.

For example, it is equivalent to the Beijing Office in later generations.

In some places, due to financial pressure, they could only combine the two into one, such as the former Qin and Jin guild halls. As the Shaanxi people showed their power in the court, the two provincial guild halls naturally separated.

But similarly, Jiangsu, Nanjing, and Anhui, which were originally in southern Zhili, still share a guild hall, reflecting the concept of one family.

In addition, there are the Bashu Guild Hall in Sichuan and Chongqing, the Guangdong and Guangxi Guild Hall in Guangxi and Guangdong, the Northwest Guild Hall in Gansu and Anxi, and the Huguang Guild Hall in Hunan and Hubei, all of which tell the story of their close relationship.

Anyone who can preside over a guild hall is without exception a local gentry, who has indescribable connections and prestige in the capital and hometown.

Therefore, when faced with the invitation from the head of the hall, even if he was a minister, Zhao Mengshu did not dare to neglect at all and attended the banquet solemnly.

At this time, he faced the originally dignified and respectable leader of the museum and expressed his bitterness, and for a moment he was a little at a loss.

There is no doubt that his attitude represents the attitude of the entire Shandong Guild Hall. Once expressed poorly, his reputation in the countryside will be ruined.

"You said that Shandong has experienced disasters. During the Chongzhen period, slaves were plundered many times. It can be said that the population was greatly lost. Even many princes and princes died. Even in the early years of Shaowu, our Shandong had only three million people."

"During the Wanli period, Shandong's sales exceeded nearly 10 million, and it was one of the best in the entire Ming Dynasty."

"Now, after twenty years, it has only reached seven million. It has suffered so many disasters that the literary style has not flourished. How can it be compared with Jiangsu, a land of plenty and peace that has enjoyed hundreds of years of peace?"

Zhao Mengshu rolled his eyes in his heart.

At that time, Shandong also included the Liaodong region, with a real civilian population of about eight to nine million. Now it seems that it has almost recovered and is no different from before.

He thought about it for a while and then said cautiously: "The matter of the imperial examination is the result of His Majesty's arbitrary decision and the candlelight shines thousands of miles away!"

"But, we in Shandong have always been north of the country. How can we compete with people from the south of the Yangtze River now?"

The head of the museum hurriedly said: "In my opinion, Shandong should be a central province, let those rich provinces fight for it!"

"You are our Shandong representative in the imperial court, so you have to think about our hometown!"

These words are really difficult for people to say.

Zhao Mengshu sighed, pitifully, he was just the right servant of the Ministry of Civil Affairs. How much say could he have in the court?

In the early years of Shao Wu, the Shaanxi and Chu people dominated the huge court, and the cabinet and the eight ministers were basically controlled by them.

Now, after years of development, especially after the capital was moved to Beijing, the balance of power in the imperial court has eased, but it is still not optimistic.

Although the people of Shandong have been recovering in strength and have produced many Jinshi scholars, they have not yet produced a minister, let alone a member of the cabinet.

This made some people complain.

Now that the emperor is adjusting the quota for the imperial examination, he thinks it is a good thing.

Shandong people have been bullying places like Shaanxi, Henan, and Hebei, and they have become taller among the short ones.

Only by letting Shandong people compete with Jiangsu can we see what the real advantages and disadvantages are.

In the past years, so many Jinshi were born and entered the rich provinces. It will be difficult to be Jinshi in the future. Only in this way can many people who are not clear-headed have a self-awareness.

Shandong is too big, and now that it does not have the burden of King Fan, it still wants to easily seek benefits in Beijuan. This is too simple for the court.

Of course, this is his own consideration.

No matter what you say, this is the emperor's arrangement, and no one dares to object.

With his mind spinning, he continued: "To tell you the truth, someone in the imperial court previously proposed to determine quotas based on population. After all, the more people there are, the more Jinshi will be, and the fewer people, the fewer Jinshi will be."

"This is a good idea." The head of the museum praised hurriedly.

Shandong has a population of 8 million, ranking among the top five in the entire Ming Dynasty. As a result, it may get more places than before. Isn't this a good thing?

Zhao Mengshu said angrily: "Who can surpass Jiangsu in terms of number of people?"

"As early as the Wanli period, the number of Dingkou in Jiangsu exceeded eight million. In Suzhou alone, there were nearly two million people. Now, according to statistics from the Ministry of Household Affairs, there are probably 20 million people in Jiangsu."

"In this case, of these four hundred people, Jiangsu will have forty..."

"There are nearly 12 million in Jiangxi, nearly 10 million in Anhui, 15 million in Zhejiang, Huguang, Sichuan, Fujian and other southern provinces, accounting for 70% of the world's total population."

"In other words, the South has gone further, even 60% more than before?"

The head of the hall was shocked.

Then he thought about it, this statement must be true.

The north experienced natural and man-made disasters, as well as a large number of military disasters. Even though the imperial court was tax-free for three years and half-taxed for two years, it still took twenty years to return to the state it had been in during the Wanli period.

The South, which has enjoyed peace for many years, has naturally gone a step further and is crushing the population in terms of population.

The north and south are immediately out of balance.

Zhao Mengshu finally concluded: "Now that the imperial court has exempted the Dingkou tax, since it cannot collect the tax, it naturally does not care about the population."

"The previous dynasty was destroyed because of money and food. Now among the important ministers in the court, who is not afraid of not having money?"

"That's what you said." The head of the hall sighed and said in despair: "I, a Shandongese, are miserable!"

After settling the matter, Zhao Mengshu breathed a sigh of relief.

When he comforted her just now, there were waves in his heart.

Among the twelve ministers of the imperial court, including eight ministers and four pavilion elders, not one of them was from Shandong. It was miserable.

If I can go one step further, I'm afraid I can become the flag of Shandong people and have countless benefits...

The carriage was rolling, and the noise outside the carriage was completely isolated, leaving him alone in his thoughts.

Not far from the Shandong Guild Hall, several passing scholars were filled with envy for the crowded Shandong Guild Hall.

Two huge stone lions, huge stone plaques, tall steps, and grand plaques all tell the story of the luxury of Shandong Guild Hall.

"When did I, Suiyuan, have such scenery?"

Several readers were filled with emotion.

There are quotas for Jinshi, and there are naturally quotas for candidates in each province.

For example, in the past, Nanzhili had the largest population of 135 people. Now it is divided into three places, and the number has increased instead of decreasing. Anhui and Jiangsu each have 80 people, and Nanjing Yingtianfu has 30 people.

As a border province, Suiyuan has a population of only about one million, with Mongolians making up the majority, but there are indeed many scholars.

Therefore, Suiyuan has been fighting hard in recent years, and finally no longer participates in Ningxia's provincial examination, and has its own quota: thirty people.

In recent years, the wool trade has become popular, and many Mongolian nobles have become rich, so they naturally ask famous teachers to teach them.

In addition, the border troops were stationed on the spot, and their children also participated in the provincial imperial examinations, and the literary style gradually flourished.

But it is a pity that Suiyuan is barren. Although the guild hall has been built, there are only seven or eight tile-roofed houses. Several people live together, and sometimes they have to go to the Ningxia guild hall to squeeze in.

An ordinary scholar had three dishes, one soup, fish and meat, and even a separate courtyard for servants, which was extremely spacious and bright.

And what about them?

I eat vegetables and tofu every day, and my food and drink are not as good as those of ordinary servants.

In this case, how can you prepare for the exam seriously?

Several people discussed it and felt that continuing like this would be detrimental to the future. In addition, due to envy and jealousy, they hurriedly went to find the head of the museum.

Different from other guild halls where the head of the guild hall is Juren or even Beijing officials, the head of the Suiyuan guild hall is actually a businessman, and he is also a Beijing businessman named Liu Changgui.

The courtyard they lived in was actually a separate courtyard. It only cost 3,000 to 5,000 yuan to buy it in Beijing. He did not hesitate to give it to the scholars to stay temporarily. It can be said that he was a broad-minded and far-sighted person.

"You mean, find cooperation with his provincial hall?"

Liu Changgui was overjoyed when he heard this: "It should have been like this a long time ago. Why don't we try it with Ningxia?"

He is a businessman and a native of Beijing. He does not have any sectarian ideas, so he is naturally more willing to expand his network of contacts.

Unexpectedly, the leader Du Yizhi vetoed the proposal: "Not to mention that the Ningxia Guild Hall is already in a tight situation. Many people are forced to rent temples. Even if we go there, we will have no place to live."

"Besides, because of the unpleasant commotion before, I'm afraid they won't be happy either."

At that time, the imperial court considered that Suiyuan had a small population and Ningxia was newly built. Neither place was a prosperous population place. In addition, the two places were close to each other, so they merged the provincial examinations together and admitted a total of fifty people.

On the surface, it seems fair that the two provinces each have 25 quotas.

But in fact, Suiyuan suffered a big loss.

Although Ningxia has a small population, it used to be Ningxia Town. There are many frontier military households, and more than half of them are Han people, which is much stronger than Suiyuan.

Therefore, every time a provincial examination is held, Ningxia usually occupies the majority, while Suiyuan only has two or three people passing the exam, which is miserable.

Now that they are separated, Ningxia and Suiyuan each have thirty, which means Ningxia has lost a dozen places. Wouldn't you be angry?

In the early years of Shaowu's reign, the province of Huguang was divided into Hunan and Hubei. There was also a lively quarrel because of the quota. Hubei never let go, and Hunan was determined to let go.

Later, it was Emperor Qiankun who made the final decision and it was finally settled.

The reason why Suiyuan and Ningxia were so decisive was because they considered the Mongols and wanted to unite!

"Go find Chahar."

Du Yizhi said seriously: "Compared to our cousins ​​in Ningxia, Suiyuan and Chahar are our real brothers."

"Okay -" Liu Changgui shouted loudly.
To be continued...