The atmosphere in Anlu Prefecture gradually became tense. The city gates were only open for less than half an hour in the morning and evening, and people entering the city were subject to strict interrogation. People with unknown intentions, even local porters, were not allowed to enter the city.
The government examination was scheduled to be held in mid-March, but in order to prevent any mishaps during the process, candidates for the government examination began to arrive in the city in late February, especially those from Jingshan County.
The academic atmosphere became intense.
This morning, Tang Yin rarely found time to attend a cultural gathering with Zhu Hao.
With Tang Yin's pair of panda eyes, it is easy to think of him staying up all night yesterday to spend the night drinking and drinking. However, Zhu Hao knew that this was an extraordinary period and Tang Yin would not be so ridiculous. He was more devoted to exterminating the bandits.
On the second floor of the restaurant, Zhu Hao and Zhu Hao were sitting opposite each other. Next to them were all Confucian students who came to take the government examination. At this time, four tables were put together, and a group of candidates from Jingshan County were "disciplining" the candidates from Changshou County.
"...I heard that there is a nine-year-old county examination chief here in the state capital? What a strange news...It is said that he is still a naughty boy with a royal background. He must be very learned. You can't bear it and don't go to the Confucian Temple.
Make a fuss?"
A group of older children in Jingshan County once again started group teasing mode.
The organizer of the literary association next to me quickly stopped him: "Let's talk about articles, what's the point of bringing up this topic for no reason?"
The Confucian scholars from Jingshan County were all laughing. Apparently they had long wanted to educate the candidates from Changshou County in person. Unfortunately, they were not as good as others and had no chance before. Now they finally found a reason.
An examinee from Changshou County stood up: "The state government, the Confucian Academy and the local gentry all came out to speak. Who dares to go against the trend? In addition, even if he is the first in the county examination, it doesn't mean anything. Maybe the article he wrote is outstanding for a while, but
Who can guarantee his success? As long as we find a flaw, his reputation will be ruined."
"Yeah."
The Confucian scholars here in Changshou County naturally think that this is reasonable.
The person who started the trouble in Jingshan County sarcastically said: "We don't want to embarrass you. For such an injustice, you should fight to the end, so that you can live up to the character of a scholar. But now that the matter has passed, it is too late to go to the crying temple.
, then we should join forces to defeat that kid in this government examination, and then the truth will be revealed, and everyone will know that he got the position of chief executive for no apparent reason."
"That makes sense."
Next to me, another candidate who came from nowhere stood up and said, "In this case, we can file a complaint with Huguang during the college entrance examination. Even if that guy has a strong background, he still won't be admitted as a student!"
"good!"
Originally, the candidates from the two counties were "geographically hostile" to each other, but in the end they turned into the same enemy?
This contrast?
"Young gentlemen, it's almost time for dinner. I wonder what dishes you will order? The shop has delicacies and delicacies..."
The waiter saw that these people were well dressed and talking loudly. When lunch time came, of course he had to come up and ask them what they wanted to eat. He couldn't just order two pots of tea and occupy four of our tables here, right?
But among these candidates, who is willing to treat them to dinner at this time?
If I eat this, who will pay?
Such a huge expense can be avoided if possible. It is more economical and more economical to have a meal with a few friends at a random place than to eat in a restaurant. The most important thing is that the wallet is not flat and the heart is not hurt.
"Didn't you see that we are discussing knowledge? We are all scholars, and we are destined to enter the imperial court in the future and serve the Ming Dynasty..."
Someone stood tall and showed off to the waiter in the shop.
The waiter was also polite and said with an apologetic smile: "Even princes and dignitaries still need to eat."
"I'm not going to eat anymore. I'm going back to study hard and try to get a spot on the gold medal list as soon as possible... I'm leaving!"
A group of people stood up and went straight downstairs without even trying to clear the table, leaving melon seed peels and cores all over the floor.
The waiter smiled bitterly and walked to Zhu Hao, the last table, and raised his chin, as if asking, aren't you two leaving too?
Zhu Hao said loudly: "Bring me the menu, chicken, duck and fish, and two jars of wine aged for more than ten years. I want to treat you to dinner."
A group of people who were going downstairs didn't know what to think after hearing this, and unconsciously quickened their pace.
"Okay, okay!"
There was a smile on the guy's face again.
The business of this table of customers is better than that of four or five tables.
…
…
"Mr. Tang, be happy. Why aren't you happy when I treat you to a drink and dinner? We agreed that you would accompany me to attend cultural gatherings, but you haven't gone to any of them yet."
After Zhu Hao finished ordering the dishes, the second floor became quiet for a while and said to Tang Yin with a smile.
Tang Yin waved his hand: "Forget it, I have been too tired recently. Last night, the government office stayed up very late before returning to the palace. This morning, I discussed countermeasures with many officials of the palace. I finally came out to have some free time. Please don't disturb me."
Zhu Hao grinned happily.
It's rare to see Tang Yin doing things seriously.
Recently, Tang Yin has become a very busy man in the palace because of discussing strategies to deal with the bandit invasion. Yuan Zonggao simply left the errands of connecting with the government to Tang Yin and Zhang Zuo. Zhang Zuo himself was not very good, and Tang Yin was basically busy.
"Tell me, how far are you preparing for war now? When will the bandits come to Anlu?"
Zhu Hao asked, "The thunder is loud and the rain is small. It won't be the end. The bandits will see that we, Anlu Prefecture, are actively preparing for war. Will they retreat without any attack?"
Tang Yin said angrily: "Do you think beating up bandits is just a child's play? I thought it was just one or two hundred bandits disturbing the place, but now more and more news is coming, at least three to five hundred or even nearly a thousand bandits, burning and killing them all the way."
Looting and coming straight to Anlu Prefecture.
"Kuang Zhizhou doesn't have much time left in his term. He doesn't want to start a big war at this time, so he simply leaves the suppression of bandits to Prince Xing's Mansion and the local guard station and the Inspection Department. He is only responsible for recruiting strong men to patrol the city walls, and he will not be involved in sending troops."
Zhu Hao asked: "Is the state government so irresponsible?"
Tang Yin sighed: "People are just doing their best to do their best. Otherwise, do you expect those peasants who have never even held weapons to go into battle to kill the enemy?
"Those strong men patrolled the city wall several times, and the gentry of the state were required to provide food and warm clothing. The cost was a big problem, because Prince Xing's government took the initiative to suppress bandits, and the gentry of the state were basically unwilling to contribute money and effort, especially when it came to sending troops...
The palace may have to bear the responsibility itself."
From Tang Yin's somewhat impatient narration, Zhu Hao could feel the magnitude of the resistance he was currently facing.
Generally, when there is a riot in a certain place, the county magistrate relies on the city wall for defense, so he is basically not afraid of the bandit attacking directly. The only worry is that the bandit takes advantage of the dark moon and high winds to send elite ladders to climb up from the weak defense of the city wall.
Kill the patrolling soldiers, then open the city gate, and the thieves will take advantage of the situation and enter the city... then the officials and people in the city will suffer!
Therefore, to guard against bandits is not to go out to fight in the city, but to do a good job in defending the city.
As Tang Yin said, the governor of the state, Kuang Yangming, was just doing his duty. As for sending troops to fight...that was proposed by your Prince Xing's Mansion. You can't let the few soldiers in this state follow you to fool around and gain prestige for your Prince Xing's Mansion, right? We
Doing your duty well is considered the most benevolent and righteous act.
"How is the contact with Huang Fantai and Wang Zhongcheng going?" Zhu Hao asked with a smile.
Tang Yin said: "The reply from Huangfantai stated that Huguang Dusi will send troops to help suppress the bandits that day. As for Bo'an... the mountains are long and the rivers are far away. Whether the letter can be delivered safely is a problem. Even if the contact is successful, at most
We can only send troops to cut off the bandits' retreat, and it is almost impossible to let them lead the troops northward and encircle the bandits."
Zhu Hao is still laughing.
Tang Yin didn't like Zhu Hao's reaction.
The main reason why Zhu Hao laughed was that he was pleased with Tang Yin's "growth", from a down-and-out old scholar who had enough to feed the whole family to a "military commander" who coordinated the overall situation. Although this commander was only a temporary worker, he was finally responsible
Already.
Zhu Hao said: "Mr. Tang, you are encountering some difficulties now, but I tell you, looking back you will find that the army and the people will soon work together."
"How do you say that?" Tang Yin frowned.
Zhu Hao smiled and said: "Think about it, the bandits have gone through a lot of hardships, not only across provinces, but also across rivers to plunder, and their food, grass and baggage are not guaranteed, how can they have any confidence? What they want is to just get a vote and leave...
...But now the situation in all prefectures and counties is no different from that in Anlu. They all think about self-protection. No fault in being an official is merit. They have never thought about taking the initiative to face the enemy. The thieves and bandits have experienced too much and still don't show their fangs?
"Where is the destination of the thieves? It must be Anlu City! By the time they arrive, their momentum has reached its peak, and they will surely plunder the city. All the gentry's fields in this county are outside the city...even if many of them are in the city.
We need to settle down, but the tenants and marriage documents are all outside the city, so how can they not be in a hurry?"
Tang Yin frowned: "You mean, sooner or later they will help Xingwangfu and eliminate the rebellion?"
"Um."
Zhu Hao nodded affirmatively.
Tang Yin said: "I hope so. Don't wait until the end of the fight. Even Prince Xing's Mansion found that it was powerless. It could only watch the thieves looting outside the city but could do nothing... I am not afraid of death. I am about to die and there is not much left to live.
If you don’t do it for yourself or to rejuvenate the palace, you should do something for the people, right?"
"Okay, then I'll toast you sir for your fearless spirit."
As he spoke, Zhu Hao took the jug from the waiter and filled Tang Yin with wine.
The waiter had been listening for a while with a wine flask, and asked in shock: "This guest, are you Mr. Gao Shilu who is currently working in Prince Xing's Mansion?"
Tang Yin looked puzzled: "Huh?"
The clerk said in surprise: "This is like seeing a living person... Look at my mouth, I can't speak. There are rumors in the city that there is a senior scholar in Prince Xing's Mansion who commands the officers and soldiers of the Prince's Mansion, the joint guards and the inspection department.
, to wipe out the bandits who came to invade Anlu Prefecture.
"Well, if thieves are invading a place, we should take the initiative and eliminate them. Only in this way can we demonstrate the majesty of our Ming Dynasty and serve as a warning to future generations.
"You always do things for the people, and the people are grateful for your kindness. I will tell the shopkeeper now and ask him to come up and meet you. We don't dare to accept this wine money. The shopkeeper -"
The clerk excitedly went downstairs to find the shopkeeper.
Tang Yin hasn't come back to his senses yet.
Become a celebrity without leaving home?
Zhu Hao smiled and said: "Sir, have you seen it? If you do things for the people, people will remember your kindness. The people have a steelyard in their hearts and can weigh right and wrong, good and evil, even if it does not help your great cause of suppressing bandits in a short period of time."
, but will converge into a vast and irreversible historical torrent, which will determine people's support and belonging."