In the restaurant, which was only a one-story building, the only guests at the table were Zhu Hao and Zhang Cong.
But there are many people.
Standing at the door were more than a dozen plain-clothes guards and retinues who were closely protecting Zhu Hao, and there were also several guards who were hiding in the dark. Zhang Cong had not thought anything of it in the past, but now he could clearly feel that Zhu Hao was a "big shot."
"...I, Zhang, have been running for the imperial examination all my life, studying the three rites academically, and only when I am approaching the year when I know my destiny, I have the opportunity to enter the court. The wandering life in this life makes people sigh, and I always want to find someone to express my feelings.
…”
Zhang Cong and Zhu Hao drank together, and after a few glasses of wine, they started to complain.
Zhu Hao originally thought that Zhang Cong would have his own unique insights into the ceremony, but when Zhu Hao asked him several times, Zhang Cong never gave an explanation.
In Zhu Hao's view, this can only mean that Zhang Cong was busy preparing for the exam, hoping to rank high in the palace exam, so that he could get a relatively favorable official position without relying on those drilling skills, and maybe have a chance to enter a university.
A, enter the Hanlin Academy.
As for selecting Shujishi...
The Ming Dynasty's shujishi selection examination not only had academic requirements for candidates, but also had age restrictions. Basically, candidates who were over thirty would be rejected.
The Ming Dynasty's selection of Shujishi followed a principle, which was to select young and promising scholars to serve as "prefecture ministers" in the Hanlin Academy. Therefore, Zhang Cong knew very well that if he wanted to enter the Hanlin Academy, he would not be able to enter the Hanlin Academy unless he passed the first-level exam.
Zhu Hao said: "Brother Zhang..."
"Eh."
Zhang Cong stretched out his hand to interrupt, "Didn't we already agree? You don't need to call me Brother Zhang, it's too foreign. Just call me Bingyong. You and I are old acquaintances."
Zhu Hao smiled and said: "Brother Bingyong, before the new emperor ascended the throne, didn't you and I discuss whether the new emperor came from the Xingwang Palace or the Yiwang Palace in the edict? Haven't you thought about the secret recently?"
"this……"
Zhang Cong was at a loss for words. He recalled it carefully for a long time, but he still couldn't figure it out. Had he ever discussed this issue with Zhu Hao? Why couldn't he remember it at all.
"I am getting older and my brain is not very bright. Why don't you... Zhu Gongzi give me a reminder?"
Zhang Cong looked at Zhu Hao eagerly.
Zhu Hao thought to himself, I still expect you to do big things. What do you mean by pretending to be old and dim in front of me? In order to numb me and feel that you are not a threat to me?
But now you don't even have the slightest status, why are you so pretentious?
Zhu Hao said: "The eldest son cannot be a successor, and the only son cannot be a successor!"
Zhu Hao almost wanted to rant against Zhang Cong. You are either really confused or you are pretending to be confused. Neither is what I want to see. Cooperating with a smart person like you who obviously likes to work hard but still acts confused in front of others.
What a headache.
Zhang Cong suddenly became enlightened and nodded repeatedly: "Yes, yes! Mr. Zhu's words were a revelation."
Zhu Hao almost rolled his eyes and was so enlightened. Should he pour a wine bottle directly on your head to wake you up?
"Master Zhu, if you make this claim openly and honestly in the court, it will be the best refutation of the new emperor's legal system of succession... I wonder when you will submit a memorial to discuss the ceremony? Then you must invite Zhang to join your signature...
"
Zhang Cong was very knowledgeable and asked Zhu Hao when he was going to perform the memorial, and even proposed a joint signature instead of being the one to take the lead.
Zhu Hao said: "You and I are not even Jinshi yet. Isn't it too early to say this?"
"This... for Your Majesty, we must plan in advance."
Zhang Cong is very enthusiastic about this matter. It seems that he also knows that, given his age and the results he achieved in the general examination, if he wants to make a difference in the court, he can only firmly grasp the Dali Conference, which is the only thing that can be done in the new emperor.
An opportunity to leave a good impression on your mind.
Zhu Hao nodded: "Then why don't we discuss this matter after you and I pass the Jinshi examination. If, Brother Bingyong, you want to present the memorial alone, that's not a bad idea."
"How can I steal this limelight? Besides, I'm so humble, Mr. Zhu, you are expected to be ranked first. With your age and talent, you are almost certain to enter the Hanlin Academy..."
There is another important reason why Zhang Cong wants to curry favor with Zhu Hao, that is, Zhu Hao is young enough and in the prime of life.
Zhu Haoneng ranked first in the general examination, and he was also the emperor's private guest. He was young and promising. Even if he did not rank first, he should not have much trouble getting admitted to the Hanlin Academy as a commoner.
Zhu Haodao: "Sometimes it is not a good thing to stand out. Think about who is in power in the DPRK today. What do you think of the current situation in the DPRK?"
Zhang Cong was startled.
He knew that Zhu Hao needed him to express his position now.
Do you want to go with us, the new emperor's people, or hang out with Yang Ting and that old stubborn man?
Zhang Cong slapped the table, startling the person who was following the Jin Yiwei through the door. This person was the shopkeeper Ma Yanma who had just arrived in the capital to see Zhu Hao. He had arrived two days ago, but Zhu Hao was preparing for the imperial examination.
He didn't dare to disturb him, and when the imperial examination was over and he saw no one, he finally brought him here to meet him under the guidance of Yu San. He happened to see Zhang Cong slamming the table, blowing his beard and staring.
"Nowadays, the central power in the DPRK is colluding with each other, monopolizing the DPRK agenda, party members are united against dissenters, and there is no emperor. This is the darkest moment of the Ming Dynasty!"
Zhang Cong was filled with indignation.
When Shopkeeper Ma heard this, he said, good guy, this is criticizing current affairs. Who is this old man? He actually sat down with the boss to discuss current affairs?
Then I'd better stay away and pretend not to hear.
Zhu Hao smiled and said: "It's over. Brother Bingyong, let's calm down. Let's drink and not talk about state affairs. Besides, this court is beyond the scope of those of us who have just glimpsed the threshold. Come on, let me toast you!"
The implication is that I accept your petition.
Since you are a smart person and know that if you are an official in the court led by Yang Tinghe, if you are not famous at your age, you will be buried in the dirt. The only way out is to join the new emperor.
Then we have to talk.
…
…
After talking to Zhang Cong for a long time, I found out after questioning that Zhang Cong didn't even have a servant by his side.
However, Zhang Cong had lived in the capital for more than a year. The two of them had two mouths, and they couldn't afford to support him, so his only servant was sent back to his hometown.
Zhu Hao asked Yu San to lead people to send Zhang Cong back.
After seeing off Zhang Cong, shopkeeper Ma walked up to Zhu Hao and saluted respectfully.
"Lao Ma, are you here? How's it going in Anlu lately?"
Zhu Hao smiled and packed up, getting up and leaving.
Shopkeeper Ma quickly said: "Everything is fine. When I leave, the two ladies asked you to take good care of me. Everything at home is stable and the business is good. I don't need to be summoned by my boss. I came here specially to serve. We want to open the business to
The capital is here, right?"
Zhu Hao nodded: "Business will naturally develop in the capital, but the business in Anlu cannot stop. The business with Prince Xing's Mansion must continue."
Shopkeeper Ma said: "This... is a bit difficult. Recently... Dongzhu Su has not provided a large amount of money and food..."
"Isn't that right? His attention is now focused on the two capitals, especially the capital. He is very generous with his money. He probably can't care about the dealings with Prince Xing's palace for the time being, but he has forgotten that it is the foundation of His Majesty... Could it be that His Majesty has ascended the throne?
After that, you completely ignored the affairs of your own palace? There are your Majesty’s close relatives over there!”
Zhu Hao's words made Shopkeeper Ma suddenly realize.
Think about it too.
The young master of Prince Xing's Mansion is now the emperor and is rich all over the world. Does the capital need Zhu Hao's wealth to support it? Of course, he must first take care of the business in Anlu, especially maintain blood transfusions to Prince Xing's Mansion, and then serve the new emperor.
the best way.
Shopkeeper Ma said hurriedly: "Anlu has enough manpower. Allocating money, food and supplies is just a matter of words."
"Then do it quickly. You can't wait for me to remind you. If there is anything the palace lacks, you must ask clearly and try your best to satisfy it... Can your people guarantee that everything will be taken care of?" Zhu Hao asked.
"I will, I will."
Shopkeeper Ma still wants to say yes even if he can't do it now.
Could it be that telling Zhu Hao that this matter is very difficult and that I have betrayed your trust in me? Then do I still want to be successful in the future?
Zhu Hao smiled and said: "Don't be nervous, even if the shopkeeper you left in Anlu is not up to the task, just allocate more money and food and let him deliver it to the palace, so you won't cause trouble, right? Now that we have arrived in the capital, these two days
I am just waiting for the results of the palace examination to be released, so I will take you to the workshop opened in the capital to have a look. You will be busy next!"
…
…
The palace examination was over, and Zhu Hao had two days off. He had nothing to do before the results were released, and he didn't even need to consider the results of the palace examination.
After all, you can get Jinshi, and it doesn't matter if you don't rank first. As long as you have the status of Jinshi, you will have a smooth road to become an official in the government in the future.
Think about the history of Zhang Cong's mediocre achievements, and he was placed in the Ministry of Rites to oversee politics. In the end, didn't he rise to prominence and become the first assistant?
Based on my relationship with the new emperor, am I not as secure as Zhang Cong as an official?
Even when he heard that the palace examination was over, Tang Yin didn't even come to ask Zhu Hao how he did in the examination.
This kid came up with all the questions. It would be a shame if he failed in the exam. I, Mr. Tang, will not ask for trouble. I will ask him how his self-examination and self-answer scores were. When the results are released, I will naturally know where this kid is on the list.
At that time, it would not be too late to discuss with him the interesting things that happened during the imperial examination.
Perhaps Zhu Si also considered that Zhu Hao had just completed the imperial examination in the past two days and needed a good rest, so he didn't even send the memorial here.
The next day, Zhu Hao easily took Shopkeeper Ma to inspect the properties in the capital.
"...Boss, this workshop belongs to us?"
After Shopkeeper Ma saw Zhu Hao's business layout in the capital, he realized that Zhu Hao had not been studying for exams in the capital for more than a year, but was simply starting a second career in his career.
In front of Chongwen Gate, even the row houses are Zhu Hao's workshops. The steam spinning machines and looms inside can produce cloth in a day, which is almost enough for the capital and even the Shuntian Prefecture. Because Su Xigui purchases military supplies in large quantities
In terms of supplies, Zhu Hao's cloth has no worries about sales. It can even be said that these cloths do not need to be transported to private sales and can be cashed in directly.
Another place is Liulicongfang.
At this time, glass manufacturing was no longer limited to the manufacture of silver mirrors and glasses. Zhu Hao had begun to produce flat glass, and the mirrors he produced could be as large as floor-length mirrors. The silver mirrors of the capital were finally no longer high-end luxury goods, and their prices had risen from
The previous dozens of taels of silver were reduced to only two or three taels, and gradually entered the homes of ordinary people.