In Quanzhou Prefecture, Fujian, Zize Academy on Qingyuan Mountain is called Qingyuan Cave.
In the autumn of the fourth year of Jiajing's reign, the imperial examinations had been completed, and in the Qingyuan Cave, three people had just paid homage to their mentor.
"Go and see Shisuke?"
"Go ahead. He, too, was too distracted, and that's why he failed in this subject."
"I'm afraid I'm at Mr. Zhao's house again."
The three of them are in a good mood. One is taking the examination for the second time, and the two are new candidates this year.
All the way to Quanzhou Mansion, we passed by a house that was making clanging noises, and one of them sighed.
"The remnants of the Pu family have been brought to justice one after another. Mr. Zhao must be happy. Yu Shibo has been traveling for a year, right?"
"If Yu Shibo hadn't taken this job and had been able to supervise Zhifu at home, he might have succeeded. Is Mr. Zhao's military strategy really so fascinating to Zhifu?"
"The Jingchu sword fascinates him as well."
The three of them talked and laughed all the way to a secluded house. After passing their names, two young men, one large and one young, came out of the door.
"Daosi!" The older man, who was tall and broad-faced, had a look of surprise on his face at this moment. He was especially surprised by the youngest of the three. He saluted the other two and asked, "Why are you here?"
Already?"
"The journey is about to begin, and I want to say goodbye to you. Let's get together tonight, and tomorrow the three of us will go to Beijing to take the exam." Following the two of them into the courtyard, they saw a slender middle-aged man standing at the door of the main hall.
Afterwards, the three of them saluted again, "How is Mr. Zhao always doing well?"
"Very good, thank you. Let's have some tea." The middle-aged man didn't say much.
"The three of us thought that Zhifu was studying military art at Mr. Zhao's place. Zhifu, I was looking forward to going to Beijing with you this year to take the examination."
"Daosi was able to recite poetry at the age of four, and passed the examination at the age of seventeen. He will definitely win the championship in the coming year. As my brother is a martial artist, how can he be compared with me? Master Zhao has unpredictable opportunities in the art of war, and I should study diligently."
The name of this man who passed the national examination at the age of seventeen was Wang Shenzhong, also named Daosi. Hearing this, he could only shake his head modestly.
The person who promoted him was the eldest son of a hereditary family in Quanzhou Weiqian Thousand Households, named Yu Dayou.
"Shibo is chasing the remnants of the Pu family, but you haven't come back yet?" Wang Shenzhong asked, then looked at the middle-aged man.
This man's name is Zhao Benxue, he is actually a descendant of the Song Dynasty clan. He lives in seclusion in Quanzhou. He must be quite happy to vent his old hatred because the emperor issued an order last year to kill all the remaining members of the Pu family.
Zhao Benxue, who studied "Yixue" intensively and wrote "Tao Qian's Internal and External Chapters" and "Commentaries on Sun Tzu", was a well-known figure in Quanzhou.
Yu Dayou nodded in agreement. His father, who was promoted to Deputy Qianhu, has not returned to Quanzhou this year.
Several people talked enthusiastically, and then the three of them also asked Zhao Benxue for advice on Yi Xue.
Quanzhou has several famous scholars of the Book of Changes, and Quanzhou scholars often choose the Book of Changes among the Five Classics during their scientific examinations.
At this moment, after Wang Shenzhong had asked for some advice, he said: "I wonder if the examination of the Ministry of Rites next year will still be the same as before. I heard that the examination methods of the provincial examinations in Guangdong and Shandong are already different from those in other provinces."
Wang Shenzhong is still very young, but the other two are a little worried as they have to take the exam together.
Next year may be the last subject where the examination method will not be significantly changed, but there will be no major changes, which does not mean that there will not be minor changes.
Zhao Benxue did not comment on this, but Yu Dayou encouraged him: "With the talent of Taoism, I went to Beijing to visit Mr. Maozhen and Mr. Jizhai, and I will have no worries in ten months."
A few people were chatting while having tea. After a while, someone suddenly came looking for them.
"Shisuke, go home quickly. Father..."
Seeing the strange expression on his neighbor's face, Yu Dayou was shocked: "What happened to my father?"
"…Condolences."
Yu Dayou's face turned pale, and Wang Shenzhong and others were also greatly surprised.
Could it be that something unexpected happened while chasing the remnants of the Pu family?
But in this way, Yu Dayou is afraid that he will inherit his father's position. As a military attache, if he cannot pass the imperial examination before taking up the post, he will have to work hard for promotion or take the martial arts examination.
In Qiongshan, Hainan, Zhang Ji, who was a scholar, returned to Guangdong this year after being recalled to Beijing last year.
In the newly built academy in Qiongshan, he was appointed as the official of Qiongzhou Prefecture and came to this Huangming Primary School, which was somewhat different from the county school and government school.
This is the day when the first batch of students are admitted to Huangming Primary School in Qiongzhou Prefecture, and there are many students.
Different from the mature county schools, government schools, and Imperial College systems, this Huangming Primary School requires examinations and a small amount of tuition.
But Guangdong has made it very clear that in the future, students will still have to take new exams, and young children are afraid that they will learn better here.
Among the students, there were also those from poor families. Zhang Ji was qualified to give ten tuition-free places to select poor children.
He is Jingbin's father, and there is no need for him to do anything with his status and power. His daughter is already pregnant. When Zhang Ji returned to Beijing, he saw the changes in his daughter. The emperor who had a long talk with him also asked Zhang Ji to
Understand the importance of the Huangming Academy system.
After presiding over the entrance ceremony, Zhang Ji called all the ten children to whom he had given places.
"After four years of study, you will be a scholar after passing the final exam. Once you become a scholar, you can become an official. You are all from poor families. Since you can go to school and embark on the road of success, you must not slack off."
Hai Rui, who was twelve years old, replied cautiously and seriously: "Students have remembered it!"
The candidates from Guangdong who are going to Beijing to take the examination this year are also preparing to leave. In the capital, Tang Shunzhi can leisurely wait for February next year in the Imperial College.
But recently, Tang Shunzhi likes to go to the teahouses and restaurants along the West River in Shichaqianhai.
Because to the southwest of there is Huangming University.
You can get here by walking west from the Imperial City along the roots of the Imperial City. There are also many professors in Huangming University. Students go out of the Imperial City to play in the north in their free time - the Forbidden City is to the east of Huangming University, and to the south is the Forbidden City.
They are all government offices and not fun.
Tang Shunzhi made several friends here, and he felt that Huangming University seemed to be more suitable for him: there were already several colleges in arithmetic, astronomy, geography, engineering, military science, agriculture...
"It's not like I won't be able to pass the exam next year! Just wait until I get the top prize in the next subject!"
Seeing a strong young man winning the first prize at his first opening, Tang Shunzhi laughed: "Brother Lu is so heroic!"
"Brother Tang, are you here? If you don't wait three years, wouldn't it be wonderful if you get the first prize in literary studies and I get the first prize in martial arts?"
Tang Shunzhi shook his head: "How many talented people are there in the world? I dare not say this. If Lianjie can win a Jinshi, even the top three will be fine."
"Come and sit down. Let me tell you, you probably won't pass the exam next year. What's the matter? You want to ask me for boxing skills again today?"
Tang Shunzhi became excited: "I heard that the university has invited a famous marksman again?"
"Brother Tang is really well-informed. You will know when the Five Sacred Mountains in our martial arts academy are in full harmony!" The strong young man admired sincerely.
Who is he? Lu Bingna has a connection with Tongtian. On the surface, he was selected from Jinyi Wei School and entered the Military Academy of Huangming University, now known as Wuyuan, as a top student. He received the orthodox education of Huangming University; secretly, he was also
The direct disciple of Wang Zuo, who has officially assumed the post of commander of the Jinyiwei, is receiving some training and experience transfer from within the Jinyiwei.
But Tang Shunzhi was just a Gongsheng student in the Imperial College, and he had to find out all the information on his own.
It can only be said that Tang Shunzhi was particularly concerned about the developments at Huangming University.
The young people of the Jiajing Dynasty are growing up individually, and the capital has not yet completely faded away from the atmosphere of the Emperor's Longevity Festival.
Not far to the west of the Temple of Heaven in the south of the city, it is now filled with smoke and dust.
This place was one of the five major factories set up to build the city of Beijing after Zhu Di decided to move the capital to Beijing.
These five major factories include the Glazed Factory for firing bricks and tiles and interior utensils, the Platform Factory for stacking firewood and reeds, the Black Kiln Factory for firing wall bricks, and the Shenmu Factory and the Big Wood Factory for storing and processing wood.
The five major factories are all managed by the Ministry of Industry. The place west of the Temple of Heaven is where the Black Kiln Factory is located.
If Zhu Houcong came here and saw the pool formed by the excavated soil in this place, the words "Taoranting" would pop up in his mind.
But now, it is only known as Heiyaotai.
Officials from the Ministry of Industry don't like coming here either, it's too dirty.
Now he looked at a young man who was dark and thin but had bright eyes, and asked: "Is he the person recommended by your black kiln factory?"
"Sir, it's right. Zheng Kui already knows all the secrets of firing. In time, he will be a master craftsman of the Black Kiln Factory." The person who answered next to him was the current manager of the Black Kiln Factory, and several master craftsmen standing beside him also
He nodded repeatedly.
The official from the Ministry of Industry said seriously: "Now we are selecting people according to the order and they are to be sent to Huangming University. You know that this matter should not be taken lightly."
"Hey, how dare you guys be so scornful about such a big thing? It's said that the wrong person will be blamed. The master has warned me again and again. Zheng Kui is really someone who even the kids can't say anything about."
The official then looked at Zheng Kui: "Did you know that this time, not only the five major factories in the capital, but also all the local factories in the Ministry of Industry have chosen one person to come to the capital. Da Sikong has said, can you satisfy His Majesty with your visit?
This is a major event related to the future of craftsmen in the world! For you, it is an opportunity to ascend to the sky! I supervise this black kiln factory. If you miss the mark, I will not have a good harvest for you! If you live up to your expectations, in the future I will
I have to provide for you and I guarantee that I will arrange a good marriage for you!"
Zheng Kui was confused and could only nod his head in assurance.
For this matter, the black kiln factory went through rounds of selection.
He followed the official from the Ministry of Industry out of the black kiln factory and went all the way to a house. Here, in addition to their black kiln factory, there were also the armor factory affiliated to the Ministry of Industry, Wang Gong Factory, local shipyards, copper factories, etc.
Young craftsmen from many places.
They were all people with extremely low status in the past, but now they are waiting here for the doctor who is running the Qing Dynasty to come over.
There was an imperial edict at the beginning of the year, and the Ministry of Industry, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Household Affairs, the Ministry of War... each of them had factories, bureaus, and fields that needed to handle many things, and they all started this selection.
After being selected, these ordinary craftsmen went to great heights and became students of Huangming University, considered by many officials to be the emperor's reward for meritorious deeds.
Most of them don't even know the words.
Zheng Kui listened to the instructions of the fifth-rank official again, and then followed all the people gathered today to the north.
Looking at the splendid Forbidden City, the craftsmen shrank.
After entering from the west gate of the Imperial City, you will first see a majestic Lingxing Gate. Those who know the alphabet can see the big characters "Huangming University".
After more than three years of continuous renovation and construction, now it is surrounded by pavilions and green trees. The Huangming University, located next to Shicha Sea, is several times larger than the Forbidden City.
Once they got here, they just waited at a loss and waited for other people's arrangements.
After we divided the dormitories and received the robes, a steward from the Engineering College just said: "Let's take a rest today. Early tomorrow morning, someone will take you to familiarize yourself with the rules here and in the college. In the afternoon, when you hear the bell ringing ten
Four rings, then be ready for me to take you to the auditorium, and His Majesty will come over."
Zheng Kui's head kept buzzing: Your Majesty will come to see them again?
He didn't understand what there was about these people that deserved to be seen by the emperor in person.
At this moment, Zhu Houcong was still in the Yangxin Palace.
He looked at Yang Tinghe, Wang Qiong, and Zhang Zilin in the imperial study and asked, "What do you think?"
Yang Tinghe flipped through the thick book in front of him and looked up at the emperor: "Your Majesty, I can only say it is excellent, but it will take at least thirty to fifty years of work."
"Since it is excellent, let's come up with strategies to implement it." Zhu Houcong smiled, "Start with official documents, Huangming Primary School and Ming Pao."
For nearly a year, Zhu Houcong had only focused on one thing: to build a Huangming primary school in almost every prefecture in the Ming Dynasty.
Perhaps only by focusing on things that have a longer-term impact can he gradually adjust his mentality and restrain all other urgent thoughts.
Now, he took out something he had prepared for a long time. This thing was also very inconspicuous, but people like Yang Tinghe understood Zhu Houcong's intention.
"All Hanlin Academy members have contributed." Yang Tinghe sighed, "The compilation of these simplified characters can be recorded in the annals of history. I congratulate Your Majesty, I hope that the number of literate people in the Ming Dynasty will double, and talents will appear everywhere. It is especially pity that this matter is well prepared.
A true example.”
Zhu Houcong shook his head and sighed: "The compilation is a small matter, so many volumes need to be prepared, and how many new movable types have to be carved? It took more than a year to print out these more than 10,000 volumes of "Jiajing Dictionary". Starting next year, it will be distributed to various places.
Reward booksellers to print and sell books themselves."
The people who were preparing for the National Examination were worried about whether they would take new courses in next year's National Examination, but the emperor was doing this.
The Jiajing Dynasty was originally full of talented people, but Zhu Houcong needed more literate people and more people who would make achievements in other fields besides Confucianism.
It takes ten years to grow trees and a hundred years to cultivate people. Zhu Houcong figured out that the strategy he should set up was not just to reduce how many enemies, but how many comrades and comrades should be encouraged and attracted.
Talent is the most important.
"Your Majesty, the fifth year of Jiajing is approaching. We need to make a decision about the new law." Yang Tinghe put down the "Jiajing Dictionary" and spoke.
Zhu Houcong looked at them, and then said: "This matter should be postponed after the palace examination. Before the implementation of the new law, the first step is to reform the government offices. The governors of various provinces and the left chief envoys have come to Beijing one after another. The important ministers cannot be confused about the new system.
The provinces also need more assistant officers. In addition, major government-run factories are still being established, and I need to explain many principles and methods to them clearly."
Yang Tinghe looked at Zhu Houcong's tired face, and suddenly sighed: "It's been almost five years, and my beard and hair are all white, and Your Majesty has worked hard. I feel ashamed. There are many things that cannot be divided into worries."
Zhu Houcong said with a smile: "You can't say that. I have been in power for more than four years, and you and others have really worked hard and made great achievements. It's just that the Ming Dynasty has a lot of internal troubles, and my strong medicine is a bit difficult for you and others to tolerate. Now the rebellion has been completely put down, Guangdong, Shandong
There are also new ideas, and the Shaanxi and Shanxi potatoes are highly praised by the people. I have counted them carefully, and apart from the fact that after the First World War there were more officers and soldiers who were able to fight and dared to fight, these are the only achievements."
From his standpoint as an emperor, the gains are naturally more than this.
The throne and imperial power were more stable, and a large number of enemies had finally been eliminated. The world no longer doubted the determination to implement the new laws and new learning, and no longer dared to resist easily.
Zhu Houcong then ordered: "These matters will be discussed at the national policy meeting at the end of the year. The governors of the provinces and the left-wing political envoys will also be present to listen to the meeting. Let's talk about the "Ming Pao" first, promote simplified Chinese characters, inform the new law and
For the essence of new learning, we must rely on Ming Pao."
The movable type and some experienced hands prepared for the "Jiajing Dictionary" naturally do not need to be idle. The Ministry of Rites also has its own government-run business name, Mingbao Bank, which is in preparation.
So many things have happened in the past four years or so, and both the Ming Dynasty and the public are uncertain and confused about many things.
It is difficult to describe the many rights and wrongs. Zhu Houcong finally had to think about himself, the reputation of the new party, and the public opinion on the new law and many things, just like Cui Yuan and others expected.
A newspaper is needed.
In early October of the fourth year of Jiajing's reign, many important ministers were arriving in Beijing one after another.
Yang Yiqing returned to the capital after a long absence, Fei Hong also came here again, and Wang Shouren and Yan Song were on the way.
The remnants of the rebels in Huguang and Jiangxi have just been completely pacified recently, but as the fifth year of Jiajing approaches, both the government and the public are paying attention to the court's movements after the local ministers come to Beijing.