Ma Chao was silent for a long time, then finally nodded, gritted his teeth and said, "Okay, then I'll wait another year!"
Agreeing or not agreeing is not as simple as just nodding or shaking your head. Ma Chao was able to make this determination after a fierce struggle in his mind. He had acquired martial arts, so he naturally wanted to make achievements and become a general, but a year later, he also
He is just a small soldier. After staying in the Sixth Army for several months, Ma Chao has a very good understanding of the strength of the Han army. A lot of things can happen in a year. Will he really have a chance to make contributions after a year?
?
But Liu Xin nodded and said with a smile: "Yes, this is a good and responsible man. Ma Chao, if you didn't disappoint Liu, then Liu will give you another surprise."
If there was anything that surprised Ma Chao today, it was that Liu Xin actually gave him the Tuxue Wulongzhai. Apart from this, what else could surprise him? Ma Chao couldn't help but look at Liu suspiciously
Xin.
Liu Xin said: "Ma Chao, you have lived in Xiangyang for a while. Have you ever heard of the imperial examination?"
Ma Chao shook his head. The imperial examination was just a new thing created by Liu Xin and Ma Yun. When Ma Chao came to Xiangyang, this year's imperial examination had ended. He didn't like to read Dahan Express, so he had no way of knowing.
Liu Xin pointed to the chair opposite and said, "Ma Chao, please sit down and listen to Liu tell you."
Although Ma Chao didn't have much interest in the imperial examination, he had decided to start his career as a pawn again. He still had to listen carefully to what Liu Xin said. As a result, the more he listened, the more excited he became. He was depressed just now.
It had all been wiped out long ago. It turned out that Liu Xin pointed out another clear path for him.
In the original plan, the imperial examination was held every two years, and there was no chance to take the examination next year. However, starting from the end of next year, many institutions will gradually move to Chang'an, which means that the imperial examination the following year will be held in Chang'an.
.And by that time, I am afraid that many facilities in Chang'an City are not yet ready, especially inns that can accommodate candidates from all over the country. Hotels will definitely not be able to meet the demand. These things cannot be rushed and need to be developed slowly. However, without these
But things didn't work. After many decisions, Liu Xin finally decided to advance the imperial examination to next year in order to make full use of Xiangyang's resources and give Chang'an a buffer.
The imperial examination is divided into three subjects: liberal arts, martial arts, and engineering. This year, only one liberal arts champion, Jia Xu, was produced, while there were no outstanding candidates in martial arts or engineering. This situation has a lot to do with insufficient publicity. After all, the imperial examination
Examination is a new thing, and it is difficult for people to adapt to it for a while. Many talented and capable people did not come to take the exam. However, this year's imperial examination still has certain results. Jia Xu became a blockbuster and is now in a high position, while others
Some of them became captains, and some received rewards. I believe that the next imperial examination will definitely attract more people to take part.
Now that Ma Chao is out of the military, he is eligible to take the imperial examination. With his martial arts skills, it is reasonable to get the top prize in martial arts, so Liu Xin said that he wanted to give him a surprise, which can be regarded as a loss in the future.
Seeing the joy on Ma Chao's face, Liu Xin knew that he had a new goal. He couldn't help but smile and said: "Ma Chao, there is one thing Liu wants to make clear to you. In fact, do you live in the Huns' tent?
Liu doesn't mind. The Xiongnu has been merged into the Han Dynasty, so there is no Shanyu or Shanyu. It is just a larger tent. In Liu's eyes, it has no special meaning."
Ma Chao was stunned, raised his hands and asked: "Then why did the lord remove Ma Chao from his official position?"
"Young people, you have to move forward one step at a time. It is not a good thing to rise too fast. More ups and downs and more experience will be more conducive to your growth." Liu Xin herself is only 30 years old, but she is very old-fashioned.
Ma Chao came to teach him a lesson, paused, and then said, "Don't have any objections to your dismissal from office. If Liu doesn't punish you severely, then this matter will be a permanent stain in your life, etc."
When you rise to a higher position in the future, someone will use this matter to attack you. Now that this matter has been dealt with, everything will be over. So, you have to remember the reason why Gongtai clings to this matter.
If you don't let things go, I'm actually not punishing you, but protecting you!"
Liu Xin said this, of course, so that Ma Chao would not hold a grudge against Chen Gong. After all, these two men were capable ministers he could rely on, both in culture and in military affairs. However, Liu Xin was right to say this. He would definitely be on the throne in the future.
For the sake of the throne, whether for interests or for power, there will inevitably be some conflicts among the ministers, and someone may bring up the old issues again, and he cannot guarantee that he can always keep a clear head.
There was a day when I was confused. It is better to solve the matter completely now than to leave troubles in the future.
Because Chen Gong acted very resolutely this time, Ma Chao really couldn't bear it. His resentment against Chen Gong was not just a little bit. Now, after listening to Liu Xin's persuasion, Ma Chao thought about it carefully and found that there was some truth in it.
He couldn't help but nodded repeatedly, stood up and said: "My lord, I have an insight. This time, Ma Chao really knows where he went wrong."
Liu Xin laughed and said: "Ma Chao, you have finally grown up. When you go back, don't just practice martial arts. Remember to read more military books and strategies. Come back and get the top score for me next year!"
Ma Chao cupped his hands and said firmly: "Please rest assured, my lord, Ma Chao will never let you down!"
This matter that had been very difficult for Liu Xin was finally solved satisfactorily. Liu Xin was in a good mood, and then she realized that it was already time for dinner. Due to the rule that Ma Yun made about not meeting each other before marriage, he was now
He couldn't meet Diao Chan, so he hadn't eaten in that big restaurant for a long time. In fact, he was the head of the family, so Diao Chan should be the one who couldn't eat in the restaurant. However, after that,
But it was Ma Yun who had the final say in the house. Ma Yun said, how can you, a grown man, compete with this little girl? From now on, your three meals a day will be served in the study. Liu Xin had no choice but to pinch her nose and cut herself off.
The desk is used as a dining table.
Although we are dining in the study, the food we eat is not much different from what we eat in the restaurant. They are all delicacies carefully cooked with ordinary ingredients. The maids and slaves in the house cannot eat these dishes. What they usually eat is still the same.
Meals cooked using traditional cooking methods.
These dishes were so full of color and flavor that they made people move with their index fingers just by looking at them. Xia Feifei, who was waiting on the side, watched Liu Xin gobble them up and couldn't help but swallow her saliva. This scene happened to fall in Liu Xin's eyes.
Liu Xin laughed and asked: "Feifei, how old are you this year?"
Xia Feifei acted very carefully, fearing that disaster would come from her mouth, and she would be expelled from the Prefectural Mufu like Arou, so she never talked much. However, her voice was very nice, and her sweet voice was not inferior to Bian Yulai. Liu Xin
When I have nothing to do, I always like to tease her and talk.
Hearing Liu Xin's question, Xia Feifei said cautiously: "This slave is twelve years old this year."
Liu Xin nodded. It turned out that he was just a child. No wonder he was a little greedy when he saw these meals. He patted his belly and pointed to a plate of fried shredded pork with leeks on the table and said, "I'm full.
This dish hasn't been touched yet, so it's a pity that it was dumped. You can take it back and let everyone have a taste."
Due to the limited ingredients, especially the lack of peppers and tomatoes, Liu Xin's favorite vegetables, many dishes can only be paired in this way. Unfortunately, Liu Xin didn't like to eat this dish, so she didn't touch it at all. Although it was winter at this time, the vegetables were placed
It won’t go bad once it’s left out, but it’s very troublesome to heat it up, and the taste will also change. The most important thing is, Ma Yun said, dishes cooked overnight, especially vegetables, will produce many harmful substances to the human body, so eating them
The rest of the dishes will be thrown away. Since they are going to be thrown away, it is better to let this little girl have a taste.
Xia Feifei was overjoyed. She stretched out her hand to pick up the plate, but suddenly retracted it, with an uneasy look on her face. Liu Xin knew that it was because she was here that she had scruples, so she couldn't help but smile and walked away with her hands behind her back.
Xia Feifei then happily took back the plate of fried shredded pork. This dish had to be eaten while it was hot. It would not be good when it was cold. Therefore, the messy desk could only be cleaned up later.
It was her good luck that she happened to catch up with Liu Xin who was in a good mood and gave alms this time. At this time, Liu Xin, who was in a good mood, was humming a little tune and walking leisurely towards Ma Yun's yard.
As soon as he arrived outside the courtyard gate, he saw the little girl Guo Zhao blocking his way with a smile and said: "Master, you shouldn't stay here tonight."
Liu Xin has several women, and he doesn't want to neglect any of them, nor does he want to favor any one. He has always taken turns sleeping in their rooms. Last night, he spent the night in Zhu Rong's room, and Zhu Rongshen
Huai Liujia naturally refused to let him touch her. After the two of them talked for a while, Zhu Rong fell asleep and drove Liu Xin to the side room to sleep.
Although the little girl Zhu Yu has been staring at Liu Xin "eagerly" and wants to seize this great opportunity, Liu Xin only treats her as a child and is not willing to do such a thing as a beast. She would rather be alone.
After spending the night alone, she was about to make amends with Ma Yun today, but she was stopped by Guo Zhao. Liu Xin was stunned and said, "Zhao'er, who told you that I can't stay here today?"
here?"
As a maid who is deeply loved by Ma Yun, Guo Zhao is not like A Rou, Xia Feifei and others who have so many thoughts and take so many precautions. She has no stage fright in front of Liu Xin. She giggles and says: "Back to Master,
Of course it was Madam's order. Didn't you see that there are no red lanterns hung outside the courtyard gate? Madam told me to look for it myself. Wherever the lantern is hung, that's where I will stay."