In the early morning, when the sky was dimly bright, I came to the gate of Gongyuan alone.
I have already taken the college entrance examination, do I still need to take the provincial examination of the Song Dynasty?
No, I shouldn't have come here to take the exam. My consciousness was a little blurry, but I knew this was not the place I should be. However, my legs were not controlled by my brain, and I followed the candidates inside in a daze.
go.
After passing the strict inspection by the guards at the door and checking my identity documents, I entered the examination room. The room was brightly lit, and although there were people coming and going, it seemed orderly. At this time, many candidates who had entered earlier were already sitting there.
On the seat, I hurriedly looked for my own seat. After a while, the candidates around me sat down one after another, leaving me alone who kept looking for my seat.
When I found that I was the only one still standing, all the candidates' eyes were focused on me. I was so anxious that I was sweating profusely, but I still couldn't find my name.
Suddenly, a thick voice came from the front, "Zhao Yu, I'm waiting for you."
I looked up and saw three examiners sitting on the examiner's bench in front of me. The person who just spoke was sitting in the middle. He was the examiner of this subject, but I didn't recognize him. I just felt that his appearance was extraordinary and very powerful.
, it makes people feel awe at first glance, and it doesn’t look like a Han Chinese. The deputy examiner on the left is a middle-aged Confucian scholar, handsome in appearance, and with a magnificent instrument, but I don’t recognize him either, and I don’t recognize the examiner on the right.
He actually recognized him, it was Jia Sidao, the prime minister of the dynasty.
Jia Sidao, who was at the table, glanced at me and said to the examiner: "Sir Kublai Khan, the time has come. Since Zhao Yu can't find a seat, let's expel him from the examination room so as not to affect other people's examinations."
Kublai Khan's voice was loud and clear: "Yes, Mr. Jia's words make sense. Come and expel Zhao Yu from the Gongyuan."
I was about to retort, but I saw a guard walking over very quickly. He raised his stick and dropped it. I yelled "Ah" and fell to the ground. The moment I fell to the ground, I saw Kublai Khan arrogantly shouting.
After laughing, Jia Sidao also sneered darkly, only the middle-aged Confucian scholar's expression remained unchanged.
I sat up suddenly, and saw dim lights around me. I calmed down a little, wiped my sweat, and found that I was still on my dragon bed. It turned out to be another dream, but I couldn't remember it anymore after I woke up.
What did Kublai Khan and the middle-aged scholar look like?
I lay on the bed again, but my mind was still stuck in this dream and continued to reflect on it.
Chief examiner He Ji, deputy examiner Ma Tingluan, and Weng Yinglong, who had just received the notice last night, were already sitting at the examiner's bench, looking at the candidates filing in.
During these two days, neither the examiner nor the candidates are allowed to enter or leave the Gongyuan freely, nor are they allowed to interact with the outside world, which is called a locked courtyard. After the examination, the test papers must be anonymous, transcribed, and marked by multiple people. The so-called anonymity means that the candidates are sealed
For the test papers, the name-blinding system has been in use since the Song Dynasty. Transcription means that a special copyist will re-copy the candidate's answer sheet in block letters. These systems make the examiner not only do not know the candidate's name when reviewing the examination paper, but also the candidate's handwriting.
It is impossible to identify, and it is indeed very effective in preventing the examiner from making partial choices.
As feudal society developed into the Song Dynasty, many systems were gradually improved, but they were not well implemented.
At three quarters of the hour, He Ji stood up and said: "I, He Ji, have been entrusted by the emperor to serve as the examiner for this examination. The other two examiners are Lord Ma Tingluan and Lord Weng Yinglong. Now I announce that the first year of Xianchun Province will be
The exam begins now, students, please read the questions carefully, answer the questions carefully, and abide by the rules of the exam room."
While taking the exam, I was already on my way to Luoshi Mountain. Firstly, I wanted to see the current situation of the Youth Guard, and secondly, I wanted to see the progress of the Musket.
After the Young Guards moved to the foot of Luoshi Mountain, they followed my instructions and surrounded the Gunpowder Department. Even on the side of the mountain, fifty Young Guards were stationed in the mountains. To enter the Gunpowder Department, you must pass through the Youth Guard's gate.
station.
Although the youth guard's barracks are simple and crude, they are neat and orderly.
When I passed by, I saw that all the young guards who were on guard were in high spirits, with strict military discipline, and their faces were full of hope and pride. I secretly praised, these are our future soldiers of the Song Dynasty. It seems that Wen Zhanghua
A lot of effort was put into it.
"Junshi, what do you think?"
"Your Majesty, in just three months, the Young Guard has taken shape, which is enough to show Wen Zhang's intention and talent. I think that the appearance of the Young Guard is far stronger than the imperial army in the capital, but it must become an army capable of going to the battlefield.
There are still some shortcomings. An army cannot become a real army without being baptized by the flames of war. It can only have a similar appearance but no charm, which is what His Majesty once said, without a military soul."
"Well, Junshi is right, only an army forged with blood can be called an iron army."
"Your Majesty is Holy Ming."
"Lan Yu, Shen Mo."
"I'm here."
"You two take the imperial guards to fight with the young guards. Pay attention to them. By the way, let Wen Zhang see me at the Gunpowder Department."
Wen Tianxiang said: "Your Majesty, aren't you going to watch their training?"
"Song Rui, there's no need to look any further. From these guards, we can already see the effects of the youth guards' training. Let's go to the Musket Workshop."
Although Yun Bofei looked a little tired, he was full of energy.
"Bo Fei, I am very satisfied with the progress of the musket. However, you must also pay attention to rest. I heard that you often stay up all night when working. This is not good. You know, we cannot live without a master like you."
I said as soon as I saw Yun Bofei.
Yun Bofei was moved in his heart: "Your Majesty, don't worry, my subordinate's body is still strong."
I picked up a finished matchlock gun on the table and made an aiming motion: "It's still too heavy."
"Indeed." Yun Bofei said, "Your Majesty, I am already developing the next generation product. Mr. Shen and all the brothers are also constantly thinking about it. When we encounter problems, we will communicate with each other immediately. I think that time will not
It’s too late, I guess it will take another half a year at most to succeed.”
"Well, very good. While you are studying the next generation of muskets, you are also accumulating experience from the manufacturing process of the first generation of muskets. In addition to the muskets themselves, it also includes materials, processes and other aspects. If you need talents in any field, please report to Mr. Wen at any time.
.”
"Yes, your Majesty taught your subordinates to keep this in mind. In addition to matchlock guns, your subordinates have also begun to think about the breech-loading guns in your majesty's drawings. Once the breech-loading guns can be successful, even if your subordinates go to the battlefield, they can also defeat the Mongols.
He ran away with his tail between his legs." Yun Bofei said proudly.
"Haha, Bo Fei, how many of the first batch of muskets have been produced so far?"
"Your Majesty, there are less than fifty. Your Majesty strictly follows His Majesty's requirements. Every time we produce one, we must ensure 100% quality. Any defective ones will not be allowed to leak out even if they are destroyed."
"Well, muskets are the easiest to explode, so we must ensure the quality, rather than indiscriminately, and give absolute confidence to future musketeers. Not only this first batch of muskets needs to be like this, but all officially mass-produced muskets in the future must follow this
There is an inspection system to ensure quality." I paused for a moment and continued, "Bo Fei, you can engrave the technician's code on each gun to supervise their sense of responsibility. In the future, you can also regularly inspect the gun according to its maintenance rate.
Reward or punish technicians."
Wen Tianxiang reacted the fastest: "Your Majesty, this plan is very clever. It kills two birds with one stone."