Chongzhen Daming: Starting from Coal Mountain

Within a few days, Nanjing City ushered in the third major event.

The much-anticipated Guozijian exam is finally about to start.

In the past three months, there have been more than [-] candidates who have come to Nanjing from all over the country to live in the huge Wei Guogong Mansion, Huaiyuanhou Mansion, Lingbihou Mansion and Anyuanhou Mansion. , It is true that Confucianism is all over the capital, and the Nanjing provincial examination held every three years does not have such a grand scene.

First, 27 recruits arrived in Nanjing.

Then more than 5 scholars participated in the Guozijian examination.

This article of literature and martial arts has become the talk of Nanjing.

Early this morning, Wang Tao came to sit down in front of the Niu Kee Wonton Shop on Chaoku Street.

"Mr. Wang is here?" Niu Ji's clerk immediately greeted him, and asked with a smile, "It's still the old rule, two sets of sesame seed cakes, plus two bowls of wontons?"

"Yes, the old rules." Wang Tao smiled and nodded.

"Come on, Wang Yuanwai at table one, two sets of pancakes and two bowls of wontons."

After a while, two sets of browned and crispy sesame seed cakes and two bowls of hot wontons were served. At this time, Wang Tao's old friend Sun Tinglan also arrived.

"Sun Weng." Wang Tao hurriedly stood up to greet him.

"Wang Gong." Sun Tinglan also bowed to salute.

After meeting Li, the two chatted while eating breakfast.

In the past few months or even more than half a year, the two of them have lived at this pace.

Especially Sun Tinglan, who has completely sold out the family's cloth, no longer engaged in physical business, and started to study the bond trading of the stock exchange.

Wang Tao just hangs out with Sun Tinglan.

Relying on Sun Tinglan's unique vision, Wang Tao has already wiped out the loss.

But Sun Tinglan's net worth has also caught up, and now the net worth of the two of them is about the same, about [-] taels, which is actually considered a rich man.

Wang Tao asked in a low voice: "Sun Weng, today is the last trading day. After today, the Royal Exchange and the Hubu Exchange will be closed for bookkeeping tomorrow. Won't there be a big rise?"

"You're not the only one who thinks this way, everyone thinks so." Sun Tinglan said with a smile, "So, today's bond prices will definitely go up."

Wang Tao immediately said: "In this case, after the market opens, we have to hurry up, buy before the price rises, and then sell before it closes, so that we can make a steady profit."

Sun Tinglan smiled and said, "Mr. Wang, I advise you not to buy any more. Take this opportunity to sell quickly, clear all the bonds in hand, and spend the new year with ease."

"Why is that?" Wang Tao was confused.

"Intuition." Sun Tinglan said with a smile, "Believe it or not."

"I believe it." Wang Tao said without hesitation, "I will sell them all as soon as the two cities open."

While the two were talking, a group of scholars in T-shirts passed Laiyan Bridge and went to the Dajiao Field in the south of Shangfang Bridge and north of Shangfangmen to take the entrance examination for the Imperial College.

The examinee's speech can be vaguely heard.

Most of them are asking a certain brother how are you getting ready?
The companion said confidently that he must pass this subject.

The questioner said again, I'm afraid my little brother is going to be miserable this time.

Looking at the scholars who walked by together, Wang Tao said enviously: "I really envy these scholars. They really caught up with a rare good time. When I was young, how could I have such an opportunity?" …

"Yes." Sun Tinglan was also deeply touched by this, because he was actually a scholar.

When he came to Nanjing to take the provincial examination, only a few dozen candidates were admitted among more than [-] scholars, and there was only one opportunity for the provincial examination every three years.

But now, Guozijian has to recruit 1500 people at a time, and it has to recruit 1500 people every year.

Although there are more than [-] students taking the Guozijian exam, the chances of Chinese style are still far beyond their time.

What makes the two of them even more envious is that they can enter the Ministry of Internal Affairs after graduating from the Imperial College for three years. Even more incomparable with scholars from the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

About this, just look at those Qin Wang Shizi to know.

Prince Qin's scholar can really walk sideways, and even the cabinet minister has to stay away.

This is really in line with an old saying, if you compare goods, you will throw them away, and if you compare people, you will die. You can't compare.

Looking at the backs of these scholars, Sun Tinglan said quietly: "I don't know what the test questions are for this exam?"

"It is said that the exam questions will not be revealed until the exam site, and the Holy Majesty himself will come up with the questions." A gentry at the table next to him suddenly interjected, "Besides, it is said that there will only be one exam."

"Only one exam?" Wang Tao said in amazement, "Only four books?"

"Yes, there is only one test for the Four Books." The gentry said, "And the time is only one morning!"

"Only half a day?" Sun Tinglan said with a serious expression, "Although there is only one exam, half a day is too short. For those candidates whose brains are not very good, it is difficult to solve the questions."

Wang Tao also said silently, wishing them good luck.

……

The exam time is not actually a morning.

To be precise, there are only two hours.

Maozheng started the exam, and the papers were collected on time at noon, exactly two hours.

Around the beginning of Mao, the candidates who took part in the Guozijian Examination came to the Dajiao one after another.

Dajiaochang, as its name implies, was the place where Emperor Hongwu used to review the Beijing camp. Later, after Zhu Chuan moved the capital, Dajiaochang was abandoned together with the barracks in Jinchuan Gate.

But the teaching ground is not with the barracks.

The Beijing barracks are located at the northernmost tip of the inner city of Nanjing, at the southern foot of Lion Mountain.

However, the Dajiaochang is located at the southernmost part of the outer city of Nanjing, which can be described as the opposite.

When the examinees arrived one after another, they saw that the surroundings of the teaching ground were already filled with soldiers from the Beijing camp like javelins, all of them wearing bright red mandarin duck battle jackets, and they were really majestic.

The teaching ground is filled with short seats.

From a distance, it looks like a huge chessboard.

After getting close, the examinees realized that the Four Treasures of the Study and rice paper had already been placed on the short table.

"Everyone, come and line up!" After a few dozen steps, a scholar of King Qin wearing cotton armor said loudly, "Come and line up according to the number issued before!"

Prior to this, candidates who took the test had already received a number.

Because there were too many candidates, the entire examination room was divided into [-] areas.

Yes, it is divided according to the vertical and horizontal divisions of Go, with about [-] examinees in each area, and two Qin Wang Shizi and Jingying soldiers are responsible for the order of the examination room. …

At about a quarter of a hour, more than [-] candidates were all present.

Although there were still three quarters of an hour before Maozheng, Zhu Cihong, the deputy chief examiner who had already arrived at the scene, signaled to the candidates that they could enter the venue early. The prince was kind and felt that the candidates were tired from standing.

More than [-] candidates entered the arena in an orderly manner under the guidance of Mr. Qin Wang, and quickly found their seats.

Candidates sat upright, not even daring to cough. Only the scholar Qin Wang, who maintained order, repeatedly reiterated the discipline of the examination room: no whispering, no making noise, and no friendship with the invigilator.

But you can grind the ink and lay out the test papers in advance.

Immediately, there was the rustling of the test papers being flipped on the campus.

However, to the disappointment of all candidates, the test paper was just a blank test paper, and there was only one.

Seeing this, many candidates said bitterly in their hearts, why there is only one test paper, not even a draft paper?If this is written wrong or stained with ink, wouldn't it mean that you will fail the ranking?
While the candidates were waiting anxiously, the time came to Maozheng.

Chongzhen Shanshan came late, the dog emperor stayed in Bird Clothes Lane last night, it was a ridiculous night.

With slightly heavy steps, Chongzhen boarded the reviewing platform and stood still on the platform.

Standing on the front edge of the reviewing platform and looking down, I saw more than [-] examination tables neatly arranged, and more than [-] examinees sat in awe and looked at him with admiration.

The so-called earth is like a chess game, and students are used as chess pieces, is what they are talking about.

Immediately, Chongzhen took out a thread-bound book from his sleeve, which was a refined version of the Analects of Confucius.

The examinee who was closest to the reviewing stand saw his eyes light up. It seemed that the exam question was about the Analects of Confucius!

Now these examinees racked their brains and began to think about which sentence the emperor might choose?If you choose this sentence, how to solve the problem?Even just thinking a little more than other candidates is great.

However, Chongzhen just casually turned a few pages and then closed the Analects again.

Then Chongzhen said loudly: "The test question for this exam is the Analects!"

"Ah?" Gao Qiqian, Lu Jiude, and dozens of scholars with loud voices standing under the reviewing platform were taken aback for a moment.

The exam question is the Analects?Your Majesty, you have violated the rules. You can only choose a sentence or a certain paragraph from the Analects, Mencius, Daxue, and The Doctrine of the Mean, but you cannot directly use the Analects as an examination question.

How can anyone use the Analects of Confucius as an exam question?This is too simple.

Taking the Analects of Confucius as a test question, even if you ask Tong Sheng to take the test, you can solve the problem with your eyes closed.

"Ah what?" Chongzhen's face collapsed, and he snorted, "I'm deaf, and the test question is Analects!"

"Yes!" Gao Qiqian and Lu Jiude turned cold, and quickly shouted in a shrill voice, "Long Live Lord said that the exam questions for the Imperial College Examination are the Analects of Confucius, the Analects of Confucius!"

Dozens of scholars with loud voices shouted, "The test question is the Analects of Confucius, the Analects of Confucius!"

Soon, the sound of the chant spread throughout the teaching ground and reached the ears of every candidate.

The entire examination room was in an uproar, just the Analects?This is too simple, right?It's just a free gift!It's over, I'm sure to pass this class, and I'm going to enter the Imperial College, wow haha!

Immediately, the examinees splashed ink and began to transcribe.

That's right, such an exam question does not need to be brewed at all.

Although I have never seen a model essay with the Analects as a question, it can't help them at all. The youngest among them has studied Chengwen for more than five years, so how can they not write this? …

……

At the same time, in the cabinet, the four cabinet elders and two court officials are discussing state affairs.

In the court push a month ago, Wang Duo, the former Minister of Rites, finally lost the election, and Zhang Shenyan, Meng Zhaoxiang, and Qian Qianyi were able to join the cabinet, becoming the second assistant, third assistant, and fourth assistant respectively.

In the last month, in addition to the court promotion of the cabinet ministers, the court promotion of six ministers was also carried out.

In the end, Fan Zhongjie was promoted to Minister of the Ministry of Officials again less than half a year after he was promoted to Minister of the Ministry of Officials, and Wang Duo was able to resume his original post and still serve as Minister of the Ministry of Rites.

Wu Linzheng, one of the nine ministers who went to the disaster, was promoted to another big step. After being promoted to Zhan Shifu Zhan Shi not long ago, he was promoted to the Minister of the Household Department again.

This time the cabinet meeting was attended by Shangshu Wu Linzheng of the Ministry of Households and Lu Daqi, Shangshu of the Ministry of War. What they discussed was how to deal with the [-] war horses traded from Puppet Shun.

Speaking of the [-] war horses, we have to talk about the party dispute last month.

Shi Kefa had already been executed, but Xie Xuelong also fell into a well. In the end, Lu Zhenfei, the third assistant, picked up a peach that fell on the ground, and changed from the third assistant of the cabinet to the chief assistant of the cabinet in one fell swoop.

After Lu Zhenfei became the Chief Assistant, he immediately facilitated the trade with Pseudo-Shun.

After some bargaining, the final result of the negotiation was that the Ming Dynasty offered [-] million shi of grain in exchange for [-] good horses, [-] cows, and [-] sheep from Pseudo-Shun.

Daming must have taken advantage of this price.

Because in the Chongzhen Dynasty, a good horse was worth nearly one hundred taels of silver.

So just [-] good horses are worth one million shi of grain, and the other [-] cattle and [-] sheep are equivalent to giving to Daming for nothing.

The hypocritical envoy was very angry, but there was nothing he could do.

Because this transaction is what they want from Daming.

Then late last night, Huguang Governor He Tengjiao sent an urgent [-]-mile delivery, saying that Puppet Shun had delivered all [-] good horses, [-] cows, and [-] sheep to Daming.

In the conference hall, Lu Zhenfei sat comfortably on the grand master's chair in the middle.

The second assistant Zhang Shenyan, the third assistant Meng Zhaoxiang, and the fourth assistant Qian Qianyi sat on the left and right. As for the Minister of the Ministry of War Lu Daqi and the Minister of the Ministry of Household Wu Linzheng, they had no seats and could only stand.

Lu Zhenfei said: "The annual leave will be in half a month. It seems that this batch of hypocritical mutton will not be able to catch up with the New Year's gift to the officials in Beijing. Originally, the servant wanted to give everyone a few before the annual leave. Sheep, I would like to reward everyone for their hard work in the past year, and by the way, give a boost to the errands in the coming year, this is a waste of time."

"Shou Kui is fighting for justice." Qian Qianyi said flatteringly, "However, even if the mutton is distributed after the festival, the effect is the same. Officials in Beijing and China will still be grateful to you, Shou Kui."

Lu Zhenfei waved his hand and said: "Let's talk about the business first, how to deal with these ten thousand horses?"

Zhang Shenyan, Meng Zhaoxiang, and Wu Linzheng all looked at their noses with their eyes and their hearts with their noses. This matter is a bit sensitive, so it's better not to rush to be the first bird.

The reason why these ten thousand horses are difficult to deal with is that one of the powers is not clearly divided with the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Specifically, the powers of the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Internal Affairs are highly overlapping, and now the Ministry of War has basically lost its powers. Whether it is recruiting troops or going abroad, it is the Ministry of Internal Affairs' sole decision.

In other words, it was decided by the emperor.

So these [-] war horses are precious military supplies, should they be handled by the Ministry of War, or should they be handed over to the Ministry of Internal Affairs?
In fact, Lu Zhenfei already had an answer, but he still wanted to hear the opinions of the other ministers in the inner picture and the military officials of the household department, so that the censor could not scold him for talking about talking.

Seeing that several people refused to speak, Lu Zhenfei directly called their names.

Lu Zhenfei turned his head and asked Lu Daqi, "Grand Sima, what's your opinion?"

"The lower officials only follow the cabinet's lead." Lu Daqi replied without thinking.