Great Ming Dynasty Wen Chao Gong

Chapter 157: Rumors about imperial examination quotas
After coming out of the palace, Zhang Xiao went to visit Matteo Ricci at his residence.

"Dear Zhang Zhanshi, I have been busy moving these days. I didn't finish cleaning up the house until yesterday, so I couldn't go to your home in time to express my gratitude. I'm really sorry. Could you please ask Zhang Zhanshi today? When you come to my residence, do you have anything to tell me?" Ricci asked.

"Mr. Li, I came here today to tell you a great thing." Zhang Xiao briefly talked about his plan to organize the Tongwen Museum and his intention to invite Matteo Ricci to teach.

"Zhang Zhanshi, please accept my most sincere thanks." Matteo Ricci said very happily.

"Mr. Li, I have to make one thing clear to you. You cannot preach to your students either in class or out of class. This is a prerequisite for you to continue to teach."

"I will definitely follow this principle. Can you please invite only me? Can I recommend my companion to teach?"

"You can tell Macao the news, but at present, the Tongwen Academy is only considering inviting you. As for your companions, the court has no plans to invite other missionaries to teach. By the way, there is one more thing. I told His Majesty Regarding your compilation of the Portuguese-Chinese dictionary, you don't have to just donate those treasures in the future. If you can donate some books, maybe His Majesty will be interested in some of them."

"No problem, I will find the dictionary right away. I have also translated some books over the years. I will select a few and present them to the distinguished Emperor of the Ming Dynasty."

After Zhang Xiao left, Matteo Ricci was so excited that he couldn't wait to write a letter.

"Dear Bishop, when you receive this letter from me, our cause has made great progress. Although the emperor of the Ming Dynasty did not agree to my missionary work in the capital, he did agree to my request to settle down. Such progress I was already ecstatic, but there was an even bigger surprise right behind me. Zhang Xiao, a minister of the Ming Empire, was the literary attendant of the Ming Emperor and the teacher of the emperor's son. He had a different view of the Ming court. Impact."

"This important minister of the Ming Dynasty has proposed to the emperor to open a school called Tongwenguan and invited me to be the school's foreign language teacher. Although according to the original words of this enlightened minister, no more missionaries have been recruited as teachers in the near future. . But as long as we show our friendship and our superb skills in front of the officials and scholars of the Ming Dynasty, they will eventually feel the glory of the Lord. If such a powerful empire can be bathed in the light of our efforts, In the grace of the Lord, that will be the most glorious achievement of our generation. After all, Macau is in the Ming Empire. I strongly implore more knowledgeable and devout believers to come to the capital of the Ming Dynasty. The information I have mentioned , please also ask the bishop to report to the Holy See as soon as possible, and the Pope will decide how to carry out the missionary work in Daming."

"Fart, you were beaten by Toyotomi Hideyoshi and fled. The king came to our Ming Dynasty to hide. If Admiral Li hadn't led the army to help you clean up the mess, would you still be able to take the imperial examination? You would have been treated as dogs by Toyotomi Hideyoshi. , being a dog is not enough.”

Everything was peaceful at first, but the voices coming from the Korean scholars became louder and louder.

"You actually slandered our king of Korea. I'm going to go find the officials of the Ming Dynasty and accuse you of destroying the vassal relationship."

"There are so many people, maybe they were invited by the imperial court. After all, North Korea is also an important vassal state of the Ming Dynasty. There is a deep meaning in letting these North Korean scholars come to take the exam."

"No, are your voices too loud? North Koreans, especially the scholars, can understand the official language."

"Perhaps the significance of this Tongwenkan is more than just a school for training translators. This school may be a successful Tower of Babel that can bring us closer to the people of China."

These Ming scholars finally couldn't bear it anymore. They looked at the noisy Korean scholars next to them and began to complain.

"How long has passed? There are these Korean scholars in the capital. They are calling friends all day long. They don't know where the money comes from to pretend to be generous. They don't know how many people they owe on credit. The court doesn't care about them."

At this time, in a small restaurant in the capital, a group of Korean scholars gathered together and made a loud noise.

"Did you just say that we Korean scholars have no money? We brought money. Those who can come to Ming Dynasty are the most powerful families in Korea, and there are subsidies from the Ming court. You poor scholars understand What? Who said we couldn’t pass the exam? When we were in North Korea, Commissioner Zhang Qin told us that as long as we go to the imperial examination in the Ming Dynasty, there will be separate quotas for overseas students in the Ming Dynasty, especially for our students from North Korea, you know I don’t understand Smecta.” A Korean scholar said carelessly.

"You mean, you Koreans have reserved your quota for the imperial examination?" another Ming Dynasty scholar asked gloomily.

"I can't control what's going on in North Korea now, but these North Korean scholars came to the capital to take exams and grabbed our places. The imperial examination has become more and more difficult in recent years. I think it was easier in the early years of the country."

"Which Imperial Envoy Zhang said that?" a Ming Dynasty scholar asked unconvinced.

But this reminder was already too late. Several drunken Korean scholars had already come over.

Matteo Ricci finished writing the letter, carefully put it in an envelope, and prepared to entrust a reliable person to send it to Macau.

Several Ming Dynasty scholars found a remote corner to eat and drink.

"You can't say that. After all, Korea has just been beaten into such a state by Japan. It would be great to come."

"I don't care what the meaning is or not. Look at the way they eat and look at the noisy look. They say they are here to study and take exams. Who knows if they are here to eat and drink in our country? They also say they want to join us. Can they pass the Ming Dynasty's imperial examination?"

"This is what we Korean scholars deserve. We helped the Ming Dynasty block the Japanese army of Toyotomi Hideyoshi."

"Of course it's Sir Zhang Minglue Smita. Sir Zhang Minglue was the best to North Korea. He brought reinforcements from the Ming Dynasty and brought us to the capital of the Ming Dynasty to participate in the imperial examination." The North Korean scholar was still talking carelessly.

"Who is afraid of whom? Who just said that he can do it? Everyone, listen up. The Koreans dare to be so arrogant in our capital of the Ming Dynasty. The court is still thinking of giving away the few admission places to outsiders. Can everyone Can you bear this tone?"

In this way, the quarrel turned into insults. When the insults were getting emotional, there was inevitably a push and a fight, and then naturally, there was a fight. Although the arrival of the Shuntian government officials turned this small-scale fight into a large-scale fight, various versions of the incident soon spread in the capital.

At Zhang Xiao's home, Zhang Xiao was happily writing the manuscript of the Assassin's Creed novel when he saw Li Zhizao arriving after a long journey.

"Zhenzhi, the Imperial College is on holiday again so soon?" Zhang Xiao asked.

"Master, do you know about the conflict between the Ming Dynasty scholars and the Korean scholars?"

"I don't know. I've just been at home for a day or two. What's the big deal that I don't know about? Does it have anything to do with me?" Zhang Xiao asked doubtfully. "Wenhua, don't you know?" Li Zhizao looked at Lu Zhang.

"Zhenzhi, I've been helping my boss proofread the manuscript for the past two days. I really don't know what's going on outside." Lu Zhang said.

"Master, something big has really happened, and this matter has a lot to do with you, Master." Li Zhizao said anxiously.

"Do you still have something to do with me? Then tell me in detail." Zhang Xiao said.

Li Zhizao took the tea from Lu Zhang, took a sip and began to talk about the quarrels and fights between the Ming Dynasty scholars and the Korean scholars.

"Why does this have to do with me? When did I tell these Korean scholars that separate quotas would be given to them for the imperial examination, let alone taking them out of the existing quotas. If I really proposed this, it would not be because I would be All the scholars scolded him like crazy." Zhang Xiao said with some surprise after listening to Li Zhizao's story.

"Master, please think of a solution quickly. This matter has spread among the scholars in the capital and the Imperial College very quickly. I don't know how many people have asked me today, Master, did you really say this?" Having said that, several of my classmates were particularly upset. They told me that they originally regarded the Master as a man like Zhang Qian's class leader who devoted himself to military service, made contributions, and was capable of literature and military affairs. But now he accepted bribes from the North Koreans and wanted to be so biased towards North Korea. Scholar. Let me come back quickly to advise you."

Zhang Xiao was speechless. The two Korean maids standing nearby had already turned pale and fell to their knees.

"You two, go down." Zhang Xiao waved his hand, and the two Korean maids left in a hurry with relief.

"North Korea was so poor at that time. It's not like you haven't seen it, Lu Zhang. How could you give me a decent bribe? If those two little girls are included, just pretend I didn't say anything." Zhang Xiao said helplessly.

"Master, of course I, Li Zhizao, believe in your character, but now rumors are spreading and everyone is talking about it. If the situation continues to develop like this, it will be very detrimental to your reputation, Master." Li Zhizao said.

"Of course I know, but I can't do anything now. This matter has caused such a big fuss. Your Majesty and the ministers may all know about it. Since the matter started because of me, there is nothing the court can do to blame me. . I can’t go out on the street now and shout to passers-by that I, Lao Zhang, have not deducted everyone’s imperial examination admission quota.” Zhang Xiao said helplessly.

"If it's just a rumor, now the Imperial College students are already working together and want to jointly submit a letter so that the court can't favor one over the other, favoring the Eastern Yi over the Chinese. If the court doesn't agree, there will be a collective strike."

"What?" When Zhang Xiao heard the news, he was so excited that he almost jumped up.

"It's not such an exaggeration." Zhang Xiao murmured.

"Master, whatever you can do now, just give me your orders. I can go back to the Imperial College at any time to tell my classmates that those rumors about you, Master, are completely false and are all rumors."

"It's too late to say anything now. This matter can't be solved by me as a mere Fourth-Rank Zhanshi. Just wait." Zhang Xiao sighed.

In the imperial study, the emperor looked helpless as he looked at the report from the cabinet.

"How could it be like this? Stop talking and let Zhang Xiao come over and explain himself." The emperor ordered.

When Zhang Xiao hurried over, he saw the emperor reading a long memorial.

"Zhang Xiao, you must know why I called you here this time. How about it? What do you want to say?" the emperor asked.

"Your Majesty, I really did not promise these Korean scholars any separate quotas. The imperial examination is a major matter for the court. I am a mere fourth- and fifth-rank official. How can I dare to interfere with the imperial examination? I also did not reveal the forbidden words. , As for where those Korean scholars heard these messy rumors, Wei Chen really doesn’t know." Zhang Xiao quickly expressed his position.

"Does this mean that if one day you become a first- or second-grade official, you will dare to interfere with the imperial examination?"

"I would never dare."

"Okay, I know you didn't spread these nonsense rumors, but now these North Korean scholars are using you as a weapon,"

"I am stupid."

"You are indeed stupid. What's wrong? You usually talk about the world, underestimate the heroes of the world, and think that the general trend of the world can be controlled by your hands. But now that it's up to you, you can't come up with any ideas?"

"What I have in my hand is a letter jointly signed by the teachers and students of the Imperial College. I hope that I can carry forward the teachings of the saints and not be deceived by the rhetoric and tricks of the Western Yi people, nor can I be deceived by the treacherous ministers and underestimate the Chinese and value the Western Yi." It was a big mistake to put the cart before the horse. Of course, not all teachers and students signed it. Your old acquaintance Li Zhizao probably did not sign it. How about it, do you have anything to defend?" asked the emperor.

"Your Majesty has made up his mind whether the minister is loyal or traitorous. However, he did not favor North Korea. Admiral Li, Song Jinglue and other civil and military officials who were in North Korea at that time can all testify to this. These North Korean scholars did have the intention of disturbing the people after coming to Beijing. Ju, now there is a conflict with us Ming scholars, the court should make a fair decision."

"The nonsense North Korean scholar has been found. According to what he said, he arranged it in order to appear to his companions to be well-connected and well-informed. However, there are so many civil and military officials entering North Korea, and your name was chosen. .Zhang Xiao, it seems that you have achieved some achievements in North Korea, or perhaps this group of North Korean scholars are relatively familiar with you."

"Your Majesty, this group of Korean scholars did indeed take orders under my account. At that time, the ministers did not let them do any confidential work. They just asked them to find books and copy them." Zhang Xiao explain.

"Since that matter has happened, now we have to look forward. How do you think this imperial examination turmoil can be resolved?" the emperor asked.

"Your Majesty, my suggestion is this. Now that the situation has changed, the imperial court may as well go with the flow and say that there is no internal decision for Korean scholars. In order not to encroach on the quota, the imperial court also decided to give separate quotas to overseas students. Unless overseas students have outstanding talents, Otherwise, we will not be appointed officials in the Ming Dynasty. In this way, the scholars should be satisfied. If the scholars are still unwilling, then just let them continue to be unhappy." Zhang Xiao said.

(End of this chapter)