As the saying goes, a horse's bones are worth a fortune. I will set a few examples for everyone in the world to see.

The analysis of the bearded scholar was also correct. Zhu Youxiao did take a fancy to the literary ability of the civil candidates, which was why he promoted them to military scholars and opened a military school for them to learn military affairs.

Zhu Youxiao understood clearly that the era of gunpowder weapons had arrived and that their proportion on the battlefield would become increasingly larger.

On a battlefield blasted with gunfire, formidable generals like Zhao Zilong and Lü Bu were of little use. No matter how thick the armor or how strong one's personal strength, one could not escape the blast of lead bullets.

Of course, brave generals charging into battle can boost morale, but the reverse is also true: the death of a general is a huge blow to the army.

Therefore, what Zhu Youxiao wanted was a general who could be familiar with various drill manuals, could put soldiers' training into practice, master the reasonable deployment of various firearms and arms, and could command battles from behind.

Zhu Youxiao's goal was to crush the Jian Nu with sharp firearms and sophisticated equipment. For example, the artillery was a branch of the army that needed to be built, and officers who were literate and able to calculate were essential.

The world's famous generals are gifted and talented, which can be encountered but not sought after.

Zhu Youxiao gradually gave up his extravagant hopes and began to concentrate on building a new army that would surpass or be ahead of the Jiannu in hardware and tactics.

Well, concepts and traditions are hard to change, but there are always some people who dare to try it! Zhu Youxiao thought about the number of civil servants in the capital and felt that he could recruit some.

The admission ratio for the imperial examination is generally between six to one or ten to one, which means that there will be at least two to three thousand civil servants taking part in the imperial examination.

Don’t think too much about it. If the candidates are not good enough in the literary examination, they can be selected from the scholars and students. I don’t believe that the Ming Dynasty cannot gather high-quality grassroots officers?

"Settle the bill." Zhu Youxiao gave the order, and Wang Tigan hurried out to arrange for the accompanying Jinyiwei to make preparations.

Not long after, Zhu Youxiao took Zhang Yuer out of the screen, glanced at Huang Daozhou's table, and then came out of the teahouse.

After extending his hand to greet him, Lu Jianxing quickly caught up and followed respectfully behind the young emperor.

"I heard that the tribute students in the Imperial College have a bad reputation," Zhu Youxiao asked calmly, "are there any who visit brothels, drink wine, and behave in a dissolute manner?"

Lu Jianxing thought for a moment and replied, "I'm not clear about this. I'll investigate and report back when I get back."

Zhu Youxiao pursed his lips and said, "It's not a big deal, just a casual question." As he spoke, he raised his hand and motioned Lu Jianxing to leave.

Zhu Youxiao strolled along the street just to change the environment and relax.

I've been in Daming for less than two months, but I've already done a lot, and it's been exhausting. Where are the delicacies I was promised, the daily pleasures I was promised?

But the more he knew, the more Zhu Youxiao couldn't relax. How could he allow this prosperous capital, this rich natural resources, this picturesque country to fall into destruction in war and slaughter?

Passing by a cosmetics shop, Zhang Yuer sniffed and looked over with eager eyes.

Women, do you think it's fun to put this and that on your face all day long?

"Let's go in and take a look." Zhu Youxiao walked in and said casually, "Let's see what the prices are. Are they really that expensive?"

There was no need for Zhu Youxiao to investigate prices in person. If he wanted to know, he could just give a note to the Pacification Office or the East Factory, and he would get the result soon.

Zhu Youxiao said this just to satisfy Zhang Yuer's curiosity. With more than ten taels of silver, this girl must want to know what it feels like to spend money on buying things!

A moment later, Zhu Youxiao and Zhang Yuer had already left the cosmetics shop.

Zhu Youxiao seemed to be smiling, while Zhang Yu'er was holding a box of rouge and looking at it from time to time, her eyebrows slightly furrowed, and she muttered under her breath, "It's so expensive! The best one costs five taels of silver!"

It wasn't that Zhu Youxiao was stingy and only bought one box for the girl. It was that he didn't like Ming Dynasty makeup techniques and wasn't quite sure what the ingredients were. If it was mixed with lead powder, mercury, or something like that, wouldn't it be disfiguring?

He asked the shop assistant about this rouge, and he was told it was made from red and blue pollen dyed with hu powder. It was not expensive, only one or two taels of silver. Zhu Youxiao did not care about the price of the product, but what he cared about was that it was pure and natural without pollution.

"Don't put too much powder on your face. It's quite fair, and you don't have pockmarks." Zhu Youxiao reminded Zhang Yu'er, "The most expensive ones are made of some purple ore dyed with cotton. It sounds harmful to the body."

Oh! Zhang Yuer looked at the emperor and nodded, not quite understanding.

Zhu Youxiao walked a short distance forward and was about to get on the carriage to return to the palace when his eyes suddenly fixed and he turned to look at a few people walking across the street chatting and laughing, this "non-mainstream" person.

Why is it called "non-mainstream"? It's really too eye-catching. It's actually a few men wearing heavy makeup and alternative clothes. The fragrance of their makeup can be smelled from across the street.

Holy crap! There are still monsters like this in the Ming Dynasty, and they dare to parade around?

"Your Majesty." Wang Tigan saw the emperor staring intently, his face filled with astonishment, and whispered, "Scholars like this are not uncommon in the capital, and they take pride in their eccentricities and extravagances."

At the end of the Ming Dynasty, not only was the country plagued by numerous problems, but some customs also became corrupt, and the entire society was immersed in the illusory enjoyment of being unaware of its own safety.

After witnessing these alternative "non-mainstream" people, Ming Dynasty official Li Le was filled with grief and indignation, and wrote: "Yesterday I entered the city, and returned with tears on my collar. All the people wearing women's clothes were scholars."

Scholar? This is also called a scholar?!

The end of a dynasty, this is also one of the scenes, right?

Zhu Youxiao rolled his eyes, his face darkened, and without saying a word, he walked towards the carriage parked on the side of the road.

………………

The setting sun dyed the earth and Guangning City red.

Manggurtai walked into the tent and reported in a gruff voice: "Father Khan, the Ming army is reinforcing the city defenses. Although I'm not sure what those things are for, they are definitely useful."

The old servant glanced at his foolish son, but without scolding him, he threw the urgent report in his hand onto the table.

Last night, there was an urgent report from Fuzhou about unusual movements of the Ming navy. Another urgent report has just been sent in. Last night, the Ming army landed in a surprise attack and occupied Shiheyi.

The small Shiheyi had only a few Later Jin soldiers and a dozen Han soldiers who had surrendered. Even if it was occupied, the losses would be negligible.

But such signs made the old slave alert. He didn't know how many troops the Ming navy had, how powerful they were, and how much trouble they could cause.

Although I really want to storm Guangning City as quickly as possible, siege equipment must be built, and in large quantities. Only with sufficient equipment can we launch a sustained and fierce attack and have a chance of breaking through the city.

Otherwise, if they launched a frantic attack and had to retreat with their equipment destroyed, not only would they give the defenders in the city a chance to catch their breath, but they would also gain experience and boost their morale.

So, we have to wait for two days. In two days, there shouldn't be too much loss in the rear, right?