With the presence of a foreign man, Zhou Huanan ate dinner in her own small courtyard. She was happy and comfortable, but she was a little curious about these two people.

She also went to the martial arts finals that day. After watching the two men compete, she naturally knew that they both had some real skills, especially for Yin Jie. A fighting spirit ignited in her heart, and she wanted to have a fight with him.

But Xia Zhixian told her in person that these two people were guests, who were highly valued by the emperor and would be given official positions and generals in the future, so she could not act recklessly.

She curled her lips and had to suppress the excitement in her heart, "Oh."

Xia Zhixian knew she hadn't listened at first glance, so she smiled helplessly and said, "Look at the top three in this year's martial arts exam. Do you see what they are?"

"What kind of name could it be?" Zhou Huanan was in a low mood and didn't want to care about the name.

Xia Zhixian reminded: "What are the backgrounds of these three people?"

Zhou Huanan was stunned and figured something out.

In the past, at least two of the top three martial arts exams would be from prominent families in the capital. For example, in Jiang Yi's class, he was the top scorer in martial arts, and the other two were descendants of officials in the capital.

"This year, there are actually two people who came here from other places. Their family backgrounds are not very rich, and they are both from poor families," she said.

Xia Zhixian smiled with relief, "Not bad."

"The Emperor values talent. I heard your father mention it, and this year's imperial examination was no different. There were fewer children from prominent families than from less privileged backgrounds, especially in the capital. Add to that the martial arts examination, and the trends among young men and women in the capital in recent years. The Emperor must be worried."

Feng Yu was indeed a little worried.

It's not that they are worried that the rise of the poor will squeeze out the status of princes, nobles and aristocratic families. The court needs talents, so it should be a policy of letting a hundred flowers bloom. However, looking at the development trend in recent years, most of the children of aristocratic families have become lax and no longer care about the imperial examinations and the military examinations. Instead, they wait to inherit the family title and then wait for the court to assign them an official position, and then they will live a mediocre life.

This is not what Feng Yu wants to see.

His officials and ministers were all his trusted subordinates, and their descendants should work hard and be better than him, instead of being lazy and enjoying the fruits of his labor.

Children from poor families are ambitious and strong-willed, while children from wealthy families become decadent.

If this continues, so many kings, princes, generals and ministers, and their descendants will become parasites in the court, unable to achieve anything, and will only suck the blood and flesh of the people.

It has to be said that Feng Yu is very prepared for danger in times of peace. Judging from this year's martial arts examination, this phenomenon is becoming more and more obvious.

He also heard that Qi Tianyang was suddenly going to take the martial arts exam and made some harsh remarks, but at this time he was actually a little surprised by Qi Tianyang's performance.

If it weren't for him, I wouldn't dare to imagine whether the top three places this year would have been taken by students from other places.

Xia Zhixian sighed, "These two people represent the poor families from outside the region. Their status is special, so they must be properly cared for. We can't let the other poor children feel disheartened and think that the emperor doesn't value them, but we can't flatter them too much and treat them better than Qi Tianyang, which would make the aristocratic families feel uneasy."

So the emperor handed this hot potato to the Zhou family.

Zhou Huanan understood, "That's why the emperor didn't confer an official title on the spot that day."

It really requires careful consideration.

"Indeed. The Emperor has given them both to our Zhou family with considerable consideration." Xia Zhixian said, "We are related to the Emperor, and your brother is a capable minister to the Emperor, which shows how much he values them."

She paused, then continued, "Also, it has something to do with your sister-in-law."

"Huh?" Zhou Huanan didn't understand. "What does this have to do with my sister-in-law?"

Xia Zhixian smiled and said, "What does your sister-in-law's mother's family do?"

Zhou Huanan was stunned, then suddenly realized: "Oh~"

She asked tentatively, "Mother, are you saying that the Emperor intends to assign these two to work under Uncle Jiang?"

Xia Zhixian smiled and nodded, "I guess that's the idea. Perhaps they're sending them to garrison Southern Xinjiang. Have you forgotten that all the generals from your Uncle Jiang's family were sent to Southern Xinjiang?"

Zhou Huanan felt that these twists and turns were really hard to understand and gave the listeners a headache.

She sighed and understood Xia Zhixian's intention.

"I understand, Mom. I promise not to cause any trouble."

Wasn't it because they were worried that she would be inconsiderate and offend these two people? Couldn't she just not find someone to compete with?

Xia Zhixian smiled and patted her head to comfort her. "If you really want to compete, why not go talk to your brother?"

Zhou Huanan nodded, "I understand."

I also need my brother's consent, even if it's impossible.

Xia Zhixian stood up and instructed, "Ask the kitchen to make whatever you want for dinner, you don't have to go to the dining room."

"Oh, okay."

Zhou Huanan also stood up and said goodbye to Xia Zhixian. She turned around and threw herself on the couch, mumbling irritably, "I thought I could spar with them. I haven't used my Chengying for practice in a long time..."

On the other side, in the Zhenxia Pavilion, Zhou Jing'an also told Jiang Ling these words.

Jiang Ling frowned, "It's really complicated."

I haven't used my brain for a long time, and when I suddenly move it I really feel a headache.

Zhou Jing'an chuckled, "I'm just telling you this so you can have an idea in your mind. Don't worry about the rest."

Jiang Ling nodded, "So are we going out for dinner or staying home?"

For my first meal, should I go to the largest restaurant in Beijing?

Zhou Jingan shook his head, "No need, just eat at home."

The Zhou family doesn't have many people. Zhou Huaixin has a younger sister who has already married and lives in another place, so there are only these few people in the mansion.

When there are guests, men and women should sit at separate tables, but Xia Zhixian thought it would be better for them to eat at the same table, so that they can be like family and closer.

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