Chapter 65 Traveling to various places
...
Han Shidong assigned the students to their respective places at an extremely fast speed. A few days later, he brought the list to the palace and handed it to Yan Xuanyu. Yan Xuanyu knew at a glance that Han Shidong cared more about the students of the Beijing Military Academy than he had imagined.
At the Beijing Military Academy, all the instructors and assistants were his people, so he naturally knew the composition of the various "cliques" within the academy like the back of his hand. So, when he noticed Han Shidong grouping familiar people together or closer together, he frowned at first, then relaxed as if realizing something.
Yes, he was mistaken. It was obviously unrealistic to send every student to a separate place. How could a single person be as interesting as a group? He could organize a group competition to see which group could get the highest score in the local area.
He immediately came up with an idea and wrote a letter to Han Shidong. He looked at the list again to make sure there was no mistake, then put the list and the letter together and asked someone to give it to Han Shidong.
Of course he wanted to announce such an interesting thing in person.
...
After school that day, all the students in the Beijing Military Academy were summoned by Coach Liu by beating a gong and asked to gather in the largest classroom in the military academy.
This classroom is very special. When the students first came here, they didn’t know what it was used for. Later they found out that this classroom was used for “meetings”.
But after they arrived at the classroom in an orderly manner as usual, they discovered that something was wrong today——
All the coaches, assistant coaches and teachers were present. They all had serious expressions on their faces, as if something big was about to happen.
What surprised the students even more was that the person sitting in the middle was neither Coach Liu nor Master Han, but a strange young man. This man was very handsome, but he had an aura of majesty without even being angry. Even though he had a smile on his face, everyone present couldn't help but restrain their smiles.
Who is this person?
Everyone was full of questions and talked in low voices while sitting on rows of long wooden benches.
...
It was not until Han Shidong spoke that the entire classroom fell completely silent.
Han Shidong glanced at Yan Xuanyu next to him and thought helplessly, alas! The etiquette he strictly adhered to never allowed him to sit in the same place with the emperor!
His Majesty the Emperor can be said to be very willful.
"Everyone, His Majesty has come to the military academy today to make an announcement. This announcement... concerns the future of everyone present."
As soon as these words were spoken, the whole audience was in an uproar.
Many people even fell to the ground! The classroom was suddenly filled with the sounds of people falling down due to shock.
The students were all confused. What did Master Han say and to whom?
Then...then the person sitting at the top is His Majesty the Emperor?
"Everyone, don't be so reserved." Yan Xuanyu said with a smile.
"Next...all of you will leave the military academy."
Before the students could react, he continued, "Hold a 'practical competition' for at least half a year."
As Yan Xuanyu's voice slowly echoed in this large classroom, everyone couldn't help but listen more attentively, so attentively that they almost forgot that this person was the current emperor!
"After the fifteen-day preparation period, you will be divided into several groups. Master Han will announce the groups and travel to different locations in the Great Zhou. Evaluators will accompany you and award or deduct points based on your performance. After the competition period, the group with the highest overall score will be the winner of this military academy practical competition."
"Once the team arrives at the designated location, the local authorities will have prepared your 'identities'. They will cooperate with you within reasonable limits. Of course, you must not disrupt local order or commit any malicious acts, otherwise you will be expelled from the Beijing Military Academy..."
After saying that, Yan Xuanyu gave them a meaningful look and asked, "Where will people be sent after being expelled from the military academy?"
Everyone sitting below shuddered.
Yan Xuanyu was satisfied. He continued, "This is also the last question I will answer. I want to tell you that the content of this competition is very broad, but you must stick to one theme. This theme is—"
"For the people."
...
After leaving a strong impression on the students, Yan Xuanyu hid his achievements and fame and prepared to get on the carriage to return to the palace.
"His Majesty!"
Yan Xuanyu turned around and found that Han Shidong was not in the military academy to preside over various affairs, but had caught up with him.
"Your Majesty, didn't you say that day that you would make them the lowest-ranking officials in the local area? Why today?"
After all, this was just a "practical exam" in the military academy, but the emperor directly gave them such great power!
Given their status, the more power they have, the better.
Yan Xuanyu suddenly realized that this was what Han Shidong wanted to talk about. Indeed, when he said, "The local government will cooperate with you within a certain range," he undoubtedly gave the students a lot of power!
"Lord Han, I just feel that if the minor officials restrict their ability to perform, they won't be able to show any distinct personal characteristics." Yan Xuanyu gave Han Shidong a smile and patted Lord Han's shoulder in a very approachable manner. "It's okay. Since I promised them this, I have already anticipated everything."
Besides, when he said those words with a hint of threat in a meaningful way, their fear was not fake.
Han Shidong sighed, "I obey your order."
...
Yan Xuanyu got on the carriage in a good mood, but heard a long-lost electronic sound——
【Congratulations to the host for obtaining 50 points. 】
Yan Xuanyu was extremely surprised. "Why? Where did these points come from?"
He thought he could graduate.
After all, anyone who sees what he is doing now would say that he is a wise ruler!
The system's cold electronic voice came—
[Received the host's question, checking....]
[Damn, points earned for: Many people thought your orders were bizarre/incomprehensible, achieving: Autocratic.]
Yan Xuanyu: ...
...
More than ten days later, carriages quietly drove out of the capital at night, heading in different directions.
Sitting in one of the carriages were Ming Chengyu, An Yuliang and Kong Yan.
After the initial joy of being grouped together, the three fell into deep confusion.
Ming Chengyu has always been a top student in the military academy, but he had no idea what to do with the practical exam questions given by His Majesty when he suddenly visited the academy.
For the people...for the common people...how should they serve the people?
The place the three of them were heading to was called Hanyun City, which was a little far from the capital. This fact meant that they would feel like they were falling apart when they arrived at the assessment location, but it also meant that they at least had time to think while on the road.
"I've left the military academy! Why can't I be happy at all?" Kong Yan scratched his head.
Ming Chengyu sighed. Of course it was because... they could leave the military academy now, but at the same time, there was a problem that not only affected him but all the former young masters of the capital who had studied at the capital military academy could no longer escape and had to face a problem: where would they go after leaving the capital military academy.
This was exactly why everyone was terrified of the practical exam. Did it mean they had to leave? But even if they went back, some people's homes wouldn't be the same anymore. Compared to that, they really wanted to stay.
Doesn’t Ming Chengyu want that too?
The time he spent at the Beijing Military Academy was the most memorable and important time in his first half of life....
The carriage moved forward, leaving only the sound of the wheels.
...
Hanyun City.
"Everyone, work harder!" A burly man raised his arms and shouted, "Let's fill this area up this morning!"
As he moved, his dark skin was revealed.
There was a sudden response from all around, and everyone worked harder.
This is an official road from Hanyun City to Jinning City, and the government expects it to be completed in August this year.
Anyone who was healthy and strong could sign up at the government office. Working to build official roads was not rewarded with wages, but with food.
Hard work pays off. Everyone worked hard together and finally filled up this section of the road before the end of the morning work.
"Come and take a break, the food is here!" A slightly fat middle-aged man came over, followed by two carts. On the carts were large wooden barrels steadily placed, with steam rising from them. It was obvious that the food was freshly cooked. The aroma wafted far away, and everyone who was originally sitting or lying stood up, walked to the place where they put their things, and took out their own strange and unusual rice-serving utensils. The better ones took coarse pottery bowls, and the others took all kinds of things.
But it doesn't matter what you take, everyone has a certain amount of food, one spoonful of vegetables and a bowl of rice cooked with various grains.
The food they brought was only slightly salty, but to them, it was delicious. If you don't believe me, you can ask any of them, whose family can eat salt every day? However, this year's harvest was good, and the people had a lot more grain than in previous years. Some sold it to exchange for coarse salt, but most of them just stored it.
They had just finished their work and lined up in two teams very skillfully, waiting for the food delivery person to lift the wooden barrels off the cart.
Li Zhuang, the burly man assigned as the "team leader" of this area, walked over and said with a smile, "Mr. Zhu, are you here to see how the progress is?"
Mr. Zhu waved his hands repeatedly: "I trust you all, but I just have some free time today, so I thought I'd come and take a look."
The government introduced a new policy that allowed wealthy families in various places to "contract" government roads. After signing a deed with the government, this person would be responsible for the construction of this section of the road.
Zhu Yuanwai was one of these wealthy families. His job was to take over the government-sent road construction workers, provide them with food, and oversee the progress of the road construction. Once the official road was completed, everyone could use it. On the surface, contracting the road seemed like a losing proposition, but in reality, it was not. Firstly, the government had many policies in place regarding traveling merchants, and contractors could enjoy preferential policies for traveling merchants, such as 50% off the rent of the commercial mall and a 10% annual tax reduction. This was the most attractive factor for wealthy families to contract official roads; secondly, it was extremely beneficial to their reputation.
After Mr. Zhu had a conversation with Li Zhuang, he walked around to see how the road was being repaired and to see which parts needed filling.
Behind him came the accountant of the Zhu Mansion, an old man who had been with Mr. Zhu for many years. When Mr. Zhu got tired, he stopped and said to him with admiration, "This road is so spacious!"
Zhu Guanzhang said with a smile: "Yes, not only is the road easy to travel, but I heard from the government that there are official stations set up every few sections of the road. If you encounter any problems, you can go there for help."
It can be expected that the convenience of transportation will inevitably lead to closer exchanges between the cities of Da Zhou.
Mr. Zhu put his hands behind his back and nodded. He measured the width of the road with his feet. Suddenly, he remembered something and turned to ask Zhu the Accountant: "Where is that bastard?"
Zhu, the accountant, replied, "The young master went to the study with his good friend early in the morning."
"He's quite sensible." Mr. Zhu snorted. "If it's true as the folk rumors say, and the imperial court holds the 'imperial examination' in a few years, I just hope that brat doesn't bring shame to my Zhu family."
"Young Master is very intelligent. The Master said a few days ago that he understood everything immediately after he was taught, and he praised him highly."
Talking to the accountant of his own house, Mr. Zhu was much more casual. He smiled and said, "I don't know how much truth there is in your words. Since the government has restricted them, I don't know how many students have received good reviews. They are trying their best to let the government know that they are upright..."
"Hey!" Mr. Zhu suddenly saw a carriage coming and hurried to meet it, "Don't ruin the newly paved road."
His fat body became very nimble at this moment. He trotted over. The coachman stopped the carriage, bowed and asked, "Excuse me, but this place is not passable?"
"Yes, yes." Mr. Zhu took out a handkerchief and wiped the sweat off his face. "This official road is not yet repaired. Where are you from?"
After saying this, he glanced at the coachman in front of him without leaving any trace. The coachman looked very strong and powerful.
"The master is coming from the capital," said the coachman.
Mr. Zhu was surprised and asked, "You're actually from the capital?"
He felt that the person in the carriage might be of some importance, so he pointed to another road and said, "Going east from this road, you can also reach Hanyun City, but the road is bumpy..."
Before he finished speaking, he saw the carriage curtain open, revealing the face of a young man, "We've finally arrived in Hanyun City!"
Mr. Zhu was stunned for a moment and quickly looked away.
"Thank you." The coachman smiled, then got into the carriage and drove away.
The carriage drove in the direction pointed by Mr. Zhu.
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