After receiving the assignment, Zhao Bingzhang also began to handle the affairs of the Beijing Municipal Administration School. Together with Yu Maocai, he recruited a large number of experienced officials at all levels from various regions to come to Beijing to be responsible for compiling teaching materials.
In addition, Zhao Bingzhang was also in charge of establishing the Capital Government School in the original position of the Imperial Academy.
The Imperial College was abolished.
Instead, the Beijing Municipal Government School was established.
At the same time, Zhao Bingzhang, in the name of the imperial court, issued an edict calling on scholars and those who aspire to serve the people to come to the capital to take the exams and study at the capital's political school.
After the imperial edict was issued, scholars from the capital, Zhili and other places flocked to the capital.
Some scholars even thought the imperial court was about to hold a civil service examination, but they were quite surprised when they arrived in the capital.
"Shaoquan, have you heard? This time it's not the imperial examination for officials, but some kind of government affairs school recruiting students?"
"I heard! I also heard that this exam will include arithmetic and general knowledge."
"Really? Shaoquan, isn't this your forte? A while ago, you even bought textbooks from Dongning and were completely absorbed in them. It seems like you're going to pass the imperial examination this time!"
"You can do it too!"
The young man named Shao Quan remained expressionless.
While others were discussing the matter, Li Shaoquan continued to look through the Dongning textbooks.
While Li Shaoquan was reviewing the textbooks, countless students on the streets and alleys were still discussing it.
Some young people who were well-versed in the Four Books and Five Classics angrily beat their chests and stamped their feet.
"What's wrong with the imperial court? They're going to hold the imperial examinations, fine, but why test arithmetic? It's utter nonsense!"
"Yes, does the imperial court disregard us scholars? What is arithmetic? How can it be used to become an official?"
"This is an utter insult to the teachings of the sages!"
"Let's go, let's go to the Ministry of Rites and the Prime Minister's residence to demand justice!"
"Yes, we must get justice!"
Before long, hundreds of scholars had gathered in the capital and headed towards the Ministry of Rites.
The Ministry of Rites in the capital was located near Duanmen Gate.
The group was somewhat surprised when they arrived here.
The former Ministry of Rites office had been replaced at some point.
The plaque from the Ministry of Rites has been removed.
Now, the plaque hanging above the door prominently displays the three large characters "Ministry of Finance and Taxation".
At the entrance of the Ministry of Finance and Taxation, armed soldiers stood guard, watching them warily.
Some scholars were stunned for a moment, then tried to rush over.
At this moment, several soldiers walked over with guns at the ready and shouted sternly, "This is the Ministry of Finance and Taxation's restricted area. No one is allowed to move forward!"
"Ministry of Finance and Taxation? Isn't that the Ministry of Rites? When did it become the Ministry of Finance and Taxation?"
Some scholars were puzzled and asked in bewilderment.
"Young man, you look like you're from out of town!"
Just then, an old man selling breakfast not far from the entrance spoke up: "After the New Year this year, the Ministry of Rites became the Ministry of Finance and Taxation. The original Ministry of Rites has been abolished!"
"It's been withdrawn?"
These scholars were somewhat surprised and hurriedly asked, "Then which department is currently in charge of our imperial examinations?"
"The old man doesn't know."
The old man shook his head and replied with a smile.
"Oh right, let's go to the Ministry of Personnel!"
"Yes, the Ministry of Personnel is in charge of the selection and appointment of officials throughout the country. We should go and take a look at the Ministry of Personnel!"
"Let's go, let's go to the Ministry of Personnel!"
Hearing the scholars' words, the old man laughed again and said, "You outsiders, don't you know that the Ministry of Personnel has also been abolished? The original site of the Ministry of Personnel has now become the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation!"
"Ministry of Farmland Irrigation and Water Resources?"
The scholars were stunned.
"And there's the Hanlin Academy too, let's go to the Hanlin Academy!"
"The Hanlin Academy has also been renamed; it's now the Ministry of Posts, Communications and Transportation!"
The old man looked up at the scholars and shook his head, saying, "You outsiders, and you call yourselves scholars? Don't you know anything about the changes in the capital after coming here? A bunch of people who are all talk and no action!"
The old man shook his head and pushed his breakfast cart away.
Watching the old man leave, the group of scholars looked at each other in bewilderment.
Ambitious but incompetent?
Are you talking about us?
For a moment, a group of scholars were somewhat angry.
However, they also remembered what the old man meant. It seems that the capital has changed a lot.
Some scholars, as if waking from a dream, left the group and went to inquire about news from various parts of the capital.
Other scholars, however, continued to seek justice and headed towards the Prime Minister's residence.
However, as soon as these scholars arrived at the main street where the Prime Minister's residence was located, they saw many soldiers standing guard with guns on their backs.
They couldn't even get onto Xiangfu Street, let alone meet the Prime Minister.
Left with no other option, these scholars were at a loss.
Other scholars, however, were astonished after making inquiries in the capital.
Weng Shuping frowned, listening to the words of the person in front of him, and stood there stunned.
"Let me tell you, the capital city is not what it was last year."
"In the capital now, many government offices, both large and small, have changed their names. Many old government offices have been abolished, some have been renamed, and many new government offices have been established."
"The Prime Minister's residence still exists. The Ministry of Rites has been renamed the Ministry of Finance and Taxation, responsible for fiscal expenditures and tax collection. The Ministry of Personnel has been renamed the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, responsible for farmland and water conservancy affairs. The Ministry of Revenue has been renamed the Ministry of Civil Affairs, responsible for household registration and population affairs. The Ministry of War has been renamed the Ministry of Police, responsible for patrol and security. The Ministry of Justice has been renamed the Ministry of Legal Affairs, responsible for criminal justice. The Ministry of Works has been renamed the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, responsible for industry and commerce. The Hanlin Academy has been renamed the Ministry of Posts, Communications and Transportation, responsible for postal services, shipbuilding, road administration, railways, and other related matters."
"In addition, some of the administrative offices are also undergoing changes."
Listening to the locals' introduction, Weng Shuping sighed helplessly and said, "The changes in the capital are truly remarkable!"
"It's more than just big!"
"It's a complete transformation!"
"His Majesty is truly benevolent. Look at the affairs of farmland irrigation; they've even set up a separate department to manage them. I heard that His Majesty recently visited villages and communities near the capital to inspect the farming situation!"
"I don't understand what you scholars are arguing about. I just can't figure it out!"
The pedestrian shook his head and left.
Watching the pedestrians leave, Weng Shuping reflected on his previous actions.
yes!
What are we doing?
It would be better to go back and review the course material and take the exam at the Beijing Municipal Government School.
Immediately, Weng Shuping also returned to the inn.
No matter how much the scholars made a fuss in the capital, there was nowhere to receive them.
Meanwhile, the first entrance examination for the Beijing Municipal Government School began.
The exam papers, personally drafted by Zhao Bingzhang, Yu Maocai, and others, covered a wide range of topics, including agricultural irrigation knowledge, arithmetic, general natural sciences, industrial and commercial knowledge, and basic financial and tax knowledge.
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