Zhang Anshi looked at Liu Tan in astonishment. He was actually quite calm when he heard Liu Tan say that he was not suitable to be an official.
The second generation of officials of his age usually have a privileged position, but they will not actually report for duty. Instead, they will hold the position as a temporary position and continue to study or learn.
But he didn't dare, because his father was already dead, and his death was not so glorious.
Even though the truth was finally revealed and the emperor took revenge, his father's bad reputation made them unpopular.
Zhang Anshi had such a privileged position, so he naturally had to work hard and strive to settle down.
But if he had the chance, he really wanted to study.
It’s a pity that I can’t find a good teacher.
Many thoughts ran through Zhang Anshi's mind. He didn't think Liu Tan was trying to subtly dissuade him from the matter.
What right did he have to ask the King of the North to be tactful? If he wanted to use him, he could use him. If he didn't want to use him, he could just throw him aside.
So His Royal Highness the King of the North really wants him to continue studying?
He couldn't help but feel his heart beating faster, but he was also a little confused. Why did His Highness let him go to study?
Generally speaking, only when cultivating someone they particularly like will the superior personally care about whether the other person has read and how much he has read.
Just like people who are able to go for further studies in later generations will generally get promoted.
However, for Liu Tan, the answer was too simple. Zhang Anshi was originally a capable minister. He didn't know whether anyone in history had helped Zhang Anshi like this. If Zhang Anshi could reach that level without anyone's help, then if he studied hard and laid a solid foundation, could he be even more powerful?
Zhang He said stupidly, "My younger brother has been studying on his own."
Zhang Anshi pursed his lips and couldn't help but sigh. His brother... was really stupid.
However, Liu Tan was very tolerant towards Zhang He. Putting aside other things, the fact that this person was nostalgic for the old times and had friendship with him was enough for Liu Tan to treat him differently.
He smiled and said, "How can I study on my own? If I encounter something I don't understand, I still need a teacher to explain it to me. I heard that Zhang Anshi has a photographic memory. It would be a pity if he doesn't study."
Zhang Anshi glanced at Liu Tan in surprise. He hadn't expected the King of the Northern Territory to know all this. He didn't resent the leak; in this day and age, it was normal for superiors to investigate their subordinates. He even felt touched to be valued.
So he nodded heavily and said, "Your Majesty...Your Majesty wants to study!"
Liu Tan smiled slightly: "Okay, I'll give you a place. You know there's a school in the capital, right?"
Zhang Anshi's eyes lit up: "I have heard that the academy in the royal capital is open to only those who have passed the imperial examinations."
Not only that, the Northern Border Kingdom has put a lot of effort into this academy in the past two years. It is said that all the famous scholars who can be invited out of retirement have been invited. The teaching staff is certainly not as good as Chang'an, but it is enough to surpass other vassal states!
Liu Tan nodded. "That's right. Only those who pass the imperial examination can enter the academy, with the exception of the top three. It's not easy to get in, and even harder to get out. If you want, you can go there to study."
Zhang Anshi hesitated a little: "But...I didn't take the imperial examination..."
Liu Tan laughed and said, "I set the rules, so naturally I have the final say. If I say you can go, then you can go. However, once you go in, everyone will know that you came in through an irregular means. They may look down on you and exclude you. If you want to go, you must first be able to withstand this."
Before Zhang Anshi could say anything, Zhang He was a little surprised: "These people are just commoners, yet they dare to look down on the children of officials?"
Zhang Anshi now really wants to shut his brother's mouth!
Liu Tan didn't think it was a big deal. He just said, "The academy is different from other places. Here, status is not important, only talent is considered. Those who enter through the backdoor or those who don't study well will naturally be looked down upon. So when you enter, you must throw your status aside, because no one there will respect you because of your status."
Zhang He widened his eyes. He didn't expect that there would be such a place in the world.
Zhang Anshi was filled with longing after hearing this. He suddenly asked, "Next year...will the imperial examination be held next year?"
Zhang Anshi remembered that the Northern Border Kingdom planned to hold the imperial examination every three years. Counting from the first time to the spring and summer of next year, it would indeed be three years.
Liu Tan nodded with a smile: "That's right, if you want, you can also participate next year."
Zhang Anshi asked curiously, "Can students from the academy also participate?"
Liu Tan said, "The other students have all participated in the imperial examination once and are admitted. Of course, they cannot continue to participate. You are a special case, and I will make an exception for you."
Zhang Anshi immediately bowed to the ground after hearing this: "Your Highness, I am deeply grateful for your love and care for me!"
Liu Tan laughed and said, "I just can't bear to see such a precious pearl covered in dust. Your position will still be with you. You will have food and lodging at the academy, so you don't have to worry about money. If you do well in your studies, you will even receive a scholarship."
Zhang Anshi couldn't help but feel fascinated when listening to this. He didn't expect that there is such a good place in the world. Not only is it free to go to school, but you will even be paid!
Although Zhang He was outspoken, he was not a fool. When he heard this, he had only one thought in his mind - the King of the Northern Territory had great ambitions!
The conversation has basically come to an end here.
After Zhang He and Zhang Anshi left, they just arrived at the inn and saw Liu Zhen leaving with the palace maids. The two sides only had time to say hello.
Over there, Zhang Anshi was still saying to Zhang He, "We can talk to Liu Zhen about this when he comes back."
Although the two parties are not particularly familiar with each other, they are together after all, and are always closer than with other people.
As a result, as soon as they returned to the post station, someone came to inform Zhang He to go and handle the formalities. It was said that His Highness had issued an edict that Zhang He would serve as the prefect of Yanmen County from that day on, and asked him to set off tomorrow.
Zhang He hadn't expected such a rush. Zhang Anshi didn't bother to talk to Liu Zhen anymore and said decisively, "Brother, go and handle the paperwork first. I'll go buy you some things you'll need for the journey."
Zhang He calmed himself down and said, "Okay, be careful."
Zhang Anshi smiled and said, "Shuofang City is safer than Chang'an, so you don't have to worry about me."
When Zhang He came back, he saw that his room was filled with bags and bags. He was stunned: "Why did you buy so much? How can I take them away?"
Zhang Anshi's face revealed a calmness that was not in line with his age: "Don't worry, brother, I have bought you a carriage and a carriage slave."
Zhang He gasped, "What are you doing? What are you going to do if you spend all your money? I even said I'd buy you a house..."
Zhang Anshi smiled and said, "Don't worry, brother. I just went out to ask around. The academy provides food and accommodation. It won't cost me much to stay here, not to mention there's a scholarship."
Zhang He was helpless: "You talk as if you can get a scholarship."
Zhang Shian said proudly: "Those students may not be as strong as me."
Zhang He patted his head and said, "You're new here anyway, so you'd better be careful. His Highness looks upon you favorably, but you must not become arrogant and bring disgrace upon His Highness."
Zhang He gave Zhang Anshi earnest instructions, but Zhang Anshi did not seem impatient and listened attentively.
While the brothers were preparing for their trip, Liu Tan and Liu Zhen were having a great conversation.
I don't know if Liu Zhen has been beaten by society, but after meeting Liu Tan, he politely said, "I, a humble commoner, pay my respects to the King of the North."
Liu Tan immediately stood up and helped Liu Zhen up, saying, "Please stand up quickly. To be honest, I should call you cousin."
Although this cousin is enough for him to be his father.
Liu Zhen said with a look of shame: "I am an unworthy descendant and have brought shame to our ancestors."
Liu Tan asked him to sit down and said, "Since the emperor has re-employed my cousin, it must be because he feels that he has some talent. I also have an important task to entrust to my cousin."
Liu Zhen asked calmly, "But is it Yiwulu County?"
Liu Tan nodded, had a map brought up, and said, "That's right. But don't worry, cousin. I have already selected two military governorates and a protectorate to protect Yiwulu County. I will never let Yiwulu County bear the brunt of the attack."
Liu Zhen looked down at the map, thought for a moment, and said, "It seems Your Highness has also begun to be wary of Yanqi. This puts me at ease."
After hearing this, Liu Tan immediately asked, "What happened to Yanqi?"
Liu Zhen said, "I don't know much about Yanqi. I only know that Liu Qumao has contact with them."
Liu Tan: ...You really hate your brother.
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