The test was on the Four Books and Five Classics, which were very popular books, so there was no need to worry about the poor being unable to buy the books; the format of the eight-part essay was fixed, a bit like the standardized test questions in later generations, and the judgment of merit was more objective.
Therefore, it is unlikely to abolish the imperial examination system that uses the eight-legged essay to select scholars, at least not within a considerable period of time, unless chaos is caused in society.
Zhu Youxiao's solution was to maintain the imperial examination system, but to gradually change it. At the same time, the channels for selecting talented people should be expanded, and the imperial examination system would not be relied upon exclusively.
After a deliberate pause, Zhu Youxiao finally brought up the key point, "However, now that the imperial court has recognized the drawbacks, it will certainly make improvements. In the future, fame and fortune will not be achieved solely through the imperial examination. Professional talents will have professional examinations. They will learn and apply what they have learned. The outstanding ones will also be able to be appointed to official positions, and even serve in the imperial court."
"For example..." Zhu Youxiao glanced at Xu Guangqi and said with a smile, "Sun Yuanhua, Xu Daren's disciple, is only a Juren, but his current official rank seems to be quite high!"
"Brother Shen's analysis is thorough." Xia Yunyi was quite impressed, but he did not completely agree. He said, "But it's just speculation. The court may not do as Brother Shen said."
Chen Zilong nodded and said, "Brother Shen, I fully agree with what you said. The vulgar scholars are old-fashioned, not modern, picking up the superficial and neglecting the real, having forgotten the principle of 'applying knowledge to the world'. The establishment of new schools of thought has shown the court's intention to reform, and I am willing to study further. I am so fortunate to be able to discuss current issues with Brother Shen and ask about the affairs of the world!"
Zhu Youxiao's mind moved, and he said, "There's no need to form a society, and I don't like socializing. But if we get together to discuss some scientific issues, that would be a good way to do it."
Tang Ruowang nodded in agreement and said, "In the West, people who are interested in science, including professors, doctors, theologians, etc., often gather together regularly to discuss some natural science issues."
Zhu Youxiao smiled and said, "If that's the case, then let's do it this way. Since I'm the landlord, I'll find a room and furnish it, and then notify everyone."
As he spoke, he stood up and said goodbye to Xu Guangqi, then said to the three students, "Stay in the new school for a while and learn about the specific content of the courses. I will notify you when I am done."
"Thank you, Brother Shen."
"I benefited a lot from talking with Brother Shen. I look forward to meeting and talking with Brother Shen again."
"Brother Shen is very talented, and I admire him. It is a great honor to have the opportunity to meet him."
The three of them exchanged polite words and escorted Zhu Youxiao out of the hall.
After bowing and saying goodbye to Xu Guangqi and others, Zhu Youxiao, accompanied by Wang Tigan, Lu Jianxing and others, walked out of Xu's mansion, got on a carriage, and returned to the palace.
Inside the car, Li Chengcheng kept stealing glances at the emperor, still thinking about the strange phenomenon of no water flowing out of the teacup when turned upside down.
Could it be that the emperor could perform magic tricks? When Li Chengcheng stole a glance at the emperor again, his eyes met Zhu Youxiao's.
"Do you want to see me perform magic tricks?" Zhu Youxiao raised his eyebrows and asked with a smile.
Li Chengcheng widened his eyes. The emperor was so powerful that he even knew what others were thinking.
Seeing the silly look of the girl, Zhu Youxiao laughed out loud, lay down on the thick blanket in the car, and used the girl's thigh as a pillow without any hesitation.
Not to mention the emperor returning to the palace, Chen Zilong and the other three stayed in Xu Guangqi's house for some time and had a better chat.
Xu Guangqi also admired these three young juniors who were considered to be his fellow villagers. Without the emperor present, he was more relaxed and spoke more. His words were truly sincere and full of expectations.
When he mentioned that he was writing a book on agriculture that was full of "agricultural policy" ideas and was also busy revising the calendar and had no time to pay attention to it, Chen Zilong took the initiative to offer to become his disciple, learning from him while helping him revise the book.
Xu Guangqi was overjoyed and immediately agreed.
After the three of them said goodbye and left, they talked about their gains and impressions from this visit to Xu Guangqi, and inevitably talked about Shen Lang.
"Although he's only a student, he comes from a distinguished background and is more knowledgeable than us." Chen Zilong sighed, "I never expected to encounter such a talented young man in the capital. It's truly amazing."
Xu Fuyuan smiled and said, "It's more than just extraordinary. Look at the maid's attire. A lady from a middle-class or upper-class family would be no more than this, right?"
"Could he be a relative of the emperor?" Xia Yunyi had his own guess. "He has such a keen eye for detail in analyzing the court's actions, and his words are so reliable. I'm afraid it's difficult for ordinary people to get this information, right?"
"And Lord Xu's attitude towards him—" Xia Yunyi shook his head and said, "It always feels unnatural."
Chen Zilong waved his hand generously, "No matter his background, as long as we can communicate well and appreciate each other, that's enough."
Xu Fuyuan nodded and said, "Yi Zhong and I are studying at the new school, and you are studying under Master Xu. You have also met talented people like Shen Lang in the capital. This trip to the capital has been very fruitful. It's a pity that we have to spend the New Year in the capital."
"Wasn't this expected?" Xia Yunyi said with a nonchalant smile, "This year, they're setting off fireworks at the Meridian Gate, setting up Aoshan lanterns, and making fireworks. How lucky we are to have witnessed such a grand spectacle."
Chen Zilong laughed heartily and said, "Lucky, lucky!" It was not known whether the lucky thing he was talking about was that he studied under Xu Guangqi, or the grand scene of the royal family and the people celebrating together.
………………Dividing line………………
When the Jiannu suddenly launched an attack, the Ming troops in various places were on high alert, but they had not yet conducted a clear investigation and did not know their true intentions.
When intelligence from all sides came in one after another, they learned that the Jiannu army was mainly attacking Ningyuan and Juehua, and was led by Lao Nu himself. The Manchu, Mongolian and Han troops together numbered tens of thousands.
According to the principle of four-way deployment, when the Eastern Tartars attacked one place, the Ming army in other places would have to contain them or provide support. This was almost the case throughout the year.
Although the offensive and defensive battles surrounding Fort Lushun were primarily coordinated actions by several major military towns, the overall strategic and tactical situation was such that the four-way deployment was a whole, and mutual support and coordination was a matter of course.
But just as the Ming troops in Dongjiang and Luda were mobilizing their forces and preparing to take action at any moment, a report from General Xiong Da of Liaozhen arrived.
According to the report of General Xiong Da, Ningyuan and Juehua were not only impregnable, but also able to inflict heavy losses on the Jiannu.
Therefore, in his report, he told the friendly forces not to worry and not to force themselves to fight and incur casualties without certainty.
The meaning is very clear. Liaozhen has made all preparations, fearing that the Jiannu will not attack and give themselves up for dead!
To put it bluntly, Xiong Dajinglüe was telling the friendly forces that we in Liaozhen had been waiting impatiently for the Jiannu to come. This time, we finally got what we wanted, so brothers, don't work too hard, so as not to tie up the Jiannu again.
If that's the case, wouldn't it ruin General Xiong's plan if we went out to contain him? Wouldn't that mean Liaozhen won't get any military merit?
Well, it's not that you can't take action, but don't be too desperate or too violent. It's just for fun. If it's really boring, then just stay still like a mountain.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
