Chapter 291 Great Victory
Because of the events in the northwest, everyone in the government and the public was a little worried, and everyone was looking forward to good news. Fortunately, except for the initial surprise, all the news that came was good news. Because the old king of Wala died, the Wala royal court was in chaos because of the dispute over the throne. After the new king ascended the throne, he urgently needed something to consolidate his throne. It was unknown which of his staff members came up with the idea to let him take this opportunity to raid the Dazhao garrison.
Even though the news was all good news and there was a war going on in the front, the people in the capital were not as excited about the New Year this year as in previous years, and Jingzhao Prefecture was much more relaxed than in previous years. There was less interest in having fun, and naturally less interest in making trouble.
In the blink of an eye, it was March. The news of victory came from the northwest. General Kuang led the Kuang army to the capital of the Oirat king. The new king of Oirat wanted to take this opportunity to secure his throne, but he almost lost his throne. He was so scared that he quickly submitted a letter of surrender and promised to pay tribute to the Great Zhao every year.
At this time, the eldest prince and Kuang Qianfan and other people who were escorting grain and grass had already returned to the capital and were halfway there. Kuang Qianfan also met his father and two brothers as he wished. When General Kuang saw his youngest son, his eyes filled with tears. After so many years, their old Kuang family finally had a civil servant.
Kuang Qianfan was not the only one who returned to Beijing this time. Kuang Qianfan's second brother, Kuang Xingyuan, was injured in the war, and the emperor allowed him to return to Beijing for recuperation. Therefore, he took this opportunity to return to Beijing with his younger brother.
"Second brother, mother said that if you dare to go to bed without washing your feet when you get home, she will skin you alive. You'd better change this habit as soon as possible."
In the inn, Kuang Qianfan saw that his brother was about to lie down on the bed without washing, so he quickly reminded him.
"Wash, wash, wash. Who said you don't want to wash? I'm just tired and need to take a break. And isn't it inconvenient for me, your brother, to have a broken arm?"
"If one hand is broken, there is still another hand."
"Okay, okay, waiter! Bring me some water!" Kuang Xingyuan compromised, but he didn't forget to complain about his brother, "You look more and more like mom."
"No one in our family doesn't wash their feet. Who do you look like? You still want to get married. Mom said that a man like you who smells bad should be single for life."
"Oh, that's enough, my dear brother. You keep calling me mother. I thought you were still breastfeeding. Can't I wash it for you? Besides, you are clean, but you haven't married yet, right?"
The three sons of the Kuang family, the eldest Kuang Pingjing and the second Kuang Xingyuan, both look like General Kuang, tall and strong. When they were born, they were bigger than other children. From a young age, one could tell at a glance that they were the material for military generals. However, the third son, Kuang Qianfan, felt different from the previous ones when Mrs. Kuang got pregnant with him. At that time, everyone in the Kuang family was fully expecting that this time it would be a girl who looked like Mrs. Kuang.
When the baby was born, it was found that he did not look like General Kuang. Instead, he looked like Mrs. Kuang, fair and tender, very delicate, but still a boy.
However, because Kuang Qianfan looks like his mother, he has been the most favored one since childhood. However, this boy is smart but also naughty, and his two older brothers suffered a lot from this younger brother when they were young.
"I'm different from you. I don't want to marry, but you can't."
The two brothers quarreled all the way, and with the addition of an older prince, the whole trip back was extremely interesting.
“There are a lot of people in the capital!”
Kuang Qianfan counted the days and said, "It's already March. Students from other places should come to Beijing to take part in the Spring Examination."
The imperial examination is held every three years. This time of year it is the spring examination time. Students from all over the country go to Beijing to take part in this examination.
After arriving in the capital, the eldest prince went to the palace first to report. The two Kuang brothers were in no hurry to go to the palace. Before that, when they were still at the post station, they received the emperor's oral order that Kuang Xingyuan should go home to recuperate after returning to the capital, and a celebration banquet would be held for him in the palace at another day.
…
"If you ask me, being a woman is really an advantage. You can get a position as an official without taking the imperial examination. If they were allowed to take the imperial examination with us, how many of them would be able to compare with us who have studied hard for many years?"
During this period in the capital, every tavern, inn, and wine shop was filled with students from other places. They gathered together, some recited poems and exchanged ideas, some tested each other's knowledge, and some, like this guy, did not do any serious work but just wanted to chat.
"What kind of incompetent person is barking here?"
A cold female voice interrupted the man's "lofty talk".
"What? Am I wrong?"
Other students around the man saw Su Ciyin's dress and temperament and guessed that she came from an extraordinary family. They whispered to dissuade him, "Brother Meng, forget it. This girl's family is obviously very important. We can't afford to offend her."
But the man had just drunk some wine, so he didn't listen to other people's advice. Instead, he said, "What's the use of family background? Can you use your power to suppress others when you are under the emperor's feet?"
"If women could also take part in the imperial examinations, you would probably be the first to make a scene."
Su Ciyin was too disdainful to talk to such people. She glanced at them and was about to leave. Unexpectedly, when the person wanted to leave, she was not allowed to.
"You sound impressive, do you have the guts to compete with me?"
"You can write poems, songs, essays, whatever you want. If you lose, how about not participating in this year's imperial examination? Everyone here can be a witness."
Seeing her so confident, the man muttered in his heart, but at this time, the other students in the restaurant had already spoken up, "We all heard it, tell me what you want to compete with this girl?"
These students did not originally come from the same place and were not familiar with each other on a daily basis, so they naturally would not miss the opportunity to see the excitement.
"Policy theory, let's compare strategy theory!"
As soon as he said this, the people around him started to boo. What glory would it be in competing in policy debate with a girl who had never participated in an imperial examination, even if he won?
Su Ciyin nodded in agreement. When he was about to ask what the topic was, someone else came down from upstairs.
"How about letting He come up with the questions?"
Old Mrs. He originally came to the restaurant with Sui Sui to dine, but she didn't expect to encounter such a lively scene.
"I have met Mr. He."
"No need to be polite." Old Lady He waved to Su Ciyin with a smile, and then said to the student, "So, am I qualified to ask this question?"
At this time, other students in the restaurant also recognized that the old man in front of them was the famous Bachelor He Jianzhi. If he was not qualified to ask questions, then the others present were even less qualified.
"Please go ahead."
Old Lady He smiled and said, "Let's just follow the scene today. You can write a policy paper on the drawbacks of the imperial examination."
The benefits of the imperial examination have often been praised by scholars of all dynasties, but few people have discussed its disadvantages.
As soon as he finished speaking, someone brought pen and ink to Su Ciyin and the student.