Li Shishi sat in Zuixinglou. As the cash cow of Zuixinglou, the madam matched her with maids and nannies.
Li Shishi, who sold her art but not her body, was every man's dream, attracting countless talented men. Countless talented and wealthy men wanted to redeem her, but Li Shishi refused.
Some of these men admired her beauty, some admired her talent, and some had only one goal, to sleep with her. But most of them wanted to have a sense of accomplishment of conquest, that is, I have caught up with Li Shishi.
Countless wealthy young men wanted to redeem her, but none of them wanted to marry her. At most, they would give her the status of a concubine. After all, these prominent families could not accept marrying a prostitute as their main wife.
Only Du Yuntai wanted to marry her in a formal ceremony. In the Song Dynasty, the status of wives and concubines was completely different. The wife was the head of the household, while the concubine was merely a higher-ranking maid. Meeting the wife required formalities, and after her death, she could not enter the ancestral temple. Even her sons were considered illegitimate. Even the most favored concubine had no official status.
Li Shishi had great confidence in Du Yuntai. She knew that this man was extraordinary, and she believed her feelings the first time she saw him.
Today was the day for the announcement of the imperial edicts. Once the edict was released, it would be clear who had made it to the top. Therefore, the area around the notice was already crowded with eagerly awaited students.
Zhao Huan sat in the Wende Hall, feeling very happy. Tens of thousands of students were taking the exam, all of them the future talents of the Song Dynasty.
"Your Majesty, this is the list of the top three in the palace examination. Please decide who will be the top three." Cao Dongsheng sent over the list.
Zhao Huan looked at the names listed above and frowned: "How many candidates passed the exam this time?"
Cao Dongsheng bowed and said, "The Imperial College reports that 533 students have passed the examinations, and 178 have become Jinshi."
Zhao Huan was delighted: "There are so many, but there's not even one named Du Yuntai?"
Cao Dongsheng shook his head: "I don't know. There are too many people and I can't remember them all at once."
Zhao Huan saw the test papers of the top three candidates in the palace examination. One of them was named Sharp, one was named Nong Ming, and the other was named Ding Tiancheng.
The three papers each had their own strengths and weaknesses. Sharp's policy paper was neat and meticulous, while Nong Ming's was mediocre, with no discernible difference. Only Ding Tiancheng could be considered passing.
Zhao Huan felt somewhat discouraged. Could it be that the Song Dynasty lacked the talent to govern? The three men's responses were impeccable, but lacked insight, offering only a limited understanding of the current situation and national policies. Their lack of individual originality was not what Zhao Huan desired.
Since this was the case, Zhao Huan had no choice but to accept it: "Recruit these three people into the palace."
Cao Dongsheng bowed and withdrew. According to the rules, the top three candidates in the palace examination would be interviewed by the emperor to determine the top and second place. Soon, the three of them arrived at the Wende Hall and announced their names.
Zhao Huan saw that Sharp had a kind face and looked like an honest man. Nong Ming had a mean look on his face, while Ding Tiancheng was the only one who looked well-read.
"I ask you, what good ideas do you three have for current affairs?" Zhao Huan asked.
The three of them looked at each other, but no one answered.
Zhao Huan had no choice but to say, "What I mean is, if you have any personal opinions about the court, or if you think the court still has shortcomings in governing the country, or if you think it lacks experience, you can tell me what you think. Simply tell me what you think."
Sharp was the first to speak up. "Your Majesty, I believe that the world is peaceful and Your Majesty is blessed with great fortune. The Song Dynasty has a wise and sage ruler like Your Majesty, who manages state affairs in an orderly manner. I have nothing but admiration for the current government."
Zhao Huan secretly shook his head. Is the Song Dynasty completely empty? This Sharp is not up to the task. So he said to Nong Ming, "What do you think?"
Nong Ming bowed and said, "Your Majesty, food is the most important thing for the people. I believe the court should prioritize agriculture and curb commerce. Currently, there are many merchants in the Song Dynasty, but few who cultivate the land. I believe the court should support land reclamation. More land means more food. The granary is the foundation of the country."
Zhao Huan was too lazy to talk nonsense with him. He waved his hand and said to Ding Tiancheng, "What about you?"
Ding Tiancheng bowed, then rolled up his sleeves, speaking with the passion of a speech: "Your Majesty! I believe that the world should emphasize military power. While we emphasize military power, we should also reduce the military. We can promote universal military service and establish a militia. When we have free time, we can cultivate the land, and when we are busy, we can farm. This way, the Song Dynasty will not be bullied by barbarians."
Zhao Huan became somewhat interested: "Go on."
Ding Tiancheng continued, "The reason the people can't rest and recuperate is because of the huge border expenses. We should reduce the military, let the soldiers go home to farm, and only retain the best soldiers and generals who are good at fighting. We should establish more local militia organizations. When war breaks out, these militias will be required to put on military uniforms and go to the battlefield. This way, the court can save a large part of military expenses, and the burden on the people will be lightened."
Zhao Huan nodded and said, "That's a good idea. You three can go down first."
The three bowed and left: "As ordered!"
Zhao Huan understood and wrote on the imperial edict, deciding the names of the top three.
"The list is out! The list is out!"
There was a huge crowd of people outside the Imperial College in the capital, waiting eagerly for the announcement of the imperial edict.
Soon, a group of guards came with pieces of red paper coated with paste and pasted them on the notice wall.
The students crowded together, and some saw their names on the imperial list and clapped their hands in joy: "Oh, great! I passed!"
Some shook their heads and sighed: "Alas, my name is not on the list. I am too embarrassed to go back and see my elders."
Some jumped up and down and called out to their friends and relatives: "Brother Li, look, your name is here."
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