The imperial examination has always been a very important matter throughout history.

It is enough to affect the rise and fall of a country.

Zhu Yuanzhang naturally attached great importance to this, and the imperial examinations in previous years were all in charge of Crown Prince Zhu Biao.

This year Zhu Ying will be in charge.

All the literati who were able to enter the palace examination were the best of the time, which was equivalent to standing at the pinnacle of talent.

These people can stand out from many talented people. Their emotional intelligence may not be that good, but their IQ is definitely top-notch.

Zhu Yuanzhang's intention was simple. He wanted Zhu Ying to take this opportunity to get acquainted with the talented candidates taking the imperial examination this year in advance. If there were any candidates he liked, he could be included in the team in advance.

Ye Yueqing didn't have much feeling about the imperial examination.

After all, she was mainly responsible for business and intelligence gathering before.

But Zhu Ying knew that if he wanted to make a reformative change to the customs of the Ming Dynasty, the imperial examination would be the key.

Of course Zhu Ying knew about the North-South List incident.

In the present Ming Dynasty, due to the long-term wars in the north, the cultural economy has gradually shifted to the south, which has led to the fact that the cultural literacy of northern scholars is much lower than that of southern scholars.

By the 30th year of Hongwu, only scholars from the south were on the list, and no scholars from the north were on the list.

Since he was in charge of the imperial examination, Zhu Ying would naturally nip the issue of the North and South lists in the bud.

Recruiting scholars separately from the north and the south is the best way at present.

There is also the multi-faceted small imperial examinations proposed by Zhu Ying earlier, which can now be announced to the world.

However, during this period, Zhu Ying also planned to open a military examination.

The method of selecting talents by assessing their martial arts skills first appeared in the pre-Qin period.

The practice of establishing military schools to train military talents began in the Tang Dynasty and flourished in the Song Dynasty.

The Tang Dynasty inherited the Sui system and completed it during the reign of Wu Zetian, when the military subject was added.

The Song Dynasty established a relatively complete military examination system, and began to closely integrate the military examination system with school education, showing systematic and mature characteristics.

The principle of the military examination is: to determine whether to stay or leave by strategy, and to determine the result by archery and horsemanship.

During the Yuan Dynasty, the Mongols looked down on the Han people and did not want to see them practice martial arts. Throughout the Yuan Dynasty, no martial arts examinations were held.

In the year before the founding of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang issued an edict to recruit scholars in both civil and military subjects, seeking talented and wise men from all over the world.

In August of the third year of Hongwu, the provincial examination for liberal arts was held as scheduled.

In the second year, after three examinations, on the tenth day, Zhu Yuanzhang personally watched the palace examination.

Zhu Yuanzhang advocated the use of military force in times of chaos and the use of culture in times of peace.

The Ming Dynasty was just emerging from chaos and was in a period of order. Zhu Yuanzhang's idea was to select talents with both civil and military talents at one time through the imperial examination.

However, from the third year to the fifth year of Hongwu, the civil service examination was held for three consecutive years. Zhu Yuanzhang believed that these selected "young men" were not worthy of important positions, so he directly abolished the imperial examination.

It was not until the 17th year of Hongwu that the Ministry of Rites submitted several petitions requesting the establishment of the imperial examination system. In addition, officials from all over the country were killed so many times by Zhu Yuanzhang that there was a large shortage of officials, so the imperial examination system was reopened.

However, from then on, only liberal arts candidates were selected, and there was no more military examination.

In the 20th year of Hongwu, the Ministry of Rites again requested to hold a military examination, but was rejected by Zhu Yuanzhang.

After the Minister of Rites was demoted for his crimes, there has been no candidate for the Minister of Rites since then.

The reason why Zhu Yuanzhang did not hold a military examination was actually very simple: he looked down upon it.

Having fought in wars all his life, he frowned when he saw the military talents of the younger generation. He thought that any centurion taken out of the army would be ten times better than these scholars.

In the Ming Dynasty, there were more than tens of thousands of centurions.

The Weisuo system and the inheritance of military households made Zhu Yuanzhang feel that military talents were everywhere in the Ming Dynasty, so there was no need to look for them through imperial examinations.

Isn't it ridiculous that the top scholar in the martial arts exam is so weak?

But Zhu Yuanzhang never imagined that the strategy of emphasizing culture over military would affect the destiny of the entire Ming Dynasty.

During the reign of Emperor Yingzong, the Ming Dynasty no longer had the might and power of the Hongwu and Yongle dynasties, nor did it have the peace and prosperity of the Renzong and Xuanzong dynasties. Bandits were everywhere and border problems were serious.

The young Yingzong had the ambition to lash out at all directions and admired the great and heroic spirit of Taizu and Chengzu.

They also offered martial arts training to cultivate military talents.

When he heard that the Oirat Mongols had invaded the border, he rashly launched an expedition in person. However, he was captured in Tumu Fort, and the military examination was shelved.

After the Battle of Tumu, culture flourished while military power declined.

Although the successor Emperor Xianzong established a military examination, no one took the exam.

The Ming people looked down on military men. If there were any martial artists in the village, they would regard them as soldiers and look down upon them as relatives.

Since the household registration of soldiers in the Ming Dynasty was military, which was different from that of ordinary civilians, and people who committed crimes were punished by serving in the army, the concepts of serving in the army and being a criminal were confused with each other.

Soldiers had a low status, and most of the children of aristocratic families were not proud of their descendants passing the military examinations. Instead, they felt ashamed, and even believed that this was self-deprecating and a disgrace to their ancestors.

Even though the Ming Dynasty promoted military examinations and achieved some results, the country was already in decline and its national destiny had come to an end.

Scenes from history flashed through Zhu Ying's mind like words and images.

In times of national crisis, one needs a good general; in times of poverty, one needs a good wife.

During the late Ming Dynasty, many famous generals who fought against the Japanese pirates and commanders who fought against the Jin Dynasty were mostly military graduates.

Although fighting on the battlefield won a lot of luck for the Ming Dynasty, it was no longer possible to turn the tide.

The building is about to collapse, and a series of sad melodies are composed.

"Things like this must be cut off at the source. Only by being brave and courageous can we avoid being bullied by foreign races."

"I wish the Ming Dynasty would be like the Han Dynasty, which would rather perish by being strong than by being weak."

…

The news that Zhengyang Avenue was about to open and the Crown Prince’s wedding would be held on Zhengyang Avenue spread throughout the streets and alleys of the capital.

You should know that before this, there had never been a royal wedding held in front of the common people.

The Crown Prince's move should set a precedent.

This also aroused the enthusiasm of the people.

Because this incident alone shows that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is extremely close to the people.

Phoenix coronet and bridal robe, ten miles of red makeup, the whole world celebrates and all the people are happy.

What a desirable picture.

"I never thought I'd be able to see a royal wedding in this lifetime. I'm so lucky. Maybe I'll get to share in the joy when the time comes."

"I do want to be a part of the happy atmosphere, but the Crown Prince's wedding, do you think we are the common people? Besides, the guards will be on guard at that time, so it will be enough for me to feast my eyes on it."

"Hey, don't say that. You all know that to celebrate the Crown Prince's wedding, the Heroes Chamber of Commerce has recently provided a subsidy of 10 million yuan, which is ten times more than the last subsidy of 1 million yuan, and it will last for three days."

"In this case, we ordinary people have really benefited from His Royal Highness the Crown Prince's blessing."

"Wow, tens of millions of coins. Your Highness is really generous. I have never seen so much money in my life."

"It seems that everyone has seen it. Speaking of which, the capital has been very lively recently. After the wedding of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, Zhengyang Avenue was opened, and there were tens of millions of subsidies. Later, there will be the Spring Examination. After that, it is said that our Ming Dynasty will also conquer Japan."

"And the story about the fertile land of Nurgan in Liaodong makes me want to go there to open up wasteland."

"Don't forget, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has published a wide range of court bulletins, and national affairs are published in them. From now on, storytellers in this restaurant will have one more program."

When everyone in the restaurant was discussing something, an old man suddenly burst into tears.

Others were puzzled and asked him, "Why are you like this, old man?"

The old man raised half of his arm and said, "I was born in the late Yuan Dynasty and suffered humiliation from the Mongols. I have lived like a pig or a dog since I was a child. If the world rebels against the Yuan Dynasty, I will also raise my flag and join them."

"I was lucky to survive the many years of fighting on the battlefield. I only lost half of my arm."

"Now that I have seen the prosperity of our Ming Dynasty, I can't help but feel that I have no regrets in this life. So I can't help but let you guys laugh at me."

After the old man finished speaking, he bowed to all directions. The half arm was particularly eye-catching.

After listening to the old man's brief account of his past, they found out that he was a veteran soldier of the Ming Dynasty's resistance against the Yuan Dynasty. They couldn't help but admire him.

The shopkeeper even sent some good wine.

The old man waved his hand to refuse: "I am also blessed by the grandson of the emperor. I have the retirement guarantee, so I can still afford a pot of good wine. Thank you, shopkeeper."

The shopkeeper placed the wine on the table and said, "Old soldier, you and your comrades sacrificed your lives and shed your blood on the battlefield, which led to the prosperity of the Ming Dynasty today. This pot of wine is not only for you, but also for the countless martyrs who died on the battlefield. Please don't refuse it."

"good!!!"

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone in the restaurant cheered. The old man was even more excited. He held the wine jug with one hand and stood up to express his gratitude.

For example, restaurants can be found everywhere in the capital.

Ever since Zhu Ying secretly decided to promote the military examination a few days ago, he began to secretly guide public opinion.

In today's Ming Dynasty, storytelling is an indispensable pastime for most people.

Anyone who pays close attention will naturally discover that recently the storytellers in the capital's restaurants of all sizes have added a lot of stories about heroic deeds on the battlefields of ancient and modern history.

Now in the early Ming Dynasty, after the chaos at the end of the Yuan Dynasty, the status of military men is still relatively good.

Many young people even developed the desire to make achievements on the battlefield.

The expedition against Japanese is imminent, and it is the time for us young people to make achievements.

A private room on the second floor of a large restaurant.

"I really have no idea. My unintentional action at the beginning has created such a situation. The recent capital has made me feel a little unfamiliar."

Zhu Di held a wine glass in his hand, listening to the discussions in the restaurant lobby below, and spoke with a sigh.

Upon hearing this, Li Jinglong smiled but said nothing.

The word "unintentional" is a bit too much.

"Since the Crown Prince entered the palace, the capital has really changed every day. Even my monthly salary has increased several times. The most important thing is that the value of banknotes is constantly increasing. Even if the monthly salary has not changed, it is still much more than before."

"The Crown Prince is well versed in business and has high-yield grains. The Ming Dynasty will only prosper and become more prosperous in the future."

"Now that the people have returned to their hearts, the Crown Prince also values ​​the soldiers and has the ambition to expand the territory. He is on par with Your Majesty."

"Besides, the Crown Prince is only nineteen this year."

When Li Jinglong said the last few words, there was deep meaning in his eyes as he looked at Zhu Di.

How could Zhu Di not understand what Li Jinglong meant.

This is to advise myself not to go against Zhu Ying, as there is no chance of winning.

The nineteen-year-old grandson had already died young once. With such a tough life, he could not survive until he was seventy or eighty, let alone fifty or sixty.

Zhu Di smiled bitterly in his heart.

In fact, he knew Zhu Ying's methods better than Li Jinglong.

Just one move caught him off guard.

Daoyan's transfer dealt a heavy blow to Zhu Di. It was impossible for Zhu Di to arrange many things himself, and many of his arrangements were messed up.

The strategy used against Zhu Ying has become a complete joke.

Some days ago, Zhu Di witnessed the actions of the Shanxi merchants and the rumor case, and how the capital's army thoroughly suppressed it.

Even in various places, Shanxi merchants are still being arrested and interrogated.

The reputation of Crown Prince Zhu Ying was not shaken at all, but became even more solid.

"Let's not talk about this anymore. In half a month, the army will set out to conquer Japan. Our Ming navy has already gathered at the entrance to the East China Sea. The imperial court has already negotiated with the King of Goryeo and will first take over the troops on Jeju Island."

"We know nothing about the terrain of Japan at the moment, so we can only explore it slowly. We have made a simple map."

The things happening in the capital made Zhu Di a little confused, so he simply ignored it. Anyway, it would not be long before he would have to attack Japan.

Because the Mongols failed twice in their expeditions against Japan, they now treat Japan with strategic contempt but tactically respect.

It's impossible to do it right away.

The first step is to station troops on Jeju Island.

Jeju Island was once an independent small country called Tamra. As early as the early Han Dynasty, Tamra had trade relations with neighboring countries such as the Han Dynasty, Japan, and Southeast Asia.

In the early Tang Dynasty, the country joined forces with Silla to conquer Baekje, and Silla became the new generation of rulers of the Korean Peninsula. At this time, Tamra also established a tributary relationship with Silla, like a vassal state.

Goryeo unified the Korean Peninsula, and Tamra was also annexed by Goryeo and became a part of the Goryeo Kingdom.

The present-day Jeju Island is the Goryeo County.

At present, the relationship between Goryeo and Ming Dynasty is still pretty good. When we use the Ming Dynasty as a passage to attack Japan, we still have to officially say hello to Goryeo.

On the Goryeo side, whether it was Lee Seong-gye or the nominal Goryeo royal family, there was naturally no possibility of refusal.

Besides, with an army of hundreds of thousands, Goryeo would not be able to refuse.

"The map of Japan has not been completely drawn yet. Based on some remaining ancient books, we can only have a general understanding of Japan."

"It's been so long now, I think Japan has also changed a lot, so this can only be used as a reference."

Li Jinglong replied.

Zhu Di nodded.

The war with Japan was particularly important to him, and facing a completely unfamiliar country, it was imperative to proceed with caution at every step.

"Let's fight and see when the time comes. I think there will always be someone who can't help but go first."

Zhu Di said after finishing his glass of wine.

The area of ​​Japan is not small, and it is much larger than Goryeo.

It is not a problem for hundreds of thousands of troops to conquer a corner of Japan, but it is extremely difficult to completely destroy the country.

Zhu Di never thought of achieving success in one fell swoop, and he was fighting a long-term battle.

Especially as for the third brother Zhu Gang, if he just gives him a few words of encouragement, he can follow behind and reap the benefits.

"It's Japan's first battle. Are you sure you won't come with me?"

Zhu Di asked.

Li Jinglong shook his head and said, "No, with my cousin's ability, there is no need to worry too much. I will cheer for my cousin in the capital and stabilize the rear so that we can build a country overseas in the future."

Zhu Di was silent.

He hasn't told Li Jinglong yet, but he has already negotiated with his father and asked to go to Liaodong.