Chapter 1822 National Destiny

Chang Zhongzhong's victory in the exam attracted more attention. Zhou Shuren was afraid that his younger son would be plotted against, and several people in the Yong'an Duke's Mansion were a warning!

Zhou Shuren doesn't think he can rest easy as long as he is in charge. There are too many people who are crazy when it comes to interests.

Changzhong was also very obedient. After looking at the list once, he never went out again. He postponed all the invitations. The reasons were ready-made. He had to prepare for the palace examination. No one dared to disturb him, for fear that it would affect his Zhouhou Mansion's loss of the top scholar and he would be vengeful against him.

Zhulan also learned about Yang Xiu from Changzhong. This time, Yang Xiu managed to get fifth place in the exam. He is her son's competitor.

Changyi was on leave at home that day. After breakfast, he came to the main courtyard to talk with his mother.

Zhu Lan asked, "I heard from your father that the Ministry of Rites has drawn up a list?"

Chang Yi was used to his father telling his mother everything. "Yes, you also know that the Ministry of Rites is going to recruit a group of people. Now the list is out, and the Ministry of Rites has drawn up a list of candidates for inspection. There are a total of fifty people on the list."

Zhu Lan raised her eyebrows, "How do you know so clearly?"

Chang Yi smiled and said, "I saw it at the Right Assistant Minister's place. The Right Assistant Minister has a good relationship with his son."

In addition, his background did not involve the struggles in the Ministry of Rites, so he still had some face in front of the left and right vice ministers.

Zhulan asked, "Have you seen the list?"

Chang Yi nodded, "My son took a quick look and saw that the two people that Fourth Brother was familiar with were both on the list."

Zhu Lan's heart moved, "Yang Xiu, there is another surname Liu, what's his name Liu?"

Changyi remembered clearly, "Liu Mingsheng."

"Yes, that's him."

Zhulan has a good impression of Liu Mingsheng. There are men who abandon their wives for their future, while others even go so far as to demote their wives to concubines. It is rare that Liu Mingsheng sticks with her!

Chang Yi smiled and said, "Liu Mingsheng made it into the top 100 this time. My son is very optimistic about him."

Zhu Lan thought for a moment and said, "It's not easy to compile this list!"

Chang Yi nodded, "Anyway, it doesn't involve my son. He spends more time watching plays. Oh, and I heard that he wants to set up a girls' academy for special studies?"

"Has the news spread?"

Chang Yi, "It hasn't spread yet and only a few people in the Ministry of Rites know about it."

Zhu Lan said, "I did mention this to Rong Chuan. After the new year, more people will come to the academy to study. I want to wait until the autumn harvest to see what you think."

She told Rongchuan that she was trying to test the waters.

Chang Yi smiled and said, "You first opened a women's college, and the college was very successful and the women also proved their abilities. The Ministry of Rites did not overreact when they heard the news."

There were no male teachers in women's colleges, and if there were male teachers, they were eunuchs and would not affect the reputation of girls. The emperor supported women's education, and the wives of officials would also ask teachers to teach them how to read and write, so word spread and everyone was very accepting of it.

The next day, Zhulan went to the academy but didn't see Jiang Ling. She only saw Shao Ting by herself. "Where's your sister-in-law?"

Shao Ting blushed and stammered, "My sister-in-law said that I am old and there is no elder in my family to save a dowry for me. The wood that my sister-in-law ordered has arrived and I have come to check it out."

Zhulan understood. Jiang Ling bought wood for Shao Ting to make a bed and other furniture. "Your sister-in-law treats you like her own sister."

Shao Ting felt embarrassed but also moved. Ever since the Marquis' Mansion leaked the news, her sister-in-law had been busy helping her prepare the dowry. She knew the family situation well, and her eldest brother would never be able to come up with two hundred taels of silver even if he died. In the end, it was her sister-in-law who decided to use the money hidden in the bottom of the box to prepare the dowry for her.

Zhulan waited until the afternoon before she saw Jiang Ling. Jiang Ling said, "Dean, you are here."

Zhulan was about to go back with the newly edited book. When she saw Jiang Ling, she asked, "Have you bought the wood?"

Jiang Ling was delighted. "I bought it. Fortunately, I booked it early, otherwise I would have missed it."

Zhu Lan thought for a moment and said, "The betrothal gifts prepared by our Marquis' Mansion are generous."

Jiang Ling understood, "Give all the betrothal gifts to my sister. It's my intention to prepare for her becoming my sister-in-law."

She really loves her sister-in-law. Of course, it is also beneficial for her husband if her sister-in-law marries into the Marquis's Mansion. For the long-term consideration, if her sister-in-law has a respectable status in the Marquis's Mansion, the couple can get more benefits. She understands everything in her heart.

Zhulan knew that Jiang Ling had money and she knew how to live. Since she came to the capital, she had a monthly salary and she would send her gifts from time to time, so Jiang Ling had never spent much money. At the end of the year, she would also have income from the farm she had established, so Jiang Ling was very wealthy.

Zhulan sat in the carriage and thought that Jiang Ling had made up her mind to prepare a dowry for Shao Ting, and even if it didn't have the money Minghui added, the dowry would still be good enough.

If you calculate carefully, Shao Ting's dowry is more beautiful than many daughters of officials.

Time flies to the day of the palace examination. Those who did not bet on Changzhong do not want Changzhong to take part in the examination. It's a pity that the curse was in vain.

Changzhong was extremely calm when everyone met the emperor. He was the least nervous at this moment. He had met the emperor and the prince so many times that he was used to it.

The emperor also called Changzhong forward and said, "Your essay is excellent. I am looking forward to your performance today."

Changzhong said confidently: "Students will definitely do their best."

Others felt jealous, but it actually reduced their tension, which is a good thing.

An hour later, the emperor had walked around and those who were quick had written a lot, but after reading it, the emperor was not satisfied.

Changzhong did not write fast, for he was afraid that if he made a mistake in writing a word, his paper would be wasted and he would have to rewrite it. This would not only waste time but also affect his train of thought. Today, the emperor asked questions about the selection of talents by the court and how to select talents more comprehensively, etc., which actually reflected the reform of the imperial examinations.

The main examination questions for the Spring Examination are not unusual, but they are not friendly to those who blindly study the eight-legged essay.

What the emperor wants to see is thought. Those who can make it to the palace examination are not stupid even if their thoughts are restricted.

The Emperor went to take care of state affairs while the Crown Prince was watching him, and he was not idle either. He held a newspaper in his hand. The newspaper reported on the new law. After the new law was promoted, the Ministry of Justice handled several cases to prove the goodness of the new law. In order to better promote the law, this month's newspapers are all related to the law.

The prince is not a nitpicker, but he likes to find loopholes. He thinks that the law can continue to be added to, and he has plans in his mind but is not in a hurry.

The time came, the papers were placed on the table, and everyone stood up and left in order. Today, someone had a mental breakdown and started crying as soon as he left the hall, all because he hadn't finished writing!

Chang Zhong thought quietly that reform would inevitably eliminate some people, and for the dynasty, reform was like injecting vitality into the country's destiny.

At the palace gate, Zhou Shuren left the yamen early. He stood at the gate, forming an open space. His expression was so serious that people who wanted to please him did not dare to come over.

Zhou Shuren's eyesight was pretty good. When he saw the long line, he finally smiled.

Changzhong saw his father at a glance, and ran over as soon as he left the palace, "Dad, come and pick me up."

Zhou Shuren looked at his old son, feeling a mixture of emotion in his heart, "Come on, let's have a few drinks today."

Chang Zhong was afraid because his father could drink too much. "You are going to get your son drunk!"

Zhou Shuren laughed, "Yes, let's have a competition today."

Changzhong smiled and said, "Dad, you have to attend the morning court tomorrow."

Zhou Shuren, "."

(End of this chapter)