Zhao Hao was basically a utilitarian. He accepted Zhang Jian as his disciple even though he had no chance of passing the imperial examination. Naturally, the benefit of accepting this disciple far outweighed the impact on the "Tsinghua and Peking University admission rate".

Moreover, the reason why Zhao Hao ordered Zhang Jian to stay by his side was not just because other disciples needed to study hard.

Let’s just say that Zhang Jian is like an unlucky time traveler…

When he was five years old, he was put into a box by kidnappers for a day and a night, but he cleverly escaped, which was very much like the beginning of a time-travel novel.

Then, at a young age, he took the boy's exam and won the top three prizes, becoming a well-known child prodigy. He was appreciated by the governor for his elegant and philosophical writing. At the age of 18, he taught in the office of Dai Zhongcheng, and then studied the Book of Changes in depth, and wrote the book "A Brief Introduction to the Book of Changes" which was published.

How good was his knowledge? When he was imprisoned in Beijing, the teachers of the Imperial Academy asked their children to worship him as their teacher and learn from him.

Hmm, what a familiar routine...

Unfortunately, he was unlucky and contracted a disease that prevented him from entering the examination room.

In another period of history, Zhang Jian gave up the idea of ​​taking the imperial examination after being kicked out of the Imperial Examination Hall at the age of seventeen and twenty. He returned to his hometown to teach, wrote books, and became a famous scholar in Guanzhong. In his spare time, he studied arithmetic, mechanics, astronomy, geography... Well, this is another way for time travelers.

Later, because of his great fame, the Ministry of Personnel selected him as the magistrate of Zhaocheng. However, Zhang Jian's bad luck had not yet ended. His father died just after he took office, so he had to resign to mourn his father. After the mourning period was over, he was appointed as the magistrate of Dingxing. But just one year later, his grandmother and mother died, so he had to resign again and return home to teach his children...

Twelve years later, Zhang Jiancai was called to serve again. He was honest and dedicated to his work, helped the people, educated scholars, and severely punished treacherous officials. Soon he was promoted to prefecture governor because of his outstanding performance.

The biggest difference between him and other officials is his strong ability to use science to solve difficult problems.

When he was the governor of Kelan Prefecture, the poorest prefecture in Shanxi, the city relied on water from the river outside the city for water. Whenever the Tartar invaded and the city gates were closed, the city would be thirsty and people would die of water shortage. Zhang Jian believed that the prefecture was next to the river and there must be groundwater. He conducted excavations and explorations in the city and found that many places were wet, but there were rock layers blocking the way. He summoned stonemasons to drill through the rock layers and found a water source. From then on, the city no longer lacked water.

In addition, the coal used in the city was originally transported from 200 miles away. After personal investigation, Zhang Jian found a mine near the city and ordered the kiln owners to mine on the spot. From then on, the city no longer lacked coal.

In the past, ceramics in the prefecture were purchased from Xingtang Bridge, 800 miles away. Zhang Jian thought that since he had coal, he could make them himself, so he personally found clay and ordered kiln workers to make ceramics on site, which not only met the needs of the prefecture, but also sold them to other places.

The people in the state did not know how to weave cloth, so Zhang Jian bought a loom and invited skilled craftsmen to teach them for free. In less than three years, the cloth woven in the state was not only enough for people to wear, but also enough to be sold to pay taxes.

As a result, Kelan Prefecture, the poorest in Shanxi, suddenly became the richest place in the province. The governor Wei Zhongcheng summoned officials from all over the province to gather in the capital, commended him as the most law-abiding official in the province, and personally poured three cups of wine to show his respect.

Later, when he was promoted to the position of Tongzhi of Datong, Zhang Jian invented various war chariots, city defense towers, overturned carts, crossbows and other combat equipment. After trying them out, the governor Xiao Daheng was very impressed and ordered mass production and deployment on the front line...

In addition to being an official and an inventive person, he was also an outstanding teacher. He trained dozens of Jinshi scholars, including his nephew Wang Zheng, who was known as "Southern Xu and Northern Wang" together with Xu Guangqi. He was the most outstanding mechanic in the Ming Dynasty and even in the entire ancient history.

But Wang Zheng should not be born yet, but Xu Guangqi should be a little boy...

It is not difficult to understand why Zhao Hao values ​​him so much - Xiao Liuzi is simply the most perfect assistant in the world.

Even if he fails to pass the imperial examination, he can be an aide to his father in the future, invent something with Zhao Shizhen, and help him teach his disciples and grandchildren. Then, according to his own ideas, he can train his nephew and more good seedlings into talents, which is all very good.

What's more, his brother-in-law Wang Yingxuan is also a treasure boy similar to him.

Well, am I the kind of utilitarian teacher who only cares about the rate of admission to higher education?

No, the talents cultivated by my science department are not good-for-nothings with high scores but low abilities!

Thinking of this, Mr. Zhao felt that he had been elevated...

~~

On the thirteenth day of the first lunar month, Zhao Shouzheng followed Zhao Hao's instructions and went to the porridge yard to hand over the stall in his hand to the manager.

The porridge shop has been on track for a long time. The number of disaster victims queuing for porridge has decreased by 20% recently, so it is naturally running more smoothly and he doesn't need to watch it all day.

Besides, it’s hard to say whether he is helping or causing trouble here.

The next day, he went to the Princess's Mansion to ask for leave from His Highness.

During this period, Ning An has gotten used to meeting Zhao Lang every other day. Although they didn't do anything and just had a simple chat, the eldest princess felt quite satisfied.

When Ning An heard that she wouldn't be able to see Zhao Lang for a month, she felt unwell while sitting on the phoenix chair.

"This, can we not take the test..." The eldest princess accidentally said what was in her heart.

Fortunately, Lady Liu was coughing repeatedly, so she quickly changed her words and said, "What I mean is, brother is so knowledgeable, do you still need to go into seclusion?"

“…”

Zhao Shouzheng said with a guilty conscience, I don't have much knowledge. If it weren't for the help of my old and young ancestors, I would still be a poor old imperial student.

But he had been bragging to the princess since he was young, and he still couldn't change his old habit, so he said seriously:

"Your Highness is right. My humble brother is a seasoned writer and does not need to retreat. But I still have four disciples who are also going to take the imperial examinations. As their master, I must set an example and teach them to prepare for the exams with all my strength."

"Oh, it's really not easy for my brother." The eldest princess was heartbroken.

"It's hard enough to take my own exams, and I still have to tutor my apprentices. Hao'er is really something, why does he accept so many apprentices?"

Zhao Shouzheng thought to himself, my disciple often tutors me in my studies. But he said with great dignity:

"My son has been motherless since he was young. I raised him by myself, so naturally I spoil him a little. He can do whatever he wants, and I, as his father, will support him."

The princess blushed slightly when she heard this, bit her lips and was about to say, "Am I not his mother?"

But then he heard his own son's voice at the door.

"The old man is such a good father..."

Then Li Chengen walked in from outside with a touched look on his face, followed by Li Mingyue.

Li Mingyue greeted Zhao Shouzheng obediently, calling him "Uncle".

Zhao Shouzheng also had a very good impression of this beautiful and quiet young county lady, and hurriedly returned the greeting with a smile.

Li Chengen, however, was carefree. He sat down next to Zhao Shouzheng and said, "Old senior, when are we going to play two more rounds of mahjong?"

Zhao Shouzheng and Li Chengen were even more grumpy, so they laughed and said, "I'm afraid we won't be free during this period."

"Stand up! Do you have the right to sit in front of Uncle Zhao?" The eldest princess finally came out of the embarrassment of being caught in an affair and glared at her son who appeared out of nowhere.

Li Chengen was still in the punishment period, so he was so scared that he quickly stood up and whispered in defense: "You are not an outsider...right, old senior?"

"No, no..." Zhao Shouzheng nodded and smiled awkwardly.

"What old senior? Call me uncle!" The eldest princess glared at him again.

"Hey, uncle." Li Chengen lowered his head and called out obediently.

"Ah, you can call me anything you want." Zhao Shouzheng felt guilty for stealing someone else's things.

After scolding her son for a few words, the princess finally calmed down and asked unhappily, "What are you doing here? Didn't you see that mother and your uncle were talking about serious matters?"

"Mom, it's not my fault. It was Mingyue who insisted on making trouble. She wanted to go to the temple fair tomorrow and watch the lanterns at night." Li Chengen complained.

ps. The first update is here, please give me monthly tickets and recommendation tickets~~~