The Ming Dynasty’s Prodigal Son - Chapter 1646

[1646. Chapter 1565 Hope]

Emperor Hongzhi sighed when Wang Guang remained silent.

Then he said: “Okay, the Qing family still has merit.”

After all, he couldn’t bear to pursue it.

What’s the point of pursuing this?

Wang Guang has done the best within his knowledge.

This is a parent official with outstanding political achievements, what should be criticized harshly?

No one is to blame.

This eight-legged approach to recruiting scholars was originally the national policy of the Ming Dynasty and was decided by Emperor Taizu Gao. Now we cannot blame local officials for taking this eight-legged approach to recruiting scholars too seriously.

It’s just…

Emperor Hongzhi was flipping through these sample essays.

These articles are full of flowers, and they are clever articles with neat and neat contrasts. Emperor Hongzhi thought in his heart… What benefit do these things have to the country now?

The world has changed.

The responsibilities assumed by the government have become increasingly heavy. This can be seen from the prefectures and counties under the new government.

The issues involved in it can be said to be innumerable. Can people who only study hard and can only do stereotypes manage it by relying on just one sentence?

Thinking of this, Emperor Hongzhi cheered up.

This time, he looked at Fang Jifan: “Fang Qing’s family…”

“My son and I are here.”

Fang Jifan remained silent. In fact, he was too lazy to say anything because… he was hungry.

According to His Majesty’s serious temperament, he could not predict when he would be able to have dinner with His Majesty. The smartest way at this time was to talk less, consume less energy, and reserve more energy for emergencies.

Fang Jifan’s prediction was right.

Your Majesty is not in the mood to eat right now.

Emperor Hongzhi asked: “I heard that Nantong is also implementing the New Deal?”

Tongzhou is divided into Nantong Prefecture and Beitong Prefecture. Beitong Prefecture connects the northern section of the canal, close to the capital, while Nantong Prefecture connects the southern end of the Grand Canal, close to Nanjing. .

This Grand Canal is the most important artery of the Ming Dynasty. The two Tongzhous connect this canal and are important transportation thoroughfares.

Because of this, Nantong Prefecture is a key place. Merchants gather here and countless goods are collected and distributed here. Countless Jiangnan taxes and duties also set off from here to the capital. After the New Deal began to deepen, Nantong Prefecture also became the most eye-catching place, and some New Deal strategies began to be piloted in Nantong Prefecture. The appointed magistrate of Nantong Prefecture was named Zeng Jianwen. Ouyang Zhi promoted a civil servant in Baoding Prefecture and rose through the ranks step by step.

This person is almost like a small transparent existence in the temple. None of the officials in the temple mention him, and he is regarded as an existence like air.

Now Emperor Hongzhi suddenly talked about Nantong Prefecture, and Fang Jifan said: “Your Majesty, it is true that Nantong has started to implement the New Deal as early as three years ago.”

Emperor Hongzhi nodded and said, “You might as well go and have a look.”

It seems that wherever the New Deal is implemented, Emperor Hongzhi will be interested.

This is also understandable.

After all, Nantong Prefecture is the first pilot project in Jiangnan, and it is of great importance. If Nantong Prefecture fails to implement it, then it will be insufficient to promote it to the entire Jiangnan.

Going to Nantong again?

Fang Jifan was speechless, but he did not dare to neglect, and said honestly: “Yes.”

Emperor Hongzhi turned back and glanced at Wang Guang: “The Qing family will also follow me, and the governor will be notified by the government for the time being.”

After hearing this, Wang Guang didn’t know. What is your Majesty thinking: “Your Majesty also wants to see the education in Nantong Prefecture… In Nantong Prefecture, there was not a single Jinshi in high school last year… This education is at the bottom among the prefectures in Southern Zhili.”

Hongzhi The emperor smiled slightly: “Go and take a look and you’ll find out.”

As long as he left the palace, Emperor Hongzhi always had endless energy and was not afraid of trouble at all.

“Your Majesty…” Wang Guang thought for a while and said: “I dare you… I want to know what your Majesty is looking for during his private visits to various mansions? Can you make it clear?”

Emperor Hongzhi said decisively: “I hope…”

I hope …

Wang Guang was stunned.

…

Emperor Hongzhi did not choose to have dinner in the prefect’s Yamen, but rushed to Tongzhou covered with stars and moonlight.

Therefore, traces of the emperor were discovered here. When a large number of imperial guards from Fengyang arrived, everyone was dumbfounded. His Majesty… left again.

This was thanks to the carriage and horses. Because the carriage and horses were comfortable, the long journey did not waste much effort for Emperor Hongzhi. He just sat on the sofa, ate some cakes, or made repairs.

Fang Jifan cannot always ride with His Majesty. He can only go when His Majesty summons him.

Because there were not enough carriages and horses, he had to stay in the car with Wang Guang.

Wang Guang followed the holy driver in a daze and set off, but… before leaving, the general magistrate of the mansion called him aside and whispered: “Your Majesty, the holy driver came here very strangely today. He suddenly came to ask for enlightenment.” “Is this related to the rumors in Beijing?”

“Rumors?” Wang Guang looked at the judge in surprise: “What rumors are there in Beijing?”

“It is said that His Majesty was instigated by the Duke of Qi to abolish the imperial examination.”

Buzz buzz

…

Wang Guang’s brain suddenly buzzed. His legs became weak and he was about to collapse. He opened his eyes wide and said, “Is the news reliable? Is it just lies?”

The judge then said: “How can there be such groundless things in this world? There are rumors in Beijing. Now His Majesty suddenly worships ancestors, and then comes to our Luzhou Mansion. The Lord of the Mansion and the lower officials think that these people are inseparable.” Ten.”

Wang Guang was shocked and felt that the sky was falling.

Abolition of the imperial examination is already a terrible thing.

If His Majesty also came to Luzhou before the imperial examination was abolished, this would inevitably lead to many unfounded speculations, and he might have become a big sinner.

At this time, he was filled with despair. Although he was in the same car with Fang Jifan, Fang Jifan was sitting on the sofa in the middle and Wang Guangjing was sitting at the bottom, but he looked absent-minded.

Fang Jifan was too lazy to pay attention to him.

It’s not Wang Guang’s behavior to show courtesy, and it’s not the same if he doesn’t show courtesy.

He stared blankly for a day. On the next day, Wang Guang couldn’t help it anymore: “Xiaguan heard a lot of rumors in Beijing. I heard that… the imperial court intends to abolish the imperial examination? I wonder if Qi Guogong has heard about it?”

Fang Jifan said: “Who said that? It’s none of my business anyway. Why, you still want to throw dirty water on me. How many heads do you have.”

Wang Guang: “…”

If it wasn’t Fang Jifan who instigated it, then it could still be Someone, there has to be someone, right.

Reminiscent of His Majesty actually running to Nantong Prefecture, taking him with him. He is a local official, how could he leave his post without authorization? What is the purpose of His Majesty’s move?

Wang Guang was worried and forced a smile, and continued: “Don’t be angry, Duke of Qi. I… what I mean is… this matter is serious. Could it be that it is just a rumor and not worthy of belief?”

” I don’t know.”

Wang Guang: “…”

Obviously, he still did not intend to give up, and continued: “If the imperial examination is abolished, the problem will be serious. Think about it, how many scholars depend on this. , this is definitely not a joke.”

Fang Jifan showed some impatience and said coldly: “Why are you so verbose? Shut up.”

Wang Guang thought for a while, as if he would be broken into pieces if he really abolished the eight-legged fetus. After all, it’s something that happens in the future, which is better than dying now. It is better to remain useful and wait and hope realistically.

Emperor Hongzhi arrived in Nantong.

It was still the same as before, leading people and pointing to a neighborhood. Xiao Jing stepped forward and knocked on the door. The person who opened the door was still an old woman.

At this time, most of the men had gone to work and explained their purpose of coming. The old woman became busy and enthusiastic: “It turns out to be the gentleman from the school. Come, come, come, come and sit inside. Is my little tiger naughty again?” “

Emperor Hongzhi listened in the back and suddenly looked surprised.

Because judging from the fact that this family is not necessarily living a good life, the difference in living conditions between them and the neighbors in Luzhou Prefecture is actually not that big.

But someone from this family actually enrolled in school.

Then, under the enthusiasm of the old woman, everyone filed in.

Then, as Emperor Hongzhi expected, it turned out to be the case.

It can be said that this family’s house is bare, with almost no commendable utensils, only a few made wooden chairs and a table.

The woman hurriedly took the handkerchief and wiped the wooden chair clean before letting Emperor Hongzhi and others sit down. The woman also specially brought a few cups of boiled water. Obviously, she could not afford tea at home. .

Such a family, even in the relatively affluent Nantong Prefecture, would definitely belong to the bottom class.

At this time, the woman said: “I have a pound of bacon at home, so I might as well cook it for the gentlemen today.”

She could see that Emperor Hongzhi and the others looked like gentlemen, so she didn’t have too much doubt.

Then, he turned around and headed into the kitchen.

Emperor Hongzhi quickly stopped her and said: “No need to bother, I just came to sit for a while, your… Huzi, you can go to school.”

The old woman nodded and said: “That’s right. From the time I entered school last year to now, I have been so naughty. Very, every time I come back slovenly. After studying for a year, I can only recognize a hundred words. The gentlemen are so angry that they vomit blood. I have come here several times. These gentlemen must be from the school. “

Hongzhi .

The emperor nodded and said with a friendly smile: “Yes, I am here…”

“I am here for a home visit!” Fang Jifan said smoothly.

Emperor Hongzhi nodded: “We heard that this tiger’s family is in trouble, so we came here to take a look. Old man, I see that your family is indeed a little poor. Why are you still willing to send your children to study?”

“If you don’t study, will you spend your whole life working hard for others ?

?” The old woman seemed to feel ashamed, fearing that her child would not be wanted in the school, and said cautiously: “The child’s father is a laborer, working hard at the dock, and his back is sore and painful every month. , it’s only two or three taels of silver. Those who have studied, worked as accountants, or studied medicine are very free. Seven or eight taels of silver are paid into their accounts every month, so my man said, let’s do it. Even if we are poor and starve to death, we have to study. We can endure hardship, but our children cannot endure this hardship. They cannot be like his illiterate father. I heard that if he studies well, he will be recommended to Xishan Academy in the future. Go. It’s great to go to Xishan Academy and follow Qi Guogong. “Qi Guogong, you know that, right?”

Upon hearing the words Qi Guogong, Emperor Hongzhi glanced at Fang Jifan subconsciously.

The lights were dim, but the expression on Fang Jifan’s face could not be clearly seen.

However, Wang Guang didn’t understand why his majesty came here to talk so much to a wild woman, but when he heard the woman talking about the Duke of Qi, he muttered in his heart that the Duke of Qi had a bad reputation, and this woman was talking about this person to his majesty. There are definitely no good things to say. This is good, and it will also let His Majesty know more about what kind of person Qi Guogong is, so that His Majesty can be on guard against hearing his gossip all day long.

(End of chapter)