Emperor Taizong's Growth Plan

Chapter 163 Water Conservancy and Farmland Law

In front of the somewhat rudimentary imperial examination room, a Licao official shouted loudly to the thousands of scholars gathered below who came to take the examination:
"Examination candidates, gather according to the subjects you have registered for before. The examination rooms are different for each subject. If you make a mistake, you will not be able to participate in this imperial examination!"

The soldiers with loud voices specially selected by their side puffed up their chests and repeated loudly what the officials had just said, so as to ensure that the thousands of soldiers below could all hear clearly.

In front of the gate of the examination room, there were several teams of imperial guards, well-equipped with armor, maintaining order below.Among the ranks of the forbidden army, there were several officials each, pointing to the banners with the test subjects written on them behind them, and shouted loudly:

"Scholars who apply for the Ming Law Department, register here!"

"Scholars, gather here!"

"Scholar of the Mingshu Department, don't make a mistake!"

……

Thousands of scholars, after passing the previous qualification test, have some understanding of the imperial examination process, and are no longer as flustered as before.

Although it was a bit noisy, they obeyed the command of Yunguo officials in an orderly manner, assembled separately, and prepared for the entrance examination.

The imperial examination, according to the news that has spread, only needs to rely on four rounds in total.And it is said that as long as you pass the third exam, you must be an official.

Seeing that the class transition is just around the corner, these scholars are naturally very obedient.

In the examination room of the imperial examination, an official quickly walked up to Zhang Zhao, cupped his hands and said:
"Master Shangshu, the scholars have already assembled."

It should be due to the recuperation efforts of the two genius doctors. Now Zhang Zhao has a rosy complexion and is full of energy, and he doesn't look like he is working hard at all.

Hearing the report from the officials under his command, Zhang Zhao nodded slowly, and said in a deep voice:
"Okay, let's get started!"

"Yes!"

This imperial examination system was created by Xiao Cheng in this world.This imperial examination was held for the first time, and the courtiers and officials of Yunguo were in a hurry, so naturally they didn't care about setting up any red tape.

With Zhang Zhao's order, the gate of the examination room opened abruptly, and under the organization of Li Cao officials, they entered in order.

Many scholars who took the test, with high ambitions at this time, stood up and raised their heads, and stepped into the test room confidently, as if it was easy to stand out from the test takers.

There are even a very small number of people who can't figure it out. At this moment, they all look at the surrounding Li Cao officials with proud disdain.This contemptuous look made them seem to be able to enter the court and govern a country tomorrow.

All the court officials frowned slightly, dissatisfied with the self-confidence and even arrogance of a very small number of candidates.But immediately, all the officials looked at each other, but they couldn't help a sneer from the corner of their mouths.

The first round of the imperial examination was a qualification test, and it was just to eliminate those who came to join in the fun after knowing two characters, so the difficulty of this test was naturally not high.

But perhaps it was for this reason that many candidates felt contemptuous of the imperial examinations, as if as long as they came here, they would be able to easily pass the exams, and from then on they would step into the officialdom and rise steadily.

But the Li Cao officials, who knew some inside information, saw the arrogant appearance of these people, and they all laughed and disdain in their hearts.

The boss has already spoken, this second exam, at least [-]% of the people must be eliminated.I really hope that these scholars can still show such expressions after the exam.

But at this time, on the official road outside Zhongqing City.

Dozens of people stopped the carriage, gathered together, and looked back towards Zhongqing City together.

All of these people were wearing official uniforms of the Yun Kingdom, with silver official seals hanging from their waists. At a glance, they could be seen as officials of the Yun Kingdom, who were not of low rank.

But at this time, the atmosphere of these officials was a little dignified, and many of them were lamenting.From time to time, someone let out a long sigh, making everyone's faces even more bitter.

Among them, a man in his 50s and [-]s touched his slightly graying hair at the temples and couldn't help sighing:

"Farewell today, the bustling capital, I will never see it again! Sigh, I don't know if I leave the capital today, with my body, can I wait until the time to return to the capital?"

As soon as this remark came out, some people almost couldn't hold back their voices and burst into tears when they thought of their bleak career in the future.

The general of the Forbidden Army, who was responsible for escorting these officials to take office, twitched his lips. Seeing that everyone's eyes were flushed, and they looked like they were hugging each other and crying bitterly, he couldn't help showing a hint of helplessness, and said:
"My lords, you are only going out to Beijing for official business according to the holy will, and you have not been relegated, why bother to act like this!"

Hearing what the generals of the imperial army said, one of the officials couldn't help but said:
"General Xie is relieved! You accepted it with good intentions, but you don't know something. In the past, officials in the capital went to various states and counties to serve as prefects and governors. If they performed well under the administration, they might be promoted. After leaving Beijing, he took up the post of Changping Warehouse Superintendent, responsible for supervising the irrigation and water conservancy of the farmland and counties in various states and counties. This, isn’t this just relegation in disguise!”

The official's words immediately aroused the complaints of the crowd, and they all said:

"That's right, this Changping Warehouse supervisor, has there ever been such an official position in the court before?"

"Supervising farmland water conservancy, this task is mostly thankless. Even if this task is done well, the local state and county will give most of the credit."

At this time, the general of the forbidden army who was in charge of escorting them couldn't help but shook his head and said:
"Well, actually, you adults are like this, so you don't need to complain too much! The prefectures and counties you are going to take office are, after all, the original land of my Yun Kingdom. Like Paozhe in my camp, I also escorted several adults there two days ago To work. They went to those states and counties in the southwest that were newly incorporated into the territory of my cloud country. There, they are all desolate and barren lands!"

When people are miserable, they need comfort.

Hearing that someone was worse than himself, the officials present suddenly felt much better.

Seeing this, the general of the forbidden army persuaded again:

"Besides, my lords are not in the army, so I don't know your majesty's disposition. Your majesty is a man who will do what he says and will reward you for his merits. His majesty has never forgotten their meritorious service to those who followed his majesty in the war. Not one of them is missing! As long as your lords are on business, aren’t you afraid that you won’t have the chance to return to Beijing?”

Although this was just a reassuring word from the general of the imperial army, it made the officials feel relieved, and they were no longer as disappointed as before.

If you think about it carefully, the Water Conservancy and Farmland Law is a decree promulgated by His Majesty himself, so how can you not take it seriously?As long as he makes achievements by himself, is he afraid that he will not have the chance to be promoted and return to Beijing?

Thinking of this, the original tragic atmosphere suddenly dissipated a lot.

Seeing that everyone was no longer like that, the general of the imperial army finally breathed a sigh of relief, and quickly persuaded:
"My lords, since this is the case, let's get on the road as soon as possible."

It took almost half a day for this dawdling, and I haven't set off yet!The sooner I send you to work, the sooner I can come back to work!

A group of officials were fooled by the few words of the general of the imperial army, and finally felt a lot better in their hearts.Looking at the sun that was already approaching the top of his head, he couldn't help but nodded and said:
"Okay, I'll set off right away!"

"Wait!" An official suddenly stopped.

The general of the imperial army twitched his eyes, took a deep breath, and said:

"My lord, what's the matter?"

With tears in his eyes, the official who made the sound grabbed the arms of the two colleagues around him and said in a trembling voice:

"I'm leaving today, I don't know when we can meet again. Colleagues, remember to take care of your health. I still look forward to returning to Beijing and reuniting!"

Hearing this, someone immediately held the official's arm with tears in his eyes, and said:

"Master Zhang, we will definitely remember this promise!"

"When we meet again someday, I invite you all to drink!"

Looking at the crowd of officials huddled together, the Forbidden Army general rolled his eyes helplessly.

This group of people, there are so many dramas!

"My lords, we can't say goodbye today! Even if the lord who is the closest to Renzhou County, according to the distance, it will take ten days to arrive..."

The general's words froze the faces of all the officials who were crying with tears in their eyes.Looking at the parting scene that was quite touching and tearful, it was suddenly disturbed by the generals of the imperial army.

Without the touching atmosphere, all the officials looked at each other, shook their heads, and got into their carriages.

The general of the forbidden army breathed a sigh of relief, and quickly waved to his soldiers.

After dawdling for a long time, the convoy of this group of officials finally set off and slowly headed towards the northern states and counties.
-
Palace, in the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Looking at the mountain of memorials in front of him, Xiao Cheng scratched his head irritably.Then leaning on the dragon chair, looking up at the top of the Hall of Mental Cultivation, he was dazed.

Being the emperor and taking charge of the government was quite interesting at the beginning.But dealing with various government affairs every day, there is little leisure time.This work intensity is almost "997".

This kind of life is really not human!

Seeing Xiao Cheng's appearance, Feng Bao quickly waved to the little eunuch who walked into the hall carrying the memorial.

The young eunuchs who were selected to serve in the Hall of Mental Cultivation were the most clever. They caught a glimpse of Feng Bao's small movements and immediately understood them. They tiptoed and retreated out of the hall.

"No need, bring it up!" Xiao Cheng sighed lightly, sat up straight, and said suddenly.

A group of young ladies overheard Xiao Cheng's opening and trembled all over, not daring to delay, hurriedly ran over with their heads down, carefully placed the memorial in their hands on the imperial table.

Xiao Cheng turned his head to look at Feng Bao, and said:

"Has the second imperial examination ever started?"

When Feng Bao heard this, he quickly replied:

"Seeing this time, it has already started!"

Hearing this, Xiao Cheng nodded, and muttered to himself:
"I hope this time, I can give it a little more effort! If you are smart and politically [-]..."

Feng Bao listened to Xiao Cheng talking about something he didn't understand, lowered his eyebrows, and didn't ask any more questions.

At this time, a young eunuch suddenly ran in from outside the hall, bowed and said:

"Reporting to Your Majesty, the Shangshu ordered Master Ma to ask for an audience!"

Xiao Cheng frowned and said:
"What's the matter?"

"Your Majesty, it should be the matter of the Li Dynasty sending envoys to seek peace." Feng Bao reminded cautiously beside Xiao Cheng.

Hearing this, Xiao Cheng suddenly realized and nodded, saying:

"That's right, I forgot about it, the Li Dynasty Mission entered Beijing yesterday!"

"Xuan come in!"

When the little eunuch heard this, he immediately withdrew.

Not long after, Shang Shu ordered Ma Minwen to quickly walk into the hall, bowed to Xiao Cheng, and shouted:
"My lord, I greet Your Majesty!"

Xiao Cheng waved his hand and said:

"Be flat! Ma Qing came to see me today, why?"

With a smile on his face, Ma Minwen immediately cupped his hands and said:
"I congratulate Your Majesty! The Li Dynasty mission came to Beijing with the letter of credence yesterday to seek peace!"

Xiao Cheng chuckled lightly and said:
"Before, I thought that the monarchs and ministers of the Li Dynasty were secretly trying to play tricks, but in the end they still sued for peace!"

Hearing this, Ma Minwen smiled and said:
"Your Majesty personally led the troops to battle before, defeating the army of the Li Dynasty in the south, and attacking the southwest of the Xia Kingdom in the north, shocking the world, and greatly increasing the reputation of our Yun Kingdom. The two countries, Xia and Li, bowed their heads and ears in front of our Yun Kingdom, all thanks to Your Majesty's contribution! Congratulations to His Majesty, and congratulations to Yunguo Sheji!"

Xiao Cheng shook his head amusedly, and warned:
"Bow your head and obey your ears? This is a bit too much! The Xia Kingdom has a vast land and abundant resources, and its foundation is deep. The Li Dynasty dominated the southeast and lasted for hundreds of years. These two parties are not easy to deal with! You must not lose your heart to the two countries just because of a temporary victory." I feel contemptuous!"

Ma Minwen saw that Xiao Cheng's mind was mature, he was more sober than himself, and he didn't have the pride of a young man, so he admired him even more, and immediately cupped his hands and said:

"Your Majesty taught me a lesson!"

"Okay, is this what Ma Qing wants to talk about?" Xiao Cheng asked again.

Hearing this, Ma Minwen's face was slightly solemn, and he said:

"Your Majesty, I'm here because of the newly promulgated Law on Water Conservancy and Farmland by Your Majesty."

Ma Minwen paused, then said:

"Your Majesty has newly established a Changping Warehouse supervisor, and dispatched officials from the court to each state and county to supervise agricultural and water conservancy matters. With this law, Your Majesty encourages the people to offer farming skills and rewards the construction of water conservancy projects in various places. This is an important way to increase national strength. Good governance! But the people chosen by His Majesty are not good."

When Xiao Cheng heard this, his eyes moved, and he said:
"What's wrong?"

"Officials of the DPRK and China have been in Beijing for a long time, and they are rashly sent to various places to serve. They must feel that this is a hard job to send out of Beijing, so they feel dissatisfied and complain, and they have a slack heart!" Ma Minwen said.

Hearing this, Xiao Cheng looked at Ma Minwen and said with a half-smile:
"Ma Qing, are you testing me?"

Hearing this, Ma Minwen coughed unnaturally, bowed his head and said;
"Your Majesty, forgive me... I must know what your Majesty really thinks!"

As Shang Shuling, he is already the actual prime minister.In his position, he needs to be in charge of the emperor, the subordinates and the officials, so that the court can run smoothly.

So Ma Minwen had to know whether Xiao Cheng wanted to take the opportunity to eliminate the disobedient officials, or simply enforce the law.

Xiao Cheng nodded, expressing his understanding.

"You don't need to think too much, Ma Qing. If there are any officials in the imperial court who want to get rid of them by hand, how can they still stay in the court? Officials who go out of Beijing now measure their merits by the method of passing the exam, and the fastest one year Those who can be transferred back to Beijing to serve. Moreover, most of these officials are not Shangshutai officials. They stay in Beijing and they are paid for nothing, so it is better to send all of them to Beijing!"

Hearing this, Ma Minwen was finally relieved, cupped his hands and said:
"It's the subject who speculated absurdly, please forgive me, Your Majesty!"

Xiao Cheng waved his hand casually, telling Ma Minwen to leave on his own.

　I hate writing chapters that connect between two plots! ! !

　　I feel that this chapter is just a patchwork of things, uncomfortable...

　　
　
(End of this chapter)