I studied in modern times

Chapter 1015 Results Announcement (1)

The location for announcing the results of the imperial examinations during the Song Dynasty changed three times.

Initially, the list of successful candidates after the provincial examination was posted on the south wall of the former Ministry of Rites.

This is a rule passed down from the Tang Dynasty.

Therefore, those who passed the provincial examination were also known as the "Southern Province Scholars".

Of course, that was all in the past.

Because the imperial city was rebuilt after the Yuanfeng reforms.

The government offices of the three provinces were collectively moved into the western part of the palace. The former offices of the three provinces were demolished and rebuilt into magnificent new government buildings.

Naturally, the Ministry of Rites could no longer post notices on its south wall announcing the names of those who had passed the provincial examinations.

The story of the Southern Province has come to an end.

Fortunately, as early as the reign of Emperor Taizu, in order to share the joy with the people, he ordered that after each provincial examination, a list be set up outside Jinming Pond and between Qionglin Garden, and that the list be posted there whenever the results of the provincial examination were released.

However, Emperor Taizong felt that this alone was not enough to demonstrate the country's emphasis on civil administration and its reliance on scholar-officials.

Therefore, a high wall was erected in front of the state bridge, on the bustling side of the Imperial Street, as the place where the results of each provincial examination were announced.

This is also the main setting for countless stories and anecdotes about catching a son-in-law after passing the imperial examination.

On the day of Xinwei in the third month of the third year of Yuanyou (24), the results of the provincial examination were announced.

As dawn broke, Zhao Xu had already gotten up and, accompanied by Tong Guan, arrived at the platform in front of the East Upper Gate of the Funing Palace.

He gazed towards the direction of the state bridge and said softly, "I hope that no unruly people will be ungrateful today and ruin my elegant trip to Jinming Pond to celebrate with the people!"

This year's Jinmingchi bidding event was the first grand occasion since his ascension to the throne, when he publicly met with the people of Bianjing and the gentry of the land.

This is also the key to how officials like Zhao cultivated an image of being approachable and loving the people.

Anyone who dares to spoil his enjoyment must be a person without father or ruler.

Without father or ruler, what else is that but a troublemaker?
Such unruly people deserve more than just a gentle beating from Zhao Xu!
They should all be stripped of their future eligibility for the imperial examinations.

Of course, this kind of thing can't be said publicly.

Publicly stating this would damage his image as a sage ruler.

Quietly create a blacklist and add all these people to it.

In the future, when grading the imperial examination papers, the officials in charge of copying and compiling the papers will simply reject any paper with a particular name on it.

As for whether this will result in the loss of talent?
Ha ha!

……

When Zhao Xu was gazing in the direction of Zhouqiao Bridge.

In the rear courtyard of the Kaifeng Prefecture.

More than two hundred elite soldiers, borrowed from the First General of the Imperial Army, have all changed into the uniforms of the Kaifeng Prefecture garrison soldiers.

Each person held a long stick in their hand.

Di Yong looked at the elite soldiers he had personally trained in front of him.

These were all young and strong miners recruited by Song Yongchen from the mines of Liangzhe and Huainan last year, by imperial decree.

They are all top-notch talents.

Because miners must be disciplined.

Without discipline and acting recklessly, one will not only kill oneself, but also one's brothers and comrades!

Therefore, miners are generally people who obey orders without question.

At the same time, only those who are strong and robust can mine.

Therefore, miners are all burly and strong men.

The most remarkable thing is that the miners who were willing to work in the mines were all from humble backgrounds.

Those miners who survived in the mines, neither died nor rose through the ranks to become henchmen of the mine's main gate.

They almost all share a common characteristic: they are honest, hardworking, and dedicated.

After all, he was able to stay and survive in the mines, and he didn't become a henchman of the mine owners.

It can only be this kind of person!
And such people are the best soldiers!

Since Song Yongchen sent the first batch of two thousand newly recruited soldiers last year.

Di Yong absolutely loved these soldiers who came from mining backgrounds.

The two hundred-plus people in front of them were selected by Di Yong from among the best of the new recruits.

They were all the most obedient to orders and commands in the army, and also the most willing to train.

"The provincial examination results are released today!" Di Yong slowly announced. "His Majesty is concerned that some petty people may cause trouble, incite unrest, and disrupt the imperial talent selection ceremony. Therefore, he has ordered me to send you all to assist Kaifeng Prefecture in maintaining order and security!" "You must remember to obey the orders of the officials of Kaifeng Prefecture. Anyone who disobeys, hesitates, or fails to comply will be punished according to military law!"

"Those who perform meritorious service and receive rewards may have their punishments reduced, and may even have the opportunity to receive martial arts training!"

"Yes, sir!" More than two hundred elite soldiers of the First General of the Imperial Dragon responded in unison, all of them clenching their fists and filled with fighting spirit.

Although their enlistment time was only six or seven months at most.

However, in just these few months, for the first time in their lives, they had plenty of food and drink, for the first time they had cotton clothes to wear when it was cold and drinks to eat when it was hot, and for the first time they wore cotton shoes.

A letter from my mother/wife at home.

The government has exempted their family from the two taxes and other miscellaneous taxes levied on them; they only need to pay an exemption fee once a year.

Such a great favor, in their hometown, was enough to buy their lives!
Moreover, the government also provides them with military pay.

Upon joining the ranks of the top generals of the Imperial Army, one receives a monthly military salary of one guan (a unit of currency), and every meal includes meat.

Although most of the food consists of salted dried fish and offal, pork, mutton, and eggs are only available on the first and fifteenth of the lunar month.

Compared to their past lives, it's an absolute transformation!

Not to mention, even a soldier can be tested by the top general of the Imperial Dragon.

With diligent training and obedience to orders, one can rise from a recruit to a junior elite soldier within a year.

In another year, I can be promoted to intermediate striker, and then to senior striker.

Advanced elites have the opportunity to obtain a recommendation letter from the top general of the Imperial Dragon, and undergo a year of martial arts training. Those who pass the one-year training period can be granted a public military post (the lowest rank of unranked military officer) and can serve as a captain.

Not only is the path to advancement clear, but even the military pay and benefits are clearly stipulated in the regulations of the First General of the Imperial Dragon.

Junior strikers earn one guan per month, intermediate strikers earn three guan per month, and senior strikers earn five guan per month.

The differences in other benefits are even greater.

Therefore, for these former miners, such an opportunity today is truly rare.

You should know that the world is at peace now, and there is no trouble anywhere in the world.

These personal guards of the emperor could not gain merit in the war; they could only hone their skills through day-to-day training.

It takes at least four years to be promoted to senior elite soldier, receive a monthly salary of five strings of cash, live in a tent shared by two people, and have meat to eat every meal.

Now, however, there is an opportunity to earn military merit without having to risk one's life on the battlefield.

They were simply following the orders of the Kaifeng Prefecture to arrest people.

The soldiers gripped their clubs, their chests burning with fervor.

In particular, when they thought about the fact that they were going to become tribute students of the prefecture and county, and future officials.

Far from feeling any fear, he felt no fear whatsoever.

Instead, they became excited!
Their faces were flushed, and they were excited.

If we cannot deliver six blows in one fell swoop today, how can we live up to the Emperor's kindness and the court's favor?
……

Qian Xie sat in the side room, looking out the window at the soldiers standing solemnly in the courtyard.

With just one glance, he knew—they were all fierce soldiers!
Anxiety immediately arose in my heart.

You should know that the people these people are targeting today are all scholars!
Moreover, they are all outstanding individuals who have passed the provincial and prefectural examinations!

Normally, even if such a person committed a crime, when he arrived in court, the presiding official would still have to show him some respect, to demonstrate the state's preferential treatment of scholars and officials!
Moreover, in most cases, the government would give scholars a break.

Even if the other party is poor and destitute, and dressed in rags.

Not to mention, those fierce soldiers outside are all disguised as soldiers from Kaifeng Prefecture!

Once this happens, and given the public opinion among scholars, Qian Xie and Qian Mu's father will likely be expelled from the ranks of scholars—you even dare to lay a hand on scholars!
What else are you afraid to do?
Therefore, according to past circumstances, Qian Xie should have immediately expelled these soldiers at this moment.

Then he submitted a memorial—"This is a chaotic order; your subject dares not obey!"
However, Qian Xie simply stared at the courtyard without saying a word.

because……

Among the successful candidates in this year's provincial imperial examinations, at least 20% came from the Kaifeng Prefecture and were appointed as civil servants!

Of the top fifty, at least twenty are from that group!
In other words, Kaifeng Prefecture could no longer remain uninvolved.

He, Qian Xie and Qian Mu's father, was destined to be infamous—if it weren't for your treacherous minister and the scoundrel Zhang and others colluding with each other, why would so many people from Kaifeng Prefecture have passed the imperial examination?

If it wasn't you?

How could this be?!
Therefore, when the time came, Qian Xie couldn't escape even if he wanted to.

We have no choice but to bite the bullet and go down this path to the bitter end!
"I hope..."

"The Emperor is wise and has protected me afterwards..." Qian Xie said in a low voice, his eyes still filled with deep sorrow.

(End of this chapter)