Daming: I can’t kill such a greedy prince-in-law?

Chapter 567 Things will get better! (Subscribe please!!)

Taking an exam?

The civil and military officials were stunned at first, and then smiled with disdain in their hearts.

Especially the civil servants, they either passed the imperial examination or were the children of aristocratic families, and their bellies are full of ink!

Besides, this exam only tests common sense, how difficult can it be? How could it possibly be difficult for them!
but
Why does Ouyang Lun give them the questions? Doesn’t this mean that everyone has to listen to him, Ouyang Lun!

How can this be tolerated?

The most unhappy one was Li Shanchang, who immediately stood up and said, "Your Majesty, I understand Prince Consort Ouyang's good intentions in selecting talents for the Ming Dynasty!"

"However, in the past two years, Prince Consort Ouyang first added civil servant recruitment exams, teacher qualification exams, etc., and now he is going to conduct a selection exam for officials. In my opinion, Prince Consort Ouyang is using the name of exams to do private things!"

"On the one hand, it costs the court money, and on the other hand, as the chief examiner, it gains a lot of prestige and wins people's hearts!!"

"It's fine if they use these tactics against ordinary people, but now they are extending their hands to officials. I have no choice but to stand up and stop it!"

Li Shanchang originally thought that he would be able to get the approval of many officials this time, but after Li Shanchang finished speaking, very few people agreed with him, which made Li Shanchang a little embarrassed.

The main reason why the officials did not stand on Li Shanchang's side this time was because of interests.

The "Beijing-Pingcheng Railway" project is a huge piece of profit.

At the beginning, many officials were not qualified to share, but Ouyang Lun and Emperor Zhu Biao had just spoken, that is, to recruit talents to join, which was equivalent to opening a loophole.

The conditions are also very simple, that is to pass the recruitment examination.

If you take the recruitment exam, you will have the opportunity to join the project department. If you follow Li Shanchang in denying the recruitment exam, it would be equivalent to blocking this path for yourself.

The "Beijing-Chengdu Railway" has been decided. Judging from the attitudes of Emperor Zhu Biao and Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang, it is impossible to change it. Ouyang Lun, as the technical core, is irreplaceable. Since Ouyang Lun cannot be solved, the only option is to join!
In recent years, everyone is no fool. All the projects led by Ouyang Lun have made money, and all the money earned is clean. There is no need to worry about bad results. More importantly, these projects can greatly increase political achievements. At the end of the year, it is easy to get a relatively high political achievement score and a large year-end bonus. These incomes alone are enough to make a good living.

Who can resist money?
There were only a few people who supported Li Shanchang, which led to insufficient opposition voices.

Just when Li Shanchang was confused and puzzled.

Seeing this, Zhu Biao seized the opportunity and said immediately: "It seems that I already understand what you are thinking!"

"I will not say more about the importance of the Beijing-Pinggu Railway. I do not intend to change other plans. I only have one thing to say now: fully support the Beijing-Pinggu Railway and Prince Consort Ouyang, and strive to ensure that the Beijing-Pinggu Railway is opened to traffic smoothly!"

"As long as the Beijing-Pingcheng Railway is completed, all of you will be heroes!!"

Zhu Biao's words had just fallen.

Zhu Yuanzhang coughed twice and said, "Now that the emperor has finished speaking, let me say a few words too!"

"I am old! But I also want to see the completion of the first railway in Ming Dynasty with my own eyes. My dear ministers, please don't let me down!"

The tone of this statement was not harsh.

However, all the civil and military officials standing in the court were old ministers who had followed Zhu Yuanzhang for many years. They naturally knew that the more Zhu Yuanzhang said this, the heavier the meaning of this sentence became.

The phrase "don't let him down" was equivalent to another warning that the railway must be built and must be completed while Zhu Yuanzhang is alive. Anyone who dared to stop it would be standing against Zhu Yuanzhang.

Things have come to this point. Even if Li Shanchang has a lot of thoughts and things he wants to say, he can only hold them back!

There was silence in the court.

"Emperor, please continue your morning court session!"

"It's Father!"

As the morning court ended.

The news that the imperial court was going to build the Beijing-Pingcheng Railway spread throughout the capital in an instant and spread outward at an astonishing speed.

With the approval of Emperor Zhu Biao and Emperor Retired Zhu Yuanzhang, things naturally went smoothly.

Li Shanchang and the Huaixi Party were naturally unhappy, but in the face of the general trend, their opposition was useless. Moreover, Zhu Yuanzhang had already warned Li Shanchang openly and secretly. After understanding Zhu Yuanzhang's intention, Li Shanchang did not dare to obstruct it.

"Facing His Majesty, the Emperor, and Ouyang Lun at the same time."

Li Shanchang sighed.

He really wanted to turn things around, but reality didn't allow it.

However, Li Shanchang did not think that Ouyang Lun had completely won this time, nor did the Huaixi Party completely lose.

"Please don't be discouraged, teacher. We haven't lost yet!"

"The Beijing-Pingkou Railway is such a huge project, and it was built whenever they wanted. When Qin Shihuang built the Great Wall, so many people were mobilized and died, but in the end, didn't Qin Shihuang live to see the Great Wall?"

"In the students' opinion, the construction of the Beijing-Pinggu Railway is ten or even a hundred times more difficult than building the Great Wall. The Great Wall was simply built along the route, with the higher the peaks, the better. But the railway is different. It must be as flat as possible. In other words, if there is a valley, Ouyang Lun has to fill it up, and if there is a mountain, Ouyang Lun has to move it flat. With such a large amount of work, the students think that even if Ouyang Lun is given ten years, he may not be able to complete the railway!!"

"As time goes on, His Majesty will be unable to resist punishing Ouyang Lun without us having to do anything. We just need to sit back and watch the fire from the other side of the river and reap the benefits!"

Huang Zicheng spoke.

Hearing this, Li Shanchang smiled with satisfaction, "Zicheng still understands me!"

"In fact, I knew from the beginning that the Beijing-Pingyuan Railway project could not be stopped. Ouyang Lun painted this pie too well! Even I was very excited when I heard about the plan for the railway!"

"It's one thing to say it, and it's another to be able to do it! Instead of being enemies with Your Majesty, the Emperor, and Ouyang Lun over whether or not to build the Beijing-Ping Railway, it's better to take a step back and let Ouyang Lun dive in. Ouyang Lun is in a good position now, but that may not be the case in a while!"

"But we can't just watch Ouyang Lun, we have to take action ourselves. I plan to send you, Qi Tai, and other young talents from our Huaixi Party to the project department. You don't have to hold us back or cause trouble after you go in. Just study hard and learn from them. Maybe they will be of great use in the future!"

"Teacher, you are very thoughtful and far-sighted. I have learned from you!" Huang Zicheng said with a folded hand: "Please rest assured, teacher. If I go to the project department, I will definitely not bring shame to you and the Huaixi Party!"

"Good! Good!" Li Shanchang stroked his beard with satisfaction, and patted Huang Zicheng's shoulder with his other hand, "Zicheng, I am old now, and the Huaixi Party will rely on you from now on!"

"While everyone's attention is on the Beijing-Pinggu Railway, the Huaixi Party will do its best to train you. By the time others react, you will have already left them behind!!"

"By that time, the advantage will be in the hands of us Huaixi disciples."

Naturally, all major newspapers and magazines would give extensive coverage to the fact that the Ming Dynasty was about to build the Beijing-Pingcheng Railway.

"Shocked! My Ming Dynasty will have an indestructible iron horse!" "What is a railway? What is a train? Please listen to my detailed introduction!"

"The Beijing-Pingcheng Railway is another feat comparable to the Great Wall!!"

"A new direction for wealth, the Beijing-Pingyuan Railway!"

"Beijing-Pingcheng Railway starts construction, stock market related stocks are guaranteed!"

"These towns are about to take off, see if your hometown is one of them!"

Soon after, many newspapers reported more news.

"The Beijing-Pinggu Railway has been confirmed to be built, the project department has been established, and Prince Consort Ouyang is in power!"

"Prince Consort Ouyang said that in order to successfully build the Beijing-Pingcheng Railway, a large construction team will be formed. If you want to join, please sign up now!"

"Prince Consort Ouyang also said that the project department recruits people based on their talents. As long as they are talented, they are welcome. However, they have to take an exam first. Only after passing the exam can they join the project department!"

"This exam is a trial exam. Regardless of official rank or background, anyone who meets the basic requirements can sign up!"

"Shit! If I can successfully join the project department, won't I be able to rise to the top quickly?"

“No, I have to sign up!!”

With various publicity in newspapers and word of mouth among the people of the Ming Dynasty, this recruitment exam became known to everyone.

Everyone also knows that this recruitment exam may be an opportunity for ordinary people like them to stand out!

As for the recruitment examination, the Ministry of Personnel also received instructions from Ouyang Lun in advance and will hold examination sites in various county towns, which means that anyone can participate!
Of course, the prerequisite is that the conditions are met.

The examination conditions are also very simple. The first is the age limit, which must be within thirty-five years old and over fifteen years old. The second is that you must be a citizen of the Ming Dynasty and you are not allowed to have a history of committing crimes. The third is that you must be in good health and support the Ming Dynasty.

You can apply for the exam if you meet the above three conditions and pay the exam fee.

As for the exam content, the imperial court also published it through major official media, mainly quoting the teaching content of the first six grades of the Ming Dynasty's nine-year compulsory education, which is simply elementary school knowledge.

It caused a sensation throughout the Ming Dynasty. People were all discussing this recruitment exam, and those who met the requirements signed up.

"Have you signed up?"

"Of course I signed up. The registration fee is only fifty coins, and the exam is only in the county town, so I don't have to travel so far!"

"I've signed up too. I heard that this recruitment exam requires a national ranking, and many learned people have signed up. I don't ask for a good score, I just want to meet the world's talented people!"

"Yes, that's right. The recruitment notice clearly states that the exam rankings will be announced at that time. Once the results come out, you will know where you rank in the entire county, the entire province, and even the entire country!"

"I also heard that the test papers this time were prepared by the Imperial Guards, the Tax Inspection Department, and the most elite guards. They were sent from the capital to various counties in Ming Dynasty to ensure the fairness of the exam!"

"Don't you see who is hosting this? Prince Consort Ouyang! He just stands there and no one dares to mess around!"

"that is!"

"I am now looking forward to what kind of ranking I can get. If I can enter the project department, I will be able to rise to the top and make a great career in my life!"

"I participated in the construction of the Beijing-Pingcheng Railway. I'm afraid my family tree will open a separate page for me!"

Liaodong Province.

Ever since Liaodong was recovered by the Ming Dynasty, it has officially become one of the provinces.

Because of its proximity to Northern Zhili, Liaodong Province has developed rapidly in the past two years, but of course it cannot be compared with Northern Zhili.

Many people have just recovered from the war.

In a remote village in the province.

Seventeen-year-old Zhao Hun brought the prepared medicine to his mother who was lying on the sickbed.

"Mother, the medicine is ready. Get up and take it!"

Mother Zhao slowly opened her eyes, looked at her son, and said with heartache and guilt in her eyes: "Huan'er, it is mother who has dragged you down! Your father passed away early, and mother is a sickly child again"

"Mother, stop talking!"

"Times will get better!"

Zhao Hun comforted him, "Now that Prince Consort Ouyang is in power in the Ming Dynasty, nine-year compulsory education has been implemented. Even if my son has no money, he can still go to college!"

"The teacher at the academy said that for poor people like us, studying is our only way out. Although I think he is wrong, it is indeed the case at present!"

"The college knows our family's situation and has specially applied for a scholarship for the child. The child can work while studying, so the money for my mother's medicine and the child's tuition are all taken care of."

Hearing what Zhao Hui said, Zhao's mother showed a look of relief on her face and said with a smile: "My son is really smart and capable! But mother is distressed! Ahem!"

"Mom, I have some good news to share with you. The imperial court is going to hold a recruitment exam. It is said that it is to recruit talents for the construction of the Beijing-Pingcheng Railway. If you can pass the exam, you can become an employee of the project department. It is said that the salary is not inferior to that of officials and civil servants of state-owned enterprises. In the future, you will have the opportunity to transfer directly to state-owned enterprises, or even become an official directly!"

"My son has already applied for the exam. As long as he can pass, our family will have a better life. Then he will take mother to the capital and ask the doctors there to treat her!"

"Okay! Mother is waiting!" Mother Zhao stroked her son Zhao Hui's cheek with her hand, "In my mind, my son is the best. You must take care of your health."

"Yes, mom, take the medicine!" Seeing that his mother's complexion had improved a lot, Zhao Hun hurriedly handed her the medicine.

"Okay, I'll drink it. Mother still wants to see my son pass the imperial examination, get married and have children!" Perhaps because she had hope in her heart, Zhao's mother became much more energetic and drank the medicine with peace of mind.

Settle your mother down.

Zhao Hun carried his schoolbag and walked for an hour along the mountain road to the town. He first worked part-time as a waiter in a bookstore and was busy until the afternoon. Then Zhao Hun went to the library and began to study.

The library is a public place built by the imperial court where everyone, young or old, male or female, can come to study. The only requirement is to keep quiet and cherish books.

For Zhao Hun, this is definitely the best place to study. There are many young people here who study as hard as Zhao Hun. They concentrate on reading the books in their hands and will not disturb others at all.

(End of this chapter)