Do you know: I have a different surname: Wang, uncle Minglan.

Chapter 346: Internally Decided Imperial Examination
The establishment of the Military Academy was mainly to provide effective and systematic training for talents from Daizhou.

Of course, Wei Yuan also had some expectations for the Military Academy.

Several years later, Wei Yuan hoped that when future generations talked about the Daizhou Military Academy, they would say "a military academy is half of the history of the Great Zhou Dynasty."

From now on, all the generals who came from the Military Academy were Wei Yuan’s students and former officials. When the small beads were connected into one piece and formed into a rolling curtain, then the Guanjun Marquis Mansion would truly be able to stand firm.

The next morning, Wei Yuan went to attend the court meeting early.

After the court meeting was over, Wei Yuan went to Xuanzheng Hall to ask for an audience with Zhao Xi.

"Your Majesty, there was something I didn't mention at the court meeting just now. It's because I haven't come up with a set of rules for this matter. However, I think that this matter should be dealt with sooner rather than later."

After that, he told Zhao Xi about the Military Academy.

The young Zhao official's eyes lit up, "Great! It works!"

Wei Yuan cupped his hands and said, "When the Daizhou Military Academy is established, I hope that the emperor can serve as the chief priest of the academy."

Zhao Xi thought about it, shook his head and said, "Let the guard master take on the position of Jijiu. I am also the guard master's student, so it is most appropriate for the guard master to take on this position."

Wei Yuan said: "The Military Academy is a very important matter. In the future, most of our Great Zhou generals will probably come from this academy. The emperor should be appointed as the chief priest. In this way, those generals will all be disciples of the emperor in the future."

Zhao Xi waved his hand, "Even if I don't serve as the chief priest, does that mean they are no longer disciples of the emperor? Master Wei, I'm relieved that you can serve as the chief priest."

Having said this, Wei Yuan said nothing more.

In this way, the matter of the Military Academy was put on the agenda.

After leaving Xuanzheng Hall, Wei Yuan went to discuss with Xu Changzhi.

"Yang Huairen can be the director of martial arts; you can be the director of military tactics."

"As for the headmaster, we will select him from the generals who have stood out in the national defense campaign."

"By the way, let Chen Daniu be the first batch of students. If he dares to act rashly and disobey discipline, you beat him up yourself."

Hearing this, Xu Changzhi gave a bitter smile, "Da Niu is a Tiger Marquis after all, and he has made many outstanding achievements in the Northern Expedition. He is more than qualified to be the headmaster. You want him to be a student directly. I'm afraid he will be dissatisfied, right?"

Wei Yuan said: "It is precisely because of his outstanding military achievements that we want him to be a student. We can use him to establish prestige and prevent those brave generals from making trouble in the academy."

"The Military Academy will hold two sessions a year for the time being, each session lasting two to three months. You can graduate only after you complete our assessment."

"You and Yang Huairen will serve as the deans for the first term, and Zhong Yan and Qin Zhen will serve as the deans for the second term."

Xu Changzhi nodded and asked, "When will the Military Academy be established?"

Wei Yuan thought for a moment and said, "In the spring of next year, we will look for the first batch of students."

"Before that, we will start building the Military Academy from Yanmen Pass. I will go talk to the officials of the Ministry of Works. The first Military Academy in our Great Zhou must be luxurious."

"Generals who can go to the Military Academy are all veterans who have participated in large-scale battles. We must ensure that they are well fed and well housed."

Xu Changzhi smiled and said, “I thought Brother Wei wanted to make them suffer.”

Wei Yuan shook his head and said, "They are all generals who have fought their way through mountains of corpses and seas of blood. Who hasn't suffered? Suffering a little in the academy won't help them much."
-
The third year of Kaiwu, mid-December.

The entire Guanjun Marquis Mansion was preparing for the New Year, and every servant and maid in the mansion had a beaming look on their faces.

Every New Year, Wei Yuan was extremely generous and everyone in the mansion would receive a reward.

On this day, heavy snow was falling from the sky.

Zhang Guifen walked in the corridor, looking at the New Year's shopping list, and said to Baozhu behind her:

"In previous years, it was always Aunt Zhang who took care of these matters, but this year Aunt Zhang suddenly fell ill, and I don't know if she can make it. You have to pay more attention to preparing the New Year's goods."

After a pause, he looked at Tian Zhen who was standing beside him, "The Chunyi Pavilion is being repaired. If there is anything missing, go and fix it quickly. We will invite the elders in our family to enjoy the flowers next spring."

Baozhu and Tian Zhen said successively:

"It's ma'am."

"Please rest assured, madam."

Ever since Nanny Zhang fell ill, Zhang Guifen clearly felt that some things in the mansion were not so easy to handle.

Therefore, training Baozhu and Tian Zhen has become an urgent matter at present.

"Madam, yesterday our maid Lai came to me and said that her son was working in a nursery in the capital. Chunyi Pavilion is in urgent need of a batch of flowers and plants. Do you think we should use some from Lai's son?"

Zhang Guifen said indifferently: "Just take care of it."

After saying that, Tian Zhen took his leave and went to arrange the matter.

When Zhang Guifen returned to the room, she suddenly felt a slight headache and was pressing her forehead.

Seeing this, Baozhu quickly poured her a cup of tea and said:
"Madam, are you cold? It's cold these days, please take care of yourself."

Zhang Guifen shook her head and said, "I just thought of something. Come with me to visit my elder sister in two days."

A few days ago, Wei Shuyi suddenly fainted on the way to the temple to burn incense.

After diagnosis by the imperial physician, it was said that Wei Shuyi had suffered a serious injury before and could no longer recover.

Now I have caught a cold and my health is deteriorating rapidly. If this continues, I’m afraid I won’t survive next winter.

Wei Shuyi insisted on keeping this matter a secret from Wei Yuan.

She understood her little brother's temper better than anyone else.

If you see yourself in trouble, you will definitely not be able to bear it.

Just don't tell him.

Wei Shuyi thought so, but Zhang Guifen had been worried about this matter these days.

If Wei Yuan knew about this, how would she explain it?

Wei Shuyi understood his younger brother's temperament, but Zhang Guifen also understood her husband's thoughts.

If this matter is kept secret and discovered, I am afraid that I will have a rift with my husband in the future.

Zhang Guifen naturally didn't want to see such a thing happen.

Baozhu nodded and said, "What do we need to prepare?"

Zhang Guifen said: "Ginseng, deer antlers, and some herbs that replenish vital energy will do."

Baozhu said, "I understand."

Then Zhang Guifen fell into silence.

Seeing this, Baozhu hesitated again and again, and suddenly spoke softly:

"Madam, I heard that Nanny Lai, who was in charge of the charcoal fire yesterday, gave Tian Zhen a silver note. How much is it exactly? I am not allowed to buy flowers and plants for Zhichunyi Pavilion. Shouldn't I be more cautious?"

Zhang Guifen shook her head and said, "As long as it's not excessive, let her be."

In large families, this kind of thing is common and it is impossible to prevent it. As long as the job is done well, it doesn't matter.

"What is the Marquis doing?" Zhang Guifen asked.

Baozhu said, "I am taking Sister Jing to watch Brother Zhuang practice martial arts."

Zhang Guifen hummed and said, "This year, Xiaoxiang Pavilion needs to send more charcoal, tea, cakes and other food, and increase Yuying's monthly salary by another 100 taels. During the New Year, if she needs to buy anything, put it in the official account of the mansion."

The courtyard where Xie Yuying lived was called Xiaoxiang Pavilion.

Baozhu said: "Meeting a mistress like you is truly a blessing from three lifetimes."

Zhang Guifen said with a smile, "Before Xie Yuying came to the Marquis' Mansion, just one song she played and sang was worth a thousand gold coins. How can we treat her badly in terms of money? If this gets out, people will laugh at our Marquis' Mansion."

After she rested for a while and felt her headache eased, she went to find Wei Yuan.

At this time, Wei Yuan and Sister Jing were sitting under the eaves, watching Zhuang Ge'er in the martial arts field practicing the Gu family's spear skills over and over again.

Zhang Guifen brought a cloak and put it on Wei Yuan, who smiled at her.

Zhang Guifen stroked Sister Jing'er's face and asked, "Are you cold?"

Sister Jing shook her head, "Mother, little sister Hua is coming to our house to play tomorrow, and she wants to eat the osmanthus cake made by sister Minglan."

Zhang Guifen said, "Sister Minglan is busy, I will ask someone to go to the city to buy some fresh osmanthus cake tomorrow."

Sister Jing nodded.

Suddenly, Wei Yuan let Sister Jing go out and play alone.

Zhang Guifen felt that Wei Yuan seemed to have something to say.

After Sister Jing left, Wei Yuan asked, "Is Sister's condition serious?"

Zhang Guifen was shocked, "How did the Marquis know?"

Wei Yuan said: "The imperial physician has gone, it's hard not to know."

Zhang Guifen knelt beside Wei Yuan, leaned on his shoulder, held his hand, and sighed:

"My elder sister lost too much energy when she gave birth to Mu Ge'er. Now she can't make up for it. Add to that the cold, and her body has long lost its strength. The imperial physician said that she may not survive the winter next year."

Wei Yuan nodded. He didn’t know how much time had passed. Even when Zhuang Ge’er had finished playing with his gun, he still didn’t say a word.

Zhuang Ge'er thought that his father was not satisfied with his marksmanship, so he practiced it again.

At this time, Zhang Guifen said: "Sister doesn't want you to be distracted by her affairs."

Hearing this, Wei Yuan sighed deeply, "Big sister has always been like this."

"Brother Wei" Zhang Guifen was worried that Wei Yuan's mood would be affected.

He touched Zhang Guifen's head and said with a smile: "Birth, aging, illness and death are human nature. Sister has worked hard for half her life. Let her enjoy the rest of her life."

Zhang Guifen said, "Don't worry, Brother Wei."

Wei Yuan said: "Pay more attention to elder sister's health. If it really doesn't work, let Minglan get married as soon as possible."

Having said that, he slowly stood up and wanted to go back to his room to rest for a while.

Zhang Guifen suddenly asked, "Brother Wei, did you know that my eldest sister was in poor health a long time ago, so you were so eager to facilitate the matter with Minglan?"

Wei Yuan was speechless.

Zhang Guifen already had the answer in her mind.

After Wei Yuan left, Zhang Guifen looked at Zhuang Geer who was practicing martial arts in the snow and waved her hand, saying:
"Brother Zhuang, stop practicing and take a break."

Zhuang Ge'er responded: "Mom, I'm not tired!"

Wei Qiji was a gifted person whether in martial arts or studying, and he worked harder than others.

As soon as he wakes up, he reads in the morning, practices martial arts in the afternoon, and practices calligraphy in the evening. It has almost become a habit.

When many people from the new noble groups in Daizhou saw this, they all felt that the Guanjun Marquisate had a successor.
-
Two days later.

At the court meeting, under Wei Yuan's argument, Su Shi became the chief examiner of the imperial examination in the spring of the following year.

Late December.

Wei Yuan invited Su Shi to his house for a drink.

Chang Ge'er is here too.

During this time, Su Shi was very interested and told Wei Yuan something.
"My Lord, I have traveled all the routes you took in the Northern Expedition this year. I have also been to Weizhou and Daizhou. People in various places are spreading your heroic deeds in resisting the Liao bandits. I plan to write a biography for you."

Wei Yuan smiled and said, "Who has a biography written while they are still alive?"

Su Shi suddenly realized, "I said something wrong, please forgive me, Lord Wei."

Wei Yuan said: "I asked you to come here today because I have something to tell you."

Su Shi said, "My Lord, what you said is true. As long as I can do it, I will do it for you."

Wei Yuan looked at Chang Ge'er standing beside him and asked with a smile, "Do you think my nephew has the potential to be the top scholar?"

Hearing this, Su Shi immediately fell silent, his face looking somewhat ugly.

"What does the Marquis mean? Do you want me to commit fraud and favoritism?"

Chang Ge'er also stood up and said, "Uncle, you are drunk!"

Wei Yuan shook his head and said, "Sit down first."

Chang Ge'er had no choice but to sit down.

Wei Yuan said again: "Why do you say such harsh words? I just want to ask you, do you have the appearance of a top scholar?"

Su Shi frowned and his expression gradually became gloomy.

After a while, he took a breath and said helplessly, "I see, you have the potential to be the runner-up?"

Wei Yuan raised his glass, "Then the second place will be awarded."

Chang Ge'er had a calm expression and no one knew what he was thinking.

In short, Chang Ge'er's future was determined by the words and actions of Wei Yuan and Su Shi.

How many candidates dream of getting the second place?
Later, Zhang Guifen asked curiously, "With just two sentences, the second place was decided. The Su family has always been very strict. Why would Mr. Su help you?"

Wei Yuan smiled and said, "Su Shi was not good enough before, but now I have promised him that in the fourth year of Kaiwu, we will go north to fight and let him serve as a military advisor."

Zhang Guifen was surprised. "Have you decided to march north?"

Wei Yuan nodded.

Zhang Guifen didn't know what to say.

At this time, Wei Yuan took out a letter.

"In fact, Su Shi's help to Chang Ge'er is not really help. At most, he is keeping an eye on Chang Ge'er. He has read Chang Ge'er's essay. As long as Chang Ge'er performs normally in the Spring Examination, the title of runner-up will almost certainly be his."

"It's just that when the ranking is final, if there are articles of similar quality, he will give priority to Chang Ge'er."

"This letter was sent by my father. Open it and read it."

Zhang Guifen felt relieved and took the letter.

The above describes some of the situations in the three states of Yanyun.

There are many remnants of the former Tang officials, who are hindering the construction of the three states to a great extent.

In addition, the general situation of the remaining states was speculated based on the Liao Kingdom's original defense deployment in the three states of Yanyun.

These are extremely valuable experiences for Wei Yuan.

Zhang Guifen sighed, "My father fought the Liao people all his life. Do you want your son Zhuang to do the same?"

Wei Yuan said: "While I am still in my prime, I will fight as many battles as possible and achieve good results. When my strong brother leads the army in the future, it will be much easier."

No one dares to say that they can completely quell the border crisis with their lifetime efforts.

Even if it came to the point of destroying the Liao Dynasty, at most peace could be maintained on the border for about 50 years.

In this era, there is no real peace.

Some battles, if Wei Yuan doesn't fight, will have to be left to later generations.

Ever since the Liao army marched south, he had vowed that he would never let this land experience the tragedy of the sinking of China again.

(End of this chapter)