Northern Song Dynasty: Starting from the son of Song Renzong

Chapter 153 Go out for a walk
After the test results were announced, it can be said that some were happy while others were sad.

Only ten were admitted out of nearly 20,000 people.

That's two thousand to one.

The first thing some people want to know is whether such a small number of students will be admitted in the future.

This is of course impossible.

Just last year, hundreds of students were admitted.

And this year, these ten can only be described as the lucky ones.

Moreover, this year there will definitely be some testing to see if this method is feasible.

Is it really possible to select truly useful talents for the country?

On Zhao Xin's side, as soon as all the candidates were admitted, he gathered all these people together.

Then ask them why they become officials.

In fact, you know the answer to this question without even asking.

You can be a superior person, and everyone who sees you has to bow to you. You can make a lot of money, and you can even embezzle and accept bribes, hide your land, and evade taxes.

Even if he could become a prime minister in the future, he might even go down in history.

It will also be of great help to your entire family in the future.

Therefore, everyone hopes to pass the imperial examination and become an official.

After explaining all these benefits, Zhao Xin also confessed: "I don't know why you want to be an official, but here in my opinion, there is a bottom line that can never be violated! That is, no one can infringe on the interests of the people. If anyone infringes on the interests of the people, I will never be lenient towards him."

Everyone looked at Zhao Xin.

Who would have thought that the person standing in front of them at this moment was actually a nine-year-old child.

of course!

In fact, Zhao Xin is not that young.

After all, they are all over 1.3 meters tall. The average person's height is only about 1.7 or 1.8 meters at most. Zhao Xin is already 70% of their height.

can only say……

This was their first time meeting His Royal Highness Prince Yu.

When they met for the first time, His Royal Highness Prince Yu said all the ugly things up front.

The words have been spoken!
If they still don't listen in the future, then what will happen next will be their own fault.

When the time comes, don’t blame His Royal Highness Prince Yu for not treating the scholars and officials well.

In fact, those who can pass the exam basically have educated people in their families, or have had educated people in the past.

It can be said that there is not a single one that truly started from scratch, from a peasant's home.

After understanding their family background.

Zhao Xin began to ask them, based on their understanding of the history of the Han and Tang dynasties, what should they do most at this moment.

It's an exam right away.

Of course, no one will be dismissed from office in this exam, but Zhao Xin also wants to hear how they will govern the country.

and……

Pay attention to the question. It is based on the understanding of Han and Tang history. At this moment, what kind of improved policies should they propose to the Song Dynasty?

Be reasonable!
Zhao Xin didn't hold out much hope for this.

Because Zhao Xin knew very well that since ancient times, the so-called reforms had never been successful.

Except for Shang Yang, who was a real man, he succeeded in making the change, but he also died.

There is also King Wuling of Zhao's policy of wearing Hu clothes and riding and shooting, which can also be considered as his reform.

Apart from being successful, other so-called reforms have only made the people suffer more.

therefore……

Zhao Xin thought that these nine people probably wouldn't be able to escape such a result.

as predicted!

When it was dark and the papers were collected, everyone was similar to Ouyang Xiu and his friends.

If you really make the changes as you say, the Song Dynasty might have died two hundred years earlier.

However, they are still different from Ouyang Xiu.

If I have to say, Ouyang Xiu is much more radical than them. After reading the answers, Zhao Xin also said: "It's all general talk, it's useless!"

Everyone looked embarrassed.

In fact, if they had followed the examination rules of the previous year, they should have failed.

Zhao Xin was able to rescue them as an extra help.

It is completely understandable that their level is so low.

and……

Zhao Xin felt that they did not examine the question carefully. When you answer, you have to transfer the eighty years of the Song Dynasty to the same eighty years of the Han and Tang Dynasties.

Even if it doesn't correspond exactly, at least find a similar node for analysis.

But we can't force them too much.

Because if they were really that smart and could think of the answer in their own minds, then he should be the one who should be worried.

Because there might be a time traveler here.

At last……

Zhao Xin then told them, "It's not enough for you to just study literature, you also need to learn martial arts. All of my subordinates, the Prince of Yu, must be both civil and military."

After everyone was dispersed.

Ouyang Xiu also stepped forward and asked, "How does Your Highness Prince Yu plan to arrange for them next?"

Du Yan and others were also watching.

Zhao Xin said, "As a demonstration of the reform of the imperial examination system, these people must be properly trained. They must be able to become talents. Otherwise, wouldn't that mean that our reform is not good? Therefore, we must find more opportunities to train them. What's the big deal at the moment?"

Ouyang Xiu and others looked at each other.

On the surface, there seemed to be nothing wrong with the Song Dynasty.

But what is the reality?
No one knows.

Ouyang Xiu also said, "The current Song Dynasty seems to be peaceful and harmonious, but it is possible that there will be another mutiny or rebellion at any time."

Zhao Xin also took a deep breath. It seemed that there had been no mutiny or rebellion last year. However, according to the frequency of 1.5 rebellions per year in the Song Dynasty, it was likely that there would be at least one this year.

After thinking for a while, he said to the others, "How about I follow the example of Emperor Taizong Wen and go around and inspect the people's sentiments? If I don't go out for a walk, I always feel that I don't know enough."

Ouyang Xiu said, "But what if Your Highness Prince Yu happens to encounter criminals in the prefecture or county? Wouldn't that be dangerous?"

If the rebels knew that the official's only son passed through their territory, they would surely direct all their hatred towards Zhao Xin, right?
The situation in Kaifeng Prefecture was not bad. After all, the lives of the people in Kaifeng Prefecture were definitely much better than those in other areas.

Generally speaking, they don't participate much in rebellion.

However, if you leave Kaifeng Prefecture and go to other prefectures and counties, especially some poor counties, the situation would be difficult to say.

Especially before that, things like the Baozhou Rebellion had happened.

Speaking of which, Zhao Xin had really never left Kaifeng Prefecture since he was a child.

How the people of Kaifeng live certainly cannot represent the entire Song Dynasty.

Then...

Zhao Xin said, "It's okay! The rebellions in our Song Dynasty are just minor ones. If we really encounter danger, we can also train our troops."

of course!

Considering that he doesn't have a son yet, if he dies, wouldn't his father have no descendants?

After thinking about it...

Zhao Xin thought it was better to be on the safe side.

It is said that he personally toured various places, but in fact he was in disguise and did not follow the main army, but just followed behind the main army.

In that case, even if they really encountered danger, the rebels would only attack the large force and not him.

Of course!
They also have to consider one issue, which is the problem of food and drink for the troops.

Even though there may be less than three thousand people, feeding and drinking these less than three thousand people along the way is still a big problem.

The best thing, of course, is not to bother going there.

and so……

They had to store up food in advance along the way before they could go out.

(End of this chapter)