Do You Know?: Rule the World.

Chapter 32: Not a long-term solution
Zhao Han concentrated on thinking, frowning slightly. After a moment, an idea gradually came to his mind, and he picked up his pen and wrote:

I hereby reply: At present, the Khitan and Western Xia are invading the two northwestern borders. The imperial court gives gold and silk every year, but the border troubles have not been resolved. This is truly a deep worry for the country.

I believe that if we want to consolidate our borders and ease national expenditures, we should prioritize improving domestic affairs, strengthening our military, eliminating waste, and selecting good generals, rather than relying solely on wealth and resources for complacency.

I would like to propose four strategies as follows.

1. Improve domestic affairs to consolidate the foundation. The insufficient national funds and the huge border expenses are actually due to the lack of improvement in domestic affairs.

At present, taxes are unevenly distributed among prefectures and counties, the powerful are annexing each other, the common people are displaced, and granaries are depleted. We should strictly examine and tax, eliminate redundant officials, and distribute land taxes equally, so that the people can work harder and the national treasury can be filled.

We should also open up channels for communication, promote talented people, and ensure clean and honest administration, so that financial resources can be self-sufficient and border supplies can be sustained.

Second: Strengthen military preparations to deter the enemy. Currently, most border troops are weak and their equipment is inadequate, so the enemy cavalry are easily attacked...

Three: Abandon the annual gift to stop greed...

Four: Choose the best generals to guard the key points...

Zhao Han's literary inspiration flowed like a spring, and he wrote more and more fluently, with his pen strokes turning as if with divine guidance.

In the blink of an eye, two hours passed and thousands of words were already on the paper.

Outside the dormitory, the sun was shining brightly, and a ray of golden light shone through the gap in the eaves and slanted onto the test paper.

Raising his hand to wipe away the fine beads of sweat on his forehead, Zhao Han continued writing:
"The Art of War" says: Do not rely on the enemy not coming, but rely on what we have to wait for it. In the past, Emperor Wen of Han accumulated strength to nourish the people and finally controlled the Huns. Emperor Taizong of Tang first strengthened domestic affairs and then subdued the four barbarians.

Now we should make improving internal affairs the foundation and being cautious in external military reforms as a supplement, so that the country becomes rich and the army becomes strong, then the two invaders will be deterred.

If you rely solely on money and silk, it will not bring long-term peace.

I humbly hope that the government will pay close attention and reflect on this, and the world will be blessed!
At the hour of You, the evening drum sounded as promised, echoing deeply inside and outside the Imperial Examination Hall.

The last day of the examination finally came to an end. Several examiners, holding gongs, walked along the halls, shouting "Submit the papers——"

The exhausted candidates put down their pens one after another, and the sealing officials skillfully covered the test papers with their names and stamped them, then locked the heavy boxes one by one and carried them into the transcription office.

In order to avoid the phenomenon of bribing examiners during the examination and marking process, the Zhou Dynasty implemented the lock-up system.

The chief examiner, the examiner, the reviewer, the transcriber, the sealing officer and other officials had to stay in the Imperial Examination Hall after receiving the order. They would not open the door of the Imperial Examination Hall and let the examiners go home until the rankings were determined and the results were posted.

As dusk fell, the gate of the Imperial Examination Hall slowly opened, and the candidates walked out in groups of three or five, following the setting sun.

Some people looked calm and confident of victory while chatting and laughing, some walked slowly, still pondering the opening sentence, and some were exhausted and weak, and needed help to walk.

Zhao Han looked back at his cell and let out a breath.

He picked up the exam basket and walked straight towards the gate.

As soon as I stepped out of the Imperial Examination Hall, several familiar voices penetrated the noisy crowd and floated into my ears.

"Brother Zhao!"

"Brother Zhao!"

"Good nephew!"

"brothers!"

Zhao Han glanced sideways and saw Chang Qing standing in the front dressed as a page boy, his face full of concern.

Shulan stood behind Sheng Wei gently and quietly, while Pinlan stood on tiptoe and kept waving to Zhao Han.

There were many girls around who came with their parents to pick up their brothers. Most of them were waiting quietly like Shulan, and occasionally whispered a few words to the maids beside them.

There are very few people as lively as Pinlan.

Gu Tingye leaned against the horse tethering stone with his arms folded and a smile on his face.

When she got closer, Pinlan narrowed her eyes, like a cunning little fox, and looked Zhao Han up and down carefully.

"It's only been three days since I last saw you, Brother Zhao, and you've lost so much weight." Zhao Han smiled, his voice slightly hoarse from not having spoken for three days.

"Miss Pinlan, you don't know that time in the Imperial Examination Hall is truly unbearable. During the day, you have to copy thousands of words of policy essays, and at night you have to sleep on a hard wooden pillow. Even your meals are eaten in a hurry. It would be strange if you didn't lose weight."

"It's so hard, no wonder my elder brother and second brother don't want to study." Pinlan frowned and said, shaking her head.

Sheng Wei chuckled twice and then turned his attention to Zhao Han.

"My dear nephew, are you having a good time with this year's examination?"

Zhao Han looked calm and said in a gentle voice, "Thank you for your concern, uncle. It went quite smoothly. If nothing unexpected happens, I think I should be able to make the list."

"That's good, that's good!"

"Brother Sheng sent me a letter yesterday saying they have already set out for Bianjing and will arrive around the time the results are announced."

Sheng Wei stroked his beard and smiled, but a subtle envy flashed in his eyes.

The second branch of the family was already thriving, and Changbai was a young and steady man, a true scholar.

His two legitimate sons were quite sensible, but in terms of future prospects, they were still far behind Changbai.

How great would it be if such a talented person could become your son-in-law?

What a pity...

"Calculating the time, if my father-in-law doesn't come soon, I'm afraid I'll miss the time to report to the Ministry of Personnel."

Sheng Wei nodded, "That's right."

Gu Tingye's eyes flickered slightly, he clenched his right fist to his lips and coughed softly, but with his left hand he tugged at Zhao Han's sleeve without a sound, took a step forward, and whispered, "Brother Zhao, Chief Wei asked me to bring you a message."

"Tomorrow evening at 11:00 PM, she will be singing a short song at Guangyun Terrace. It's the same song you, Brother Zhao, composed, 'Mulanhua.'"

"Sir Wei also said that she had been practicing this poem for a long time and was waiting for Brother Zhao to personally review it after the examination."

Gu Tingye shook his head and sighed.

"This is the first time that Chief Wei has taken the initiative to invite others. Brother Zhao, you are truly blessed!"

Zhao Han raised his eyebrows, a hint of urgency flashed in his eyes, and jokingly said, "Isn't Yunniang from Yiyun Tower also deeply in love with you, Zhong Huai?"

"Hey, stop talking about this. Yunniang is no match for Wei Xingshou."

Gu Tingye waved his hands repeatedly, looked up at the sky, and said solemnly: "See you tomorrow at 11:00 p.m."

"it is good!"

"Where are you going?" Pinlan blinked her almond-shaped eyes and asked curiously.

Zhao Han and Gu Tingye looked at each other, ignored her question, and got into their carriages.

-

On the Huai River, seven large ships broke through the rippling waves and sailed steadily on the river like a long snake.

Sheng Hong and his family went to the capital this time. The luggage and belongings alone filled five ships. The maids and servants who had signed the death contract and volunteered to go to Bianjing took one ship.

In addition, the whole family, young and old, traveled separately on a high-quality ship painted with gold and colorful patterns.

After weighing the pros and cons and observing for these days, Old Lady Sheng finally decided to keep Minglan by her side and take her over as soon as she was settled in Beijing.

When Wang Ruofu learned about this, she felt very happy.

After all, she was reluctant to send Rulan to the old lady to raise, but she also didn't want Lin Qinshuang and her daughter to get this good thing for nothing.

Therefore, in her opinion, only Minglan would be the most suitable person to go there.

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(End of this chapter)