The Ming Dynasty: Starting with the border troops, it was overthrown and the Qing Dynasty was destro

Chapter 250 Starting as a peasant

After initial review by Zeng Rui and others, Wu Xi's and other outstanding students' answer sheets were quickly sent to Jiang Han's desk.

"General, these answer sheets were reviewed by me and several other examiners. Please take a look."

"In addition, there are three others who should be ranked first: Wu Xi from Jianzhou, Chen An from Nanbu County, and Zhou Defu from Langzhong."

"The two are scholars from the Ming Dynasty, and the other is an old clerk from the workshop of the Baoning Prefecture."

Inside the Hengjian Hall of the Imperial Examination Hall, Jiang Han sat at the head of the table, casually accepting the examination paper handed to him by Zeng Rui, his face showing surprise:
"Oh? There really are clerks who can get into the top rank?"

"I thought that opening up the promotion of clerks was just a show of 'spending a fortune to buy a horse's bones,' but I didn't expect there to be really talented people among them?"

Zeng Rui nodded in deep agreement:
"Who says it isn't?"

“I’ve looked at Defu’s paper this week. His work on agriculture and sericulture focuses on water conservancy projects, and the steps are all interconnected. He’s clearly someone who gets things done.”

"His answers to the other two questions on money and food and criminal law were also quite good, so I raised his paper to the top rank for you to review."

Jiang Han quickly glanced at Zhou Defu's exam paper, his face full of satisfaction:

"Hmm, not bad, he could be a candidate for a county magistrate."

"You know what, these guys have a really beautiful handwriting in the imperial style, without a single ink smudge. At first glance, it looks exactly like a printed copy."

"What about the other two?"

Zeng Rui leaned forward and flipped through the other two test papers:
"Both of them were scholars who had to return to their hometowns to farm to support their families because of poverty."

"Both papers have their merits, but I believe that Wu Xi from Jianzhou is better."

Jiang Han took the two papers and compared them one by one:

"Really? How did you determine that?"

Zeng Ruichu stood to the side, pointing to the exam paper and explaining:
"Judging from the first question about agriculture and sericulture, both of them have quite a few insights."

"One proposed crop rotation to conserve the land, while the other proposed seed selection to increase production. They are evenly matched."

"But the difference lies in the second question. Jianzhou Wu Xi saw through your little trick in the question and even made a special annotation."

"Chen An from Nanbu County wrote down his answer in a standard and conventional manner, without raising any objections."

Jiang Han nodded silently, his gaze sweeping over the two neat and concise papers.

As Zeng Rui said, in the matter of money and grain, this scholar named Wu Xi was superior.

Finally, his gaze lingered on the criminal charges, especially the section concerning the punishment of generals.

Upon seeing the words "atone for your crimes and perform good deeds to observe your future performance," Jiang Han nodded heavily.

"Good, insightful, knows when to advance and retreat, and more importantly, can distinguish between positions."

He tapped Wu Xi's name heavily with his finger.
"This person should be the top scholar in this imperial examination."

"Where is he now? Bring him to me; I want to interview him."

Zeng Rui bowed slightly.
"This family is poor and does not have enough money for travel, so they are temporarily staying at Jinping Academy."

"I'll send someone to find him right away. What about the other two? Should we bring them along as well?"

Jiang Han shook his head:

"No need, bring him over first, I have something to tell you."

In the back hall of the prefectural government office, Jiang Han personally summoned him.

Soon, a sleepy-eyed Wu Xi was brought over.

He tried to remain calm when he was led in, but his slightly trembling hands betrayed his nervousness.

It's so late, and they suddenly called me from the academy. I don't know if it's a blessing or a curse.

Zeng Rui kept his mouth shut, only saying that the commander-in-chief had summoned him, and refused to reveal even the slightest bit of information.

After being searched, Wu Xi lowered her head and followed Zeng Rui slowly into the lobby.

Looking at the rebel leader at the head of the table who had stirred up trouble in northern Sichuan, Wu Xi bowed deeply:
"Student Wu Xi greets the Commander-in-Chief!"

"No gift."

Jiang Han's voice was not loud, but it carried an undeniable authority.

He carefully examined Wu Xi, who was wearing an old, faded scholar's robe. He was somewhat thin, but his back was straight, and his eyes held a kind of resilience honed by poverty.

"A native of Tuanshi Village, Jianzhou?"

After a long pause, Jiang Han got straight to the point and asked.

Wu Xi was very respectful:

"Yes, Commander."

"I heard things are quite difficult at home? Your elderly mother is bedridden, and your younger siblings are still young?"

Jiang Han's tone was calm, but it made Wu Xi's heart tighten.

"Yes"

Wu Xi's voice was low and tinged with bitterness.
"My father died early, and I rely entirely on my students to farm for a living."

"I am fortunate to have heard of the General's recruitment order, and I am determined to go all out and change my way of life."

A glint flashed in Jiang Han's eyes.
"A different way of life?"

"That's right, what I need are ambitious people."

"Let me ask you this: is the crop rotation method in the agriculture and sericulture question on your exam paper actually true? Have you tried it yourself?"

Wu Xi composed himself and answered clearly and logically:
"Reporting to the General, my family is poor. I have been farming with my father since I was a child and know the hardships of barren land."

"After my father passed away, I worked in the fields year after year and became very familiar with the crop rotation method."

"The students also borrowed the 'Complete Treatise on Agriculture', and they deeply agreed with the Grand Minister's conclusion that 'sweet potatoes can save lives from famine'."

"It's just that due to geographical limitations, coupled with the fact that potatoes cause bloating, wealthy merchants and gentry are unwilling to promote them."

Jiang Han nodded after listening and asked, "Since you know that potatoes cause bloating, do you have a way to solve it?"

Wu Xi had never actually grown sweet potatoes before, so he didn't dare to draw any conclusions.

He could only answer cautiously:
"The students have only heard of it, but these kinds of crops have a high yield per acre. Right now, natural disasters are happening all over the world, and there are starving people everywhere. For starving people who can't get enough to eat, having food is better than gnawing on tree bark or eating clay."

"Keeping them alive is the priority; whether they have gas or not is not their concern right now."

Jiang Han nodded after listening. Although it was just theoretical talk, it did have some insight.

"Hmm, you didn't exaggerate, so you pass."

Then, Jiang Han straightened up and looked sharply at Wu Xi.
"Jianzhou Liangjia Village isn't far from your Tuanshi Village, is it?"

"Do you know that old fox, Liang Tingsi?"

Wu Xi's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly bowed and replied:

"Reporting to the Commander, the Liang family's name is renowned far and wide, even though they are just across the river."

"The Liang family not only occupied a large area, but also had a strict clan school and was very exclusive."

“When I was young, my father wanted to send me to the Liang family school, but the teacher there scolded me as a peasant who was not worthy of studying.”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Han's smile widened even further:

"Oh? There's such a connection?!"

"Then let me ask you, if I were to send you to Jianzhou to oversee agricultural administration and water conservancy, what would you do?"

Wu Xi was somewhat surprised upon hearing this. Could it be that the Marshal had designs on the Liang family?

Jiang Han nodded without any hesitation:

"That's right, the Liang family may seem respectful, but they actually have ill intentions."

"Why do you think I would grant a special imperial examination? It's simply because the families of these successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations and the provincial examinations are unwilling to cooperate."

"Tell me, what are you planning to do?"

Wu Xi took a deep breath, suppressing the pounding in her heart.

The commander's meaning was crystal clear: he wanted the general to deal with the Liang family of Jianzhou himself.

If I answer well, I might really soar to great heights.

He pondered for a long time. The Liang family, as a family of Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) with officials in the capital, had been entrenched in Jianzhou for a century and was deeply rooted.

But times have changed. The Liang family's biggest backer, the Ming government, has been completely eliminated from Baoning Prefecture.

The general's concern was that taking direct action would earn him the infamy of slaughtering local gentry and scholars, which would be detrimental to his future efforts to recruit talent and govern Sichuan.

Wu Xi carefully recalled the humiliation he suffered outside the Liang family school, as well as what he had seen and heard in Liangjia Village over the years, and gradually began to make a decision.

"Reporting to the Commander,"

After a long pause, Wu Xi finally raised his head, cupped his hands, and said...
"The Liang family's power and influence are the result of a century of accumulated prestige."

"However, its foundation is nothing more than land, family wealth, servants, adopted sons, and the support of the local people."

"But now the Liang family has lost its official positions and power, and is like a tiger with its teeth pulled out, all show and no substance."

“If I were to send students to deal with the Liang family, I would first divide the Liang family clan from the villagers of Liang Village.”

"First, ensure that the Liang family has no external support, then, in accordance with the law, eliminate their internal henchmen, dismiss their servants and adopted sons, and impose a fine in accordance with the law."

"Finally, we will use a scheme to turn the Liang family members against each other. After these few moves, no one can find any fault with it."

After Wu Xi finished speaking, he bowed deeply again:
"These are just my humble opinions, based on my daily observations and the laws of the Ming Dynasty. Their specific implementation will require the decision of the Commander-in-Chief."

Jiang Han remained silent for a long time, tapping his fingers lightly on the table, his gaze sharp as he scrutinized the young, down-on-his-luck scholar below.

"Very good, your thoughts are similar to mine."

“I have already sent people to Liangjia Village. Go back and think carefully about how to implement it.”

"Dealing with the Liang family is only one aspect; the key is to govern the region and protect the people."

"Alright, it's almost dawn, you should go back and rest."

Wu Xi did not immediately take his leave, but instead bowed deeply again, his tone sincere and brimming with just the right amount of respect:
"The commander-in-chief has a broad vision and recruits talents without being bound by convention."

"This special imperial examination has promoted scholars from humble backgrounds and appointed officials who are pragmatic. With such outstanding individuals, the entire Baoning Prefecture is very fortunate, and the people are very fortunate."

Flattery never fails, and even Jiang Han secretly felt smug after hearing it.

He waved his hand and burst into laughter:

"Go ahead, something good is waiting for you."

Only one day after Jiang Han summoned Wu Xi, he released the list of successful candidates in the special imperial examination.

Outside the ceremonial gate of the prefectural government office, a huge crowd of people had gathered to watch the spectacle.

Everyone stood on tiptoe and craned their necks, eager to see which talented individual would emerge victorious.

As for whether the chosen talents are from the Ming Dynasty or from rebels, who cares? Just enjoy the spectacle.

Outside the ceremonial gate, a huge vermilion wooden plaque hangs high, covered with dazzling red silk.

The open space at the front was cleared out for students from all walks of life to stand on.

Prefect Zeng Rui stood on the steps, his gaze sweeping over the crowd below, some expectant and some apprehensive. Finally, his gaze lingered briefly on Wu Xi in front of the crowd, and the corners of his mouth curved upwards almost imperceptibly.

He cleared his throat, his voice booming:
"Selecting talents through special imperial examinations to recruit the best for the army!"

"After being personally reviewed by the General, this program has selected sixty-eight outstanding individuals from various prefectures and counties!"
"Sing the names—"

As names were read out one by one, those whose names were called stepped forward excitedly, bowing and thanking the cheers coming from all directions.

The students who weren't called on didn't have time to be discouraged; they strained their ears, afraid of missing their own name.

(End of this chapter)