Ming Dynasty: Tanks blocked the door and you said to me, "Long live Ming Dynasty"

The arrow was shot from behind...

He turned around with difficulty, looked at everyone, and growled through gritted teeth.

"Who! Who is plotting against me?"

The whole place was silent, and no one knew where the arrow came from.

The centurions under his command became anxious and someone shouted.

"It must have been done by Ma Qianli's men. Brothers, kill them and avenge Lord Qianhu!"

"revenge!"

"kill!"

Under the unwilling eyes of Goji and Ma Qianli, the hundred households under their command were once again plunged into a melee!

Ye Qi took advantage of this opportunity to pull Ding Budong to a tree in the distance and whispered instructions to him.

"Lao Ding, go and call back all the brothers who were sent out!"

"Be sure to do it quietly and don't alarm others."

"Take advantage of this opportunity to catch them all in one fell swoop!"

"After today, we will have the final say over this Qin army!"

Ding Budong stared at Ye Qi with a smirk on his face and clicked his tongue: "Old bitch, it has to be you!"

After saying that, they went straight into the woods to look for their men.

Chapter 239: Belts of Scholars

At the same time, Tian Jianxiu was stabbed to death by the girl.

Zhu Youxiao pondered for several days and finally decided on the imperial examination questions for the eighth year of the Tianqi reign.

In the past few days, the inns and restaurants in the capital city have become increasingly full, to the point where it is difficult to find a room.

All this is because of the reform of the imperial examination system!

The result of the reform is nothing more than some are happy while others are sad.

The common people, craftsmen, and accountants who used to only work hard saw hope in life in this reform.

So, as soon as they got the news, they packed their bags, said goodbye to their families, and came to the capital.

On the other hand, those scholars were dumbfounded!

They really want to object!

So, they organized a wave of activities a few days ago.

A very old activity.

Kneeling in the Meridian Gate to make a remonstrance!

But they don’t know that today’s Jinyiwei are always keeping an eye on public opinion on the street.

So, when the scholars arrived outside the Meridian Gate, the scene before them completely stunned them.

The originally smooth bluestone floor tiles were covered with a layer of durian peel at some point!

Someone tried to kneel down, but the next second, he jumped up with a scream.

That kind of pain is absolutely hard to imagine for those who have not experienced it personally.

The team came in a very aggressive manner, but left cursing in less than a minute.

On top of the Meridian Gate, Sun Kangwang looked at their dusty and dirty appearance and almost fainted with laughter.

However, after learning about this, Zhu Youxiao just said lightly, "I know."

March 9th, the eighth year of the Tianqi reign.

Before daybreak, the entrance to the Imperial Examination Hall was already crowded with people.

Scholars, as well as other common people who were taking the exam were all eagerly waiting.

Among these people, there are old men with white hair to young boys, with different ages and their clothing are even more diverse.

The scholars were better off; both young and old, they all wore clean and tidy robes.

However, the people who came to take the other subjects were of all kinds.

There are craftsmen with calloused hands and farmers wearing patched clothes.

There are even soldiers wearing armor...

It was not until the beginning of the morning that Wen Tiren and Zhu Youjian slowly arrived, guarded by the Embroidered Uniform Guards, holding the bright yellow imperial edict.

"Look, the examiner is here!"

Someone in the crowd exclaimed, and those standing on the road quickly retreated to the left and right.

Wen Tiren walked all the way to the gate of the Imperial Examination Hall, stood on the steps, turned around, opened the imperial edict in his hand, and read it aloud.

"The emperor is destined to be carried by heaven, and the edict says:"

"The eighth year of Tianqi, the spring imperial examination, was divided into three sessions."

"March 9th is the day for the Shike!"

"March 12th, for the four subjects of calculation, criminal justice, strategy, and military affairs!"

"March 15th is for the three subjects of commerce, agriculture, and alchemy!"

"This exam will be graded based on a scoring system, with each subject scoring a total of 100 points."

"All students who participate in the bachelor's degree can choose one or two of the last seven subjects to take, and the scores obtained will be included in the total score!"

"I hope you can answer the questions with all your heart and make the most of your ten years of hard study!"

"I am in the Huangji Palace, waiting for you to come and take part in the palace examination!"

"Appreciate this!"

As soon as this imperial edict came out, the whole audience was in an uproar.

Everyone knows about the reform of the imperial examination system, but they only know that the emperor added seven more subjects besides the original scholar subject!

But now!

They were confused...

Although the imperial edict stated that they could choose one or two subjects other than the scholar subject to take examination, it was not mandatory.

But facing the total score of 300, everyone knows that not taking the additional exam is tantamount to saying goodbye to becoming a Jinshi!

There were only a handful of people in the crowd who could maintain a calm expression after hearing the imperial edict.

Among them are Shi Kefa, Yan Yingyuan, Ma Shiqi and others.

Ma Shiqi, who was already middle-aged, smiled and asked the people around him, "Which subject will Xianzhi take?"

And the person he called Xianzhi was Shi Kefa!

Shi Kefa bowed to him and said modestly, "The imperial court is currently facing a tight military situation and the people are in dire straits. Therefore, I would like to add military and agricultural examinations. Do you agree, Brother Ma?"

Ma Shiqi stroked his beard and nodded to him in admiration: "Xianzhi cares about the people, and he is worthy of being Mr. Zuo's disciple."

After hearing what he said, Shi Kefa's expression dimmed for a moment, and then he gritted his teeth and said, "I don't ask for the title of Jinshi, I just hope to ask Your Majesty to redress my teacher's injustice in the palace examination!"

As soon as he finished speaking, several scholars stood up with righteous looks on their faces.

"Brother Xianzhi, we are here to help you!"

Shi Kefa was not polite and turned around and bowed deeply to them.

"Master Shi, thank you all!"

While they were talking, Wen Tiren put away the imperial edict and spoke loudly again.

"The imperial decree has been issued. All students, except those taking the Scholars' Examination, may return to their residences and wait today!"

"Just come over at the designated time according to the subject you are referring to!"

When these words were spoken, the people who came to participate in the last seven subjects were dumbfounded.

If there is no exam today, it means they will have to stay in the city for three more days, or even six more days!

These people's families are generally not well-off, and every extra day they stay in the city costs hundreds of coins more...

As if seeing their doubts, a smile appeared on Wen Tiren's face on the steps.

"Don't worry, everyone!"

"Your Majesty has said that starting today, everyone who comes to take the imperial examination will receive a subsidy of one tael of silver per day until the results are announced!"

"The Royal Guards will go to each restaurant to verify your identity later. You just need to go back and wait patiently!"

As soon as the news was announced, the worries on the people's faces disappeared instantly, and were replaced by deep joy.

One ounce of silver, according to their thrifty habits...

I can’t spend it all, I can’t spend it all!

This is simply an unexpected surprise!

Thus, amid the cheers of His Majesty's wisdom, the examinees of the seven subjects gradually went away and left the Imperial Examination Hall.

Afterwards, Wen Tiren announced that the scholars should enter the Imperial Examination Hall to prepare for the examination.

In the past, scholars would bring their own writing brushes, inkstones, and other items with their food in a bamboo basket.

But this time, some scholars were shocked by the scene before them as soon as they entered the gate of the Imperial Examination Hall.

I saw a group of elderly maids standing under the screen wall. One of them came out and bowed to them.

"Please follow me to the side room to change clothes."

Changing clothes......

Everyone looked at each other in bewilderment. They had all experienced the provincial and prefectural examinations, and many of them had even participated in the metropolitan examinations, but they had never had to change clothes!

They followed the nanny at a loss and came to a side room.

And in this room, there is actually a group of maids!

Before they could react, the maids surrounded them and untied their belts...

Chapter 240: Hard work in mind and body

Preventing cheating has always been the top priority in the examination room.

What's more, this is an imperial examination that will determine the fate of the Ming Dynasty in the next few years, so no matter how strict it is, it is not too strict.

As a frequent test taker who had taken countless exams in later life, Zhu Youxiao naturally understood the key points here.

Therefore, the first hurdle these scholars had to overcome was a body search, changing of clothes, and confiscation of all belongings!

Including pens, ink, inkstone, and food that you carry with you.

If all this were supervised by eunuchs, these scholars might feel humiliated.

Therefore, Zhu Youxiao specially selected three hundred maids from the harem to take charge.

These maids usually do cleaning work in the harem, and suddenly receiving such tasks makes them feel that their existence has new meaning.

So when doing things, everyone is extremely attentive.

Shi Kefa was among the first group of scholars to enter the wing room. He was completely stunned when he saw his belt being untied by the nanny in front of him with ease!

"You, you, what are you going to do!?"

The nanny looked up at him and said, "What else can I do? I'll change your clothes!"

Shi Kefa panicked and said awkwardly, "No need for you, Madam. Can I do it myself? Is there a curtain to block it for me?"

The nanny was immediately amused when she heard this: "Why? Young Master is still shy?"

"This is His Majesty's order. You cannot come here alone. Otherwise, who would know if you have anything smuggled?"

Hearing the word "smuggled", Shi Kefa seemed to be greatly insulted, and his face immediately turned red: "Madam, please don't insult me! How could a student do such a shameless thing!"