Iron Powder and Spellcasters

  Chapter 496 Rebuilding the Country (11)

  [Maple Stone City]

[town Hall]

  In the marking room that was temporarily transformed from a meeting room, someone was furious.

   "Listen! What the **** are these answers!"

  Andre picked up the test paper that fell on the table, turned to the other people in the marking room, and read word by word:

   "Common sense, question 5, [Why can a boat float on water]? Answer, [Because wood can float on water, so a boat can float on water]."

   There was a burst of joyful laughter in the marking room.

  “[expletive words]!” Andre threw the test paper on the table again, cursing: “The answers are all in the questions, and you can still answer wrong!”

  The laughter in the marking room became louder.

  Andre tried hard to break the edge of the test booklet—that is, the part covered with the name and seat number, trying to break a gap.

  Finding that the binding of the test paper was so strong that it could not be broken by hand alone, he looked around for a paper knife.

   "No!" Andre muttered nervously: "I must see, I must see, which idiot can be so stupid!"

"Hi! The volume in your hand is not bad, listen to my volume!" Another one-eyed cavalry captain who was grading the test paper turned around, held up the test paper, and read in cadence: "Common sense, the first Five questions. Ask, [why the boat can float on water]. Answer..."

  The one-eyed captain deliberately paused for a moment, whetted the appetite of the others, before revealing the suspense: "...[Because it is the Lord's will]."

   There was another burst of laughter in the marking room.

  The one-eyed captain picked up the handkerchief, removed the blindfold, and wiped the empty eye sockets: "Oh, really, it hurts my wound."

  Because in a sense, this exam covering all unofficial officers in the entire army is almost a large-scale test of the army of the New Republic, so the exam results are naturally very critical information.

  The preparatory meeting cannot—and shamelessly—use outsiders to mark the test papers.

   Therefore, all the official officers who were not on duty and could still act, even the wounded like Captain Luo Song, all appeared at the marking scene.

  As Andre and Luo Song fired the first and second shots, the atmosphere in the marking room was completely lively.

  A group of official officers threw out the outrageous answers they saw.

   "Politics, the first question, [what is the full name of 'Alliance'?]" Someone laughed heartily: "Answer, [the full name of 'Alliance' is 'Alliance']."

"Geography, the second question, [the 'two mountains' in the narrow land of two mountains, which two mountain ranges does it refer to?]" Someone laughed and said, "Answer, [Nanshan and Beishan]. Hey! I really can't say that he is completely wrong , at least the orientation is correct."

  A voice floated from the corner of the marking room: "Then please listen to the answer of the person in hand. [The 'two mountains' in the narrow land of two mountains refers to]...[big mountain and small mountain]."

  Another officer not to be outdone: "[White Mountain and Black Mountain]."

  "[Yinque Mountain and Tiefeng Mountain]." Someone killed the game and joked: "I just realized that the 'land' in the narrow area between the two mountains refers to the newly cultivated land!"

   "The geography questions are trivial, come and listen to me! Current affairs, the third question, [Who is the former chief secretary of state of the United Province and the actual ruler of the current United Province?]"

  Someone was happy: "Answer, [the former Secretary of State was Blood Wolf, and the current ruler is Winters Montagne]."

A stone stirred up a thousand waves, and immediately someone followed, and read aloud: "Current affairs, the fourth question, [Who is the current chairman of the Zhuwangbao government who launched a coup in Zhuwangbao in early 559, which led to the outbreak of civil war? ]. Answer, [It’s a blood wolf].”

   "Current affairs, question five, [Who is the current Marshal of the Hongchuan Military Government?]. Answer, [It is His Excellency Winters Montagne]."

   "Current affairs, question six, [Who is the current consul of the Republic of Vineta?]. The answer is [Your Excellency Blood Wolf]."

   "Current affairs, question seven...[Blood Wolf]."

   After a pair of answers, everyone suddenly discovered that any question that asked about a person's name was the hardest hit area for "Winters Montagne" and "Blood Wolf".

  Captain Luo Song patted Andre on the shoulder, and asked jokingly: "Lieutenant Cellini, what happened to your men? Did you just know a blood wolf?"

   "Don't talk nonsense!" Andre said angrily: "I have this in my hand now, if I ask who is the head of the Hongchuan military government, the answer is [Richard Mason]!"

   Unprecedented laughter broke out in the marking room, and everyone laughed until tears flowed out.

  After the laughter dissipated, Andre let out a long sigh, and collapsed on the only reclining chair in the marking room, covered his face with the paper, and shouted bitterly:

   "So we have been relying on such a group of illiterates to fight?!"

  Captain Luo Song couldn't help laughing: "Otherwise, what do you think? Do you think everyone is like us and knows so much knowledge?"

  Richard Mason pushed a small cart of newly bound test papers all the way to distribute, and finally came to Andre and Luo Song, just in time to hear their conversation.

  Looking at the cavalry and infantry alumni in the marking room who were openly laughing at others, Mason shook his head slightly and sighed.

   "Why are you sighing?" Andre sensitively noticed the senior's micro expression, as if being pricked by a needle, he sat up all of a sudden: "At least I know that the boat can float on the water because of buoyancy!"

   "I know you know." Mason first explained calmly, soothing Andre with a hoarse voice: "I'm not kidding you."

  Afterwards, he sighed again, and said in a low voice: "I'm just feeling—what a great power education is."

   "Huh?" Andre didn't understand what the senior said for a while.

"Quickly grade the papers, fast grade the papers." Before Andre could react, Mason hurriedly stuffed the test papers on the trolley into Andre's hands, urging: "Reserve officers who take the exam, I don't think there will be any exams tonight." One can fall asleep. Hurry up and get the papers out, so that we can announce the next step and reassure them."

  Andre instinctively took the test paper, and just wanted to complain about the lack of people grading the test paper, but Senior Mason had already slipped away with the trolley.

  Andre and Luo Song looked at each other, and had to reluctantly return to their posts, and continued to face the outrageous answers that made their scalps tingle.

   On the other side, Mason pushed the trolley back to the binding room at the other end of the corridor, and found that the clerks in charge of binding were no longer there, and the only Lieutenant Woods from Baishan County who remained in the binding room was soaking in flowers, plants and hot honey water.

   "Is it all bound?" Mason asked hoarsely.

   "Yes, it's all bound." Lieutenant Woods pointed to the test paper on the floor, and replied hoarsely: "It's getting late, so I'll make my own decision and let the clerks go first."

   As he spoke, Engineer Lieutenant Woods poured a cup of fragrant and steaming honey water to Artillery Captain Mason, and said with emotion: "It's really not easy, senior."

Mason took the hot honey water, but didn't taste it directly. Instead, he waited until Lieutenant Woods poured himself a cup, and then lightly clinked glasses with the latter as if celebrating a victory: "Yes, it's really not easy, but we still put It's done."

  The two of them cast their eyes on the conference table at the same time, and the last 30 sets of test papers waiting for review were lying there quietly, like a pile of ordinary files.

   But looking at this ordinary result, it is completely impossible to imagine how much effort and sweat the test preparers such as Richard Mason and Woods Friend put in to get it.

  Compared to holding the exam itself, what is the difficulty of not having enough marking staff?

  It should be noted that simply instilling the concept of "examination" into the subjects has exhausted Mason and Woods.

Except for a small group of people who were taught by Winters Montagne himself during the first founding of the army, most of the non-regular officers and reserve officers have not received formal cultural education, and do not even understand what an "examination" is. It is confused with "test".

As a result, many examinees take it for granted that the "examination" is similar to the questions that mortals must answer in order to pass through the gate of heaven after death, such as "are you devout", "are you loyal", "have you ever lied?" etc;

   Or in the legends, the great heroes must accomplish some great deeds - catching pigs, beheading snakes, catching cattle and even life and death duels.

  Many people were terrified, because ordinary people would definitely not be able to pass through the interrogation of the gatekeepers of heaven, otherwise why would there be purgatory and a confessional room?

  The big heroes such as catching pigs and catching cattle are all tested by narrow escapes, and you can know how dangerous it is when you think about it.

  In fact, information about the format, subjects, scope, etc. of the exam have been detailed in the posted and issued announcements.

  However, "the characters are too small and too many", "everyone can't understand", "don't bother to read", so all kinds of exaggerated and bizarre rumors spread like wildfire, and everyone spoke vividly.

  After hearing the news, Mason and Woods, who were busy publishing the test papers, had to go to the barracks of the troops in each county to hold a meeting with the candidates to explain and explain the relevant content of the "examination" face to face.

   I don’t know how many times I lost my tongue, answered how many stupid questions that made people laugh, and how many times I patiently explained, before this unexpected turmoil can be calmed down, so that the "big exam" can be held smoothly without delay.

  This "big test" not only has an examination room in Fengshi City, but also has examination rooms in Warney County, Tiefeng County, Baishan County, Leiqun County, Bianjiang County and even Jinghu County.

  The pre-printed test papers have been quickly sent to the counties. If the test is postponed, it will "affect the whole body".

  The examination centers in Tiefeng County and Bianjiang County were far away, and there was no time to notify them. Once the first two test papers are unsealed in advance, in principle, all test papers will be invalidated and the questions will be reissued.

   In this way, not only will it cause a great waste, but it will also be embarrassing in front of the whole province.

   On the other hand, the successful holding of the "big test" covering the new reclamation land was also a beautiful display of wrists under the watchful eyes of the administrative agencies of the counties, the municipalities, and even the powerful families in Maplestone City.

   This time, it is a "test" within the army.

  The next time, it will also cover the new land, but it is aimed at "selection" other than the army.

  The new republic will no longer just draw money, products and war horses from the new land, she will also draw the talents of this land.

  At that time, the intellectual class and gentry families in the new lands will have to make a choice—whether to jump on this new ship.

   That's what they're going to worry about.

   Right now, Richard Mason and Woods Frank, who have overcome all kinds of difficulties and successfully completed such a feat, deserve to drink a cup of hot honey water to celebrate...to heal their throats by the way.

   "What's next?" Woods asked in a low voice.

   "The next step is to wait for the test papers to be approved and the grades to be listed." Mason sighed while sipping hot honey water: "The illiteracy level of the officer corps...is worse than we expected."

"Don't be afraid, just teach it." Woods glanced at the door where the noise came from, and teased: "Since the old marshal's military academy can teach those muscular sticks to be like this, then we have nothing to worry about. .”

  As soon as this remark was made, the two looked at each other and smiled knowingly.

But soon Mason fell into habitual worry again. Holding his cup, he said distressedly: "But where do we find so many teachers now? We are too short of manpower! Too short, too short! Qualified clerks are already I'm almost exhausted, I can't let those guys..."

  Mason pointed to the other end of the corridor with his toes: "Going to be the first teacher? They, I'm afraid they don't have that much patience."

  Woods was also distressed, but after experiencing the Battle of River Valley Village, the engineer lieutenant who was always cautious has learned not to worry about tomorrow tonight.

   "Let's enjoy it now." Woods said with a smile, he walked to the filing cabinet in the corner: "I know where the scribes hide their wine, it should be..."

   After searching briefly, Woods pulled out a bottle of wine from the pile of scrolls: "Here!"

   "Do clerks usually drink at work?" Mason was dumbfounded.

   "Don't drink any wine." Woods replied with a smile: "How can I survive? Hot honey water mixed with a little wine will taste better."

   After finishing speaking, Woods poured a little wine into both Mason's and his own glasses.

  The dark red wine is mixed with light golden honey water, presenting a magnificent light pink color.

   "To a great education." Woods raised his glass: "It makes us who we are."

  Mason thought for a while, then smiled and clinked glasses: "There is still an exam—it is more interesting to ask questions than to do them."

  …

   On the other side, at Winters' home.

"Why are there only two?" Winters glanced at the two newly recruited spellcasting students sitting in the living room, staring at each other, pouring wine for Lieutenant Colonel Moritz, and asked angrily, "There is one more It's stupid."

  Smelling the smell of alcohol, the tip of Lieutenant Colonel Moritz's nose twitched unconsciously, making his proper and delicate facial features a little unnatural.

   But the lieutenant colonel didn't reach for the glass in the end.

   "It's not bad to have two." The league's top spellcaster explained to Winters listlessly: "It's normal to have none."

  Winters looked at the lieutenant colonel carefully, and asked cautiously: "Are you really quit drinking?"

   "Quit." Lieutenant Colonel Moritz yawned. Winters felt that he would never be able to imitate that kind of lazy movement.

   "Then give them to you, is it okay?" Winters asked solemnly.

  Lieutenant Colonel Moritz yawned again, and didn't want to say a single extra word: "Don't worry, it's fine."

   "Come here." Winters beckoned.

   Claude and Vashika moved in front of Winters in small steps without knowing why.

"Originally, it should be more ritualistic, but..." Winters glanced at the drowsy Lieutenant Colonel Moritz, cleared his throat, and said to Claude and Vashika with a smile: "In short, , Congratulations to both of you, you—you have been escorted.”

   It took Claude and Vashika a while to figure out what "walking" meant. Joy filled the eyes of the two of them in an instant. If it wasn't in front of the blood wolf, they would have jumped up and punched to celebrate.

Immediately afterwards, the two heard the blood wolf say something they didn't quite understand: "From today onwards, you have been selected to become the first batch of students in the magic combat class of the Second Military Academy, and you are honored to be awarded by Moritz Van." Lieutenant Colonel Nasu imparts skills. This means that I, the Supreme Council, and the Republic have absolute trust in you. The following words are what they said to me when I was selected. Now, I will tell you.”

  Winters held the hands of Claude and Vashka, and briefly projected a stinging magical fire from his palm to the palms of the two.

   "When you use this power one day, remember where it came from." Winters said word by word: "Don't live up to the blood of the martyrs."

   Claude and Vashika nodded solemnly, ignorantly.

   Lieutenant Colonel Moritz, who was listlessly leaning against the wine cabinet, had tears in his half-closed eyes.

   "Now." Winters let go of his hand and ordered: "Back half a step."

  Claude and Vashika took half a step back neatly reflexively.

   "Stand at attention."

  Claude and Vashika stand at attention.

   "Salute." Winters also took half a step back, and together with Claude and Vasya, saluted the lieutenant colonel: "Salute to the best spellcaster in the alliance!"

  Moritz stood up a little bit, put the heels of his boots together, and solemnly returned the salute.

  …

   the next day.

   Also at Winters' home.

"Wait." Winters, who was half lying on the bench, took the flyer away from his eyes, sat up straight, raised his eyebrows and looked at the little Priskin on the other side of the small table: "You said Who wrote this stuff?"

  As the blood wolf slapped the leaflet on the table, the sensational headline printed on the first line of the leaflet in enlarged font was also exposed to little Priskin's vision:

  "Lies, Betrayal, and Massacre——The Second Bloody Night of Kings Fortress"

   "Kay Moreland." Little Priskin answered in a low voice, crossing his knees.

   [Late but arrived]

   [Thank you for your collection, reading, subscription, recommendation tickets, monthly tickets, rewards and comments, thank you all]

  (end of this chapter)