The Prosperous Era of Longwan

"It turns out that this is why Shandai recommended those virtuous people to Gu Ju."

King Yu's murmurings were naturally heard clearly by Wei Guangde, who couldn't help but blush.

In fact, he only accepted the younger brother because he saw other big men doing this, and he never had the idea of ​​​​helping King Yu attract talents.

As the saying goes, a good man has three gangs, and a fence has three stakes.

But King Yu just misunderstood, and he didn't bother to explain.

"Choose your generals well, place them in the Nine-Border Army Town, give them enough trust, and then let them choose to promote generals who are good at fighting. Even if they suffer a small defeat, it will not damage the foundation. Even if the Tatars attack Some cities will also quickly mobilize large armies to turn defeat into victory."

Wei Guangde said, "As for military training, let the generals worry about it themselves. However, the court must also provide money and food. As the saying goes, 'the emperor never lacks hungry soldiers.'"

King Yu nodded slightly, but he had already made a plan in his heart. In the future, when he came to power, the generals recommended by Wei Guangde could be promoted and reused.

"In addition to this, what is more important is to clarify the responsibilities of rewards and punishments in the army. I have heard before in Xuanfu that a general knew that the Tatars were invading and besieged our army fort, and he led his troops to attack and failed to rescue the siege. He was held accountable. Your Highness, does he know who will be punished if this continues? Do you still dare to fight?"

Wei Guangde said again.

King Yu could only nod his head at this moment. What Wei Guangde said was actually very simple, and sometimes he could think of it, but when it came out of Wei Guangde's mouth, it just made sense.

It can only be said that King Yu was not stupid in the past. He really learned a lot, but he seemed to lack a comprehensive understanding, so he was used to leaving matters to the palace officials. Anyway, they all had the same principles.

Today's situation is similar. I can occasionally think of what he said, but I can't go into too much detail.

After he ascends the throne, Wei Guangde will have to think about the war.

Wei Guangde didn't know that King Yu had already positioned him in his heart at this time.

"Shaloan, this matter is indeed very important. Think about it carefully later and come up with a charter."

Nowadays, he does not have the final say on many things, and even King Yu dare not publicly intervene in government affairs, so he can only let Wei Guangde consider it privately and draw up regulations for future use.

As for showing everything that Wei Guangde created, it’s better to save it. There are many things that Emperor Jiajing hated deeply. For example, when it comes to opening up the sea, Emperor Jiajing didn’t have a good impression of the outside world and even closed the country for a time. If you want such a person to change his attitude, it’s really difficult. It's too difficult.

As for the side matter just mentioned, the inside story is more complicated and cannot be clarified in a short time.

"Yes, Your Highness, I will think about it carefully, and maybe write a letter to Ma Fang and others to listen to their opinions. Anyway, they have been in the border town all year round and are more familiar with the situation there."

Wei Guangde nodded after thinking about it.

"That's how it should be."

King Yu nodded and agreed.

Entering February, Wei Guangde has gradually become unable to stay in Prince Yu's Mansion these days. It's not that he has any errands in the Economic Affairs Bureau of Zhan Shi Mansion. In fact, it's just a casual job there, and there's nothing wrong with it. Instead, he goes there early in the afternoon. Went to Jiujiang Guild Hall.

After all, it was the 41st year of Jiajing, and the examination was about to begin.

Originally, Duan Mengxian and Zhu Shilong were already living in the capital and rented two rooms near the Imperial College. However, naturally many more people passed the Jiangxi Provincial Examination last year, and many rushed to the capital to participate in this examination.

Wei Guangde originally planned to come over for a visit. Although he was only in his twenties, he was younger than many candidates. However, one of the students who came to Beijing to take the exam this time was named Lao Pi, Lao Kan's cousin. Wei Guangde naturally had to be more concerned. .

In the imperial examination, those who have achieved success come first. Those who have already entered the court as officials, as well as Duan Mengxian and Zhu Shilong, who were elected in the earlier years, can naturally be regarded as their predecessors.

Sit in the guild hall when you have nothing to do, and tell them about your experience in the examination room. These are actually the only places where seniors like them can give a little help to these newcomers.

Rushing for the exam in the capital is no better than in my hometown. Although it is already spring-like, it is still cold in the capital now, no better than the winter in Jiangxi.

"This is Hukou Zhangdao, Dehua Zhugun. He just arrived yesterday."

In the backyard room of the Jiujiang Guild Hall, the stove has been warmed up. Lao Bi is introducing friends to Wei Guangde. They are all in the same class, so they are naturally familiar with each other.

"Yesterday, His Majesty issued an order to order Guo Pu, the Minister of Rites and a bachelor of the Hanlin Academy, to worship the immortal master Kong Sheng."

Wei Guangde said, looking at several Jiujiang candidates and smiling: "Seeing that we are about to enter the examination, are you nervous now?"

Lao Pi, Zhu Gun and other new test subjects were all very happy, and they were obviously very nervous even if they didn't answer the question. In other words, Zhu Shilong took the test twice, but he relaxed a lot.

"What's there to be nervous about? Instead of being nervous, think about bringing something with you. In the capital city in February, how to ensure that you don't freeze in the examination room is the most important thing."

Zhu Shilong's words reminded Wei Guangde, Lao Kan and others of the time when they took part in the examination.

Whether the article is well written or not is not really the most important thing. First of all, you have to ensure that you can still walk out and take the second and third exams after handing in the paper.

There is no need for county or college examinations in the examination. If you think you can pass the examination if you do well in the first examination, that is impossible. You must attend all three examinations. Pass the first examination, and the second and third examinations are related to the examination ranking.

"Forget it, Brother Zhu is just too ambitious. Meng Xian, how are you prepared?"

Wei Guangde asked about Duan Mengxian. He and Zhu Shilong had both studied in the Imperial College in the past two years, so naturally they had to take the exam this time.

"Just leave it to fate."

Duan Mengxian was much more steady and just smiled in response to Wei Guangde's words.

"Although Your Majesty has not decided on the examiner for this examination, according to the usual practice, it should be the new cabinet minister Yuan Wei, a bachelor of Wuyingdian, who will preside over it."

Having said this, Wei Guangde took out a stack of manuscripts from the baggage he brought and handed them to Duan Mengxian, "This manuscript is an article written by the great scholar Yuan when he was in the Hanlin Academy. I copied some of them because I thought they were good. You can take a look first if you have nothing to do. If the room master takes a fancy to it and sends it to Lord Yuan, it might gain a lot of points."

Many people think that the articles written for the imperial examination must be written according to the habits of the chief examiner, but this is not the case.

During the county examination, prefectural examination, and even the college examination, it was just so-so. However, when it came to the township examination and the general examination, the essays were read by the room teacher first, and they only recommended them to the chief examiner if they thought they were good.

In other words, if your article cannot catch the eye of the examiner, you may be rejected early, even if your article is lavish and lavish, and it completely meets the examiner's wishes.

Unless you are unlucky and meet the chief examiner who is dissatisfied with the exam papers and is found among the discarded papers through scavenging.

However, which candidate would be willing to do this?

Therefore, those who really want to study the major examination articles are only those talented and talented people. Their goal is not to be on the list, but just to get a better ranking on the list.

As for the bookmakers, just save it. There are so many people, it’s hard to agree with everyone, and you don’t even know whose hands your paper will fall into.

When Wei Guangde returned home from the Jiujiang Guild Hall, he was informed by the concierge upon entering, "Sir, Eunuch Chen is waiting for you in the study."

Wei Guangde was stunned when he heard Chen Ju's sudden visit. Chen Ju had not been to his home for some days.

Out of curiosity, Wei Guangde went to the back to change his clothes and hurried to the study. When he entered the door, he saw Chen Ju sitting there reading.

"Brother Chen, what brought you here today? Why didn't you ask someone to notify me so that I could come back early?"

Wei Guangde asked when he came in. He knew that Chen Ju didn't let anyone notify him, but he still had to say something.

"I knew you were going to meet fellow villagers, but I came uninvited. Just don't bother me, Guangde."

Chen Ju looked up at Wei Guangde and said, putting down the book in his hand.

Although Wei Guangde staggered a little, he still stayed awake. He asked someone to bring two pots of tea to replace the already cold pot of tea in front of Chen Ju, and then he said: "It was said outside that eldest brother had eaten at night? Do you want me?" Ask the kitchen manager to order some appetizers, and our brothers will have two more drinks."

Chen Ju waved his hand, "If I had come to see you for a drink, I would have called you back long ago."

Then he looked at Wei Guangde's somewhat blurred eyes and said, "Are you drunk?"

"fine."

Wei Guangde grinned.

"Originally I didn't plan to come here to disturb you today, but two things happened in the palace. I guess they may have something to do with you, so I came here to tell you."

Hearing what Chen Ju said, Wei Guangde couldn't help but sit up straight and become serious.

"This afternoon, the Emperor asked the Blue God Immortal to perform a divination in Xiyuan."

Chen Ju's words were a little baffling to Wei Guangde's ears. He had no connection with Lan Daoxing. Did Lan Daoxing include him in his divination?

"Do you know what the emperor is asking today?"

Chen Ju looked at Wei Guangde's confused look and asked with a smile, but when he saw Wei Guangde's drunken look, he shook his head and continued: "The emperor asked the cabinet minister whether he was worthy and fulfilled his duties."

Although Wei Guangde was a little drunk, his brain was also running rapidly at this moment. He figured out how this question had something to do with him, since he was asking a cabinet minister.

After thinking about it, Wei Guangde made up his mind. If Lan Daoxing said that he could join the cabinet, he would ask Zhang Ji to send him two thousand taels of silver tomorrow.

But then I felt a little confused. I didn't know if my family could afford so much money now.

You know, in the capital, he doesn't have much income.

If you don’t have enough money, give me old ginseng as a gift. Taoist priests would like it because it nourishes qi and blood.

Nowadays, there are not many old ginsengs in the capital. Every time there is a caravan coming back from the Northeast, Zhang Ji will go there first to take a look. If there are old ginseng, he will buy it, which makes the price of this type of ginseng rise a lot. .

Wei Guangde only eats the ginseng, so he gives the ginseng as gifts and does not take it out.

His operation made the family's income and expenditure obviously unbalanced. If Xu Jianglan hadn't brought a lot of property as a dowry and his uncle in Nanjing sent some money from time to time to manage relations with the capital, Wei Guangde would have gone bankrupt long ago.

Although his famous post can be exchanged for hundreds of taels of silver every year from Jiujiang merchants, there is enough for him to spend such money.

Wei Guangde just stared at Chen Ju now, but didn't answer.

"Ahem."

Seeing Wei Guangde's attitude, which was very different from the past, Chen Ju knew that this man probably drank a lot. Although he didn't drink, it was not far behind. He didn't show off, so he said directly: "Lan Shenxian said when he was supporting the quiver. 'Today there is a treacherous minister who is making trouble'.

You said it was a coincidence. Not long after, Mr. Yan Ge came to Xiyuan to ask for an audience and brought a memorial from Hu Zongxian. When you received the notice, you didn't see how dark the emperor's face was. "

Wei Guangde blinked and kept this in mind. Why did Landao act to smear Yan Song?

Was there any conflict between them?

I'll ask someone to check.

Wei Guangde was not used to being kept in the dark. Since he knew that Lan Daoxing and Yan Song would not deal with them, he had to figure out the reasons and win over them when they should, even if King Yu didn't like them.

"The divination of the Blue Immortal, does the traitor mentioned in the divination be Yan Shoufu or Governor Hu?"

Wei Guangde just asked out of curiosity.

"Who knows, it depends on what the emperor thinks."

Chen Ju said.

Wei Guangde only had doubts in his heart. Does this have anything to do with me?

"The second thing is what Yan Shoufu reported. Governor Hu proposed to manage four things in Jiangxi. One of the proposals was to establish a deputy general in Nangan and put it under the garrison of Ji'an; in Jianning and Fuzhou, Set up a participating general and use Qianshan to defend it; re-establish guerrillas in the provincial capital, and change the Poyang garrison to a participating general, and order the specialized boat masters to control Jiujiang."

Wei Guangde stood up suddenly when he heard this, his movements were so fast that he almost fell down.

Chen Ju quickly stood up and supported him, "I know you will react this way if you know this, so I came here tonight to inform you."

"Brother Chen, I'm fine. Sit down and talk."

Wei Guangde hurriedly stood up and asked Chen Ju to sit down first. He also sat down slowly, thinking in his mind.

At the beginning, he approached Yang Shangshu of the Ministry of War to persuade Yu Dayou to join the garrison of Ji'an in Jiangxi Province. Now Hu Zongxian wants to put a deputy chief soldier on Yu Dayou's head. Is this intolerable? Does he still want to take Yu Dayou under his command and manipulate him at will?

There is also the Poyang garrison who has been transformed into a general, and he also specializes in training boat divisions to control Jiujiang. Is this destroying the jobs of Jiujiang Guards, or is he trying to bring Jiujiang Guards under his control?

"Did your Majesty agree?"

Wei Guangde asked anxiously, feeling a little nervous.

If Emperor Jiajing had agreed to Yan Song's request, it would be a bit troublesome. If that didn't work, he would have to inform his father-in-law Wei Guogong Xu Pengju as soon as possible. He could only use his noble power to fight against Hu Zongxian, even if he offended Yan Song.

This was poaching himself, and I guess Xu Guogong wouldn't be able to bear this tone.

"Your Majesty has accepted the memorial and is still considering it."

Chen Ju's next words made Wei Guangde temporarily relieved, as long as he didn't agree at the time.

"anything else?"

Wei Guangde hesitated and asked.

Previously, Chen Juke said that two things were related to him, but after Wei Guangde listened for a long time, he realized that Hu Zongxian's memorial was related to him, so what else was going on?

"Gone."

Chen Ju said.

Wei Guangde was not clear-headed at the moment, and asked suspiciously: "You mean, the matter about Lan Shenxian has something to do with me?"

"My godfather said, let me tell you."

Chen Ju replied.

Within two days, as the ninth day of February approached, Emperor Jiajing of Xiyuan seemed to have just remembered that he was about to take the exam. When he was about to leave the government, he suddenly issued an order to order Yuan Wei, the prince's Taibao Hubu Shangshu and the scholar of Wuyingdian, to , Dong Fen, the right minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs and a bachelor of the Hanlin Academy, presided over the examination.