Cutting 1719

Chapter 386
In March, when all things are recovering, the city of Nanjing has also become very lively. Most of the people on the street have smiles on their faces. Traces seem to have completely disappeared from Nanking.

A young man in a long gown, holding a handful of books in his arms, stumbled towards the post station outside the city.

On the book in his arms, there are several newspapers, which seem to be the newly issued ones in Nanjing, but they can't be seen clearly. Of course, the Qingliu newspaper is always pressed on the top - there is a line of black characters on it, The three-year reform of the imperial examination officially redefined the subjects, and the second assistant went to inspect it in person. '

"Brother Qin, don't come here unharmed"

A short and fat scholar walked up to the young man with a folding fan in his hand, and saluted. His eyes swept from the young man's body to the newspaper, with a smile on his face.

"Brother Xue."

The young man's surname is Qin Mingli, he is from Hunan, and he was born in a poor family, so he doesn't even have a book boy around him, and he has to memorize these books by himself.And that short, fat scholar is his classmate, surnamed Xue Mingyan, whose family has hundreds of acres of land in the area, and is regarded as a small landlord. The two of them came to Nanjing this time to collect new textbooks.

Of course, Xue Yan had already arranged for the school boy to take away the textbooks he had received. After all, such a tiring job did not need to be done by himself as a young master.

Seeing that Qin Li was struggling, Xue Yan rolled his eyes and smiled, "Brother Qin, you have also participated in this year's imperial examination, so why not wait at home honestly, if you fail again, you will have to wait." Completely lose your mind. If you change subjects next year, you have never studied them, and you have no famous teacher to teach them, so what is the use of relying on these textbooks?"

Although Xue Yan's words are harsh, it is also the current reality.

After deciding to carry out educational reform last year, relevant actions have already begun. The core imperial examination system, after intensive restructuring, has issued a notice to Shilin in the newspaper.

The announcement stipulates that the traditional imperial examination model is limited to the two-year imperial examination, and the traditional subjects are still examined, but from the third year of the innovation, the subjects will be redefined, and everyone can only apply for the examination from the scholar department.As for the relevant Juren and Jinshi subjects, they are no longer used as a regular application mechanism. Instead, after the term of office expires, the Organization Department will issue the inspection results, and then concentrate on organizing the examinations under the Ministry of Education.

At that time, after the news spread, countless scholars who had not yet obtained their honors had already signed up to participate in this session of the imperial examination. The appointment will be arranged by the Organization Department.The most important thing is that this time is still a traditional subject, which can be called the last chance.

Although Qin Li and Xue Yan have already participated in this scientific examination and are still waiting for the results to come out, they are not sure that they will be able to pass the examination, so they also went to receive new textbooks, and prepared to study after failing the examination. Prepare for next year's imperial examination.

Hearing Xue Yan's ridicule, Qin Li didn't have much embarrassment on his face. In his opinion, among these books, such as "Chemistry", "Physics", and "Geometry" seemed esoteric and difficult to understand, but everyone was also the same. A class, and the exam is essentially a screening ranking, so it is enough as long as he is ahead of others-such as the idiot in front of him.

Seeing Qin Li's taciturn appearance, Xue Yan also felt a little bored, and said softly: "Brother Qin, I heard that a Hunan University will be established in Changsha soon, and students will be able to enroll next year, and some Westerners will come Be a teacher, teach these courses, if you don't pass the exam next year - just sign up with me, so that the chances of applying again will be higher."

Qin Li thought for a while and asked, "How much is the tuition fee? What is the school system?"

"Hey, the two-year schooling system is just a bit expensive, and the total cost is 20 taels of silver." Although Xue Yan's background is not bad, but after hearing that it is 20 taels of silver, he can't help feeling a little toothache.

"20 taels?! So much!"

Hearing the number 20 taels, Qin Li was taken aback. He had never seen such a lot of silver, let alone seeing it, just thinking about it would scare him to death.

"How could the court collect so much money? Doesn't His Majesty care about it?"

Everyone says that His Majesty is an enlightened ruler, but why is he so harsh on scholars?This was something Qin Li couldn't understand.

Xue Yan sneered, "What is the 20 taels for? You must know that half of the cost is borne by the imperial court. Otherwise, it would cost at least 40 taels per person based on the normal expenses!"

"But, don't say 40 taels, even 20 taels, there's no way I can take it out." Qin Li looked sad and sighed long.

As the saying goes, poor culture is rich in martial arts.But in fact, even studying is a path with a very high threshold, because scholars are not engaged in production and can only be supported by their families. If they do not have fame and fame, they may be poor for the rest of their lives.

Therefore, the illiteracy rate in this era is very high, and even those who can write their own names are only one percent.

The two walked forward on their own, but just after arriving at the post station, they were stopped by someone.

"Brother Qin, Brother Xue, have you bought any newspapers yet?" The person who spoke was Zhu Yuyan who was traveling in Nanjing. Since he parted ways with Matsudaira Tsunayoshi and others on the pier, he has been living alone in the inn.

After hearing this strange accent, the two also had smiles on their faces, looking at Zhu Yuyan in front of them.

"Brother Zhu, I have brought you several mainstream newspapers, such as "Qingliu Daily", "Business Daily", and "Dachu Daily". The content in them is still very interesting. silver."

Qin Li's face was slightly embarrassed, gentlemen shouldn't talk about profit, but these newspapers are too expensive, and the two coins are enough for him for a long time, so he can only beg for it.

A trace of disdain flashed in Xue Yan's eyes. In his opinion, the two coins were nothing more than ordinary meal money, and it was too embarrassing to beg for it.

Zhu Yuyan took the newspaper with both hands seriously, and then bowed very respectfully. Although he has learned Chinese and Chinese etiquette since he was a child, he grew up in Japan after all, so he has a lot of Japanese influences in his behavior. Habit.

"Thank you Brother Qin, I will give you all the money in a while."

For a person from a famous family like Zhu Yuyan, he naturally has no shortage of money, not to mention two taels of silver, even two taels of silver is nothing, but he is more concerned about the country he is in now.

"Imperial examination reform."

"The system of sharing food into the mu and the gentry's integrated grain payment system has been fully rolled out, and the effect is remarkable."

"The Lecture Hall will be reorganized into the Central Army Officer University today, and you can apply for the exam today."

Important news appeared in the newspaper, and Zhu Yuyan's expression was a little excited. If these news were placed in Japan, it would be difficult to get them, but in Nanjing, they could learn about them through the newspapers at the first time. The newspapers are really good. good stuff
Seeing Zhu Yuyan's excited expression, Qin Li had a somewhat clear look on his face, and said with a smile: "Brother Zhu returned to his homeland from Japan, he will inevitably be surprised. In fact, I first saw the "Qingliu News" At times, it behaves like this.”

Zhu Yuyan lowered his head, felt the thickness of the newspaper with his fingers, but sighed softly, "My land in China is indeed the heart of the world, but it is far beyond comparison in a remote and desolate place like Japan. Brother Qin, Brother Xue, you guys Do you intend to continue to apply for the imperial examination next year?"

Both Qin Li and Xue Yi nodded, and then Qin Li pointed to the books in his arms with a wry smile, "These books are the basic textbooks I just received, I have to study them as soon as possible, if this time the imperial examination is not good, I'm afraid I can only give it a try next year's imperial examination. Two, I will go first."

After Qin Li left, Xue Yi rolled his eyes again, looked at Zhu Yuyan, and said with a smile: "Brother Zhu, what are your plans, do you want to apply for university with me? I originally wanted to study at Changsha University , but if you, Brother Zhu, join us, we can apply for Nanjing University."

Zhu Yuyan was a little moved in his heart, but after he looked at the tofu-sized part of the newspaper, he hesitated, and said softly: "Brother Xue's kind intentions, Yuyan understands, but Yuyan has other thoughts in his heart, please understand."

The content in the newspaper is not complicated, it is the admission brochure issued by the newly reorganized Central Army Military Academy.

"In order to cultivate officers who are loyal to the army and patriotism, and realize the aspiration of unifying the whole country, this school specially recruits military students and provides military preparation education"

"The official study period for enlisted students is six months. After the expiration of the screening, those who pass the screening will be promoted to our school as students. They will study military academics and graduate in six months a year. The tuition is free."

"Applicants must be above the age of 25, in good nutritional status, strong and hardworking, without eye disease, hemorrhoids, lung disease, flower willow disease, etc., need to be literate, join the army with patriotism, not afraid of death, not afraid of tiredness, and be able to obey The Commander ordered."

The enrollment brochures were not complicated, they were almost all in the simplest vernacular, almost anyone who could read could understand them, so it was naturally not a problem for Zhu Yuyan.

For Zhu Yuyan, this is a very attractive opportunity. As long as he can pass the exam, he can join the highest-level military academy in Ningchu, and become an official Fuhan Army officer in the future, which means that he He will personally participate in the Northern Expedition and realize the ideal of his grandfather Zhu Shunshui—to expel the Tartars, restore China, and restore the Han people!
As soon as he thought of this, Zhu Yuyan didn't hesitate any more, and went to the sign-up point written on it.
Zhu Yuyan's whereabouts have always been in the eyes of the shadow, so Ning Yu soon learned of Zhu Yuyan's movements, and he just took a wait-and-see attitude towards the situation that he wanted to apply for the Central Army Military Academy, and did not do anything for it. Send someone to stop or open the back door.

For Zhu Yuyan, Ning Yu is more of a stocking attitude. Whether he can pass the exam or not is his own business. Although Zhu Yuyan's status is very special, but to put it bluntly, he is only a talent that may be used in the future. Or a pawn against Japan.As for the rest, it's too early to tell.

On the contrary, it is the university fee that many people have responded to, which is more likely to attract Ning Yu's attention. After all, in this era, an ordinary family can spend at most ten taels of silver a year, and 20 taels of tuition is enough for a family to live for two years. It is difficult for many people to take out 20 taels of silver at once.

But the problem is that even if it is 20 taels, it is still a sum of money that Ning Chu squeezed out from the financial revenue, which is not counted as part of the money from the local finance, which barely bears the general expenses, and the remaining half It is still up to the students themselves.

In this era, Ning Chu simply cannot afford the compulsory education for future generations, so he never had such extravagant hopes.Only after the industrialization process begins and the national strength has been greatly improved can we reluctantly start basic compulsory education.

Fortunately, traditional education has not completely withdrawn from the stage. A large number of private schools and ethnology are still playing the role of enlightenment, and in the imaginable future, new learning will gradually appear in private schools. After all, this is linked to being an official. So it can also play a part.

But for Ning Yu at the moment, what is really exciting is another piece of good news, that is, with the addition of talents from the West, the research and development progress of steam engines and Jenny textile machines has been greatly reduced.According to the relevant report of Guimaoyi Base, they can already come up with relatively mature experimental products!

When Ning Yu came to the Guimaoyi base in Nanjing Zijin Mountain again, the place had been taken over by the military, and there were patrolling soldiers everywhere, and the martial law was much stronger than it was at the beginning.

Among them is the reason why the steam engine and the Jenny textile machine were successfully developed, and it was also because the Qing government sent someone to deliver a letter to the Cao Gang. Although that incident was intercepted in time, it also led to vigilance in places like Guimaoyi Base. The level has been greatly improved, so it has become the most stringent place at present.

Lei Tuozi came out to welcome Ning Yu himself, and there were many more people traveling with him than last time. Besides the original group, there were also many Westerners. After seeing the emperor, they all looked a little nervous .

"Congratulations, Your Majesty!"

"Well, your progress is much faster than I thought. I thought it would be the second half of the year, but I didn't expect it to be finished in March. I want to award you medals and titles."

Lei Tuozi stood up awkwardly, with a bit of embarrassment on his face, "Your Majesty, the trial production of the steam engine is thanks to the help of this foreign brother. Without him, our plan would not be so smooth. As he spoke, he pushed a gray-haired Westerner out.

"Your Majesty, it is an honor to meet you."

The gringo spoke English, and soon a special translator beside him spoke in Chinese.

Ning Yu looked at the foreigner in front of him, but he recalled the information that Ernst had given him back then. There are not many people of this age. Soon, a person Ning Yu remembered hooked up with him. It is also one of the most important people who came to China this time-Thomas Newcomen.

"Are you Mr. Thomas?"

　I would like to recommend a new book to everyone, "My Lord Liu Bei of the Three Kingdoms", it feels pretty good, you can read it.

　　


(End of this chapter)