Tang Qi Tan

Chapter 309
Walking on the official road in Baoxie Road, as the saying goes, there are many mountains and deep gorges, and a meandering stream rushes past; both sides are full of torrents, waterfalls, and dense ancient trees; birds and monkeys sing, and the wind shakes the green fields; It's a world-like scenery with magnificent mountains and rivers and dangerous horses.

It's a pity that it seems to be affected by the recent internal and external blockade. It is still open and obviously made of gravel and cement. On the hardened road, there is no one car, horse and pedestrian. Facilities such as tea sheds and cottages.

In addition, there are only some traces of the formation of the people and horses passing by, and some are obviously using code words in the army; special marks and guidelines left on various road signs, wooden boards, and ancestral stones.But after such a long time, no one escaped and reported back.

This result also made the accompanying people feel heavy in their hearts, and the atmosphere became more dignified; only the accompanying official of the Jingzhao Mansion was still chattering unknowingly, but seemed to try his best to try his best Make a good relationship with Jiang Tian.

Jiang Tian didn't care about this, and let him play to his fullest along the way, just as a pastime to relieve boredom.It wasn't until he saw a certain symbol that suddenly appeared on the mountain wall in the distance; Jiang Tian suddenly stepped down and interrupted the official's rather talkative eloquence:
"Zhao Shicao (joining the army), Duolao accompanied us all the way, and they have already been sent here. You can return to your command, right? The next journey may be dangerous, and I'm afraid we won't be able to take care of each other."

"This...this is the duty of the subordinate official. It should be done well from the beginning to the end. Please forgive me." However, Zhao Shicao's face turned pale when he heard this, but he said forcefully: "Next, the subordinate official I will be cautious in my words and deeds, listen to the respect, and try my best not to be a burden to your ministry."

"Oh..." Jiang Tian couldn't help but tense his voice when he heard the words, and suddenly had an idea in his heart and asked, "Zhao Shicao, did you just transfer back to Jingzhao Mansion from a remote place?"

"Don't dare to hide it, the official was transferred from Fengzhou (now Hanzhong City) to Beijing just a few days ago." Zhao Shicao immediately smiled wryly after hearing this: "If that wasn't the case, why would the official be accused of being a member of your ministry?" It’s nothing more than a familiarity with the location.”

"To be a boastful word, because of the heavy rain and landslide, this slope was repaired in the post of a subordinate official." Then he quickly added: "Although I dare not say that every plant and tree is familiar, but As for the trend of mountains and rivers, it can be said that he is familiar with it."

"Could it be that you haven't heard of the rumors related to me in Jingzhao Mansion?" Hearing this, Jiang Tian couldn't help asking a little curiously:
.
"This..." Zhao Shicao hesitated when he heard the words, and then gave up his usual wry smile and said: "I didn't know it at first, but I knew it after returning to Beijing; it's just that after I was assigned an errand... Speaking of it, the next official I am able to return to Beijing with my qualifications, and I must thank you for the reason."

Although what he said was very cryptic, Jiang Tian understood it quickly, and then connected with news from several court houses.Probably because of the things I tossed about in Chang'an, it was more or less implicated and affected Jingzhao Mansion, so that there were many vacancy since Shaoyin.

However, in the huge capital city, with millions of households, the generals and officials, the daily operations cannot be stopped for a moment; therefore, the ministers of the court and the central government wrote a letter, and in the neighboring counties of Gyeonggi-do, they exceptionally promoted some capable officials to serve as them temporarily. position; then slowly adjust and choose follow-up.

"Zhao Shicao... Could it be that he came from a miscellaneous background?" The deputy lieutenant Zhang Wusheng who was standing beside him couldn't help but said, "That's exactly the case, because it took a lot of time to study and study." Zhao Shicao didn't deny it either. Reluctantly said: "If the current Jingzhao Mansion hadn't made an exception, the lower officials would still be listening to matters in Fengzhou."

Since the Anshi Rebellion and the Taixing reform, the methods and scope of the court's selection of officials and officials have been greatly expanded.Especially in establishing schools and emphasizing education and encouraging government and private schools, the long-term investment in the past dynasties has never fallen.Therefore, it has also formed a pattern of majors (schools) coming from majors.

Therefore, as the largest university in the world, Jingshi University and its [-] branches, including the Academy of Feudal Affairs, each correspond to a well-functioning official career direction and promotion route.Theoretically, even learning how to make crafts can make a difference and develop in the official career.

It's just that most people's career prospects will stop at the level of the head of the nine temples and five prisons, or the level of deputy/deputy officials of the six departments.It is not a deliberate glass ceiling, but human energy is always limited. After focusing on a certain field, it is difficult to take into account other shortcomings.

The Feudal Affairs College is nicknamed Xiaojing University, not only because of its relative completeness, but also because most of its students who are able to graduate in the end will often become the vassal states/vassals of the four barbarians and the backbone of the local government and elites, and even future mid-level and high-level bureaucrats and ministers.

In addition, ordinary people want to be officials, except for those who are from the sidelines in the traditional sense (third-rank courtiers to fifth-rank Beijing officials), (big inner and imperial court) enlistment, (military/lower bureaucrat) promotion and entry into the curtain In addition to (powerful and important ministers); in fact, there are ways out of the three attached schools such as Baigong and official affairs.

Although, the original intention of Duke Liang to set up the Three Attached Schools was to train some subordinate officials, assistants, and clerks who belonged to the imperial court; in preparation for the reform of Taixing, they were assigned to follow those officials at all levels who were appointed to the local government to implement the New Deal; Don't be deceived by the native Haoyou and the family of subordinate officials.

Therefore, over time, a considerable scale has been formed, and a potential network of relationships linked by the same year, teachers and students, relatives and friends, and married women; , also naturally form a potential influence.

And the Zhao Shicao in front of him is obviously one of the few examples of being transferred from an official to an official; it's just that most of them will not go far in their careers.The reason is very simple, limited by factors such as background knowledge, experience and vision, at most it is only hovering in the middle and low grades.

It happened that Zhao Shicao joined the army as one of the officials of Jingzhao Mansion, and his daily duties were to take charge of Hejin and build bridges and yuyu.That's why he was appointed by the elected officials in the Jingzhao Mansion, who were already a little worried, to fill his fire pit in disguise.

"Since Zhao Shicao wants to insist on it, I can't stop you." Thinking of this, Jiang Tian couldn't help but said: "Just to emphasize again, my life has always been dangerous and abnormal," thinking of this, Jiang Tian couldn't help but speak Said: "Just to emphasize again, we have always acted dangerously and abnormally, and what we are facing is all kinds of strange and treacherous things. Once we do something, we have no time to take care of others."

"Xiaguan... Xiaguan..." Zhao Shicao's lips twitched for a moment when he heard the words, and finally he sighed resolutely: "Actually, there is no way out, only life and death have their own destiny, do your best..."

"Okay, then... let's do it!" Jiang Tian nodded after hearing this, and suddenly shouted to his side: the moment Zhao Shicao became pale and tongue-tied and wanted to ask for mercy; The members, however, suddenly rushed forward like a tiger out of its shackles.

Amid the scolding and shouting full of surprise, groups of three or four joined forces to follow several generals in the ranks, and were overwhelmed and subdued on the spot with lightning speed; Amidst the noise of pawns and drums, they dragged back to Jiang Tian's side.

"Supervisor!" "Officer!" "Shangxian!" Then someone was dumbfounded, surrounded the temporary defensive circle with Jiang Tian as the center, and asked one after another: "What's the situation?"" What did the humble do?" "Why?"

"Of course, before going into battle, we should first deal with some unsavory goods." Jiang Tian looked around with a sneer, and the authority he had accumulated in a short period of time made all kinds of doubts and doubts subdued, and he opened his mouth word by word. : "Otherwise, once you encounter an enemy, how can you rest assured?"

"I'm afraid the officer has misunderstood." At this time, a layman on the ground struggled and hissed with disbelief on his face: "Everyone in my generation fights to the death and fights shoulder to shoulder. Comrade, how can there be such a spy with evil intentions! Could it be that someone is accusing..."

"What you said seems to make sense..." Jiang Tian smiled slightly, as if giving the other party some hope; but the next moment Jiang Tian waved his hand, revealing a furry thing: "It's a pity that I caught the scene Proof; this sparrowhawk was the one you set free!"

"Do you want me to read it for you on the spot?" Then, Jiang Tian took out a thin paper tube from it; then he ignored the ashen-faced general.They also sent several pieces of bark of different sizes, and said to the others: "Is this the memory you left behind along the way?"

So, after a moment of rectifying the ranks.Jiang Tian said to the several generals who were tied up by Wuhuada and put on the accompanying cart: "I don't care who you are, and what kind of thoughts and motivations you have in doing things. No matter what happens next, you will never be there again." thing."

At this time, in the distant mountains and forests, several figures appeared again, but they were wearing dark cloaks mottled with green grass, prancing among the treetops like an ape, and they had already arrived in front of Jiang Tian in a moment; the leader But it was a compliment from one of the four servants who were ordered to investigate in advance.

I saw him flying with branches and leaves all over his body, and after he landed, he cupped his hands to Jiang Tian and said, "I would like to report to you, sir, among the mountain walls and slopes a few miles ahead, we found a group of strange beasts migrating. The specific number is about four or five." Ten, among them there are seven or eight big female beasts, and the rest are male beasts and small beasts."

"The subordinates have tried to ambush and kill the biggest one of them, and the rest are running away from the road." Zhang Bao added: "Besides, within twenty miles of the road ahead, there is no sign of anyone. and their whereabouts, even the abandoned weapons and banners never existed.”

"Okay!" Jiang Tian nodded, turned around and shouted: "Pass my order, all throw away excess burdens, and enter the formation of light armor and rapid advance; the cavalry of the first and second regiments follow me one step ahead, and the rest follow up ; The infantry of the third regiment set up camp in place, guarding the baggage, equipment, mules and horses."

However, not long after, a strange beast with bone spurs all over its body and a strangely shaped head horn suddenly appeared on the cliff on the side of the marching road; The trees in this section, together with the remains of a bitten beast, were thrown down condescendingly.

"Good beast, I'm afraid he has a lot of wisdom, you continue to lead the team forward, and let me deal with him." Seeing this, Jiang Tian, ​​who was riding a horse, walked out without hesitation. Jumping up, pedaling straight on the cliff, at the same time, with a wave of his hand, a heavy iron gun was thrown at the strange beast like lightning:

I heard a rapid whine, and the violent noise of rolling down and knocking over a tree.Immediately, following the figure of Jiang Tian who jumped up the cliff, and the sound of scolding and shouting, it turned into a series of wailing and wounded and hastily fled away...

(End of this chapter)