Great Military Division

Chapter 272 Change the blood of Nanyang officials?How dare you, Your Majesty!
Bus Department.

Candidates enter the hall and the gate is closed.

At this time, the entire first floor of the bus department was completely emptied, leaving only a hundred desk tables and futons here for candidates to use in their exams. Right in front of and around the hall, several huge screens were unfolded, with exam questions that had not yet been lifted.

no way.

Silk is too expensive. It is impossible for Liu Bian to provide a copy for every examinee. It would be too expensive. Although papermaking is on the agenda, it still takes time to get through the various technical processes.

Before the technological barriers of papermaking are broken through and mass production is possible, Liu Bian can only use this method to temporarily deal with the problem of a large number of candidates taking exams.

At this moment, the examinees sat down in order, arranged the pens and inks they brought, and accepted the final inspection. At the same time, everyone's eyes fell on the huge screen in front of them, guessing the exam questions on it.

"I was still wondering how to distribute the exam questions, but I didn't expect it to be in this way."

"Although this form is relatively stupid, I have to admit that it is the most economical."

"Well, that's true. We have so many candidates, and each of us has one test question. I don't know how many silk books will be wasted."

"I'm really looking forward to how many exam questions the imperial court can ask."

"I heard that the content covers Confucian classics, military art, medicine, calendar, Han law, and even implements, vegetation, birds and beasts."

"To be honest, this is the first time I have seen this kind of assessment situation. It can be seen how eager the imperial court is for talents."

"Yes, indeed."

"."

When everyone is talking about it.

suddenly.

Ding-!
A crisp golden sound sounded.

The chief examiner, Xixian, stood in front of the screen and waved his hands to signal the candidates to be quiet: "The auspicious time has come, the audience is quiet, and those who make noise without reason will lose their qualifications for the exam and will not be allowed to apply for the exam within one year."

In an instant, the audience was silent, there was no sound, and a needle could be heard.

Xi Xian nodded in satisfaction, and then said in a loud voice: "A reminder before the exam, this exam is aimed at selecting talents for the imperial court, and the content covers many aspects such as Confucian classics, military art, astronomy, geography, medicine, Han law, etc."

"Within the specified time, candidates can choose the direction they are good at, and choose one or two questions to answer. The imperial court will give a reasonable and fair score based on the candidates' answers, so that they can be recruited and selected. Remember to be cautious."

"During the exam, if there is an emergency, or if you have doubts about the exam questions, you can raise your hand to signal, and the examiner will solve it. Don't make loud noises, so as not to affect the rest of the candidates."

"."

Barbara.

After explaining the examination discipline and other matters clearly, Xi Xian cast his eyes on everyone: "While there is still some time, if you candidates have any questions, you can raise your hand to signal, and the examiner will answer in person."

Whoa!

When even more than a dozen hands were raised.

Xi Xian randomly selected one of them: "Okay, this candidate will ask questions first."

The examinee stood up and saluted: "Dare to ask the examiner, if I rely on my talents and knowledge, can I choose three questions, four questions, or even more questions?"

"of course can."

Xi Xian nodded with great certainty, waved his hand to signal the examinee to sit down, and replied: "The imperial court welcomes people who are well-educated. It would be best if the examinee can complete more exam questions within the stipulated time."

"Of course!"

Speaking of this, Xi Xian added: "The examiner still wants to advise all candidates, try not to do this, one is because the test time is limited; second, if the academic skills are not good, and the answers are wrong, it will affect the imperial court's scoring of the candidates. .”

Xixian answered downstairs.

now.

The third floor of the bus department.

Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei leaned on the railing and looked down, feeling astonished.

Zhang Fei, in particular, sighed and lowered his voice: "It is indeed fair and just for the imperial court to select scholars through examinations, but it is too difficult. Anyway, I can't bear it. I really don't know how these students can bear it."

Guan Yu stroked his long beard and smiled calmly: "But no matter what, Nanyang Hanting is relatively fair to scholars all over the world, especially those from poor families, so they have the opportunity to enter the court and participate in politics."

"It's tough, but worth it."

Guan Yu was born in the Guan family in Hedong, which is a moderately wealthy local family.

Although there are thousands of acres of land, he has no prominent officials and no influence of Confucian classics. In fact, he can only be a wealthy landowner.

Why don't they want to become officials in the court and serve the motherland, but the promotion of filial piety has long been monopolized by the wealthy families such as the Hedong Wei family, and it is simply impossible for people like them to become officials.

So what if you are familiar with Spring and Autumn?

What they need is not reading, but an opportunity to improve.

Nowadays, the imperial court uses test scores as the criterion for selecting scholars, but Guan Yu praises him from the bottom of his heart.

Even Liu Bei, who was on the side, couldn't help but sigh with emotion: "The court is so and so, it is indeed relatively fair. I hope that your majesty can continue this method and give the big Han and humble gentry a chance."

Although Liu Bei was a clan member of the Han Dynasty, his family was poor and he was born in a poor family. Even if he worshiped the great Confucian Lu Zhi as his teacher, it was still difficult for him to leap into the dragon's gate with this.

Does he lack ability?
The answer is naturally no.

What Liu Bei lacks is a fair and just opportunity, an opportunity that can be spread to poor students, even poor students, so he yearns for and agrees with this exam from the bottom of his heart.

of course!

The most important thing is that even recommended talents still need to pass the examination to become a court official, which undoubtedly weakens the effect of the examination and strengthens the status of the examination.

This point allowed Liu Bei to see the pattern of Nanyang Hanting, and strengthened his determination to become an official in Nanyang Hanting. It seemed that the depression that had been aggrieved for a lifetime was finally comforted at this moment.

Ding-

The crisp bell rang again.

Xi Xian said in a loud voice: "The exam has officially started, and candidates are invited to answer."

Whoa!

Open the curtain to reveal the exam questions.

Sure enough, the categories above have been clearly marked.

Confucian classics, art of war, arithmetic, calendar, Han law, medicine, instrumental use.

Candidates simply read the questions, choose relatively familiar topics, and then start to study ink, think, and prepare to answer.

Many examinees have already mastered the ink when Xi Xian answered the questions. After answering the questions, they read, think, and write in one go.

*****
Squeaky.

On the way to Zhi County.

A carriage moves slowly.

In order to deceive others, Liu Bian only brought Shi A and Zhu Tong as bodyguards, and the rest of the bodyguards were on guard in secret and accompanied them all the way.

In the carriage, Liu Bian, Xun Yu, and Han Ji took their seats respectively.

At this moment, Liu Bian was answering Han Ji's question: "Gongzhi, after you sort it out carefully, you should be able to understand that there are only four directions for the improvement of the iron smelting workshop."

"One: Ironmaking skills;"

"Second: Iron furnace;"

"Third: blower equipment;"

"Fourth: Fuel;"

"The ironmaking technique mainly depends on the equipment. Let's not care about it for the time being. Prioritize the improvement of the ironmaking furnace, blast equipment, and replacement of fuel. After these three are completed, the ironmaking technique will naturally be improved."

"About the blowing equipment, I have provided you with two types, which belong to two different terrain conditions. Where the place is close to rivers, lakes and seas, the improved water drainage is mainly used, while where there is no river, the piston wooden bellows are used as the main device. host."

"I have heard your description and interpretation of the improved water drainage, which is basically correct, but it is also necessary to bear in mind that according to different field conditions, vertical wheel type and horizontal wheel type water drainage should be installed separately, so as to adapt to local conditions. "

Han Ji hastily nodded and nodded: "Don't worry, Your Majesty, I should remember that if the river is turbulent, a horizontal wheel drain should be installed, and where it is relatively calm, a vertical wheel drain should be installed."

"kindness."

Liu Bian nodded in satisfaction.

However, he reminded again: "Gongzhi, remember that from now on, don't call me Your Majesty, but call you Young Master, understand?"

It was only then that Han Ji remembered that His Majesty was traveling in low clothes, hiding his identity, nodded hurriedly and said, "Your Majesty, oh no, don't worry, my lord, I will remember it."

"kindness."

Only then did Liu Bian exhale: "From now on, I can't call myself Zhen, but I, or the prince, Gongzhi, Wenruo, remember to remind me, understand?"

Both of them nodded in unison: "Here."

Immediately.

Liu Bian turned back to the topic and continued: "There is no need to say more about the water row. As for the piston wood bellows, it has many advantages, and we need to focus on promoting it."

"For example, it can be made very large, and it doesn't have to be restricted by leather like a skin bag; moreover, it is very strong and can withstand extreme pressure, and it will not be easily broken like a wind bag."

"In addition, the wooden bellows has a large air volume, less air leakage, and is very convenient for manual operation, and it will not be restricted by terrain conditions, so it can be widely promoted."

"."

"Our kind of piston wooden bellows can be made into a square or a circle. The push-pull piston inside is also called bài (bài). The bài has a handle exposed outside the box and can be pushed and pulled."

Liu Bian pointed to the schematic diagram of the piston wooden bellows, and briefly introduced: "There are vents at both ends of the box, and each is equipped with a valve that can only be opened and closed inward. If you see it, it is these two valves."

"In the lower part of the box, or on the side, there is a ventilation pipe, and on the side of the ventilation pipe, there is a blower port. Both ends of the ventilation pipe are equipped with valves that can only be opened and closed downwards or inwards. valve."

"Young Master, think carefully."

Liu Bian demonstrated the push-pull action by himself: "With such a push, the air behind the cock will be thin, and the air outside the box will press open the valve of the rear vent and flow into the inside of the box."

Han Ji frowned, followed Liu Bian's train of thought, fantasized about the working principle and process of the piston wooden bellows, and nodded to show his understanding of the process.

Liu Bian explained in as much detail as possible: "The air in front of the cockroach can press open the valve of the ventilation pipe, rush into the ventilation pipe, blow out from the blower port, and enter the ironmaking furnace."

"On the contrary, it is the same reason."

After Liu Bian introduced the principle of the two movements of pushing and pulling, he said softly, "So, no matter whether you push or pull it, you can send air into the iron-making furnace and play the role of blowing air continuously."

In an instant, Han Jiru was enlightened, Mao Sai suddenly realized, and kept nodding his head in praise: "So it is like this! It's amazing, it's really amazing."

In fact, from the simple door wooden bellows called "wooden fan" in the Song and Yuan dynasties to the Ming and Qing dynasties, the piston wooden bellows that use pistons to blow air are still widely used in modern times. .

The wooden bellows has a large air volume and high wind pressure, and the wind can penetrate deeply into the furnace, so that the fuel can be burned more fully, thereby increasing the furnace temperature of the iron smelting furnace, and can produce gray iron with higher silicon content, which is convenient for casting thinner of castings.

"and also."

"."

Barbara.

Liu Bian explained a lot, and finally solved most of Han Ji's doubts. His mouth was dry and he drank a big sip of water before he recovered.

Turn your head.

Liu Bian looked at Xun Yu, and said softly, "Wen Ruo, how is the iron smelting workshop recently? Have you broken down the tasks according to the production task responsibility statement?"

"Don't worry, son."

Xun Yu bowed his head and said with great certainty: "I heard that as long as the production tasks are completed, the apprentices can be released from their status as criminals, and they can also get high rewards. They are very motivated to produce."

"The farm tool production task we set will definitely be completed with quality and quantity, and will not delay Zijing's demand, or even exceed the quota, not necessarily."

Most of the iron-making production in the Eastern Han Dynasty was carried out by soldiers. Although the production cost was relatively low, the production efficiency was extremely low, and riots were easy to occur.

Therefore, regarding the smelting and casting industry of the imperial court, Liu Bian, according to the experts' reminders, gradually reversed the situation from the production of soldiers and apprentices to the production of recruited blacksmiths.

The first step is to use the production task responsibility letter to complete the established assessment goals, can get rid of the status of soldiers and apprentices, regain a clean and free body, and gain respect.

Judging from Xun Yu's reaction, the implementation effect should be very good. After the farming period is over, Liu Bian will carry out large-scale reforms to completely stabilize the new dynasty's steel business.

"kindness."

Liu Bian heaved a sigh of relief, and his hanging heart was completely relieved: "My lord, from today onwards, you will accept the imperial court's smelting and casting affairs. You are originally from Nanyang and are familiar with this place. I hope you can Get started earlier to relieve Wen Ruo's pressure."

Han Ji hurriedly clasped his hands together and said, "Don't worry, my lord, I will get familiar with the business as soon as possible, and take care of the court's smelting and casting affairs, and promote the water row, wooden bellows, and this blast furnace."

"very good."

Liu Bian nodded in satisfaction: "I believe in your ability, just do it well."

Han Ji's self-confidence exploded: "Young master, don't worry, Han will definitely live up to his high expectations."

Urge-!
At this moment.

The carriage stopped.

Zhu Tong's voice sounded from outside the car curtain: "My lord, we've arrived at the Kong family casting workshop, we can get out of the car."

Liu Bian agreed, and immediately got out of the car with Xun Yu and Han Ji, and went straight to the Confucian family's smelting workshop.

At the entrance of the workshop, a burly man hurried over, with a smile all over his face: "Young man Qin Fen, I'm waiting for Xun Lingjun."

Xun Yu returned a salute and asked softly, "Master Qin, how is the production task done recently?"

Qin Fen patted his chest and assured: "Xun Lingjun, don't worry, the brothers are very enthusiastic about production, everyone is working day and night, and there will definitely be enough farm tools. Don't worry about that."

"kindness."

Xun Yu nodded his head and waved his hand to introduce: "Master Qin, this is Han Ji from Duyang, who is the newly appointed supervisor of smelting by the imperial court. From now on, he will be in charge of the court's smelting and casting affairs. It’s time to deal with Han Yezhe’s affairs.”

Qin Fen hastily turned his head to look, nodded and bowed and said, "Young man Qin Fen, I have seen Han Yezhe."

Han Ji bowed his hand to return the gift, and smiled calmly: "In the future, Fangzhu Qin will be needed, so please cooperate with Mr. Han."

Qin Fen said softly: "That's for sure! The court's policy is good, and we all have the energy to do it. How can we not cooperate? Don't worry, if you have anything to do, just order it, and the villain will definitely go all out."

"it is good."

Han Ji nodded in satisfaction: "Master Qin said so, Han is relieved."

Qin Fen chuckled: "In the future, I will have to rely on you, Han Ye, to take care of our workshop."

Xun Yu waved his hand and said, "Let's go in, let's go in and have a look, and introduce the specific situation of the workshop to Han Yezhe by the way."

Qin Fen nodded quickly: "Okay, let's invite inside."

present.

Qin Fen led the way and led Liu Bian and the others into the casting workshop.

Not far from the workshop, there were more than a dozen horse-drawn carriages waiting. Qin Fen introduced, "Here are the farm tools that have been refined. After being loaded into the carts, they can be transported to the warehouse in Wancheng."

"."

"Here are discarded pottery fans. We have special personnel responsible for sorting them out. After they are sorted and sorted, they will be loaded and transported to the backyard. They can be smashed and remade into fan."

"."

"In front is the iron melting furnace, which collects the iron ingots produced by the iron smelting furnace, or scrap ironware as raw materials, and melts them into molten iron to pour ironware."

"."

While visiting, Liu Bian listened to the introduction of the Military Division Alliance: "That's right! This is the iron furnace. During the Han Dynasty, the division of labor between the iron furnace and the iron furnace was in line with the characteristics of this era."

"The preheating zone, the reduction zone, and the oxidation zone have obvious characteristics. They really deserve to be the national smelting and casting center. The arrangements are indeed in place. Lord Bian's iron and steel business started much better than other princes."

"Did you see those bricks next to them? They are all special refractory bricks, and the traces of repairs on the melting furnace prove that this smelting workshop has been around for some years."

"Master Bian, have you seen those clay air ducts? This is a kind of local hot air iron stove that was circulated in the Nanyang area during the Han Dynasty. It needs a preheating air duct."

"Experts had guessed before that this kind of preheating blast pipe was placed on the top of the furnace, and it turned out to be true. The expert's prediction was extremely correct."

"."

Although, through archaeological work, experts can basically restore the production environment at that time, but after all, it is somewhat inaccurate, and even most of them are based on theoretical speculation.

now
Liu Bian came to the smelting and casting workshop in person, and took the experts from the Military Division Alliance to walk through the real Han Dynasty smelting and casting workshop, presenting its real production appearance, which not only confirmed the experts' conjecture, but also made up for their failure to imagine to the space.

"Defense Lord."

The voice of the military division alliance suddenly became gentle: "The experts asked me to thank you on your behalf, and finally helped them improve the actual casting scene in the Han Dynasty, which provided a great help for judging the level of weapons and farm tools in the Han Dynasty."

Liu Bian had a thought, and said softly, "Experts don't have to be polite. This is all what I should do. You have helped me so much. I am just trying to improve the historical materials as much as I can. It is not worth mentioning."

*****
Xinye, Deng's family.

Octagonal Pavilion.

While tidying up the flowers and plants, Deng Xun asked, "Nephew, have you heard about the Zhao family in Xinye?"

Deng Tong nodded and nodded: "Well, I've heard that in order to revitalize the public land, the imperial court reduced or exempted the oral tax and calculation tax very strongly. Not to mention the Zhao family, our Deng family also has some influence."

"Yes."

Deng Xun let out a long breath, and said softly: "The Zhao family is just a small noble family and doesn't have much land. Now that His Majesty has encountered this kind of thing again, I guess this year will be a sad one."

"It is said that."

Deng Xun turned his head to look at Deng Tong: "The Zhao family's land is almost uncultivated, right?"

Deng Tong frowned: "My nephew sent someone to investigate, and it is true. Many people have gone to the government to sign up, and they can also get farm tools. Even if the land rent is more expensive, it is very cost-effective."

"Oh?"

Deng Xun asked tentatively: "Have you already asked someone to do the calculation?"

Deng Tongen said: "It has been calculated!"

"How?"

"Although the land rent is half of the yield per mu, but because there is no oral tax, calculation tax, and additional farm tools, overall, there should be a slight surplus for the whole year, but not too much."

"but."

Speaking of this, Deng Tong added: "This decree will be too cost-effective for those with a large number of families. After all, as long as one family farms the field, the whole family can reduce the oral tax and count the tax."

"Some of the farmers who used to farm for our Deng family turned to the government's land precisely because of this consideration, but the amount is not too much."

Deng Xun is naturally aware of these situations.

In the past two days, many clansmen have come to cry and make noise. Although the situation of each family is exaggerated, in general, this decree of the imperial court has indeed frustrated the Deng family a little.

Of course.

Compared with the small gentry like the Zhao family, the Deng family was almost harmless.

After all, the petty gentry had less land, so the land rent would be higher, and the exploitation of the common people was much more ruthless than the Deng family and the Yin family. Now that the government decree came out, they would naturally bear the brunt of it, and the whole family was facing collapse.

call-

Deng Xun let out a sigh of relief, but he didn't care about his family members. Instead, he asked, "Do you think the Zhao family will sit still and wait for death?"

Deng Tong shook his head bluntly: "Absolutely not! According to my nephew, the Zhao family has been secretly contacting the county magistrate. After all, the county magistrate is in charge of this matter. If he can raise his hand, the Zhao family still has a chance. "

"Humph."

Deng Xun snorted, and said in a cold voice: "All the county magistrates in Nanyang have signed the agricultural production responsibility letter. If they fail to complete, they will face dismissal. Will Xinye Ling be so stupid?"

Deng Tong naturally knew about the agricultural production responsibility letter, but he didn't care that much: "Patriarch, the court is in urgent need of experienced officials. This kind of thing is probably just lip service, how can it be taken seriously?"

"If Your Majesty really strictly implements the responsibility letter for farming and production, it is estimated that all the county magistrates and county heads in Nanyang will have to be replaced. It is almost impossible for my nephew to complete the responsibility letter for farming and production after hearing about it."

Deng Xun sighed and continued to tidy up his own flowers and plants: "Don't underestimate your Majesty, this matter may not be as simple as you imagined. If Xin Yeling dares to collude with Zhao's family and delay farming, I am afraid that this official will do his best."

"Ah, this"

Deng Tong still felt a little unbelievable.

After all, judging from the current situation, His Majesty's dismissal of the county magistrate and the county magistrate is probably a foolish act of self-destruction: "Your Majesty should not act like this? At most, he will be transferred elsewhere."

Deng Xun smiled: "If that's the case, the old man can feel relieved, I'm afraid that His Majesty will do something real and completely turn Nanyang upside down."

Deng Tong frowned, and followed Deng Xun's train of thought: "If this is the case, the county magistrate, county magistrate, and even the county lieutenant in Nanyang may all have to be replaced. How dare your majesty do this?"

　Thank you [Provence Purple Rhyme] for the reward of 1500 coins!
　　Thank you [I don’t eat children] for the reward of 500 coins!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)