At the end of the Yuan Dynasty, the competition for the deer in the world

Chapter 58 First talk about imperial examinations, future lone officials

"Why did you come here?"

Ma Xiuying and Luo Mao heard the words, turned around quickly, bowed and said: "I have seen the general!"

Cheng De waved his hand and said, "There's no need to be too polite. You haven't told me, why are you here?"

When Luo Mao was about to speak, Ma Xiuying pointed to the big tent and said, "General, let's go in and talk!"

Cheng De was startled, looked around, then nodded: "Alright."

So Ma Xiuying, Luo Mao, and Cheng De entered the big tent.

After Cheng De sat down, Luo Mao said: "General, it is the common intention of Master Lu and Master Li that the students come here."

Cheng Dezhengyan asked, "What is it?"

Luo Mao looked at Cheng De and raised his voice: "Tang Taizong said: 'The people are water, and the king is a boat.', although the water is soft, it wears through stones for a long time, and it will be fine if it is sparse, but it will be useless if it is blocked."

Cheng De's face turned cold suddenly, "What do you mean by these words? Li Shanchang and Lu didn't need you to say it?"

Luo Mao quickly shook his head and said, "This is what the student meant."

Cheng De stared at Luo Mao for a long while, "If you want to say something, just say it, you don't have to beat around the bush."

"Yes." Luo Mao bowed back.

"During the Yuan Dynasty, Boyan abolished the imperial examinations, so that scholars could not apply for their ambitions; strict bans on horses prevented the tillers from doing their best. The people were full of resentment, so that robbers and thieves arose everywhere, and the earth trembled. With the status of the general today, he should be the same as the ancients. Learn from the present—reform the old disadvantages, revive the imperial examination, ban horses, exempt land tax, envoys will live up to what they have learned, and the people will live in their own places, so Sizhou will be in peace." Luo Mao said impassionedly.

Cheng De pondered for a moment, looked at Luo Mao, and Luo Mao also looked at Cheng De.

"Is this what Li Shanchang and Lu Yong mean?" Cheng De narrowed his eyes slightly and looked at Luo Mao.

"Yes. Of course, the student also thinks this way, because the student only had the words of Emperor Taizong before." Luo Mao replied calmly.

"Okay, Luo Mao, are you using Tang Taizong to embarrass me? Let's not talk about your suggestions. If I don't agree, I'm not a person who knows people and makes good use of them. If I agree, you guys Tang Taizong's status has elevated me, and made you feel what you want. This is putting me on the fire! If you follow suit in the future, I might as well leave everything to you to decide ?” Cheng De looked at Luo Mao calmly.

Luo Mao's complexion changed when he heard the words, and he lowered his head and said, "Forgive me, the general. The students dare not presume, so I ask the general to learn from you."

Cheng De glanced at Luo Mao, "If you want to offer advice in the future, just say it directly, don't do this, understand?"

"Yes, the student promises that there will never be a next time." Luo Mao said seriously.

Cheng De chuckled, "Okay. If that's the case, let's have a good talk. I've agreed to banning horses. Isn't Tian Fu doing it all the time? Why bring it up again?"

Luo Mao then said: "General, according to Master Li and Master Lu's intentions, the land tax exemption is for everyone, not just the poor. The people under the general's rule are all favored by the general. Come, the hearts of the people will be available."

Cheng De didn't hesitate: "Since that's the case, let's get rid of it together! Also, how many years did Master Li and Master Lu say they would be exempted?"

"Reporting to the general, Master Li and Master Lu both think that exempting the people for three years is the best. After three years, when the generals rule the people and everyone has food, if taxes are collected at that time, the people will still be able to pay the taxes. Live well. Before that, the common people must be grateful to the general." Luo Mao replied.

Cheng De nodded: "Let Master Li and Master Lu discuss this matter."

After Luo Mao heard the words, he looked at Cheng De, and he knew that what the general said next was the most important thing.

Seeing Luo Mao's eyes, Cheng De looked at the silent Ma Xiuying, and then said: "As for the resumption of the imperial examination, I have my own thoughts. There is no need to discuss this matter. It is not the time yet. However, you should You can go down and discuss it. If—"

Cheng De paused, "If the imperial examination is reopened, I think the Sizhou imperial examination can be divided into three categories: Confucianism, Science, and Martial Arts."

Luo Mao's eyes were full of shock, followed by doubts.

Therefore, Luo Mao hesitated: "General, I don't know what Confucianism, Science, and Martial Arts are?"

Cheng De smiled lightly, looked at Luo Mao and said, "Let's talk about Confucianism! Confucianism still examines the Four Books and Five Classics, but scholars who only pass the Confucianism examination can no longer be military officials, nor can they be The Academy of Sciences or the Ministry of Industry that will be established in the future and other related positions.”

Luo Mao was a little dumbfounded when he heard the words, and said in a daze: "Then what kind of official can a scholar who has passed Confucianism?"

Cheng De was silent for a while before dawdling: "You can study history, or take a job in Sizhou College, be a gentleman, or--this is a bit far away. In a word, the pros and cons of the reform must be thorough. There are too many people who talk about it and harm the country.”

Romeo was silent.

He already had a preliminary understanding of Cheng De's thoughts on the imperial examination.

a while.

"General, the student would like to ask—is there any other way for scholars who have passed Confucianism to engage in other types of official positions?" Luo Mao asked a little unwillingly.

Cheng De smiled, "Of course."

Luo Mao's eyes lit up when he heard the words, "Dare to ask the general, what is the method?"

Cheng De said with a smile: "For example, if you want to be an official of the Ministry of Industry, you must pass the science examination. If you want to be a military officer, you must pass the military examination."

Luo Mao was stunned.

Immediately, Luo Mao looked at Cheng De and asked, "General, if you are a scholar, if you pass Confucianism and Science, does that mean—"

Cheng De answered directly: "That's right, it's what you think. If a scholar passes Confucianism, Science, and Martial Arts, then the scholar will have a bright future."

Hearing this, Luo Mao felt relieved.

But there are still some doubts in my mind.

For example, what science test?
Also, what about martial arts?
He even wanted to confirm that Confucianism was really just an investigation of the Four Books and Five Classics?
When Luo Mao looked up at Cheng De, he found that Cheng De didn't seem to want to continue the conversation, so he gave up.

The general's mind is unfathomable.

Luo Mao sighed inwardly.

This time, he didn't know if he had fulfilled Master Li and Master Lu's entrustment.

It seems to be done.

But again it doesn't seem to be done.

I'm afraid Master Li and Master Lu will be mostly disappointed.

While Luo Mao was meditating, Cheng De shifted his gaze to Luo Mao, "As for the Sizhou imperial examination, which is divided into Confucianism, Science, and Liberal Arts, you should be rotten in your heart, and you must not speak to others. This includes Master Li and Lu Master, do you understand?"

Luo Mao was startled. Facing Cheng De's calm gaze, his scalp tingled and his throat rolled a few times before he said with difficulty: "Yes, General, the students must keep their mouths shut."

Seeing that Luo Mao agreed, Cheng De continued: "The reason why I asked you to keep a secret is that it is not the time to talk about the Sizhou imperial examination. After I win Jinling in the future, I will discuss the Sizhou imperial examination. It was mentioned again. Of course, it would be better if it was brought up by you."

Looking at Cheng De's deep gaze, Luo Mao froze, nodded slowly and said, "Student—I got it."

This sentence seemed to have exhausted all the strength in Luo Mao's body.

At the same time, Luo Mao smiled wryly in his heart and said: The general's intention is to force me to be a lonely minister!

He could imagine that when that day came, when he raised the matter of the Sizhou imperial examination, he would inevitably face criticism from scholars all over the world.

At that time, the only one who can protect himself is the general in front of him.

But, when the time comes, will the general risk the world to protect himself?
Luo Mao has no confidence in this.

After putting aside these thoughts, Luo Mao said seriously: "General, Master Li and Master Lu, the students have to give them an explanation about the reopening of the imperial examination. Look——"

Cheng De chuckled, "Sizhou Imperial Examination is postponed for now, you can just reply them like this. If you have any questions, let them come to Huai'an City to see me in person."

Luo Mao smiled wryly, "Yes, the students have remembered."

And Luo Mao was slandering in his heart: General said so, Master Li and Master Lu probably wouldn't dare to say it in person.

Cheng De looked at Ma Xiuying, Ma Xiuying felt Cheng De's gaze, and quickly said firmly: "General, I will keep my mouth shut."

Cheng De nodded, then looked at Luo Mao, "How are Master Lu and Master Li doing with regard to the control of the locust plague?"

Luo Mao replied without hesitation: "Reporting to the general, Haozhou, Dingyuan, Sizhou, and Xuyi have all been properly arranged. In two days, the general's entrustment will be completed."

"Very good. However, Hongze, Huai'an, and Qinghe, including Qingjiang that will be captured soon, you tell Master Li and Master Lu to worry about it after they finish their work. Right now, before the locust plague breaks out, Save as much land as you can! Although Huaidong is more prosperous than Huaixi under my rule, if the locust plague breaks out, it will not be so good for the people." Cheng De warned.

Luo Mao said solemnly: "Yes, the students must bring this word with them."

"You rest in Huai'an City for a night, and return to Haozhou tomorrow! I will arrange someone to escort you back to Haozhou." Cheng De stared at Luo Mao and said.

"Yes, the students are willing to obey the general's arrangement." Luo Mao replied.

"Come on!" Cheng De shouted.

"General." One of Cheng De's personal soldiers responded.

"You take the general to rest in the courtyard where I lived before. Tomorrow, you and your subordinates will escort the military division to Haozhou City. After that, you will lead your subordinates back to Huai'an City." Cheng De ordered .

"Yes, general, my subordinates will safely escort the military division to Haozhou City!" The head of the hundred households of the soldiers responded, patting his chest.

Cheng De smiled gratifiedly: "You are worthy of being a member of our Sizhou Army, all right! You can take the military division there now!"

"Yes." The head of the hundred households of the soldiers responded with a bow.

Afterwards, Luo Mao bowed and saluted, and left together with the head of the hundred households.

At this time, only Ma Xiuying and Cheng De were left in the big tent.

For a while, neither of them spoke first.

Suddenly, there was silence in the big tent.

However, Cheng De looked at Ma Xiuying, and Ma Xiuying looked at Cheng De not to be outdone.

"Why don't you stay in Haozhou City and come here?" Cheng De looked at Ma Xiuying gently.

Ma Xiuying gave Cheng De a white look, "I'm a little worried about you."

"Worried about me?" Cheng De was taken aback.

Looking at Cheng De's appearance, Ma Xiuying said seriously: "The four major landowners in Haozhou City turned against each other before, causing a lot of casualties, even the General's Mansion was captured by them. I'm worried about their old friends. Will deal with you secretly."

Hearing Ma Xiuying's words, Cheng De's expression changed drastically, "Why didn't I receive any news? Also, are you injured?"

Cheng De decided to see Luo Mao again tomorrow, and then he would know the reason why he did not receive the news.

Hearing Cheng De's concern, Ma Xiuying's heart warmed up, "No, it's just—"

Cheng De answered, "Just what?"

"It's just to save my own life, sacrificing the lives of hundreds of Jinyiwei, I——I feel uneasy." Ma Xiuying's voice trembled a little, and her eyes were full of guilt.

Cheng De was silent.

"I will take good care of them, and I will take good care of their families. Their children, raised by the general's mansion, will definitely cultivate them into talents." Cheng De said solemnly.

Ma Xiuying nodded: "I will help when the time comes."

Cheng De said with a smile: "When I clear Huai'an Road, I will marry you in Sizhou City."

Ma Xiuying blushed, lowered her head, and said softly, "Yes."

Looking at Ma Xiuying's appearance, Cheng De put his hands on her shoulders and looked sincerely, "I have something to tell you. In fact, I still have a woman. She is my concubine, and her name is Luo Yan. She is a hard-fated woman." People, from now on, the two of you should support each other and take care of the General’s Mansion together.”

Ma Xiuying gave Cheng De a white look, "I see."

Hearing Ma Xiuying's answer, Cheng De smiled, "God treats me well if I can marry you!"

Ma Xiuying said angrily, "Slick tongue!"

However, Ma Xiuying was still very happy.

Afterwards, the two continued to talk for a while, and after sharing a meal, Cheng De asked Lan Yu to arrange for Ma Xiuying to rest in a courtyard not far from his barracks.

However, at this moment, the soldiers came to report, and Deng Youde asked to see him.

(End of this chapter)