Rule over Ming Dynasty

"I'm here!" A tall young man with thick eyebrows and big eyes responded excitedly, his voice obviously trembling.

Everyone's eyes were focused on the newly-qualified scholar. This new scholar looked very young, but his appearance was plain, and his dull reaction obviously lacked a sense of intelligence.

Judging from the other person's clothes and temperament, this person is neither rich nor noble, but I don't understand why he can attract the emperor's special attention.

Zhu Youtang looked at this notorious historical figure in later generations, and he did not expect to meet him here: "How old are you?"

"I am now nineteen!" Yan Song was very frightened and answered nervously.

Yan Song is a native of Fenyi, Jiangxi. He comes from a poor family. He is a smart young man and is good at making enemies. In the Jiangxi Provincial High School Examination last year, although he was not the youngest candidate in Jiangxi's examination, he was still eye-catching.

Jiangxi is a major province in the imperial examinations. He was able to win the imperial examination at the age of eighteen, which is already a very outstanding thing, so he is already well-known in Jiangxi.

It's just that the provincial examination mainly relies on talent and luck, but at the level of the general examination, the examination candidates are actually getting more and more successful.

The number of students in the junior high school is small, and many of them are job candidates after failing a few exams, so the competition in the general examination is small. However, with the development of the times, more and more candidates are obsessed with the examination. As a result, not only the number of candidates for the examination has increased, but also the quality has become higher and higher.

Take Zhang Cong in history as an example. After failing the exam seven times, he still wanted to continue to obtain Jinshi status. The famous Li Chunfang was already thirty-seven when she was the top pick in high school.

If the number of Jinshi in the Hongzhi Dynasty had not been expanded to 600, and the court was paying more and more attention to the pragmatism of candidates, a young genius like Yan Song would have to wait two more years to attend high school.

It can only be said that the emergence of Zhu Youtang is slowly changing the original historical trajectory.

Yan Song was talented in reading when he was young, and his entry into the officialdom also showed his super personal ability, so it is very reasonable to enter the officialdom early this time.

Even though he is still young, gold will always shine.

Zhu Youtang nodded noncommittally, and suddenly changed the topic: "You are so young, if you were to serve in the country, even if you had to go through seniority, you could reach the rank of minister. There is one thing I don't understand. Why did you express such a strong opinion in the answer to the palace examination? Intention to work overseas?”

"Thunder, rain, and dew are all gifts from God! Everyone in the world calls your Majesty the Holy Son of Heaven. It is my blessing to be born in this world! Now your Majesty wants to expand the sea area. Although I am young, I know the emperor's ambition. I have been loyal since I was a child. The first doctrine is that now that we know the emperor's ambitions, how can we dare to leave the peace of the country? I am willing to go to work overseas, even if I risk my life, I will build a legacy for your majesty for all eternity!" Yan Song knelt down and expressed his position with great emotion.

Tang Yin and others listened to these well-founded remarks. Although they felt a little disgusting, they couldn't help but nodded at the young man's awareness.

Although they also want to enjoy themselves at home, they know that talents are more needed overseas, and their new academic qualifications do not even have the courage to serve overseas, so why will they be favored by the emperor in the future?
Zhu Youtang looked at the slightly green young man in front of him, smiled slightly and said: "You are all the pillars of the Ming Dynasty. I am not sending you out to take risks, but I hope you can get experience. We will better serve the country and the people in the future. Yan Weizhong, I gave you a chance, is it too late to regret going overseas?”

"Your Majesty, please send me to the place where I can gain the most experience. I only hope to become a pillar of the country, so that I can assist your Majesty in governing the country in the future!" Yan Song raised his face and looked loyal.

Zhu Youtang knew that Yan Song was definitely a smart man, so he looked at the others and said, "Is there any of you who doesn't want to serve overseas?"

"I am at your Majesty's disposal!" Wang Shouren and other eleven new scholars immediately expressed their stance.

Perhaps there were some lucky political opportunists in the examination room, but they not only expressed their willingness in the examination paper, but also analyzed the importance of sending officials to serve overseas in their articles.

Throughout the ages, the most important thing for a dynasty is its talent.

Since the Ming Dynasty wants to extend its tentacles to the ocean, it not only needs military control, but also needs officials to assist in governance, so as to achieve the purpose of integration.

Zhu Youtang knew that this group of people had already decided to go overseas, so he clapped his hands gently.

Twelve little eunuchs appeared, each holding a long brocade box.

Zhu Youtang said sincerely: "This is a gift from me to you! I know that you are all the proud sons of heaven. However, the Ming Dynasty is now invincible. If you want to go up to the next level, you need a country with a higher vision." Dongliang. I am sending you overseas today not because I am ruthless, but because Ming Dynasty needs your help to see the world, and it also needs you to help the people of Ming Dynasty live a better life in the future!"

"I will do my best to serve the imperial court and repay His Majesty's kindness!" Wang Shouren and other new scholars were moved by the emperor's sincerity and immediately expressed their stance solemnly.

After everything was done, the emperor left in a dragon chariot.

Xiao Chuanlu's assessment continues. Except for Lun Wenxu, who has just stepped on the trap first, the other eleven people have the opportunity to compete for the position of the most elegant number one pick.

Even if they want to serve overseas, if they have the title of No. 1 Scholar, it will be a matter of honor for their ancestors and will help their future career.

On this day, Ming Dynasty held a grand Chuanlu Ceremony, which attracted the attention of the world.

In the morning light of the morning sun, the splendid Forbidden City slowly woke up, and the bell and drum tower of the Meridian Gate in front suddenly rang a melodious bell.

"The auspicious time has come, and all the officials will come to pay tribute to you!"

The three doors of the Meridian Gate opened one after another, and a eunuch's voice came from the Forbidden City.

Under the leadership of Yin Zhi and Wang Yue, the civil and military officials entered from the Yemen on both sides, crossed the Jinshui Bridge, entered the Fengtianmen Square, and then climbed up the stairs to the Fengtian Hall.

As the officials of the fourth rank and above entered, the sound of shouting "Long Live the Mountain" rang out in the hall.

Zhu Youtang, wearing a dragon robe, appeared here, and the candidate for the top prize had been decided.

The No. 1 scholar in a new branch of science has great influence in the world and is also a benchmark for scholars. Even if the emperor has the right to select any new scholar as a No. 1 scholar in a new branch of science, he must be cautious about it.

For example, the reason why the Jiajing Emperor in the original history was criticized was because he chose Qin Minglei, who was ranked 107th, as the top scholar because of a dream.

It's just that Zhu Youtang wants to make a difference and also hopes to get real talents, so he still needs to carefully weigh it to select the best candidate.

"Fellow tributes, listen to the announcement!"

In front of Fengtian Hall, six hundred Jinshi, wearing brand new Jinshi robes, were kneeling in front of the white marble steps.

They lowered their heads in silence, with nervous and expectant expressions on their faces. As the rankings were about to be announced, a solemn and solemn atmosphere filled the air, with only the occasional bird song breaking the surrounding silence.

Tang Yin knelt in the crowd, his heart beating as if it was about to jump out of his chest.

Although he was full of confidence before, after all, the competition was not about painting and poetry, but about knowledge and ability. Now the waiting process made him feel an indescribable nervousness.

Especially at the moment when he saw the emperor in person, his inner desire for the position of No. 1 Scholar changed even more. However, he changed his previous free and easy attitude and only hoped to assist this wise king to create an unprecedented prosperous age for the Ming Dynasty.

The moment when his name was announced as the number one pick kept appearing in front of his eyes. That kind of glory and pride seemed to have been played out countless times in his imagination. He only hoped that yesterday's dream could become a reality.

Wang Shouren and other new scholars who participated in Xiao Chuanlu were equally nervous, but Lun Wenxu's hope became very slim, and Yan Song knew that when he entered the list of twelve people, he was already smoking from his ancestral grave.

Ordinarily, only the twelve new scholars who participated in Xiaochuanlu had hope, but the other personnel all hoped for a miracle, so they silently prayed that they could become the number one scholar. A loud voice came from the Fengtian Palace, announcing the winner of the top prize - "First place in the first class of the palace examination: Tang Yin!"

At this moment, Tang Yin seemed to be hit by electricity, and all the nerves in his body were trembling.

At the reminder of the person next to him, he stood up suddenly, with a smile on his face as bright as the spring sunshine, but suddenly he almost fell down as if he couldn't walk.

After feeling the envious gazes around him, he finally understood why everyone in the world is tirelessly pursuing fame, and the treatment of winning a house of applause for a brilliant poem pales in comparison.

At this moment, he has become the focus of the audience, and will also become the focus of the entire Ming Dynasty.

Different from the order in which the rankings are announced in the provincial examination and the joint examination, the gold list is announced starting with the list of first-class scholars, followed by the list of second-class scholars and the third-class scholars.

Among this list, only the first-level Jinshi are qualified to enter the temple to meet the saint.

"The second place in the palace examination: Wang Shouren!"

The sound in the hall sounded again, which made Wang Shouren feel unprecedented ecstasy.

Although he became famous at a young age, his father Wang Hua was so dazzling that everyone seemed to only know that he was Wang Hua's son, but could not remember his name Wang Shouren at all.

It's just that now he has become the second player in the new class. Although he is one position behind the number one player, he can still have his own place.

"Third place in the Imperial Examination: Yan Song!"

Yan Song, who was looking enviously at Tang Yin and Wang Shouren in front of him, suddenly heard his name and his mouth opened in disbelief. He couldn't believe his ears.

When it comes to eight-legged essays, I am not in the top three at all.

In terms of talent and literary talent, I can't compare with Tang Yin and others.

In terms of background and family background, I am not worthy of carrying shoes for a second-generation official like Wang Shouren.

It was just that he was selected by the emperor as the newly discovered flower boy. An indescribable ecstasy surged into his heart. A silly smile appeared on his face, and he felt like he was in a dream.

"Tanhualang, please come to the palace with me to thank you!" An official from Chuanlu Temple was not surprised by Yan Song's reaction, and stepped forward with a smile on his face and said softly.

Fengtian Hall, commonly known as Jinluan Hall.

Entering the hall, an invisible pressure rushed towards you.

You must know that the people standing in this hall are senior officials of the fourth rank or above of the Ming Dynasty, and there are also a number of court bosses who have already become famous all over the world.

Liu Zhong, the Minister of Agriculture, who personally measured the acres of land one by one in Huguang, Zhao Chengqing, the Duke of Jingguo who opened up the territory for the Ming Dynasty, and Wang Yue, the head of the Military Machine Pavilion who dared to use Shang Fang's sword to kill nobles in the capital.

Of course, the one who made the three of them feel the most pressure was the emperor on the dragon throne, a heroic ruler rarely seen in a century.

The reason why Zhu Youtang chose Tang Bohu was not only because of Tang Bohu's talent and potential ability to govern the country, but also because China not only needed troops to station overseas, but also needed China's cultural treasures to capture the loyalty of people overseas.

Following the decision to write a poem about the bright moon, the three of them also came up with poems one after another, and Tang Yin's poem "Wine to the Bright Moon" was the most dazzling.

There was originally a moon before Li Bai, but only Li Bai's poems can describe it.

Now that Li Bai has passed away, how full and waning is the moon in the blue sky?
Today people still sing Li Bai's poems, and the bright moon is still as bright as when Li Bai was alive.

I learn from Li Bai to know the bright moon, Bai and the bright moon can know!
Li Bai was good at poetry and drinking, I can drink a hundred cups and write a thousand poems.

Although I am not as talented as Li Bai, I expect Yingyue will not think I am ugly.

I have also boarded the emperor's ship, and I also want to go to sleep in peace.

There is a holy king in the Fengtian Hall, and the sky is filled with thousands of plum blossoms and a moon.

……

After the passing ceremony, the civil and military officials and new scholars respectfully saw the emperor off.

Zhu Youtang was quite satisfied with this grand ceremony, but it was just a ceremony after all. After leaving Fengtian Hall, he went straight to Yangxin Hall in Xiyuan to handle government affairs.

Today's glory is destined to belong to Tang Yin, Wang Shouren and Yan Song. They will enter the most glorious part of the royal street to praise officials.

The three of them left the Forbidden City from the Royal Road, turned left with the ceremony team, and came to the place where the gold medal list was posted.

According to the practice over the years, the gold medal will be hung at the left gate of Chang'an. This gate is also called Dragon Gate, which means a fish leaping over the Dragon Gate.

When the gold medal was announced to the world, the two county magistrates of Shuntian, Wanping and Daxing came to the three of them and clearly put big red flowers on their heads.

Tang Yin and the other three were helped onto the horse, and then set foot on Chang'an Street, which was already overcrowded.

In the past, there was no way to boast, and now there is no limit to thinking.

The spring breeze is proud of horseshoe disease, seeing Chang'an flowers in one day.

The three of them were dressed in gorgeous robes and wore big red flowers symbolizing honor on their chests. They were riding proudly on Chang'an Street in the spring breeze.

Both sides of the street were crowded with onlookers. They cheered together and cheered loudly for the three newly promoted No. 1 picks, No. 2 picks and No. 3 picks.

Tang Yin's being the number one scholar did not arouse public opinion, not to mention that the earlier rumors had become widespread, and the current number one scholar was going to sea to practice.

Not to mention that Tang Yin has proven his true talent and knowledge, but his courage to go overseas to serve alone, there is no reason for anyone to question such a person who takes risks for the Ming Dynasty.

At this moment, Tang Yin, Wang Shouren and Yan Song were in great glory, and their faces were full of pride and pride.

But they all know in their hearts that after this success, they need to devote themselves to new work and strive to become the pillars of the Ming Dynasty.

Especially when they are about to go overseas, they need to be prepared to meet the challenges. (End of chapter)