Sui Dynasty: I, Yang Guang, am both scrupulous and stable

Chapter 279 Imperial Examination
The emperor and empress took Yang Guang to chat in the study.

While chatting, we started talking about the Northeastern Front.

"Father, the Di newspaper said that the current situation in fighting Goguryeo is very good. In this case, there may be a chance to defeat them and surrender this year."

Speaking of this, the emperor was extremely happy: "Yes, in the past few months, we have captured three important cities in Goguryeo. King Wei's tactics are to advance slowly. Our army's military strength and supplies exceed those of Goguryeo, and we have the advantage of musketry." , We have a great advantage on the frontal battlefield. Goguryeo basically has no ability to take back the city from us, so it can be eaten away slowly. Goguryeo just sent an envoy for peace talks not long ago."

"Peace talks, father, do you mean peace talks or no peace talks?"

"It depends on their sincerity and attitude. I think occupying the current city will be enough to lose nearly [-]% of Goguryeo's strength. As long as the other party's attitude is sincere and sincere enough, we can negotiate."

Yang Guang nodded: "After this, we have completely defeated Goguryeo and those small countries that are eager to use their ambitions. However, the minister suggested that Goguryeo must give up its northern land near the Bohai Sea during the peace talks, so that we can border Baekje. This way This can prevent Goguryeo from attacking Silla and Baekje in the future and recharging its energy to develop wolfish ambitions."

Yang Jian stroked his beard with satisfaction: "To be honest, your ideas and mine do coincide. This is the most important thing for me in the peace talks. If they really agree to negotiate, once this condition is added, it will be great." The Sui border pass goes straight behind it, and there is no way to break the big waves."

"Father is wise."

Queen Dugu said appropriately at the right time: "You and His Majesty have had the same ideas not once or twice, so among the brothers, you and His Majesty are the most similar."

All three laughed.

Queen Dugu talked about other things at this time: "Amo, I saw the fabric you sent in before, and I think you are really just like your father. You are very clear about the affairs of the family and the country every day, but these I don’t know anything about silk and satin clothing. I was quite happy if you gave me the cloth, but after looking through it, I found that the quality and appearance are just third-rate goods. Don’t bother giving them to me in the future. If you do, let Meng Meng know that they are of good quality. Lan goes to see it.”

Yang Guang chuckled: "Mother, I naturally know that it is third-rate stuff. Even if you don't study it, how can you still not tell whether it is good or bad by comparing what you are wearing with the fabric?"

"You kid, why are you still making fun of me? Are you deliberately teasing me?"

"How dare I play tricks on my mother? It's just that I produced this fabric and wanted my mother to see how good it is. My mother is the most noble woman in the world. She must be much more knowledgeable about these things than me." .”

Queen Dugu was slightly surprised: "Did you make your own fabrics during the pregnancy? If that's the case, I advise you to forget it. Your fabrics are third-rate at best and can only be used to make clothes for the ladies in the palace. .”

Queen Dugu didn't like the fabric, but Yang Guang laughed when he heard this: "Mother, you really think this fabric is enough to make clothes for the ladies in the palace."

"Absolutely. In previous years, most of the fabrics of this quality in the palace were used by the palace ladies."

Considering the dignity of the royal family, although the clothes of the ladies in the palace are made of ordinary materials, people like Queen Dugu will definitely look down on them, but the ladies from wealthy families outside the palace probably only wear this grade, and even this They are all considered wealthy.

This means that the cloth he produces is of very good quality when used by ordinary people, even the kind that many ordinary people are not willing to spend money to buy.

He was satisfied that the cloth he made could be of this quality.

Seeing Yang Guang's silly and happy look, Queen Dugu said: "What are you happy about? I didn't praise you."

"Mother, do you know who sewed the cloth?"

"I don't care about a third-rate master."

"Queens are not made by men."

Hearing this, Empress Dugu was startled and turned pale with fright: "Amo, please don't scare me. This broad daylight is not only a human but also a ghost. Amitabha, Amitabha."

Empress Dugu, who believed deeply in Buddhism, was frightened by Yang Guang's sudden words.

Yang Guang quickly explained: "The queen is not a ghost. This fabric is sewn by a machine."

"Machine? What is this?"

"The Queen Mother can understand this as the Mohist machine technique. Her son built a machine with iron and some other materials. As long as he burned charcoal or coking coal and lit the fire, the machine could keep moving and weaving. The cloth is the same as what I gave you before, and the quality is basically stable and there will be no change."

Queen Dugu was confused, obviously not able to understand such a thing.

Yang Guang continued to explain: "Mother, you don't need to understand the principle, just imagine it as an institution that can keep weaving and has ten female workers at a time."

At this time, the emperor, who had not cared about cloth matters before, asked: "Is there really such a magical mechanism?"

"Yes, Father, because it's not completely done yet. It can only be used after testing. There are many areas that need improvement, so I haven't told you yet."

The emperor asked: "If this mechanism really works and works as you said, can't it be that one machine can order ten weavers? Although the cloth produced is considered third-rate in the palace, it is sufficient in the market." The people used it.”

Yang Guang said mysteriously: "Father, a machine can support more than 10 female celebrities. Workers need to eat, sleep, and rest, but the machine does not need to be used. As long as it is given fire, it will work. It is not completely completed yet." , according to our calculations, one machine can match the working speed of at least 50 workers, which is relatively conservative."

The emperor also showed a slightly surprised look: "So, can't our cloth products be improved a lot?"

"Yes, it can be improved a lot and the cost can be reduced a lot."

"How much lower?"

"Before we started making this thing, Erchen's estimate was to reduce it by [-]% to [-]%, but currently, the cost may be reduced to only [-]% to [-]% of the original value."

The figure of [-]% to [-]% was something that the emperor had never thought about. He looked at Yang Guang very seriously.

Yang Guang was not a braggart, and such bragging would be seen through immediately. He immediately said to Yang Guang: "Amo, how long will it take for your machine to be completely built? I want to see it with my own eyes."

"Father, I expect you to give me another two or three months. Now I have added more people to improve it. The main improvements are the time of use and the efficiency of weaving. If nothing happens, what will happen in two or three months? In this way, we can deliver a passable finished product.”

Yang Jian laughed: "Okay, okay, okay. If it can be done, the cost of cloth will be reduced, and everyone in the Sui Dynasty can afford to wear clothes. There will be no people who are not covered by clothes and cannot protect themselves from the cold in winter."

Yang Jian's words suddenly caused Yang Guang, who was originally smiling, to stop abruptly and freeze on the spot.

He originally thought that after the loom appeared, he would dump Nanchen at a low price and disrupt Nanchen's internal affairs, but he did not expect that Yang Jian's first thought was that the people would have clothes to wear.For the first time, this was the first time, Yang Guang felt from his talented father, that Yang Jian was not only a lofty emperor, but his true thoughts revealed in his heart were so simple and real.

It turns out that he would consider his own people, and in this regard he was actually far better than many emperors in history.

How many people have done it on the Dragon Throne throughout the ages, but how many people are really satisfied with it, whether they have enough to eat or how many are warm enough to wear?

Seeing the stunned Yang Guang, Yang Jian asked: "What's wrong with Amo?"

Yang Guang came back to his senses: "It's okay, Father, it's just that Father just said that everyone has clothes to wear, and I felt something in my heart."

"Oh? What insights?"

"There are tens of thousands of mansions and mansions, and the world's poor people are all happy!"

As soon as Yang Guang's words came out, Yang Jian was stunned.

With simple yet extremely ambitious wishes, he looked squarely at his son in front of him.

Nodding with satisfaction, he walked to the desk, and with a stroke of his pen, he wrote down a few words to secure tens of millions of mansions and make all poor men in the world happy, and ordered the eunuch to come in and frame these words to be alert at all times. Hold yourself.

Yang Jian continued: "Amo, hurry up and work on that machine of yours. I will definitely go see it when it's done. Don't hide it if you need any support. Just speak up when you need to."

"Yes, Father, I will go and keep an eye on it starting today."

……

Two days later, at the gate of the imperial city, a large imperial list was posted. Countless people gathered around to watch, and the imperial army had to be kept in check to maintain order.

"I hit it, I hit it, I hit it!"

At this time, cheers came from the crowd. This was the new student who was famous in the gang. As he cheered, people around him began to congratulate him because his family was from a prominent family. At this time, his parents directly took out the money. Reward those around you, and reward anyone who comes forward and speaks auspicious words.

The lists are still being posted. As each list is posted, some people present are happy and some are worried. Those students who are still unknown on the list are extremely anxious.

Yang Guang and Li Yuan were on the second floor of a restaurant on one side of the long street, looking at where notices were being posted.

"Your Highness, those who are named on this imperial list can be said to be named on the golden list, and they will bring glory to their ancestors."

Yang Guang smiled and said: "The four great joys in life are the rain after a long drought, meeting an old friend in a foreign land, the night of flowers and candles in the bridal chamber, and the time when someone is named on the gold medal list."

At this time, the Yun sisters came over and handed the latest newspaper to Yang Guang: "Your Highness, this is tomorrow's newspaper. Please read it."

Yang Guang took the newspaper, and Li Yuan looked at the first page which read, "The title of the gold list is Cao Zheng, a noble son of a poor family."

Li Yuan said in surprise: "Your Highness, the gold medal list has not yet been released, but your side has already been listed on the list?"

After the words fell, the final top three list was posted on the gold list, and the crowd burst into violent cheers. There was no doubt that the top pick and the second pick were all cheering.

Yang Guang patted Li Yuan on the shoulder: "After the examiner has reviewed the papers, the results have already been released. Posting the list is just a formality. How can I not know the results? Type the newspaper earlier to avoid working overtime at night. A little extra.”

Li Yuan looked at the eight characters in the newspaper: the title on the gold list and the noble son of a poor family. The title on the gold list is glory, and the noble son of a poor family is hope. The combined impact on scholars is very great.

Words contain power. The words "a noble son from a humble family" are like being baptized by wind, frost, rain and snow, and being named on the gold medal list means reaching the sky.

Li Yuan had some questions: "Your Highness, this champion was not arranged by you, was he?"

"I'm just worried that you think this way. I, Yang Guangke, can guarantee my integrity and will never interfere with the fairness of the imperial examination. It doesn't matter whether I'm white, or after becoming an official, or from a famous family. The imperial examination is an imperial examination. Everything is done by the examiners. After review, we strive to be fair. Of course, I can’t break the rules I set myself.”

"Your Highness, please don't misunderstand, it's just..."

"No need to explain, I believe many people will think so, but what they think is their business, and I have a clear conscience."

Then he handed the newspaper back to the Yun sisters: "Let's print it like this. The demand for newspapers may increase tomorrow. Print more. Let the ship set off overnight to transport the newspaper to Luoyang and print it as soon as possible."

The two sisters bowed obediently: "Yes, Your Highness."

Yang Guang took Li Yuan downstairs, mounted the prepared horse, and slowly walked to the position of the imperial list. The army cleared the way and walked here. He said to the three people in the first class: "There are five-flowered horses here, you guys." Each person chooses a horse, and I have prepared a grand celebration ceremony in Changle Square for the second place in the number one scholar in the Sui Dynasty. Tonight, Changle never sleeps, and we celebrate together!"

Yang Guang led the three high-spirited people on horseback. Among the three, the number one scholar was the shyest. The other two were from aristocratic families. Although they had never seen such a big scene, they could adapt to it. The number one scholar was from a poor family. The family is not considered white, but it has been in decline for many years.

Many people followed Yang Guang and others towards Changlefang. As soon as they walked in, a long street in Changlefang was already ready. As Yang Guang's horse arrived, there were the sound of firecrackers, cheers and lively drumming. They rang one after another, and now everyone understood what Changlefang was.

If the students walking on Zhuque Street had aroused a sense of ceremony before, now Changle Square has ignited the atmosphere. Yang Guang has prepared a celebration here, a grand and grand celebration, which is like a celebration in heaven and on earth.

Yang Guang said: "Today in Changlefang, drinks are half price and delicacies are half price. From now on, every time a new subject is released, Changlefang will follow this example."

Everyone cheered. The things in Changle Square were expensive and many people couldn't afford them. This time, many new people flocked to buy them at half price.

The champion Cao Zheng was a 28-year-old man, not too young. At this time, he rode close to Yang Guang and whispered: "Your Highness, such extravagance and waste are not considered good by ordinary people."

Yang Guang said with a smile: "Your position will be over soon, and you won't need to call yourself a grassroots citizen in the future. I have read your articles. They are brilliant and have extraordinary literary talent. I like your good calligraphy. Do you think I am wasting money now?" ?"

"Cowfolk, be bold and think so."

"Then do you know how many people the extravagant Changlefang has supported?"

(End of this chapter)