My brother Ying Zheng, who dares to kill me?.

Chapter 1040: With such popular sentiment, there is no need to worry about the longevity of the country! The young soldiers are eager to make achievements!

November 10, the 17th year of the reign of Qin Shi Huang.

The first snow is falling, and the Guanzhong area, which should have entered the slack farming season, is still very busy. People who would never go out unless necessary in previous years are now coming and going.

"Everyone, work harder. We must clear the river before the ground freezes over. Don't throw the silt around. Take it back to your own manure fields!"

"Hey! Ha! Hoo! The tree's down!"

"I'm slaughtering pigs today, folks, please remember to come!"

"The pork stewed with radish is ready! The quick ones get the meat, the slow ones get none... Don't grab it! I'm just kidding! Have it all!"

The chief officers of each village took the young and strong men to the mountains to cut wood and take out the processed wood so that the craftsmen could use the wood to build Xuanlong water wheels, water pestles, water mills and other devices on the spot as soon as possible. In this way, they could use the new farm tools in the early spring of the following year.

When it was the turn of the villagers to slaughter the pig, they would hold their babies in their arms and go from house to house to notify their fellow villagers to bring money, grain and cloth to buy meat, and also to help slaughter the pig.

Even the corvées who had worked so hard to build the canals every year in the past rarely smiled. The court had allowed them to take the silt they dug home or sell it on the spot, and the Agricultural Research Office had already developed a method to ferment the silt into fertilizer. The corvées worked very hard and might even lose their lives, but at least they gained more than before.

The faint but real aroma of meat and the fresh fragrance of radish penetrated the carriage, broke through the layers of incense, and stubbornly penetrated into Cao Shen's nostrils.

Cao Shen couldn't help but turn his head to look out the window, and saw those people squatting around the pottery jar in the wind and snow. Even though the black cloth on their heads had been stained white by the snow, they still showed smiles from the bottom of their hearts.

The meat smells so good!

Even if each person only has a little bit of meat and a mouthful of oil, it can still comfort people!

Cao Shen couldn't help but sigh softly: "Looking at his clothes, he is just an ordinary person, but he can still eat hot food and meat after the La Festival."

"Everyone in the world thinks Qi is rich, but I have never heard of Qi people being so extravagant."

"Everyone in the world thinks that Qin is poor and humble, but the people of Qin can occasionally eat meat."

"If the people are so pleased, why worry about their dissatisfaction?"

"With the people's will like this, why worry about the country's longevity?"

In order to prepare for the re-examination of the imperial examination candidates, Cao Shen had stayed in Xianyang City for nearly two months.

At Ying Chengjiao's 'suggestion', all the candidates taking the re-examination put down their books and rushed to various places in Guanzhong to get to know the people and understand their sentiments. Cao Shen immediately took the two brothers Zhou Ke and Zhou Chang to Xiao He, who was also from a noble family in Pei County, and asked Xiao He to take him around.

Originally, Cao Shen thought that he would see a desolate, cold, barbaric, warlike and tyrannical world as recorded in the book. However, the world that appeared in Cao Shen's eyes left him stunned!

You told me this is Daqin?!
After the re-examination, Cao Shen immediately found Xiao He again. While following Xiao He to help various places with the work of using gold juice to treat feces, he also took a more in-depth look at the various aspects of the people's lives.

The more Cao Shen read, the more emotional he felt.

The demise of Qi State was not unjust!

It would be strange if Qi State did not perish!
Opposite Cao Shen, Xiao He could not help but turn his gaze to the outside of the carriage, and said with a look of nostalgia: "The Qin that I saw when I went to Qin to participate in the imperial examination was completely different from the Qin that my brother Cao saw."

"The life of the people in Guanzhong at that time was very different from that of the common people in Pei County. There were frequent famines, it was difficult to store food, corvée labor was arduous, and wars were constant. The sorrow of the people was deafening."

"The people of Guanzhong can only live like this for a few years."

Cao Shen caught the key information and asked with a smile: "I think Brother Xiao has also made a lot of contributions to this prosperous era!"

Xiao He shook his head with a hint of pride. "To create such a prosperous era, the king's ability to know how to use people, his kindness and decisiveness, and Chang'an Jun's generosity, righteousness, and guidance of auspicious signs are indispensable, but this is only the foundation."

"None of the Qin royal family members fought among themselves. Everything they did was for the country and the people."

"All the officials in the court worked hard, and many extraordinary people studied day and night to achieve this success."

"I have made some contributions to this prosperous era, but in terms of merit, I am not as good as Liu Ji!"

After searching his mind for several breaths, Cao Shen looked at the two brothers Zhou Ke and Zhou Chang.

Then the three of them asked in unison, puzzled: "Who is Liu Ji?"

Xiao He casually explained, "He is just a scoundrel from Zhongyang Village."

"Although we are from the same hometown, we are just ordinary commoners. It is normal that you three do not know each other."

"This man once took part in the imperial examinations, but failed. However, because he was good at scheming, quick-witted, and capable, he was trusted by the Lord of Chang'an and was ordered to participate in the breeding of rich and powerful pigs. Later, he traveled around and ordered all the counties and towns in Guanzhong to build water pestles, water mills, and water grinders before the La Festival this year. Recently, he has also presided over the establishment of pig breeding centers in various counties and prefectures. It can be said that he is very popular."

Cao Shen couldn't help but feel a little thoughtful.

If Liu Ji was just the son of a commoner, Cao Shen would not bother to say a word to Liu Ji.

But since Liu Ji is highly trusted by Ying Chengjiao and now shoulders so many important responsibilities, he must be Cao Shen's close fellow townsman!
Cao Shen couldn't help but laugh and said, "Such a person, and we are from the same hometown."

"If I have the chance, I'll definitely make friends with you!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao He warned, "It is a great pleasure to make friends with outstanding people, but it is not necessary."

"Liu Ji's career is enough to illustrate the king and Chang'an Jun's intention in selecting talents."

"What the king and Chang'an Jun value most is not connections, not background, not even ranking, but results!"

"Even if you are ranked first again when the results are announced tomorrow, you should not be arrogant, and you should not spend all your time calling friends."

"Focus on your work, work hard, and produce results. The king and Chang'an Jun will see it."

The reason why Xiao He mentioned Liu Ji was that he hoped to use Liu Ji to wake Cao Shen up. So what if you did well in the exam?

It is better to do well than to do well in the exam!

Cao Shen was startled and quickly bowed: "Thank you, Brother Xiao, for your advice!"

When the sun was setting, Xiao He and his companions finally returned to Xianyang City. After a good night's sleep, they put on their cleanest clothes and went to the Xianyang Palace the next morning.

When Xiao He and others arrived at the palace gate, they saw thousands of people already standing outside the Xianyang Palace. Among them were candidates waiting for their results, as well as relatives and friends who had accompanied them like Xiao He. There were also many merchants and nobles from the ancient Qi area who were eager to try and were ready to find a son-in-law from the list.

But the three thousand guards lined up neatly outside the palace gate made everyone afraid to speak loudly and wait in line in an orderly manner.

At noon, the gate of Xianyang Palace was pushed open by the ministers.

Ying Chengjiao and Wei Zhuang led all the examiners out of the palace, looked at the pairs of expectant eyes outside the palace gate, and shouted loudly: "Announce the results!"

At the order, the two wooden boards were carried out of the palace gate by the ministers and nailed outside the palace wall.

Even the guards' cold gazes could no longer suppress the students' desire for success and fame, and they crowded forward, jumping and looking around.

"The first place in the first class is Cao Shen from Pei County! Hiss~ Brother Cao is the first place in the first class again, congratulations!"

"I'm also on the list! I will definitely be of help in this prosperous era!"

"What is my name? Have you ever seen my name?"

There are only over 600 names listed on the two wooden boards.

More than half of the candidates who came for the re-examination failed.

If they fail in the initial examination, they may not feel too bad.

But when they truly saw the thriving Guanzhong area, saw the changes that the Qin Dynasty might bring to the world, and almost got the ticket to participate in it, the loss of being turned away seemed particularly strong.

It’s a pity that no one cares about their disappointment, and many candidates don’t even dare to show their disappointment.

Dai Li danced with joy, and a large number of candidates, whether on the list or not, gathered around Cao Shen, complimenting him and trying to get close to him.

The examinees celebrated for a long time before Ying Chengjiao spoke loudly, "Have you seen the results?"

All the candidates stopped talking and bowed in unison: "The students have seen the list!"

Ying Chengjiao chuckled and nodded, "Good."

"Those who fail to pass the exam will try again next year."

“Those who are on the list can bring the good news home first.”

"The king has ordered that tomorrow messengers will be sent to the hometowns of all those who have passed the imperial examination. Within a month, local officials and musicians will be sent to visit and congratulate them."

"I think there will be countless people coming to visit and congratulate us, and we need to hold a grand banquet to entertain them and return the favor. We should prepare for many things in advance to avoid chaos!"

In those days, there was no custom for court officials to beat drums and gongs to announce the good news after becoming an official, but Ying Chengjiao didn't mind setting a precedent.

Whether it is sending officials or dispatching musicians, it costs almost no money, but it can give the candidates who are admitted ashore a strong sense of pride and ceremony, and can bring great honor and protection to the candidates' families.

Why not do something that benefits you and costs nothing?
Cao Shen and all the other examinees' eyes lit up, and they excitedly bowed and shouted, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Ying Chengjiao smiled happily and continued, "All those who have passed the imperial examinations will enter the palace first and pay their respects to the king later. The king will decide your positions..."

Before Ying Chengjiao could finish speaking, Zhao Gao suddenly ran to Ying Chengjiao's side and whispered in his ear.

Cao Shen and others who were nearby saw Ying Chengjiao perform a face-changing show with their own eyes.

Ying Chengjiao, who was originally smiling, suddenly showed murderous intent: "You rats, do you think my sword is no longer effective?"

"Tell the king that I will be there soon!"

Taking a deep breath, Ying Chengjiao looked at the candidates again and said in a deep voice, "Those who are on the list, please go into the palace and wait for a while."

"Supervisory Censor Li, you will be responsible for this matter first!"

"Left Prime Minister, return to the palace!"

Qi Diaoli bowed solemnly: "Yes!"

Ying Chengjiao bowed to all the examinees and said in a deep voice: "I have something important to attend to, so I will take my leave first!"

Looking at the hurriedly leaving backs of important officials such as Ying Chengjiao and Wei Zhuang, all the candidates were terrified.

Zhou Chang swallowed hard, thinking back to the pile of skulls outside Linzi City, and murmured softly: "How many skulls will it take to appease the wrath of Lord Chang'an!"

The failed candidates' eyes lit up, and they whispered excitedly: "Although we failed, we can still fight with Chang'an Jun! And we have passed the preliminary examination after all. As long as we quickly pass the law officer examination, we can serve as military law officers in the army!"

"That's right! I sincerely hope that Lord Chang'an's anger is because an enemy country has invaded our Great Qin. If we can go to war with Lord Chang'an, we can also gain military merit. With time, we may not be inferior to those on the list!"

Cao Shen's heart was also full of enthusiasm. The young soldiers were eager to make achievements, and so were the young officials!

(End of this chapter)