Daming: Stealing Chen Yuanyuan at the beginning

Chapter 120 Nanjing Twelve Hours

At the beginning of Shenshi, the military parade ended.

Li Cunming glanced at the officials and said, "Do you still want to resign?"

The scholars could guess the emperor's intention of holding a military parade, and the officials naturally figured it out too.

Now that the emperor has a brave and loyal army, and Yan Ermei and other talented confidant ministers, he is really not afraid of the resignation of officials who are ignorant of current affairs.

But before the officials could reply, the emperor had already walked down the city tower, and said leisurely: "Don't rush to answer me, the bet between me and you has not yet been resolved, you stay in Hongwumen and see what public opinion is! "

"I'm tired, so I'll go back to the palace. I've figured it out thoroughly, come to the study to see me."

On the square in front of Hongwu Gate, the people were reluctant to leave for a long time. They were still excitedly reminiscing about what they saw and heard at the military parade, talking and admiring with dancing and dancing.

The scholars thought they were going to be received by the emperor, but after waiting for a while, there was no movement at all, and no one paid any attention to them.

"Look, the emperor seems to have left Hongwu Gate!" the sharp-eyed man shouted.

Scholars looked at each other, and suddenly felt a sense of loss.The thing is obvious, the emperor doesn't care about the scholars at all, and treats them extremely contemptuously.

There is a kind of contempt called indifference!
Scholars in ancient times had a strong desire for fame and fortune. Although they talked about their family and country all day long, what they cared most about was getting ahead and being valued by the court.

But after tossing and tossing for a long time, they didn't get anything, and they didn't make a fuss at all. Instead, they gave the emperor a chance to show the strength of the court and made a show for the emperor.

It is sweet for whomever you work hard, but in the end, you are making wedding clothes for others, and the self-esteem of the scholars is broken to the ground!
Just when the scholars didn't know where to go, two huge pieces of cloth were suddenly hung on the wall of Hongwumen City, with words written all over them.Many officials from the household department came out of the city gate and called on people to gather in the past.

A moment later, Jiang Dejing stood on the tower, leaned down and shouted:

"Common people, these two pieces of cloth and silk are written on the content of the new policy recently implemented by the imperial court. One is 'the stalls are allocated to the mu, and the officials and gentry pay for the food and the errands'. Watch and listen to the explanations of the officials of the household department."

The household officials dispersed among the crowd and began to explain the New Deal in plain language.

"What do you mean by dividing the land into the mu? It means that the poll tax will no longer be levied in the future, and the tax will be levied according to the amount of the land, and those who have money and land will pay more taxes."

"Officials and gentry also have to pay food and errands. The emperor treats all people in the world equally, and no one can think of being superior. The Ming Dynasty does not raise waste, and does not raise moths."

"The system of maintaining honesty and integrity is to improve the treatment of officials, so as to prevent them from corruption."

The common people listened carefully, and easily understood the essence of the imperial court's new policy. The smiles on their faces became brighter and they were full of praise.

Someone said: "Okay, this is very good. Without the poll tax, we poor people have a lot less burden."

Someone said: "More than that, if you think about it carefully, the tax is levied according to the amount of the land. The rich will naturally pay more tax. As for the poor, they can't support themselves by farming, and they can still go to work or start a small business without being tied to the field. inside."

"Yes, that's the truth!" People nodded one after another, and then started talking about the system of raising money.

"Heh, you see, the officials of the first grade have 15000 taels of silver to support them every year, and the emperor takes good care of the officials!"

"Yeah, I really don't know what these scholars are still dissatisfied with? They are tossing around all day long, and they have to give up the exams. They don't know how to cherish and be grateful at all!"

People's discussions revolved around the system of raising honesty and silver, and gradually attracted scholars. Their emotions changed from envy to jealousy, and from jealousy to resentment.

A butcher who had been slaughtering pigs in the city all year round suddenly grabbed the sleeve of a scholar beside him and shouted:
"Son of a bitch, what else are you dissatisfied with? How about we swap identities, you kill the pigs, and I go to study and take the exam! Grandma is such a bear. The court has given so much money to support you, so why not raise pigs? !”

Someone else scolded from the side: "Baby bastard, you eat and wipe clean. If you are fat and big-eared, that's all. The emperor's new policy is for the benefit of the poor and poor people. You want to make trouble, but you want to make trouble when you are full. Flip the table, or is it human?"

As soon as this remark came out, it was like dropping a boulder on a calm lake, which immediately set off a raging wave.

The people were not fair in their hearts, and the anger and grievances that had been smoldering in their hearts for many years burst out, yelling at the scholars, pushing and shoving.The situation was chaotic, and people might die.

The scholars were in such a panic that they wanted to run away, but they had nowhere to escape.

At the time of extreme panic, it was Gong Yonggu who led the soldiers to maintain order.

Gong Yonggu said: "Scholars who claim to be pleading for the people, have you seen that the common people don't need you to be sentimental, and none of you can represent it! Let's go, those who want to live, go back to the examination hall."

The officials on the city tower witnessed the commotion and anger of the people, and their expressions changed one by one.At this time, they finally recognized the reality, and the New Deal was deeply supported by the people.

"We were wrong after all. If we continue to be stubborn, we are against the emperor and the people of the world! Go, go to the study and kowtow to the emperor to admit our mistakes, so that we can repent!" Finally, an official who participated in the resignation incident spoke out the truth of everyone. Heartfelt.

……

At the same time, Cao Huachun met with Mao Xiang and Lin Shi in Xichang.

Facing the big devil, Boss Cao, Mao Xiang and Lin Shidang's brows were full of sweat, and they sat awkwardly on the stool, and the tea cups in their hands trembled and made noises.

Cao Huachun drank his tea with his head down, and said flatly, "Our family hasn't killed people for a long time..."

Dang!

Lin Shi dropped the teacup in his hand and broke it into pieces, causing the tea to flow all over the floor.He was so pale that he almost cried.

"What are you afraid of? Our family is just sighing. The West Factory is different from the past. Now it is in charge of business affairs. Most of the time our family only deals with businessmen. We talk about business transactions. It is true that we haven't killed anyone for a long time."

Cao Huachun smiled but did not smile, raised his eyelids, stared at Maoxiang and said: "Our family is looking for you to discuss business."

Mao Xiang hurriedly asked, "I don't know what kind of business Director Cao wants to talk about?"

"It's very simple. Since the two of you can take the lead in rejecting the exam, you can also take the lead in taking the exam."

"The director of the Cao factory means that we should betray the scholars?" Mao Xiang frowned.

"In business, there is no betrayal. Make a price!"

Mao Xiang glanced at Lin Shigai, Lin Shigai bowed his head and said nothing, obviously he had lost his courage.

Mao Xiang had no choice but to bite the bullet and said: "Scholars of my generation, beheading is a small matter, and injustice is a big matter! The two of us have made an alliance with the scholars, and we will not betray. We will not participate in Enke unless the imperial court abolishes the New Deal. take an exam!"

Cao Huachun raised three fingers: "3 taels of silver per person!"

"I, Maoxiang, was born in a scholarly family with a strict family tradition and was deeply influenced since childhood. The education I have received does not allow me to do things that are worthless..."

"5 million taels of silver!"

"Director Cao Factory, don't bother. Let me reiterate, I am a scholar and a disciple of a saint. I cannot be bought with money! I am not that kind of person..."

"10 taels!"

The corners of Maoxiang's mouth twitched, and he suddenly raised his eyebrows and squinted and said with a smile: "Boss Cao is really good at seeing people, let's make a deal!"

Cao Huachun rolled his eyes, took out a stack of bank notes from his sleeve, a total of 20 taels, and handed them to Maoxiang and Lin Shiduong.The two reached out to take it, but Cao Huachun withdrew his hand.

"Doing business with Boss Cao, you will definitely make a lot of money, but our family will not lose money. This 20 taels of silver is not only buying your conscience, but also the lives of the whole family!"

"What do you mean?" Mao Xiang and Lin Shi spoke in unison.

Cao Huachun stood up abruptly, without a smile on his face, and said murderously: "Take the bank ticket, after the exam, you two must move out of Yingtian Mansion as a whole family immediately, and you will not be allowed to set foot in Nanjing again in this lifetime. Otherwise, you will be killed without mercy!"

Mao Xiang and Lin Shi gasped at each other, wanting to refuse, but when they raised their eyes and saw Cao Huachun's egg-shelled face, all the courage in them disappeared immediately.

"Don't blame our family for being cold and ruthless. It's really your own fault! If God does evil, you can still live, but if man does evil, it's unforgivable! Go ahead and take the exam. This is the last exam in your life."

After speaking, he threw the silver bill on the ground and walked away.

……

At the time of You, the dark clouds in the sky rolled endlessly, and the cold wind howled.

It was dark in front of the examination house, and the torches were lit early.The scholars still sat quietly, but compared with the situation in the morning, there was no atmosphere of impassioned righteousness, and all of them were downcast.

The scholars didn't know what to do, Qu Shixu was the only leader who organized the test strike demonstration, and Zheng Sen, Lin Shidui, and Mao Xiang didn't know where they were.

However, Qu Shixu's prestige was not as good as the other three, and he was single and weak. After experiencing the military parade and seeing the anger of the people, he was already disheartened. He himself was confused and even more powerless to support the situation.

"What the hell are we going to do, who's going to say something?" someone yelled.

The scholars looked at Qu Shixu, and Qu Shixu sighed, and said, "Wait a little longer, wait for Zheng Sen and the other three to come back, and then make further calculations."

"But what about them, didn't they run away?"

"Things have reached this point. The court doesn't care about us at all. The leading figures are missing. We are completely worthless. If we are not careful, we will become homeless dogs and make people laugh at the world. Oh, it is really a joke!"

"Then what can we do, take the exam?" Someone asked tentatively.

No one answered, and no one dared to stand out.The noise of the crowd fell silent, only the cold wind was blowing.

At this moment, someone suddenly jumped up and shouted: "Look, Maoxiang and Lin Shidu are back!"

Everyone stood up, watching Mao Xiang and Lin Shiduo walking over.Qu Shixu hurriedly asked, "Where is Zheng Sen?"

"Ah, isn't he with you?" Mao Xiang asked in surprise.

Lin Shidang was worrying about how to complete the task that Cao Huachun had given him, so he just found an excuse and yelled, "Run away, Zheng Sen must have left us and ran away, this kid is a cunning, very cunning!"

"Zheng Sen is not such a person..." Qu Shixu wanted to defend himself.

Lin Shigang's eyes widened, and he said sharply, "Then tell me where is the other person? Hmph, Zheng Sen was the first to propose the dismissal of the exam, but now he has fled and betrayed his promise. Where will we be?"

Mao Xiang quickly understood Lin Shidui's intentions, and echoed: "Okay, if there is a scapegoat, let us bear it, if there is a danger, let us bear it, Zheng Sen is too sinister and vicious! If this is the case, don't blame me for not being righteous. I'm not giving up the exam!"

After finishing speaking, he strode to the entrance of the examination institute, and said to the soldiers guarding the gate: "Miao Xiang, a student from Yingtian Mansion, is here to take the Enke examination, please let me in."

The soldier was very friendly, searched his body, and asked Mao Xiang to come in politely.

The scholars were dumbfounded all of a sudden, and Lin Shi shouted to him: "Forgive me for not accompanying me anymore, I want to take the exam too!"

This was a complete blowout. Since the leader ran away and repented, how could the ordinary scholars still have the motivation and courage to insist on canceling the exam?
Scholars scrambled to the entrance of the Examination Institute, shouting to go in.

Gong Yonggu appeared at the door, smiled and said: "That's right, don't be used as a gunman, and you have to help count the money if you are sold, don't you think it's too stupid? Line up and accept one by one." search!"

Qu Shixu stood in the wind, messed up.

……

At the beginning of the garrison, night fell.After brewing for a day, the heavy rain finally fell from the sky.

Outside the door of the study room, the wind and rain were dark, and there were thunder and lightning.The officials who came to admit their mistakes knelt on the ground, and the rain soaked their clothes, but no one dared to get up and leave, just kowtowed.

Wang Chengen came running in the rain, kicked up splashes of water, and shouted: "Your Majesty, all scholars have entered the Examination Institute to take the Enke Examination!"

The officials raised their heads. Although the result was expected, they didn't expect it to come so quickly. Twelve hours hadn't passed yet, and they were shocked again.

After careful calculation, the emperor made a bet with his courtiers at the time of Mao in the early morning, and it was only now that it was Shu time.

what does that mean?It means that the emperor only took eight hours to quell the incident of dismissing the exam, and he did not use force or strength. He is really wise and wise!

The officials were completely convinced, and shouted in unison: "Congratulations to the emperor, congratulations to the emperor, the ministers are willing to bet and admit defeat!"

A door to the study room opened, and Li Cunming stood at the door and asked, "Do you still want to resign?"

"Your majesty, please forgive me for doing something stupid. I will take back your resignation, and I will follow your majesty to the death from now on!"

"Ding, a total of 50000 officials' positive emotions have been obtained."

Li Cunming smiled, his eyes fell on Qian Bingdeng and Chen Zhenhui, his eyes were stern: "Qian Bingdeng, as the Minister of Rites, you are the person in charge of Enke this time, but you let the scholars make trouble, which is an unforgivable crime ,kill!"

"Chen Zhenhui, you also participated in the exam strike incident. Although the crime is not worthy of death, you bewitched the crown prince and instigated the crown prince to oppose the New Deal. This crime cannot be pardoned no matter what. Kill!"

Several Jin Yiwei rushed over, held Qian Bingdeng and Chen Zhenhui down, raised their knives, blood spattered on the spot.

Li Cunming looked coldly at the heads of Qian Bingdeng and Chen Zhenhui, and said after a while, "I opened Enke to select talents for the country and clean and capable officials for the people, not to provide a stage for clowns."

"I wrote a new poem, Kyushu is angry and relies on wind and thunder, and it is sad to see thousands of horses silent. I urge the Lord of Heaven to cheer up and send down talents regardless of style."

"Wang Chengen, take this poem to the Examination Institute and tell the scholars that the previous test questions are invalid, and let them use this poem as a topic to write an article on what is a talent."

Just at this time, a bright flash of lightning flashed across the sky, and the sky and the earth were bright.

(End of this chapter)