Fenghou

Li Toutuo took out another ingot of silver, about 50 taels, and pushed it to Lin Jianqing, "If you have any debts outside, go and pay it off."

Lin Jianqing blushed, he really owed a lot of debt outside.

……

On the second floor of the same restaurant by the window, the three of Chao Qing were also drinking and chatting. Chao Qing held the wine glass and said with a smile: "Guess what the countermeasures for this imperial examination will be?"

Zhong Huan hesitated and said, "I guess it has something to do with the recent situation, could it be Xixia?"

Both Chao Qing and Su Ce laughed. As expected of the children of the Zhong family, they always wanted to destroy Xixia.

"What are you laughing at, isn't it possible?" Zhong Huan stared dissatisfiedly.

Su Ce smiled and said, "Old man, think about it, if you take the Western Xia exam, how many of these scholars can do the questions? They must all hand in blank papers."

Chong Huan was right when he thought about it. Apart from himself, I am afraid that there is no second person who knows about Xixia, and he really doesn't know how to test Xixia, so he just laughed dryly and stopped talking.

"What does Xiao Su think will be tested?" Chao Qing asked again.

"I think it's the strategy of Sichuan and Shaanxi. I heard that the Xuanfu envoy attached great importance to the business of Bashu. The tea horse market in the north of Chengdu was initiated by him. The business is booming. For the Western Army, the military expenditure is a big one, so how to increase the financial resources? , must be the most concerned about the envoy, and it is definitely right to consider the topic in this regard."

Chao Qing gave a thumbs up and praised: "Sure enough, he understands!"

"Look, that person is here too!"

Chong Huan pouted towards the elegant room, Chao Qing and Su Ce looked together, and saw two people walking out of an elegant room, the one in front was the man who boasted that he was the brother-in-law of Xuan Fu envoy when he was queuing in the morning, and the one behind was A tall, thin man, about 30 years old, with dark skin, put his shoulders on the shoulders of the person in front of him, and whispered something to him, and the two looked very close.

"The man behind is a Lianjiazi!"

Zhong Huan said coldly: "Look at his hands. He has spent at least ten years in archery."

"You can see that?"

"You are all pure literati, of course you can't tell, but I know, I have practiced for ten years, so I can tell at a glance."

Chao Qing waved his hand, "Hey! Who cares, it has nothing to do with us, let's continue to guess what the title of the poem will be?"

Su Ce was also not interested, but Zhong Huan stared at the tall and thin man walking down the stairs. He felt that there was a murderous aura in this man.

Chapter 629 Exam Questions

In the past two months, Chen Qing has been focusing on the war, not on internal affairs, and there are piles of documents on the table, but fortunately, Zhao Qiaoyun sorted them out for him, which saved a lot of effort.

Chen Qing had two offices to join the army, that is, the secretary, Zhang Xuan, and Zhao Qiaoyun. Zhang Xuan was cautious, but he didn't have a good view of the overall situation. In Chen Qing's view, he was at the level of a county magistrate, so Chen Qing kept asking him to coordinate field work. , and the processing of important documents was basically handed over to Zhao Qiaoyun.

Although Zhao Qiaoyun is already his wife, Chen Qing still relies on Zhao Qiaoyun for handling confidential documents.

Zhao Qiaoyun not only has a strong view of the overall situation, but also can grasp the key points from the complicated and trivial. She is also very careful, listing the priorities of things one by one, making it clear at a glance. More importantly, she adheres to principles and never makes her own decisions. Chen Qing won the trust.

That afternoon, when Chen Qing came back from Xianyang, he went directly to the Neizheng Hall. The Neizheng Hall was a part of the government office, and it was dozens of steps away from his official building. There was a long passageway between the walls, which led directly to the back garden where Chen Qing lived. Now, Chen Qing usually receives officials in the front office, but handles important government affairs in the internal affairs hall.

Eight female guards with strong martial arts skills were deployed in the Internal Affairs Hall. These female guards were not so much protecting Chen Qing as they were protecting Zhao Qiaoyun. There were also several maids serving tea and water.

"Hot! Hot! Hot!"

Chen Qing walked into the lobby covered in sweat, yelling repeatedly. A maid hurriedly handed over a wet towel. Chen Qing took the towel and wiped off the sweat on his face and neck, complaining: "It's the beginning of April, how hot is it? Same as summer?"

Zhao Qiaoyun took off his coat for him, and said with a smile: "It's normal! It doesn't rain much during this period, it's relatively dry, and it's sunny, so it's relatively hot, and it will cool down after two rains."

After taking off his coat, Chen Qing suddenly felt much cooler. He sat down and drank a cup of herbal tea, and asked with a smile, "Is anyone looking for me this afternoon?"

"There must be! Zhou's order urged the officials to quickly approve this year's spending plan. Jiang Changshi complained that the camels were used to transport the army rations, and there was no way to transport the goods to Bashu."

Chen Qing couldn't help laughing, "I forgot that camels are needed to transport goods, let him think of other ways, forget it, I'll let Zhang Xuan talk about it later."

Zhao Qiaoyun smiled sweetly, and handed Chen Qing the list of documents she had compiled.

"Why is the imperial examination proposition the most urgent thing right now?" Chen Qing looked at the top line of the list and was a little stunned.

Zhao Qiaoyun was angry and funny, "There are still four days before the imperial examination, but the imperial examination questions have not been settled yet, and the Advising Education Department is jumping in a hurry."

"Didn't I say let Jiang Yan decide the topic first?"

"The official only asked him to decide the title of the poem, but you said to decide the topic by yourself. Did the official forget?"

Chen Qing scratched his head, this happened a month ago, he really forgot.

Speaking of setting the questions, Chen Qing thought of another important matter, and quickly asked: "Your master is invited to be the examiner for marking papers, has she agreed?"

"My master only agreed to mark poems and prose. She said that the countermeasures are not good enough, and her vision is not enough."

"That's fine. In fact, all I want is her reputation, and I don't need her to worry about the rest."

Chen Qing only needed Li Qingzhao's reputation to make his imperial examination papers more authoritative.

Zhao Qiaoyun pursed her lips and said with a smile: "Since the officials have invited Master, she will definitely participate in it seriously, and she will not be out of anyone's effort."

"Let her do whatever she wants!"

Chen Qing hugged her waist and said with a smile: "Tell me about the countermeasures. I know you have thought about it for me. I want to hear your thoughts."

Zhao Qiaoyun patted Chen Qing's hand lightly, and glanced down the hall, there were two maidservants standing in the hallway!

Chen Qing knew that she was thin-skinned, so he had no choice but to let her go, and pulled her to sit down opposite him.

Zhao Qiaoyun pondered for a while and said: "I've been thinking about it for two days, and I think we should focus on the reality, and not take the questions that students prefer, such as Hehuang Tuntian and Xixia. Most of the candidates have never been to Hehuang and Xixia. How do you tell them to write?"

"Makes sense!"

Chen Qing praised it very much. He just thought of Hehuang Jinglue, but after being told by Zhao Qiaoyun, he gave up again.

This is indeed the case. There are very few people who have been to Hehuang, and the geographical features may not be known. How can scholars answer the questions?

"Go on."

Zhao Qiaoyun smiled and continued: "On the other hand, since it is an imperial examination, it must be difficult. In fact, I think it is possible to take the Hanzhong Classics..."

Chen Qing’s eyes lit up, it’s a good question, Hanzhong is located between Sichuan and Shaanxi, candidates know it well, and they can do the questions, but it’s more difficult to do it well, it not only involves Sichuan and Shaanxi, but also Nanyang, Jingxiang , It also involves Xihe Road, and more importantly, Hanzhong is now in need of a lot of waste, and people with brains are in need of advice.

Chen Qing was happy, so he hugged Zhao Qiaoyun and kissed her lips hard.

"Ah! Officers, be careful, I might... might be pregnant."

Chen Qing was startled, then overjoyed, "Really?"

Zhao Qiaoyun nodded shyly, "I guess it was the days before the officials set off for the expedition. These days I was a little sleepy and always felt sick. I told my wife in the morning. She had experience and said that I was probably pregnant. "

"Then ask Dr. Wang to come over and take a look."

"She happened to be away from Jingzhao today, she went to Lintong, and she will come tomorrow."

Chen Qing patted his forehead and said distressedly: "If you are pregnant and have a baby, who will help me sort out the paperwork!"

Zhao Qiaoyun stroked Chen Qing's hair lovingly, and said softly: "After all, I am a family member, so I can't interfere too much in politics. Everyone doesn't talk about it, but they all have ideas in their hearts, so I hope to find some truly talented people in this imperial examination." Young scholar, I will persist for another two or three months, and then hand it over to the newcomers."

Chen Qing nodded, "It won't take two or three months. I'll leave these to Zhang Xuan. I'll ask you for help if I have a headache. You should rest more and not stay up late."

"Alright, Zhang Xuan is actually capable, you need to train him more."

"He is more capable than ordinary people, but he is far behind you. He is really not suitable to be my reporter and join the army. If I find a suitable candidate, I will replace him and let him go to a county to be an official."

At this time, the maid reported at the door: "Second Madam, Madam sent someone to say that Dr. Wang is here and ask you to go back quickly."

Chen Qing said with a smile: "Hurry up and go back! You don't need to take care of this place for the time being, the most important thing is to pay attention to rest."

Arranging Zhao Qiaoyun back, Chen Qing then opened a copy of the letter, and gave instructions one by one according to the notes Zhao Qiaoyun wrote to him.

Chen Qing sighed, and put down his pen. The notes on these documents are so well written, they explained the matter clearly in a few words, grasped the essence of the problem, and gave himself good suggestions on how to solve the problem, especially Writing horizontally is very suitable for his reading habits.

Even Zhu Sui, who had joined the army before, couldn't do it properly.

In fact, it's not just a question of talent, but more of a kind of trust. He can trust Zhao Qiaoyun without reservation, but can he do it to others?

Chen Qing thought over and over again, he could greatly reduce Zhao Qiaoyun's burden, and did not need her to come to the internal affairs hall, but she still needed to check some important documents for him.

At this time, a clerk said in the hall: "Send a report to the Xuan Fu envoy, and persuade the Zhao Department of the School Department to ask for an interview!"

"Understood, I'll come right over!"

……

The official order of the Persuasion Department is called Zhao Fusheng, who was originally a doctor of Taixue from Yingtianfu and a native of Huxian County, Jingzhao Prefecture. After the fall of Bianliang, he returned to his hometown with his wife and children, closed his door and became a landlord, and Chen Qing seized Guanzhong. Soon, Wei Zhan, the old Patriarch of Webster's family, recommended Zhao Fusheng to Chen Qing.

Chen Qing personally hired him out of the mountain to be in charge of the education of Shanxi Road and Xihe Road. After all, Zhao Fusheng was still middle-aged, and he was unwilling to let him live at home so early, so he readily accepted Chen Qing's invitation to serve as a counselor. Department of Education Order.

The one thing Zhao Fusheng wanted to do the most was to change the Encouragement Office into the Guozi Office. The name of the Encouragement Office made him a little crazy, so every time he saw Chen Qing, he had to mention this matter, or he wanted to Money, but now he can't take care of anything else, the most important topic of the imperial examination has not yet come out, so he is a little anxious.

"Report to the Xuanfu envoy, and the test papers will not be printed in time."

Chen Qing shook his head and said, "Why do you need to print the test papers? Are you not afraid of leaking the test questions?"

"Reporting to the Xuanfu envoy, the people who carve the engraving and the people who print the test papers will be separated, and it is impossible for them to leak the test questions."

Chen Qing still shook his head and objected, "This plan is not appropriate. As long as the interests are sufficient, the soldiers guarding them will collude with them and leak the questions. I still require that the questions be unsealed at the beginning of the exam."

"If this is the case, you can only answer the paper with blank paper, and the soldiers use wooden boards to give the questions to the princes."

"Isn't this very good, why not use it?"

Zhao Fusheng said helplessly: "In this case, a lot of rules will have to be changed. Go back to the humble position and discuss it with your subordinates. At that time, the main consideration was to take the exam in the big tent, and a lot of people were needed to prepare the questions."

Chen Qing smiled slightly, "If you need [-] soldiers, I can give them to you!"

"Okay! There is no need to worry about the title of the Fushi envoy, and I will leave my humble post!"

Chen Qing said again: "When the imperial examination is over, I will change the name of the Encouragement Department to the Guozi Department. Even if the court is not happy, I will change it."

Zhao Fusheng was overjoyed, "Thank you Xuanfu envoy!"

"Zhao Shuling, don't leave in a hurry, I still want to know about the specific arrangement of examination questions for this imperial examination."

6 Chapter Thirty

At noon, in Tianranju Restaurant, Chao Qing and the others were still sitting in front of the window on the second floor drinking. Today was Su Ce's treat. All three of them liked the sake of Tianranju, and they had become regular customers of the restaurant.

"This time, there are only three exams in name, but in fact there are four exams!"

Holding the wine glass, Chao Qing said triumphantly: "You have to believe in my wisdom. Poems and prose each account for [-]%, countermeasures account for [-]%, and calligraphy accounts for [-]%. In the exam reminder, it is particularly emphasized that you should use block letters or Xingkai to answer questions, which reveals that You have to score points for calligraphy, otherwise it will be clearly stipulated that only block letters are allowed."

Su Ce curled his lips in disdain, "Is this also called a discovery? Which imperial examination in the Song Dynasty didn't look at calligraphy? Calligraphy is a basic skill, okay?"

Chao Qing rushed to rescue the soldiers, "The old man wants to support me?"

"I can't help it, you're short-mouthed! If I don't say anything, you will fight one to one."

Chao Qing glared at him, "You have no guts, you didn't see your short-sightedness when you ate mine yesterday, okay! Seriously, if we all pass the exam, will you stay as officials?"

This is a choice that all scholars have to face. If they are admitted, are they willing to stay or continue to take the imperial examination in Lin'an next year.

"I will definitely stay!"

Chong Huan laughed and said, "You can't fight Xixia in other places!"

"You don't count, you are inheriting the ancestral business, what about you, Xiao Su?"

Su Ce pondered for a while and said, "My father wants me to stay, saying that there is a better future in Sichuan and Shaanxi. Basically, I will stay, but if Jingzhao Taixue admits me, I will not stay."

Chao Qing didn't wait for them to ask, and took the initiative to grab the topic, "I will definitely stay, you would be a fool if you don't stay."

"What do you mean?"

"Our group is all lacking officials. If we pass the Lin'an exam, I don't know how many years we will have to sit on the bench, and we don't know how much money we will have to spend to have a chance."

Su Ce asked, "You said that all of them are real officials, but do you have evidence?"

Chao Qing said in a low voice: "Before I came, I specifically inquired about the detailed rules for the negotiation between the imperial court and Chen Xuanfu, and I found that there is a rule that above the county magistrate is directly appointed by the court's official department, and below the county magistrate is recommended by the Xuanfu envoy's office, and the official department appoints you." , that is, the three official positions of county magistrate, county lieutenant, and chief secretary are recommended by the Xuanfu envoy's mansion. There are hundreds of counties in Bashu, and Xuanfu envoys will definitely replace them with their own people step by step. This is our opportunity."

"Are we also our own?" Su Ce asked with a smile.

Chao Qing glanced at Zhong Huan and said with a smile: "Someone will definitely count, but the two of us don't necessarily, it's just that the matter is not handled this way, the officials from Shaanxi Road and Xihe Road must be transferred to Bashu, and the vacant seats will be taken by us. to fill in."

"What about the magistrates and lieutenants of Bashu?" Su Ce asked again.

Zhong Huan said coldly: "Few of the officials in Bashu have clean asses. It's not easy to get rid of them?"

Speaking of this, Zhong Huan suddenly froze. He saw the two people coming out of the room yesterday again, still hooking their shoulders.

"Why are they again?" Chao Qing turned around and saw the two of them.

"It's the one who calls himself Chen Qing's brother-in-law."

Su Ce also smiled and said, "That thin and tall man should be his friend!"

"Sit down for a while, I'll come when I go."