In the main hall, as the emperor entered the hall, the candidates knelt on the ground one after another.
The palace was so quiet that one could hear needles falling, and Shen Yanqing could hear his own heartbeat. He was not nervous at all, just a little excited. After studying for several years, he finally reached this point.
Zhao Jing looked at everyone, and his eyes paused for a moment on Shen Yanqing. Shen Yanqing was extremely handsome and talented, and he was a good prospect. He also had high hopes for the results of the imperial examination.
Liu Wenxuan caught Zhao Jing's eyes out of the corner of his eye, and his heart sank suddenly. If he saw it right, the emperor's eyes showed appreciation? But Shen Yanqing, a poor boy from the countryside, what did the emperor deserve to admire?
Among the candidates in this palace, he was the most knowledgeable, but the emperor did not pay attention to him. The more Liu Wenxuan thought about it, the more empty he felt in his heart. He felt that things did not seem to be developing in the direction he wanted.
All the candidates stood up at the request of the etiquette officer, found their desks in the hall and sat down. Shen Yanqing's desk was in the front row, facing the dragon chair. He did not panic at all, and sat down with a calm demeanor. Zhao Jing saw that he was not impatient, and she admired him even more.
As soon as he sat down, the examiner began to hand out test questions.
Compared with the late emperor, Zhao Jing paid more attention to pragmatism, and the exam questions were all related to the government affairs of the court. This time the question was about the relationship between economy and politics.
Such a question is not difficult to say, but when it appears here, candidates need to consider it carefully.
Nowadays, the world attaches great importance to agriculture and neglects business. Scholars, peasants, industry and commerce, businessmen are already at the bottom of the social status. Young students all want to gain official positions and become famous, and would rather be poor than become businessmen. This shows how important business was in the Yan Dynasty. Not taken seriously.
So when the candidates got the questions, they all looked more or less contemptuous. They all started from politics, and their main focus was on selecting talents. If the court selects more capable ministers, there is no need to worry about the failure of the country.
Shen Yanqing was not in a hurry to write. He felt that he could not think about this question according to the previous thinking. Since it appeared in the palace examination, it meant that the emperor was interested in economics, and he had the most personal understanding of these.
Shen Yanqing thought of the Shen family. Father Shen and his eldest son, Shen Laoer, were busy all year round, but the money they earned was barely enough to make ends meet. A year ago, the Shen family was in such poverty that they could barely afford to pay for their care. .
But since Jiang Miao took everyone into business, not only were they able to buy a house in the town, but they also accumulated money quickly.
Even Shen Yanqing himself made a fortune by selling his reading experience.
Economy plays a vital role in politics. Only when the economy is developed can the country be strong and the people stable and prosperous. Especially since the Yan Dynasty is now full of waste and waiting for prosperity, it is even more important to pay attention to the role of economy.
Shen Yanqing had the answer in his mind, picked up the pen and started writing.
As the pen moved, he put down all his thoughts on paper. Shen Yanqing wrote so seriously that he didn't see the person on the dragon chair quietly coming down and standing behind him and staring at him for a long time.
The candidates behind him were looking over at him in unison, especially Liu Wenxuan. When he saw the emperor nodding at Shen Yanqing's test paper, he almost bit his teeth in jealousy.
He thinks so highly of himself, how could he let Shen Yanqing win the first place? Isn't this a slap in the face?
Liu Wenxuan calmed down and wrote more carefully, making sure to write down all his thoughts.
Zhao Jing watched Shen Yanqing finish writing the last stroke. His heart was so excited that he wished he could make Shen Yanqing his confidant.
Since he took office, he has been trying to develop the economy vigorously, but he has been blocked by Prime Minister Liu's faction. These veterans have high self-esteem and form cliques. They only want to fight for power and gain, and do not care about the people of the country at all.
However, other officials in the court did not dare to offend Liu Yuan and others, so Zhao Jing's ideas could only be suppressed.
But things are different now. He has Shen Yanqing, a lowly candidate who is the best person in the court to break the situation.
Only now did Zhao Jing understand Mr. Wei's painstaking efforts. Shen Yanqing was a lone minister who was completely loyal to him. He had no worries and would not be restrained by other forces. The policies he wanted to implement also had executors.
So when all the test papers were collected, Zhao Jing chose Shen Yanqing as the top pick without hesitation. From today on, this unknown person will have to show off his talents in the court.
Second place on the list was Liu Wenxuan. He was still a little unbelievable when he saw his results. He actually lost, to this poor boy?
Liu Wenxuan was in a daze, and even the thank you ceremony was perfunctory. Zhao Jing was even more unhappy with him, but thinking about Liu Yuan's son losing to Shen Yanqing, he felt more at ease.
Otherwise, if Liu Wenxuan wins the first place, Liu Yuan's faction will become even more arrogant and proud, and he will be the one who feels sick in his heart.
Tanhua was also a student from Xia Fucheng, and was favored by Zhao Jing because of her handsome appearance and outstanding talents.
After several people thanked them and were about to follow the courtesy officer for a horse parade, Shen Yanqing was suddenly stopped by Zhao Jing.
"The others will leave first, Shen Zhuangyuan will stay for a while."
Shen Yanqing stood still in the palace. Liu Wenxuan looked at him with a look of reluctance and followed the ceremony officer to leave.
Zhao Jing waited until everyone left before speaking.
"Shen Zhuangyuan, what are potatoes and sweet potatoes?"
"It is a crop discovered by a student wife. It can be used as both a vegetable and a staple food. It has high yield, is easy to grow, and can be stored for a long time."
"oh?"
Zhao Jing did not expect that potatoes and sweet potatoes had so many advantages. If they could be grown in large quantities, the displaced people would be able to survive.
“Possibly grown in bulk?”
"Okay, but the student lady only found two bags. If you want to plant them in bulk, you have to wait until next year."
Next year, it will be too late. These victims can't afford to wait. Zhao Jing's heart suddenly sank.
However, in the long run, high-yield crops such as potatoes and sweet potatoes are also beneficial to the country and the people. If we want to make the country strong, we must first solve the problem of food and clothing for the people.
"I understand, your potatoes and sweet potatoes must be planted well, and the seeds saved next year will be promoted."
"Students remember."
Although Shen Yanqing agreed readily, he was worried because it belonged to Jiang Miao after all, and he didn't know if Jiang Miao would be angry if he made his own decision.
"Do you know anything about Zhenjiang Mansion?"
"Are you talking about the riots caused by the victims?"
Shen Yanqing heard something in the academy that after all, the county magistrate had run away and the entire city was occupied by disaster victims.
"Well, Zhenjiang Prefecture is only a hundred miles away from the capital. A riot will inevitably affect the capital. Now there is a lack of county magistrate there, so I plan to send you there."
Shen Yanqing's expression was slightly sluggish. Those who passed the imperial examination usually went to the Hanlin Academy to join the Imperial Academy, and then entered the cabinet. Now the emperor directly delegated him. This is... He couldn't figure out the emperor's idea.
Zhao Jing seemed to know what he was thinking and patted him on the shoulder.
"Mr. Wei is my teacher, and after all, I am still your senior brother..."
"Students don't dare." Shen Yanqing quickly bowed and saluted, and Zhao Jing helped him up.
"No need to be polite."
"You may not know my situation. There are many ministers in the court, but only a few can be used by me. Mr. Wei once recommended you to me, and I promised to wait for the scientific examination before making a decision... Now I have the answer, you He is truly talented and lives up to his reputation.”
"Zhenjiang Prefecture is very important. I won't trust anyone who gives this place to me. You are a newbie with knowledge and courage, so you are the best candidate. Shen Yanqing, are you willing to help me share my worries and go to Zhenjiang Prefecture to quell the rebellion? Disaster relief.”
"Students are willing."
"Okay, you are indeed someone I value. Then I will give you five days of family leave and rush to Zhenjiang Mansion as soon as possible."
