Looking at Wen Qi standing in front of him, Zhao Hongrun had a strange expression.
Zhao Hongrun certainly recognized Wen Qi's talent. He could not only hold a cup and recite poems and compose poems, but also write a pen to govern the country. He was a leader among typical scribes.
The problem is that Wen Qi has been included in the imperial court's blacklist. Who allowed this kid to cheat in the exam three years ago?
Even if he cheated on his own, he cheated for a few idiots who didn't have much ink in their chests. Because of this, the court defined Wenqi's cheating as "malicious fraud" - that is to say, Wenqi cheated not for official career, but for official career.
In order to bring shame to the Ministry of Rites and the imperial court.
If Zhao Hongrun had not come forward, the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Punishment would never have allowed this guy who had ruined the reputation of the court and affected the face of the court to get out of prison so easily.
And now, this guy actually wants to take part in the examination?
"..." Zhao Hongrun tilted his head and looked at Wen Qi, looking at the latter and said calmly: "I have inquired, the etiquette department of this year's joint examination has lowered the threshold, even students who did not pass the provincial examination can still participate in the beam.
examination."
Listening to Wen Qi's words, Zhao Hongrun's eyelids twitched.
It is undeniable that what Wen Qi said is true. Since Du You, the Minister of Rites, hopes to pass this year's examination and suppress the people's enthusiasm for joining the army and eager for war, which has been fostered by the frequent victories in foreign wars in recent years, under Zhao Hongrun's suggestion
, which rarely lowers the threshold for examinations.
This does not mean that the rural examination has lost its significance. It can only be said that the imperial court kindly gave those who failed the provincial examination a chance. This year's general examination will include an additional preliminary examination in March to eliminate a large number of candidates.
Those students who want to fish in troubled waters, but those who have passed the provincial examination do not need to take the preliminary examination in March and can directly take the main examination in April.
This kind of arrangement can not only increase the number of candidates, increase the scale of the examination, and use this momentum to suppress the military merit and nobility system that seems to dominate the competition, but also aims to attract those outstanding talents who failed in the provincial examination due to various reasons.
Unexpectedly, Wen Qi was attracted.
Looking at Wen Qi with a calm expression on his face, Zhao Hongrun smacked his lips and said with a strange expression: "You are right...but can you get in and know how to try?"
You must know that Zhao Hongrun was only the examiner under the instructions of Emperor Wei, but the entire examination was still managed by the Ministry of Rites, and the Ministry of Rites hated Wen Qi, the "crazy student" who had caused great loss to them back then.
Zhao Hongrun has no doubt that once the official of the Ministry of Rites who will take the exam sees the name "Wen Qi", he will probably fly into a rage and ask the invigilator to expel him.
"Then it depends on you, Your Highness." Wen Qihun said nonchalantly: "Wen worked hard in Shangshui County some time ago to manage the fief for His Highness. I believe that Your Highness will be able to meet your small request."
"It's a small request. Are you asking me to slap the etiquette department in the face..."
Zhao Hongrun smiled bitterly.
But having said that, Wen Qi's dry land in Shangshui County is really good. According to Zhao Hongrun's knowledge, the five counties that were destroyed by the war have regained their vitality under Wen Qi's management, and the people of Zhaoling County and neighboring counties have
The mutual hatred has also been brought under control.
Zhao Hongrun also had some knowledge of Wenqi's strategy for managing the more than one million Chu people: Wenqi adopted a management method similar to the "military system", setting up village chiefs, village chiefs and other affairs, and managing them one by one.
, keeping everything organized up and down.
As for the standard for collecting rent, Wenqi set it as "50% after deducting the surplus grain" - it doesn't mean he is evil even if he says he is evil.
However, this rent collection standard has been supported by the more than one million Chu people. The reason is that Wenqi's rent collection standard makes them feel at ease - after all, it is 50% after excluding the food needed by each household, that is,
It is said that no matter whether the harvest is good or bad, farmers can at least ensure that their families have enough food.
In the Chu State and other maps of the Wei State that are not merchants, the standard of rent collection is calculated directly based on the harvest. If the harvest of that year is not good, the amount still needs to be paid.
Of course, the situation in Wei State is slightly better, because the local officials will go to court to ask for tax exemptions or even relief grains depending on the harvest situation; and in Chu State, hey, the number of civilians in Chu State who starve to death every year may be higher than in foreign wars.
The number of casualties is even greater.
What impressed Zhao Hongrun even more was that Wen Qi also considered the problem of farmers' laziness.
He was worried that the farmers would become tired because of this rent collection standard, so he added another standard: Under non-special circumstances, if the harvest of a village farmer that year is less than the average yield per mu, the next year's harvest will be reduced proportionally.
The amount of land allowed to be leased will increase or decrease year by year.
Stimulated by this strategy, Zhao Hongrun believed that the farmers in his Shangshui County would work hard to increase the scope of land that could be leased, and the harder they worked, the higher Zhao Hongrun's annual tax collection would naturally be.
The clever thing is that this kind of reward and punishment mechanism will not arouse the resentment of the farmers.
Therefore, in Zhao Hongrun's eyes, Wen Qi played an indispensable role in the revitalization of the other five counties in his Shangshui County.
In this case, Wen Qi asked for a reward, and Zhao Hongrun should naturally satisfy him.
However, Wen Qi's request was to participate in this year's examination, which really made Zhao Hongrun a little embarrassed. He smiled bitterly and said: "Can't you change your request? ... Or, I will make the decision to betroth Lu'er to you?"
"
Wen Qi was stunned for a moment, then his face turned dark, and with a bit of panic, he said firmly: "I have made up my mind, please grant it to His Majesty Prince Su!"
Seeing that the last beauty trap failed, Zhao Hongrun let out a distressed sigh. He looked at Wen Qi carefully and asked, "Can you tell me why you want to take part in the examination? It's because you have not been happy with me.
What?"
Wen Qi shook his head, with a bit of arrogance on his face, and said: "That's not true, I want to wash away the shame of three years ago..."
"Oh?" Zhao Hongrun asked in surprise: "You mean, through the article, the officials of the Ministry of Rites will recognize your talent?"
Hearing this, Wen Qi glanced at Zhao Hongrun strangely, frowned and asked: "If those foolish officials can recognize my talent, what does it have to do with me?"
Zhao Hongrun was speechless immediately, and after a while he asked helplessly: "What do you mean by washing away the shame?"
Wen Qi sneered and said: "The failure three years ago was not because my methods were not clever, but because those idiots were too ignorant. This time, I will pick a few smart guys..."
"This guy is so evil!"
Zhao Hongrun stared at Wen Qi in stunned silence. He finally understood. Wen Qi was clearly planning to help others cheat in the examination hall.
Is there such a freak in the world?!
Zhao Hongrun opened his mouth and said hesitantly: "Wen Qi, did you know that I am the examiner of this examination..."
Hearing this, Wen Qi showed a slight smile on his face: "Seriously? In that case, it should be easy for His Highness to get me on the list of candidates."
"..." Zhao Hongrun looked at Wen Qi speechlessly. He didn't believe that Wen Qi couldn't understand what he meant.
"It seems that Wenqi has a lot of resentment towards the Ministry of Rites... No, he probably wants to play tricks on the officials of the Ministry of Rites again, right?"
Zhao Hongrun shook his head secretly, and after thinking for a while, he had an idea.
"Okay." In Wen Qi's surprised expression, Zhao Hongrun nodded and agreed to the matter, and said with a smile: "I can get you into the examination room, but in the examination room, you will no longer be me for the time being.
If you are the king’s retainer, I will treat them all equally..."
Wen Qi was stunned for a moment, and then an indescribable and subtle expression appeared on his face: "Your Highness, are you confident that you can see through my methods?"
"You will know once you try it." Zhao Hongrun said with a smile: "Want to take a gamble? If you are caught by me, you will be my disciple for life... What? Are you afraid?"
Looking at Zhao Hongrun's confident expression, Wen Qi's eyes flashed with suspicion and solemnity. Then, he curled his lips and said, "You are really a low-level warrior who does not suit your status... Just bet!"
"Okay." Zhao Hongrun chuckled, and the smile made Wen Qi faintly feel a chill on his back: "Since I have to take part in the general examination, let's study hard in the palace for the rest of the time. This year's test questions are a bit...
Difficulty."
After taking a look at the secretly snickering expression of His Highness Prince Su, Wen Qi left with some suspicion.
Unfortunately, in the remaining time, Wen Qi did not have the opportunity to study peacefully and consolidate his knowledge in the palace as Zhao Hongrun said, because the next day he was ordered by Lu'er, the family leader of Prince Su's palace.
.
Several members of the Green Crows who had recently arrived at Prince Su's Mansion from Shangshui were surprised to find that Mr. Wen, who was very resourceful and commanding in Shangshui, looked like a mouse meeting a cat in front of the young and beautiful female eunuch of Prince Su's Mansion.
of.
By the end of February, there were more and more candidates in Daliang City. Not only the posthouses but also the inns in Xicheng were overcrowded. Under such circumstances, there were still a large number of candidates who could not find a temporary residence.
In desperation, Daliang Mansion could only call on the residents in the city to provide convenience to the candidates. To this end, Chu Shuli, the governor of Daliang Mansion, set an example by freeing up all the guest rooms in the mansion to accommodate the candidates.
Although there were already many candidates in Daliang, many candidates from various places came after hearing the news. Some were riding donkeys and horses, some were asking for caravans to come along, and some were coming on foot.
For example, in Xiangfu Port, a huge building ship docked. Wen Shaobo, the son of the Wen family who had become a wealthy businessman in Anling, sent his brother Jie Ziu, who had a different surname, to Xiangfu Port.
"Young uncle, I can go by myself." Jie Ziyu felt a little embarrassed about his sworn brother's enthusiasm. After all, Wen Shaobo had accompanied him to Daliang even though he had delayed his business, and was even prepared to accompany him throughout the whole journey.
Participate in the examination.
"How?"
After hearing Jie Ziyu's refusal, Wen Shaobo said slyly: "What's more, as far as I know, there are so many candidates in Daliang City at the moment. If you go alone, you may not even be able to find a place to stay...
...But don’t worry, while you are studying in your room, I have already sent people to buy a few mansions in Daliang, and we can just move in. If I don’t follow you, you won’t be able to find a place.”
"..." Jie Ziyu opened his mouth, then shook his head with a wry smile. The sworn brother who was reckless back then has become more and more cunning after several years of business career.
"By the way, Jiezi, why do you suddenly want to take part in the examination this year?"
"Because King Su needs someone..." Jie Ziyu murmured.
Zhao Wenlin of the Anling Zhao family, even this mediocre branch noble of the Ji Zhao family, could become the Puban order. In Jie Zizhi's view, this was really a bad sign.