For ordinary people, General Iron Mask's return to Beijing is not a big deal, at least it has nothing to do with them.
For many scholars, they don't pay much attention to it, especially the common people scholars, who are busy with their own major affairs recently.
There are people coming and going in Zhaixing Tower. Business is much better than before, and there are many more scholars. Many of the scholars are obviously not dressed enough to eat and drink in Zhaixing Tower - Zhaixing Tower and Yaoyue Tower have been fighting for so many years.
It is one of the most luxurious places in Wudu.
But after this scholar competition, the owner decided to let this grand event coexist with the Star-Zhaing Tower. Although it was a pity that the people who were not as lucky as the Yaoyue Tower were the gentry and scholars, who came and went with either wealth or wealth.
"What if there is such a competition every year?" The boss and the shopkeepers thought. "This time, thirteen common people have been selected. They will have a bright future. They will be selected every year. Day after day, they will pick stars from us.
There are more and more noble people coming out of the building, and our Star Reaching Building will surely have a bright future."
The shopkeepers wanted to laugh a little: "How is it possible that there is such a competition every year? Chen Danzhu can't make trouble with the Imperial College every year, right?"
However, judging from the current trend, the advantages of doing so outweigh the disadvantages. Although some money is lost, the popularity and reputation will be greater. As for the future, wait until the matter subsides in two or three years, and then we can make long-term plans.
So a stage was set up in Zhaixinglou and famous teachers and scholars were invited to write the topics. Anyone who could write a good article of high quality would be given free food and drinks.
This allowed many wealthy and shy common people to come to Zhaixinglou to hold banquets to entertain relatives and friends, and it was even more enviable and admirable than spending money.
For a time, the scholars flocked to it, and other people also wanted to read the scholars' articles and soak up the elegant atmosphere. The Zhaixing Building was often full, and many people had to make reservations in advance when they came to eat.
A group of scholars walked in wearing clothes ranging from old to new. The waiter who greeted the guests originally said that there was no room. If he wanted to write an article, he could only book a reservation for three days later. But when he got closer, he saw one of them wearing an old cloak.
A man with long eyebrows and a yellow face——
"Ah, Mr. Pan." The guys smiled and walked a few steps quickly, extending their hands to invite you. "Your room is ready."
A shopkeeper also came out and said hello with a smile: "Master Pan has not been here for some time."
Pan Rong smiled at them and returned the favor: "I've been busy lately and have a lot of homework." He asked again, "Is it the largest private room?"
Now this ugly and poor scholar who lived around was different. He was a scholar appointed by the emperor and a disciple of Xu Luozhi. Although he had not yet taken office, he was free to choose official positions below the sixth rank in the court.
He also chatted and laughed with the third prince——
The shopkeeper personally led the way and sent Pan Rong and his entourage to the highest and largest private room. Today, Pan Rong's guests were not the powerful nobles, but the friends who had studied hard with him.
After Pan Rong got his future, he did not forget these friends. Every time he interacted with the nobles and nobles, he would try his best to recommend friends. Taking advantage of the fame of the common people, the nobles were willing to make friends and help, so
My friends all have a good future. Some have gone to famous academies and worshiped famous Confucian masters. Some have been promoted and are going to take official positions somewhere.
Today is a time to gather together to celebrate and say goodbye.
Although everyone sitting in the banquet at this moment is still a little shabby in their clothes, it is completely different from when they first entered Beijing. At that time, the future was uncertain. Now everyone's eyes are bright and the road ahead is clear.
Clearly.
"A Chou is right." A friend was happy and sad at the same time. "We should come to the capital. Only in the capital can we have a chance. If he hadn't stopped me, I really couldn't bear to leave."
Another friend laughed and said: "Stop calling me Chou, it's indecent."
Pan Rong said solemnly: "I am not ashamed of my appearance or origin. From now on, everyone in the world will call me A Chou. It is my honor, Pan Rong."
That really is known to everyone and will last forever. This sounds like a big statement, but it is not impossible for Pan Rong. Everyone laughed and toasted in celebration.
"A Chou is right, this is our opportunity." A person who lived with Pan Rong outside the city sighed, "Everything started from the voice outside the door, I am Chu Xiurong."
Not only did they have this sigh, everyone else present also had the same experience. Looking back on that moment was like a dream, and a little scared. If they had rejected the third prince at that time, everything today would not have happened.
"Now that I think about it, the promise made by the third prince has indeed come true." One person said.
The third prince said that he would ask His Majesty to rank them and let them become officials.
Later, when the results were announced, the emperor showed up, summoned the winners, and praised them. In addition to the winners, other common people's scholars who participated also improved. Although they could not have the same future as Pan Rong and the other thirteen people, they all got
This gave me an opportunity that was rarely available in Jiji Yingying before.
Pan Rong was now closer to the third prince, and was even more impressed by his manners, demeanor, and demeanor. When he thought about the third prince's illness, he felt sad. It was obvious that even the richest people in this world could not get everything they wanted. He raised his glass and said, "Let's have a drink together."
, my best wishes to the Third Prince."
Everyone present stood up and smiled and raised their glasses. In the midst of the excitement, the door was hurriedly pushed open and a person broke in.
"Something big has happened! Something big has happened!" someone shouted.
Everyone was shocked. What happened?
"Just now, the court wanted to carry out our competition to the prefectures and counties." The man gasped and spoke incoherently, "Each prefecture and county will have a competition, and then, we will use strategies to select scholars——"
It seemed that they did not hear what he said clearly. The people present were stunned. Some people were holding up their wine glasses, while others had their wine glasses to their lips. Pan Rong also looked surprised and disbelieving. Everyone looked at the visitor and fell silent.
It wasn't until someone let go and the wine glass fell with a bang that the stagnation in the room suddenly burst.
"What's going on?" "Is it true?" "Every state and county must compete?" "Every state and county can use strategies to win talents?"
...
...
Before the scholars in Zhaixinglou knew the news, many members of the noble family knew about it, and they looked shocked, disturbed, and helpless.
"How could it be like this?" Someone asked angrily, "Hasn't His Majesty already given up his thoughts?"
"General Iron Mask was questioned by the officials because of Chen Danzhu's matter. He became angry and made a fuss. He laughed and said that we and other nobles had lost and forced His Majesty. In order to appease General Iron Mask and for the sake of our reputation, Your Majesty decided to let everyone
Let's have a competition among all the prefectures and counties." An old man said. He seemed much older than before, and his breath was weak. "You are waiting for me. Your Majesty is so kind, what else can we do? If we don't compete, is it because we are afraid? Or we don't know what to do.
?”
Others look at me and I look at you, yes, what should I do? There is no way.
"What we can do now is to control the number of people." One person said astutely, "Only thirteen people were selected in the capital, and the number of people in the prefectures and counties was suppressed to three or five. This is not a cause for concern."
Others also came to their senses. Since this matter cannot be stopped, it must be controlled, so they all said "There is still time! We cannot let it become a routine." "There are also examiners." There are many ways and many details.
You can do it and feel refreshed for a while.
The old man who spoke before stopped talking. He looked at the discussions around him with a sad expression. He sighed and sat back. Using strategies to gain talents is indeed a new shoot. It looks fragile, but now that it has broken ground, I am afraid it is unstoppable.
It will grow into a towering tree.
How did all this happen? General Iron Mask? Third Prince, no, all this is because of that Chen Danzhu!
.....
.....
Pan Rong's banquet broke up, and many people hurriedly left to inquire for more detailed information. Only Pan Rong and his four companions were left sitting with a blank look on their faces. It was obvious that they were no longer mentally and physically.
"Why didn't you leave?" Pan Rong asked after coming back to his senses.
Then one person stood up suddenly: "Yes, let's go, I want to go."
The other two people came back to their senses and laughed: "Why are we leaving? There is no need to ask for news."
The man shook his head: "No, I want to go home."
At this time, everyone was stunned: "What are you going home for? You are crazy. You have just been favored by Master Wu and promised to let you serve as an official in the county he is in charge of -"
The man looked crazy: "No, I want to take the exam myself! I want to go back to my hometown, go to my hometown's prefecture and county, and take the exam. I want to use my own knowledge. I want to pass the exam as an official of the imperial court. I want to pass the exam on the same day."
As your disciple, I want to be on an equal footing with Mr. Wu!"
After saying that, the man rushed out.
Are you crazy? The others stood up in fear and wanted to chase and shout, but Pan Rong stopped him.
"Let him go." He said, tears suddenly flowing from his eyes, "This is our real future, this is the destiny that is in our own hands."
When I go back to take the exam, I can become an official. I could have become an official now, so why bother? My companions thought blankly, but they didn’t know whether it was because of Pan Rong’s words or because of Pan Rong’s inexplicable tears. They unconsciously got goosebumps all over their bodies.
pimple.
Just like that day after the third prince visited.
Pan Rong also thought about that day again, and seemed to hear a call from outside the door again, but this time it was not the third prince, but a female voice.
The female voice shouted to him to open the door. When he opened the door, everything became different.
"From now on, you will no longer be restricted by the family. By relying only on your knowledge, you will be able to enter the Imperial Academy, rise through the ranks, and become an official!"
Not just him, but several people, hundreds of people are different, and the fate of countless people in the world will be different.
